"Sextortion" scams represent some of cybercriminals' most brazen attempts to extract money from unwitting victims. These extortion techniques rely on fear and shame to get targets to pay up. Similar to individualized ransomware attacks, if the party refuses to pay the demand, public exposure will follow.As these attacks target individuals rather than companies, it is important for all employees to...

For cybersecurity professionals tasked with defending the public sector, tackling the U.S. Government Configuration Baseline (USGCB) is just another hurdle to a safer federal tomorrow. Part of a wide collection of necessary federal government compliance requirements, it hones in on which baseline security configurations are necessary for federally deployed IT products. While not a standalone...

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is a Department of Defense (DoD) service provider that supplies a global information-sharing architecture for all DoD members "from the President on down." Their cybersecurity measures are among the best in the world. As Amy Probst, Lead Customer Management Specialist at DISA, explains, DISA’s Cybersecurity Service Provider (CSSP) program "monitors...

The IT and OT systems that support not only federal governmental agencies but also national critical infrastructure must be protected, but developing a security strategy effective against threats is no easy feat. It can be difficult to cover all of the necessary areas, given that these systems are “complex and dynamic, technologically diverse, and often geographically dispersed,” according to a...

Each day, it seems that we hear of another healthcare organization being compromised by a cyber attack. It is clear that the healthcare industry is the new favorite target amongst cybercriminals. Fortunately, vigorous efforts are available to combat these threats. We recently spoke to Errol Weiss, Chief Security Officer at Health-ISAC. Errol spearheads the information sharing and analysis center,...

What's happening?Security researchers have warned that a new ransomware group has taken an unusual twist on the traditional method of extorting money from its corporate victims.So what's different this time?Whereas many ransomware attacks see a company's company's data exfiltrated by attackers, and the threat made that stolen data will be sold to other cybercriminals or released to the public, the...

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), enacted by the United States Congress in 2002, is a landmark piece of legislation that aims to improve transparency, accountability, and integrity in financial reporting and corporate governance. The act was a response to high-profile corporate scandals, such as those involving Enron, WorldCom, and Tyco International, which shook investor confidence and underscored...

In Part 1, the existing global regulations around IoT were introduced. In this part, the challenge of complying with these rules is examined.The IoT Security ChallengeSecuring the Internet of Things (IoT) presents complex challenges that stem primarily from the scale, heterogeneity, and distributed nature of IoT networks:Inconsistent security standards: One of the most pressing issues is the...

Contrary to what one might expect, creating a File Integrity Monitoring (FIM) system is pretty easy. Practically anyone with a modicum of Python, Perl, or development skills can write an app or script to gather a file's checksum, compare it to a list or baseline, and tell you whether or not said file has changed.But creating a good FIM solution is hard. Many inadequate checkbox File Integrity...

Containerization has revolutionized application development, deployment, and management – and for good reason. The ability to automatically wrap an application and its dependencies into a single, easily deployable package helps developers focus on what they do best: writing code. Widely recognized as the go-to method to boost productivity and simplify the process, containerization keeps gaining...

Cybersecurity frameworks are blueprints for security programs. Typically developed by governmental organizations, industry groups, or international bodies, they take the guesswork out of developing defense strategies, providing organizations with standards, guidelines, and best practices to help them manage and reduce their cybersecurity risks. While cybersecurity frameworks such as the Center...

There's some possibly good news on the ransomware front.Companies are becoming more resilient to attacks, and the ransom payments extorted from businesses by hackers are on a downward trend.That's one of the findings of insurance broker Marsh, which conducted an analysis of the more than 1800 cyber claims it received during 2023 from its clients in the United States and Canada.According to Marsh,...

As we pass the halfway mark of 2024, data breaches remain on the rise. Cybercriminals are finding more and more inventive ways to infiltrate organizations, exploiting vulnerabilities in networks, software, and human behavior. From phishing schemes and ransomware attacks to insider threats and supply chain compromises, the threat of cyber attacks continues. This is bad news, especially for certain...

As the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris approach, organizers are intensifying cybersecurity measures in response to warnings from experts and law enforcement agencies about a likely surge in cyberattacks. The Games, set to start on 26 July this year, are projected to sell over 13 million tickets and attract more than 15 million visitors to Paris, generating around 11 billion euros in economic activity...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now integrated into almost every available technology. It powers numerous real-world applications, from facial recognition to language translators and virtual assistants. AI offers significant benefits for businesses and economies by boosting productivity and creativity. However, it still faces practical challenges. Machine learning often requires substantial human...

Zero Trust maturity might be one of the least understood security buzzwords of our era. The term “Zero Trust” was originally coined over a decade ago and described the principle of not assigning digital trust to any entity, ever, for free. It represented a fundamental paradigm shift from the trust-happy early internet days to the threat-filled cyber landscape we now know.Since then, companies have...

In the past four years, cyberattacks have more than doubled. Cybercriminals are leveraging emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to facilitate more sophisticated attacks. Geopolitical tumult has increased cyber risk. Couple these factors with a near-ubiquitous desire for businesses to expand their operations, and it’s easy to understand the need for scaling Security Operations...

I recently came across the "Johari Window Model" and thought this would be a good way to gain inspiration to explain the conundrum faced by many cybersecurity customers. The table below shows us the breakdown of the stages that are applicable not just to IT and OT environments but also to other facets of our daily lives. This model can be applied...

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the global network of physical devices connected to the internet, capable of collecting and sharing data. IoT devices range from everyday household items to sophisticated industrial tools. By integrating sensors and communication hardware, IoT bridges the gap between the physical and digital worlds, enabling environments where smart devices operate...

What is Qilin?Qilin (also known as Agenda) is a ransomware-as-a-service criminal operation that works with affiliates, encrypting and exfiltrating the data of hacked organisations and then demanding a ransom be paid.Qilin seems like a strange name. Where does it come from?The Qilin is a creature from Chinese mythology that combines the features of a dragon and a horned beast. Sometimes, it is...