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Some say that leadership always starts at the top. But does it end with the CEO? I don't think so. Leadership skills can be found at all levels of an organisation. You can - and should - exhibit leadership to influence those at the top of your company.
Consider this scenario. You are in a meeting that seems to be in a perpetual spin cycle. No one seems to know what will move the situation forward. You know what needs to be done - but you are the most junior member of the team. Should you speak up?
Of course. But before you leap to your feet and grab the pen, consider how to be most effective when you are attempting to lead from below.
Cultural Permission
Assess what your corporate culture supports or allows. Is it customary for even the low man on the totem pole to be viewed as an equal in senior meetings? Watch the reactions when you do speak out. Are heads nodding assent or is there a loud silence? This will help you gauge whether and whom you can count on for support.
My advice to CIOs: speak even if nervous. Your technology currency may make your ideas more relevant to the solution. Your active participation can begin to shape a culture of openness that will benefit everyone. Rather than curbing your leadership, focus on finding the effective way to participate.
Prepare the Way
Develop a relationship with key senior leaders. Choose them based on their influence rather than their position. Find the casual environments where people let their guard down. Learn from them and share your knowledge at the same time. Those relationships will provide the foundation of support for your leadership no matter how senior the meeting or controversial the issue.
Engage in a dialogue that facilitates seeding your ideas with those key decision makers. Sometimes you can share an idea with a senior person and let him be the sword bearer.
Pick Your Spots
Not every issue is a candidate for leadership from below. Consider the value you bring to each question. Is the company about to make a strategic error? Do you have extensive knowledge of the subject? You will either build political capital or expend it as you proceed, so it behoves you to act with that in mind.
As the most junior member of a company's Strategic Planning Task Force, I was faced with a challenging situation. The group's final task called for each member to present to the CEO a future business scenario she thought most likely (in 10 minutes). The scenario I put forward was radically different from all the others.
There were compelling issues facing the company in both the short and long terms. The other scenarios, in my view, would not affect the necessary change in the requisite window of time. Technology was changing the business much faster than the other executives recognised. In the discussion that followed, I played out example after example of the risks of not adopting an aggressive plan, feeling much like Henry Fonda in Twelve Angry Men.
In the end, the consensus position was a hybrid, but one that was more aggressive than if I had remained passive. This issue was a good candidate for me to show leadership because the future viability of the company was at stake, and my technology role gave me a clear view of the alternatives and risks.
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https://www.cio.com.au/article/180244/leadership_from_below/
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'Cryptography and Cryptanalysis' is an introductory course that focuses on fundamental cryptographic principles, including public-key encryption, digital signatures, basic protocols and computational complexity requirements. Students will learn the importance of pseudo-random number generators and their applications in cryptography. Course readings are selected to provide students with practical applications of cryptography in a variety of industries, along with further study of the course topics. The free OpenCourseWare is offered online by the Electrical Engineering and Computational Science department at the Massachusetts Institution of Technology.
A collection of readings from selected academic journals and other publications are available online, along with six problem sets. To download the course materials or if you'd like to learn more, visit the cryptography and cryptanalysis course page.
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http://educhoices.org/articles/Cryptography_and_Cryptanalysis_OpenCourseWare_Free_Online_Graduate_Level_Course_on_Modern_Cryptography_by_MIT.html
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NxFilter is a free, portable and efficient Java based utility that will let you restrict the access of a PC to the internet, exclude site you prefer the users of that computer not to visit.
The program lets you monitor a networks internet traffic and block access to certain sites you can define at will.
Note that the program is not an example of simplicity, but if you devote some time you will learn how to use it without problems, since detailed documentation is also available. Java environment must be already installed on your PC.
A nice feature of NxFilter is that gives you notification on users that tried to visit restricted web sites.
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https://www.thefreewindows.com/29355/block-access-to-web-sites-and-on-line-malware-with-nxfilter-dns-filter/
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ECPI University's Newport News campus is in City Center, surrounded by the finest arts and entertainment the city has to offer. Located at 1001 Omni Boulevard, a short commute from Hampton, Williamsburg, Yorktown, and many other neighboring cities on the thriving Virginia Peninsula, the Newport News campus features the interplay of business opportunities and academic excellence. Students from nursing, business, criminal justice, and health sciences may be mingling with your classmates from network and cybersecurity.
Nearly all ECPI University students in Newport News can tap into ongoing business relationships with nearby companies such as Electronic Systems, Ball Corporation, Anheuser-Busch, and Zel Technologies. These companies work with ECPI University to hire students and provide valuable new information to shape the curriculum in network security. With faster time to graduation, our accelerated degree programs often bring students from Hampton and Williamsburg as well as Yorktown, Gloucester, Poquoson, and beyond.
Newport News has a vital and involved community atmosphere, supporting local charities and organizations through volunteerism, fundraisers, and fun events. ECPI University students, staff members and faculty all contribute to these causes, forging strong connections between school and neighborhood.
Newport News is also one of four ECPI University locations to welcome international students, providing native Virginians with excellent opportunities to meet and learn from these foreign visitors.
Within the high-tech world of computers, internet and e-commerce, network security professionals are the guardians of privacy and finance. By securing a company against hackers and criminals, a network security professional keeps a company's private documents and records behind firewalls and encryption. The network security analyst also protects the company's customers and clients, by keeping information exchanged over the internet safe and secure.
The challenge is to regulate and oversee information without hampering its flow to and from honest actors. Additionally, a network security analyst must be able to identify and thwart threats not just to a company, but to a region, state, or country from less-than-honest actors.
From its inception, Newport News has been at the forefront of defending our region and country. From the first Europeans through the Civil War and into the 20th century, Newport News has seen more than its share of high-tech action. Three-masted sailing ships gave way to steam-powered ironclads, which yielded to nuclear-powered naval fleets. In each era, the newest and latest methods of defending against outside hazards were brought to bear here, in Newport News. The region continues to protect our country in the virtual world of the Internet and cybersecurity.
Local employers needing network security specialists include companies large and small, like Ferguson Enterprises, Goldbelt Inc., Apex Systems Inc., and others. The United States Navy, General Dynamics, Langley Air Force Base, and other major institutions in the Newport News area are always on the lookout for qualified, well-educated network security professionals.
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https://www.ecpi.edu/newport-news-virginia/cyber-network-security
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Facebook is going to great lengths to encourage its staff to switch from the iPhone to Android.
The plan is to help the teams at Facebook develop a better Android app, according to reports. There are fears that, with the growth of the Android platform, a bias towards the iPhone could lead Facebook to become detached from the majority of its mobile users.
Smartphone and tablet buyers snapped up Android products five times more often than they chose Apple iOS devices during the third quarter, according to a new study from Gartner.
TechCrunch claims that Facebook has plastered posters around its headquarters encouraging employees to "switch today" and eat their own "droidfood" which in Facebook-speak means 'use your own product'.
Facebook spokesperson confirmed told that site that there are "more iPhones deployed" at Facebook than Android smartphones, although they admitted that "plenty of people here carrying around both devices, and not just engineers and not just mobile people."
As TechCrunch suggests, this indicates that iPhone users aren't going to give their device up without a fight.
Facebook employees test the latest betas of the app and when they find a bug a violent shake of the phone sends information to the engineers working on the next version of the Facebook app.
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http://www.cio.com/article/2390119/mobile/facebook-trying-to-get-staff-to-switch-from-iphone-to-android.html
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The connection between cybersecurity and a company’s bottom line is crystal clear to board members — and they’re worried. In fact, according to a study conducted by the New York Stock Exchange and Veracode, more than 80 percent of corporate directors now discuss cybersecurity at most or all boardroom meetings. At the same time, a surprising 66 percent are not fully confident their companies are properly secured against cyberattacks. How can CISOs allay this fear?
CISOs can become more effective, strategic leaders by understanding prevailing perceptions about cybersecurity before stepping foot into the boardroom. But why is this so difficult? Many CISOs struggle to make a better case for security because linking security and risk management to corporate performance often isn’t a linear discussion.
Despite these challenges, most CISOs recognize that they need to start speaking the language of the board and non-IT executives, rather than the language of technology. The board doesn’t care how many firewalls or redundancies you have put in place. They care about risk reduction and how security is impacting productivity. They assume this impact is negative so they hope the answer is “very little.” In reality, security can have a positive impact on the enterprise’s innovation strategy and even demonstrate ROI beyond the traditional “we didn’t get breached.”
On July 23, Chris Wysopal, CISO and CTO for Veracode, will examine the results of the NYSE and Veracode board survey during a webinar with SC Magazine. The exclusive peek into how the board views security will provide CISOs with insights on how they can better communicate to their boards of directors. Chris will also share his recommendations based on his own experience presenting to boards and his ongoing conversations with fellow CISOs.
You can register to view the webinar here: https://info.veracode.com/webinar-nyse-survey-understanding-cybersecurity-in-the-boardroom.html
Get all the latest news, tips and articles delivered right to your inbox.
No thanks, back to the article please.
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http://www.veracode.com/blog/2015/07/want-know-how-your-board-thinks-about-cybersecurity
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A state computer system that was supposed to launch more than five years ago has been delayed again, the Kansas Department of Revenue announced Wednesday.
KanLicense, a KDOR project, would replace 30-year-old mainframe computer systems used by examiners to issue Kansas driver’s licenses and identification cards. It was slated to come online Jan. 2, six years after its initial targeted launch date.
According to a news release from KDOR, the project was delayed to ensure a “successful rollout.” “My position from the beginning has been that this computer system will not go live until it is ready, and our testing indicated it needs a little more work to get it there,” said Revenue Secretary Sam Williams.
KDOR spokeswoman Rachel Whitten said earlier this month the project looked like it would be ready to go live Jan. 2. When auditors placed the project on “caution” status a week later, she would not say whether officials still believed the project would come online as scheduled.
The release did not say how long the delay would be.
“Further testing is needed to determine the length of the delay, but the anticipation is that it will only be a matter of days or weeks,” the release says.
Williams said county and state officials would have been required to work on New Year’s Day in order to roll the project out on Jan. 2, which would no longer be necessary.
KanLicense has been rife with difficulties and delays. It has been nearly six years since KanLicense was planned to launch, and the state had to sever a contract with 3M, the company it originally picked to build the program. The state rolled out a new system in May 2012 for issuing vehicle titles and registrations, but it resulted in delays and complaints for users.
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http://www.gctelegram.com/news/20171227/kdor-computer-system-delayed-again
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Vendors and service providers must be included in performance measurements. “Enterprises rely on these firms more today,” said Robert Messemer, chief security officer (CSO) for The Nielsen Company.
Metrics shows how security is indispensable to the business as a whole. “It solidifies our position with all stakeholders,” said Honeywell International’s John McClurg.
Ultimately, we will see the fusion of security metrics with more advanced concepts in risk identification and analysis,” observed Robert Messemer, chief security officer (CSO) for The Nielsen Company.
At its most essential, said John McClurg, vice president - global security for Honeywell International, "Metrics meets a need to advance the business as a whole."
Measuring performance has always been a business and security exercise. “What has happened subtly is that our (security) organization has focused on metrics, not thrust on us. It continues to evolve and help advance each of the four Honeywell businesses,” said McClurg.
John Martinicky, director, corporate security at Navistar, Inc. - International Truck and Engine Corp., agrees with McClurg about evolving metrics. “We have developed a number of programs to measure the effectiveness of the security group.”
While using several methods to measure performance, there also is “comparison with other security departments in our region,” said John Williams, director of security at Prince William Hospital.
Business Management Strategies
The heart of Honeywell’s mission comprises speed, quality and cost. Speaking of quality, the firm platforms on Six Sigma, a business management strategy, initially implemented by Motorola, which today enjoys widespread application in many industry sectors. Metrics is a crucial aspect of that overall program.
Six Sigma seeks to improve the quality of process outputs by identifying and removing the causes of defects (errors) and variation in manufacturing and business processes. It uses a set of quality management methods, including statistical methods such as metrics, has quantified targets and creates a special infrastructure of people within the organization who are experts in these methods.
Incident analysis, security metrics and Six Sigma, these and other business management strategies are in force or evolving at many enterprises and within their security operations. The techniques also call for “refinement and sophistication,” observed McClurg. And the result of a firm embrace of metrics by security is the reality that the operation – big or small – is indispensable to the business as a whole. “It solidifies our position with all stakeholders,” added Honeywell’s McClurg.
There’s a need to make metrics accessible to others. Welcome to metrics. And there’s more to come.
“As a security professional, I believe we are seeing more convergence in this arena and ultimately we will see the fusion of security metrics with more advanced concepts in risk identification and analysis,” said Messemer, who has worldwide responsibility for all security operations across all Nielsen businesses.
Messemer added, “I believe an effective security metrics scorecard will help drive a fact-based decision on the proposed allocation of scarce capital investment resources. In today’s economy it is more important than ever.”
No doubt, metrics plays well in today’s economy. Said Maria Chadwick, director of surveillance, Wynn/Encore, “During these economic times, everything in our work environment is subject to scrutiny, whether it’s budget, staffing, procedures, and/or projects. For our organization, we are often asked to ‘quantify’ requests for spending whether it is for the purchasing of new equipment, increasing manpower for the department or adding staffing for a particular venue or project. If money is spent, will it create a substantial return on investment? Returns do not necessarily have to be monetary; they can be in the form of reducing wasted time, improving methods of operation, and enhancing training. Can the same tasks can be accomplished faster with less downtime and can certain training improve the operational efficiency of the department?”
Completing the Overall Mission
By monitoring a few key metrics, security executives can quickly gain a better understanding of their programs, technologies, people and how those elements work together, complement the enterprise mission and compare to similar security operations in similar industries or services.
Comparables are important to John Williams, director of security at Prince William Hospital. “We use several methods to measure security operational performance. Some of them are what I consider standard measures such as response time to emergencies, number of escorts. Then we add additional measurements that focus on a broader comparison such as meeting or exceeding 75 percent of the measure used by other hospital security departments in our region. And we conduct an annual customer quality survey and look at such things as the visibility of security staff and staff feeling about their overall security while at work.” (For comparison, Williams conducts a benchmark survey.)
As McClurg pointed out, metrics is nothing new. One way or another, organizations have been using metrics forever – measuring themselves internally as well as against others.
Basically, a business metric is any type of measurement used to gauge some quantifiable component of performance, often as return on investment (ROI), employee and customer churn rates, revenues, income before interest and taxes and depreciation, and so forth.
Business metrics are part of the larger arena of business intelligence, those applications and technologies used to gather, store, analyze and provide access to information to help business people – from the CEO and CFO to chief security officers – make better decisions and adjustments. Such systematic approaches, balanced scorecard methodology, for one, can transform an organization’s or security’s vision, mission statement and strategies into specific and quantifiable goals, and to monitor the performance in terms of achieving those goals.
Beyond Financial Measures
While the CFO may view metrics in terms of financial performance, measurements have gone beyond that, thanks in great part to the balanced scorecard. Originated by Drs. Robert Kaplan (Harvard Business School) and David Norton as a performance measurement framework who added strategic non-financial performance measures to traditional financial metrics, it gives managers and executives a more “balanced” view of organizational performance. While the phrase balanced scorecard was coined in the early 1990s, its roots include the pioneering work of General Electric on performance measurement reporting in the 1950s.
The bottom line, no matter the approach, is that you can’t manage it if you can’t measure it.
There are a number of benefits to security leaders who use metrics.
There is greater focus. Defining metrics most important to the security operation and its business fit lets security executives tune out things not related to those more specific key measurements.
Vision is clearer. CSOs and security directors who monitor metrics regularly spot threats and opportunities faster than those who don’t. An outcome: more accurate insights into what’s happening within the operation as well as overall trends industry-wide.
Decisions turn out better. The numbers, stripped of emotions and “what ifs,” lead to reasonable, actionable decisions that flow more naturally with a higher degree of confidence.
Mike Tarter, executive director, safety and security with the Rio Rancho Public School District, uses incidents as one marker. “I have documented incidents over the last six years to show increases and decreases. That includes the number of reported student and employee incidents based on the total number of incidents. It’s sort of like the FBI annual Uniform Crime Report.”
Taking Surveys
Of course, Tarter goes beyond just measuring incidents.
“We look at use of equipment, who, where, how, what type of assignment; overtime versus comp time; private security versus our own; and analysis of information to determine future operation of security. We also look at training costs and take surveys of customers about how they feel.”
George Campbell, a member of the emeritus faculty of the Security Executive Council and managing partner in the Business Security Advisory Group, sees a clear connection from incident trends to metrics. Incident analysis involves some form of assessment, measurement and consideration of related metrics. More importantly, looking at risk this way helps form a more reliable assessment of root causes and the success of the revised security measures that are proposed.
Martinicky, for instance, measures incident rates, dollar loss, cost avoidance, security audit scores, security officer reports, the budget, system uptime (security video, DVRs, access readers, alarms, etc.) and supplier and vendor responsiveness. “Our value in reducing risk, meeting compliance requirements and cost avoidance is quantified, "he said."
But security executives must go beyond counting, of course.
For Mike Cummings, director, loss prevention services at Aurora Health Care and 2009 ASIS International President, numbers come to life when fed into a productivity model. “Relative to ‘activity’ or productivity performance, we use activity tracking software whereby we simply count the numbers of each service task that we do so we can empirically measure how busy we are. We work with internal staff to feed this data into a productivity model that also takes into consideration patrol hours, patient standby hours and nonproductive training time. Through this we can and do determine our productivity against a standard on a percentage basis. This helps justify and substantiate staffing levels.”
Added Chadwick, “In my opinion, staffing is the primary component to measuring any operation. Departments and organizations may operate within a budget; but how many people does it take to efficiently and effectively reach your departmental/organizational goals? Adequate staffing is the key to handling any type of venue, event, or day to day business.”
Drilling Up and Down
The measurement exercises can be broad or very specific.
Added Cummings, “We identify specific performance measurement goals (Joint Commission) by hospital based on priority issues at that site. For example, we may look at (track) such things as false alarms, thefts, unlocked doors and then put in place tactics to reduce the risk. We determine the performance measures each year, measure monthly and document tactics and results that impacted the changes. We share this between hospitals to reduce duplication.”
Chadwick said, “Measuring security performance varies depending on the type of business and industry. But standards and procedures may differ within the same industry. It is dependent on business trends, location of the business, and the goals and objectives of the company.”
In addition, metrics can play a very specific role.
In a recent presentation for the Security Executive Council, Campbell used the example of a disturbing trend of more frequent workplace violence incidents at a particular location. Helpful metrics are in the incident reports. For example:
In his presentation, Campbell showed what gaps in the security program may be contributing to this increase in frequency and severity of workplace violence incidents.
Professional groups and law enforcement agencies also can play a metrics role.
For example, earlier this summer ASIS International issued its Facilities Physical Security Measures Guideline outlining the main types of physical security measures that can be applied to minimize the security risks at a facility. It can make a solid complement to or drill-down for a metrics model.
Concentrating on physical security to safeguard or protect an enterprise’s assets, it outlines eight categories of measures used to protect facilities: physical barriers; physical entry and access control; security lighting; intrusion detection systems; video surveillance; security personnel; security policies and procedures; and crime prevention through environmental design.
Said Guideline Committee Chairman Geoff Craighead, with Securitas Security Services USA, “It’s a useful, succinct body of knowledge that’s not occupancy specific. A risk assessment, accompanied by a basic understanding of physical security measures provided by the guideline, makes it possible, either alone or with the help of security consultants or vendors, to select and implement appropriate physical security measures to reduce the assessed risks and accomplish the protective task.” And when it comes to system-centric metrics, especially to novice security executives, the guideline can overlay key performance indicators.
A number of years ago, the National Fire Protection Association issued premises security guidelines. Observed Craighead, “ASIS International, of its own volition, decided some years ago to create the ASIS Facilities Physical Security Measures Guideline for the projected audience, including its own membership. It was not a matter of what other organizations had created.”
In late June, the New York Police Department issued a report – Engineering Security: Protective Design for High Risk Buildings – that’s both a call to action as well as a metrics helper for security leaders and building owners who face a higher level of terrorism. It provides recommendations on how to prevent and mitigate the effects of a terrorist attack on a building, and shows a tiering system designed to categorize buildings based on risk.
On the Standards Side
Standards and specifications can link into metrics, especially with construction and installation.
E. John Sutton, with ManTech International and security consultant to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, looks at both the big and small picture. “For me, the ‘security operation’ encompasses everything from risk assessment to system delivery, operation and maintenance. For these and all steps in between, we utilize various means to quantify our performance (execution). High on the list of ways to quantify and qualify is taking into consideration those standards and specifications used throughout industry and governmental systems that require a high level of security, especially those involving intermodal transportation systems.”
On top of metrics, there also are value engineering reviews that pull experts from applicable fields. Commented Sutton, “Getting past this into actual construction and installation, our project managers, in conjunction with the construction department, use internal resources to ensure appropriate quality controls are applied including detailed schedule and cost tracking. After commissioning, the actual operation and monitoring of the systems typically use contract forces that have direct and instantaneous communication with responders. The typical systems employ numerous ways to query the databases to establish the actual response times for the operational personnel such as elapsed time between event announcement, acknowledgment of the event and time to final disposition. This type of data is readily available from most systems today and the challenge is to ensure the system administrators establish proper procedures and then execute them routinely.”
While facilities and premises guidelines, standards and specifications are an educating effort for metrics makers, more use of outside sources also push for more and more accurate performance evaluations.
The Nielson Company’s Messemer added, “Another trend we see in the marketplace owing to the new economy is a corporation’s reliance on fewer vendors in order to achieve its strategic security goals. This form of convergence also brings its own potential risks if a security professional ignores effective supply chain risk management.” In this month’s Zalud Report, Messemer talks about an externally-imposed metric – the state of Massachusetts’ privacy regulations and its impact on citizens and businesses.
KPI Plays a Role
In a vastly more encompassing way, David Axt, security manager at Xcel Energy’s Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant, uses key performance indicators (KPI) based on Department of Energy, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Department of Homeland Security and Nuclear Regulatory Commission directives, regulations, rules and guidelines as well as internal KPIs. “There is reporting, depending on what happens monthly, quarterly and every six months.” One of the challenges for Axt is the need for “training and qualification of every employee.”
Those professionals evangelizing metrics encourage a simple, stepped approach.
Define security’s goals and then define the metrics. For each goal, write down a metric that will help track progress to success.
Then it’s time to benchmark security’s current status – determine exactly how security is doing, even if the truth is hard to face. By establishing the current value of each metric, security executives are better able to track future improvements.
Value is a key concept for Williams, too, as well as measuring success beyond traditional security. he said “I have seen a major change in security measures. Days have long past where you can show that you found X number of doors unlocked and locked them so you potentially stopped a certain number of thefts. Security departments now must be able to show value to those in the C-suite.”
Emphasis on Measuring Service
In Williams’ case, ROI for the security department is through excellent, quality service all the time and by value-added services. For instance, in some facilities the security staff responds to and provides first aid if someone has fallen or injured in the facility. If they did not respond, then medical staff from other areas would have to do so. “I have also seen facilities that use a security officer to take deposits from ten different departments to a central location. I don’t advocate security leaving the hospital for such tasks, but you can see that one security officer performed a function that ten other staff might have had to do.”
Another performance measurement step is to create a system to monitor and report metrics. Some leaders interviewed for this article found it necessary to add new processes to help them calculate and report their metrics. For example, if the number of employees or associates who view security’s customer service as being “excellent” is low, then the security leader may want to survey those people more regularly to ask them how you are doing.
With his ever-changing customer base, Shawn Reilly, director of security at Greenville Hospital System, observed, “We use a customer satisfaction survey that asks people to rate us in a number of areas including responsiveness, courtesy and knowledge level of confidence in our force. We also gather and analyze crime information.”
Another measurement step is to communicate metrics with security staff. With key metrics, get the team informed and on board. Everyone then can make decisions to help improve the metrics. Obviously, it’s also essential to educate the boss on security’s metrics.
Just as loss prevention and security test and review disaster plans, review the metrics and make adjustments to improve results in an ongoing fashion.
The end-of-the-process charm of metrics is the list of successes and failures identified.
What to Avoid
It’s important to avoid too many metrics. (See the article on Analysis Paralysis.) Concentrate on only a handful of metrics that are necessary.
Industry veteran Ray Humphrey, president of Humphrey & Company and past president of both the International Security Management Association and ASIS International, has a strong, working list of elements and factors to measure. These included:
Recurring assessment and/or re-evaluation of security costs (e.g., headcount reductions vis-à-vis prudent use of technology – software and/or hardware)
Contribution of the security function to such business initiatives as shipping, delivery, marketing, vendor relationships, purchasing, etc., in eliminating or reducing the “drainage of corporate profitability” because of product diversion, counterfeiting, fraud, collusion, thereby contributing to bottom line corporate profitability
Another metrics key is to choose the right frequency of measurement. Conducted once a year, security may not get information in time to take needed corrective actions.
Said Humphrey, “All aspects of the security function need to be evaluated or measured on a periodic basis. Measurement also involves identifying what isn’t working and/or what aspects of the security function should be restructured, refocused, or eliminated.”
Pick Actionable Metrics
Still, there are common pitfalls to avoid, according to Dave Trimble of ProSci, an independent research company involved in change management and business process reengineering. He urges metrics that are specific, measurable, actionable, relevant and timely. He recommends avoiding:
Developing metrics for which you cannot collect accurate or complete data.
Developing metrics that measure the right thing, but cause people to act in a way contrary to the best interest of security simply to “make their numbers.”
Developing so many metrics that you create excessive overhead and red tape.
Developing metrics that are complex and difficult to explain to others.
One suggestion from Sutton: “When performance metrics are not meeting the predicted or anticipated results, all too often the culprit may be traced to an ineffective or poorly managed maintenance program. Yes, the human operational elements are very involved but without appropriate maintenance and appropriate monitoring of the maintenance program, sooner or later system failures will overtake effective operation thus compromising the primary goal of protection against acts of violence or theft.”
Most metrics practitioners see two types of measurements. Performance metrics are high-level measures of what is happening. They are external in nature and are most closely tied to outputs, incidents, losses, recoveries, customer ratings and business needs. Diagnostic metrics are measures that delve into why something is not performing up to expectations. They tend to be internally focused.
Advised Trimble, a common mistake is to start first with diagnostic measures – measuring internally within the security department, for example, rather than beginning with an external focus.
Charts Make Conclusions Stand Out
In the course of time, security leaders using metrics often employ so-called run charts (performance over time) to show how they are doing. A run chart is a graph with time along the “x” axis and performance measure on the “y” axis.
Graphics, even on a daily basis, is a great metrics tool for Guy Grace, director of security and emergency planning for the Littleton (Colo.) Public Schools. “The performance of our security operations is measured by the overall response rate for the entire operation. For example, every type of response is tracked for each of security’s areas of responsibility. This is defined as four major areas; patrol operations, dispatching/monitoring, maintenance, and emergency planning. Each day, data is compiled and included in a daily report which is forwarded to key administrators within the district. At the end of each month data is included in a month-end summary along with an executive summary. Each response by security is cataloged for each site. Using this data the organization is able to measure the performance of security operations.
"This is a tremendous amount of data. However, when it’s illustrated in simple graphics it gives the organization the data it needs in a format that is easily understood. It is very helpful to have a section that includes the actual reports written by the security officers on key incidents. Reading how a crime was thwarted can be very interesting to the reader and personalizes it beyond the numbers game.”
There still are factors that defy measurement.
Commented Williams, “Metrics is a great way to show progress and see areas where improvement would benefit the organization as long as the metrics are validated, reasonable and emphasis value. However, some of the work that security departments do is performed as a deterrent. It is difficult to show that you prevented something from happening that others might say never would have happened in the first place.”
Grace agrees. “Security can be tough to measure because a good security operation is always going to be evolving. The bar always rises and there is always a new challenge to be met around the corner. Often our customers do not see the issues that are dealt with or how we respond to them. When customers go to work or school, the issues security may respond to are dealt with little or no disruption to the operations.”
While metrics, measurements and run charts give chief security officers and security directors the information and confidence to make decisions and take action, people will be people. According to Theresa Rose, author of Opening the Kimono, when dealing with a challenge, “We convince ourselves that we don’t have all the facts, the timing isn’t quite right, something bad will happen if we take action, or we just haven’t conjured up the right solution yet.”
Rose has five steps to help security leaders avoid analysis paralysis and back into action.
One: Set the timer. Give yourself a defined period of time to finish the process of data gathering. It is important to accept the fact that there will always be unknown factors; security executives will never have all of the data about a particular subject. When coming to terms with the inevitable unknown, make a decision based on what’s known, including metrics and measurements in hand.
Two: For security executives who must balance their business acumen with their protection expertise, instinct counts. It’s a talented business analyst.
Three: Ask for a second or even third opinion. In picking metrics as well as analyzing results, run arguments and potential actions to be taken past trusted others. Ask for feedback both on content and delivery. Where in the presentation did the colleague see the most energy? Confidence and enthusiasm are always good indicators of the most appropriate solution.
Four: Do a mental dry run. Once a path has been chosen, Rose suggests beginning the journey in your mind first. “Mentally play out decisions exactly as you wish it to be. Fill in all of the details of the outcome.”
Five: Take the leap. Rest assured, there may be a level of second-guessing. But metrics, well crafted and smartly analyzed, reduces the tone of such second-guessing.
Metrics and Managing Emergencies
John Williams, director of security at Prince William Hospital, employs common sense. Someone once told him: “Why plan for emergencies? Because hoping nothing will happen is not a strategy.”
According to Williams, emergency management planning is much more than the 5-inch thick binder. The basis of every emergency management response plan is first and foremost people who are educated and train regularly on how to properly respond and overcome obstacles to achieve their goals. Having a thorough emergency management plan that addresses all-hazard for your area and industry is a great step forward. But if plans are not communicated to stakeholders, tested for effectiveness and reviewed for improvement they are worth less than the paper they are written on.
To make the metrics relative to emergency drills valid, Williams urges security leaders not keep the disruption of the drill to a minimum. “Build your drills with enough injects to stress your plans, resources, and team to the breaking point and beyond to see if it can stand the surge.”
Planning drills that educate staff, the community and others takes time, thought, and, in some cases, a lot of imagination and knowledge about what is happening around the world and in a particular region. “Effective emergency management drills more often take real-life events that have occurred in an industry or region and modify them to fit the particular facility drill objectives. After reviewing and revising the all-hazards vulnerability assessment from the previous year, the next step is to set up the annual emergency management drill calendar.” Annual or multi-year emergency management drill planning allows a facility a better opportunity to draw in their local community agencies who may also need to hold an annual drill and would jump at the change to also get involved.
Prince William Hospital holds at least four major emergency management drills annually. These drills can include: mass casualty; chemical, biological, explosive, radiological and nuclear (CBERN) decontamination (Teen volunteers are used as mock patients in the summer for this drill.); infant abduction; weather-related (which affects this hospital most often); police action (active shooter, hostage, barricade, or civil disturbance); lock down; hazardous chemical spill, and others.
Advised Williams, “When developing an emergency management drill, staff buy-in is greater the more realistic the events leading up to the drill and the actual drill seems to them.” For the incident command center team, pulling in representatives from outside agencies and organizations to participate in the simulation cell (SIMCELL), and using this SIMCELL to answer questions from participants, is a great way to add value to the learning process, improve relationships with outside agencies and educate agencies about what the facility is capable of doing. Using a SIMCELL is a little more work for those planning the emergency management drill, as injects need to be written and briefings with agency representatives conducted, but the exercise simulates what it takes to interact with outside agencies and the limits of their help.
Drills can have a more realistic feel when a software presentation program, such as Microsoft PowerPoint, is used to develop simulated news report injects. Photos from past drills or un-copyrighted disaster photos found on Web sites add a higher level of realism to the drill. “For example,” added Williams, “in a recent police action drill, we used video previously taken from one of the hospital’s exterior security cameras during an active shooter drill and played it back as if it were actually happening.”
Useful measures of the success of emergency drills also call for involvement and feedback from numerous groups.
“I am not advocating communicating everything in you management plans to the general public,” Williams said. “However, in some cases, the general public should be aware a facility has thorough and well-thought out plans based on the hazards and emergencies the community is likely to experience and that, in this case, the hospital is equipped, staff is trained and response has been tested on a regular basis.” Specific to healthcare facilities and their security operations, Williams advised to “take every opportunity (hurricane season, tornado season, ice storm season, etc.) to educate the public how to prepare themselves for an emergency management event.”
This year, one of the multi-day drill events for Prince William was a 7-day homeland security event culminating in a facility bomb threat, which required a full response from staff. “We communicated the scenario to local police, fire, and emergency management departments, as well as the county emergency management department and the regional health coordinating center.”
There is a concern about bench strength when it comes to measuring the performance of people involved in a lengthy emergency drill. “Our goal this year is to bring in more staff to be trained in the incident command system application and set them up with a mentor who has sat in a similar position for at least three drills or actual events, and have him or her help new staff member learn about their position,” Williams said. “We decided on a mentorship program rather than a ‘sink or swim’ process.”
Emergency management drills are far more successful when they are designed as learning and growing events as opposed to being held as “just a drill.” They should be as realistic and current as possible. And metrics comes into play when it comes to the measurement of the drill events.
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https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/80011-new-math-security-means-business-performance-1
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The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) has announced that its Sydney-based data centre will be open for equity trading from 6 February 2012.
Known as the Australian Liquidity Centre (ALC), it will allow the ASX to expand its co-location hosting services for both cash equities and futures markets participants.
Construction was complete in August 2011 at a cost of $32 million and the ALC will be fully operational by April 2012.
ASX trade execution and information services general manager, David Raper, said in a statement that co-location hosting enables high-speed market data and trade execution with near zero network latency, by placing trading equipment in the same physical location as its trading facility in Sydney.
In addition, the ASX has teamed up with software as a service (SaaS) provider, FFastFill, who will host its SaaS infrastructure within the ALC from 20 February, meaning a low latency connection for traders to the Australian futures market.
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https://www.cio.com.au/article/413361/new_asx_data_centre_open_february_/
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Plan-Net’s expert consultancy to ensure the security and compliance of your data and IT environment.
Our Cyber Security and Information Security Consulting is designed to help as your organisation handles an ever-expanding volume of data, in increasingly complex technological and compliance environments, and security becomes an ever higher priority.
With years of expert and hand-on experience serving businesses in high-sensitivity fields including Finance, Law and Media, Plan-Net has outstanding qualifications to bring both your Information Security and Cyber Security into line.
How we can help you with Information Security and Cyber Security?
In the area of Information Security, Plan-Net has the insights, technical intelligence and appropriate accreditations to guide your organisation through new threats as they arise; to keep you abreast of (and equipped to comply with) regulations; and to ensure that the technical measures you have in place are both compliant and robust. We can also help you define Information Security policies, and train your staff to adhere to this in their working practices.
With regard to Cyber Security, we can again identify and nullify weaknesses, alert you to new threats and ensure your protection against these, as well as helping attain certifications, defining policies and training staff to work within best practices for Cyber security.
Could our Cyber Security and Information Security Consulting be of help to you?
Even if you believe you have solid policies and measures in place to ensure your compliance and safety, as well as the safety of your users, expert and independent reviewing of your measures by Plan-Net’s Information and Cyber Security experts would still be of great value in managing risk.
“It is a pleasure to work with Plan-Net. We wanted a ‘high-touch’ support team and they are consistently delivering this.”
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https://www.plan-net.co.uk/information-security-and-cyber-security
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Consumernotice.org adheres to the highest ethical standards for content production and distribution. All content is thoroughly researched and verified at each stage of the publication process.
Our writers and editors follow strict guidelines for written and visual content, including vetting all sources and verifying quotes and statistics, to guarantee honesty and integrity in our reporting.
Your personal data is a valuable asset — and thanks to technology, it’s also vulnerable to exploitation. Anyone can fall prey to data breaches, phishing tricks, online shopping scams and other types of cyberattacks.
Practices such as data mining that gather large amounts of personal, financial or medical information in one place can create attractive targets for hackers.
The financial costs of fraud and identity theft are enormous. Some 17 million identity theft victims lost an estimated $17 billion in 2017, according to the research firm Javelin — and the damage can be life-altering. Identity thieves can destroy your credit, and collection agencies may hound you. It can even put your home and job at risk.
A data breach is a security incident in which sensitive personal information — such as your social security number, credit card account information or medical information — is accessed without authorization. Hackers often take the stolen information and sell it on the dark web, an untraceable part of the internet where crime thrives.
A single credit card number can be purchased for about $7 on the dark web, according to global cybersecurity firm Secureworks. The going rate for a full bundle of your personal information — known as a “fullz” in cybercriminal lingo — is as little as $15 to $65.
With these details, attackers can apply for lines of credit in their victims’ names, hack their personal devices, file fraudulent tax returns and commit other types of fraud.
In 2017, Yahoo’s parent company, Verizon, announced that 3 billion user accounts were compromised in 2013. The fraudsters stole users’ names, birth dates, passwords and phone numbers but did not access credit card or bank information. Another 500 million user accounts were affected by hackers in 2014.
If you’ve received notice that your information was exposed in a data breach, the Federal Trade Commission’s website will guide you through important steps you can take to protect yourself from identity theft. It also provides information specific to the Equifax data breach and breaches involving MyFitnessPal and Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue and Sakes OFF 5th.
These low-tech techniques can still yield a wealth of information about you. Credit card bills, pre-approved credit card offers and bank statements can be “spun into gold” by crafty criminals.
Credit card fraud is the most prevalent form of identity theft, according to FTC data. The agency received more than 133,000 reports from people who said someone else had used their information to charge purchases or open a new credit card account. Employment and tax-related fraud is the second most reported type of identity theft.
And the damage can take considerable time to uncover and repair. Many consumers don’t realize or discover the fraud for weeks or months. It can take six months on average and 100 to 200 hours of personal time to undo the damage caused by identity theft, according to a report in The Economist magazine.
A caller claiming to be from the IRS says you owe back taxes and that you’ll be arrested if you don’t cough up some cash.
“I’m calling from Windows technical department…”
The caller claims to be a computer technician and wants remote access to your computer to “fix” or install something.
“Grandma, I’m in trouble…”
A beloved grandchild calls you crying and begs you to wire them money.
“Congratulations, you’ve won…”
The caller says you’ve just won a sweepstakes, lottery or other “free” gift, but you have to pay money in order to collect your prize.
Other commonly reported scams and fraud, according to the FTC, involve: shop-at-home and catalog sales ($94 million in reported fraud in 2017); travel, vacation and timeshares ($38 million); foreign money offers and counterfeit check scams ($34 million); telephone and mobile services ($17 million); and advanced payments for credit services ($15 million).
If you’ve been ripped off, you can file a complaint online with the FTC. According to the agency, these complaints help investigators detect patterns of fraud and abuse.
You can also report international scams online at econsumer.gov, a partnership of nearly three dozen consumer protection agencies around the globe known as the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network.
Personal Health Information
It’s not just your money that cybercriminals are after. Medical identity theft is a growing problem. According to the FTC, criminals can use your identity to get prescription drugs and file claims with your health insurance provider.
In 2018 alone, nearly 5.9 million Americans had their protected health information and other data exposed in 118 reported hacking or IT incidents, according to “breach portal” operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights.
That’s why it’s important to review your health insurance statements regularly and check your medical files for accuracy if you think you’ve been defrauded.
Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, health care providers, insurance companies and their business associates must notify HHS and consumers when breaches affecting at least 500 people occur. Notifications must be made within two months of the discovery of the breach.
If you think you might be a victim of medical identity theft, the FTC provides online resources to help you detect the fraud and correct mistakes in your medical records.
LifeLock. How Common is Identity Theft? (Updated 2018) The Latest Stats. Retrieved from https://www.lifelock.com/learn-identity-theft-resources-how-common-is-identity-theft.html
Microsoft. (2018, November 7). Protect yourself from tech support scams. Retrieved from https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4013405/windows-protect-from-tech-support-scams
Mostowyk, L. (2018, November 19). Big data needs a big re-think: consumers are more anxious, but businesses can restore trust with greater transparency. Retrieved from https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/media/press-releases/2018/11/consumers-more-anxious-about-big-data-kpmg-study.html
We collaborate with legal and medical experts and consumer safety professionals to further ensure the accuracy of our content.
We appreciate your feedback. One of our content team members will be in touch with you soon.
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https://www.consumernotice.org/data-protection/
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The iboss cloud platform delivers all network security capabilities in the cloud via a SaaS offering. This eliminates the need for traditional network security appliances allowing organizations to secure network traffic from anywhere, at any scale, while reducing costs and complexity.
The future of network security is in the cloud and iboss can make that a reality today as a robust implementation of the Gartner SASE model.
It was reported late last week that one of the largest U.S. fuel suppliers Colonial Pipeline was hit with a ransomware attack. This attack shutdown 5,500 miles of pipe, causing growing concerns over future gas supply and prices, as Colonial Pipeline delivers about 45% of the fuel used along the U.S. East Coast.
The FBI has since confirmed that the ransomware group known as DarkSide was responsible for the attack.
On May 8th, Colonial Pipeline issued a public statement that the organization “learned it was the victim of a cybersecurity attack. [And] have since determined that this incident involves ransomware.” In response, the Company took specific systems offline to contain the damage, halting pipeline operations in the process. According to the BBC, DarkSide took almost 100 gigabytes of data hostage, and threatened to leak that information onto the internet if an undisclosed ransom was not paid. Colonial Pipeline Co. said in an update that the pipeline is coming back to operational status. However, it could take days to resume full operational status, which means that even though they have resolved the ransomware issue, there is still lingering effects both for the consumers and the company itself.
According to Krebs on Security, DarkSide first surfaced on Russian language hacking forums in August 2020. The group has been identified as a ransomware-as-a-service platform which vetted cybercriminals use to infect companies with ransomware and carry out negotiations and payments with victims. The group touts that it only targets large, established organizations, and will not attack certain industries (healthcare, education, etc.) due to its purported ethical code.
According to Vice, as quick as the attack was reported, the group also issued an apology via its dark web site. It said:
We are apolitical, we do not participate in geopolitics, do not need to tie us with a defined government and look for other our motives.
Our goal is to make money and not creating problems for society.
Ransomware has been on the rise over the last several years. A study from last year reported that 51% of surveyed organizations were hit by ransomware in 2020. ZDnet also reported that ransomware gangs made at least $350M in 2020, a 311% increase over ransomware payments previously recorded in 2019.
Ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) is making it very easy for cybercriminals to benefit from these types of attacks. RaaS is a business model used by malware developers who sell or lease malware and to cybercriminals on the dark web. This service provides criminals who lack the ability to execute cyberattacks the ability to distribute and manage ransomware campaigns. Via this model, the developer benefits by receiving a cut of each victim’s ransom paid for the decryption key.
In lieu of some of these high-profile ransomware attacks, President Biden signed an Executive Order to help improve the nation’s cybersecurity efforts and to protect federal government networks. While this is a good first step, it is likely not going to materially change the threat landscape. In fact, nearly all of America’s critical infrastructure is privately owned and operated. While this Executive Order sets the stage, it is mostly focused on federal networks. If America’s national security interests are to truly be protected, we will need regulatory requirements across all sectors of critical infrastructure.
Paul Martini, iboss CEO, commented, “Ransomware attacks have spiked over the course of the pandemic, so while it’s not shocking to hear about another high-profile attack, the rapid contrition from the attackers is peculiar. We’ve seen massive attacks against some of the largest organizations, yet organized threat actors – previously motivated strictly by financial gain – may now see a need to differentiate themselves from other criminals and nation-state cyber-espionage groups. Despite this ‘apology’, no organization, from small independent businesses to Fortunes 500, should let their guard down. Prioritizing a strong network security posture is the only defense against constantly evolving threats.”
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https://www.iboss.com/blog/what-we-know-about-colonial-pipeline-ransomware-attack/
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The US Department of Justice and the FBI indict five members of the Chinese military for allegedly hacking and stealing trade secrets of major American steel, solar energy, and other manufacturing companies, including Alcoa, Westinghouse Electric, and US Steel.
The Obama administration made history today with the country's first-ever criminal charges filed for cyber espionage. The US Department of Justice indicted five members of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) with hacking into US businesses to steal trade secrets.
The five defendants named in an indictment unsealed today -- Wang Dong, Sun Kailiang, Wen Xinyu, Huang Zhenyu, and Gu Chunhui -- are part of Unit 61398 of the Third Department of China's PLA in Shanghai, a group also known as APT1, which was first exposed publicly in an eye-opening report early last year by the security firm Mandiant, now part of FireEye.
Westinghouse Electric, Alcoa, Allegheny Technologies Incorporated, US Steel, the United Steelworkers Union, and SolarWorld all are named as victims in the May 1 indictment. A grand jury in Pittsburgh handed down indictments for 31 criminal counts, including identity theft, economic espionage, theft of trade secrets, and various hacking charges.
China's widespread and aggressive cyber espionage operations against US government, military, and corporate interests has been a poorly kept secret and, to date, a frustrating game of cat and mouse with victim organizations and security firms calling out specific indicators of compromise, or earmarks of their activities, that help victims block or keep an eye out for signs of the attackers.
It's also been a political battle of wills between the United States and China. The US has upped its warnings about hacking activities, but China has vehemently denied conducting cyber espionage and demanded proof. Chinese officials today dismissed the report as "absurd" and said the Chinese military does not engage in cyber espionage.
But the big news is that today's indictments signal a shift in US strategy. "These represent the first ever charges against known state actors for infiltrating US commercial targets by cyber means," Attorney General Eric Holder said in a press briefing today. "This is a case alleging economic espionage by members of the Chinese military. The range of trade secrets and other sensitive business information stolen in this case is significant and demands an aggressive response."
Richard Bejtlich, chief security strategist for FireEye, says the actual Shanghai building Mandiant tied to the PLA unit more than a year ago in its report was also pinpointed by the DOJ in its indictment. But Bejtlich and other experts say it's very unlikely the men named in the indictment will face prosecution.
"No one expects any of these gentlemen to serve any time or leave the country," said Bejtlich, a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. "But at the same time, this sets a template. There are hundreds of thousands of other victims out there, and parts of DOJ now know how to put a case together."
FBI officials made it clear that today's action is only the beginning. "This indictment clears the way for additional charges to be made. This is the new normal," Robert Anderson, executive assistant director of the FBI, said in the briefing. This is "what you're going to see on a recurring basis, not just every six months or every year. If you're going to attack Americans for criminal or national security purposes, we're going to hold you accountable no matter what country you live in."
Anderson called the losses to the US companies "significant," though he would not assign a value to them.
"The indictment alleges that these PLA officers maintained unauthorized access to victim computers to steal information from those entities that would be useful to their competitors in China, including state-owned enterprises," Holder said. "In some cases, they stole trade secrets that would have been particularly beneficial to Chinese companies at the time they were stolen. In others, they stole sensitive, internal communications that would provide a competitor, or adversary in litigation, with insight into the strategy and vulnerabilities of the American entity."
Take Alcoa. In February 2008, the steel manufacturer announced a partnership with the Aluminum Corporation of China (Chinalco) to purchase 12% of the mining company Rio Tinto PLC. According to the indictment, three weeks after Alcoa announced the deal with the Chinese nationally owned Chinalco (which the indictment did not name but is on public record as the firm involved in the deal), one of the defendants sent a spear phishing email to Alcoa that led to the theft of thousands of email messages and attachments from Alcoa's systems, including internal correspondence about the Rio Tinto deal.
One of the defendants is charged with stealing proprietary technical and design specifications for pipes, pipe supports, and pipe routing in nuclear power plants from Westinghouse. The information was allegedly stolen in 2010, when Westinghouse was building four power plants in China and negotiating terms of a construction contract with a Chinese-owned company.
"Westinghouse was in negotiations over a nuclear [facility] construction. They [the attackers] stole design from the plans," said John Carlin, assistant attorney general for national security.
Wen and at least one other (unidentified) attacker allegedly pilfered proprietary pricing, manufacturing metrics, production line information, and attorney-client communications about trade litigation from SolarWorld, which, along with other renewable energy firms, had waged complaints about China's trade "dumping" of competitive products below fair market value.
Not surprisingly, the new aggressive strategy against China also opens the administration to criticism of US policies in the wake of revelations about the vast spying operations by the National Security Agency (NSA). US officials and experts say the US hacking is limited to intelligence gathering for national security purposes and does not cross the line into theft of commercial trade secrets. "As President Obama has said on numerous occasions, we do not collect intelligence to provide a competitive advantage to US companies or US commercial sectors," Holder said today in the news briefing.
Unit 61398, where the defendants allegedly operate, is known for long-term infiltration of its targets, coming and going over months or years to steal proprietary information such as blueprints, manufacturing processes, test results, business plans, pricing information, partnership information, and emails and contacts from high-level company officials.
"There was an unspoken rule we don't talk about China. But now we are all talking about China, and here are the guys behind" some attacks, says George Kurtz, CEO at CrowdStrike, which focuses on getting to the bad guys behind advanced attacks. "This is a watershed moment for this activity to be called out... something the security industry has known for a long time. The fact that the government is moving to the next level in the escalation process is a big deal."
Kurtz would not comment on whether CrowdStrike assisted the DOJ in the investigation, but he says there's value in humanizing the threat. "It's not a faceless crime. Here they are. This does help people conceptualize the human element."
Naming names signals a maturation in the process of thwarting cyber espionage, he says. "It will open the floodgates for other companies" to go public in their victimization and investigations. "My hope is that they can be more open without [worry about] blaming the victim."
Any blowback from the NSA revelations is irrelevant, according to Kurtz. "The NSA isn't actively giving IP from Airbus to Boeing. That [type of thing] just doesn't take place. China owns half of its companies. There's financial incentive" for cyber espionage.
At an ACT-IAC forum this morning, former NSA Director Gen. Keith Alexander said theft by the Chinese and others of intellectual property hurts the US competitively. There needs to be better understanding of the impact of that, as well as a "more defensible architecture," he told an audience of government and industry executives.
David Hickton, US Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, says the attacks resulted in some job losses. During the press briefing, he cited a Texas plant purchased by US Steel. "When these intrusions hit and the market was flooded [with pipe products] well below cost from China, these plants were padlocked, and people lost their jobs."
The indictment alleges that Wang, Sun, Wen, and other individuals (both known and unknown to the grand jury) hacked or attempted to hack into the companies named in the case. Huang and Gu handled the domain accounts for the operations, the indictment says. A Chinese company allegedly hired one of the hackers to build a database of stolen intellectual property from the steel industry.
Jon Heimerl, senior security strategist at Solutionary, says the indictment likely won't make a big dent in cyber espionage -- and it could result in more attacks on the US.
"Ultimately, today's events will not likely have a measureable impact on global espionage. Private and government-backed espionage will continue, regardless of how this particular case progresses," Heimerl says. "If anything, it is conceivable that this could increase espionage against the United States, as the charges do more to raise the US position than they do the hacker position."
Holder said that, even if China does not cooperate in the case, the US has other options. "We hope they cooperate with us. If not, we will use all of the means to ultimately have these people appear in federal court here in Pittsburgh. There are a range of tools we can use to do this."
The full indictment is available here for download.
-- Wyatt Kash contributed to this article.
Kelly Jackson Higgins is the Executive Editor of Dark Reading. She is an award-winning veteran technology and business journalist with more than two decades of experience in reporting and editing for various publications, including Network Computing, Secure Enterprise ... View Full Bio
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https://www.darkreading.com/government/the-new-normal-us-charges-chinese-military-officers-with-cyber-espionage/d/d-id/1252911?print=yes
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What would mean that in \wwwroot\wss\VirtualDirectories\<port number where EP is installed\App_Code\Proxies should be created new stub class called PSAProjBudgetTolerance.cs with method checkBudgetTolerance
The file was not there indeed. If you look into hotfix installation instruction you can see step: “Go to the AX Menu – “Tools” – “Development tools” – “Web development” – “Proxies”. There you can generate proxies directly to server (button Generate). The problem is that if you are not site collection administrator for site where EP is created nothing will happen. The proxies will not be generated and you also not get error. So that was the reason. The proxies did not get generated while new WebControls were already deployed.
To make sure that all components also on Enterprise Portal site got deployed is to run AxUpdatePortal utility: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd261467.aspx
After running AxUpdatePortal utility creating expense report worked correctly.
We're always looking for feedback and would like to hear from you. Please head to the Dynamics 365 Community to start a discussion, ask questions, and tell us what you think!
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https://cloudblogs.microsoft.com/dynamics365/no-audience/2010/05/11/after-applying-psa-hotfix-problem-with-using-manage-expenses-from-enterprise-portal/
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The threat of a data breach is raised to a new level with Cloud computing services. You may have heard about a lot of data breach incidents on the news. The cloud surely is a promising platform, but it also comes with a unique set of characteristics that make it more vulnerable to certain threats. Understanding those vulnerabilities is key to strengthen its services.
« Man In the Cloud Attack », a study by the Ponemon Institute, concluded that a data breach is three times more likely to occur for businesses that utilize the cloud than for those that don’t. The study comes to this conclusion by analyzing nine scenarios where a data breach occurred.
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https://cyberguide.ccb.belgium.be/en/data-breaches-pose-real
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The Internal Audit Standards Board of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) invites comments on Standard on Internal Audit (SIA) 130, Risk Management.
Comments are most helpful if they indicate a clear rationale and, where applicable, provide a suggestion for alternative wording.
Comments can be e-mailed either at [email protected] or [email protected]
Last date for sending comments is February 05, 2020.
*Note: This Standard on Internal Audit (SIA) 130 seeks to revise and supersede SIA 13 “Enterprise Risk Management”, issued in February 2009 (in recommendatory form by the Board). This SIA will become mandatory from its effective date.
1.1 Risk Management is a key concept in internal audit and this Standard seeks to clarify both, the concept and the responsibility of the Internal Auditor, Management and other Stakeholders, with respect to risk management, keeping in mind the legal, regulatory and professional obligations.
1.2 Definition of Internal Audit in the “Framework Governing Internal Audits” (refer Para 3.1), indicates providing independent assurance on the effectiveness of internal controls and risk management processes as a basic expectation from internal audit. The definition on Internal Audit elaborates on the term “Risk Management” by clarifying how this is an integral part of management function and business operations.
1.3 Scope: This Standard applies to all risk based internal audits or where risk management framework is a subject matter of an audit, and is being assessed, evaluated and reported on.
(c) Specify the responsibilities of the internal auditor, especially when providing assurance on the risk management framework.
2.2 The overall objective of this Standard is to clarify the increasing responsibilities of management and auditors over risk management, and what requirements need to be met to assess, evaluate, report and provide assurance over risk management.
3. Definition of Risk Management
3.1 Risk is defined as the possibility of occurrence of an uncertain event in the future which could prevent the organisation from achieving its goals and objectives. Risk is therefore the product of two variables: impact and probability of occurrence. Risk can be broadly classified into certain areas of impact such as strategic, reputation, operation, financial, compliance, etc.
3.2 Risk Management is a process with a series of steps, taken on a continuous basis to identify the risks, assess them for severity and likelihood, prioritise them for action and to minimise their possible negative impact through mitigation actions. The process also encompasses the monitoring and reporting of the status of these risks.
3.3 Risk Management Framework is the combination of structure, systems and processes put in place to organise the various risk management activities and to integrate them seamlessly into the organisation. It incorporates the formation and functioning of risk management teams or committees, a documented risk management policy, continuous training activities, maintenance of automated database to capture and monitor individual risks and their mitigation steps, periodic and formal communication of status, etc. These frameworks may be focused on certain specific areas such as financial risk framework, operational risk framework, fraud risk framework etc.
3.4 Enterprise Risk Management is a term used to refer to various risk management frameworks uniformly applied on an entity-wide basis for a comprehensive approach to manage risks. It usually involves a separate and dedicated risk management function or department, lead by a (Chief) Risk Officer to support those charged with governance in achieving organisation objectives through risk management.
4.3 For listed companies, as per The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (“LODR”), the Company has additional responsibilities on risk management. Regulation 17(9) of LODR mandates one of the responsibilities of the Company and its Board of Directors, as:
(9) (a) The listed entity shall lay down procedures to inform members of board of directors about risk assessment and minimization procedures.
(b) The board of directors shall be responsible for framing, implementing and monitoring the risk management plan for the listed entity.
5. Responsibility of the Internal Auditor
5.1. Unless specially excluded from the audit approach, the Internal Auditor shall plan and conduct risk based internal audits. This requires deploying risk management concepts to ensure that the audits are prioritised in areas of importance, appropriate resources are allocated effectively where needed most, audit procedures are designed to give due attention to important matters and issues identified and reported are significant in nature. (refer para 6.1).
5.2. The nature and extent of audit procedures to be conducted in the area of risk management is dependent on the maturity of the risk processes and framework in place. Where management has implemented a risk management framework, the Internal Auditor shall plan and perform audit procedures to evaluate the design, implementation and operating effectiveness of the organisation’s risk management framework to provide independent assurance to management and those charged with governance (refer para 6.2 and 6.3).
5.3. Where the independent assurance requires the issuance of an audit opinion over the design, implementation and operating effectiveness over risk management, this shall be undertaken in line with the requirements of SIA 110, “Nature of Assurance”, especially with regard to the need to have a formal Risk Management Framework in place, which shall form the basis of such an assurance (refer para 6.4).
5.4. Where there is no formal risk management framework in place, the Internal Auditor shall design and conduct audit procedures with a view to highlight any exposures arising from absent or weak risk processes and make recommendations to formalise and strengthen risk processes and framework, and thereby improve risk maturity.
5.5. The Internal Auditor shall not assume any responsibility to manage the risks or to take risk management decisions. Neither is it the responsibility of the Internal Auditor to mitigate or resolve the risks.
6. Explanatory Comments
6.1. Risk Based Internal Audit (refer Para 5.1): Para 3.6 of “Basic Principles of Internal Audit”, on Risk Based Audits, requires the Internal Auditor to conduct the audits based on a risk assessment exercise. SIAs on Audit Planning (SIA 220, “Conducting Overall Internal Audit Planning” and SIA 310, “Planning the Internal Audit Assignment”) mandates the Internal Auditor to conduct risk-based audit planning to ensure due attention is given to matters of importance, complexity and sensitivity. Similarly, SIA 370, “Reporting Results” expects the auditor to consider the risk of the observations in deciding the matters to be reported.
6.2. Auditing Risk Management Framework (refer Para 5.2): The Internal Auditor shall perform audit procedures over the risk management framework with an overall objective to review the organisation’s ability to:
(d) monitor and report timely their status, to enable achievement of organisation objectives.
6.3. Audit Objectives on Risk Framework (refer Para 5.2): The work to be performed by the Internal Auditor on the risk management framework shall be directed to ensure that:
(a) The organisation has designed the framework consistent with globally recognised frameworks, such as ISO 31000; (b) Has implemented various enabling mechanisms, such as a Risk Management Committee, a Risk Management Policy, selection of a leader, and assignment/allocation of resources with defined roles and responsibilities, etc.; and (c) The system and processes in place are operating in an effective and efficient manner and helping to support full compliance.
Any shortcoming shall result in recommendations for improvement and suggestions on how to make the risk management framework more efficient and effective consistent with its stated objectives.
6.4. Independent Assurance over Risk Management (refer Para 5.3): Where a written assurance report is being issued, the Internal Auditor shall consider the following as a basis for his opinion:
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https://taxguru.in/chartered-accountant/exposure-draft-sia-130-risk-management.html
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More information about Reimage and Uninstall Instructions. Please review Reimage EULA and Privacy Policy. Reimage scanner and manual repair option is free. An advanced version must be purchased.
More information about Intego and Uninstall Instructions. Please review Intego EULA and Privacy Policy. MONETA ransomware - the threat that demands money transfers with false claims about decryption.
MONETA ransomware is a cryptovirus that locks all personal data on an infected device and then creates ransom notes with instructions to the victims. This file-locking virus belongs to the Phobos ransomware family, with previous versions like HOTEL, 1500dollars, .google, and others.
The virus appends all non-executable files with an elaborate three-part appendix, which consists of an appointed victim ID, criminal ICQ contact details [ICQ_Monetadicavallo], and .MONETA extension. All renamed data is rendered inaccessible.
Following file rename and encryption, most ransomware generates ransom notes to convince their victims into meeting their demands. The same goes for this file-locking parasite. It creates two types of ransom notes – a pop-up window (titled encrypted) and text files (named info.txt). Both messages portrayed in these notes can be seen below this paragraph.
Ransomware can do damage to the system registry and other essential device settings. Run a full scan with the ReimageIntego to restore your device to the pre-contamination phase
Like all of its previous versions, MONETA ransomware virus uses AES[1] military-grade coding algorithm to encrypt all personal victim files on a targeted computer. Unfortunately, the locked data cannot be opened without a particular decryption key. But in no way does that mean that you should succumb to the demands of the criminals.
Although the cybercriminals try their hardest to persuade their victims into purchasing their decryption tool by offering a free decryption of up to five files (not exceeding 4Mb in total) or threatening them in various ways, the only right thing to do is to remove MONETA ransomware from the infected devices.
The best way to do it is with professional anti-malware software like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes. Run a full system scan, and delete the cryptovirus along with all of its components. Keep virus databases of either of these apps up-to-date, and they might prevent cyberattacks in the future.
Ransomware is capable of making alterations in the system registry and other system settings. So once MONETA ransomware removal is done and your device is virus-free, we recommend performing a system tune-up with powerful system repair tools like the ReimageIntego to revert any of these changes.
MONETA ransomware - malware that relies on file-locking functions.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.
This message can be found in the ransom note text files:
If you are the IT manager and you are reading this, that means that you messed up, you were asleep at the wheel. Contact us and we can resolve this situation without major complication, if you are the owner of the company and you are reading this than the decision is yours, throw your hard drives in the trash or contact us and pay a nominal fee to recover your data, but know that your security practices have failed you and either way something needs to be done
If you want to restore them, install ICQ software on your PC hxxps://icq.com/windows/ or on your mobile phone search in Appstore / Google market “ICQ”
We've all receive junk mail in our lives. There's even a separate folder for that. Some of the spam emails might be harmful, but some may contain malware. As the research shows,[2] in the third quarter of 2020, 51,025,889 spam emails with malicious file attachments were reported, and almost 50% of the emails sent in the world were spam emails.
MONETA ransomware - a virus that belongs to a copy-cat Phobos ransomware family.
Having that in mind, everyday computer users should learn how to identify these types of letters. We're here to help, so we comprised a short list of guidelines for our readers to evade getting their devices infected by malware:
Never open any emails from the spam folder. They are there for a reason.
Open an email only if you know the sender.
Look for grammatical mistakes. Cybercriminals might do them to bypass detection.
Banks, shipping companies, and other institutions won't send an email alarming you to log in immediately.
Check the subject – if whatever is written is too good to be true or too threatening – it's spam.
Avoid opening any links in phony looking emails.
And please never download any email attachments without scanning them first with a reliable anti-malware application.
Instruction for MONETA ransomware removal and system repair
A trustworthy anti-malware app must accompany all everyday computer users on their journeys through the world wide web. These kinds of apps make sure cryptoviruses, like MONETA ransomware virus, can't get access to a computer. If they do, the viruses are isolated so they can't do any harm.
If you were unlucky and got your device infected, we recommend using dependable anti-malware software like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes to remove MONETA ransomware. However, it is worth mentioning that eliminating the infection won't decrypt your files. If you didn't keep backups, then export all info to an offline storage device and wait for a decryptor to be available to the public.
If you had backups, don't rush to recover your data after MONETA ransomware removal. First, experts[3] recommend performing a full system tweak with system repair tools like the ReimageIntego app to ensure all essential system values are correct and uncompromised.
If you failed to remove virus damage using Reimage Intego, submit a question to our support team and provide as much details as possible.
Reimage Intego has a free limited scanner. Reimage Intego offers more through scan when you purchase its full version. When free scanner detects issues, you can fix them using free manual repairs or you can decide to purchase the full version in order to fix them automatically.
Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of MONETA. After doing that, click Next.
Now click Yes to start system restore.
Once you restore your system to a previous date, download and scan your computer with ReimageIntego and make sure that MONETA removal is performed successfully.
Launch the program and go through the drop down menu on the top left corner to select the disk of your encrypted data. Check what folders are there;
Right-click on the folder you want to restore and select “Export”. You can also select where you want it to be stored.
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
Use the QR scanner to get instructions on your mobile device.
You can quickly scan the QR code with your mobile device and have MONETA ransomware manual removal instructions right in your pocket.
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https://www.2-spyware.com/remove-moneta-ransomware.html
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Technology firms such as Amazon, Google and Facebook are under wide scrutiny over how they handle users’ data. Following the Cambridge Analytica scandal and a spate of data breaches in last couple of years, user privacy has become a hot topic of discussion. Apple, a rare tech firm aloof from any major privacy scandal, is looking at this a window of opportunity to promote its privacy-focused features.
Apple on Sunday launched a new campaign, dubbed as Privacy 2.0, to promote its data security efforts in India. The OOH (out of home) campaign is running in Bengaluru, Gurugram and Mumbai. The company is also extending the campaign online via YouTube and social networking platforms.
Apple aims to point out that its products and services are designed from ground up to protect users’ information. At its recent WWDC conference, Apple introduced its latest software iterations which have a special emphasis on users’ privacy. For instance, iOS 13 now allows users to keep a track on which apps are using location data in the background. Apple also discloses what level of tracking these apps have done and gives users control to enable location when they’re comfortable.
Another big security feature Apple has introduced is “Sign in with Apple.” Contrary to Facebook and Google sign-in modules, Apple’s sign-in button ensures websites cannot track the user or use the sign-in for targeted advertising. The company also creates a randomly generated email IDs to ensure users’ original email details are not used for spam or any other malicious purposes. The “Sign in with Apple” works with iOS, macOS, tvOS and watchOS. It will also be cross-platform compatible allowing users to access the feature on their mobile browsers.
“Data collection is limited to the user’s name and email address, and Apple’s private email relay lets users receive email even if they prefer to keep their address private. Apple will not track users as they interact with your app,” the company said.
“All accounts are protected with two-factor authentication for superior security, and Apple will not track users’ activity in your app or website,” said Apple.
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https://theeducationpost.in/data-security-take-center-stage-as-soon-as-apple-dials-privacy-2-0-as-user-privacy/
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Had a customer ping me with an issue early this morning... Seems they did some upgrades to their system recently.. as in upgrading to the August 2011 Cumulative Update for WSS 3.0 & MOSS 2007.
Since doing this, they now have issues with people who are trying to create/complete workflows, the message "Sending data to server" appears on the screen and just hangs, not allowing the workflows to advance.
Also, getting the following Warning in the event logs.
Event ID: 5368 - Exception occured during the reuqest processing. (Type: InfopathLocalizedException, Exception Message: The security validation for this form is invalid.)
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https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/sharepoint_republic/2011/12/14/old-core-js-file/
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Computers and software are an integral part of the modern business organization. A successful manager will be expected to make informed decisions on the type of systems and software that will be used in the organization and to aid the organization in achieving its goals. Databases and Database Management Systems are a key type of software in a corporate information system. It is likely that a manager will encounter the use and management of database systems regularly.
This course introduces the learner to the software and databases technology used in modern organizations.
The course outlines the development of business software applications and introduces the use of Database Management Systems (DBMSs). The course outlines the various options that are available to the manager of a modern organization.
This course will be of great interest to management professionals who would like a better understanding of the roles that software and database technologies play in a corporate organization. It will also be of interest to learners who would like to gain an understanding of how software and computer systems operate.
The following product allows you to obtain a Digital Certificate / Digital Diploma confirming completion of the related e-learning course which serves as a formal proof of your newly gained skills. You will receive it after passing the course assessment with a score of at least 80%.
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https://www.g2a.com/it-management-software-and-databases-alison-course-global-digital-certificate-i10000146664003?page=2228&category_id=software-design-illustration
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Our Driver Risk Assessments build a detailed understanding of the risk factors drivers face.
The work-related road risk assessment follows our Fleet Safety Management Audit.
Your drivers’ responses allow us to ascertain where your risks lie, enabling focused interventions in those key areas. The assessments take place on our online platform, Riskmapp, which makes completion of questionnaires easily accessible and uncomplicated.
Drivers complete the online questionnaires and confirm via declaration that they have read, understand, and accept your organisation’s fleet safety policy. The assessment covers the four fundamental areas of fleet safety: driver; driver attitude; journey; and the vehicle.
Drivers are assigned a risk level based on their answers to the questionnaire.
Recommendations for training or other interventions are made for all high-risk drivers.
Training recommendations are always tailored to the individual; different interventions will be appropriate to different individuals.
Where training is appropriate, outcomes are factored into management reports, automatically recalculating an individual’s risk profile.
Risk assessments are automatically updated in response to collisions, and changes to vehicles or journey profiles.
We provide full administrative support and IT back-up with all assessments followed through to completion.
A full analysis is given for both individual and collective results. Managers can easily access these results and analysis online via secure log-in.
Our analysis allows recommendations to be made, first for necessary change at the organisational level, and then for training needs at the individual level. We offer a full action plan for your organisation.
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https://www.applieddriving.com.au/project/driver-risk-assessments/
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A new vulnerability, dubbed BootHole, has recently been discovered in the GRUB2 bootloader. It impacts most Linux systems worldwide. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution during the boot process, even when Secure Boot is enabled. This issue impacts every system using Secure Boot because almost all signed versions of GRUB2 are vulnerable. This means that most laptops, desktops, servers, and workstations are affected, alongside network appliances and other special-purpose equipment used in industrial, healthcare, financial and other industries. While BootHole is a major security concern, it requires attackers to achieve system administrator privileges before exploitation, making it a technically taxing vulnerability. Once administrator privileges have been achieved, however, due to the weakness in the way GRUB2 parses its configuration file, it can be exploited to execute arbitrary code that bypasses signature verification.
As we noted last week, a new automated search and destroy attack, dubbed ‘meow’, is targeting unsecured databases exposed to the public web. Both Elasticsearch and MongoDB instances are being hit, with the attackers leaving no explanation or ransom note. Instead, the attack overwrites and deletes the data, replacing it with the word ‘meow’ and a random string of numbers. Many victims appear to be concentrated in the educational sector. One large Elasticsearch cluster, destroyed with a meow attack, contained contact details for over 5 million students from various educational institutions including Oxford, Nirma, IIM, Hobsons, and Griffdom. Another, exposed student details from exposed from a QS Top Universities (Top Unis) repository, a QS matching tool.
Attacks continue from the Emotet botnet, one of the most potent threats of 2020. Early in the week, a wave of spam emails targeted English-, Italian-, and Polish-speaking users. In Italy, the domain belonging to the Ministry of Cultural Heritage was compromised and leveraged to distribute Emotet for over four days. Japanese and South Korean users were targeted with English language lures towards the middle of the week. The botnet’s TTPs were identified as having changed once again. Cofense Labs identified spam emails containing Emotet using not only stolen email bodies but also stolen attachments, making them more authentic and convincing. Large volumes of Emotet spam emails this week were directed towards Spanish-speaking countries, namely Mexico, Ecuador, Argentina, and Spain; the United Arab Emirates was also affected. The Qbot banking Trojan (also known as Qakbot) continues to be the main payload that is dropped following a successful Emotet infection. The botnet’s C&C domains – many of them WordPress sites – were hit by GIF replacement attacks and their numbers were reduced. It is unclear what the motivation for this attack is, or when it will end.
The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) released a joint security alert about the QSnatch malware, which has been infecting network-attached storage (NAS) devices from Taiwanese device maker QNAP. QSnatch attacks have intensified over the last year: the number of reported infections grew from 7,000 devices in October 2019 to more than 62,000 in June 2020. CISA and NCSC are urging companies to patch QNAP NAS devices to the most recent update available. QNAP has disputed the number of infected devices and blamed ‘a misinterpretation of reports from different authorities.’
As a result of misconfigurations in their infrastructure, source code from the repositories of more than 50 companies across various verticals has been made publicly available. These verticals include technology, finance, retail, food, e-commerce, and manufacturing, with some large companies such as Microsoft, Adobe, Lenovo, AMD, Qualcomm, Motorola, Hisilicon, Mediatek, GE Appliances, Nintendo, Roblox, and Disney being involved. The repositories were collected from various sources, and some contain ‘exconfidential’ or ‘confidential & proprietary’ information. While these exposures appear severe at first, the researcher actively complies with takedown requests, and has already removed the repositories for Lenovo, Daimler AG, and Mercedes-Benz. Additionally, many companies make these repositories public themselves, and others had not been updated for a long time, meaning that they would be of little use for any type of exploitation by threat actors.
Researchers have discovered another coronavirus-related lure being used in a phishing campaign promising the recipient a government-funded tax cut. The email claims to come from the UK ‘Government Digital Service Team’, and offers a tax rebate of GBP385.50. This rebate will supposedly be transferred directly to the recipient’s credit or debit card. This scam is designed to steal recipients’ personal and financial information.
Numerous victims have been reported of an aggressive business ID theft ring. A security researcher claims that these attackers have spent years targeting small businesses across the US and are now using coronavirus pandemic assistance loans and unemployment benefits as a lure. Since so many small enterprises are either going out of business or sitting dormant during the COVID-19 pandemic, organised fraud rings have seen it as an opportunity to find more targets. Data analytics company Dun & Bradstreet estimate an over 258 per cent spike in business identity theft crimes in 2020, with over 4,700 tips and leads where business identity theft or malfeasance is suspected.
A misconfigured cloud server at global cosmetics brand Avon has exposed 19 million records, including personal information and technical logs. The Elasticsearch database was found on an Azure server with no password protection or encryption – meaning it could be found by anyone in possession of the server’s IP address. The database was exposed for nine days before being discovered on 12 June. It contains personally identifiable information about customers and, potentially, also employees.
UnderTheBreach reports that a known threat actor is selling the database of Timehop which, it is claimed, contains 21.9 million users’ data. The breach itself was announced in 2018 and contains personally identifiable information (PII) such as emails, phone numbers, passwords, social media profiles, geographic locations, genders, and dates of birth. The post referenced by UnderTheBreach has since been deleted from Raid Forums. The reason for this is unclear. As noted, the Timehop breach was announced in 2018 and the data had not surfaced publicly until this actor made the post.
Cryptocurrency hardware wallet maker, Ledger, has announced that on 14 July it was notified that its eCommerce and marketing database was breached and leaked. Ledger immediately remediated the issue and identified that unauthorised access had been gained by a third party and the database contents exfiltrated. The data stolen in the breach included contact and order details. This includes email addresses, full names, phone numbers, and shipping addresses. Payment information, credentials or virtual funds were not impacted by the breach.
Cyjax has identified a new leak posted by ShinyHunters, allegedly taken from liveauctioneers[.]com, containing 2.9 million email addresses and plaintext passwords. Live Auctioneers is an online auction website, based in the US. Live Auctioneers was breached earlier this month by a different user on the RAID forums. Data that was released after that leak included 3.4 million credentials, with more data, such as phone numbers, emails, shipping addresses, and encrypted passwords. Not all the data was available in each entry. Currently, it is unclear whether the ShinyHunters post is the same breach as the previous one. It is interesting, however, that this company has been exposed twice in less than a month.
The Vermont Department of Taxes has revealed that many of the state’s taxpayers’ private information was exposed due to a security issue affecting the online filing portal. The breach occurred on 2 July 2020. All those registered in Vermont who filed their Property Transfer Tax returns electronically between February 2017 and July 2020 is at risk of exposure.
Health officials in Argentina have exposed a database containing the personal information of 115,281 coronavirus quarantine exemption applicants. The database is believed to belong to the San Juan, Argentina government and the Ministry of Public Health. Exposed information in this database included full names, DNI numbers (Argentinian national ID numbers), CUIL numbers (Argentinian tax ID numbers), genders, dates of birth, photographs, phone numbers, and email addresses.
This week there has been an uptick in the number of breaches listed by the operators of various ransomware. A breach at CWT Company (thought to be Carlson Wagonlit Travel in the US) is one of the best examples of how profitable these operations now are. Early in the week reports appeared illustrating that CWT’s internal network had been encrypted and data exfiltrated. The ransom note indicates that the stolen data includes customer billing information, insurance case details, financial reports, business audits, and bank account details, alongside details of CWT’s clients. Further investigation into the wallet address of the RagnarLocker gang revealed that nearly 414 Bitcoin (USD4.5 million) was received and transferred on 28 July 2020 indicating that the ransom had clearly been paid. Elsewhere, companies in Germany, Australia, India, France, the UK, Italy, and the USA, were all targeted. The size of the organisation does not appear to be a driving factor, with firms from SME to enterprise all falling victim to these attacks.
Fraud
Sucuri has uncovered a new type of web skimmer that targets the WooCommerce plugin in the checkout pages of WordPress eCommerce sites. Instead of infecting the WooCommerce files directly, however, the attackers are using an alternative technique to infect other plugins unrelated to the checkout process to stealthily skim credit cards. It is recommended that WordPress users put their websites behind firewalls, disable file editing from ‘wp-admin’, enforce account security such as complex passwords and MFA. Most importantly, admins must keep plugins and themes updated with the most recent versions.
The Wall Street Journal reports that SEI Investments has fallen victim to a ransomware attack through a third-party vendor. The company is the fund administrator for Angelo Gordon & Co., Graham Capital Management, Fortress Investment Group, Centerbridge Partners, and Pacific Investment Management Co. (Pimco). Some of SEI Investments’ clients alerted their investors of the breach earlier this month after SEI notified them. The attack itself happened in May and exposed the personal information of investors in roughly 100 of the fund administrator’s clients.
Cyjax analysts reported that the M.J. Brunner leak had been released on the Maze ransomware operators’ site. However, the RagnarLocker ransomware operators have also claimed responsibility for the attack. The data was exposed on the group’s leaks site on 28 May 2020. This was in retaliation for M.J. Brunner refusing to pay the ransom to the attackers.
A new wave of phishing attacks is attempting to steal payment card information and credentials for the Netflix streaming service. This campaign uses a functioning CAPTCHA page to bypass email security controls. The danger here lies in the fact that the techniques used in this campaign can easily be adapted to target other streaming sites, such as Amazon Prime Video or Disney+, giving threat actors a larger attack surface.
Vulnerabilities
On 24 July, Cisco issued a security advisory regarding a high-risk path traversal vulnerability in Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) software. Successful exploitation can be achieved by accessing arbitrary files within the web services file system on the targeted device. Since the announcement of this vulnerability, and the public release of exploit code, more attacks have targeted vulnerable versions of the software. Rapid7 recently found 85,000 internet-accessible ASA/FTD devices. 398 of those were deployed in numerous Fortune 500 companies. Since the patch was issued, only 10 per cent of vulnerable internet-facing devices have been patched; only 27 of the 398 vulnerable devices in Fortune 500 organisations have been rebooted.
A vulnerability has been disclosed in the Dell EMC iDRAC remote access controller technology embedded within the latest versions of Dell PowerEdge servers. This flaw can allow remote attackers to take over control of server operations. Public search engines have already discovered several internet-accessible connections to iDRAC which could be exploited, as well as 500 controllers available for access using SNMP. This flaw was fixed in early July. It is only exploitable if iDRAC is connected to the internet, which is not recommended by Dell. By not connecting iDRAC to the internet, users can mitigate the chances of exploitation.
Vulnerabilities have been found in virtual private network (VPN) implementations used by industrial control systems (ICS). Threat actors could use these flaws to execute arbitrary code, breach the network environment, and cause damage by connecting to field devices and programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
After discovering and reporting a critical vulnerability (CVE-2020-14511) in Moxa EDR-G902 and EDR-G903 series routers, researchers discovered that products from Secomea and HMS Networks also had severe flaws that could be used to gain full access to the internal network without authentication. Another flaw was found in HMS eWon, CVE-2020-14498. This is a critical stack-buffer overflow issue which can be exploited for remote code execution with the highest privileges by visiting a malicious website or opening a malicious email containing specially crafted HTML code.
AusCERT has issued a security advisory for multiple vulnerabilities in Magento Commerce products. Successful exploitation can lead to executing arbitrary code and commands, cross-site scripting (XSS), and reduced account security. The critical vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2020-9689, is a path traversal bug which could allow attackers with administrative privileges to execute arbitrary code. There are currently no known exploits for these vulnerabilities
We recommend updating the products listed below to the most recent version as soon as possible in line with your company’s product update schedule:
Unit 42 has issued a security advisory concerning a recently disclosed vulnerability in Kubernetes. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthenticated attackers gaining complete control over the cluster.
Tencent has issued a security advisory over an important update for the Elastic Stack. Successful exploitation of unpatched systems can lead to stored XSS, information disclosure, and denial of service via CPU exhaustion.
A critical vulnerability has been discovered in the wpDiscuz WordPress plugin installed on over 80,000 WordPress sites. This flaw can allow an attacker to remotely execute code after uploading arbitrary files to servers hosting vulnerable sites.
Cisco has released security updates to patch three critical vulnerabilities affecting Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) and multiple Cisco SD-WAN software Updates were also released for eight high and medium severity flaws.
Multiple vulnerabilities have been disclosed in Mitsubishi, Philips, and Inductive Automation ICS products, warns US CISA. Successful exploitation can lead to denial of service, arbitrary code execution, unauthorised access, information disclosure, and provide misleading information.
Researchers have reported four distinct malware families being used by North Korean APT Lazarus to target Apple’s macOS platform. These included previously observed malware such as the DaclsRAT which is believed to be a part of the recently disclosed MATA framework, also used by Lazarus. Sentinel One claims that all of these samples have appeared in the last eight to ten weeks, which shows that Lazarus is still highly active.
MATA is cross-platform compatible and targets all three major operating systems: Windows, Linux, and macOS. Since its first detection in April 2018, MATA has been used to infiltrate enterprises around the world. Victims were found in Poland, Germany, Turkey, South Korea, Japan, and India. Organisations from various industries were compromised, including software development, eCommerce, and an internet service provider (ISP).
Kaspersky has uncovered a new family of ransomware, dubbed VHD, that has been attributed to North Korea’s Lazarus group. The first detections involving VHD ransomware occurred in Europe and involved a spreading technique reminiscent of numerous other APT groups. The ransomware propagates laterally around networks via a list of administrative credentials and IP addresses specific to the victim. Once a system is compromised, VHD is copied and executed through Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) calls. This tactic has been used in other high-profile attacks such as those against Sony Pictures Entertainment, Shamoon, and OlympicDestroyer. VHD ransomware and the MATA framework were both custom-built by the Lazarus group.
In more Lazarus-related news, the group was observed targeting the US aerospace and defence sector in a campaign dubbed Operation North Star. These attacks used common spear-phishing emails posing as a potential job opportunity. McAfee was not able to retrieve a copy of the emails, so the companies that were targeted in these attacks are unknown. These lures were used to install malware through malicious DLLs onto a target’s device, with the attacks specifically focused on cyber-espionage and intelligence-gathering efforts. This campaign bears a striking resemblance to Operation Interception, also conducted by Lazarus, which targeted European and Middle Eastern aerospace and military companies. Both campaigns use similar bogus job offer lures. McAfee claims that these are definitely two distinct campaigns, however, due to the use of different implants and lure documents.
Kaspersky’s Q2 2020 APT trends report was published this week. One of the most interesting findings was the disclosure of a new group called the Deceptikons linked to a cyber-espionage campaign providing mercenary services for almost a decade. It is not particularly technically sophisticated and has not deployed 0day exploits to its knowledge. The Deceptikons repeatedly target commercial and non-governmental organisations. This includes spear-phishing European law firms and deploying PowerShell scripts. It is thought to be motivated by financial information, details of negotiations and the law firms’ clientele.
Malware
A new Android SMS worm is circulating disguised as TikTok Pro. Once a user installs the app, it sends an SMS to all the contacts on the device with a link to the malicious app. When the app is launched, it requires the device owner to log into TikTok. Interestingly, however, these credentials are not stolen. The purpose of the Android SMS worm appears to be to make users watch monetised adverts while logging into a fake TikTok. Cybercriminals are seeking to exploit the current situation in India as the government recently banned TikTok, preventing users registered in the country from accessing their accounts. This is a common tactic. As soon as something is made unavailable in one country, threat actors quickly produce a fake version to lure unsuspecting users into downloading and installing their malware.
Researchers detected a spike in activity linked to cryptocurrency mining attacks targeting vulnerable MS-SQL servers. After investigating the attacker’s HTTP File Server (HFS) it was found that tens of thousands of MS-SQL servers have been infected with a Monero mining Trojan.
MS-SQL servers are valuable targets to compromise: not only do they have significant CPU power that can be repurposed for cryptocurrency mining; they also contain databases with sensitive information such as credit card numbers, credentials, and other PII. Organisations can protect themselves by enforcing strong password protection policies and multi-factor authentication; it is also advised that database servers are put behind a firewall.
