Articles about Security

Phishing, ransomware and human error are seen as biggest security threats

web threats

New research from Python software house STX Next finds that that CTOs see human error, ransomware and phishing as the biggest security threats.

The study of 500 CTOs globally shows 59 percent still see human error as the main security threat to their business, alongside other prominent concerns such as ransomware (49 percent) and phishing (36 percent).

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Zero-day vulnerability could give an attacker admin access in Windows 11 and older

vulnerability

A security researcher has revealed a serious vulnerability affecting Windows 10, Windows 11 and Windows Server. By exploiting the vulnerability, an attacker would be able to easily gain administrative privileges on a victim's system.

The discovery and revelation were made by Abdelhamid Naceri, during his research on a Microsoft patch for another vulnerability tracked as CVE-2021-41379. He was able to bypass the patch for the Windows Installer Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability and also discovered another serious zero-day for which he has shared a proof-of-concept exploit.

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The machine identity crisis -- and what to do about it [Q&A]

Every single networked machine relies on an identity -- in the form of cryptographic keys or digital certificates -- so that it can identify itself and communicate with other machines securely.

In the wrong hands though machine identities can enable cybercriminals to appear trustworthy, slip past security defences undetected, gain access to networks, and exfiltrate data. Yet organizations still overlook the importance of protecting them.

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New malware dispenses RAT droppings

A new javascript downloader named 'RATDispenser', distributing eight different Remote Access Trojans, keyloggers and information stealers has been uncovered by HP Wolf Security.

Most worrying is that RATDispenser is only detected by 11 percent of available anti-virus engines, meaning it's able to bypass detection tools and successfully deploy malware in the majority of cases.

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Two-thirds of UK business leaders expect more cybersecurity threats

Around two thirds (66 percent) of UK business leaders expect the threat from cyber criminals to increase over the next 12 months, according to the latest PwC cybersecurity survey of business and technology executives.

In the past year ransomware has had a significant impact on organizations already dealing with the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic, and 61 percent of executives expect to see an increase in reportable ransomware incidents in 2022.

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How businesses can improve their third-party security [Q&A]

Risk dial

In recent years many of the most high-profile cyberattacks have come through the supply chain, involving third-party suppliers and partners.

It's historically been difficult for businesses to assess third-party risks, often involving time consuming manual processes in order to do so.

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Retailers at risk due to poor TLS/SSL management

Shopping cart key

Big retail businesses can have hundreds of TLS/SSL certificates identifying specific internet-connected devices, but many lack an organization-wide framework for managing them.

In the run up to the busiest shopping period of the year, new research from BitSight finds that 75 percent of the retail sector is at heightened risk of ransomware due to poor TLS/SSL configuration management.

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Using AI to deal with ransomware attacks [Q&A]

AI money

Ransomware is a particularly heartless -- though undeniably lucrative -- endeavor. Criminals target schools, vital infrastructure, and even patient records in attempts to cash in. As a result, many security professionals put defensive ransomware strategies at the top of their to-do list.

Understandably, most of these strategies start with measures that minimize the footholds attackers can find. Checking inbound emails for ransomware payloads, giving users training on safe internet usage, and monitoring the network for suspicious activity are essential elements of an effective anti-ransomware strategy.

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Mid-sized businesses are 490 percent more likely to be breached

Data breach

Mid-sized organizations are as much as 490 percent or more likely to experience a security breach by the end of 2021 as they were in 2019.

A report from security platform Coro shows that mid-size companies are largely unprotected due to the fact that they lack resources, expensive products and expertise needed to protect against increasing attacks.

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Security pros lose sleep over protecting critical assets

A new poll of 250 information technology, IT security, legal and risk/fraud/compliance professionals reveals that 83 percent say they have experienced a successful cyber attack in the past two years, with half saying the attackers managed to reach their critical IT assets.

No surprise then that 86 percent admit to having been kept awake at night by concerns about the protection of critical systems.

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So you think you're following best security practice? Think again

Security

A new report shows that 86 percent of organizations believe they follow best practices for security hygiene and posture management, though they may not actually be doing so.

The report, created for asset management and governance company JupiterOne by Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG), finds that 73 percent of security professionals admit that they still depend on spreadsheets to manage security hygiene and posture at their organizations.

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It's beginning to look a lot like a cyberattack -- demands of the job hit CISOs' private lives

Two in five CISOs have missed holidays like Thanksgiving due to work demands and a quarter haven't taken time off work in the past 12 months.

A new report from Tessian based on a study of 300 CISOs also shows that they work, on average, 11 more hours than they're contracted to each week while one in 10 works 20 to 24 hours extra a week.

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Why a career in cybersecurity is more exciting than you might think

security padlock

Back in 2019, I wrote an article about the talent shortfall in technology and cybersecurity. Unfortunately, since the pandemic and because of Brexit, that gap, particularly here in the UK, has only widened. As of 2021, the global talent shortage already amounts to40 million skilled workers worldwide. By 2030, the global talent shortage is predicted to reach 85.2 million workers.

This means that companies worldwide risk losing $8.4 trillion in revenue because of the lack of skilled talent. This gap is keenly felt in security and again there is currently a shortage of 350,000+ cybersecurity specialists in Europe alone.

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Organizations want secure multi-cloud but aren't putting in sufficient resources

A new survey of more than 200 IT leaders in the US finds that 95 percent of businesses are making multi-cloud a strategic priority in 2022 with security being top of mind.

However, only 54 percent feel highly confident that they have the tools or skills they need to execute the strategy. In fact, when it comes to multi-cloud operations in general, 76 percent of respondents believe it is 'under-invested' at their respective companies.

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Who needs a CISO anyway?

CISO

New research from cloud services provider Navisite finds that 45 percent of companies do not employ a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). However, of this group 58 percent think they should have one.

Only 40 percent of respondents say their cybersecurity strategy was developed by a CISO or member of the security team, with 60 percent relying on other parts of their organization, including IT, executive leadership and compliance.

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