Containers offer a streamlined application deployment and management approach. Thanks to their efficiency and portability, platforms like Docker and Kubernetes have become household names in the tech industry. However, a misconception lurks in the shadows as containers gain popularity - the belief that active vulnerability scanning becomes redundant once containers are implemented. This blog will...

Phishing is still as large a concern as ever. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” seems to hold in this tried-and-true attack method. The Verizon 2023 Data Breach Report states that phishing accounted for 44% of social engineering incidents overall, up 3% from last year despite stiff competition from pretexting attacks. In the wake of more “malicious” threats (APTs, recompiled malware code...

The main reasons internet users choose to use a virtual private network (VPN) are to protect their online identity and bypass geo-restrictions. Cybercrime is on the rise and is expected to grow each year – the largest breach of 2023 so far occurred on Twitter . For those who reside in countries where internet freedom is lacking, a VPN is necessary to access certain content, and privacy is crucial...

Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) have profoundly transformed the internet's fabric. In the pre-API era, digital interactions were limited by siloed systems functioning in isolation. APIs dismantled these barriers by introducing a universal language that diverse applications could comprehend. This linguistic bridge facilitated an unprecedented level of interconnectivity between software...

In recent years, blockchain technology has garnered significant attention thanks to its remarkable tamper-proof features and robust security. It is also expected that the blockchain technology market will exceed 1.2 billion US dollars by 2030, with an annual growth rate of 82.8 percent. However, recent headlines have exposed numerous vulnerabilities and cyberattacks targeting blockchain technology...

Footprinting, also known as fingerprinting, is a methodology used by penetration testers, cybersecurity professionals, and even threat actors to gather information about a target organization to identify potential vulnerabilities. Footprinting is the first step in penetration testing. It involves scanning open ports, mapping network topologies, and collecting information about hosts, their...

Attacks against industrial control systems (ICS) are on the rise. Cyberattacks are more prevalent, creative and faster than ever. So, understanding attackers’ tactics is crucial. The IBM Security X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2023 highlights that backdoor deployments enabling remote access to ICS systems were the most common type of attacker action in 2022. The positive news is that 67% of...

Today’s VERT Alert addresses Microsoft’s October 2023 Security Updates , which includes a recently introduced release notes format. VERT is actively working on coverage for these vulnerabilities and expects to ship ASPL-1077 on Wednesday, October 11th. In-The-Wild & Disclosed CVEs CVE-2023-41763 While this vulnerability is labeled as a Skype for Business Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability, the...

As cyber threats grow more frequent and sophisticated, the need for vigilant defense is paramount, and cybersecurity is top of mind for organizations nationwide. Understanding the threat landscape and current and future trends is crucial to designing effective security strategies to mitigate risk and keep companies, their employees, and their data safe. The following threat trends are of...

Data is expanding beyond environments, applications, and geographical boundaries. It is safe to say that we are currently experiencing the era of the Big Bang of Data. It is driving economies and industries. Organizations that can leverage data to its fullest potential take the helm of their industry, leading it peerlessly. However, with the proliferation of data comes increasingly serious risks...

A joint cybersecurity advisory from the United States's National Security Agency (NSA) and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has shone a light on the top ten most common cybersecurity misconfigurations found in large private and public organisations. The report aims to detail the weaknesses found in many large organisations, and the need for software makers to properly...

Tripwire's September 2023 Patch Priority Index (PPI) brings together important vulnerabilities for Microsoft. First on the patch priority are patches for Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) that resolve 5 vulnerabilities such as out of bounds memory access, type confusion, and use after free. Next on the patch priority list this month are patches for Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, and Outlook. The...

The evolution of the cyber threat landscape highlights the need for organizations to strengthen their ability to identify, analyze, and evaluate cyber risks before they evolve into security incidents. Known unpatched vulnerabilities are often exploited by criminals to penetrate Industrial Control Systems (ICS) environments and disrupt critical operations. Although the terms “patch management” and...

On August 10th, the Pentagon introduced " Task Force Lima ," a dedicated team working to bring Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the core of the U.S. defense system. The goal is to use AI to improve business operations, healthcare, military readiness, policy-making, and warfare. Earlier in August, the White House announced a large cash prize for individuals or groups that can create AI systems to...

In this era shaped by digital innovation, the concept of Secure by Design is a critical safeguard against cyber threats. Read on to delve into the essence of Secure by Design and its profound relevance in today's technology landscape. As cyberattacks grow more sophisticated, comprehending the proactive principles behind secure design is paramount to ensuring a resilient and protected digital...

In July 2021, the White House established a voluntary initiative for industrial control systems (ICS) to promote cooperation between the critical infrastructure community and the federal government. The fundamental purpose of the initiative was “to defend the nation’s critical infrastructure community by encouraging and facilitating the deployment of technologies and systems that provide threat...

In the rapidly evolving realm of digital security, staying ahead of cyber threats requires continuous learning and collaboration. Cybersecurity conferences stand as beacons of knowledge, drawing experts and enthusiasts from across the globe. We’ve curated a list of the top eight cybersecurity conferences, each a melting pot of insights, innovations, and networking opportunities . From the renowned...

What's happened? The FBI and US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have issued a joint advisory warning organisations about a ransomware-as-a-service operation called "Snatch." Snatch? As in the movie from twenty odd years ago? I'm not sure I've heard of Snatch before... Maybe you haven't. They don't have as high a profile as some of the other more notorious ransomware...

Malicious packages consist of software embedded with code that is capable of causing harm to an entire system or network . This is a rapidly growing threat affecting open-source software and the software supply chain. This attack method has seen a nearly 12,000% increase from 2022 to 2023, as reported by Synk . Some reasons include its technical feasibility, the potential for high returns, and the...

When building a tower, it helps to start with a sturdy foundation. Cyber maturity is the tower, and there are three levels that build it: Foundational IT/OT & Security Control Processes Fundamental Security Control Capabilities Advanced Security Control Capabilities Fortra occupies a unique space in the industry because of the sheer size of the security portfolio. It’s one thing to advocate for...