A previously unknown Linux malware is targeting Docker servers. This threat, dubbed Doki, went undetected on VirusTotal for nearly six months. Docker has been repeatedly targeted by cryptocurrency mining malware. In previous campaigns, threat actors have repeatedly exploited open ports, including those associated with Docker API, to deploy malware. Organisations running Docker should ensure their API ports are not exposed to the internet. They should also monitor for unexpected or excessive use of computing resources, which could potentially indicate the presence of cryptocurrency mining malware.
Ensiko is a new webshell that targets various platforms such as Windows, Linux, and macOS or any other system with PHP installed. It is deployed via exploited vulnerabilities in web applications or by gaining access to one previously compromised. Ensiko also has a PHP ransomware module that encrypts files on an infected web server using the RIJNDAEL encryption algorithm. This threat is worth monitoring: it is sophisticated and appears to have been written from scratch by skilled malware developers.
The FBI has issued a security alert concerning the Netwalker (Mailto) ransomware. Its operators are targeting US and foreign government organisations and the FBI advises victims not to pay the ransom but report the incident to their local FBI field office instead. Netwalker began to be delivered to the target organisations in June 2020, according to the FBI, after successful attacks on an Australian transportation and logistics company and a US public health organisation. The threat actors behind Netwalker have used the ongoing coronavirus pandemic as a lure in their campaigns since March.
Researchers have identified the WastedLocker ransomware sample used in the attack on Garmin. WastedLocker samples are tailored for each target; the sample the researchers identified was found to generate the same ransom note and encrypted files as seen during the attack. As of 27 July, Garmin’s services appeared to be coming back online, having been down since late 22 July. Parts of the app are still reporting that server maintenance is underway. The BBC reports that the company has been asked to pay USD10 million (GBP7.79m) to get its systems back online. Garmin has yet to officially comment on those claims, or say what was behind the outage. However, subsequent reports asserted that Garmin had paid the ransom demands through a third party in order to avoid sanction under the US Treasury rules that ‘US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions’ with the cybercriminals.
Darknet
The operators of Cerberus have announced that they are selling the entire project, including source code, servers, and customer base. This comes after the public representative of Cerberus claimed that they are the only member of the team left, and that running the malware on their own is not possible. Cerberus customers have been complaining, for some time, that the malware is no longer functioning as expected, so this latest development is possibly an attempt to avoid having to compensate customers. The Cerberus operators also previously sold the source code to Cerberus v1 to raise funds for the completion of Cerberus v2. This potentially indicates that the problems may have been present in the cybercriminal outfit for a while. There is currently no indication that Cerberus v2 has been sold.
Multiple 0day vulnerabilities for Tor have been disclosed by well-known computer forensics researcher, Dr Neal Krawetz. Dr Krawetz claims he first discovered some of these bugs as far back as 2012 and that, despite having reported them to the Tor Project, they all remain unptached. These vulnerabilities potentially enable the tracking and detection of any connection to Tor nodes. The Tor Project has not yet commented on the disclosure of these vulnerabilities.
Senior lawmakers from the ruling Republican Party have dismissed President Donald Trump’s suggestion that November’s presidential election could be delayed. Trump has claimed, with little reliable evidence, that postal voting – of growing importance due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic – is susceptible to fraud. Trump does not have the constitutional authority to postpone November’s election, meaning such a move would need to pass both the Republican-controlled Senate and the Democratic Party-controlled House of Representatives. The likelihood of the election being delayed is therefore minimal, barring a significant worsening of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump’s comments are therefore more likely aimed at undermining the integrity of November’s ballot, a tactic he used during the 2016 presidential election. Organisations with interests in the US economy should scenario plan for either plausible outcome of November’s poll.
US ambassador to Brazil, Todd Chapman, warned in an interview that Brazil would face ‘consequences’ if it allows Chinese telecoms giant Huawei’s involvement in its 5G network. Chapman also claimed that allowing Huawei’s participation in 5G may discourage future foreign investment in Brazil. Chapman’s comments come as the US seeks to persuade countries across the world to ban or restrict Huawei’s involvement in their respective 5G networks. Washington has previously offered to help finance Brazilian telecoms providers’ acquisition of non-Huawei 5G equipment, and Chapman’s unsubstantiated comments seek to increase pressure on President Jair Bolsonaro’s administration to ban Huawei’s 5G participation. Any decision to restrict Huawei’s involvement could have major commercial implications for Brazil, given that China is its largest trading partner and may seek commercial retaliation. Companies with interests in Brazil’s telecoms sector should monitor local updates related to Huawei’s legal status, and scenario plans for multiple outcomes, including a full or partial ban on Huawei equipment in the country’s 5G network.
In a statement released on 2 August, Microsoft announced that it is continuing talks on the purchase of popular Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok’s US operations. Microsoft said it would conclude discussions with TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, by no later than mid-September. A preliminary proposal also includes Microsoft securing the rights to own and operate TikTok in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Microsoft’s statement came after a call between its CEO, Satya Nadella, and US President Donald Trump. On 31 July, Trump had told reporters that TikTok would be banned in the US, however the White House later stated that its policy towards TikTok had yet to be decided. TikTok, which is particularly popular among teens and young adults, has generated concern among some US lawmakers and national security officials as to whether users’ data could be accessed by Chinese officials if it remains under Chinese ownership, thereby potentially posing a national security risk to the US. It comes amid a broader intensifying rivalry between Washington and Beijing over openness towards each other’s businesses and technologies, and comes as the US encourages other countries to ban Chinese telecoms giant Huawei from their 5G networks over similar concerns. Were Microsoft to conclude the purchase, it would allow TikTok to continue operating in the US, therefore preventing backlash from its approximately 80 million US users, while addressing US officials’ security concerns. Companies with interests in the Sino-US relationship, particularly related to trade and technological openness, should monitor updates related to TikTok and assess how it may impact operations and strategy.
The trial of ex-CEO of Mexican state-owned oil company Pemex, Emilio Lozoya, began on 28 July, with the accused denying allegations of corruption and pledging to ‘denounce’ those responsible for the crimes of which he is accused. Lozoya’s trial is the most significant anti-corruption development since President Andrés Manuel López Obrador was elected on an anti-graft platform in 2018. The case is of particular significance given Lozoya’s previous relationship with ex-president Enrique Peña Nieto – he worked as a strategist to Peña Nieto during the 2012 election – and other high-ranking members of the former government. Companies with interests in Mexico, particularly those who bid for or won public contracts under the Peña Nieto administration, should monitor local updates, anticipate heightened public and judicial scrutiny, and cooperate fully with the relevant authorities.
APAC
Hong Kong Legislative Council elections due to be held on 6 September are expected to be postponed for up to a year, ostensibly due to concerns over the impact of COVID-19 on the territory. The elections are widely seen as a direct challenge to pro-China and ‘establishment’ legislators from voters opposed to Beijing’s overt influence in Hong Kong. The suspension of the elections will increase tension in the territory and test pro-democracy activists’ willingness to defy China’s imposed national security law (NSL) that came into effect a month ago. Foreign companies viewed as supportive of China’s greatly expanded overt influence in Hong Kong may also come under pressure from activists and their home governments, particularly in the event any renewed protests in the territory lead to mass arrests or clear indications of excessive force by the police. The one-month outlook is critical in this respect as any local reaction is likely to be manifested in this timeframe.
Tokyo is tightening rules over access to sensitive technology for foreign researchers and students at universities and is threatening to hold back financial support to institutions that encounter leaks of sensitive data, especially information with potential military use. Under the new proposed rules, visa applications from foreign citizens that want to study at Japanese universities will be more carefully vetted, and researchers will need to disclose their overseas sources of funding when applying to run studies. The new regulations are widely viewed as targeting China. Tertiary educational institutions are advised to periodically conduct detection operations for insider threats, including behavioural analysis to identify any patterns of suspicious activity, and remind personnel to practice good operational security at all times.
Media reports on 29 July said pilots for US-based air cargo carrier FedEx had called on the company to suspend flights to Hong Kong due to the territory’s enhanced coronavirus testing regime that came into force today. The Air Line Pilots Association call for a suspension of FedEx services follows three of the company’s pilots being quarantined in Hong Kong government isolation facilities after testing positive for COVID-19 on arrival in the territory. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said aircrew should not be tested for the virus as a prerequisite for working as they can be readily isolated from the general population, despite evidence individuals have breached existing strictures on movement. The implications of FedEx ceasing operations on the availability of overall cargo space is minimal as other airlines can add capacity to cover any shortfall, but may be high in terms of the movement of business documentation, e-commerce and general mail the company specialises in carrying. Companies should assess their options regarding such movements, bearing in mind any mail or documents sent through China will be delayed due for security and other forms of search.
Malaysia’s former prime minister Najib Razak was found guilty of corruption by the country’s High Court for his role in a multi-billion-dollar scandal at state fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB). Najib faced seven charges of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of power for allegedly illegally receiving nearly USD10 million from a former 1MDB unit. Najib, who pleaded not guilty to the charges and said he would appeal the verdict, faces a further 42 criminal charges over allegations he misappropriated more USD1 billion from 1MDB. The verdict will help assure many local and foreign interests over immediate concerns regarding the independence of the Malaysian judiciary in such a high profile and politically sensitive case. However, concerns remain over the appeal process, how the other cases proceed and sentencing. The verdict also increases the potential for a new general election, which would add to already heightened political volatility. Companies should factor a period of growing tension, including street protests by Najib supporters and their opponents, into their six-month outlook.
Europe
Russia’s economic development minister, Maxim Reshetnikov, warned that EU plans to introduce a carbon border adjustment mechanism (referred to as a carbon border tax) by 2023 will violate World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules. The carbon border tool, which is still being developed, would see additional levies being applied on imported goods manufactured unsustainably. The tax will reflect the amount of carbon emissions generated during the production of imported goods. This is aimed at encouraging non-EU exporters to prioritise environmental protection as well as bolster production within the bloc. While the exact details of how the carbon adjustment mechanism would function have not yet been finalised, the proposal is likely to have wide-ranging implications for both major exporters into the EU and importing firms. Companies with significant carbon footprints in sectors such as energy and chemicals will be significantly disadvantaged. Exporters should conduct comprehensive internal assessments to identify operations that may be readjusted to lower emissions.
On 27 July, the Ukrainian military accused pro-Russia separatists of violating a ceasefire shortly after it was initiated at midnight. The separatists denied the allegations. Mutual accusations of ceasefire violations have become a common feature of the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. Despite the expectation that the latest ceasefire agreement signalled concrete commitment to de-escalate tensions from both sides, renewed clashes indicate that efforts to pacify the region face significant challenges. The latest developments indicate that for any meaningful de-escalation to occur, tangible steps should be taken by armed personnel on both sides, including respecting ceasefire agreements and fulfilling withdrawal commitments, to avoid further violence. Critics of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi in the meantime will amplify their opposition to his diplomatic approach and view this as confirmation that Kiev has already given too many concessions.
A court in the city of Strasbourg rejected a bid by Chinese conglomerate Jingye Group to acquire the Hayange factory in northern France that belonged to British Steel. The UK-based steelmaker avoided bankruptcy after being bought by Jingye last year. Hayange was not part of the transaction. The court decision awarded UK-based industrial firm Liberty House permission to acquire the site, deemed as strategically important by the French government. France’s finance ministry is expected to approve the deal. The current context makes the decision particularly notable. As Europe seeks to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, governments have sought to protect national assets from takeovers by non-EU entities. This trend of targeted protectionism will likely continue to accelerate across the EU. The case of Hayage makes this clear. Under current circumstances, there is little political appetite to greenlight acquisitions that could leave non-EU companies in control of assets of national importance. Heightened scrutiny on foreign investments will complicate plans for companies seeking to attract capital investment from non-EU investors.
London-based European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) claimed on 29 July that several of its Twitter accounts were hacked. No further details were given but an EBRD representative said the organisation’s Twitter account was ‘compromised’. The EBRD finances infrastructure projects and businesses across Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East. While the extent of the hack has not been disclosed, it underscores the vulnerability of social media platforms such as Twitter to cyberattacks and follows the recent hijacking of the accounts of multiple US public figures, including former president Barack Obama and Bill Gates. Companies frequently using social media for communications campaigns should anticipate the potential impact a hack may have on operations. Precautionary actions should be taken, including regularly changing passwords and instructing relevant staff to exercise heightened caution, to mitigate the elevated cybersecurity threat.
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko last week called an urgent meeting of the country’s security council after 33 alleged mercenaries belonging to the Wagner Group, a Russian military contracting firm, were arrested in Minsk. Critics believe the arrest may be used as an excuse to crack down on growing opposition protests or potentially hold off a presidential election slated for 9 August on the grounds of foreign interference. In separate but related developments, the political opposition is planning mass strikes at prominent state-owned firms set to begin the day after the election is concluded. Opposition figures have also established a platform through which they call on voters to state how they voted by uploading a picture of their ballot. The presence of Wagner Group operatives in Belarus raised several questions about their motives and potential operations. Allegations of foreign interference are not new, and the timing and background of the arrests lends credibility to the view that this may be used as a pretext to further crackdown on the growing opposition movement.
The EU on 30 July imposed sanctions on several individuals and organisations believed to have been involved in a series of major cyberattacks. The measures include asset freezes and travel bans on members of Russian military intelligence, two Chinese firms, including Haitai Technology Development, and Chosun Expo, a North Korean export firm. In particular, the Main Center for Special Technologies – a unit of Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency – was accused of carrying out the 2017 NotPetya attacks in Ukraine. The other entities targeted are suspected of also being responsible or supporting the WannaCry and Cloud Hopper attacks. Moreover, four alleged GRU agents were also sanctioned over an attempted cyberattack on the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The measures represent the first-ever sanctions imposed by the EU relating to cyber security. Importantly, the sanctions also lend credibility to claims that Russian military intelligence are involved in a sophisticated campaign targeting Western commercial and national interests. Organisations should regularly reassess their threat profile and review existing cyber security protocols to detect any potential vulnerabilities. Update security patches on a regular basis and instruct staff on ways to report phishing emails. It is also prudent to understand how geopolitical developments influence the cyber-threat landscape to strategically plan risk management measures.
MENA and Central Asia
The US imposed a second round of sanctions under the Caesar Act ruling that came into effect on 17 June, which aims to maximise pressure on the Syrian government for alleged war crimes against its citizens. This marks a significant ramping up of Washington’s maximum pressure strategy against the Syrian regime. It enables the US treasury to sanction a wider range of sectors and the ability to freeze the assets of anyone believed to be cooperating with Syria. Companies should factor the new sanctions into existing compliance programmes and ensure full adherence with any restrictive measures.
The Turkish parliament passed a new social media law on 29 July that will enable government authorities to remove online content that fails to comply with regulations rather than blocking it – which was the previous practice. A comprehensive list of regulations has been included in the bill; notably, foreign social media companies with over 1 million users are now required to have a local representative and store all domestic user data in Turkey. Failure to do so could result in USD1.5 million fines, bandwidth restrictions and advertising bans. Erdoğan’s approval at this stage is a formality. As of 30 July, major social media companies such as Twitter and Facebook have not publicly reacted to the decision. While it is unlikely these companies will pull out of the Turkish market, there remains a possibility that they could refuse to comply with the new regulations, which would cause significant domestic disruption. Companies using social media platforms for businesses or communication should continue to monitor developments and prepare contingency plans for the possible suspension of these sites in the short-medium term.
US secretary of state Mike Pompeo stated that sanctions against Iranian metals producers and traders would be undergoing a ‘major expansion’ to include 22 other metals that are believed to be used in the country’s nuclear, ballistic or military programmes. Under these sanctions, any company or individual believed to be transferring these materials including graphite, aluminium powder or raw and semi-finished metals to Iran will be blacklisted from the US on account of contributing to the Iranian state’s construction sector and facilitating their nuclear programmes. The expansion of sanctions is part of the US’ strategic calculus aimed at applying maximum pressure on the Iranian government to undermine the latter’s nuclear ambitions. The latest round of sanctions will likely cause commodity prices to inflate and destabilise the market, with plausible impacts on the labour force. Anti-government protests have been increasing in recent weeks amid worsening socio-economic conditions impacted by COVID-19. Companies in the construction or metallurgical sector and with interests in Iran should carry out due diligence on business and operational practices to ensure they comply with US sanctions law.
Shipping data and industry sources indicate that Iraq’s crude oil exports have increased in July, implying that Iraq is failing to fulfil its commitment to the OPEC+ cuts that were extended in February until the end of 2020 to support volatile crude prices. This likely underlines Iraq’s growing economic instability and a need to bolster this with oil exports, which usually comprise around 90 per cent of the government’s revenues. In the coming weeks, the state is due to pay the next two months of salaries for around 4 million state employees alongside state beneficiaries. It is likely that the government is hoping to avoid delaying these payments, which could result in exacerbating protests that are recurring following a period of calm due to COVID-19 restrictions. A lack of compliance with oil output cuts will likely raise tensions in the fragile OPEC+ agreement, particularly with Russia which has been continuously reluctant to adhere to the restrictions. While Iraq’s failure to comply is unlikely to jeopardise the entire deal, there remains a realistic chance that further instances of missing output cut targets could occur in the coming months given the country’s economic crisis, which will likely escalate tensions between OPEC+ members and disincentivise others from adhering to cuts. This would likely lead to another spate in global oil price volatility, further compounded by COVID-19 in the medium-term outlook.
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) announced on 1 August that operations in Unit 1 of Barakah power plant, situated in Abu Dhabi, have commenced. The nuclear plant is the first of its kind in the Arab world and has been slated by ENEC to have enough capability to provide up to 25 per cent of the UAE’s electricity needs once it becomes fully operational. The announcement is likely to escalate ongoing tensions with regional rival Qatar, who complained about the nuclear plant to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in March 2019, warning that it was a ‘flagrant threat to regional peace and environment’. Qatar’s grievances will likely be further compounded by regional concern over the lack of safety measures installed in the plant. This was underlined in a 2019 report by the Nuclear Consulting Group, which concluded there was a serious lack of key safety features such as a core-catcher in Barakah. By comparison, core-catchers are standard requirement in all nuclear reactors in Europe. Without one, there is a higher likelihood of radiation pollution being released in the event of an accidental incident or deliberate attack. Targeted strikes against strategic facilities in the Gulf are a concern, underlined by attacks over the past year by the Yemeni-based Houthi rebels against Saudi oil refineries, and Barakah could be a potential target by various threat actors. Businesses in the region should factor these developments as well as the likelihood that the plant will stoke geopolitical tensions into security contingency plans.
Sub-Saharan Africa
South African Investigators are looking into 102 suppliers of personal protective equipment (PPE) in Gauteng province, after it was revealed that politically connected businesses had won lucrative tenders related to COVID-19 pandemic containment efforts. An audit had showed that there were indications of overpricing and poor quality. Khusela Diko, who serves as a spokeswoman for President Cyril Ramaphosa, took a leave of absence earlier this week following reports that her husband won R125 million worth of PPE contracts – the couple deny any wrongdoing. While authorities do not suspect all 102 firms of wrongdoing, the probe indicates intentions to scrutinise all PPE contracts. On 23 July, Ramaphosa pledged to tackle corruption in the healthcare sector due to concerns that funds distributed were stolen or misused. Tough measures, including fines and contract abrogation, will likely be imposed on organisations found violating rules. Companies operating in South Africa should ensure full compliance with rules and cooperate with the relevant authorities.
The Financial Times reported on 28 July that Anglo-Australian mining group Rio Tinto was in discussion with the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) to obtain a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) over suspected bribery committed when securing a major iron ore contract in Guinea. Neither Rio Tino nor the SFO have confirmed the negotiations. However, the SFO on 24 July 2017 confirmed an investigation into payments the company made to a consultant with close ties to President Alpha Condé, a few months after he took office in December 2010. This payment allegedly helped the company secure part of the Simandou mine, one of the world’s largest and richest untapped iron ore deposits. In 2008, the company was stripped of two out of four concessions it held by the former government of then-president Lansana Conté who died the same year. Under a DPA, which must be approved by a judge, the charged company agrees to make full reparation (including paying fines) for criminal behaviour but without the consequences of a criminal conviction and under strict further conditions. The reported DPA signals a possible solution to the legal battle surrounding the Simandou project, although this may still take several months to resolve. Nevertheless, the case underscores Guinea’s high corruption risk and a need for companies investing there to develop strong compliance programmes and codes of conduct for all their partners, including consultants. They also need to carry out thorough due diligence on local partners, including developing a deepened understanding of their political affiliations and attendant contract risks that may emerge in the event of a government change.
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is warning companies about a fraudulent email being circulated, announcing a new tender. This comes after SASSA in Free State province on 22 July warned about criminals defrauding service providers through the agency’s Social Relief of Distress (SRD) vouchers, which are used by poor households to buy food. Relatedly, on Friday (24 July) officers from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (locally known as the ‘Hawks’) arrested three individuals they suspect of planning to hack into SASSA’s system and gain access to beneficiary accounts. The series of reported acts targeting SASSA signals an elevated cybercrime risk for sub-contractors, such as cash transfer businesses and non-governmental organisations, distributing SASSA grants amid the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. This risk is likely to remain elevated over the next six months, when the COVID-19 special SRD grants will remain effective. Security managers of organisations likely to be targeted by such criminal acts should review their security measures, specifically with regards to codes of conduct and internal processes for distributing the grants to mitigate the risk of fraudulent payments. They should also inspect their cybersecurity defences to mitigate data breaches.
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Location map, contaminants, and sampling wells of the study area.
The globally pervasive development of industry has prompted researchers worldwide to scrutinize the phenomenon of groundwater contamination (Sponza & Karaoglu 2002; Gowd & Govil 2008; Krishna & Mohan 2014), in which use of water for drinking is critically at risk and thereby threatens public health (Yildiz et al. 2008). Although some of these researchers have shown that industrial zones indeed cause water contamination (Aremu et al. 2002; Sponza & Karaoglu 2002; Nalbantcilar & Guzel 2006; Gowd & Govil 2008; Shankar et al. 2008; Krishna et al. 2009; Ullah et al. 2009; Azizullah et al. 2011; Dasaram et al. 2011; Afzal et al. 2014; Krishna & Mohan 2014), even in Batman (e.g., Pinarkara et al. 2013; Nalbantcilar et al. 2015), no information is currently available regarding the degree of contamination in the area's groundwater. As well, all drinking and domestic water needs of the research area are met from groundwater. In response, to determine the extent to which Batman's groundwater threatens public health due to contamination, groundwater samples for chemical analysis were collected from predetermined wells in the area, and the results were compared with the standards of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA 2012) and Turkish Standards Institution (TSE 2005).
Hydrogeological map (Pinarkara 2014) and cross sections of the study area.
Figure 2 demonstrates that the directions of groundwater flow are from northeast to southwest and from south to north. According to the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI 1979) report, transmissivity values range from 10 to 500 m2/d for old alluvium and from 5 to 100 m2/d for recent alluvium.
11 23 0.7 0 241 67.6 0 7.2 0 1.7 5.5 0 299 0 1 4.9 27.7 0.3 1 27.5 0 12.3 12 0.4 0 11 0 0.8 21.2 1 3.9 10 13 34 1.0 0 104 54.3 0 5.9 0 2.6 2.3 0 229 0 1.3 3.1 20.5 0.4 1 15.9 0 13.1 0 0.4 28 8 0 0.8 16.7 0.7 2.5 26 15 24 0.8 0 109 56.1 0 7.5 0 3.2 1 37 236 0 1.4 3.3 21.7 0.2 0.9 17.6 0 16.3 10 0.1 23 10 0 1.2 20.8 0.7 2.7 4 16 30 1 0 260 84.5 0 29.3 0 5.7 8.9 0 308 0 1.8 3.1 14.3 1.8 0.7 11 0.3 13 10 0.6 18 11 0 0.8 21.1 0.5 1.2 7 22 116 1 0 104 92.3 0 37.5 0.2 5.3 2.9 1,539 280 0 1.7 2.9 19.3 18.8 0.3 34.7 1 44.6 67 0.5 0 13 3.8 1 43.4 0.7 2 53 27 51 0.9 0 158 72.5 0 30.5 0.3 16.4 5.2 0 237 0 1 4.4 33.7 2.3 0.9 19.4 6.8 40 0 0.9 32 26 4.3 15.4 51.8 1.2 6.6 12 28 21 0.9 0 387 75.0 0 8.3 0 1.5 1.8 0 309 0 0.6 9 29.5 0.3 0.7 24.1 0 22.4 0 0.2 4 14 4.7 1.2 29.9 1.2 6.2 33 29 174 0.9 0.1 460 83.7 0 25.4 0.1 3.5 3 32 347 0 1 34.1 22 1.7 0.8 12 35.1 0.8 0.6 42.5 0 46.6 24 1.4 21 10 5.1 2.2 16.7 0.8 3 26 36 18 0.8 0 205 71.3 0 33.1 0 3.7 3.1 0 240 0 1.3 5.5 32.0 2.2 0.4 18.8 0 30.8 10 0.2 18 9 4.8 1.1 16.0 1.3 9 49 37 43 0.7 0.1 202 74.4 0.1 18.4 0 1.5 1.9 0 302 0 1.5 3.7 0 293 0.1 0.5 13 41.3 10.6 1.2 49.8 0 14.6 36 2.8 0 32 4.3 1.2 69.0 1.3 4.4 12 40 4,456 1.4 0.1 241 85.0 0.6 27 14.1 8.5 4.1 461 293 0.2 0.6 14 39.5 1,080 0.1 42.5 26.8 15.7 1,189 5.1 76 33 0.5 4.1 64.5 1.2 3.8 373 41 89 1.1 0 143 104 0 25.4 0.1 4.2 3.5 48 331 0.2 1.3 6.3 41.5 4.6 0.5 31.6 0 50.4 65 2.9 23 26 4.7 6.1 61.1 1.3 4.1 6 42 114 0.7 0 146 41.6 0 7.8 0.1 7.7 2.4 70 220 0.1 1.1 2.5 24.5 4.1 0.8 12.1 0.4 10.5 47 0.8 13 3 4.7 0 2.9 0.8 3 5 43 33 0.9 0.1 299 91.2 0 21.4 0.3 0.7 2.8 0 354 0.1 0.5 11.2 35.1 21.7 1.2 43.9 2.9 7.7 47 0.6 34 17 4 0.9 56.5 1.1 4.3 8 44 62 1.5 0.1 797 59.9 0 11 0 6.5 23.9 0.3 3 2.3 69 317 0.3 1.4 9.2 36.1 6.8 4.2 40 0.6 25.4 57 0.3 22 28 3.3 4.2 58.2 1.2 4.5 13 46 260 1.8 0.1 141 1.3 6.6 35.3 0.9 0.6 26.2 0 40.6 13 0.5 21 13 0 2.1 27.2 1.4 6 23 17 45 0.7 0 76 51.9 0 6 0 2.2 3.3 24 186 0 1.8 3.1 14.3 1.8 0.7 11 25.4 0.1 3.5 3 32 347 0 1 10.9 36.7 10.1 0.7 29 0 34.1 22 1.7 18 12 3.7 1.2 28.2 1.3 6.5 8 30 21 0.7 0 195 47.5 0 5 0 3.1 2 0 252 0 1.5 4.5 22.5 1.4 0.4 20.8 0 10.6 0 0.4 28 3 4 0.9 5.3 0.8 4.3 77 34 24 1.1 0.1 438 85.1 0 27.5 0 4.3 1.7 0 323 0 0.8 12 35.1 46.7 0 1 24 14 4 2 32.2 1.5 4.3 4 35 55 0.9 0.1 280 77.2 0 18.3 0.1 6.1 1.6 0 241 0 1.4 7.9 19.7 1.8 0.7 23.9 0 46.6 24 1.4 21 10 5.1 2.2 16.7 0.8 3 26 36 18 302 0 1.1 9.9 31.3 2.8 0.8 34 0 35.6 56 2.4 9 11 4.9 1.1 24.0 1.1 3.9 1,719 38 22 1.3 0.1 366 117 0 36.7 0 2.8 1 0 412 0 1.5 10.9 45.1 1.3 0.8 44 0 26.1 60 0.2 24 26 4.7 1.7 57.0 1.4 4.3 5 39 28 1 0.1 222 99.2 0 73 0.1 2.0 11 0 6.5 9.5 0 301 0 1 9.2 35.5 3.1 0.7 36.5 5.2 23 43 0.5 155 8 3.2 2.1 18.6 1.5 5.7 24 45 159 1.0 0.1 190 93.6 0 23.9 0.3 3 2.3 69 317 0.3 1.4 9.2 36.1 6.8 4.2 40 0.6 25.4 57 0.3 22 28 3.3 4.2 58.2 1.2 4.5 13 46 260 1.8 0.1 141 79.4 0 27.9 0.5 2.8 2.5 169 284 0.1 7.3 7 32.6 23.2 0.7 35.2 0.6 34 206 1.2 17 19 4.4 2.1 39.4 1.1 3.4 5 48 41 0.8 0 249 90.8 0 42 0.1 5.4 0.6 0 264 0 2.3 8.2 43.2 1.6 0.4 20.6 2.5 77 39 2 36 14 4.5 2.2 22.4 1.4 3.6 2 49 157 1.3 0 622 63.1 0.1 16.7 0 3.3 4.8 25 248 0 0.9 4.6 29.6 2.4 0.7 21.6 0.2 38.9 46 2 27 7 4.3 0.5 10.9 1.4 5.9 461 50 129 1 0 242 59.4 0 13.6 0 10.2 1.7 0 293 0.3 1 4.3 31.1 0.9 1.5 37.5 0 35 57 0.3 14 9 3.8 0.8 15.5 1.3 6.5 90 51 174 1.3 0.1 395 87.9 0 33.8 0.2 2.9 3.4 57 265 0 1.3 8.3 34.2 12.9 0.6 26.7 0 46.7 69 0.8 29 22 0 2.9 48.4 1.3 3.1 9 54 145 1.4 0 334 53.4 0.1 15.1 0.1 9.9 1.4 61 227 0 0.9 7.9 23.4 6.3 2.6 18.3 0.3 14.4 54 3.1 19 8 0 1.2 12.1 0.9 4.3 10
Mg, Ni, NO3, Pb, phenol, Sb, U, and Zn iso-concentration maps of the groundwater.
Al displayed concentrations of 18–4.456 ppb, and Cd was detected in only four samples in concentrations of 0.1–0.6 ppb. Mg was found in all samples at concentrations of 8.8–45.1, whereas Ni in some samples ranged from 0.2 to 26.8 ppb. Al, Cd, and Ni distributions were centrally concentrated and peaked in sample 40 (Figures 3 and 4).
Ranging from 0.7 to 1.8 ppb, As was detected in all samples except sample 6. Notably, 1.5 ppb was in sample 44 and, most densely, 1.8 ppb was in sample 46 (Table 1) (Figure 3). Except in sample 4, Pb also exhibited high concentrations throughout the groundwater in the study area, with the highest concentration in sample 40 at 5.1 ppb (Table 1) (Figure 4).
As Figure 4 shows, uranium was distributed throughout the area investigated, and occurred in all samples at concentrations of 0.6–6.6 ppb, with the highest concentrations detected in samples 29, 50, and 27 at 6.5 ppb, 6.5 ppb, and 6.6 ppb, respectively (Table 1). Cr, Cu, and Li concentrations were high in the center of the study area, whereas Zn was highest to the south (Figures 3 and 4). Furthermore, although Cr, Cu, Li, Mg, S, and Zn emerged in all samples, Co and P were detected only in a few samples. Fe concentrations in the groundwater were greater in western Batman (Figure 3).
The Hg content found in eight samples of groundwater decreased and nearly disappeared towards the residential suburbs within the study area, yet high concentrations were found in the center of the area with a value of 0.3 ppb (Figure 3). The phenol concentration increased in the city center, although it did not appear at all in samples 4, 11, 22, and 39 (Figure 4). In samples 40 and 44, phenol was detected at 76 ppb and 155 ppb, respectively.
NO3 found in groundwater samples throughout the study area ranged in concentration from 1.9 to 50.4 ppm. The concentrations intensified towards the countryside of the settled area. Similarly distributed throughout the area, Sb was found in most water samples in the range of 0.5–5.1 ppb, and was most concentrated in the center (Table 1) (Figure 4).
Lastly, Se was detected to varying degrees in all samples except samples 4, 6, and 42, with the highest concentrations found in samples 41 and 27 at 6.1 and 15.0 ppb (Table 1). Se was mostly concentrated in the southern part of the study area, close to the industrial area.
Correlation coefficients between the element pairs of the groundwater samples (the full color version of this figure is available in the online version of this paper, at http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wh.2016.290)
The analyses results and correlation coefficients demonstrate that element pairs such as Ni–Al, Cd–Al, and Mn–Al, which possess strong correlation coefficients in the same sample (e.g., sample 40), were derived from the same source. In addition, correlation analyses were run to determine the relations of elements to each other. This association suggests that strong relationships within element pairs result from industrial activities.
In order to understand the relationship between elements of groundwater samples, cluster analysis was run by using correlation coefficients. According to the cluster analysis dendrogram of the samples, five significant groups appeared broadly (Figure 5). Named the main component group, the first group represents (Co–Mn–Al–P–Cd–Ni)–Pb, NO3–Sb, and the (Ba–U)–Fe subgroup. The elements exceeding standard values are mostly clustered in this group in terms of groundwater contamination. The second group, namely the heavy metal group, includes (Cl–Br)–(Mg–Sr), [(Ca–S)–(Li–Na)]–B, and As. In this group, elements which mostly stem from erosion of natural deposits and geological properties, and which will not create a contamination problem in groundwater, are clustered together. The third group, the Hg group, represents only the Hg–Mo element pair, whereas the fourth group consists of (Cu–phenol) and K. It is called the phenol group due to phenol, the only element of petroleum origin, being in the group. Lastly, the fifth group, the Se group, encompasses (Cr–Se) and Zn. This group is termed the Se group due to the fact that Se has a high concentration compared to TSE standards in terms of contamination. This cluster shows the discrimination between the elements.
Investigations and water analyses conducted in this study reveal that agricultural, livestock, and oil industry facilities clearly affect groundwater quality. Consequently, drinking groundwater from the study area is generally risky in terms of public health. To explain the extent of this risk, the above-mentioned results were compared with Standard 266 of the TSE's (2005) report regarding the quality of water intended for human consumption and the EPA's (2012) maximum contaminant level goals (MCLG), maximum contaminant levels (MCL), and secondary drinking water regulations (SDWR) in its Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories report.
Figures 1 and 2 illustrate that groundwater infiltration derives from the industrial, agricultural, and livestock areas in the central part of Batman where settlements are concentrated. These areas are therefore major factors of groundwater pollution in the area. The Mn concentration of 1,080 ppb in sample 40 exceeds SDWR limits. Detected in all samples, Al peaked at 4,456 ppb in samples 6, 40, and 46, which exceeded MCLG and TSE limits (Table 1). As in groundwater can increase the population's risk of cancer because As ranged between 0.7 and 1.8 ppb, which also does not meet MCLG.
Pb concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 5.1 ppb and therefore exceeded MCLG in all samples except sample 4 (Table 1). As Figure 4 shows, Pb in groundwater increases towards industrial areas, as expected; this finding suggests that industrial activities contribute to increased Pb concentrations, and that the erosion of natural materials can therefore be a source of this increase. Pb concentrations meet public health goals, for drinking water can cause delays in physical and mental development in infants and children, and kidney problems and high blood pressure in adults (EPA 2009).
Uranium concentrations exceeded MCLG in samples, the greatest degree of which was found in sample 27 at 6.6 ppb (Table 1). Uranium exhibited high concentrations in most samples, mostly as a result of the erosion of natural materials (Figure 4). As a health risk, excessive U increases the possibility of cancer and kidney toxicity (EPA 2009). Likewise, Fe is reported in excess of both SDWR and TSE limits at values of 300 and 200 ppb in samples 6, 22, and 40.
Samples 40 and 41 contained Hg at concentrations of 0.2 ppb, whereas samples 45 and 50 contained Hg at 0.3 ppb. Although water with Hg concentrations in excess of 2.0 ppb can cause kidney damage when consumed, the results of this study indicate no concerning health issues due to the Hg concentration in this groundwater (EPA 2009). Hg originates from the erosion of natural materials and oil refinement wastes; regardless of formation boundaries in the study area, increased concentrations in the area surrounded by industrial facilities indicates that the source of contamination is related to industrial activities.
The most important contamination sources within the investigation area are activities dependent on oil, which create phenol contamination. Phenol concentrations in groundwater samples obtained from areas close to these activities reach 115 ppb and are far denser than those of other regions (Figure 4). However, it is seen that oil-based compounds in groundwater can reach very high concentrations from time to time. According to the Chamber of Turkish Geological Engineers report (JMO 2004), an explosion occurred in the basement of a building in the northwest of Batman's industrial area on 3 May 2004; as a result, three people died. It was determined that petroleum contamination in groundwater caused this accident. The EPA (2012) has reported that lifetime exposure to phenol at 2,000 ppb in drinking water should not be expected to cause any adverse effects; this is based on phenol exposure of a 70-kg adult who consumes 2 L of water per day. Although phenol concentrations are less than the lifetime limits and thus currently pose no risk to public health, they should nevertheless be monitored. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported that the phenol concentration in bottled drinking water should not exceed 1 ppb (FDA 2014). According to this limit, the phenol concentration in the samples poses a risk; when applied to the skin or ingested in large quantities, phenol can cause cardiac arrhythmia and induce tremors and seizures (ATSDR 2008). Phenol's properties, such as water solubility and colorlessness, can dangerously increase its risk without warning. In Batman, the general presence of phenol in groundwater is attributable to oil industry facilities downtown and oil transfer lines.
NO3 concentrations exceed MCL in groundwater samples collected from areas where agriculture and livestock activities are common (Table 1) (Figure 1), as shown in the element distribution map in Figure 4. Its concentrations reach values of 44.6 ppm, 46.6 ppm, 46.7 ppm, 46.7 ppm, 50.4 ppm, and 77 ppm in samples 22, 35, 34, 51, 41, and 48, respectively. The high concentrations of NO3 have an anthropogenic origin in the groundwater in the city center (Figure 4). Samples 41 and 48 in particular also exceed TSE limits (Table 1). Infants aged less than 6 months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL can become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die (EPA 2009). The EPA (2012) has reported that 1-day NO3 exposure to a 10-kg child is 100 ppm and that the reference dose, which is daily exposure to human population (including sensitive subgroups) and is likely to be without an appreciable risk of deleterious effects during a lifetime, is 1.6 mg/kg/day.
Common in groundwater samples from the industrial areas, Sb peaked in concentration at 5.1 ppb in sample 35 and exceeded TSE limits (Table 1) (Figures 1 and 4). Its proximity to the upper MCL limit indicates that the source of this contamination most likely is related to industrial activities (EPA 2009). The EPA (2012) has reported that 1-day Sb exposure to a 10 kg child is 10 ppb, lifetime exposure to adults is 6 ppb, and the reference dose, which is daily exposure to human population and is likely to be without an appreciable risk of deleterious effects during a lifetime, is 0.0004 mg/kg/day. Sb can increase blood cholesterol and decrease blood sugar, and puts people's health at risk in concentrations close to the limit.
Se, which was detected in all samples, exhibited different concentrations (Table 1). The greatest concentrations were found in samples 27 and 41, both from industrial areas, thereby suggesting that the source of contamination is attributable to industrial activities and discharges from petroleum refineries in these areas (Figure 1). Sample 27 also exceeded the TSE limit (Table 1). The EPA (2012) has reported lifetime exposure to Se at 50 ppb, and the reference dose is 0.005 mg/kg/day in drinking water. When Se concentration exceeds the MCL, it can cause hair or fingernail loss, numbness in fingers or toes, and circulatory problems (EPA 2009). It should thus be observed in terms of risk to public health.
Al, As, Cd, Fe, Hg, Li, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, phenol, Sb, Se, and Zn concentrations in the groundwater samples collected from areas where oil refinery, storage, and delivery facilities are located indicate that the groundwater is polluted due to nearby industrial activities. The effect of anthropogenic origin agricultural and livestock activities on the groundwater in Batman's settlement area can, moreover, be seen by the presence of NO3 and S.
This study provides significant data regarding the status of water contamination and possible risks threatening public health in Batman, Turkey. Analyses of 30 samples of groundwater in the study area reveal average concentrations of Al (237 ppb), As (1 ppb), Pb (1 ppb), Fe (97 ppb), Mn (42 ppb), NO3 (28 ppm), phenol (25 ppb), Sb (3 ppb), Se (2 ppb), and U (4 ppb), of which even the values of Al, As, Pb NO3, and U have densities at levels that threaten public health. In addition, in the study area, the groundwater is at risk of contamination from anthropogenic, geological, industrial, and oil related elements.
As, Pb, and U concentrations detected in the groundwater exceed MCLG, whereas Al, Fe, and Mn concentrations exceed SDWR and TSE limits. Together, it suggests that Batman's groundwater is contaminated by these elements. The most probable sources of As, Pb, and U in the groundwater, all of which pose significant health risks, are the erosion of natural materials and industrial activities. Especially in industrial areas with agricultural and livestock related activities, where the use of fertilizer and pesticides is widespread, NO3 exceeds MCL and TSE limits and is a most significant source of groundwater pollution, which can cause terminal illnesses in infants up to 6 months old.
Despite the low presence of Hg and phenol, which may pose a significant threat to public health and most often originate from oil refinery waste, and although Sb and Se exceed TSE standards, their presence needs to be carefully considered. The fact that U does exceed the MCLG in all samples, and thus poses the risk of cancer, makes it a critical threat to public health. Resulting from industrial activities, Sb and Ni also pose a health risk, as Sb concentrations in some samples approach MCL limits. In only one sample did Ni exceed TSE limits.
Although concentrations of the above-mentioned elements, including As, Pb, Mn, Ni, Sb, Se, and U, might not fail to exceed drinking water standards, this does not suggest that these elements do not pose risks to public health. Values in terms of drinking water standards in groundwater are due to problems stemming from years of accidents in the study area and from oil production, transfer, and storage. In addition, the study area receives 510 mm precipitation annually, 97% of which occurs during winter and spring. Since the region receives significant rainfall and because the aquifers supplying Batman are pervious and unconfined, contaminants are continuously washed out and eventually cause groundwater contamination. It is therefore necessary to pay attention to elements with concentrations approaching the upper limits of EPA and TSE standards that may threaten public health due to increased blood cholesterol, decreased blood sugar, and circulatory problems.
