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Scams: Understanding vulnerabilities and protective strategies

Many people don’t realize that scams are complicated events orchestrated by scammers, which often include myriad persuasive techniques and take advantage of our individual characteristics and circumstances. While each scam varies in complexity, they typically progress through three broad stages,…

Tripwire Patch Priority Index for July 2024

Tripwire’s July 2024 Patch Priority Index (PPI) brings together important vulnerabilities for Microsoft. First on the list are patches for Microsoft Office and Outlook that resolve remote code execution and spoofing vulnerabilities. Next are patches that affect components of the…

Hurricane Season Scams: What you need to know

Cybercriminals are notorious for their opportunism. No situation is off limits: whether they exploit conflict and human suffering, blackmail vulnerable individuals by threatening to leak therapy notes, or even bring healthcare organizations to their knees, cybercriminals will stop at nothing…

3 Types of Bot Attacks to Guard Against

Bot attacks constitute a major danger to businesses and individuals. For five consecutive years, the percentage of global web traffic connected to bad bots has increased, reaching 32% in 2023, a 1.8% increase from 30.2% in 2022, while human traffic…

Cybersecurity: The Unsung Hero of SOX Compliance

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) was enacted to restore public confidence in the wake of major corporate and accounting scandals. The legislation aims to protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures made pursuant to the…

8 Daily Practices to Avoid Cybersecurity Burnout

Burnout happens when job demands such as workload, time pressure, and difficult clients are high, as well as when job resources, including quality leadership, autonomy and decision authority, recognition, and strong relationships, are lacking. The field of cybersecurity is particularly…

Re-Extortion: How Ransomware Gangs Re-Victimize Victims

Ransomware has evolved significantly since its inception. Initially, these attacks were relatively simple: malware would encrypt a victim’s files, and the attacker would demand a ransom for the decryption key. However, as cybersecurity measures improved, so did ransomware gangs’ tactics.…

The Dual Impact of AI on Power Grids: Efficiency and Vulnerability

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising solution to modernize power grids. The technology, alongside other upgrades like Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, could make energy infrastructure more reliable and sustainable. However, AI power grids also pose significant cybersecurity…

Securing Diverse Environments: Security Configuration Management

In our technologically advanced era, where cyber threats and data breaches are constantly evolving, it’s crucial for companies to focus on Security Configuration Management (SCM) to protect their resources and information. Whether dealing with infrastructure, cloud services, industrial installations, or…

The Importance of Ethics in Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity has become an integral part of our daily lives, impacting everyone around the world. However, the question arises: are rules and regulations alone sufficient to make cyberspace secure? Ethics, which are the principles that guide our decisions and help…

5 Phased Approach to Vulnerability Management: Best Practices

Vulnerability management is a foundational cornerstone for reducing your organization’s cyber risk, but what are vulnerabilities and why is it important to create a strong vulnerability management program? The National Institute of Science and Technology ( NIST) defines a vulnerability…

What are the Current Trends in Cloud Technology?

In recent years, cloud technology has become integral to business operations. Compared to on-premises infrastructure, it allows for improved scalability and flexibility, cost savings, collaboration, security, and data loss prevention. The cloud computing market is set to reach $679 billion…

HardBit Ransomware – What You Need to Know

What’s happened? A new strain of the HardBit ransomware has emerged in the wild. It contains a protection mechanism in an attempt to prevent analysis from security researchers. HardBit? I think I’ve heard of that before. Quite possibly. HardBit first…

Addressing Client-Side Risks in PCI DSS 4.0

It seems like such a short time ago that the Security Standards Council released the newest version of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). It has been a full year, and version 4.0 is now in effect.…

RansomHub Ransomware – What You Need To Know

What’s RansomHub? Despite first appearing earlier this year, RansomHub is already considered one of the most prolific ransomware groups in existence. It operates a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) operation, meaning that a central core of the group creates and maintains the ransomware…

Sextortion Scams – How They Persuade and What to Watch for

“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…

VERT Threat Alert: July 2024 Patch Tuesday Analysis

Today’s VERT Alert addresses Microsoft’s July 2024 Security Updates. VERT is actively working on coverage for these vulnerabilities and expects to ship ASPL-1114 as soon as coverage is completed. In-The-Wild & Disclosed CVEs CVE-2024-38112 A vulnerability in the Windows MSHTML…

A Deeper Dive into DISA’s Cybersecurity Initiatives

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…

Cybersecurity Best Practices for SOX Compliance

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…

Tripwire Patch Priority Index for June 2024

Tripwire’s June 2024 Patch Priority Index (PPI) brings together important vulnerabilities for Microsoft. First on the list are patches for Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) and Chromium that resolve use after free, heap buffer overflow, and out of bounds write vulnerabilities Next…

A Look at Container Security Through the Lens of DevOps

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…

Cybersecurity Frameworks: What Do the Experts Have to Say?

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…

The 5 Industries Most Vulnerable to Data Breaches in 2024

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…

How Artificial General Intelligence Will Redefine Cybersecurity

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,…

IoT Security Regulations: A Compliance Checklist – Part 1

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,…

7 Challenges in Scaling SOC Operations and How to Overcome Them

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…

Qilin Ransomware: What You Need To Know

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…

How to Spot a Winning NERC CIP Project

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…

Where Security Starts in Your Security Projects

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…

Tripwire Patch Priority Index for May 2024

Tripwire’s June 2024 Patch Priority Index (PPI) brings together important vulnerabilities for Microsoft and Adobe. First on the list this month is a patch for Microsoft Windows Error Reporting (CVE-2024-26169). This CVE is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities…

