"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...

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...

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...

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...

The successful implementation of new tools and processes hinges not just on the technology itself but on meticulous project management. From ensuring secure access to the underlying infrastructure, a new tool will be implemented upon defining clear goals and understanding the security footprint of the service. Even the earliest steps of your rollout can be important in the long run. Getting all...

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection (NERC CIP) regulations often make exacting demands of Fortra Tripwire's customers, requiring them to update or create new change processes and document those processes in order to comply. In any NERC CIP-centered IT\OT project, there are always crucial indicators of success - even before the project gets...

Integrity is a vital component of any cybersecurity policy, making up one-third of the CIA Triad. However, until recently, the industry has had a limited understanding of the term, using it primarily in the context of data security. Integrity means so much more than this principle alone: it impacts every facet of an information system and can drive an organization's entire security program...

Many companies strive to achieve the best security possible. Along the path to improved security, many companies are also required to meet various compliance standards. In some cases, compliance is also a regulatory requirement. This crossroad between security and compliance can sometimes seem at odds with the organization’s goals. Compliance does...

Threats to sensitive data are everywhere. From sophisticated cybercriminal syndicates to accidental exposure to nation-state-backed advanced persistent threat (APT) groups and everything in between, it's never been more critical for organizations to have the correct data protection tools. When designing how to protect company information from loss...

Have you ever wondered how Artificial Intelligence (AI) could mimic consciousness and autonomously control various tasks? It sounds rather daunting. However, it may not be as intimidating as it seems under the right conditions. Moreover, Would AI perform tasks independently in the same manner as humans? And what implications does this hold for...

When you speak with many of the seasoned veterans of cybersecurity, it is not unusual to learn of the twisted path in technology that eventually landed them in the security profession. However, the newest cybersecurity professionals are digital natives. They grew up in a world of technology and were exposed to cybersecurity as early as their first...

An insider threat is someone inside an organization – including current and former employees, partners, and contractors – who, intentionally or otherwise, put their organization at risk. They typically abuse their access to private information and privileged accounts to steal or sabotage sensitive data, often for financial gain or even revenge. ...

The energy sector is having a tumultuous decade. During the COVID pandemic, the price of oil plummeted. In 2021, a ransomware attack forced one of the US’s most significant oil pipelines to cease operations for five days, causing a state of emergency in seventeen states. Putin’s war in Ukraine has disrupted natural gas supplies across Europe. And now, it seems, it is the electricity providers’...

Data is the lifeblood of modern organizations, and while watertight data protection policies are undeniably crucial, the need for robust data destruction methods has never been more pressing. Ultimately, all parties and vendors in your supply chain trust you to maintain the integrity of their data. Once that data is no longer needed, transparency...

Cloud computing offers indisputable benefits, but with the caveat that it can quickly become a disorganized jumble unless adequately managed. It’s common for the average organization to use dozens of cloud instances, solutions, and resources scattered across multiple platforms. Such off-premises services quickly accumulate to accommodate the company...