Overall, the present investigation first suggests that because all samples, except samples 4 and 6, contain NO3, water from Batman should not be used for drinking or domestic purposes because the amount of NO3 threatens public health. Second, the water from improperly drilled wells affected by the agriculture, livestock, and oil industries should also not be used for drinking or domestic purposes. Third, it is necessary to take precautions to prevent groundwater contamination caused by pollutants reported in the city center, and if necessary, the activities of the contamination source should be limited. Fourth, because groundwater in the study area is likely to experience contamination by As, Hg, phenol, Pb, Sb, Se, and U in the near future, the quality and extent of contamination of groundwater should be continually screened. Lastly, given the contaminants and aquifers in the region, water for drinking and domestic purposes should be provided from more reliable and cleaner sources.
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https://iwaponline.com/jwh/article/14/4/650/28117/Public-health-risk-assessment-of-groundwater
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What many organizations feared came true! The year 2020 brought another shock to the business community last week with discovering a new cyber-attack, SolarWinds hack’ in the United States. The attack is an opportunity for enterprises and CISOs to reflect on their cyber resilience strategies. (See: Top enterprise cybersecurity trends of 2020)
For the unversed, California-based cybersecurity company FireEye uncovered the SolarWinds hack last week and estimated that the cyberattack campaign might have started as early as Spring 2020 and remained undetected for months.
The cyberattack emerged as one of the largest ever targeted against the U.S. Government and several other global companies, threatening organizations’ cyber resilience levels. To date, dozens of emails from the U.S. Treasury Department have been confirmed as compromised.
The attack was hurled by cybercriminals who hacked the infrastructure of an American I.T. Software company, SolarWinds, and then used illegitimate access to insert malicious code in the software updates that the company sends out to its 30,000 plus clients that also includes several departments of the U.S. Government. SolarWinds stated that the updates issued between March and June 2020 were contaminated.
Several industry onlookers have also slammed SolarWind’s lackluster approach to conquer its shortcomings. For instance, the Chief Information Security Officer’s (CISO) longstanding vacant position from its board and notifications issued to customers around deactivating antivirus tools before installing SolarWinds software.
Far-reaching effects
While the timelines of the SolarWinds hack are still unfolding, the SolarWinds breach is disturbing to the whole of the I.T. industry as it can have a far-reaching effect on many big organizations’ networks, questioning their cyber resilience levels.
The SolarWinds breach reflects that most organizations are appallingly unqualified to detect and prevent such kinds of software supply chain attacks. SolarWinds boast that it has been working with 425 of the U.S. Fortune 500 companies and hundreds of universities and colleges globally. This means that the severity of the attack can be severe in the coming days.
Top tech companies, Intel, Microsoft, Cisco, and NVIDIA, have all confirmed their exposure to the malicious software and undertaking necessary investigations to gauge the impact.
In a column published in the New York Times, Thomas P. Bossert, a former domestic security adviser to President Trump, notes that supply chain attacks of such magnitude require significant resources and sometimes years of execution.
Bossart also opined that a foreign state might have launched SolarWinds hack in a well-orchestrated way. These evaluations, if proved correct, can be more hazardous. For instance, in war-like situations, confidential data of governments can be modified or erased by hackers instantly to cause financial loss or take undue strategic advantage.
Stresses lack of preparation of organizations
As we move into 2021, the Solar Winds hack event has once again reiterated nothing is completely secure in this ever-evolving threat landscape. Indeed, no vendor or solution can fully guarantee to protect the networks of an enterprise. Perfect information security is a myth, but the key is resilience. (See: How COVID-19 has changed cybersecurity focus for 2021)
The last few weeks must have been more strenuous for CIOs and CISOs who would need to spend long-hours evaluating the impact on their networks, systems, and data from the SolarWinds cyber-attack. It’s time for enterprises to seek responses to some of the key questions more vehemently:
BARC India is a statistical and measurement science company which is ‘Of the Industry, By the Industry and For the Industry’.
The company is registered with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) as a self-regulated, not-for-profit Joint Industry Body that provides the most authentic audience estimates of What India Watches, to Broadcasters, Advertisers and Advertising Agencies. The Big Data driven insights generated by BARC India, is built upon a robust and future-ready technology backbone which powers efficient media spends and content decisions in a highly dynamic and growing broadcasting sector.
Commencing operations in 2015, today BARC India manages the world’s largest and most diverse TV measurement system covering approximately187000 individuals in 44,000 households, in 513 districts covering over 600 towns and 1300 villages, across India.
Jatinder Singh of Better World recently interacted with Mahendra K Upadhyay, Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India to get in-depth understanding of how BARC has leveraged technologies such as AI, machine learning (ML) and robotics to analyze, predict and process various metrics for driving effective business and customer experience. Excerpts of the interview:
Better World: How have you leveraged the latest technologies and innovations to strengthen credibility, transparency and instill confidence in all stakeholders in the TRP measurement system?
Mahendra K Upadhyay: Our data serves as the trusted “currency” for the Indian broadcast industry. Through this “currency,” broadcasters and agencies make several vital decisions relating to programming, strategy, and audience targeting. Providing the data in usable forms in an unfailing and timely fashion, week on week is highly dependent on technology.
Collecting data from over 44,000 household television meters and 15,000+ individuals’ digital meters daily while integrating with massive databases and alternative data sources requires the data to be stored safely, scalably, efficiently, accessible, and cost-effectively. The kind of data BARC India collects, compiles, and provides insights for is a brilliant example of the 5Vs of big data – Volume, Velocity, Variety, Veracity, and Value. BARC India processes ten petabytes of data annually, larger than the Aadhar Card database’s data size and the US Census Bureau.
With this large and variable data, extensive use of the latest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies is required to minimize human intervention and extract and represent the information accurately as per the prescribed methodology.
We have set a strict standard for releasing our clients’ data, doing so diligently every Thursday at 11 am. Performance, improvements, quality, and consistency are few parameters we experience and implement each passing day – without a firm Information and technology framework, this would not be possible.
Besides, we have deployed and enriched Lambda (λ) architecture that utilizes cloud services (Native & Custom) and on-premises data center capacities. An in-house created Enterprise Data Lake (EDL) helps end-to-end Data Validation Processes (DVP), fully automated, removing any human intervention. In addition to this, the application framework learns system patterns to help us identify areas for improvement.
Better World: Can you please elaborate more on AI and ML technologies to strengthen business resiliency levels and navigate the disruptions?
Mahendra K Upadhyay: At BARC India, rather than serving as a replacement for human intelligence and ingenuity, we use AI as a supporting tool. We are skilled at processing and analyzing troves of data efficiently to generate the insights needed by our clients. This way, we use AI to help get the best-required output and streamline the decision-making process.
BARC India has eliminated human intervention end-to-end in the data validation journey. All admin access on the system and the data is via Identity and Access Management and activity recording.
We prefer networks rather than hierarchies. BARC India has created cross-technology groups to share knowledge. To ensure that our systems/networks and applications are robust and mitigate process lapses, we regularly undertake third-party audits.
To generate authentic and accurate data of ‘What India Watches™’ is a responsibility we take with the highest sense of commitment and integrity. Also, we are implementing Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to do the daily repetitive operational jobs, not only in the Tech stream, but we are experimenting with it across the organization.
Mahendra Upadhyay is a senior management professional in digital, data and technology space; presently working with BARC India as Chief Information Officer. Mahendra comes with 20 years of rich experience in telecom, banking, retail, media, and advertising industries with expertise in the entire data/digital value chain, i.e., ingestion-insights-analytics-interventions-auto AI and digital transformation.
Mahendra Upadhyay has previously worked with multinationals such as Mindshare, Ericsson, SAS Institute, among others.
To ensure that we have deployed enterprise-level security architecture with robust perimeter and access control measures with the entire data path, from source to delivery, being end-to-end encrypted and monitored while maintaining vigilance through privilege identity management.
To ensure that endpoint security controls are in place, we’ve implemented Mobile Device Management (MDM) on the devices used/accessed by employees and the field force for data collection.
Over a Virtual Private Network (VPN), a single sign-in option for all corporate applications (on-premises, SaaS, IaaS) and Privilege Identity Management (PIM) based access methods ensure we have control over the actions being taken at every logging. Further to this, we have network/user-level access controls for information to ensure it never crosses the BARC boundaries.
We have multi-layer firewalls and encryption methods; most importantly, we ensure that our data resides within India for effective law enforcement. Excellence is continuous. We do audits/checks of our IT systems and general control policies periodically to ensure we have updated protocols in place to resolve digital/cybersecurity-related challenges effectively.
Better World: How have you navigated the transition to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Mahendra K Upadhyay: BARC India drafted a comprehensive work-from-home (WFH) framework for its internal and external users by focusing on its key pillars: Communication, Collaboration, and Checks (security, integrity, and authority).
Secure processes and information flow are keys for success, so ‘Checks’ are critical to ensure their integrity. We have implemented two additional security layers and encryption protocols to ensure information is secure and applications function smoothly in the new normal environment of WFH.
‘Security Frameworks’ for securing information, application, networks, and end-users.
‘Robotic Process Automation’ for 100% uptime and optimum process utilization.
Data-driven use cases and auto-discovery/treatments using advanced AI.
To promote AI-led innovation in the country, the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) has unveiled a new program, AI Gamechangers, in partnership with Microsoft. The program has been launched to recognize impactful and scalable AI-based innovation in the country.
According to the official release, NASSCOM and Microsoft will work jointly to develop and promote the AI Gamechangers program to spearhead AI’s adoption across all sectors. As part of the program, NASSCOM will recognize the country’s top AI innovators at its Xperience AI Summit, one of India’s largest AI Summits.
The program will enable organizations, academia, and NGOs to demonstrate their AI-based products and solutions to give further fillip to AI-innovation in the country.
A selected panel of jury will evaluate the program entries on problem selection, solution innovation, and impact parameters. Participants can submit their entries between 4 March 2021 to 16 April 2021 here.
Boost to homegrown AI innovation
The role of AI innovations has grown across all industries in recent years. Most businesses rely heavily on the Cloud, having an opportunity to collect tons of structured and unstructured data. By leveraging this data, AI can make processes more intelligent and enable enterprises to perform increasingly complex tasks effortlessly.
“The past decades have seen a dramatic growth of innovation and talent in India. While the country continues to leap forward to become the global innovation hub, we expect AI to unlock $500 Bn of value to India’s GDP by 2025. Through this program, we aim to spotlight some of the leading AI-based innovations in the country, not only to recognize their efforts but to motivate the larger ecosystem to leverage this opportunity to help India become a global powerhouse in AI-led innovation,” said Debjani Ghosh, President, NASSCOM in an official release announcing AI Gamechangers launch. (See: Enterprises in India leading AI adoption globally)
The actionable intelligence provided by deep learning algorithms and metrics helps businesses and governments navigate the uncertainties, make more informed decisions and even anticipate customer preferences accurately. AI innovations have disrupted industries of all sectors – be it retail, manufacturing, IT, banking, or healthcare. (See: AI tools can drive significant efficiencies in oil and gas, AI in banking now geared for a takeoff and How artificial intelligence is transforming the Indian retail sector)
For instance, in healthcare, AI innovations have been leveraged to address patient’s queries, find prevention and early detection solutions to various human diseases, including the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recently deployed interactive AI-based chatbots to respond to the detailed queries of frontline staff and data operators of testing and diagnostic labs on COVID-19. Many leading Indian medical practitioners are using AI to detect early signs of lethal diseases such as Cancer.
Requires collaborative approach
Today, there are several use-case studies where AI-based solutions have been leveraged to solve challenges such as water crisis, food shortage, flood relief, pest control. There are many more in the experimenting phase and are expected to make an impact in the future. With the inevitable launch of 5G, enterprises are expected to utilize AI-based innovations to make their processes more intelligent, launching voice-based solutions for real-time customer support and bettering their market behavior. (See: India gears up for AI leap in post-Covid-19 era) “Cloud-led data and AI innovation offer a huge canvas for India to be the tech engine of the world and drive homegrown innovation. Data and AI are driving transformation at scale across industries and offer an incredible opportunity to transform public infrastructure and solve some of the most critical issues facing the country today,” said Anant Maheshwari, President – Microsoft India.
However, the homegrown innovations around AI can be accomplished only through a robust collaborative approach and all stakeholders’ participation. AI-innovations still need considerable research and efforts to mitigate challenges such as data quality, inexperienced staff, and limited prototypes locally.
Efforts like AI Gamechangers need to be supported with more funding opportunities from the central and state governments to promote and expand the local AI-related advancements.
How HR leaders used tech to beat the Covid blues
The COVID-19 outbreak has turned the world upside down. Many people equated the situation with the great depression of 1929 when food was scarce, income went down, and millions of jobs were lost! From remote working with contingent staffing and transforming themselves digitally, organizations had to test and deploy new operating models to motivate their employees, remain operational and meet the expectations of their customers. HR tech came to the rescue for many and enterprises that accelerated digital transformation initiatives were better prepared to tackle the challenges. (See: How is digital transformation shaping the new future?).
The COVID-19 pandemic taught us new learnings and highlighted the significance of social interaction and humanity within almost every aspect of our lives.
Top HR and tech leaders, educationists, and talent stalwarts recently came together in a virtual-reality-based conference titled ‘Lessons Learnt from Crisis to Design the Future’ to deliberate on the challenges posed by the pandemic and discuss leadership innovations that can ensure a more robust roadmap for the future.
“Last year, buying behaviors of corporate L&D functions shifted dramatically. We realized Social distancing is making L&D leaders search for alternatives and rethink how they can develop and train people and create and strengthen organizational capabilities and culture when we simply cannot get together in person. We started to realize engaging a virtual audience is quite different from presenting in-person. And not only did we need to adapt and upscale ourselves, but we also needed to find a way to fill the gap in immersive experiential engagements online.”
Better World was the exclusive research and media partner for this virtual HR tech conclave.
The VR-based conference was organized by More Than HR Global (MTHR), a Mumbai-based pan-India Knowledge Community in association with Beyond Reality Events (BRE), a VR initiative of Just Be, an integrated people solutions provider. BRE’s core team comprises Guramrita Oberoi (Founder), Kanishk Malick (Co-Founder), and Kartik Sachdev (Advisor).
One of the most extensive tests that many HR and tech leaders faced during the outbreak was a lack of experience in dealing with such an unprecedented crisis. While leaders who were able to reinvent themselves through transformative strategies navigated their organizations through the disruption, others who failed to design a solid action plan could barely endure the crisis.
During the session, the panelists touched upon the numerous facets of how COVID-19 and unprecedented lockdowns impacted HR and related techs and processes. Intelligent enterprises took the route of digital transformation and emphasized making decisions that serve their people’s and businesses’ long-term interests while sidelining short-term lucrative steps.
Accelerating digital transformation helped many enterprises navigate the uncharted waters of COVID-19. “While the pandemic was quite dramatic and shocking, technology and variety of media enabled us to collaborate and kept our social capital alive with the people that mattered – professionally or personally. The pandemic compelled us to pause, contemplate, and appreciate the little things we often take for granted.” Gyan Nagpal, Dean of AIA Leadership Center (ALC).
In the social distancing age, technology is playing a crucial role in connecting and engaging people. The event itself was hosted on an innovative VR based platform, bridging the digital and physical worlds.
Echoing similar sentiments, Sukumaran Mariappan, Vice President – Global Transformation & People Analytics, Trimble Inc, said, “We often accuse technology as a reason to separate us and make us less social, but during the outbreak, technology brought us together. It even enabled us to learn something new and collaborate effectively in the times of crisis.”
At a personal level, the crises posed an unprecedented challenge for individuals. Many participants shared that the months of uncertainty and fear amplified the importance of the human connect’ aspect like never before. Companies like Paytm started preparing for the crisis timely after keeping a closer tab on international developments.
“At an organizational level, we had started our preparations after hearing about the COVID-19 situation in the other parts of the world. We keenly followed government advisories and ensured we are taking proactive measures to safeguard our people’s health and well-being. Nevertheless, we learned many new things while coping up with the pandemic. Following protocols as they were announced, then 100% of employees working from home consistently and trying to do that, engaging them, reducing panic, motivating them was a completely new challenge,” said Rohit Thakur, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, Paytm.
A winning strategy
The panelists at the event discussed the importance of adaptability to survive in a crisis. While adaptability was a crucial attribute even before the pandemic, Covid-19 made it a must-have skillset to survive. Within the months of the pandemic, we adjusted to living our lives very differently. Those organizations who adapted well (using HR tech) during the crisis not only survived but also made a substantial leap.
“Coal comes under essential services and is important for the energy security of India. So, for us, lockdown had never implemented. Like several other companies in our sector, we were poorly prepared to tackle sudden technological changes, such as moving from physical to virtual meetings. Nevertheless, our people exhibited great resilience and adjusted to the new normal very fast. The leadership at Coal India also set strong examples and took actions that reflect wider care and empathy,” said Vinay Ranjan, Director (Personnel), Central Coalfield Limited (CCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited.
Not surprisingly, the emphatic and caring policies of CCL did wonders for its production capabilities as its workforce responded to the pandemic bravely.
BR Events is a virtual reality offering by Just Be. Under BRE, the company provides immersive and interactive experiences for its clients — from layout to branding, bringing the real world into 3D.
During the COVID-19, the coal stock at its thermal power plant rose to the highest ever inventory of about 46 days compared to the average supply of 20-22 days, demonstrating exceptional results for companies who made their employees feel heard and included the COVID-19 crisis.
The session panelists also delved deeper into the hard-earned lessons for the future from the current crisis. The senior HR and tech leaders shared the importance of acting fast, cross-training employees, and eliminating overdependencies.
“I think we need to detox from overdependence. The new crisis response cannot be designed from the viewpoint of COVID. It could be an internet or electricity outage. We need to be ready for the future uncertainty by taking a break from things that we take for granted,” said Bhavesh Chandaria, Group Africa Head, Training, and Development, SAFAL.
“For instance, many countries keep a car-free day in a month. Why can’t we plan things and embed such things into our design, say an electricity and internet free half-day a month? This is essential so that our today’s generation does not assume and completely dependent upon such things. We need to learn to live without the obvious,” Chandaria explicated.
Indian tech startups are setting a perfect example of building resilience amidst the crisis. Even though the havoc wreaked by the COVID-19 pandemic was unprecedented and resulting in severe pain, it is also true that the outbreak profoundly influenced indigenous innovations, new tech startup ideas, and digital transformation roadmaps in India. (See: Digital transformation deals put IT sector back on track)
When businesses were scrambling to find the best ways to deal with the crisis, Indian tech startups emerged as a force to reckon with. According to a recent Nasscom report, India added a whopping 1600 plus tech startups in 2020 and has become the third-largest tech startup ecosystem in the world after the US and China.
“Fostering entrepreneurship and nurturing tech startups has always been a key priority area for IIT Delhi. We utilize technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and cloud to get all our students and alumni together and build a global outreach.”
Akhilesh Shukla, Co-Founder and Editor TechShots.
And that’s how the idea of Techshots was born. The number of unicorns (those who have a valuation of over $1 billion) is also growing steadily in India. In 2020 alone, 11 startups from India joined the unicorn club, which boasts of Paytm, Ola, Zomato, Cars 24, and 34 others.
The above figures are intriguing and contrary to the early fears raised by several industry observers. The Indian startup ecosystem was projected for a steep decline by many in March 2020 due to the Covid-induced bedbound economic environment. Technology interventions and innovative ideas played a pivotal role in resuscitating the growth path. Turning the crisis into opportunity
When millions of citizens were confined to their homes, the rise of digital technologies created fresh opportunities. These technologies enabled people to do things efficiently and in a cost-effective way. Had it not been for the role of IT and tech startups in India, the impact of the crisis could have been more upsetting!
Amidst the widespread uncertainty and social distancing measures, the dependencies on digital solutions grew enormously. Whether it is healthcare consultation, retail, astrology, education, grocery supply, or entertainment, technology kept the economy running and helped us adapt to the new normal.
If Indian tech startups such as Byju, UpGrad, and Unacademy excelled in transforming the education and learning delivery, location surveillance apps such as Unmaze, Aarogya Setu, and Sahyog kept the COVID-19 virus in check. India also witnessed a massive surge in fintech and health startups as the demand for their services, such as contactless payments and telemedicine, grew much faster.
News aggregators such as InShorts, Dailyhunt, and TechShots have gained significant traction as people continue to switch to their personal mobile devices for real-time information and news.
Some of the new habits that people learned during the pandemic are likely to remain permanent, and this compelled many entrepreneurs to launch niche and specialized services. “Media consumption habits are changing quickly. Most consumers now prefer to receive their daily dose of news bulletin digitally in a crisp format. During the COVID-19 crisis, this demand reached a record level. We saw a significant gap in the Indian news industry, lacking a common tech-news platform for enterprise decision-makers. And that’s how the idea of TechShots was born. Leveraging technology, we are delivering technology news and enabling technology decision-makers to make informed decisions,” said Akhilesh Shukla, Co-Founder and Editor TechShots.
With quarantine and lockdown rules forced consumers to stay indoors, online grocery delivery demand witnessed a massive rise throughout 2020. Along with established online grocery suppliers such as Big Basket, Grofers, and Amazon, agritech startups such as Otipy, Sabzibhazi, Freshokartz, Agrowave, among others, also made their presence felt.
“I started Sabzibhazi in 2019. When I first launched this company with my meager savings in 2019, it didn’t do well. The idea was to provide the freshest produce at a reasonable price using a new-age tech platform. Even though we did much research, but there were still no customers. It was a tough time. We didn’t go for fundraising as we didn’t want to be answerable to anyone. Moreover, we were not sure if we would get that much attention from venture capitalists,” says Rajesh Kumar Pandit, Founder CEO of Sabzibhazi.com, a South Delhi-based digital farm-to kitchen service provider.
Things changed quickly for Rajesh when India announced nationwide lockdowns. Many established players failed to meet the unprecedented surge in demand for online fresh produce. “The last few months have been good for our business. As people moved to digital channels for their grocery shopping needs, we got thousands of new customer registrations, and there is substantial revenue flowing in now. We are planning to expand our operations and upgrade our app interface,” an enthusiastic Kumar adds.
In the healthcare space, startups like Pharmeasy, CureFit, and EyeNetra attracted massive investors’ interest.
Innovative ideas fueling startups
Besides the above, innovative virtual event platforms Airmeet also garnered significant attention from enterprises. Businesses took their services for hosting various internal workshops, panel discussions, and customer events in a setting where physical events are restricted.
There are also pure-play data analytics firms such as Mu Sigma, which are growing exponentially.
The tech startup culture in India is equally supported by the government and premier institutes like IIT. The Indian government has taken several initiatives recently to help the local startup ecosystem grow. Under the AatmaNirbhar Bharat vision, the government has eased regulations, announced tax exemptions, and set up a Rs 10,000 crore fund exclusively for startups.
(See: IIT Delhi can help develop an Indian equivalent of Google or Facebook).
The year also saw spectacular ideas such as anti-viral t-shirts and COVID-19 protective lotions unveiled by E-TEX and Clensta, two startups incubated at IIT Delhi.
Another startup that caught our attention was ATAI Labs; an applied AI company launched recently. The startup provides AI-based digital transformation solutions for the supply chain and logistics industry, which bring the data center capabilities closer to the source of data and enable AI inferencing, decision making, and analytics at the EDGE. The 70-employee young Indian startup offers innovative solutions to augment maritime, retail, locomotive, and surveillance capabilities. (See: AI is a must now to speed up digital transformation)
Factors.ai is also an AI-based startup that focuses on providing marketing analytics for entrepreneurs and small-medium businesses. The startup was chosen as one of the 20 firms for the fourth cohort of the Google for Startups (GFS) Accelerator program in India last year.
An equally exciting tech-startup, The Water App, was launched to solve the water crisis in Hyderabad. The company leverages advanced technologies and intelligence to monitor supply chain management of water and deliver clean water at the doorstep.
Final thoughts
Before the pandemic, many enterprises were reluctant to go online entirely. But things changed quite dramatically. Across all sectors, there was no option but to accelerate the digital transformation.
Indian tech startups and IT companies proved that integrating innovations with adaptability models led to new pathways and behavioral models, bringing together enormous resilience and resolve.
At Better World, we believe that this is just the beginning. Indian tech startups not only took risks and found new innovative models but were also instrumental in adding thousands of new jobs at a time when people were losing hopes. In 2021, according to Nasscom, the Indian IT industry (along with the tech startups) is expected to add over 1,38,000 new hires, taking the total employee base in this sector to 4.47 million.
By leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence, analytics, and cloud-based collaboration tools, these young tech companies will continue to bring the best of the ideas and tools to revive the economy and develop life-enabling solutions.
Narendra Agarwal joins Dabur as Global CIO
Narendra Agarwal, Global CIO, Dabur.
Narendra Agarwal has joined Dabur India as its new Global CIO. Agarwal moves from Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), where he donned multiple IT and automation leadership roles during the nine-year tenure. He was responsible for digitizing Dabur’s newly acquired Nutrition (GSK) business.
“We are delighted to welcome Narendra Agrawal as the Global CIO of Dabur India Ltd. Narendra is an MBA professional with 13 years of industry experience in technology transformation and leadership. Narendra comes with vast exposure in successfully leading large-scale global transformation projects in ERP, Logistics Operations, financial forecasting, and S&OP,” Dabur said in a statement released through its official Twitter account.
Among his HUL accomplishments, Agarwal led E2E IT integration for Unilever’s biggest merger and the first-ever remote merger in the industry. He led the technology stabilization and automated platform management for the logistics technology solution, driving continuous improvements in the DevOps model for business.
Overall, Narendra Agarwal has led several large-scale business and technology transformation programs with Dabur, Amdocs, and Capgemini as a CIO or IT leader.
An alumnus of IIM Indore, Agarwal has a keen interest in strategizing and rapidly executing technology capabilities for specific business capabilities that help build business models to get closer to users and help enterprises gain a competitive edge. Narendra has also done a Bachelor’s in Engineering from Mumbai University.
About Dabur India
Dabur India Ltd is one of India’s top FMCG Companies with revenues of over Rs 7,680 Crore and a market capitalization of over Rs 88,500 Crore. Riding on consumer discretionary spending revival, Dabur India reported its highest-ever quarterly revenue and profits in December 2020.
Dabur also plans to set up a new subsidiary to manufacture, sell, and export its consumer care products. The company was founded in 1884 by SK. Burman and headquartered in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
AI tools can drive big efficiencies in oil and gas
The role of artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving, especially in industrial organizations such as oil and gas, where data acts as a critical enabler to provide a competitive advantage. Industrial organizations operating in the fields of mining, oil, and gas; and marine, are going through a radical transformation and seeking innovative ways to optimize performance with minimized risk.
The volatile and ever-competitive nature of the industrial companies demands them to identify new and innovative sustainable models to stay profitable, grow and unlock efficiencies. The situation has become more challenging in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. According to a Capgemini research, over 50% of the European manufacturers, 30% in Japan, 28% in the USA, and 25% in South Korea implement AI solutions.
Enterprises operating in Oil and Gas, Marine, and Oil use traditional machinery which may not be easily replaceable because of the huge costs associated with it. Hence, they need advanced technologies to optimize their operations. They are the ones where data could act as a critical enabler to provide them a competitive advantage if managed with the right combination and tools. (See: How will AI impact enterprise ecosystems in 2021?)
Intelligent machines, optimized production
An estimate from the Robotic Industry Association says the cost of one minute of production-line downtime for a company like General Motors could be around $20,000. That’s enormous!
AI for industrial organizations has become essential for driving operational efficiencies of their assets and processes. With AI and ML advancements, industrial enterprises can make their machines smarter, predict maintenance schedules, minimize downtime and let the devices identify problems sooner, and even rectify them automatically in some instances.
Industrial organizations have an enormous amount of data from their different manufacturing processes. However, the lack of talent and necessary tools prevent them from leveraging the same for deriving meaningful insights.
By monitoring and analyzing data carefully, industrial organizations can anticipate the gaps in the output and receive automated warnings to stop the machine when there is an issue. This helps save cost and time, assisting companies to better their efficiencies. For instance, by leveraging AI-based predictive tools in oil and gas, companies can identify the machine and pipeline deterioration signs and raise alarms to pipeline operators. The use of voice-enabled AI chatbots can also help in oil and gas and mining areas, whereby operators can engage in meaningful automated conversations around the processes, focusing solely on production-related activities.
The supply chain is another crucial process gaining substantial benefits from the AI and ML-driven applications, ensuring industrial companies create equipment buffers as per the real-time market demand. Besides, AI capabilities are also being used extensively for manufacturing and industrial companies to reduce energy consumption, minimize assembly lead times, and increase asset utilization.
Key challenges
The challenge, however, for the industrial organization is a widening gap in the knowledge and competencies of various enterprises’ internal IT departments. The shortage of internal talent to deploy and scale AI in production and integrate with existing standardized solutions.
The successful predictive maintenance strategy is heavily dependent upon the data to integrate necessary engineering in the machinery. Data can not bring efficient results in case they are working in seclusion.
The industry needs strong foundations and collaboration models to create new enterprise-specific applications to analyze data and automate critical processes. Another major challenge that many enterprises need to deal with is managing the people and cultural change. It becomes necessary for organizations implementing AI solutions to conduct essential workshops and focus group discussions on understanding the pain points and queries of their employees.
As we move forward in 2021, AI for industrial organizations will see greater demand as they focus on reducing time to impact and balance their supply chains according to the real-time demand. The industry is likely to witness a steep rise of several integrated solutions from emerging solutions providers and specialized companies to help Industrial companies drive further innovations.
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https://www.betterworld.bmnxt.com/it-security/solarwinds-hack-cisos-need-to-revisit-cyber-resilience/
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Facebook is inviting additional mobile operators to take part in Internet.org, its project to bring Internet access to poorly connected parts of the world.
Internet.org turns one year old this week, and Facebook says it’s ready to scale the project to reach more people.
The company is making it easier for more mobile operators to join the project by launching an online portal where they’ll find technical tools and best practices to help them get started.
So far, Facebook has been working with about a dozen operators in 17 countries to provide an app that gives people free access to a set of basic Internet services.
According to Facebook, people who use the app quickly become paying subscribers—something that will no doubt appeal to the mobile operators it’s trying to partner with.
“Internet.org brings new users onto mobile networks on average over 50 percent faster after launching free basic services, and more than half of the people who come online through Internet.org are paying for data and accessing the Internet within the first 30 days,” Facebook said.
The Internet.org mobile app is perhaps the most tangible element in Facebook’s efforts to expand Internet access—and its own services—to more people throughout the world. It’s also using satellites, drones and lasers that can beam Internet signals through space to bring people online.
While the number of people with Internet access continues to grow, 4.2 billion of the world’s roughly 7.4 billion people will still be offline by the end of the year, according to data from the International Telecommunication Union.
The Internet.org app typically includes a stripped-down version of Facebook and access to other free services like weather reports, health information and services for finding jobs.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said Facebook could become the Internet on-ramp for the world.
The company has faced some criticism, however, because Internet.org provides access to only a handful of services. That makes Facebook something of a gatekeeper to what people see online, opening it up to charges that it violates the principles of net neutrality, which calls for equal access to all online services.
Facebook responds that it’s better to have access to parts of the Internet than to none of it. The company has also opened the Internet.org platform to any low-bandwidth service that meets certain technical guidelines.
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https://www.pcworld.com/article/422736/facebook-opens-internetorg-to-more-mobile-operators.html
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When using NuGet 3.x this package requires at least version 3.4.
This is a prerelease version of System. Security. Cryptography. OpenSsl.
There is a newer version of this package available.
See the version list below for details.
Please contact its maintainers for support.
#r "nuget: System. Security. Cryptography. OpenSsl, 5.0.0-preview.3.20214.6" #r directive can be used in F# Interactive, C# scripting and .NET Interactive. Copy this into the interactive tool or source code of the script to reference the package.
// Install System. Security. Cryptography. OpenSsl as a Cake Tool
#tool nuget:?package=System. Security. Cryptography. OpenSsl&version=5.0.0-preview.3.20214.6&prerelease
The NuGet Team does not provide support for this client. System. Security. Cryptography. Algorithms (>= 4.3.0)
System. Security. Cryptography. Encoding (>= 4.3.0)
System. Security. Cryptography. Primitives (>= 4.3.0)
6.0.0-preview.2.21154.6 354 3/11/2021 6.0.0-preview.1.21102.12 470 2/12/2021 5.0.0 518,538 11/9/2020 5.0.0-rc.2.20475.5 1,300 10/13/2020 5.0.0-rc.1.20451.14 706 9/14/2020 5.0.0-preview.8.20407.11 414 8/25/2020 5.0.0-preview.7.20364.11 509 7/21/2020 5.0.0-preview.6.20305.6 408 6/25/2020 5.0.0-preview.5.20278.1 394 6/10/2020
4.7.0-preview3.19551.4 601 11/13/2019 4.7.0-preview2.19523.17 379 11/1/2019 4.7.0-preview1.19504.10 433 10/15/2019
4.6.0-preview9.19421.4 419 9/4/2019 4.6.0-preview9.19416.11 357 9/4/2019 4.6.0-preview8.19405.3 472 8/13/2019 4.6.0-preview7.19362.9 430 7/23/2019 4.6.0-preview6.19303.8 583 6/12/2019 4.6.0-preview6.19264.9 356 9/4/2019 4.6.0-preview5.19224.8 640 5/6/2019 4.6.0-preview4.19212.13 418 4/18/2019 4.6.0-preview3.19128.7 7,293 3/6/2019 4.6.0-preview.19073.11 572 1/29/2019 4.6.0-preview.18571.3 711 12/3/2018
4.0.0-rc2-24027 7,118,728 5/16/2016 4.0.0-beta-23516 77,527 11/18/2015 4.0.0-beta-23409 337,947 10/15/2015
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https://packages.nuget.org/packages/System.Security.Cryptography.OpenSsl/5.0.0-preview.3.20214.6
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-With the support of the AVP, Operational Risk Officer, scope out the most efficient and practical way to implement the Operational Risk Management Program throughout the Asia division ("the Division") with particular focus on leveraging existing people, processes and systems and ensuring processes are sustainable once implemented.
-Influence and gain buy-in from the Senior Leadership team of the various businesses by communicating program requirements and value proposition to gain the support needed to implement the program across the Division.
-Train Business Unit resources to implement the operational risk management program within their Business Unit, including conducting Risk Control Self Assessments, collecting Loss Data, tracking Key Risk Indicators, and preparing Risk Dashboards/Reports. The incumbent will need to spend significant time working directly with Business Unit staff on details of the implementation as necessary.
-Working closely with the country Chief Risk Officers, play a leadership and advisory role to help the Business Units assess the best way to implement the operational risk management program. Particular focus must be on understanding their existing risk and compliance processes to understand how best to adapt them to meet ORM program requirements without duplicating effort.
-Review and challenge risk information provided along with the associated mitigation actions.
-Ensure key operational risk exposures are reported and escalated to management, divisional risk management and that mitigating actions are identified and taken as appropriate.
-Assist the AVP, Operational Risk in sharing of key information, including risk exposures, loss data and risk management/control best practices across the Division (including with other divisional risk/compliance/control officers) and liase with other Divisions to incorporate any learnings.
-Transition from program implementation to risk oversight focus as program is implemented.
Qualifications:
-Risk management, audit, operations, compliance or technology background with 10+ years of experience in matters of increasing complexity.
-Highly developed business acumen, and pragmatic approach to solving problems and implementing solutions.
-In depth understanding of operational procedures at financial institution (preferably insurance).
-Solid experience in designing, implementing, and validating the effectiveness of operational controls.
-Solid working knowledge of enterprise and operational risk management frameworks and processes.
-Proven leadership skills, along with strong program and project management capabilities and experience.
-Strong communication skills, comfortable in providing presentations and conducting facilitation sessions.
-Highly effective influencing skills.
-Strong relationship building skills to build effective working relationships with Business Units and Corporate.
-Creative problem solving and the ability to motivate others to implement new solutions.
If you are ready to unleash your potential it's time to start your career with Manulife/John Hancock.
About Manulife
Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services group that helps people achieve their dreams and aspirations by putting customers' needs first and providing the right advice and solutions. We operate as John Hancock in the United States and Manulife elsewhere. We provide financial advice, insurance, as well as wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups and institutions. At the end of 2016, we had approximately 35,000 employees, 70,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving more than 22 million customers. At the end of 2016, we had $977 billion (US$728 billion) in assets under management and administration, and in the previous 12 months we made almost $26 billion in payments to our customers.
Our principal operations are in Asia, Canada and the United States where we have served customers for more than 100 years. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong.
Manulife is committed to supporting a culture of diversity and accessibility across the organization. It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will consult with applicants contacted to participate at any stage of the recruitment process who request an accommodation. Information received regarding the accommodation needs of applicants will be addressed confidentially.
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https://jobs.magazine.org/jobs/11665643/senior-manager-to-senior-director-operational-risk-asia-risk-management
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a. to coordinate what is done by each person or body represented on the Board for the purposes of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in the area; and b. to ensure the effectiveness of what is done by each such person or body for those purposes.
If you wish to attend one of our events, you will be asked to provide your contact information including your organisation’s name and, if offered a place, information about any dietary requirements or access provisions you may need. We may also ask for payment if there is a charge to attend.
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The legal basis we rely on for processing your personal data is your consent under article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR. When we collect any information about dietary or access requirements we also need your consent (under article 9(2)(a) as this type of information is classed as special category data.
Records of training attendees will be kept for one year plus the current financial year in which the training is held.
Serious case reviews (SCR)
All reviews of cases meeting the SCR criteria should result in a report which is anonymised prior to publication and readily accessible on our website for a minimum of 12 months. Thereafter the report will be made available on request. We also send copies of all SCR reports, including any action taken as a result of the findings of the SCR, the Department for Education (DfE) and the national panel of independent experts.
We are also required to share copies of any other non-SCR reports that are being published with the DfE and the national panel of independent experts.
protected by levels of security ‘appropriate’ to the risks presented by our processing.
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https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/council-and-democracy/transparency/data-protection-privacy-notice/portsmouth-safeguarding-children-board-privacy-notice/
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Data is considered one of the most valuable resources in existence, and organizations commonly collect, process, and store massive amounts of valuable data. As a result, it is not surprising that the data breach is becoming increasingly common and expensive.
Data breaches can be ranked in a couple of different ways, including by number of records breached and how much they cost the breached organization. In this article, we’ll look at the three data breaches that cost organizations the most in 2019 and some of the lessons that can be learned from these incidents.
Capital One – $300+ million
A breach of Capital One is the most famous breach of 2019. In July 2019, the company reported a data breach that leaked a great deal of its customers’ financial information. This breach was unusual for several different reasons. The first is how the breach was discovered.
Most data breaches are discovered months later after detecting anomalies on the compromised system or seeing stolen data for sale on the Dark Web. This one was revealed when the cybercriminal bragged about her exploits on social media.
The Capital One breach is also significant because it demonstrates the importance of properly configuring an organization’s cybersecurity solutions. In this case, an improperly configured web application firewall (WAF) was used in the attack.
The WAF had administrator access to every part of the organization’s AWS deployment and was vulnerable to a server-side request forgery (SSRF) attack. The attacker, a former AWS employee, was able to exploit these two issues to exfiltrate data from Capital One’s cloud deployment.
British Airways – $234 million
The British Airways data breach demonstrates the potential cost and impact of being a victim of a web skimmer attack. Web skimmers, like those used by the Magecart hacking group, are designed to infect legitimate businesses’ payment pages and steal the credit card data that users enter into these pages. This data is then packaged up and sent to a cybercriminal for use or sale on the black market.
While British Airways was actually breached in 2018 (with the public report in September of that year), the true cost of the breach didn’t hit until July 2019. British Airways is covered under the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and it took until July for the UK’s regulatory office, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), to complete their investigation and decide on a fine to be levied.
The result was a record-breaking fine of £183 million (about $234 dollars). To put the fine into perspective, GDPR regulators only levied about €56 million in fines (about $61.6 million) in the first year of enforcement (May 2018 – May 2019), a little over a quarter of the British Airways fine. The fine levied by the UK ICO against BA demonstrated that GDPR regulatory authorities intend to take their duties, and their enforcement powers, seriously.
While the GDPR fine is the most obvious cost of the breach, the actual price tag is likely much higher. Investigations, notifications, and other post-breach activities also cost money. This breach demonstrated the importance of ensuring that an organization’s web presence is secure and regularly monitored.
Marriott – $123.6+ million
The Marriott hotel breach is another case where a breach from the previous year (reported in November 2018) had a price tag that came much later. The $123.6 million penalty levied against Marriott was announced by the UK ICO around the same time as the BA fine. However, the incidents were very different.
In the beginning, the Marriott data breach didn’t involve Marriott at all. In 2015, Starwood, one of Marriott’s main competitors, was breached by a cybercriminal. This attacker gained access to Starwood’s central reservations database, which contains a great deal of information about their customers (name, address, payment card data, passports, etc.).
Marriot came into the picture when they acquired Starwood in 2016. During their due diligence and post-acquisition activities, the breach was not discovered. In late 2018, the organization finally noticed the anomalies on their network that indicated the presence of an attacker and launched an investigation that revealed the extent of the breach.
The fines levied by GDPR regulators against Marriott demonstrated several things about how the regulation was enforced. First, the regulators are clearly willing to levy fines for breaches that begin before GDPR went into effect (May 2018) if the attack is ongoing. Secondly, the authorities intend to protect consumer data against all forms of negligence, including failure to properly perform cyber due diligence during mergers and acquisitions.
The GDPR fine against Marriott would have been record breaking if the British Airways fine hadn’t been announced first. However, the fine is not the extent of the data breach costs to the organization. Total costs are anticipated to reach as high as $1 billion.
Data Protection in 2020
The data breaches in this list had the highest calculable price tags in 2019. However, this doesn’t guarantee that they were actually the most expensive. In some cases, a data breach puts an organization out of business, like the Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp breach in 2019, which costs the company all future revenue as well.
As the regulatory landscape grows and evolves, the cost of data breaches is likely to only go up. The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) went into effect January 1, 2020, enabling regulators to levy heavy fines in the event of a breach. As a result, deploying strong data security solutions is even more important to a company’s bottom line in 2020 than it was in 2019.
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https://www.djdesignerlab.com/most-expensive-data-breaches-of-2019/
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Japanese automobile giant has suspended some of its auto and motorcycle production globally as they suspected a cyberattack hits them. Honda’s spokesperson made the statement on Tuesday informing about the cyberattack.
Though the scale of the attack has not been made clear, yet the attack has affected the products globally and the company has halted the production/operations in order to ensure whether the quality control system was compromised or not. As the spokesperson says that they had suspected that ransomware had hit the company’s internal servers.