Integrity and FIM: It’s More than Just Data Security

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…

A Deep Dive into SELinux

Security-Enhanced Linux (SELinux), initially known for its perceived complexity in configuration and maintenance, has evolved into an indispensable security architecture across most Linux distributions. It empowers administrators to finely control the actions permitted to individual users, processes, and system daemons,…

Watch Out! CISA Warns It Is Being Impersonated By Scammers

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has warned that scammers are impersonating its employees in an attempt to commit fraud. In an alert posted on the CISA website, the organisation warned that so-called impersonation scams are on the…

Breaking Compliance into Bite-Sized Portions

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…

4 Things a Good Vulnerability Management Policy Should Include

The Verizon 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report noted a 180% increase in exploited vulnerabilities over the previous year’s figures. The importance of keeping an up-to-date vulnerability management policy for remediating and controlling security vulnerabilities cannot be understated. 1. Overview: Summary…

VERT Threat Alert: June 2024 Patch Tuesday Analysis

Today’s VERT Alert addresses Microsoft’s June 2024 Security Updates . VERT is actively working on coverage for these vulnerabilities and expects to ship ASPL-1110 as soon as coverage is completed. In-The-Wild & Disclosed CVEs CVE-2023-50868 The only disclosed vulnerability we…

What is the Standard of Good Practice for Information Security?

The ISF (Information Security Forum) Standard of Good Practice (SoGP) is a comprehensive set of best practices designed to help organizations effectively manage their information security risks. Covering various topics, including governance, risk management, compliance, incident management, and technical security…

What Is the Difference between FIM and DLP?

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…

AI Autonomy and the Future of Cybersecurity

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…

Understanding Vulnerability Management and Patch Management

Vulnerability management and patch management are often confused. However, it’s crucial to recognize that, while complementary, they are distinct processes. Understanding the differences between vulnerability management and patch management is essential for a solid security posture. Let’s delve into the…

How Can FIM Protect Against Insider Threats

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…

EU Is Tightening Cybersecurity for Energy Providers

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…

Cloud Sprawl: How to Tidy It Up

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…

Achieving Automated TISAX Compliance

Cyberattacks on the automotive industry are becoming more sophisticated. In its 2024 Automotive Cybersecurity Report, Upstream found that 50% of all automotive cyber incidents in 2023 had a high or massive impact. Similarly, 95% of all attacks in 2023 were…

Top 7 Cybersecurity Trends for Enterprises in 2024

How can an organization prepare to be cyber-resilient in 2024? The major trends to look out for seem to focus mainly on AI. While the rise of generative AI indeed poses challenges, executives should be cautious not to miss other…

HITRUST: the Path to Cyber Resilience

Much has been made of cyber resilience in recent years. And with good reason: failing to bounce back quickly from a security event can have dramatic financial consequences. In early 2023, Royal Mail took several days to recover from a…

The Interplay of AI and Cybersecurity: Survey Results

Artificial intelligence (AI) has a long and storied history. Ancient Greeks, for example, told stories of Talos, an enormous automaton that stood guard over Crete’s shores. In the 17th century, Gottfried Leibniz, Thomas Hobbes, and René Descartes explored the possibility…

The UK’s Cybersecurity: Where Is it and Where Is it Going?

In early April this year, the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) released its Cybersecurity Breaches Survey 2024. It provides a comprehensive overview of the UK’s cybersecurity landscape, exploring the different cyberattacks and cybercrimes businesses, charities, and private…

Closing the Skills Gap for Women in Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is more important than ever. With a skyrocketing number of cyber threats and data breaches, organizations are always on the lookout for ways to strengthen their online defenses. However, one major obstacle the cybersecurity sector faces is a lack…

Understanding the Key Differences Between FIM and EDR

File integrity monitoring (FIM) and endpoint detection and response (EDR) are two cybersecurity solutions that are often foundational aspects of organizations’ security strategies. EDR is implemented in order to stop known and unknown threats at endpoints, often with advanced functions…

Top 7 Technical Resource Providers for ICS Security Professionals

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…

VERT Threat Alert: May 2024 Patch Tuesday Analysis

Today’s VERT Alert addresses Microsoft’s May 2024 Security Updates . VERT is actively working on coverage for these vulnerabilities and expects to ship ASPL-1106 as soon as coverage is completed. In-The-Wild & Disclosed CVEs CVE-2024-30040 Up first this month, we…

Insider Threats Maintain a Rising Trend

“When the cat’s away, the mouse will play,” the old adage goes. Filings to anti-fraud non-profit Cifas would support that claim, as Insider Threat Database (ITD) reports rose by 14% this past year and are largely attributable to hard-to-monitor work-from-home…

The Importance of Passive Asset Discovery

It’s the fifth requirement in CIS Control 1 : Use a passive asset discovery tool. Sounds simple enough. But what does it mean? And what, specifically, makes it so important that it became one of the first five requirements of…

ANSI and the International Society of Automation Explained

As technologies advance and the world grows more complicated, collaboration and coordination have become increasingly important. Setting standards, sharing information, and bringing experts together are essential to safely developing technologies for national and global priorities, and the world needs organizations…

Hey, You. Get Off of My Cloud

The Rolling Stones wanted to protect their space; we, as security practitioners, need to protect ours. Data ‘castles’ in the cloud are out there, and they’re constantly under siege. By drawing inspiration from a band that embodied personal freedom, we…

Being Cybersmart is Always in Style

In 2022, the Security team at Microsoft published a cybersecurity awareness campaign named “# BeCyberSmart ”. Even though that was two years ago, the same best practices still apply. Cybersecurity is an important part of our daily lives and can…

The Impact of NIST SP 800-171 on SMBs

From more broad laws like GDPR to industry-specific regulations like HIPAA , most organizations today must comply with some kind of data protection guideline. Some businesses may even have to comply with numerous data protection regulations. As such, compliance with…