However, most of the production units have already resumed the operations by Tuesday apart from the plants located in Turkey, India, Brazil, and Ohio in the USA.
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https://mycomputersathi.net/cyber-attack-hits-honda/
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Political tension is running high as Western and Eastern powers increasingly separate their technologies and intelligence. Additionally, the ongoing feud between the US and China, and now the US and Iran, is putting many cyber security experts on edge. Iran are already a top cyber adversary, responsible for the deployment of Shamoon which destroyed Saudi Aramco oil refineries systems within days in 2012. Experts suggest that a cyber attack on the US could severely impact water, transportation, and energy systems, as well as making large amounts of sensitive, national security information vulnerable.
Cyber-attacks and threats are likely to play an increasingly pivotal part in international conflict, and the damage which an attack could cause at this level is monumental. Therefore, national security has never been more important, and we expect to see a higher threat level and a more risk adverse response and approach to security.
2. AI Becomes More Intertwined in Cyber Security
Artificial Intelligence will continue to grow, expand, and evolve throughout 2020 and beyond, which comes with both benefits and complications for cyber security. In the 2016 US elections we saw the beginning of AI-based propagation of fake news, which politicians used to slander and score points against their opponents. In 2020, with some major elections on the cards worldwide, it is likely that these activities will be repeated.
AI is self-learning and constantly improving meaning that it changes with the times in order to operate efficiently and successfully. This is a great attribute for a cyber-security system, as it means that systems can quickly and automatically adapt and develop ahead of the threats. AI therefore provides a faster method of effective threat detection and problem solving, as well as introducing better security methods, including biometrics and multifactor authentication. AI constantly learns new information by automatically scanning the web for knowledge and data, which means, unlike most humans, it can stay ahead of the next threat.
However, this also means that the biggest issue with AI is that this self-learning technology is also available to cyber-criminals, who can use it to test malware and other forms of cyber-threats. This flipside to AI levels the playing field, meaning that a human employee to manage and maintain AI software is still fundamental.
3. Machine Learning: Optimising and Preventing Attacks
As mentioned above, machine learning will increase the complexity and sophistication of cyber-attacks, because it means that software constantly learns by absorbing new information and data. As it becomes more intelligent, it can adapt and change in order to operate more efficiently and effectively. This technology in the hands of cyber-criminals could be disastrous as it gives them the ability to execute more sophisticated, cutting edge cyber attacks that has an exponential ability to cause severe harm.
On the other hand, cyber security systems that are supported by machine learning, will have the ability to analyse patterns and learn from them to help prevent similar attacks from occurring in the future. Machine learning helps cybersecurity teams be more pro-active in preventing threats and responding to active attacks in real time, as systems can learn from and adapt to changing behaviour. Therefore, like most technology, machine learning has both pros and cons in the cyber-security threat landscape.
4. 5G and IoT will Increase Connectivity and Risk
Connectivity is growing. A great movement for individuals and businesses alike. But it comes with an increased security risk, especially as our methods of communication become increasingly weaponised. Interconnected devices with weak mobile and IoT links, means an increasing vulnerability to large scale, multi-vector 5th generation cyber-attacks. The ever-growing volume of personal data we store on mobile devices will need securing against breaches and theft.
The IoT functions without human interaction. Instead, sensors collect, communicate, analyse, and act on information, offering new ways for businesses to create and add value for their clients and consumers from adding new revenue streams or improving UX. This however, also creates new opportunities for all that information to be compromised. More data is being shared through the IoT, especially more sensitive data, among many more participants meaning that the risks are exponentially greater. In the first half of 2019 we saw a 50% increase in mobile banking malware compared with 2018 which means that with a single, innocent button click we could accidentally transfer all of our payment data, credentials and money to cyber-attackers who can then sell on data and steal any funds. Cyber-criminals leverage the most popular platforms to execute attacks, such as SMS, Social Media Posts, and Gaming Platforms which is why cyber-security is important to both individuals and businesses.
Demand for cyber-security skills will continue to grow at a faster rate than supply resulting in a problematic skill-gap for many companies. This means that approximately half of companies feel that they wouldn’t be prepared for a cyber-attack, an extremely problematic scenario considering predictions that the rate and severity of cyber-threats will continue to increase. This skills gap is likely the result of a combination of underfunded education in this area and poor recruitment processes.
A limited talent pool and counter-productive recruitment processes of under-skilled candidates into overgeneralised roles, is severely hindering businesses as they try and secure themselves against cyber-threats. Whilst the talent pool is unlikely to grow at the required pace, companies should be looking at robust training strategies to upskill their current staff and should review their recruitment processes or outsource to an expert cyber recruitment consultancy, like Maxwell Bond. Hiring the right people is the foundation to implementing and maintaining effective cyber-security technology, protocols, and strategies.
With the outlook on cyber looking more daunting than positive, now’s the time to strategise and plan for the year ahead, so you can champion cyber this year. If you’re unsure about any aspect, register for our event ‘Cyber Security in 2020’ where we have invited key industry experts to speak on the most prominent issues in the sector today. Paul Vlissidis (NCC Group and Channel 4’s Hunted) will be exploring ‘Managing Cyber Risk in a Fake World’, evolving AI and its impact on the threat landscape and how businesses should respond. N Brown Group’s Mike Koss will be sharing his story of how he built up his own Infosec division from scratch in a challenging environment, and how you can do the same. Plus hear from a mystery keynote speaker from the public sector on the changing cyber landscape in Greater Manchester.
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https://www.maxwellbond.co.uk/blog/cyber-security-trends-in-2020
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The Cybersecurity Task Force of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has released formal guidance outlining the data security safeguards that the insurance industry and state insurance regulators should implement to ensure that sensitive information and the industry's data infrastructure are protected from cybersecurity intrusions.
Released on April 16, 2015, the NAIC's "Principles for Effective Cybersecurity: Insurance Regulatory Guidance" outlines 12 principles for the protection of confidential and/or personally identifiable consumer information held by insurers, insurance producers and other entities regulated by state insurance regulators.
With one exception, the principles do not introduce new compliance burdens and generally reflect the industry's existing best practices. However, in light of the recent high-profile data breaches at Trustmark Insurance Company, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Premera Blue Cross, and Anthem, the NAIC guidance is a healthy reminder to the insurance industry that the implementation and maintenance of robust cybersecurity measures helps to minimize the risks of data breaches.
The NAIC guidance affirms that "[c]ybersecurity transcends the information technology department and must include all facets of an organization." The guidance notes that essential components of an effective cybersecurity program are planning for breach-incident responses by insurers, insurance producers, and other regulated entities, and periodic and timely training and assessments for employees and third-party service providers. All entities should take appropriate steps to ensure that third-party service providers who may have access to information have controls in place to protect this information from unauthorized access.
Cybersecurity risks should also be incorporated into and addressed as part of an entity's enterprise risk management (ERM) process. Any information technology findings in any internal audit review that present a material risk should be escalated to the entity's board of directors.
The NAIC guidance notes that confidential and/or personally identifiable consumer information that is collected, stored, and transferred within or outside an entity's network should be safeguarded to minimize breach exposure. However, not all data sharing needs such safeguards. The guidance notes that it is "essential" for insurers and insurance producers to use an information-sharing and analysis organization (ISAO) to share information, including physical threat intelligence analysis, and to stay informed regarding emerging threats or vulnerabilities. This latter mandate, that insurers and insurance producers participate in an ISAO, may add a new compliance burden, even for those in the industry with robust cybersecurity programs. These formerly voluntary programs will now likely expand in scope and membership.
Principles 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6: To-Do List for State Insurance Regulators
Because state insurance regulators are the cybersecurity enforcement police for the industry, the guidance notes that regulators have an affirmative responsibility to ensure that confidential and/or personally identifiable consumer information held by insurers, producers, and other regulated entities is protected from cybersecurity risks. State insurance regulators should provide appropriate regulatory oversight, which includes, but is not limited to, conducting risk-based financial examinations and/or market conduct examinations regarding cybersecurity. The NAIC encouraged regulators to mandate that regulated entities have systems in place to timely alert consumers in the event of a cybersecurity breach.
The guidance notes that cybersecurity regulatory guidance for insurers and insurance producers must be flexible, scalable, practical, and consistent with nationally recognized efforts, such as those in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) framework. Although regulatory guidance should be risk-based and reflect the resources of the insurer or insurance producer, a minimum set of cybersecurity standards must be in place for all entities that are physically connected to the internet and/or other public data networks, regardless of the size and scope of the entity's operations.
The compliance burden is not one-sided. The guidance notes that state insurance regulators also have a responsibility to, among other things, protect insurers' or insurance producers' confidential information and personally identifiable consumer information that is collected, stored, and transferred within or outside their departments and to timely alert those affected by any data breach.
"Principle" Benefits
Insurers, insurance producers, and other regulated entities should review their current cybersecurity compliance programs to ensure that the programs incorporate the foundational and "transcendental" principles outlined in the NAIC guidance. At a minimum, many companies may need to join one or more ISAOs to comply with these new principles.
Although the principles provide a basic outline for a cybersecurity compliance program, chief privacy, information security, and technology officers in the industry must continue to conduct cyberrisk assessments to robustly address and respond to the ever-increasing cyberthreats faced by the insurance industry. The failure to comply with the NAIC's guidance may place an insurer, insurance producer, or other regulated entity at additional risk of regulatory scrutiny.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
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http://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/x/411714/Insurance/NAICs+New+12Step+Cybersecurity+Program
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Summary: Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, shows how to use a central file to simplify configuring your Windows PowerShell profile.
Hey, Scripting Guy! So can you tell me without all the chatter, what is the best way to create a single Windows PowerShell profile? I don’t want to hear about a whole lot of other junk because I am rather busy. So please, as one American police person on television used to say, “Just the facts, just the facts.”
Microsoft Scripting Guy, Ed Wilson, is here. Today is the third day in a row that we have had the windows open and the air conditioner turned off. The cool breeze and sounds of birds playing in the lawn are a welcome relief to the incessant thrum of electric motors. I just fixed a pot of Gun Powder Green tea with a half spoonful of organic lavender and a cinnamon stick for my midmorning tea. I also opened the cookie jar, and retrieved the next to last Anzac biscuit. I gave the Scripting Wife the last Anzac biscuit in honor of her appearance tonight on the PowerScripting Podcast. She and Hal’s wife will be the guests on the show tonight, and it is sure to be a hoot. We did pretty well at making the Anzac biscuits last as long as possible. We cannot find Anzac biscuits in Charlotte, so a friend who is a Windows PowerShell MVP in Australia shuttled them to us via another Windows PowerShell MVP from Charlotte. We retrieved the elusive biscuits in the parking lot of the Microsoft office in Charlotte one night following a Windows PowerShell User Group meeting.
Note This is the third in a series of four blogs that discuss the Windows PowerShell profile. The first blog, Understanding the Six PowerShell Profiles, appeared on Monday. The second blog, Deciding Between One or Multiple PowerShell Profiles debuted on Tuesday. For additional information about the Windows PowerShell profile, refer to this collection of blogs on the Hey, Scripting Guy! Blog.
Simplicity. One location for everything, especially when added changes during the build process.
One file affects all Windows PowerShell users and all Windows PowerShell hosts.
No conflict between Admin users and non-admin users, both types of users use the same profile.
$profile. AllUsersAllHosts always points to the correct file.
Great for central management—one file for all users of a machine.
You must have administrator rights on the current machine to make changes to the file.
No distinction between different hosts—some commands do not work in ISE, and others do not work in the Windows PowerShell console.
No distinction between administrator users and non-admin users. Non-admin users cannot run some commands.
The files are distributed among potentially thousands of different machines. To make one change to the profile, the file must copy to all machines that are using that profile. This can be a major issue for computers such as laptops that connect only occasionally to the network. It is also a problem when attempting to use a shutdown script on a Windows 8 device (because Windows 8 devices do not perform a true shutdown).
Create a Windows PowerShell script containing the profile information that you require. Include the aliases, variables, functions, Windows PowerShell drives, and commands to execute on start up of Windows PowerShell.
In the Windows PowerShell profile script, dot-source the central profile file. The following command (placed in the $profile script) brings in functionality that is stored in a Windows PowerShell script named myprofile.ps1 that resides in a shared folder named c:fso:
One place to modify for all users and all hosts having access to the file.
Easy to keep functionality synchronized among all Windows PowerShell hosts and users.
Makes it possible to have one profile for entire network.
When to use a central script for a PowerShell profile
Provide basic functionality among multiple hosts and multiple users.
Use for single user who wants to duplicate capabilities between Windows PowerShell hosts.
Use to provide a single profile for networked computers via a file share.
Disadvantages of using a central script for a PowerShell profile
More complicated due to multiple files.
No access to the central file means no profile for the machine.
It is possible that non-role specific commands become available to users.
More complicated to filter out specific commands for specific hosts.
One central script becomes very complicated to maintain when it grows to hundreds of lines.
ZQ, that is all there is to using a central file for your Windows PowerShell profile. Windows PowerShell Profile Week will continue tomorrow when I will talk about using a Windows PowerShell module for a profile.
I invite you to follow me on Twitter and Facebook. If you have any questions, send email to me at [email protected], or post your questions on the Official Scripting Guys Forum. See you tomorrow. Until then, peace.
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https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/heyscriptingguy/2012/05/23/use-a-central-file-to-simplify-your-powershell-profile/
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Unfortunately, email phishing, one of the earliest means whereby an attacker gains unauthorized access to your system, is still very much alive and well. Numerous articles have been written on the subject. In this article real-life examples are presented in an effort to help you to detect and avoid email phishing attacks.
As you read through this article, please bear in mind that any one of the suggestions given here by itself might not be "bullet proof". However, the combination of suggestions will hopefully prove helpful in identifying SPAM emails that might form the basis of a phishing attack. In this article we won't define phishing attacks, as they have already been very clearly discussed and defined over the years. If you are unclear on what exactly is a phishing attack, please run this search to get a list of current articles on the subject: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=phishing+attack&t=h_&ia=web.
Here is a brief summary of ways you can identify am email phishing attack.
Suspicious Recipient Email Address If the direct recipient is not you, and you're on the CC or BCC list, be wary unless you know the sender.
Suspicious Recipient Name If the recipient's name isn't your proper name, there's a good chance the name was "derived" algorithmically.
Suspicious Sender Email Address If the email address of the sender doesn't match the domain name of who the message says it's from, it's most likely SPAM.
Spelling Errors If the email is from a person, spelling errors might be expected. However, if the email claims it's from a bona fide company, most corporations have spell checking enabled on their email systems and do not allow company email to be sent out with spelling errors (unless the company employee is extremely careless).
Grammar Errors The same logic applies to grammar errors as it does to spelling errors (see above).
Direct Links to Click Most legitimate companies do not send emails with direct links, although there are quite a few exceptions, unfortunately. Most companies instruct you to first login to your account, and then do X, Y or Z. Also, hover over the link with your mouse and confirm that the website in the link matches the website mentioned in the email.
Urgent Action Requested Whenever an email tells you that you need to take Immediate Action, or that some requires your Urgent Attention, be very suspicious. Most legitimate companies will give you plenty of advance warning whenever something requires your attention, and instruct you to login to their website and check for alerts and notices.
Threats In many cases, the SPAM email will issue a dire warning with a threat along the lines of your access will be terminated unless ..., or your account will be suspended unless .... In other variations, SPAMmers will say something like suspicious activity was noted on your account...
Asking You to Enter Credentials If you receive an email with a direct link to click, and you're prompted to enter your login name, password, PIN code or other identifying credentials, be immediately suspicious. If in doubt, open a new browser tab and login to your account and check for warning, alerts or notices. If still in doubt, contact tech support or the help desk for that company.
Now that you've got the general idea of what to look for, let's have a look at a few actual examples that I've received over the years.
1 Official Logo Most attackers will rip graphics off the official page, and put together something that looks official.
2 Common Sense Why on earth would eTrade change my email address? How are they going to communicate with me, assuming this were true? Also, why pick this extremely odd address at random out of thin air. This makes no sense at all.
3 Website Mismatch When I hovered my mouse over these links, the website that shows up in the bottom left corner of my browser does not match eTrade at all.
4 Security Stickers At the top right and bottom right you can see reassuring security stickers. Attackers will often do this to put your mind at ease.
The most obvious thing to note, however, is that I have no eTrade account! If you get an email supposedly from a company with which you have no relationship, it has to be an email phishing attack. The attackers "cast the net widely" and see if they can catch any unwary fish!
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http://unlikelysource.com/article/how-to-spot-email-phishing
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The email from a political action committee seemed harmless: if you support Joe Biden, it urged, click here to make sure you’re registered to vote. But Harvard University graduate student Maya James did not click. Instead, she Googled the name of the soliciting PAC. It didn’t exist — a clue the email was a phishing
Get all the latest news for the quad city area – Email Newsletters you can trust.
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https://prescottenews.com/index.php/tag/identity-theft/
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"Shi Tao got in trouble three years ago, when the Chinese government told journalists not to report on the Tiananmen Square anniversary. He forwarded the notice to human rights groups. The regime then pressured Yahoo to give up the account holder who did that. Yahoo complied."
I caught a bit of the senate testimony online and it was the CEO getting his ass chewed by the senators basically saying he was a complete traitor to the US and what not.
Now, I am pro-American and anti communist but here are some things I thought about after reading the above articles and seeing it on TV:
-did the CEO personally give up the information freely or did one of Yahoo's employees in China do it after a direct warrant type request from the Chinese government. Do all of those types of requests go thru any type legal or ethics review? or any review by the CEO? -I doubt it.
-what was the extent of the data given. did they ask for an IP address? username? sign up info? etc. how much of that is given out normally and how sensitive is that information usually? did Yahoo know what the government wanted to do with it?
-if a foreign company operating inside the US was asked by the FBI to give up information about a US Citizen suspected of terrorism and was given a warrant to provide that information, they would be expected to give up that information...yes? i think they would be expected to do just that. isnt that the same thing?
-expectation of privacy is low i think on those free email services. anytime another entity stores and sends your email for you, there shouldnt be much of expectation of REAL privacy. if you dont own/control the server and cant encrypt your emails or data then privacy is at a minimum. In a place like China, being stealthy and careful must be at a premium especially if you are doing anti-govt type activities.
Quick post putting together some twitter awesomeness references: https://twitter.com/subtee/status/888125678872399873 https://twitter.co...
Jenkins - decrypting credentials.xml
If you find yourself on a Jenkins box with script console access you can decrypt the saved passwords in credentials.xml in the following way...
I have a few Kubernetes posts queued up and will make this the master post to index and give references for the topic. If i'm missing bl...
What is your GCP infra worth?...about ~$700 [Bugbounty]
BugBounty story #bugbountytips A fixed but they didn't pay the bugbounty story... Timeline: reported 21 Oct 2019 validated at Cr...
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https://carnal0wnage.attackresearch.com/2007/11/politics-yahoo-china.html
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For more than 20 years, the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority has hosted a unique educational experience for its members. This event, known as the Risk Management Educational Forum, features world-class keynotes and knowledge experts in the field of risk.
This is the primary time for members to be together and learn together. The Authority plans each Forum so that participants can study topics and issues relevant to local government in areas such as legal liability, workers’ compensation, employment law, public safety, organizational thinking, governance, and legislation.
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https://www.lexitaslegal.com/events/27th-jpia-risk-management-forum
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Warnings over the safety of OceanGate’s Titan submersible were repeatedly dismissed by the CEO of the company, email exchanges with a leading deep sea exploration specialist show. From a report: In messages seen by the BBC, Rob McCallum told OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush that he was potentially putting his clients at risk and urged him to stop using the sub until it had been classified by an independent body. Mr Rush responded that he was “tired of industry players who try to use a safety argument to stop innovation”. The tense exchange ended after OceanGate’s lawyers threatened legal action, Mr McCallum said. “I think you are potentially placing yourself and your clients in a dangerous dynamic,” he wrote to the OceanGate boss in March 2018. “In your race to Titanic you are mirroring that famous catch cry: ‘She is unsinkable'”.
In the messages, Mr Rush, who was among five passengers who died when the Titan experienced what officials believe was a “catastrophic implosion” on Sunday, expresses frustration with the criticism of Titan’s safety measures. “We have heard the baseless cries of ‘you are going to kill someone’ way too often,” he wrote. “I take this as a serious personal insult.” Mr McCallum told the BBC that he repeatedly urged the company to seek certification for the Titan before using it for commercial tours. The vessel was never certified or classed. “Until a sub is classed, tested and proven it should not be used for commercial deep dive operations,” he wrote in one email. “I implore you to take every care in your testing and sea trials and to be very, very conservative,” he added. “As much as I appreciate entrepreneurship and innovation, you are potentially putting an entire industry at risk.” In his response a few days later, Mr Rush defended his business and his credentials. He said OceanGate’s “engineering focused, innovative approach… flies in the face of the submersible orthodoxy, but that is the nature of innovation”.
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https://nationalcybersecurity.com/titan-sub-ceo-dismissed-safety-warnings-as-baseless-cries-emails-show-schoolsaftey/
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Since I have little knowledge on audits (only from what I learned in college), I have been reading up on the finer details of an audit. I came across this documentation on the methods of carrying out a risk assessment in an audit. The article lists three options for performing a risk assessment (though there are many ways of performing a risk assessment). One way of doing it is by having an outside consultant coming in, looking at what the company wants to accomplish, analyzes the business processes, and determines what their exact risks are. Another way of doing it is for a consultant to come in, work with management to identify risk, determine the level of risk to the company, and evaluate the controls in place. The final way, as detailed in the article, is to have an assessment performed by many employees in the company, identifying the possible risk, ensure the controls are in place, and monitor whether the controls are working. This, though, is meant for an audit of the financial statements. While it’s true these methods can be used to audit other parts of the company, these are mainly for ensuring that the financial statements are reasonably correct and free from errors.
So how could I apply this to an I.S. audit? The first step on an engagement is setting the scope and the objectives of the audit. Then you move on to the risk assessment. Where to use these methods will depend upon how the company operates, and on the inherent risk to the company. If the company is more “top-down”, and things are usually dictated from the top, then perhaps it would be better to have a consultant come in, talk with management to identify risk, and perform more assessments from there. A problem with this, though, is that you may not get buy-in from the lower employees. At least, that’s what I can tell from such an approach.
As for other methods, well, I’m going to have to eventually learn those in detail.
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https://www.jasonsblog.place/index.php/2016/11/05/wondering-about-risk-assessments/
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The rail industry has stations, tracks and rolling stock. To help these traditional assets work more efficiently, big innovations are coming through technology. With the rollout of the European Train Control System’s (ETCS) standard signalling we are seeing movement from solid state interlocking systems to in-cab signalling. We are also seeing a higher dependency on computers to automatically set train paths and clearances. Even where there are safety mechanisms to physically prevent trains colliding, a system failure could cause massive disruption. One example of disruption would be if busy routes had to operate temporarily with a degraded manual system. Behind the scenes infrastructure operators can now organise their repair and maintenance regimes around electronically recorded track geometry data, again an area where the dependency moves from man to machine.
The risks range from an unintentional error or system failure, malicious acts by disgruntled employees, free-lance computer hackers through to terrorist or state sponsored cyber-attacks. Disrupting a major transportation network will always be a prime target for cyber attackers.
Data breach
Passenger service operators hold large volumes of passenger data. Even if billing information is outsourced to a third party supplier, the operator is still likely to hold significant amounts of personal data which is subject to Data Protection legislation.
This is where rail operators, many of whom physically operate within national boundaries, extend their risk exposure on a global basis.
There are countless stories where organisations have had their customer accounts raided by hackers. In Europe, the regulatory legal regime will become significantly more challenging from May 2018 with the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The cap on regulatory fines has been significantly increased, in the UK from GBP 500,000 to 4% of global turnover or EUR 20 million (whichever is the higher figure). The GDPR also imposes a compulsory obligation to notify data subjects within 72 hours, or “without undue delay” where the breach presents a high risk of harm to those affected.
What insurance do you have?
There is an ongoing disconnect between how insured’s view cyber risks and how insurers wish to provide (or exclude) coverage. Insured’s see risks as first party (damage to property and business interruption) and third party (claims and actions by other parties). They have insurance policies for both. The insurance market prefers to deal with cyber as a stand-alone risk. In reality there is a mix between the two. Some policyholders have quite generous cover extensions under their property and liability policies where as others have had exclusions imposed over recent years which severely restrict cover.
Whether this is resolved by the see-saw tipping in the insured’s or insurers favour remains to be seen. If the situation remains, ‘some good, some bad, some indifferent’, then the onus is upon the insureds to understand their risk and seek the best solution available from the market.
What cover do you need?
The starting point is to understand what risks you are exposed to, the mitigations in force (physical protections, back-ups, business continuity plans and contractual remedies) and the potential cost. In cyberspace the answers are probably more elusive than evaluating the costs of a more traditional peril such as a premises fire. Traditional risks don’t have a tendency to “go viral”. Nevertheless, cyber risk is a consequence of doing business in the modern world. A disciplined approach engaging with commercial, operational, legal and IT functions of the business can provide some answers. Where appropriate you can involve external consultants to assist.
Armed with knowledge of what your catastrophe cyber exposures are you can stress test how your insurance policies would respond. If they fall short, there are options to negotiate extensions with your property & casualty insurers or consider a specific cyber insurance product.
A recent positive development has been the announcement by Pool Re to extend its scheme to include cyber terrorism. Precise details have yet to be published but the intent is to include material damage and business interruption flowing from an event at the insured’s premises. Pool Re won’t cover intangible assets such as money or data and geographically they are restricted to Great Britain.
For further information, please contact Ian Thompson, Head of JLT's Global Rail Practice on +44 (0)20 7558 3497 or email [email protected]
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https://www.jlt.com/en-uk/insurance-risk/cyber-insurance/insights/growing-cyber-risk-for-the-rail-industry
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This is a counterpoint to the Network World article "Why risk management fails in IT" by Richard Stiennon, chief research analyst at IT-Harvest.
Earlier this week Richard Stiennon published an article that questions the value of risk management in IT, and I would argue that, although risk management presents challenges to IT, best practice-driven approaches leveraging aspects of risk management are essential to good security.
Stiennon's perspective reflects the prevailing view in the media -- supported by valid industry statistics -- that IT security is losing the war against the bad guys. Data breaches are front page news and companies are being fined millions of dollars for losing personal information. Given we have been fighting this battle for so long, we must have made some progress, right?
We can definitely say we have. The fact is, IT security is becoming more sophisticated. It is a journey and, while we have a way to go, there is definite progress toward repeatable, best practice-driven approaches that have been used in other aspects of risk management.
IT security doesn't have the number-crunching abilities of financial risk modeling or broad history of market data to throw into Monte Carlo simulations. Other risk disciplines have data that over the years has led to refined mathematical, quantitative methods. Will IT security ever get there? We seem to be making significant progress. Consider:
* Identification of assets is achievable. One of the first tasks in risk management when it comes to IT security is to know what you need to protect. This is a significant challenge and, with the proliferation of devices, it seems an insurmountable task. However, technologies are addressing the "find the needle in the stack of needles" problem and identify where important data is flowing out of or into the organization and where it ends up. For example, data loss prevention technologies continue to expand their scope, accuracy and capabilities.
Some perspective is useful when looking at progress against this problem. Will an organization have an absolute list of every desktop, laptop, mobile device, router, switch, database and widget in the entire IT universe? No. But can an organization find where personal information, credit cards, key research and development plans and other jewels of the company live? Absolutely. Today.
A large technology company launched an initiative to find credit card data. A DLP scan across its file servers found 30,000 files spread out over a large, international IT infrastructure. With a combination of technologies and processes, the company cataloged these data assets, identified owners, contacted them, remediated and secured the data. This wasn't a multi-year effort; it was a multi-week effort. In addition, the company realized how it could do this for other information assets. Lo and behold, the company not only secured the loose change across the file servers, it determined how to find and secure the bags of money as well.
* Value to the business can be determined. The second challenge, once your key assets are identified, is assigning a business value. In some cases we may have to live with a qualitative measure, but in some cases we can get to cold hard cash, or at least an intelligent approximation. This takes some work and getting the right framework in place is critical. For the qualitative measure, business impact analyses on business processes are Step 1. This provides the top-down business value. Bottom-up, the IT department needs to better organize asset catalogs to connect key IT assets to those business processes.
The quantitative approach, Nirvana for most risk managers, can also be achieved. For example, some DLP products can actually tell you how many records of a certain type are in a database. If those records represent a $X/record cost if the data is breached and released, then that database has a specific value from a breach perspective. That database may also have a financial value from a business perspective. Most major internal systems can derive business impact from their "information value" -- the value of the data sitting on, or processed by, the system.
A key component to successfully implementing this is establishing not only the traditional IT asset catalog, but the connection to business impact analysis and business asset catalogs that bring the business context to IT security processes. This is a next-generation IT asset management approach. It isn't just about building a spreadsheet of servers, their MAC addresses, serial numbers, CPU and hard drive specs. Bringing in the data dimension, through DLP or other discovery technologies, along with the business dimension, by actually talking to the business, takes IT asset understanding to a new level.
* Risk management approaches clarify the landscape. To keep it simple, the basic traditional formula for risk is Value of Risk = Likelihood X Impact. If we begin to understand the "Impact" portion of the equation using techniques I just outlined, then "likelihood," represented by some probability, is our next target.
Today's IT security threat landscape is extremely volatile. In fact, the probability of some type of IT security breach is approaching 100%. Most companies absolutely know they have threat actors that are interested in their information. Therefore, we can only hope to reduce the likelihood of their success through intelligent controls design and implementation.
The business impact is a clear differentiator when it comes to designing security controls. Some controls are must-haves and companies already have them in place. IT security needs to evolve where the must-haves are tailored for the business situation.
Detective strategies such as security monitoring and network forensics analysis should be prioritized on those key assets where important, valuable information is living. Protective controls -- encryption, configuration controls, etc. -- should be analyzed and adjusted based on business criticality.
In the example regarding the 30,000 files outlined above, when the technology company found the files, the remediation was based on the business need. Some files were deleted; some were encrypted. Some files were products of business processes that needed more engagement by the security team to adjust the business process to better protect the data.
In the end, business risk management strives to adjust behavior to reduce the impact of threats to business strategies and objectives. In IT security, risk management is the fundamental goal. We understand many of the threats already -- hactivism, criminal elements, nation-state entities, etc. The methods that threat actors utilize continue to evolve and it is an endless battle between security teams and the bad guys. Any analogy will do at this point -- fencing (protect the point areas), chess (protect the king), tiddlywinks ... OK, maybe not every analogy.
My point is that security functions need a risk-based, agile, contextual approach that is core to risk management. IT security is evolving toward risk management-based methods. IT security can be risk-based to know what needs to be done and where; agile to react and adjust based on incoming information; and contextual to not get lost in the ones and zeros and know what security means to the business.
Fundamental risk management approaches are more important now to IT security than ever before. Without a sense of asset acuity and risk-based adjustment of controls, companies will tire of chasing threats around the enterprise and leave themselves open for the "kill shot" that will eventually come.
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http://www.cio.com/article/2391005/risk-management/why-risk-management-can-succeed-in-it.html
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https://www.cortenplus.co.uk/pages/general-data-protection-policy
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téléchargement gratuit “24pcupgrade.search2newupdate.download Popup” outil de suppression “”Download Now Solution efficace pour éliminer les” 24pcupgrade.search2newupdate.download Popup “et autres infections Malware De PC Windows”.
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https://www.commentdesinstallerunmalwares.com/comment-effacer-supprimer-desinstaller-24pcupgrade-search2newupdate-download-popup-a-partir-du-pc-ordinateurs-portables
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If there's one constant in the world of PCs, it's that there's no better upgrade than swapping a hard drive for a speedier SSD. And today, there are two deals from Newegg for varying budgets to bring the speed of an SSD to your PC.
The first is one is a 525GB M.2 Crucial MX300 for $109. This is a close cousin of our favorite budget SSD the Crucial BX300. Act fast though, since the M.2 MX300 is not that easy to find these days. Amazon, for example, has some resellers offering used versions of this drive for $122, and other online retailers are selling new versions for far more.
This particular MX300 is of the M.2 2280 SATA III variety, meaning you'll need the right kind of slot on your motherboard for it to work. Crucial says this SSD is more than 90 times more energy efficient than a hard drive and is dramatically faster.
If a $100 SSD isn't to your liking or you can't run an M.2 drive, try an Intel 545s 256GB 2.5-inch SSD for $65. That's about $18 cheaper than you'll find elsewhere. We reviewed the Intel 545s last July and really liked it for its ability to write large data sets without slowing down. Plus it comes with a 5-year warranty.
And don't scoff at the 256GB capacity. Desktop PC users can always use the SSD as a boot drive and then store the rest of your files on a slower spinning hard drive.
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https://www.pcworld.com/article/3284933/upgrade-your-pcs-storage-with-these-awesome-deals-on-budget-ssds-at-newegg.html
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The traffic inside Facebook's data centers is growing so fast that the company is changing the basic architecture of its networks in order to keep up.
The new design, which Facebook calls a data center fabric, doesn't use a new link speed to make the network run faster. Instead, it turns the whole system into a set of modules that are less expensive and more widely available than what the company's using now. It's also easier to deploy and manage, according to Facebook's networking chief.
Unlike older hierarchical networks, the modular design can provide consistently fast links across the data center for any two servers to talk to each other. The new architecture was used in a 476,000-square-foot (44,000-square-meter) data center that goes online today in Altoona, Iowa. Facebook plans to use it in all newly built centers and retrofit older facilities as part of its regular upgrade cycle.
Facebook and other companies with sprawling Internet data centers have turned to homegrown or inexpensive white-box gear for networking as well as for computing. They add their own software on top of that hardware, which can mean they don't buy dedicated products from networking specialists such as Cisco Systems. Though most enterprises don't have the network scale or in-house expertise to do the same, software-defined technologies developed and shared by these trailblazers are changing some aspects of networking.
Facebook's current data-center networks are based on clusters, each of which may have hundreds of racks of servers linked together through a massive switch with high-speed uplinks to handle all the traffic that the servers generate. That's a traditional hierarchical design, which makes sense when most traffic goes on and off the Internet, said Najam Ahmad, vice president of network engineering.
The problem is, most of the communication in a Facebook data center now is just Facebook talking to itself. The applications that organize shared content, status updates and ads into the familiar news feed are highly distributed, so what the company calls "machine-to-machine" traffic is growing many times faster than the bits actually going out to the Internet.
Hundreds of racks per cluster meant hundreds of ports on the switch where all those racks link up. That's an expensive and specialized need, and it was getting worse.
"We were already buying the largest box you can buy in the industry, and we were still hurting for more ports," Ahmad said.
In addition, traffic between servers often has to get from one cluster to another, so the company had to constantly worry whether the links between those big clusters were fat enough.
What Facebook needed was a network that could keep carrying all those bits internally no matter how many there were or which servers they had to hit. So in place of those big clusters, it put together pods: much smaller groups of servers made up of just 48 racks.
Now Facebook just needs switches with 48 ports to link the racks in the pod and 48 more to connect with other switches that communicate with the rest of the pods. It's much easier to buy those, and Facebook could even build them, Ahmad said.
With the new architecture, Facebook can supply 40-Gigabit Ethernet pipes from any rack in the data center to any other. Rather than oversubscribing an uplink between two switches and assuming that all the racks won't be sending data full-throttle all the time, it can equip the data center to handle maximum traffic all the time, a so-called non-blocking architecture.
The identical pods and standard fabric switches allow for easy expansion of both computing and network capacity, Facebook says.
"The architecture is such that you can continue to add pods until you run out of physical space or you run out of power," Ahmad said. In Facebook's case, the limiting factor is usually the amount of energy that's available, he said.
The company has also developed software to automatically discover and configure new components and automate many management tasks. In fact, the fabric switches it uses have only standard, basic capabilities, with most other networking functions carried out by Facebook's software.
Facebook has developed its own top-of-rack routing switch, called the Wedge, which wasn't ready for the initial deployment in Altoona but can be used in the network fabric in the future. The architecture calls for servers to connect to the top of the rack over 10-Gigabit Ethernet.
In Altoona, Facebook has been able to design the data center from the start for its new network architecture. It's deployed fiber throughout the facility, installed core network equipment in the center and used straight-line fiber runs that are as short and direct as possible. When needed, the network fabric can be upgraded from 40-Gigabit Ethernet to 100-Gigabit and beyond, Ahmad said.
In addition to sharing the core concepts of the network fabric, Facebook says it may later share designs and code with other companies. The company has made some of its data-center technologies available through the Open Compute Project that it founded in 2011.
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https://www.cio.com.au/article/559719/facebook-new-iowa-data-center-goes-modular-grow-forever/
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The Biden administration’s cyberdefense agency director is warning midterm election voters to expect “errors” and “glitches” that “happen in every election” — like a “pipe will burst” — but she says that is “normal” and “not nefarious,” and the media should fall in line on that narrative.
“There are going to be errors, there are going to be glitches — it happens in every election,” according to Jen Easterly, director for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in the Department of Homeland Security, speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies symposium Tuesday.
“But that’s why there are multiple layers of security controls and resilience built into the system.”
Easterly added an urge for the media to not suggest “glitches” are “nefarious.” “So, to the media, that’s where I really want to ask for everybody’s help, because these things are going to happen,” she continued. “Somebody will forget their key to the polling place. A water pipe will burst.
“These are normal things. They’re not nefarious. It’s super important that folks get the word out on how elections work.”
Easterly’s mention of a water pipe burst is a reference to the 2020 presidential election concern of former President Donald Trump, which reportedly led to ballot counters to be sent home in the middle of the night.
“Elections are not over when the polling place closes,” Easterly continued. “There’s so much work to be done to ensure there is reconciliation of provisional ballots, counting of absentee ballots, military voters.
“We all need to let the machinery of democracy work.”
Among other noteworthy remarks from Easterly on Tuesday related to election security and integrity:
“There is no information, credible or specific, about efforts to disrupt or compromise that election infrastructure” before the midterms.
“I am very confident that we have done everything we can to make election infrastructure as secure and as resilient as possible,” despite “a more complex environment than I think we’ve ever experienced.”
On election worker safety: “You’ve got these horrible physical security concerns at an unprecedented level, threats of intimidation of violence, of harassment against election officials, polling places, voters.”
Foreign adversaries are hoping for division and integrity questions in our elections, she said: “That’s what foreign adversaries want. They want to have disruption. They want to sow discord. They love the partisan rancor. They love tearing apart America.”
Election disinformation “can be used by foreign adversaries to sow discord among the American people to undermine confidence in the integrity of our elections and to incite violence against election officials.” “We are concerned about #Russia & #Iran & #China trying to influence our elections,” she said. “It’s a significant concern.”
The Russian war in Ukraine might only heighten election interference operations from adversaries, she concluded. “We need to be prepared for potential activity, disruptive, destructive activity,” she said, “given what’s happening in Russia, what’s happening in Ukraine, some of the rhetoric. It’s not the time to put our shields down.”
An Enterprise native, Katie Britt has spent a lifetime fighting to put Alabama first.
I’m Katie Britt, and I firmly believe that it’s time for the next generation of conservative leaders to fight for the next generation and preserve the American Dream for our children.
I am unapologetically committed to putting Alabama first and delivering results for our state, because we don’t just need a senator from Alabama, we need a Senator for Alabama.
When Kay Ivey was first sworn-in as the 54th Governor of the State of Alabama in April 2017, she got right to work cleaning up Montgomery and restoring the people’s trust in government. That’s because Kay is a conservative fighter, whose life has prepared her to lead our state towards prosperity and opportunity for every Alabamian.
Christine Drazan has always been a fighter. Growing up in rural Southern Oregon, her family was hit hard by the decline of the state’s timber industry and natural resource economy. Her parents, like many in the community, overcame lengthy stints of unavoidable unemployment compounded by serious health challenges. Things were not always easy, but in a family steadied by faith and purpose, Christine embraced a strong work ethic, a commitment to service and a love for Oregon.
Determined to ensure that Oregon families would not be left behind the way hers was, Christine made a decision to do all she could to serve others. For her, this meant working in the state legislature, where so many decisions that impact Oregonians are made.
Mark Meuser is a native Californian with a proven record of fighting for your constitutional rights.
From a young age, Mark was an entrepreneur. At age 12, he picked cherries in the morning and then operated a street-side cherry stand in the afternoon. He also worked hard at caring for orphaned animals, often bottle-feeding sheep, pigs, and cows.
By age 15, he was in a management position at a local restaurant. By age 21, he purchased his own pizza restaurant. While his restaurant business was thriving, Meuser started studying law. A few years later, he graduated with honors from Oak Brook College of Law. Meuser’s unique training has taught him how to listen to people, formulate creative alternatives, and achieve workable solutions to real problems.
Born in Pennsylvania’s coal country, Mike moved to Alaska in 1983, getting his start in a logging camp on Prince of Wales Island.
Mike began his career as a schoolteacher in Koyuk. It was there he met Rose, the love of his life, as they played together in the Iditarod Basketball Classic in Nome.
After nearly 20 years in rural Alaska, life’s journey led the Dunleavy’s and their three daughters to Southcentral Alaska. There, Mike served as school board chairman and state senator before being elected as Alaska’s 12th governor.
Blake grew up in Tucson, Arizona. In 2012, he married his high school sweetheart, Catherine. Happily married for 10 years now, Blake and Catherine are raising and homeschooling their three beautiful boys, Miles, Graham, and Rex.
After graduating from Stanford and Stanford Law School, Blake co-founded a successful software startup called Judicata. In 2014, he co-authored the #1 New York Times bestseller Zero to One. Having sold more than 4 million copies, it’s the world’s most popular book on startups and venture capital.
In 2015 Blake became President of the Thiel Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes science and innovation. The Foundation’s Thiel Fellowship Program has paid 225 young people to drop out of college so that they can create new companies. Businesses started by Thiel Fellows are together now worth more than $45 billion! From 2018 to 2022, Blake was Chief Operating Officer at Thiel Capital, an investment firm that specializes in the technology sector, where he helped grow assets under management by billions of dollars.
The daughter of a teacher and a nurse, Kari Lake grew up in Iowa alongside her eight siblings where she learned the value of a hard day’s work. Fascinated with people’s stories, Kari pursued a career in the news industry where she would become a symbol of truth in journalism when she rejected the agenda-driven press and walked away from the mainstream media after a highly successful 27 years.
Now, Kari is running for Governor of Arizona on a platform of putting Arizona First. Kari believes in secure borders, energy independence, safe streets, education not indoctrination, pushing back against the radical Biden agenda, and preserving the western heritage that makes Arizona special. Kari Lake promises to be a voice for the silent majority, to fight back against the relentless assault on our freedoms by the radical left, and to make Arizona the standard bearer for America First policies nationwide. Kari Lake has been endorsed by President Donald J. Trump for Governor of Arizona.
Joe is a construction CEO, not a politician. O’Dea’s life story is the best in America. “I love being the underdog,” O’Dea said.
Adopted at birth and raised by a Denver police officer and a loving mother, Joe became a carpenter at a young age, learning the value of hard work.
Heidi Ganahl worked hard and overcame some of life’s biggest obstacles to earn her success.
She launched Inc 500 company Camp Bow Wow, a doggy daycare business enterprise and currently serves as a CU Regent. Heidi understands the struggles many families face when confronted with any life changing event.
Heidi wants to fight for the underdog and ALL Coloradans in the challenges they face.
After graduating from law school in 1997, he served as a law clerk to Judge Dee Benson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah. He then clerked for Judge Samuel A. Alito, Jr., who was serving at that time on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Court in Newark, New Jersey. After his second clerkship, he joined the Washington, D.C. office of Sidley & Austin, where he specialized in appellate and Supreme Court litigation. Several years later, Mike was invited to serve as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Salt Lake City, preparing briefs and arguing cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. He served as Governor Huntsman’s General Counsel and then went to Washington for a one-year clerkship with Justice Alito at the U.S. Supreme Court.
Following his clerkship, Mike joined the Salt Lake office of the Washington, D.C.-based law firm of Howrey LLP. Mike has earned a reputation as an outstanding lawyer based on his sound judgment, writing and courtroom advocacy skills, and thorough understanding of the Constitution.
Mike and Sharon have three children and live in Provo, Utah.
Named “Best Governor in the Nation” in 2020, Governor Greg Abbott continues to build on his record as a strong conservative leader who fights to preserve Texas values and ensure the Lone Star State remains the best place to raise a family, build a business, and create greater opportunity for all.
Governor Abbott’s vision for an even stronger Texas of tomorrow is focused on creating more jobs and economic opportunity, elevating our schools and education system, protecting individual liberties, and securing the Texas border in the face of federal inaction.
Kristi Noem is a wife, mother, grandmother, rancher, farmer, small business owner, and New York Times bestselling author of “Not My First Rodeo: Lessons from the Heartland.”
Governor Kristi Noem’s political career began with her 2006 election to the South Dakota State Legislature followed by her move to the United States House of Representatives and finally a return to Pierre as the state’s first female Governor. Each new office brought an ever-evolving set of responsibilities, but the mission has remained constant – make South Dakota a better place. Every policy decision and executive strategy is undertaken with that end goal in mind.
Like so many who were raised in South Dakota, the concept of family drives Governor Noem’s principles. The values instilled in her as a child, the ideals she lives by today, and the vision she holds for the future are all linked to a strong family foundation. Preserving and strengthening an environment that allows families to thrive is central to achieving that vision, and Governor Noem has proven that a conservative government approach fosters that environment.
Henry Dargan McMaster of Columbia became the 117th Governor of South Carolina on January 24, 2017 and was elected to his first full term on November 6, 2018.
The son of former state representative John Gregg McMaster and Ida Dargan McMaster, Governor McMaster is a lifelong servant of the State of South Carolina. He previously served two years as lieutenant governor, eight years as attorney general, and four years as a United States attorney.
McMaster was the first U.S. attorney appointed by President Ronald Reagan and was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate. His “Operation Jackpot” investigation into international drug smuggling produced over 100 convictions.
Like most Rhode Islanders, I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I came from humble beginnings. My mother showed my sister and me what a strong, independent woman could accomplish when she found herself single and divorced by the time I was five. Undeterred by her circumstances, she started and built a successful business, achieving the American Dream and providing a better life for her children. Growing up, she instilled in me the importance of hard work and fighting for what you believe in — values I cherish to this day.
I was blessed to meet my husband, Jeff, here in Rhode Island, and we were engaged in Providence in 2008. Jeff, the son of a Holocaust survivor, trained at Brown University in surgery and started his practice at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. His focus was treating and operating on children with complex craniofacial anomalies and cleft lips and palates. Seeing first-hand the challenges these kids face, as well as the expenses incurred by their families, our non-profit foundation, Komedyplast, was started in Rhode Island in 2004. Komedyplast provides free surgery for children with craniofacial anomalies throughout Peru. While we had originally hoped to start our family in Providence, student loans, the financial crisis, and high taxes forced us to look for opportunities elsewhere.
We need to use all of our tools to get the job done in society too. With our basic institutions at risk—and the nation in a very precarious position—we need to bravely make accurate diagnoses, and take bold, sometimes unpopular, steps before we can heal. And we must confront those who want to fundamentally change the very soul of America.
In the end, our generation needs to fight, for the benefit of our descendants—to leave them a better situation than we inherited. We have fumbled the baton we’re supposed to pass to our children. And I want to pick up that baton and start running toward our promising future.
I’m running for U.S. Senate to reignite our divine spark, bravely fight for freedom, and will tell it like it is.
Doug retired as a Colonel in November 2017, after 30 years of active-duty service. He’s dedicated his life to fighting for freedom, defending our families, and serving the people of this exceptional nation.
In May 2019, Doug Mastriano was overwhelmingly elected to serve as the Senator for Pennsylvania’s 33rd District. As a member of the PA Senate, Mastriano has been the leader in re-opening the state, pushing back on unconstitutional mandates, and the champion of individual freedom. He’s been the voice of the people, and has reliably stood up and defended individual freedom when many others would not.
Mastriano was commissioned into the Army in 1986 and served on the Iron Curtain, where he witnessed the end of the Cold War, after which he deployed to Iraq for Operation Desert Storm (1991) to liberate Kuwait. He went on to serve in Washington, D.C., with the 3rd Infantry Division and U.S.Army, Europe.
James Lankford is a strong conservative and servant leader who is committed to God, Family and the Constitution.
Elected to the United States Senate in 2014. James has worked diligently for all Oklahomans, studying each issue and its direct impact on the family and people. He has earned the respect of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle for his knowledge on the pressing issues facing the country.
While remaining passionate about life and traditional family values, James has become a strong voice for fiscal discipline and accountability in the federal government. He has emerged as a leader in fighting government regulations that are suffocating business and weakening the economy.
JD was born and raised in Middletown, Ohio, a once flourishing American manufacturing town where Ohioans could live content, middle-class lives on single incomes. But over time, he witnessed the steady decline of his town. Jobs and economic opportunities slowly disappeared, leaving family, friends, and neighbors with nothing.
JD went on to serve our nation in the Iraq War as a proud Marine, graduated from The OSU, received his law degree from Yale Law School, and became a successful investor in Silicon Valley. He wrote a bestselling book, Hillbilly Elegy and became a well-known commentator who fiercely defended working-class Americans.
JD moved back to Ohio in 2017 and his business experience taught him firsthand that so many American companies struggle with unfair competition from China and from their own government, that’s why the U.S. Senate needs someone who knows what it’s like to live in a left-behind community.
Mike DeWine’s story is a true Ohio story. Growing up in Yellow Springs, Mike and Fran (Struewing) met in the first grade and married while students at Miami University. They’ve been blessed with eight children and 26 grandchildren. Family is at the core of everything Mike DeWine does, and that’s why he has devoted his life to fighting for Ohio’s families.
Guided by his family and faith, Mike has governed as a compassionate conservative. He knows that when families are strong, Ohio communities are stronger — and our future is bright!
John Hoeven was sworn in as North Dakota’s 22nd U.S. Senator on January 5, 2011. He ran for re-election in 2016 and received the largest margin of victory for a U.S. Senate candidate in North Dakota history. He served as the state’s governor from 2000-2010.
Senator Hoeven was born in Bismarck. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College in 1979 and a master’s degree in business administration from Northwestern University in 1981. He served as executive vice president of First Western Bank in Minot from 1986 to 1993, and served on many civic, community, and economic development groups. From 1993-2000, he served as president and CEO of the Bank of North Dakota, which grew from $900 million to $1.6 billion under his leadership.
Hoeven and his wife Mical (Mikey) live in Bismarck. They have two children, Marcela and Jack, and seven grandsons.
General Don Bolduc was born and raised in Laconia. He grew up working on the historic Bolduc farm in Gilford. His father, Armand Bolduc, was a Laconia City Councilor for 34 years and a widely respected statesman.
When Don was 18 years old, he was hired as a Police Officer in the town of Laconia. At the time, he was the youngest police officer in New Hampshire’s history. He graduated from the academy just a few days after his 18th birthday.
Conservative Republican Jim Pillen grew up on a farm in Platte County, Nebraska and raised pigs with his father, Dale. Jim graduated from Lakeview High School.
He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science from UNL, and married Suzanne Shreve. He then earned a doctor of veterinary medicine from Kansas State. In 1983, Jim returned to Nebraska and opened a small animal practice and swine consulting practice.
Jim and his father, Dale, partnered together, raising 60 sows and 1,200 market hogs on a dirt lot on their home farm. In 1993, Jim started Pillen Family Farms. In 2003, he added DNA Genetics. 2012 brought the addition of Jim’s two oldest children, Sarah and Brock, into the business.
Born and raised in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, Dr. Scott Jensen graduated valedictorian of his 1973 high school class. He attended the University of Minnesota obtaining an undergraduate degree in physiology, magna cum laude, and then attended Luther Theological Seminary seeking answers to life‘s biggest questions. The seminary proved to be an ideal setting for profound decision making as he made two life-changing decisions:
He asked his girlfriend to be his “forever valentine” – they have now been married 43 years.
He decided to attend medical school and subsequently received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota in 1981.
He completed a family practice residency at Bethesda Hospital in Saint Paul Minnesota and was awarded the Mead Johnson outstanding resident award in 1982 – a coveted award granted annually to 15 family practice residents in the nation.
His wife, Mary, received her doctorate of veterinary medicine degree from the University of Minnesota and devoted much of her career to the treatment of exotic animals such as snakes, iguanas, and cockatoos! Scott and Mary have three remarkable children and six adorable grandchildren.
Tudor Dixon is a working mom on a mission to get Michigan back on the right track.
Tudor Dixon’s vision is to dramatically improve Michiganders’ quality of life by increasing jobs, improving schools, reducing crime, building reliable roads and infrastructure, ensuring affordable energy for all, and letting Michiganders’ keep more of their hard-earned paycheck.
Paul LePage survived homelessness living on Lewiston’s streets, escaping a troubled home and poverty, to earn an advanced college degree and become a success story. From saving job creators from closure to growing the Mardens store chain even during a recession, Paul LePage proved that decades of hard work can equal success.
As Mayor of Waterville, he cut taxes without eliminating services. As our Governor, Paul grew Maine’s economy, helped eliminate wasteful spending, implemented welfare reform, and worked to improve education while tackling issues like domestic violence.
She grew up working the family farm in Wilcox County. That’s where Kay learned to put in a hard day’s work, to live within her means, to have faith, and to support family and community.
Todd’s mission as a Marine and U.S. Senator is to make our country safer and stronger. Todd Young is a fifth generation Hoosier and grew up outside of Indianapolis. While growing up in Indiana, Todd delivered newspapers, mowed lawns and mopped floors at his family’s small business.
Todd supports law enforcement, and will continue helping small business owners so they can generate more jobs, he will keep fighting to help make the United States more competitive against China when it comes to technology and computer chips.
A farmer, family man, and fellow citizen from rural Illinois, Darren Bailey’s conservative roots run deep.
Darren was born and raised in Louisville and is a proud third-generation farmer. Growing up on Bailey Family Farm, Darren learned at a young age what it means to work hard and earn an honest living. Today, Darren and his sons own and operate Bailey Family Farm. He grows corn, wheat, and soybeans, all while carrying on the traditions of one of America’s oldest occupations.
Darren is grounded in the conservative values of hard work, individual liberty, and social responsibility. He knows that these precious freedoms are threatened everyday by big government and powerful career politicians.
Duke’s father was a life insurance agent and his mother an elementary educator. Duke enjoyed growing up in the (then) rural community of Pearl City. With his neighborhood childhood friends, he enjoyed riding bicycles through the rich red dirt of the Leeward sugar cane fields. Little League games at Pacheco Park sparked Duke’s life-long passion for team sports. With his school friends from Honolulu, Duke excelled in sports, including basketball and football through Saint Louis High School (1973).
While attending University of the Pacific, in Stockton California, Duke played basketball while obtaining his Bachelor’s degree in Pre-Law. Returning to Hawai’i in 1977, Duke attended the University of Hawaiʻi’s William S. Richardson School of Law, graduating in 1981 with his Doctor of Jurisprudence.
Brian P. Kemp is a husband, father, businessman, and public servant. Governor Kemp built his first business – Kemp Development and Construction Company – with a pick-up truck and a shovel. Over thirty years later, he is a successful entrepreneur with companies and investments in banking, farming, timber, manufacturing, and real estate.
As Georgia’s 83rd Governor, Brian Kemp put hardworking Georgians first by keeping our state open in the face of a global pandemic, bringing record economic success to communities across Georgia, championing the nation’s top-rated election integrity law, and working hard every day to keep families safe.
Governor Kemp is running for re-election to build a safer, stronger Georgia, and keep our state the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
Marco grew up in West Miami watching his parents, who had come to America from Cuba, work hard to achieve the American Dream. Their dedication to giving Marco and his siblings a better life taught him that in America, anything is possible.
As a U.S. Senator, Marco has advanced commonsense, conservative ideas that address the issues Americans face. Marco created the Paycheck Protection Program, which supported more than six million Florida jobs and saved nearly half a million Florida small businesses when the pandemic hit. He took on his own party to double the child tax credit for working families and put more money back in the pockets of Floridians. He created accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs, revitalized restoration efforts for the Everglades, and is leading the fight against communist China.
I’m running for US Senate to help families across the country achieve their American Dream. My family’s American Dream was nearly shattered back in 2005 when my husband Scotty was severely wounded by a suicide bomber in Iraq. Since that day I’ve made it my mission to ensure he got the care he deserved.
Today, we’re blessed to be living out the American Dream once again and to be fighting to help ALL Washington families achieve their dream.
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https://4ever.news/biden-cybersecurity-director-errors-glitches-are-normal-in-elections/
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Late last week, Google appeared to be blocking links to imageboard 8chan on the grounds of hosting “suspected child abuse content.” The imageboard is routinely criticized for hosting pedophilic content, and even had its domain seized over allegations of hosting child abuse content in January.
When Ars Technica reported on the Google issue on August 14, it said only direct site searches using “site:8ch.net” would return any results—and the results that Ars received were very limited.
Since then, however, Google appears to have rolled back its initial banhammer, and now you can get results from the 4chan alternative and Gamergate’s infamous home forum. Searching with keywords such as “Donald Trump 8chan” or “Star Wars 8chan” returned results from the site; however, the links to 8chan itself were usually limited to one or two results on the first page. At this writing, direct site searches returned a multi-page list of results as you’d expect.
A search for 8chan content on Google with a suspected child abuse warning.
Certain searches, however, included a warning from Google, stating that the company has removed links to suspected child abuse content from its results. The easiest way to see this in action is to do a blank site search with “site:8ch.net” into Google. Scroll down to the end of the first page of results to see the warning—my tests included at least one objectionable link.
The story behind the story: Blocking an entire domain on any level is an unusual step for Google, especially for such a highly visited and well known site. There’s no question that the imageboard hosts objectionable content, but not all of the site includes content that could be considered child abuse or encouraging to pedophiles. Google’s policy is to remove content related to child abuse from all its products including search, and that’s a good thing. But banning an entire site is an extreme measure and possibly unfair in this instance. It appears Google realized this and has taken a more measured approach.
It’s about ethics in search The issue of Google enacting a site wide ban for 8chan was first brought to light by users, and 8chan founder Fredrick Brennan responded to discuss the issue in a Medium post on August 13.
“It seems to me like Google has abandoned the same policy we use, and a policy that U.S. hosted websites have held to for a very long time,” Brennan wrote. “When Google blocks a link for DMCA, it blocks a specific link on a domain, not an entire domain.”
Brennan goes on to argue that he cannot control what his users upload and “can only act after the fact.”
That’s a very different answer to the one The Daily Dot reported from him in November when confronted over an 8chan forum posting sexualized photos of children.
“If you want /doll/ shut down, you should instead focus on the studios who are producing this content,” he told The Daily Dot via email. “Some of them are even legally based in the USA. That’s the real story here, not some perverts posting them online after the fact.”
Brennan objected to The Daily Dot’s reporting and published what he said was the complete email thread of the interview on Medium.
We’ve asked Google for comment over the 8chan issue and will update this story should the company respond.
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http://www.cio.com/article/2971604/search/8chan-back-in-googles-index-after-temporary-disappearance.html
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Jen Stout is a freelance journalist who has worked extensively on surveillance.
A perfect storm of hacking and big data, corporate spying, and the surveillance-obsessed British state puts everyone at risk.
Two years ago the human rights NGO Amnesty International was informed that the UK government had spied on its communications. It had taken 18 months of litigation and persistence to confirm their suspicions.
In response, Amnesty’s Secretary General Salil Shetty said: “It’s outrageous that what has been often presented as being the domain of despotic rulers has been occurring on British soil, by the British government.”
It’s worth noting that this instance of state snooping happened before the ‘Snoopers Charter’ of 2016 gave GCHQ basically free reign to snoop on citizens. The passing of that act arguably marked the point that the British government went off the deep end in terms of surveillance and authoritarianism.
That story highlights just one aspect of the perfect storm of corporate and state privacy infringement which should make all those involved in British civil society extremely worried – and security-conscious.
It would be foolish to claim political repression in the UK is on a par with that in Russia or Turkey. But it would be just as foolish to ignore the considerable history of state snooping in the UK, or the growing role of this government as peddler of dangerous surveillance equipment – at home and abroad.
If this all sounds far-fetched, consider the ‘spycops’ scandal. Undercover police officers were revealed to have slept with the activists they were targeting. They maintained fictitious lives, and often relationships, for years. They have misled courts and withheld crucial evidence. It’s likely still going on, and it starkly illustrates what the British state is willing to do to maintain the status quo.
We’ll probably never know the real scale of the enormous infiltration operation used against left-wing groups since the 1960s, but we do know it included the family of Stephen Lawrence, and more recently, Green peer Jenny Jones.
Being an activist in the mid-2000s – especially environmental actions – was to inhabit a world where police infiltration was expected, as was violence, surveillance and intimidation. Many people from outwith this ‘scene’ are still surprised when this is described to them. But it was nothing new. And the idea that this surveillance was something reserved for ‘extreme’ or ‘hardcore’ activists, those blockaders of roads and coal trains, is disproved by the discovery in 2009 of the ‘blacklist’ – a secret file listing thousands of construction workers labelled as ‘trouble-makers’.
Corporations – in this case construction companies – were behind the blacklisting scandal, though it’s known now that undercover officers colluded with the company operating the blacklist, and the names of activists appeared alongside those of trade unionists.
The scandal showed the power of ‘big data’ long before Cambridge Analytica started scraping our Facebook likes. Now the threat is even more severe. The extent of corporate spying on civil society, going back years, is surely now well-known – Shell and McDonalds being most notorious – but while it used to be a dodgy-looking guy at a London Greenpeace meeting, now it can be much more subtle.
Obviously the most prominent recent examples of this ‘surveillance capitalism’ era are the tactics being used against activists. For instance in the US, Black Lives Matter protestors are spied on by police using sophisticated software that trawls social media. And Gulf regimes have eagerly bought up mass surveillance technology – mostly hawked by the UK and Israel – and used the software to track and imprison dissidents. But these are the mine canaries. It’s not just outspoken activists leading street protests who will increasingly be targeted like this. All civil society is at risk.
NGOs, if successful in their job, are sometimes an annoyance or threat to the state; alongside journalists, trades unions, campaigners and other cogs of civil society, NGOs are often crucial in forcing reform or exposing corruption. So it is not surprising that such organisations have been high on the hit-list of rulers seeking to consolidate power and silence opposition. Idil Eser, Amnesty International’s Turkey director, is currently in jail awaiting trial.
The list of governments using propaganda and legislation to undermine NGOs is long. While Putin does it more bluntly, such a trend is visible in the UK: the ability of civil society groups to play a part in politics was severely curbed by the so-called “gagging law” of 2014, which still remains in place despite continued protest. Recent proposals for a new Espionage Bill take things even further, threatening jail time for anyone sharing leaked ‘sensitive’ information, including journalists. Add this to last year’s Investigatory Powers Act (IP Act), which has made the UK one of the most extreme surveillance states in the world, and the path we’re on is pretty clear.
The other side of this ‘perfect storm’ is hacking. Police and security services hack, of course – see the huge powers handed to them under the ‘equipment interference’ section of the IP Act – but increasingly geopolitical squabbles and anti-democratic attacks are taking the form of cyber attacks.
Ukraine has suffered a barrage of cyber attacks over the past year, with sophisticated malware taking out banks, media organisations, and even national infrastructure. The power grid in parts of Kiev went down at Christmas last year, plunging people into darkness when temperatures outside were below freezing.
Clearly some of these attacks are being carried out on the orders of state actors; a kind of proxy war being conducted silently and invisibly. It’s an incredibly powerful tool: what quicker way to silence a troublesome organisation, be it journalistic or campaign group, than to hack into its (often poorly-protected) digital infrastructure? Files can be deleted or altered, private information stolen, and sites taken offline at a crucial time. Human rights defenders are particularly at risk, as cases documented by Front Line Defenders show.
Even aside from the darker aspect of political interference, stealing data from organisations is lucrative, making commercially-driven attacks an issue too.
Paranoia is not useful; the first step in digital security is assessing the actual risk. Who might be the threat, and what would be their motives? Where are your weaknesses? Many organisations still use obselete operating systems, which are sitting ducks for cyber attacks – as the recent ransomware outbreaks, targeting an old version of Windows, demonstrated. Guides to basic digital security, like Security in a Box, are a good place to start.
Digital technology has made campaigns and civil society actors more powerful than ever, able to quickly reach and mobilise huge numbers of people. There was always going to be a flip side of the coin in terms of the threat this tech enables, and the authoritarian turn by governments globally makes that threat much more severe. Getting clued up on security is an essential step in winning the big fights ahead.
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https://civilsocietyfutures.org/not-just-fringe-groups-risk-surveillance-uk-civil-society-needs-learn-digital-security-fast/
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A new Trojan horse for Android smartphones and tablets may have scammed thousands of device owners out of giving up their personal information and contacts, according to an analysis conducted by Symantec researchers. Called Exprespam, the malware has been steadily infecting victims in Japan by setting up phony third-party Google Play markets. Victims are lured to the third-party mobile app stores by clicking on a link to the malicious website.
The Trojan was detected Jan. 6 and was designed to check the phone's current state, access the device's account service, open network connections and read the user's contacts data. Victims who install the app will receive two fake messages, one stating that the app is initializing and another stating that the app is not compatible with the device. Once the app is uninstalled, the data is already stolen.
[Related: Kaspersky: SMS Trojans Account For Over Half Of Smartphone Malware]
Symantec threat researcher Joji Hamada estimates that the phony websites were visited thousands of times. While the number of Trojan infections was fewer, it resulted in stealing a lot of personal data, according to Hamada, who wrote about the Android malware in a Symantec blog post.
"I calculated that the scammers may have stolen between 75,000 and 450,000 pieces of personal information," wrote Hamada.
Security experts have been warning about the rising number of mobile malware targeting mainly Android devices. So far the attacks have been limited to specific locations such as Asia and Eastern European countries. But, a recent study conducted by B2B International and Kaspersky Lab found that enterprises are worried that mobile threats could have an impact on business.
Exprespam is third in a line of phony mobile applications that Hamada and other researchers believe are coming from the same cybercriminal gang. Dougalek, an Android Trojan that masquerades as a video, duped thousands into giving up thousands of contacts. It was suspected in stealing data from more than 90,000 devices. Meanwhile Ackposts Android malware lures victims by promising better battery life.
While the majority of Android malware is dominated by SMS Trojans, designed to rack up premium text message charges, phony apps such as Exprespam are designed to steal data that could be used for other nefarious purposes. Symantec warns users to only open links and attachments from users they trust and avoid third-party mobile app stores where malware infections are more common.
scriptTag.setAttribute("type", "text/javascript"); scriptTag.setAttribute("charset", "utf-8"); scriptTag.setAttribute("src", url + "&callback=" + callback); scriptTag.setAttribute("id", id); var head = document.getElementsByTagName("head").item(0);
$("p.shortdesc").html(TrimIt(NewList[0].shortDescription,60); $("div.NewthumbLarge").click(function(){window.location="/crntv/index1.htm?searchVideoContent="+NewList[0].id;}); $("p.displayName").click(function(){window.location="/crntv/index1.htm?searchVideoContent="+NewList[0].id;}); $("div.videoleft").html(AddThumb(NewList[1].thumbnailURL,NewList[1].name,NewList[1].shortDescription); $("div.videoleft").click(function(){window.location="/crntv/index1.htm?searchVideoContent="+NewList[1].id;}); $("div.videomiddle").html(AddThumb(NewList[2].thumbnailURL,NewList[2].name,NewList[2].shortDescription); $("div.videomiddle").click(function(){window.location="/crntv/index1.htm?searchVideoContent="+NewList[2].id;}); $("div.videoright").html(AddThumb(NewList[3].thumbnailURL,NewList[3].name,NewList[3].shortDescription); $("div.videoright").click(function(){window.location="/crntv/index1.htm?searchVideoContent="+NewList[3].id;});
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http://www.crn.com/news/security/240146745/symantec-android-malware-bilks-contacts-infects-thousands.htm?itc=xbodyrwest
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If you have shopped at Home Depot and used a credit card, keep a close eye on your statement. Any unfamiliar charges should be immediately reported to your financial institution.
If you used a debit card at Home Depot, you may want to ask your bank to issue you a new account number and consider moving any money you can to another account. Unlike credit cards, any unlawful purchases on your debit card comes directly from the cash in your bank account. This could cause an overdraft and/or leave you without money. While most financial institutions replace the stolen money, it rarely happens quickly.
Finally, the information gathered by the hackers could be used in a later attack – such as a phishing email. Be suspicious of any email, phone call or text that claims to be your bank, Home Depot or law enforcement. Avoid clicking any links or replying with any personal information.
DSS and AuthentiSite have solutions that would help put an end to these cyber attacks. To learn more, please visit www.AuthentiGuard.com
To sign up for our free informational webinar please click here.
A few weeks ago we posted an article about counterfeit golf apparel, clubs and accessories and how they were making their way into homes of unknowing consumers.
Today, we’re going to be talking about how to avoid buying counterfeit golf clubs and accessories online. With KeepGolfReal.com removing more than 250 fake golf websites last year, the problem is real and growing.
Below are a few tips and tricks to make sure you are shopping safe online:
Feedback: Always check the reviews before purchasing a golf club online. If there are several complaints about a product not shipping, the products quality or the website’s poor customer service, these could all be signs that you are dealing with a fake website.
Great Deal: Even on auction websites, if the deal is too good to be true, it is. Often times knock-off sellers will justify the low cost as “received as gift” or “won in a raffle.” Don’t let it deceive you – it’s fake.
Serial Numbers: When in doubt, ask for the serial number. If the company or seller refuses to provide it to you, it is a clear indicator that it is not a real product.
Always remember, if you are curious about whether you are on a true authorized reseller of the product you are looking to purchase, you can always check with the manufacture. Many times manufacture websites will gladly provide a list of their licensed resellers.
DSS and AuthentiSite can help consumer and brand owners alike prove website’s authenticity.
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https://dsssecure.wordpress.com/tag/cyber-security/
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Competition is a major subject in any market research analysis. With the help of the competitive analysis provided in the report, players can easily study key strategies adopted by leading players of market. They will also be able to plan counterstrategies to gain a competitive advantage in market. Major as well as emerging players of market are closely studied taking into consideration their market share, production, revenue, sales growth, gross margin, product portfolio, and other significant factors. This will help players to become familiar with the moves of their toughest competitors in market.
The report is just the right tool that players need to strengthen their position in market. It is also the perfect resource that will help players to sustain their lead or achieve a competitive position in market.
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https://collegebaseballcentral.com/uncategorized/17710/virtual-private-network-vpn-routers-market-2020-industry-size-future-trends-growth-key-factors-demand-business-share-sales-income-manufacture-players-application-scope-and-opportuniti/
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Do you find your cybersecurity career is limited by your inability to program? Few of the cybersecurity professionals I know personally know how to program, with the exception of those who work in a programming environment. If you are considering learning to program, what languages are best for a cybersecurity career? Do you need more than one? Where is the best place to start?
Prepare by setting up a couple practice systems to work with, and using Windows and Linux virtual machines would be a good way to go. Fatal accidents are easy to repair, and spinning up a new VM takes a few minutes.
There are also great training resources, many of them free, on places such as Cybrary, UDemy, and Linda.com
Shell Scripting – Probably the best place to start is with a scripting language. In Windows this will be Powershell. In Linux it will be Bash. These days, Windows allows Bash scripting natively, so you may not need to have a Linux system handy to practice with, at least not right away.
Powershell is based on earlier Windows coding environments such as Basic and Virtual Basic. There are a lot of new exploits that take advantage of the power and permissions available in Powershell, so learning how to script in Powershell has both practical (automation of repetitive tasks) and tactical (blue team and red team uses) applications.
Bash is the Linux version of shell scripting, and again is a handy tool for both practical and tactical uses.
C – Of the classical programming languages, C is a programming language that has been used for over 50 years. Unix was the first machine-portable operating system, and C was used to program for Unix. There are still new cyber-exploits being released that are written in C. If you like to begin at the beginning, this may be for you.
Python is the most popular programming language, and has cross-platform capabilities that means programs and exploits coded in Python will run on virtually and system. If you want your skills to follow the crowd, this is for you.
PHP – Like Python, this is a very popular programming language. It is used by over 80% of websites. The popular CMS WordPress is written almost entirely in PHP. If your career leads you into protecting websites and web applications, this is for you.
JavaScript is another popular programming language that is used in websites and applications. Fluency in JavaScript can help you interpret, write, and correct errors in JavaScript code that can lead to exploits such as Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), Cross-Site Forgery Request (CSRF), and SQL Injection.
SQL or Structured Query Language is not technically a programming language, but most modern databases run on some version of SQL. Modifying SQL queries can lead to SQL injection attacks, which can lead to loss of database contents, or even the takeover of the server.
Starting with a scripting language is probably the easiest way to learn code writing conventions. Moving on to programming language choices, if you work in a server environment, I would suggest Python. If you work more on the web, then PHP and/or JavaScript should be your preference. If you work in databases, then SQL.
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https://wyzguyscybersecurity.com/best-programming-languages-for-cybersecurity-professionals/
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Compatible with iPad 10.2 in. 7th Generation; compatible with headphone jack credit card readers
Dimensions: 7.25 in. x 10.125 in. x .7 in.
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https://theaccessoriesplaceonline.com/products/cta-digital-security-case-with-kickstand-and-antitheft-cable-for-ipad%C2%AE-10-2-inch-7th-generation
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Composite Success StoriesSee how security powers the business strategies of three composite customers. Customer Success StoriesBlue Coat has a long history of protecting organizations, their data, and their employees, and is the trusted brand to 15,000 customers worldwide.
Customer Success Videos86% of the global FORTUNE 500 rely on Blue Coat solutions to securely empower their businesses. Watch and learn. SolutionsAdvanced Threat ProtectionToday’s forward-thinking firms are taking steps to fortify their security infrastructure against advanced threats—so they can safely adopt new technologies. Blue Coat’s Lifecycle Defense stance against advanced threats delivers threat protection, intelligence sharing, and fast resolution. Mobile WorkersAs mobile workers leave the corporate network, they become more susceptible to threats because corporate policies and protection do not follow them. Blue Coat web security solutions extend the security perimeter of the corporate network. Social NetworkingSocial networking is a business imperative in an increasing number of organizations using social as part of their business strategy. Blue Coat web security solutions enable safe social networking. Threat ProtectionWeb-based threats are device agnostic, targeting users on desktops, laptops and mobile devices alike. Blue Coat Web security solutions are backed by the WebPulse Collaborative Defense, and protect users and data.
We work closely with all Blue Coat Systems partners to assure that our products optimally work together for our customers.
Service Delivery PartnersThe BlueTouch Support Partner Program enables partners to achieve greater profitability while providing outstanding service quality to the end customer. Already A Partner?Access the Partner Website
Company
Company OverviewBlue Coat empowers enterprises to safely and securely choose the best, applications, services, devices, data sources, and content the world has to offer, so they can create, communicate, collaborate, innovate, execute, compete and win in their markets. Blue Coat Leaders
CareersExplore the current opportunities available at Blue Coat Systems, the leading-edge security technology company. News
Here at Blue Coat, we have a legacy of providing our customers with the best threat protection, control and high performance they expect. Today, best-in-class web security demands a solution that can stop malware before it reaches your users. At Blue Coat, we have been investing to more effectively identify, track and characterize malnets (malicious networks), the infrastructure used to deliver malware, so we can proactively protect users from the attacks they launch. More than ever, cybercriminals can leverage mass market malware for low investment, high impact attacks. And understanding malnets is the only way to isolate malware sources and proactively block new attacks, regardless of attack type, content, zero-day exploits or payload. With this commitment to web security in mind, Blue Coat was forced to make a business decision to discontinue support of Websense filtering on ProxySG appliances beginning with the next SGOS release, v6.3. This decision was based on the fact that the Websense v7 database is NOT backwards compatible with ProxySG appliances. Intentionally and consistently, Websense has withheld technology updates from us, leaving our combined customers exposed to greater risk. Most recently, the current v7 of the Websense filtering database was released without support for customers using Blue Coat ProxySG appliances. This resulted in customers receiving incorrect results for specific URLs, based on the inaccuracies in the older v6 Websense database (the last database that Websense provided for ProxySG). As one example, many customers were blocking www.google.com based on an inaccurate categorization by Websense that placed the site into the category ‘none.’ As a best practice, many of our customers apply a ‘Deny’ access security policy to uncategorized content, inadvertently blocking the popular search engine. The decision from Websense to stop supporting backwards compatibility resulted in unacceptable customer issues that left Blue Coat no choice. However, we are committed to our customers and will continue to support the small number that are impacted by this change. Active SGOS releases up to v6.3 support Websense filtering, and we will continue to support those releases for several years. Looking forward, we know that businesses large and small need enterprise-grade web security. This is the security that Blue Coat pioneered and is used by 85% of FORTUNE Global 500 companies. It’s a level of security that Websense simply can’t deliver. When it comes to proactively protecting your users from web-based threats, Websense just doesn’t make sense.
Don’t take my word for it, though. A recent third party competitive test performed by Broadband Testing evaluates our solutions. See the results at http://www.bluecoat.com/sites/default/files/solutions/whitepapers/Broadband_Web_Threat_Test_Report.1.pdf
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https://www.bluecoat.com/security/security-archive/2011-10-20/blue-coat-websense-and-need-proactive-web-security-0
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Just a quick note that after George Bush was re-elected as the US president last week, his official homepage (www.georgewbush.com) was apparently re-opened to be accessible to the whole world. This happened some time during last weekend.
As we reported in our blog last week, the site was not accessible outside USA and Canada, possibly as a precaution against DDoS attacks.
On a related theme, out of all the voting problems reported at Voters Unite, the most interesting is probably a voting computer which was apparently using signed short integers to store the amount of absentee ballots. So after 32768 ballots, it started counting backwards. For details, see their problem tally.
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https://www.f-secure.com/weblog/archives/00000344.html
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Students from the Technion created a program able to disrupt Waze’s advanced navigation systems, causing it to report fictitious traffic jams that redirected routes on the popular GPS platform. The student’s instructors reported their observations to Waze, which is currently looking into ways to prevent similar cyber attacks in the future.
As part of their studies in computer science at the Technion in Haifa, two students constructed a program capable of disrupting traffic reports provided by the popular navigation service Waze by creating fictitious traffic reports to steer drivers off course. Using the program that they constructed, the students were able to create a traffic jam that continued for hours and forced thousands of drivers to steer clear of their regular routes.
The vice president of Waze operations yesterday said that the company is looking into methods to prevent such attacks.
Doctoral student Nimrod Partush came up with the idea for the project while stuck in traffic one day with one of his instructors, Professor Eran Yahav. “It was last summer. I told Eran that if we were able to cause Waze to report a traffic jam on the Coastal Highway, the application would direct drivers to [the alternate route] Route 4, allowing us to make our way into Tel Aviv on the Coastal Highway without traffic,” said Partush with a smile.
Professor Yahav stated: “We laughed about it and the subject didn’t come up again until the beginning of the winter semester when I met two exceptional students. I suggested to Nimrod that he propose the idea to the students, but to allow them to face the challenge on their own, as part of their studies.”
Partush was able to spark the curiosity of the two young students, Shir Yadid and Maytal Ben Sinai, who currently study in the prestigious Summit program of the Academic Atuda unit of the Israeli Defense Forces, allowing youngsters to pursue academic studies before joining the military.
Professor Yahav explains, “They built a program that knows how to work with the Waze application, to sign up new users automatically, and then to forge a fake GPS location in order to simulate the location of a user in a specific place.” “We created an application that was able to fabricate GPS locations, causing the system to think that a user is traveling in a location that we specified,” said Shir and Maytal with a wry smile.
The third step in tricking the popular and advanced navigation application was simulating traffic patterns that would confuse Waze into thinking there was traffic on a certain route. The two tried a number of different variations until they were able to achieve their goal, “This was the hardest part of the project,” said the students. “We needed to get inside of Waze’s head.”
Potentially severe consequences
In the end, the students were able to get the final version of their program down, causing a fictitious traffic jam for hours upon hours on Israel’s roads.
The cyber attack simulated by the students could have severe consequences on traffic patterns, enabling a user to discourage drivers from using a toll road leading to bankruptcy for the traffic authorities, or to create a fictitious traffic jam near a particular shopping center in order to divert consumers towards a competitor.
“We believe that as a result of report, Waze will be able to find a way to prevent such attacks,” said Partush who is currently completing his doctorate in programming analysis under Prof. Eran Yahav, an expert in the field.
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https://nocamels.com/2014/03/technion-students-carry-out-successful-traffic-jam-cyber-attack-on-waze/
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On addition, just in case you demand a good antivirus in your desktop equipment, be sure to seek out a couple having a couple of minutes, in addition have a look at the correct list linked to top ten antivirus security software applications the examples below, review the main element qualities on the applications offered and pick a substantial ant-virus which usually inturn satisfies your PC. If it possesses to be able to embark on with a good antivirus only for Android cellular phone, Security software is really entirely a super variety. AVG no cost antivirus likewise produces a security vault to push all of your vulnerable data or individual photos to safeguard them from other folks peeping in.
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An individual could moreover use the precise app in order to kill connections to prevent the idea that will admittance any certain site along with server. The precise App is straightforward go to website – free Android antivirus review as well as simple. There are many Android Clean-up apps readily available on Google Perform Store.
The Kaspersky mobile protection measures application includes anti-theft abilities. It is possible to likewise choose the app you need to manage. You can also select the app that you just wish to manage. It’s possible to at the same time use the important app to be able to kill links to halt the bench mark to be able to access virtually any website or perhaps server. The Kaspersky cell phone standard safe practices app incorporates anti-theft functions.
Flixster’s app is extremely convenient to use and a neat feature they give is the capacity to watch options of the films right there on your cell phone. An individual can moreover use the true iphone app so you can destroy joints to dam the point in direction of access just about any web-site or even storage space. You are able to truly furthermore makes use of the true app so that it may be possible to eliminate internet connections to stop the indicate to access a lot of site or server. The genuine app manufactured by ESET efficiency is just probably the greatest antiviruses.
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https://www.physiotherapy4u.com/best-antivirus-for-android-help/
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We are looking to add a skilled Network focused Solutions Architect to our team in Wixom, MI (Detroit area). As a member of the Pre-Sales Engineering Team, you will be responsible for meeting with Presidio's customers, collecting requirements for business solutions related to network and security projects, and developing engineering solutions for sale to Presidio customers. A successful Networking Solutions Architect (SA) should be able to present and explain various network infrastructure technologies (LAN/WAN, Data Center Switching, Security, SD-WAN) to customers, guide them through requirements gathering, and formulate a solution consisting of hardware, software, licensing, and engineering services.
The ideal candidate will have knowledge and understanding of ENTERPRISE class solutions from partners such as Cisco, F5, Palo Alto, VMware and other network infrastructure manufacturers. Successful candidates will have a solid grasp of network design principles based on industry best practices.
3+ years of experience, which demonstrates a significant level of expertise in enterprise class network and security solutions.
One or more of the following certifications: CCNA/CCDA/CCNP and other non-Cisco certifications are highly preferred.
Presidio is committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the highest levels and has strengthened its drive to build and drive systemic DE&I change process across all levels of the organization.
Cultivating a culture of inclusion where the expression of all our differences are valued, celebrated, and add to our collective achievements.
Presidio is a leading North American IT solutions provider focused on Digital Infrastructure, Cloud and Security solutions to create agile, secure infrastructure platforms for its customers. We deliver this technology expertise through a full life cycle model of professional, managed, and support services including strategy, consulting, implementation and design. By taking the time to deeply understand how our clients define success, we help them harness technology advances, simplify IT complexity and optimize their environments today while enabling future applications, user experiences, and revenue models. As of June 30, 2019, we serve approximately 7,900 middle-market, large, and government organizations across a diverse range of industries. Approximately 2,900 Presidio professionals, including more than 1,600 technical engineers, are based in 60+ offices across the United States in a unique, local delivery model combined with the national scale of a $3.0 billion dollar industry leader. We are passionate about driving results for our clients and delivering the highest quality of service in the industry. For more information visit: .
We help our clients take cloud strategy and adoption to the next level. Through our advanced cloud solutions practice, combined with Presidio's IT infrastructure expertise, we provide private, hybrid, and multi cloud solutions. By closely aligning our services and solutions with our strategic partners Microsoft Azure™, Amazon Web Services™, Intel ® and VMware™ Presidio offers cloud strategy, architecture and implementation services along with application rationalization and migration across the hybrid and multi-cloud data center environment. In addition, our new and innovative Presidio Cloud Concierge solution provides a foundation for Automation and Self-Services across Clouds to improve productivity and drive increased levels of governance and security.
Rather than a "one size fits all" approach, or having to choose between public or private, Presidio tailors a hybrid cloud strategy to meet your unique business requirements. We help our clients accelerate and simplify cloud adoption across the entire IT lifecycle.
Security:
Our comprehensive security risk methodology gives customers the ability to safeguard their environments and critical business data. This includes continuous threat protection and risk mitigation through the Presidio Cyber Risk Management program, a next generation approach that integrates security strategy, assessments, architecture and remediation, and aligns all of these with organizational goals.
Presidio Cyber Risk Management provides clients with a holistic approach for effective security policies and procedures, risk assessment and management, regulatory compliance, incident response, and education and awareness. We use an established risk management methodology and proprietary risk scoring process to provide the IT leader and board of directors with an ongoing view of their organization's risk exposure and remediation path.
Emerging Technologies:
Emerging technologies such as IoT, blockchain and artificial intelligence continue to disrupt current business models, and customers are faced with the task of transforming their organizations to achieve desired outcomes. Increased demand for operational efficiencies, better customer experience and improving safety and security has taken priority. This accelerated rate of change is prompting businesses to align their processes, applications and infrastructure to new consumption and service-based models. For our customers, it means enabling a seamless exchange of data within complex ecosystems to help advance digital transformation.
At Presidio Emerging Technologies, we provide solutions for safety and security, mobile and wireless communications, data collection and analytics using purpose-built, ruggedized hardware and software..... click apply for full job details
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https://cryptocurrencyjobs.com/jobs/solutions-architect-network-security--7
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Banking and Finance is arguably the most innovative, heavily regulated and targeted sector within any given economy. The combination of this creates and interesting ecosystem from a technology perspective, one that drives innovation with caution. In this paper, I will discuss what I foresee as some of the technology innovations in the Banking and Finance sector along with implications from a cybersecurity perspective.
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning and Analytics – there is a greater push in Banking and Finance to adopt these technologies for improving customer service, analyzing customer behavior and aligning products to it, digitizing business processes for cost optimization, etc. The use cases are many which is why we expect to see greater investment in these technologies, in particular. From a cybersecurity perspective, there are a few considerations that come to mind. The first is configuration and security of these systems. These systems tend to use a lot of data for a variety of reasons and also produce a lot of data for use. The integrity of both are needed to ensure whatever is going in and coming out is reliable. The second area to discuss is the ethical use of AI. AI can be used or misused. An example could be use of analyzing and predicting customer data to such a degree that it starts impeding on their privacy. As much as this is not strictly a cybersecurity issue, a line must be drawn to ensure the ethical use of AI. The third use of AI is in cybersecurity itself. We expect AI to be used more heavily in the prediction and stopping of cyber-attacks in future. Unfortunately, with the good comes the bad and we expect adversaries to start using AI to change and morph attacks on the fly in order to evade control measures
Digital Transformation Initiatives – this is at the heart of Banking and Finance institutes being innovative. Banking and Finance organisations have traditionally invested heavily in digital transformation to improve customer service, get closer to customer needs, differentiate their service, etc. This trend has only accelerated with COVID and we expect this to continue going forward. From a cybersecurity perspective, caution has to be exercised to ensure that cybersecurity measures are built into any digital transformation initiative from the start. Products have to be secure by design and security must not be sacrificed to achieve speed to market. One can imagine the disaster a new hacked application would bring
Open Banking – open banking is definitely here to stay and will have an impact on Banking and Finance institutes’ business models as they go to this open ecosystem. Consumer Data Right legislation has been drafted in Australia, as an example, to govern data ownership and secure sharing of data. From a cybersecurity perspective, the implications are around the secure sharing of data, management of consent, creation and security of APIs and security of connected systems
Increased use of Blockchain Technology – we expect banks to start exploiting blockchain technology to interact with their clients, processing and managing transactions, increased use in reg tech, etc. Blockchain technology is secure by design, but the security is only as good as its configuration. This is where Banking and Finance institutes will need to be careful in their implementation to ensure the blockchain deployment is configured in line with the value of the data it holds and the associated threat profile
Working from Home – as much as this is not a massive technology trend, this is here to stay even after the effects of COVID have waned off. What this will mean is an acceleration of remote and online banking. Staff will need access to customer data from home and the cybersecurity implications of this will need to be considered. The network will essentially now include the device and home network of employees and these will have to be secured. Concepts of Zero Trust will become a reality to protect customer data being accessed from home
Increased use of 5G – this will allow greater access to data to both customers and employees from anywhere using any device. Fundamentally, this will drive Banking and Finance institutes to adopt an even greater online presence. The flow on effects of this from a cybersecurity perspective will be the need to secure customer data on any device being access from any location. Concepts of strong authentication, encryption and Zero Trust security will become key to achieving the level of data security needed. No longer can we trust the user or the device accessing the data. The data itself will need to be containerised and secured. Distributed denial of service attacks (DDoS) become a bigger threat than now due to increased bandwidth availability
Greater use of the cloud – as much as cloud is not a new technology, its increasing adoption partly driven by the pandemic will change the way we work and how organisations consume computing. Increasing use of cloud will allow employees easier access to data from anywhere with potentially lower latency when combined with 5G technology. On-premise data centres will largely disappear as organisations move to the cloud for compute power and storage. From a cybersecurity perspective, greater move to cloud brought about by the accessibility and cost challenges imposed by the pandemic will increase the current cloud security issues making them a bigger challenge due to misconfigurations and mismatch of requirements to deployed security
Regulatory landscape and requirements – the Banking and Finance sector is arguably the most regulated in any country. This will drive greater use and innovation in the reg tech space in order to help ease the compliance burden. Regulations will continually drive changes to the way Banking and Finance institutes conduct business. An example is Consumer Data Rights legislation in Australia which will impact the business models many Banking and Finance institutes adopt. Regulations will have a large impact on the cybersecurity measures adopted by Banking and Finance institutes. Regulations will dictate the minimum standards that organisations must adopt and will force investment in areas that are currently lacking.
Banking and Finance institutes must continue to innovate and invest in technology to differentiate, to meet regulatory requirements, to create new products and be able to make them relevant to customer needs based on an analysis of their buying behaviours. Trust and risk management will remain key pillars within any Banking and Finance institute and a continuing investment in cybersecurity initiatives is a must of satisfy both these business requirements.
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https://blogs.unisys.com/security/near-term-technology-trends-in-banking-and-finance-with-a-cyber-security-twist/
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Credit and debit card breaches are happening WAY too frequently these days. Has that fact influenced me to start carrying cash and stop using my cards as payment for everything? Nope, but maybe it really should.
On Saturday, May 12th, Chili's parent company Brinker International announced that their restaurants were the latest victim of credit card hackers, leaving hundreds of thousands of their customers at risk.
The press release from Brinker International says they are still unaware of the full impact of this data breach, but believe it is limited to guests who used their credit or debit cards at Chili's during March and April 2018.
The press release also says;
Chili’s does not collect certain personal information (such as social security number, full date of birth, or federal or state identification number) from Guests. Therefore, this personal information was not compromised.
If you're concerned your card info was compromised, the company wants you to know they are "working with third-party forensic experts to conduct an extensive investigation to confirm the nature and scope of this incident. Law enforcement has been notified of this incident and we will continue to fully cooperate. We are working to provide fraud resolution and credit monitoring services for those Guests who may have been impacted."
Keep an eye on your bank accounts, and stay up to date with the data breach investigation, here.
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http://97zokonline.com/chilis-data-breach-leaves-customers-cards-exposed/
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We had a third-party security audit and they found a bunch of things that needed to be corrected. We fixed all of them, except for one. They claim we still have a problem with Cross Frame Scripting and clickjacking. The test put out login page within a frame in a page on a completely different website, which could be exploited. While it is considered a low threat, my boss wants me to resolve this.
What we did originally was put this in the web.config:
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https://forums.asp.net/t/2079158.aspx?Cross+Frame+Scripting+Vulnerability
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SYS KeyLogger Pro is a Security software developed by Solve Your System, Inc.. After our trial and test, the software is proved to be official, secure and free. Here is the official description for SYS KeyLogger Pro:
BrothersoftEditor: SYS KeyLogger Pro is a powerful application used to monitor and record every keystroke typed on your computer. It will allow you to view where others have been on the internet, what usernames and passwords they are using, and every conversation they have. Very useful to keep an Eye on your teens, before they get into trouble.
The program stays COMPLETELY hidden from Windows and can only be accessed by pressing a series of HotKey's. By Default the hotkey Combination is CTRL, ALT & F12. This can be changed from the options window.
Program Features:
• Starts automatically when you boot your computer.
• Completely hidden from all users.
• Configurable Hotkey's to display program from hiding.
• Logs EVERY keystroke including special characters such as CTRL, ALT, F12, etc.
• Even logs windows that have not been typed in, that have only been viewed.
• Supports a selectable range of dates to view or delete.
• Specify how Far in the past to keep data before it is purged from the log file.
• Fully adjustable Timestamp Sensitivity for more or less detail in the log.
• Easily change the name of the hidden process from within the program. you can free download SYS KeyLogger Pro 4.60 now.
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http://www.brothersoft.com/sys-keylogger-pro-288641.html
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Risk and Reward: Enterprise Risk Management TechnologyEnterprise risk management is as much about a bank's culture as it is about specific technology deployments. Different Definitions
But ERM is a relatively new concept and a challenging undertaking for any institution. "Part of the challenge here is to understand what people mean by enterprise risk management," says Sandeep Vishnu, a senior manager in risk practice for McLean, Va.-based BearingPoint.
As a result, the jury is still out as to where banks are along the road to ERM. While some call it just a developing concept, others insist that it's a necessity and that banks that are not pursuing ERM are at a competitive disadvantage. "It's absolutely a reality," says Virginia Garcia, global strategist for risk management at Brookfield, Wis.-based Fiserv. But, "It's all a matter of how you define it." Even regulators have weighed in on the subject. During an April speech at an ERM roundtable at North Carolina State University, Federal Reserve Gov. Susan Schmidt Bies defined ERM as "a process that enables management to effectively deal with uncertainty and associated risk and opportunity, enhancing the capacity to build stakeholder value." According to Guillermo Kopp, VP of TowerGroup's (Needham, Mass.) cross-industry practice, ERM is about integrating different types of risk as well as different products throughout an organization. It includes policies, technology solutions and IT infrastructure, he says. "ERM is a pervasive process discipline; it's not necessarily a single technology that delivers immediate results," Fiserv's Garcia says. "That's really where a lot of the confusion comes into play."
IBM's Rosenoer, however, seems to define ERM more narrowly, adding to the potential confusion. "It's not clear that anybody has actually implemented an enterprisewide risk management system," he counters. "It's still in the design stage -- still in the stage of pulling these systems together." Regardless, improving risk management is a top priority for financial institutions. According to TowerGroup's Kopp, banks' spending on risk management solutions will rise at a rate of 5.3 percent a year through 2009. Currently, 60 percent of that spending, or $12 billion globally in 2005, is on third-party solutions. But, Kopp notes, the percentage of spending on vendor products is on the rise. Not surprisingly, the functionality provided by vendor offerings reflects the industry's changing view of risk.
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http://www.banktech.com/channels/risk-and-reward-enterprise-risk-management-technology/d/d-id/1291033?page_number=2
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The internet networking provides you expediency to share files across connected terminals. It provides a flexible way to share photos, music, documentation on different shareable.
If we look at network performance on personal bases at home, we found that multiple members can connect to single internet IP via different internet accounts. It often happens that internet broadband slows down due to higher load but this issue has resolved with higher capacity’s broadband services.
The mobility is a drastic feature in technology domain that has transformed the mindset and perceptions to visualize. Even the decreasing prices of these mobile devices are making them easily affordable for everyone. These fluctuations in mobile gadget prices are due to rapidly rising in new technology that ultimately wipes out the old version and replaces it with the new one.
The mobile internet supported devices are proving an efficient resource to connect from anywhere making it relieved from the hassles of wired connectivity.
Time and effort saving
These wireless internet devices, yet the wireless internet connectivity provides a better and cool office architecture as it removes the older method of messy underlays and roofs wired assemblies. It ultimately saves time and effort of cleaning them up and connecting wires here and there.
So, concluding it with the point that internet and its wireless connectivity is the future of networking which is booming day by day with unlimitable speed.
The Comstar ISA is a platform that is serving customers with such internet and IT security services for a long time. They are continuously upgrading themselves according to new technological trends and proving them reliable yet satisfactory IT service providers.
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https://www.comstar.com.pk/blog/it-security/internet-technology-and-networking-services
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You may have received an email like the one below that looks very authentic, like it came from AT&T, or a phone call about the same subject. In this case, the scammers are even more clever; all of the links in the email appear to be real, valid AT&T links, but there is an attachment; which undoubtedly contains a virus or of malware. Norton Antispam flagged the email and moved it to the junk folder. Usually, these emails are an attempt to get you to enter confidential information (typically a social security number, name, address, bank account information, etc., to allow the scammers to steal your identity and open credit cards in your name.
This email was not sent by AT&T; AT&T is a victim as well. This is referred to as spoofing (making a fake email that looks legitimate, "phishing" (when by email) or "vishing" (when by telephone). If you receive an email similar to the one below, and especially if you have no AT&T account, have not made a payment like that, DO NOT click on the link, and do not enter any information on the forms there.
Delete the email immediately and do not open the attachment as this email did not come from AT&T. It is the result of email fraud that is spreading throughout the Internet community. AT&T Internet Services makes every effort to block fraudulent messages from reaching our members, and we will continue working diligently to ensure that your experience with us is both safe and enjoyable."
Remember, no reputable business would send you an email or a phone call requesting your personal account information. Any such email you receive asking for this information should be considered phony and brought to the attention of the business being 'phished'.
Anytime you need to go to a website for your bank, credit card companies or other personal, financial or confidential information; do not follow a link in an email; just type their address in your browser directly (such as www.AT&T.com )
Below are actual phishing emails that started circulating in early 2013.
All replies are automatically deleted. For questions regarding this message, refer to the contact information listed above.
2012. AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other AT&T marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. Subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. provide products and services under the AT&T brand.
Keep your operating system up to date with current security patches. Click here for an article that describes how to do this.
And please let us know about any suspicious calls or emails you receive. We look for patterns so that we can alert the authorities and victims to new scams, before it is too late!
For a comprehensive list of national and international agencies to report scams, see this page.
All images and text � Copyright Benivia, LLC 2017 Disclaimer and Privacy Policy
Names used by scammers in the examples on this page and others often belong to real people and businesses who often have no knowledge of nor connection to the scammer's use of their name and information. Sample scam emails and other documents presented on this website are real copies of the scam to help potential victims recognize and avoid it. You should presume that any names used and presented here in a scam are either fictitious or used without their legitimate owner's permission and have no relationship to any person or business that also shares that name, address, phone number or other identifying information.
Permission is given to link to any public page on http://www.ConsumerFraudReporting.org
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http://www.consumerfraudreporting.org/malware/ATTpayment_virusaattachment.php
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The threat landscape is constantly changing. Individual actors can now harness resources and capabilities that were previously only the domain of sovereign nations. Companies of all sizes now continuously deal with breaches, exfiltration, data integrity events in both their own organizations and throughout their supply chain.
Over 169 million personal records were exposed in 2015, stemming from 781 publicized breaches across the financial, business, education, government and healthcare sectors.*
As the scope and complexity of Cyber Security challenges continues to grow so to does the requisite response to combat the threats. New novel Cyber Security methods need to be developed to thwart adversaries. We believe that new and innovative Cyber Security techniques can originate from the most unlikely places. Bellvista Capital is uniquely suited to help Cyber Security innovators develop their ideas and deliver them to the market. Our Cyber Security venture capital investments are designed to assist new and growth-stage companies.
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https://bellvista.com/venture-capital/cyber-security/
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GuestthuShare On TwitterShare On GoogleCho em hỏi khi cài xong thì sao này no ra phiên bản 2015 …2018 liệu có thể up lên đc ko
Vote Up0Vote Down Reply2 years 6 months agoAuthorFounder Phanmemaz.comShare On TwitterShare On GoogleRa những bản sau thì cũng sẽ có key hoặc kích hoạt mà. Yên tâm sử dụng thôi.
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http://phanmemaz.com/diet-virus-spyware/download-avg-internet-security-2014-key-toi-nam-2018.html
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Senate Homeland Safety and Governmental Affairs Chairman Gary Peters introduced Tuesday on Market Espresso Home’s “New Day” that the bipartisan investigation will search to raised perceive how cryptocurrency emboldens cybercriminals and to establish attainable coverage modifications.
The probe is a part of a sequence of steps the Michigan Democrat and different lawmakers have taken to handle a spate of cybersecurity incidents, together with soon-to-be-released laws associated to current ransomware assaults, he mentioned.
“Cryptocurrencies are the medium of alternative by these of us,” he informed Market Espresso Home, referring to cybercriminals. “Nicely over $400 million has been paid in ransoms on this final 12 months from cryptocurrencies.”
Earlier this summer season, US investigators recovered hundreds of thousands in cryptocurrency they are saying was paid in ransom to hackers whose assault prompted the shutdown of the important thing East Coast pipeline in Could.
The Justice Division mentioned it seized roughly $2.3 million in Bitcoins paid to people in a felony hacking group often called DarkSide — the group blamed for the crippling ransomware assault on Colonial Pipeline, which spurred days of panic shopping for and gasoline shortages.
Ransomware assaults have grown in scope and class within the final 12 months, Deputy Lawyer Common Lisa Monaco mentioned on the time, calling them an “epidemic.”
Not lengthy after the Colonial incident, main beef and pork producer JBS USA was hit with a ransomware assault, ensuing within the shutdown of its whole US beef processing operation. JBS USA introduced in June that it had paid an $11 million ransom in response to the cyberattack.
Then the identical ransomware gang that had hit JBS demanded $70 million in July to unlock all of the units it claimed had been hit in an assault on Kaseya, an IT providers supplier that not directly helps numerous small companies corresponding to native eating places, accounting companies and dentists’ workplaces.
The back-to-back incidents have raised issues concerning the vulnerabilities they reveal in important infrastructure and industries throughout the US.
In 2020, ransom funds, sometimes made in cryptocurrency, totaled the equal of $416 million — greater than 4 occasions the 2019 stage, in response to blockchain analytics agency Chainalysis. The agency has confirmed greater than $200 million price of funds thus far this 12 months.
“We wish to be certain that we’re coping with cryptocurrency and perceive why it’s the alternative by these of us and the way can we disrupt that alternative,” Peters mentioned.
The investigation will delve into why cryptocurrency, which is troublesome for regulation enforcement to trace, is being utilized in ransomware assaults and the way it may be disrupted. It can additionally purpose to establish attainable coverage options for lawmakers and regulators, the senator mentioned.
The Biden administration has additionally ramped up its efforts to disrupt the rising and more and more damaging ransomware assaults.
“The misuse of cryptocurrency is an enormous enabler right here,” deputy nationwide safety adviser Anne Neuberger beforehand informed Market Espresso Home. “That is the best way of us get the cash out of it. On the rise of anonymity and enhancing cryptocurrencies, the rise of mixer providers that basically launder funds.” “Particular person corporations really feel beneath stress — notably in the event that they have not executed the cybersecurity work — to repay the ransom and transfer on,” Neuberger added. “However in the long run, that is what drives the continued ransom [attacks]. The extra of us receives a commission, the extra it drives larger and larger ransoms and increasingly more potential disruption.”
U.S. added 943,000 jobs in July; unemployment charge at 5.4% Trending
L.A. group schools to require COVID-19 vaccine or testing Trending
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https://marketcoffeehouse.com/index.php/2021/07/20/gary-peters-a-key-senator-launches-investigation-into-cryptocurrency-position-in-ransomware-assaults/
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Torcho.com or Torcho.com Search HiJacker is a browser hijacker, which could take over some functions of your web browsers by redirecting you to unwanted pages or allowing various questionable messages to appear in pop-up or pop below form. The Torcho.com hijacker may also automatically load as your default starting home page in some instances. Torcho.com loads unwanted advertisements on a random webpage that you visit. The PUP will show ads into all well-known browsers like Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome.
Generally, users that have it installed on their systems might see different pop-ups, banners, search suggestions, sponsored link advertisements displayed on popular pages. You might also see a little button referring you to similar products which will be offered by the PUP. The search results can also be altered, displaying information loaded with spam and third-party advertising.
Torcho.com is usually bundled with other free software products and is being installed by default when the user accepts the EULA while performing an express/recommended installation of that software. The possible distribution of Torcho.com varies but is not limited to – installing third-party toolbars, free software products, downloading e-mail attachments, clicking on ads or banners etc..
The purpose of Torcho.com is to attract more users to their domains so that the creators of such or similar adware or malware could generate income from online traffic, and would collect information that might be used to compromise the user. Torcho.com may use cookies and other relevant information to steal your personal details. That is the reason why this malware infection should not be left unattended, and it needs to be terminated immediately, as it is a serious threat to your online security.
! Please note that these infections could potentially bring up other malware to your computer and even cause a loss of data. Please do not underestimate such threats.
SpyHunter will automatically scan and detect all threats present on your system.
Learn more about SpyHunter (EULA). You can find Install Instructions here: (LINK) SpyHunter`s free diagnosis offers free scans and detection. You can remove the detected files, processes and registry entries manually, by yourself, or to purchase the full version to perform an automatic removal and also to receive free professional help with any malware related queries by their technical support department.
1. Remove Torcho.com Uninstall Entry:
First, you can try to go to Control panel and click on Programs and Features (Windows Vista/7/8/10) or Add/Remove Programs (Windows XP) and check the Uninstall Programs` List for any entry related to Torcho.com, Lpmxp2022.Com, Free Video Converter, Youtube Downloader HD, Video Media Player 1.1, Fast Free Converter, DIVX Player 3.2 or any third-party add-ons, extensions and toolbars. If you find such, double-click on it and try to remove it. Although, please mind that this is an actual infection and you might not be able to remove it directly from the list.
*(Start -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features or Add/Remove Programs) or “Win + R” keys to open “Run” and type in “control”, then hit enter.
2. Remove Torcho.com from your browser:
Internet Explorer:
Go to Tools -> Internet options -> Advanced Tab and click the Reset button (make sure to select the Delete Personal Settings checkbox).
*please note that in order to save your favorites, you need to export them before resetting the browser as you will lose all personal settings.
After IE completes the operation, click the close button and then close IE in order for the changes to take effect.
2. Click the Reset Firefox button in the top-right corner of the Troubleshooting Information page.
3. To continue, click Reset Firefox in the confirmation window that opens.
4. Firefox will close and be reset. When it’s done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click Finish and Firefox will reopen.
3. Check for arguments added by Torcho.com in any Browser shortcuts or links to web pages:
Torcho.com might also hijack your web browser shortcuts in order to force-load its home page. This causes the Torcho.com`s web page to open up when you launch a hijacked shortcut.
The argument that Torcho.com uses in order to hijack shortcuts looks like or is similar to the one below:
Welcome to MalwareKillers.com, where we educate people about the latest Cyber Threats, that emerge on the web and different ways to eradicate them. In every publication on our website, you will find 2 (two) malware removal methods:
our Free Manual Removal Method is recommended for experienced PC Users ONLY because it requires administrator privileges and even minor mistakes could render your system inoperable. During the Free Malware Removal Method, you will need the information, supplied by the SpyHunter Malware Scanner and that’s why you may need to install it.
the Automatic Malware Removal Method is recommended for ALL users. Basically, when using manual removal method, you might need to complete all the steps several times, while when using SpyHunter removal feature, it will remove multiple infections at once – usually, after restarting, your system is malware free. With the automatic removal method, you are eligible for UNLIMITED FREE phone or online (One-on-One) support sessions for any malware related issue
SpyHunter is very easy-to-use, award-winning, anti-malware software product, certified by the WestCoast Labs.
© 2013 - 2017 Decloverly Corp. All Rights Reserved. MalwareKillers.com is an independent website.
All Trademarks mentioned on this website are property of their respective owners. MalwareKillers.com may contain posts with some links to external websites.
We cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from the use of information obtained from this website or any other 3rd party website.
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https://www.malwarekillers.com/torcho-com-search-hijacker-removal/
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Banks and financial institutions are responsible for customer’s money and sensitive financial information and are held to a higher standard for security. Data breaches can have severe consequences and cost a bank much more than just stolen information or funds. A cyberattack can significantly damage a company’s reputation, tarnishing its image for years and costing it customers over time.
A successful data breach also diverts time and resources from a bank’s usual operations to fix the problem. Banks have a lot to lose from a breach but fortunately, there is also a lot they can do to protect their data and the data of their customers. To do so, they must understand the nature of cyberattacks in the financial services industry and what security measures will most effectively reduce their risks.
According to Verizon’s 2019 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), 88 per cent of all cyber incidents within the financial services and insurance industries were financially motivated. Cyber attackers look for the easiest path possible to financial gain and the financial services industry can be a cash cow.
Within the space, many cyberattacks target web applications (like cloud-based email) with the use of phishing and stolen credentials. Threat actors send phishing scams to trick users into sharing their email credentials and then use these stolen credentials to access the email account and other company systems. From there, the attacker can send fraudulent emails to customers and request funds from other employees.
Phishing has been a security concern for years, but the threat continues to evolve. It’s not just rank-and-file employees who get caught in these scams – C-level executives are increasingly the target in phishing attacks. The DBIR found that senior executives were twelve times more likely to be the target of a phishing attempt than in previous years. Click-through rates on phishing links are declining (in test simulations, rates fell from 24 per cent to 3 per cent in the past seven years) but research shows that mobile users are more susceptible to phishing.
Social engineering attacks remains rife in India. In fact, together with malware, and stolen credentials, these three threat actors are responsible for close to 80 to 90 per cent of breaches.
Cyber attackers also steal credentials or compromise financial accounts via banking Trojan botnets – malware designed to capture login details and steal information. Denial of Service (DoS) attacks are now common and are used by attackers to disrupt services by flooding the bandwidth of a system to overload it. These kinds of attacks are pervasive – data shows over 40,000 breaches in the financial sector associated with botnets and 575 DoS incidents.
While the majority of breaches in the financial services industry are perpetrated by external actors (72 per cent of threat actors are external), privilege misuse and miscellaneous errors by internal actors are also common. Misuse is characterized as the unapproved or malicious use of organizational resources. Employees may misuse their access for personal gain – either to steal money directly or to take sensitive information to give them an advantage at another company. Internal actor involvement in a data breach, however, does not necessarily indicate malicious intentions. Miscellaneous errors include incidents in which unintentional actions result in a security compromise, such as misconfiguring servers to allow for unwanted access or publishing data to a server that should not have been accessible by all site viewers.
Physical attacks against ATMs and card-present breaches involving point-of-sale environments continue to decline, at least in part because of the progress made in the implementation of chip and pin payment technology. While it is much less common for cards to be skimmed a cash register, banks and retailers must now combat malware attacks on e-commerce applications that gather users’ payment information.
The good news is financial service organizations can take several steps to lower their risk of a data breach and defend against different means of attack common in their industry. The cybersecurity measures and methods that financial companies should consider include:
• Phishing prevention: Hold frequent employee training so they can recognize and avoid phishing scams and give employees an easy way to report phishing attempts. The majority of phishing emails are most successful in the first hour, so a good reporting system can prevent future clicks by alerting the entire organization of a phishing attempt early on. Looking beyond employees, banks can also spread security awareness to customers on the prevalence and danger of phishing.
• Two factor authentication (2FA): Financial companies should use two-factor authentication on customer-facing applications and any cloud-based email accounts. With 2FA, even if bad actors steal a set of credentials, they can’t easily access the system because it requires additional information to authorize access.
• Monitor system access: To avoid and detect privilege misuse, banks should monitor and log employee access to sensitive financial data. They should make it clear to employees that system activities are supervised for fraudulent transactions.
• Malware monitoring and protection: Financial services organizations should monitor their systems for suspicious behaviours that indicate a botnet or DoS attack or the presence of malware.
Additionally, they should ensure that they have adequate protection against these attacks by implementing anti-malware defenses.
Companies can reduce their risk of cyberattack by remaining vigilant about system activity and access, implementing authentication safeguards and by training employees to be aware of phishing attempts. These security measures can help financial services companies from falling victim to data breaches and keep their customers – and their money – safe from cyberattacks.
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https://www.ciol.com/phishing-evolves-targets-c-level-executives-verizons-dbir-2019/
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In February, Cyberpunk 2077 and Witcher developer CD Projekt Red reported that it had suffered a significant data breach, and that the cyber attackers had issued a ransom note for the stolen information. The company has issued an update, saying that it now believes all or part of that data is "currently being circulated on the Internet" and that it may include sensitive employee data.
As most gaming eyeballs were glued to the Summer Game Fest, CD Projekt tweeted the update, which remains vague on specifics, but warns that the data stolen in the breach likely contains "current/former employee and contractor details in addition to data related to our games." The RPG game publisher says it cannot confirm whether or not this data has been altered by the thieves, but that it's now apparently being made available on the internet.
"Currently, we are working together with an extensive network of appropriate services, experts, and law enforcement agencies," CD Projekt writes. These include authorities at Poland's General Police Headquarters, Interpol, and Europol. The company says it has also updated the president of the Personal Data Protection Office in Poland.
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https://esportsasia.com/data-breach-at-cyberpunk-2077-developer-included-sensitive-employee-information
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I decided to give this audiobook – narrated by the author – a chance right after having watched Alain de Botton’s talk, Why You Will Marry the Wrong Person. I don’t really recall how my mind then led me to associate the aforementioned with Brené Brown’s work, but here we are…
On The Power of Vulnerability, Dr. Brown offers an invitation and a promise – that when we dare to drop the armor that protects us from feeling vulnerable, we open ourselves to the experiences that bring purpose and meaning to our lives. Here she dispels the cultural myth that vulnerability is weakness and reveals that it is, in truth, our most accurate measure of courage.
I still remember the first time I listened to the author’s Ted talk (back in 2014) on the subject of vulnerability because it changed and transformed a lot in me. Brown’s use of humor and wit to educate the listener delivered everything I wanted. And I was ecstatic to then start the audiobook (albeit, three years later) and discover that her comical anecdotes were still on point with plenty of wit and snark to spare. I laughed heartily and merrily throughout the six sessions, which was so wonderful and centering to experience. Pure comedic gems that lead to fascinating discoveries concerning our lives. I went through a roller coaster of emotions that force me to reexamine myself.
So I thought I’d share next a few points from the audiobook that really resonated with me:
Self-acceptance and self-love: “We can only love others as much as we love ourselves.”
The difference between shame and guilt: the former being a focus on self (I am bad) while the later is focused on behaviour (I did bad). And how crucial it is to pay attention to their differences.
Shame resilience and moving through it. Owning your story.
The difference between empathy (being the antidote to shame) and sympathy:“Empathy is feeling with, sympathy is feeling for.”
Debunking the myths about vulnerability.
Practicing gratitude in the midsts of foreboding joy.
Setting boundaries and learning to say no: “Choose discomfort over resentment.”
Overfunctioning & underfunctioning anxiety.
To be vulnerable and let ourselves be seen: “No one reaches out to you for compassion or empathy so you can teach them how to behave better. They reach out to us because they believe in our capacity to know our darkness well enough to sit in the dark with them.”
To put it simply, The Power of Vulnerability is all about becoming aware of your emotions and “bring to light processes people aren’t even aware they’re engaged in.” I wish I could make everyone in my close proximity listen to this audiobook as soon as possible. Already I’ve had so many discussions over the past few days about certain notions shared by Dr. Brown that are well worth the spotlight.
And not only did she make this reading experience feel fun and interactive while following her mindfulness, the personal anecdotes about her husband, kids, and friends made me laugh out loud without fail. That’s just a guaranteed way to make me remember a crucial point a long way down the road. Plus, the book never suffered from giving off vague advice, thanks to Brown having the experiences of those she researched and of her own to back-up the statements.
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https://bookspoils.com/2017/06/23/review-the-power-of-vulnerability-by-brene-brown/
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One of the multiple reasons why Apple users tend to be so smug (and there are many other reasons) is that generally speaking, a Mac is a lot less vulnerable to viruses and malware than a Windows machine. Malicious software has traditionally gone after Microsoft-based computers, if just because there are more potential victims.
Now the first ever working ransomware has appeared on a Mac however. Ransomware essentially goes through your computer, locking files and then demanding a ransom — in this case one bitcoin, or about £280 — to unencrypt your data. The ‘KeRanger’ software apparently is being downloaded unknowing when people install the bit torrent software Transmission — so if you’ve been cruising The Prate Bay like Kanye, you might need to sort your shit out. This is the first time software like this has successfully infiltrate Apple products.
The malware was first detected on Friday, and takes three days to start encrypting files, so users will start getting ransom demands from Monday. The Transmission website says that it was version 2.90 that was infected, and anyone using it should install 2.92 straight away.
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https://www.complex.com/life/2016/03/apple-ransomware
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Last month, the African child day was celebrated under the theme: The rights of a child in the digital environment.
It is important to note that the world has become increasingly digital.
The technological advancements in recent years have revolutionised the way children interact with the world, with instant access to information tools at their fingertips.
However, these technological advancements have also brought forth a unique set of challenges regarding child protection and their rights online.
While digital platforms provide exciting opportunities for children such as access to information, communication with loved ones and remote learning, they also expose them to several risks such as online abuse, pornography, cyber bullying and exploitation, hence increasing the number of mental health and depression among the youth and, therefore, in Uganda there are several measures that can be adopted to promote child safety and rights in the digital environment.
First and foremost, government institutions should establish policies that safeguard children’s digital rights.
This can be achieved through awareness campaigns and technical support to parents, teachers and children. The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development should work with different stakeholders to enact laws and regulations that protect children’s online privacy and prohibit online child sexual abuse.
Also, there is a need to invest in digital education. Introducing digital literacy programmes in early childhood development can help children learn the appropriate use of the Internet and social media. Additionally, teachers must be equipped with knowledge on digital safety to guide children on how to navigate safely through the Internet.
Moreover, there is a need to empower parents, guardians and caregivers with digital skills to teach their children about digital behaviour and safety. Parents and others significant in a child’s life can help monitor their activities online and protect them from potential predators.
Furthermore, partnerships with telecommunication operators and internet service providers can play a crucial role in promoting child safety. Telecommunications companies can take the initiative to block inappropriate content and offer parental control and internet filtering tools to their subscribers. They could also provide online safety tips and advice to parents and children.
Collaboration with child protection organisations and NGOs can be a valuable approach in promoting child rights in the digital environment. Such organisations can launch campaigns and outreach programmes that raise awareness of the risks associated with the digital environment and how to handle them.
The Government should work with stakeholders and the public to emphasise on the rights of children in the digital world.
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https://nationalcybersecurity.com/prioritise-childrens-rights-to-promote-their-safety-in-digital-environment-childsafety-kids-chldern-parents-schoolsafey/
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Many people wonder whether or not their computer is secure. They fear that someone might be looking through their files, copying, altering, or erasing them. They are uneasy about the thought that someone might be monitoring their every move in cyberspace.
These concerns come to mind when reminded of the problem of hackers, viruses, and other security risks that abound in the Internet. With the rise of digital technology, and high speed Internet, it's a safe assumption to make that most people are constantly connected to the Internet. Often times computer users leave themselves WIDE open for attack from a cybercriminal.
If you're unprepared, and you are taken by surprise – this could be the beginning of a long series of attacks and the risk of having your personal information and accounts compromised as well. Fortunately it’s easy to prevent these problems by following a few simple tips inside.
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https://www.indigitalworks.com/EBooks-with-Master-Resell-Rights-Gold-Membership/Computer-Security-Crackdown/amp
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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is contemplating opening a cyber crime investigation branch in Mumbai and is in talks with the Maharashtra Government to work out the modalities. “The economic offences and cyber crimes are on the increase, and Mumbai being the commercial and financial capital of India is an appropriate place to have a cyber investigation facility,” CBI Director Anil Singh said speaking to mediapersons after opening the new CBI office at the Bandra-Kurla Complex here.
“CBI has investigated over 20 cyber-related cases, but presently the facility is centralised in New Delhi. We are in talks with the Maharashtra Government and the Maharashtra Police to work out the nitty gritties” he added.
Sinha said that though CBI started as an anti-corruption agency, its scope has increased over the last few decades to economic offences, serious frauds and sensational cases under the IPC.
“CBI is now a federal investigative agency that can investigate most of the offences which affect public life in general and which have a direct bearing on the quality of life of the common man”, he added.
malnutrition,healthcare,political reforms etc., originating from impoverished segments of India's social structure. This gigantic task requires funds. We appeal to the concerned citizens,readers,bloggers to help raise donations for Good Governance Forum. View us @www.goodgovernanceblog.wordpress.com or email at [email protected] Follow Blog via Email
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https://goodgovernanceblog.wordpress.com/2016/03/02/cbi-to-set-up-cyber-crime-probe-cell-in-mumbai/
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Industry standards should be followed if they are available. For example, whenever equipment is to be used for an event, your group should follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer on how to use the equipment. In addition, governing bodies, such as the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association, are sources of information on how to provide for the safety of participants in various activities.
If people supervising various elements of an event are required to have a certain level of skill, they should be trained in accordance with the industry standards. If an organization is having a swimming event, for example, the lifeguards should be trained to meet Red Cross (or equivalent) standards. Industry standards should never be compromised.
Please see the Office of Risk Management’s policies on Fleet Vehicle Use for Registered Student Organizations.
One common way for organizations to attempt to minimize risk is by asking participants to sign waiver forms. The assumption is that by having participants sign the waiver, they are being informed of the inherent risks of the activity they are planning to engage in. Waivers are not a defense.
UW student organizations can have waiver forms designed and approved by the Risk Management Office. Contact the Risk Management Office by calling 262-8925.
Another way to minimize risk is to purchase insurance, including health and accident insurance as well as liability insurance. The Risk Management Office has a Special Event Insurance Policy available to student organizations to minimize their risk. Although copyright laws are often considered in the context of photocopying sections of books and using the materials for class, there is much more to these laws. Organizations are more vulnerable to violating the copyright law as it applies to the use of videos or music.
The Fair Use Doctrine comprises four elements:
The purpose and character of the use of the material, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes.
The nature of the copyrighted work.
The amount of the work that was used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole.
The effect of its use upon the potential market (Kaplin and Lee, 1995.)
Renting a video or using someone’s personal copy of a video and showing it at a club meeting, a residence hall lounge, or at a fraternity house may seem like a harmless, inexpensive form of entertainment. The problem with this scenario, unfortunately, is that it constitutes a public showing of a video, which is illegal; assuming the material included in the video is copyrighted and those exhibiting the video have not purchased a special license. Without an agreement from the copyright holder, no one can show videos in a public forum even if no fees or ticket sales are involved.
Similarly, the use of music is governed by copyright laws. Generally speaking, students cannot make copies of music performances and sell them as a fund-raiser without violating the law (James, 1988).
The best risk management technique regarding alcohol is that it should not be available at student events. However, if the organization chooses to host an event with alcohol, they must abide by all aspects of the Student Organization Alcohol Policy.
The advisor does not serve as the organization’s treasurer, but should be keeping a careful eye on the legal aspects of how the organization handles its funds.
Hazing is defined as “any action taken or situation created, intentionally, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule.” Although it is less common today, it has been known to be part of the ritual of certain organizations and clubs. “Advisors and students should be aware that, if found guilty, students who engage in hazing others where an injury results could be dismissed from school, fined, imprisoned, and be assessed damages.” (Gehring, 1987). The Wisconsin Hazing law is below, and you should also view the RSO Code of Conduct regarding hazing.
Wisconsin State Statute – 948.51 Hazing
In this section “forced activity” means any activity which is a condition of initiation or admission into or affiliation with an organization, regardless of a student’s willingness to participate in the activity.
No person may intentionally or recklessly engage in acts which endanger the physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating in connection with a school, college, or university. Under those circumstances, prohibited acts include any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance, forced confinement or any other forced activity which endangers the physical health or safety of the student.
Whoever violates sub (2) is guilty of: (a) A Class A misdemeanor if the act results in or is likely to result in bodily harm to another. (b) A Class H felony if the act results in great bodily harm to another. (c) A Glass G felony if the act results in the death of another.
Accessibility of Events and Organization Participation
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 states: “No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States… shall, solely by the reason of his or her disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance” (cited by Kaplin and Lee, 1995.)
Federal law prohibits excluding students from participating in campus organizations and activities. Meetings and activities must be held in buildings accessible to students who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids. If activities require special accommodations for students with disabilities, those accommodations must be provided. For example, a student who has a hearing impairment may require an interpreter.
Those examples are not all inclusive, therefore, if you have questions regarding a request made under the Americans With Disabilities Act, please call McBurney Disability Resource Center at 263-2741. The McBurney Disability Resource Center also created a document with suggestions and information on how to provide Event Accessibility. Please use this document as a resource when working with your organization to assess the accessibility of the organization’s meetings and events.
The ‘Support For Students With Disabilities’ fund is a $15,000 fund that ASM has that is meant to help students with disabilities to attend extracurricular activities, such as student org. events. This fund was created when students realized that the University’s support for students with disabilities, such as deafness or blindness, only extended to the classroom. Any student who was interested in participating in extracurricular activities, thus, had to find an alternative way to pay for a translator or whatever sort of disability support they needed.
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https://guide.cfli.wisc.edu/risk-management/
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YAC Antivirus 2017 is an antivirus software that removes virus and malware from your system in reliable way. This software is very useful tool that remove all harmful files from your system such as virus, spyware, Trojans , malicious activities and all junk files from your PC. YAC Antivirus 2017 Keygen can block all type of virus and malware. Although it is a perfect software for maximize the speed of your system as well as maintain the performance of your PC. Some times your system can slow down due to virus or malware and you can remove them with YAC Antivirus 2017 Serial Number. So that it can maximizes system and online speeds, startup settings, and memory. However this software supports a captive interface, a more influential malware scan, and an improved AdBlock.
YAC Antivirus 2017 License Key is very powerful software for keep secure your system. You can secure your files in efficiently with the help of this helpful software. Moreover it is one click cleaning tool that also did a thorough job with no bad effects. YAC Antivirus 2017 Latest Version comes with lot of amazing features and functions so you can get from our site. This software have high positive reviews so that it is high rated applications. You can download YAC Antivirus 2017 Full Version from our site just click below link.
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https://s4softwares.com/yac-antivirus-2017/
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Reimage is recommended to uninstall E-Set Antivirus 2011.
Remove it now! Free scanner allows you to check whether your PC is infected or not.
If you need to remove malware, you have to purchase the licensed version of Reimage malware removal tool.
E-Set Antivirus 2011 is a rogue security program from the same family as the fake AVG Antivirus 2011. This rogue anti-virus is distributed via fake online scanners mostly appearing on infected websites. These anti-malware scanners offer installing free E-Set Antivirus 2011 which additionally initiates numerous problems for user. Once installed, it will run fake system scan on your computer for viruses and display numerous infections, mostly spyware, adware, Trojans and other malware. E-Set Antivirus 2011 will prompt you to pay for a full version of the program to remove supposedly found malware from your computer. If E-Set Antivirus 2011 has infected your computer you should remove it as soon as possible. It’s a scam, so don’t purchase it. Instead, please use the removal instructions below to remove E-Set Antivirus 2011 from your computer either manually or with an automatic removal tool. Though it may look trustworthy and legitimate, remember that only those programs that you download from official websites can be trusted.
While E-Set Antivirus is running, it will constantly display fake security alerts and weird pop-ups about non-existent infections in your computer. The main goal of this fake antivirus program is to scare you into thinking that your computer is infected. These fake security alerts will pop up like every two or five minutes and will claim that your computer is under attack or baldy infected with Trojans and other malware that can even steal your passwords and other sensitive information. Here are some of its warnings:
Infected File: C:WINDOWSsystem32asr_ldm.exe
E-Set Antivirus 2011 blocks security related programs and websites to protect itself from being removed. It hijacks Internet Explorer and redirects users to various misleading websites full of Ads.
E-Set Antivirus 2011 is nothing more but a scam. It goes without saying that you should remove it from your computer upon detection. Full details on how to remove E-Set Antivirus 2011 are outlined below. We strongly recommend you to scan your computer with legitimate anti-spyware program to completely remove the rogue program and any related malware from your computer.
We might be affiliated with any product we recommend on the site. Full disclosure in our Agreement of Use. By Downloading any provided Anti-spyware software to remove E-Set Antivirus 2011 you agree to our privacy policy and agreement of use.
Note: Manual assistance required means that one or all of removers were unable to remove parasite without some manual intervention, please read manual removal instructions below.
More information about this program can be found in Reimage review.
3. Blocks many safe sites, like Google and Bing.
4. Some of them cant be deleted by restore-to-date 5. Block safe files like coreldraw.
Use the QR scanner to get instructions on your mobile device.
You can quickly scan the QR code with your mobile device and have E-Set Antivirus 2011 manual removal instructions right in your pocket.
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https://www.2-spyware.com/remove-e-set-antivirus-2011.html
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Hi, everyone! I'm planning on getting a new antivirus software and I noticed I've no idea which one to get. So...
...Which Antivirus is the best one, to you? Why? And if you have to buy it...
Why? (just in case I can't afford the previous one)
I currently own Mcafee's VirusScan 6.0, engine and dat actualized, and I heard good words about NOD32, like fast scanning, good database and small footprint. Don't know about any really good free ones.
...what's your opinion? :giddy: See you!
Posts: 243 i agree that norton is slow, but on a good computer i think it is great.
The real-time virus scanning is great, if you try to copy something off a CD that has a virus on it, it wont let you, and locks up the CD so you cant access any files on it. norton AV combined with Ad-Aware and Zone Alarm, and Using firefox is i think the best way to protect yourself, i think you cna probably get a free 90day trial with norton av, but after that you cant do live updates.
I'm working for an important company in Europe and we have just re-select Panda Antivirus as the best antivirus product for us. We have installed McAfee VirusScan 8.0 in a hundred computers, but he have decided to continue with Panda.
Note: However, although we believe Panda is the best antivirus for PCs, they need improve their software for servers (for large-size companys): administration is simpler in other products such as McAfee, Trend Micro or Symantec.
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https://www.techspot.com/community/topics/which-free-purchased-antivirus-is-the-best-to-you-post-your-opinion.19467/
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USA still the best. But getting worse!
Why all the problems with ESET NOD32 Antivirus? Last time I used NOD32 was around v2.7 or was it v2.5. There were little problems but overall I had a great experience with it. Then something came up. Can't remember if I got a great deal on KAV or KIS or a couple FPs were bothering me. Anyways I left NOD32 behind. With good memories. Now it seems there's way more issues with v3 & v4. From the numerous posts I see. So is it because this small little San Diego company has over reached itself? Trying to conquer an all in one solution in ESS? Or is because it's like 10x more popular now? I imagine Eset's user base has gone up 10's of thousands since v2.x. What do you think?
The main development happens in Slovakia, as far as I am concerned. The office in San Diego is just a branch office (for distribution and marketing, I believe).Click to expand...
Didn't know that. The vast amount of press & literature I've seen has always mentioned San Diego. And I never heard about them being based in Slovakia.
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https://www.wilderssecurity.com/threads/why-all-the-problems-w-eset-nod32-antivirus.235273/
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When it comes to best practices for convergence of business continuity, organizations should consider their end-to-end ecosystem, including third parties and suppliers, and capitalize on opportunities to leverage and share information and processes with security and risk management teams and disciplines.
Share organization and risk frameworks: When mapping business continuity requirements, it is critical to look at organizational hierarchies and processes and evaluate the actual tolerable period of disruption. Impact analysis will prioritize the various processes, and a risk assessment will help in creating a risk register in line with both enterprise risk management and information security.
Develop a strategy on determining how to deal with important issues: Maintain, review and exercise plans on an ongoing and continuous basis, and integrate issue management with crisis management processes that are used by security and risk teams.
Think through the cascade effects of an incident: For example, business continuity and operational risk teams should understand the risks of security attacks inherited in backups. They should be objective, honest and should view risks from all the angles before planning exercises.
View All Slideshows >
By Yo Delmar, vice president GRC Solutions at MetricStream, and Harvey Betan, associate principal at Risk Masters Inc.
Business continuity programs are often considered on a standalone basis, but recent incidents that involve security breaches highlight how business continuity, disaster recovery, security and risk management teams are compelled to work more closely together in order to understand the true likelihood and impact of potential disruptions to the business. Let's consider the situation, for example, when an IT infrastructure is compromised or made unavailable (e.g., DDoS attack) to an online banking site or an online retailer. Companies that have been impacted by these types of incidents have experienced, in some cases, dramatic effects on their business operations and revenues. To ensure that the business sails smoothly, more and more organizations are beginning to converge IT security, risk management and business continuity teams in order to establish and agree upon a common framework and processes for crisis management.
Today, business continuity planning and management goes beyond the physical continuity of the business, encompassing areas such as e-continuity, as well. We live in an era of e-business, with a growing percentage of business transactions moving through the Internet, extranets, virtual private networks and cloud service providers. The complexity of this ecosystem has given rise to a larger threat surface, with a higher number of threats to digital information and traffic flows. Over the last two to three years, the rise in cyberattacks has driven an integration of security with operational and enterprise risk management. More recently, business continuity and disaster recovery teams have become an increasingly key partner in these collaborative teams as a natural fit in the larger concept of a 360-degree risk management.
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https://www.itbusinessedge.com/slideshows/how-business-continuity-information-security-and-risk-management-collaboration-bolsters-business-performance-08.html
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The Quick type: the guts for Cyber Safety and Education is a nonprofit that provides informational resources for those who use the internet to date, shop, online game, and socialize. The internet has plenty to offer today’s singles and lovers, but it’s not totally all smooth sailing and simple swiping. Scammers, hackers, catfishers, and other unsavory characters can pose a threat to unsuspecting people, that is certainly in which the Center for Cyber Safety and degree will come in. The Center’s cybersecurity specialists assist raise consciousness regarding the possible cyber dangers and encourage visitors to protect their info and money as they mingle on line.
As online cougar dating sites is actually much more popular, love frauds have become one of the primary threats to online safety and security. In 2019, Us americans reported shedding over $201 million to love scams. To place that in viewpoint, that’s above the GDPs of Wyoming, brand new Hampshire, and Alaska â merged.
The Federal Trade Commission provides seen a marked escalation in the quantity of research about romance frauds in recent years. Prior to now 2 years by yourself, people reported losing more money to romance cons than to another fraud reported for the Federal Trade Commission. Since 2015, reports do have more than doubled and reported losses have quadrupled.
Online dating is a double-edged blade. It would possibly give singles access immediately to local times and potential partners, nevertheless may open up the entranceway to crooks who wish to make use of a single individual’s psychological vulnerability.
Luckily, the Center for Cyber Safety and knowledge can supply people against on-line fraudsters by providing security ideas and sources focused on cyber security.

The guts’s purpose should inform and empower electronic people so they know how to search, cam, mingle, and connect without placing by themselves vulnerable. The team has actually pioneered college products and scholarships to improve understanding about cyber questions of safety, therefore deciding to make the internet less dangerous for all.
A major international nonprofit organization known as (ISC)² developed the Center to manufacture internet protection methods accessible to anyone. Cybersecurity professionals from about the planet have actually pooled their knowledge and insights to raise consciousness about privacy problems, cybercriminals, also possible risks online.
As online daters navigate the daring new world of swiping, the middle is by their own area to offer advice and cautions that may assist them to spot the predators, scammers, and catfishers within their inboxes.
“The Center’s aim should keep growing and increase the amount of individuals who select our source and tell the community,” said Patrick Craven, a representative when it comes to staff. “The greater individuals have entry to find out about internet safety through our sources, the better we will all be.”
Cybersecurity Experts Help Raise Awareness
The Center may be the just nonprofit with the unique help of (ISC)2 people, the very best cybersecurity business in the world. This allows the middle to create precise and updated material for a varied audience.
Even though the Center is actually limited nonprofit, it reaches classrooms, elderly stores, PTA meetings, and communities throughout the world. Several thousand volunteers have actually joined forces because of the five paid personnel to distribute your message about cyber protection.
Cybersecurity and IT professionals used the Center’s methods to teach men and women about data breaches, on-line frauds, cyberbullying, as well as other problems of digital existence. The guts’s volunteer presentations currently important in disseminating necessary data about cyber protection utilizing the general public.
“the guts draws seniors, moms and dads, and instructors looking resources to understand or show their loved ones about net safety,” Patrick stated.
Some forward-thinking businesses have also partnered aided by the Center to sponsor scholarships for students interested in learning cyber security, details security, and various other related areas. These scholarships observe that cybersecurity specialists is in high demand inside coming years, and it’s really crucial that you get the best and smartest regarding front lines in the digital globe. In 2019, the middle offered around $180,000 in college scholarships and financial aid.
The middle’s free of charge sources are downloadable in 24 dialects. You can find PowerPoint presentations also research, infographics, and analysis obtainable in PDF format. The guts touches on every topic relating to cyber safety, in order to discover information on line financial, code protection, an internet-based dating.
Anyone can install these sources and be cyber safety ambassadors within communities. Folks may support the Center by making a donation. As a nonprofit, the Center utilizes contributions and fundraisers to power the attempts to really make the internet a safer spot.
Using the internet Daters usually takes Precautions to prevent Scams
Online dating happens to be in charge of countless genuine interactions and marriages, but it can be unsafe to singles that simply don’t know how to get rid of the liars and fakes.
Senior citizens tend to be particularly at risk of using the internet cons since they are inexperienced on websites and applications, and they may miss out the warning flag of a fraud.
The Center provides elderly security tips to help folks feel much more comfortable and safe on online dating sites. Fulfilling strangers on line can seem to be intimidating initially, but singles usually takes safety measures to ensure they don’t place their data, their money, or their unique individual security at an increased risk.
The Center promotes online daters to vet their unique potential dates before situations have too serious. Singles should not send presents or money to someone obtainedn’t fulfilled in person, plus they must not satisfy in person without first conducting a background check and talking for very long sufficient to feel certain that person is who she or he states.
The back ground look doesn’t always have getting what detailed. Perhaps as easy as a Bing look of the person’s name or an image look of profile image. You can also try to find social media marketing profiles that verify your own really love interest’s identification. You would be astonished what you are able find out about you with just a little information at your disposal.
Not all the dating sites verify profiles or screen members, very singles should address each incoming information with a healthy amount of uncertainty and doubt.
“Take it slowly. Inquire and look for inconsistent responses,” Patrick advises. “In the event you a romance con, take off contact immediately.”
When you yourself have currently offered an on-line scammer cash, report the scam your bank to check out as much as possible terminate the costs or line transfer. It’s adviseable to report that user into the dating site or app where you came across, and register a complaint using FTC.
Strong Security Measures Protect kids, kids, Adults & Seniors
Online protection affects everyone with a connection to the internet. Its a widespread issue that influences a user’s internet activity beyond the web online dating world. Every simply click and cam have a repercussion for the real-world if customers are not mindful.
The Center’s professionals suggest making use of malware defense pc software keeping viruses from poaching your computer data, crippling the link, and infiltrating your own devices. The moment the software program is set up, you can put up automated revisions therefore it never becomes outdated.
A strong password is another vital line of defense for digital people. Some think it’s simpler to recall passwords including someone close’s name or your birthday celebration, but that help make your accounts better to hack. Many safe passwords are at minimum eight characters very long and never use context-specific words. Make an effort to come up with a phrase in the place of a word to really make it extra difficult to crack.
“be sure you use different passwords for every single online account you have,” Patrick said. “If there’s to be able to create a two-factor verification, do so!”
Mail is a very common accessibility point for fraudsters trying to benefit from some body, thus be skeptical about something in your inbox and validate the transmitter just before open the e-mail. Occasionally a so-called immediate mail is obviously a phishing con designed to get visitors to simply click something, sign up for anything, and compromise their safety. Watch out for too-good-to-be correct emails about winning cash or prizes as well as email messages about a crisis or crisis.
If you should be ever before in doubt, you shouldn’t start the e-mail and get in touch with the sender by cellphone to confirm that it is legit. Surely never visit such a thing in a suspect e-mail. Might assist hackers access your personal information.
As an extensive safety expert, the Center supplies help with some protection topics, and it may provide a beginning kit for anyone entering online dating sites for the first time.
The guts is now building a course aimed toward large schoolers therefore the distinctive threats (cyberbullying, on line predators, etc.) they face on their particular smart phones and personal computers. As soon as this product exists to the public, the middle have educational sources readily available for folks of all age groups.
“Educating youngsters, moms and dads, and older persons is a vital part of security for our society creating an online business,” mentioned Toni Edkins, a volunteer making use of Center. “The ever-evolving possibility is a significant concern, and it’s also my enthusiasm to make sure that we, as a residential area of protection experts, continue to assist other people remain secure and safe and protected using the internet. The middle has pioneered this cause, and I am happy as part of it.”
The middle Encourages men and women to Make Smart Decisions
The Center for Cyber protection and Education was a bastion of expert details and support for everyone with cyber security problems.
On the web daters as well as other digital residents will appear into the Center for safety ideas which will enable them to avoid usual problems, problems, and cons on line. This nonprofit has informed a large number of pupils, parents, and seniors, and contains motivated volunteers becoming advocates for a safer online world.
As Patrick said, “Whether that’s generating stronger passwords or becoming in a position to recognize a fraud, knowing that we’re deciding to make the cyber globe a much safer location for every person one individual at the time is best sensation.”
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https://www.aden4.com/uncategorized/the-middle-for-cyber-security-and-degreea%C2%84%C2%A2-makes-the-internet-safer-by-teaching-singles-couples-about-the-possible-hazards/
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In a new report, Gartner Inc., an IT research and advisory firm, identifies 10 internet of things technologies it expects to broadly impact businesses in 2017 and 2018. Gartner VP and Distinguished Analyst Nick Jones said, “The IoT demands an extensive range of new technologies and skills that many organizations have yet to master. A recurring theme in the IoT space is the immaturity of technologies and services and of the vendors providing them. Architecting for this immaturity and managing the risk it creates will be a key challenge for organizations exploiting the IoT. In many technology areas, lack of skills will also pose significant challenges.”
At the top of Gartner’s list is security, which was a major theme at Mobile World Congress 2017. Per Gartner, security challenges range from physical devices to platforms and operating systems. “Experienced IoT security specialists are scarce, and security solutions are currently fragmented and involve multiple vendors,” Jones said. “New threats will emerge through 2021 as hackers find new ways to attack IoT devices and protocols, so long-lived “things” may need updatable hardware and software to adapt during their life span.”
Click here to hear from AT&T SVP of IoT Chris Penrose on the company’s approach to securing all the new network endpoints. Penrose called security, “the No. 1 thing people are concerned about. We take a multilayer approach to security. We really kind of look at it at the device layer – what do we need to be doing to the device itself to secure that device. Then we look at the network layer – what do we need to be doing when data is in transit, then we look at it at the application layer. What’s unique also for AT&T is we have these networks that go all over the world and we can actually see a lot of the bad actors and threats happening before it might even be realized on the other end. Our ability to bring threat detection and to potentially alert you to a threat that we’re seeing or to even take action based upon the threat we’re seeing and/or protect other similarly situated customers. On top of that we’ve even introduced an IoT security consultancy practice where we will bring out security experts to look at the solution you’re looking to deploy and make sure we’ve pressure tested it end to end. It’s always going to be a continuous challenge to stay in front of it.”
Security will be front and center at the upcoming Enterprise IoT Summit, hosted by RCR Wireless News and Enterprise IoT Insights. In a day one panel discussion titled “Securing the enterprise for the IoT,” Steve Brumer, partner at 151 Advisors, will lead a discussion including Praetorian VP Paul Jauregui, Jon Clay, Trend Micro senior global marketing manager, technology and threat marketing, and Shane Rooney, GMSA IoT Executive Director for the Connected Living Program. On day two, Gemalto board member and president of Acknowledge, a consultancy firm, Homaira Akbari will moderate a panel focused on “Achieving data integrity and security.” Panelists include John Allen, senior solution architect, Service Provider Business Development, F5, Capitol Corridor Joint Power Authority Manager of Planning Jim Allison, and Brent Messer, CIO of the city of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
To learn more about how enterprise and industrial IoT solutions are driving digital transformation in the power management, smart city and other important vertical markets, join RCR Wireless News and Enterprise IoT Insights in Austin, Texas, March 28 and 29 for the Enterprise IoT Summit.
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https://enterpriseiotinsights.com/20170312/enterprise/enterprise-iot-summit-security-tag17-tag99
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The alert is intended for users of the LS300, GX400, GX/ES440, GX/ES450, and RV50 products.
Sierra Wireless issued a warning to users urging them to change their default factory credentials on AireLink gateway communications gear to prevent being compromised by the Mirai botnet.
Publicly available credentials could allow the botnet to seize control of vulnerable devices and use them to launch Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks against Internet web sites, according to an Oct. 12 Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team (ICS-CERT) advisory.
Last week Sierra Wireless confirmed reports of the Mirai infections in its devices.
“Sierra Wireless has confirmed reports of the ‘Mirai’ malware infecting AirLink gateways that are using the default ACEmanager password and are reachable from the public internet,” the firm said in an Oct. 4 technical bulletin. “The malware is able to gain access to the gateway by logging into ACEmanager with the default password and using the firmware update function to download and run a copy of itself.”
Users with the affected products are urged to reboot their gateway to eliminate any existing Mirai malware and immediately change the ACEmanager password to a secure and unique value. Default passwords may be changed by logging into the ACEmanager and navigating to “Admin > Change Password” or by remotely changing the password using the AirLink Management Service (ALMS).
Botnets exploiting devices like these have made recent DDos attacks stronger and more successful because they come from a larger area and making them harder to mitigate, Tripwire Senior Director of Security Research and Development Lamar Bailey told SCMagazine.com via emailed comments.
“With this rush to get new devices to market we find the consumer devices are not as secure as people assume,” Bailey said. “Many of the devices lack some of the fundamental security controls like requiring default password changes or using unique passwords for each device.”
He added that botnets take advantage of users who often just set up their device per install instructions and trust it will be secure.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in any form without prior authorization.
Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of CyberRisk Alliance Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
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https://www.scmagazine.com/home/security-news/sierra-wireless-issues-ics-alert-to-warn-users-of-mirai-threat/
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The internet of things (IoT) has been constantly expanding to encompass an increasing number of connected objects such as smart refrigerators, virtual assistants built into speakers, and driverless cars. IoT has been impacting businesses in unprecedented ways by increasing the productivity of operations. According to Gartner, the number of connected things will reach 20.4 billion by 2020.
People have to think of security as an intrinsic part of the IoT development cycle."
At the same time, the ubiquity of these devices has caused a surge in security threats due to a large attack surface. Attackers have exploited IoT devices with vulnerabilities to steal data and use them as remote bots to carry out distributed attacks. A famous example is the Mirai, a malware that attacked IoT devices running Linux, to form a botnet DDoS attack. Yet another example is the case of implantable medical devices like pacemakers which were found vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
Although operational technology (OT) systems are generally considered safer when compared to IT. The ever-increasing convergence of physical and digital objects under the IoT umbrella is raising security concerns for industries that have been using closed OT systems for a long time. The question is whether security is merely an afterthought in the design process of IoT devices. A 2015 study by HPE revealed that up to 70 percent of IoT devices are vulnerable to attacks due to vulnerability flaws in their software, and used unencrypted software to transmit information.
Security as an intrinsic part of the IoT
“Cybersecurity in the IT world and OT world are two different things, and in the IT world, security can be an afterthought. For example, you can buy a PC from an open market and later on you can decide to put the security software to protect your device. Therefore, at the manufacturing stage itself, you should take care of the security itself. Once, they are distributed without proper security in place, it can be a problem. People have to think of security as an intrinsic part of the development cycle than post, which has been a classical case,” says Shrikant Shitole, senior director and country head, FireEye India.
Many organizations are in the dark about the exact number of unsecured devices which are connected to their networks, cyber-security experts warn. According to them, to solve the cybersecurity crisis in the IoT era, an organization must take an in-depth approach, involving multiple layers of security throughout the enterprise network and having clear visibility and monitoring of all connected devices.
“When it comes to IoT, it is very important to have the assessment of the situation. For example, when you are rolling out an app with an IoT device communicating back to your servers. So, you have to look at it holistically because you do not know what loopholes you have left. Once you understand the assessment, then you can start plugging the security holes which includes reloading patches on the operating system, applications or any communication channel which is left open. There is always a risk of a breach; but more important is that you put all mechanisms in place from protection as well as detection perspective," says Shitole.
Cybersecurity approach for IoT
According to cybersecurity experts, security by design has to be a priority in IoT devices. Not only is the design of IoT infrastructure critical, but it must also include regular patch updating and continuous monitoring of IoT devices. The experts say that in order to tackle the challenges posed by IoT vulnerabilities, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and IT professionals should collaborate on a well-defined security strategy and understand IoT vulnerabilities from the perspective of attackers.
“IoT is going to be the next biggest challenge for the companies. While it gives a lot of advantage, it also brings in unmanageability because you have a huge number of devices on it. Generally, we see that security is an afterthought and is not limited to IoT only. So, it is required that there is a good amount of planning within the corporates by clearly articulating how they are going to manage security,” says Sivarama Krishnan, cybersecurity leader at PwC India.
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http://www.cio.in/feature/cyber-security-afterthought-iot-infrastructure
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Order in the next 8 hours and get it by Monday, Apr 21.
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http://www.amazon.ca/Computers-Computer-Security-Professional-Technical-Books/s?ie=UTF8&keywords=Computers%20-%20Computer%20Security&page=1&rh=n%3A950756%2Ck%3AComputers%20-%20Computer%20Security%2Cp_36%3A20000-49999
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Worried about Cyber-attacks? You’re not the only one.
We’re seeing this become prevalent and concern is growing, as it should. Your data is vital to your business and it’s near impossible for tech support companies to keep up with the creative ways that hackers will use.
Many who think they are immune and it will never happen to them as they don’t see themselves as something to target are feeling the pain following such malware as Wannacry and Petya. This ranges from massive corporates to the smallest of SME’s.
Have a read of this Lloyds emerging risk of Cyber, very detailed and informative, well worth 10 minutes of your reading time. Whilst the report has been based on USA, Canada, UK and Europe New Zealand is not immune and we are seeing claims from clients on a regular basis.
If you want to know more, please get in touch and we will introduce you to the cyber-insurance specialist at Apex Insurance.
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https://www.apexadvice.co.nz/blog/post/23374/Cyber-attack/
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Today I had a chance to investigate another SPAM email which we received in our queue and at least 5 such emails were reported to us. But was not sure how many such emails were received by the users in our organization.
The email contains a password protected doc and the password was provided in the body of the email.
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https://tech-zealots.com/threat-lab/sigma-ransomware-being-spread-on-wild/
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As I mentioned in my previous article, the Thai government is currently scrutinizing and reviewing the so called “Thailand Digital Economy Policy” under which 8 bills are being drafted to support the implementation of the policy. Those 8 bills are currently being reviewed and considered by the Council of State before submitting for approval from the National Legislative Assembly.
In this article, let us put our focus on one of the bills called “the Cybersecurity Bill”. This bill has been under public spotlight where it has been heavily criticized by Medias and public entities on the excessive use of governmental power to access to private information.
Conceptually, the bill was drafted with an intension to issue relevant measures to prevent or deal with cyber-attacks and crimes that may affect or pose risk to services or the application of computer networks, Internet, telecommunication networks, or normal services of satellites, compromising national security in various ways, including military security, national order, and economic stability, through prompt and unified action. By recognizing that, the government is aiming to establish a committee to determine efficient and effective cybersecurity measures.
2. Establishment of “National Cybersecurity Committee” (NCSC): The committee will be chaired by the Minister of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society with four members by position and seven members by appointment of Cabinet. The four members by position will consists of the secretary-general of the National Security Council, permanent-secretary of the Ministry for Digital Economy and Society, permanent-secretary of the Ministry of Defense, and the commander of the Technology Crime Suppression Division, the Royal Thai Police;
3. Actions and Responses to Cyber-Attacks: In the case of emergency and need of urgent action, NCSC will have an authority to order any of government and/or private entity to take any necessary and appropriate action to prevent and solve cyber-attacks.
4. Authority of designated officials: To ensure compliance with this Act, the officials assigned in writing by the secretary-general shall have the following authority:
a. to send a letter to demand clarification, or call in any government agency or person to give a statement, send a written explanation, or send any account, document, or evidence, for inspection or as information, in order to comply with this Act; b. to send a letter requesting that a government agency or private agency take any action necessary to facilitate the actions of the NCSC; and c. to access communication information communicated by post, telegraph, telephone, facsimile, computer, or electronic tool or equipment, or any information technology media, for the benefit of operations to secure cybersecurity.
Points of Observation
Industry has been working together to ensure the draft is in compliance with international standards and best practices. There are some points of observation to this bill as follow:
1. The members of NCSC are primarily consist of representative from national security and defense. To balance out the perspectives of the NCSC and ensure that concerns regarding personal privacy and civil liberties are considered, the NCSC should also include members from the National Human Rights Commission and the Office of the Ombudsman. Having members with various backgrounds will ensure that the rights of individuals are not be inappropriately impacted.
2. Under the authority of designated officials, it is deemed appropriate to ensure that these broad powers are not potentially abused, it is essential for the Thai government to set out a framework that specifically defines the type and scope of information the officials can request, and the circumstances under which the Office of the NCSC can compel a private sector actor to perform a specific action. Moreover, exercise of these broad authorities should be strictly limited to circumstances where there is a specific and credible cybersecurity risk.
3. The most criticized section under this bill is on section 35 (3) where designated officials are empowered to gain access to any private owed or government owed data without having any kind of legal approval. This has created significant concerns on the privacy issue. It is recommended to the council of state that any authorized official “must” have legal approved document, for instance, court warrant, to gain access to any private or personal information.
Latest update from the government is that the draft is being reviewed by the council of state before submitting it to the National Legislative Assembly. It is expected to be enacted by Q3 of this year.
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https://blogs.intel.com/policy/2016/01/04/industrial-concerns-cybersecurity-bill-thailand/
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Microsoft on Wednesday released the promised preview of OneDrive for Business for OS X, the first way to sidestep the browser when accessing company documents and the only way so far to sync files for offline use on a Mac.
The app requires an Office 365 business-grade subscription, and can replace in most instances the browser UI (user interface) that was previously the only available to OS X users.
A week ago, Microsoft pledged to ship a preview of OneDrive for Business and an updated OneDrive iOS app before the end of the month. The Redmond, Wash. company released both on Wednesday.
The OneDrive for Business preview on OS X integrates with the Finder, ala Dropbox and iCloud Drive -- the latter, part of Apple's own iCloud storage and sync service. Unlike those alternatives -- or OneDrive, the consumer-grade service Microsoft also offers -- OneDrive for Business is exactly that, focused entirely on documents shared by employees at a company with each other and invited outsiders.
It corresponds to the OneDrive for Business client for Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1.
Once added to the Finder, OneDrive for Business operates as any other local folder -- or for that matter the cloud-based doppelgangers like Dropbox -- allowing drag-and-drop and one-click file launching as usual in OS X.
Computerworld briefly tested OneDrive for Business on a Mac, and was easily able to locally synchronize an Office 365 library to a MacBook Pro, upload documents to the cloud, open those stored there using the Finder, and deposit documents into a folder that was previously shared with a manager.
Neither the OS X or Windows OneDrive for Business client lets users share folders; that must still be done from a browser.
Office 365 enterprise subscribers now have a 1TB storage allowance, although Microsoft is rolling out unlimited storage to those customers this year.
Microsoft also released a revamped OneDrive iOS app whose major enhancement was to combine both OneDrive (consumer) and OneDrive for Business (commercial), but keep the content segregated.
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http://www.cio.com/article/2877240/cloud-computing/microsoft-previews-onedrive-for-business-for-the-mac.html
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Budget Fight Threatens U.S. Cyber Command's GrowthCyber Command commander Gen. Keith Alexander says sequestration will lead to furloughs; wider budget conflict will delay efforts to strengthen Cyber Command. Military Drones Present And Future: Visual Tour (click image for larger view and for slideshow)The military unit charged with defending the United States in cyberspace will have to furlough a third of its workforce as a result of across-the-board budget cuts forced by sequestration, and is seeing its development held back by Congressional failure to pass a budget, Cyber Command commander Gen. Keith Alexander said Tuesday.
Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Alexander said that because a third of Cyber Command's workforce is civilian, the organization could be hard hit by one-day-a-week civilian furloughs that military officials have said will begin in late April. Military personnel are exempt from the cuts.
"By singling out the civilian workforce for furloughs, we've done a great injustice," Alexander said. "We're trying to get people to leave industry to come work for us, but now that they're furloughed, they're asking if they made the right decision. That's a big impact across our workforce." [ The Department of Defense faces big challenges in keeping the nation safe from cyber attack. Read U.S. Cybersecurity Status Weak, Reports Charge. ]
Sequestration isn't the only source of the pinch on Cyber Command. Congressional failure to pass a fiscal 2013 budget means that Cyber Command must operate under a continuing resolution that holds the organization to its fiscal 2012 budget. That holds up a quarter of Cyber Command's proposed budget, which, Alexander said, will hinder Cyber Command's continued development and negatively affect the organization's ability to do the technical training necessary to defend in cyberspace.
In particular, Alexander said that failure to pass the fiscal 2013 budget could delay the creation of a number of "cyber mission teams" of offensive and defensive cyber specialists that Alexander analogized to Army battalions and Navy squadrons, capable of acting on their own. The budget woes come with Cyber Command a relatively new unit dependent on new funding to improve its capabilities, having just reached full operating capacity in late 2010. Cyber Command has plans to continue to develop its capabilities and to add thousands of new workers to its payroll. The woes also come with cybersecurity an ever-increasing government priority. In separate remarks before the Senate Intelligence Committee, director of national intelligence James Clapper listed cyber attacks first in his annual threat assessment to Congress, a change of pace from the previous decade in which terrorism was regularly listed first.
Alexander said that Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel is considering elevating Cyber Command to be a Unified Combatant Command, a move that would solidify cybersecurity as a priority of the highest order for the military. Cyber Command is currently part of U.S. Strategic Command, which holds responsibility for a mix of functional missions ranging from military space operations to missile defense.
Alexander said in his remarks that state-sponsored cyber hackers are exploiting critical infrastructure networks "on a scale amounting to the greatest unwilling transfer of wealth in history." In a speech Monday, President Obama's national security advisor, Tom Donilon, called cyber espionage coming from China "unprecedented" and said that "the international community cannot tolerate such activity from any country." China has since said that it is open to "dialogue" with the United States on cybersecurity.
The Enterprise Connect conference program covers the full range of platforms, services and applications that comprise modern communications and collaboration systems. Hear case studies from senior enterprise executives, as well as from the leaders of major industry players like Cisco, Microsoft, Avaya, Google and more. Register for Enterprise Connect 2013 today with code IWKPREM to save $200 off a conference pass or get a free Expo Pass. It happens March 18-21 in Orlando, Fla. Comment | Email This | Print | RSSMore InsightsWebcasts
In a digital world inundated with advanced security threats, Intel Security seeks to transform how we live and work to keep our information secure. Through hardware and software development, Intel Security delivers robust solutions that integrate security into every layer of every digital device. In combining the security expertise of McAfee with the innovation, performance, and trust of Intel, this vision becomes a reality.
As we rely on technology to enhance our everyday and business life, we must too consider the security of the intellectual property and confidential data that is housed on these devices. As we increase the number of devices we use, we increase the number of gateways and opportunity for security threats. Intel Security takes the �security connected� approach to ensure that every device is secure, and that all security solutions are seamlessly integrated.
CVE-2013-7407Published: 2014-10-22Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the MRBS module for Drupal allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of unspecified victims via unknown vectors.
CVE-2014-3675Published: 2014-10-22Shim allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via a crafted DHCPv6 packet.
CVE-2014-3676Published: 2014-10-22Heap-based buffer overflow in Shim allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted IPv6 address, related to the "tftp:// DHCPv6 boot option."
CVE-2014-3677Published: 2014-10-22Unspecified vulnerability in Shim might allow attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted MOK list, which triggers memory corruption.
CVE-2014-3828Published: 2014-10-22Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Centreon 2.5.1 and Centreon Enterprise Server 2.2 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via (1) the index_id parameter to views/graphs/common/makeXML_ListMetrics.php, (2) the sid parameter to views/graphs/GetXmlTree.php, (3) the session_id...
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http://www.darkreading.com/risk-management/budget-fight-threatens-us-cyber-commands-growth/d/d-id/1109048?cid=rssfeed_iwk_all
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The CyberSec First Responder (Exam CFR-210) with CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst+ (Exam CS0 – 001) has been designed primarily for cybersecurity professionals who work on protecting information systems, ensuring their integrity, availability, confidentiality, authentication and non-repudiation.
This course also makes sure that every member of an IT team, from desk staff to the Chief Information Officer, are aware of their particular role in these specific security processes.
Brief Course Overview
In this course, you will assess and respond to security threats, and operate a systems and network security analysis platform.
The course covers all the duties of professionals responsible for detecting and monitoring security incidents in information networks and systems – and executing the proper response processes to such incidents.
The course introduces the tactics and tools to manage cybersecurity risks within an organisation, identify various types of threats, analyse and evaluate the organisations security, collect cybersecurity intelligence, and handle any incident that may occur.
In this course you will:
Assess information security risk in computing and network environments.
Analyse the cybersecurity threat landscape.
Analyse reconnaissance threats to computing and network environments.
Analyse attacks on computing and network environments.
Analyse post-attack techniques on computing and network environments.
Implement a vulnerability management program.
Evaluate the organization’s security through penetration testing.
Collect cybersecurity intelligence.
Analyse data collected from security and event logs.
Perform active analysis on assets and networks.
Respond to cybersecurity incidents.
Investigate cybersecurity incidents.
Address security issues with the organization’s technology architecture.
To sum it up: The course promotes a comprehensive and fully rounded approach to security, designed toward those who are on the front line of security defence.
Learn more about our latest course offerings, contact the Masterskill professionals today.
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https://masterskill.co.za/2017/03/14/new-course-announcement-cybersec-first-responder-with-comptia-cybersecurity-analyst/
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A not so new bug called Stagefright, that affects Android devices has been discovered by security researchers. The bug leaves millions of Android devices at risk of attack.
The research company, NorthBit, a software research company based in Israel, claims it had exploited the bug which was previously discovered as the “worst ever discovered” bug. They published their results and showed a video of the exploitation the bug on a Nexus 5. The company also said it had tested on the LG G3, HTC One and a Samsung Galaxy S5. The exploitation the company used is called Metaphor.
Gil Dabah who is the co-founder of the research company told the reporters that if left the exploit could be altered to cause more damage. He stated that if people did not upgrade to the latest updates then they were at a higher risk to get more affected. The bug affects Android 5 or 5.1 devices mostly of which they constitute 36 percent of the 1.4 billion active Android phones on the market. In a statement he said, “our research managed to get it to the level of production grade, meaning that everyone – both the bad guys and good guys, or governments- could use our research to facilitate it in the wild.”
Stagefright was first discovered in July 2015 by a security firm named Zimperium. The bug is able to execute remote code on Android devices and is possible to affect 95 percent of Android devices. Another version called the Stagefright 2.0 was found again in October which was said to be able to exploit issues with .mp3 and .mp4 files. The bug itself is a software library which is built inside the Android operating system. When a user receives an MMS message and the video is composed in the correct way it can trigger the malicious code which is already in the device.
During the time the bug was found Google released a security update, addressing the Stagefright issue. They also promised a patch of regular security updates for all Android devices in due course. But in light of the new version of the Stagefright bug, they have not yet commented yet and efforts to reach them were futile.
The research team say that the Stagefright can only affect Android 2.2, 4.0, 5.0 and 5.1. Other versions are safe for now. He says they managed to bypass a way, address space layout randomization (ASLR), a memory protection process which is available on Android 5.0 and 5.1 but not on 2.2 and 4.0.
After bypassing the ASLR, the video then shows one user opening a link sent in a message before the exploit sends mounds of data to the hackers computer. The chairman of Zimperium said that the research done by NorthBit showed that the scope of vulnerable Androids had increased. “I would be surprised if multiple professional hacking groups do not have working Stagefright exploits by now. Many devices out there are still vulnerable, so Zimperium has not published the second exploit in order to protect the ecosystem,” he said.
NorthBit’s report is enough to give hackers another way to complete exploit using the Stagefright bug. More and more security updates have to be released.
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https://www.hackread.com/android-devices-vulnerable-stagefright-bug/
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Leonard C. Green, Investor & Professor of Entrepreneurship
Proportionately, risk management matters more to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs.) Even a small hit to the bottom line can have a big impact, which is why around half of small businesses will fail within the first five years.
For mid-sized firms, nearly half of European leaders questioned by The Economist admitted they hadn’t identified an optimal size or sustainable rate of growth that wouldn’t compromise existing progress. So, it’s easy to see how effective strategic and operational risk management could make the difference between business success and business failure for an SME.
Risk management is all-encompassing, not the responsibility of a particular team or department – even if the organization has appointed a dedicated risk manager. For risk management to be effective, it’s vital that it’s woven into the cultural fabric of the organization.
Therefore, risk management isn’t merely about investing money in insurance policies or health and safety contractors. It means investing in developing an enterprise-wide mindset to identifying, assessing and mitigating risks. However, for an SME, the payoffs can be substantial.
1. Effective Enterprise Risk Management Informs Strategic Decisions
According to HBR, strategic risks accounted for 86% of significant losses in market value over the period 2005 to 2015. Conversely, auditors spent only 6% of their time focusing on strategic risks compared to operational, legal, and financial risk.
For example, launching a new product or service line without considering the risks to your existing core offering could have a negative impact across the entire business. Loyal customers may become alienated by a shift of branding message. You may need to divert precious resources away from the core business to support the new offering.
If you don’t foresee these risks and the new offering isn’t a success, the whole business will suffer as a result. While a larger company could sustain moderate losses, even a short dip in revenue could be catastrophic for an SME.
2. Risk management Saves Money
Material savings don’t come from insurance claims or reducing fines for non-compliance. Proactive risk management reduces the likelihood of unexpected occurrences or accidents because you’ve had a chance to consider them upfront.
For example, the costs of unexpected server downtime can range from $700 to $11k per minute. SMEs are among the most frequently targeted businesses for cyber attacks, according to anti-virus firm Malwarebytes. Furthermore, around a quarter of those attacked don’t have the resiliency to recover and continue doing business afterward. Therefore, quantifying the value of risks for your business, and having a backup plan, should be a critical priority.
4. Comprehensive Risk Assessments Are Intrinsically Linked to Employee Engagement
Employees who are engaged with the principles and priority of managing workplace risks are more likely to believe that the organization prioritizes their individual health and safety. This ties in with Herzberg’s Two Factor theory, which describes how employees gain job satisfaction from motivational factors such as responsibility and achievement.
Having employees proactively involved with risk management produces a positive snowball effect. Employees will take accountability for managing risks, and further reduce the chances of an incident occurring.
5. Risk Management Improves Brand Image
Far from demonstrating weaknesses, a proactive approach to planning for risks is great for branding. It demonstrates to clients and suppliers that the company is accountable for its actions and is taking a sustainable approach to doing business.
Bad news travels fast, but how your business has planned for and reacted to an incident can protect your brand reputation even during difficult times. A case in point is how companies, such as US-based Home Depot, have even managed to turn around the potential brand damage of a high-profile data breach with a clear communication strategy involving the CEO.
Risk management isn’t about eliminating risk, or a mere compliance topic. It’s an integral part of managing the success of your business. For an SME focused on growth and reaching new customers, it’s easy to let risk management become an afterthought. However, only those companies taking steps to measure and manage their risks will flourish in the long-term.
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https://www.virtuespark.com/2019/10/03/5-reasons-for-sme-to-invest-in-risk-management/
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Benign v.1.36Benign provides e-mail users with a pro-active solution that eliminates all e-mail borne threats, both known and unknown. Protecting users from real-world attacks by removing any potentially harmful code that an e-mail may contain, Benign recognises ...
MailWasher Free v.6.3bMailWasher Pro allows you to preview multiple accounts and all aspects of your e-mail on the server before you download it to your computer, thus protecting you from spam, viruses, phishing attacks and other nuisances. The program also learns what ...
Secure IT Encryption Software v.12.0.0.1 Encrypt and compress any type of data on any Windows PC with Secure IT File Encryption Software. Shred any file or folder. Send Secure e-mail. Full command line Support. Zero learning curve.
BestCrypt Volume Encryption v.3.77.02 BestCrypt Volume for Disk Encryption protects all data on fixed and removable disks, while also working on RAID, UEFI and GPT partitions. Jetico's encryption software provides protection from physical threats, such as lost computers and USB sticks.
BestCrypt Container Encryption v.9.03.5 To protect your privacy, comply with regulations and prevent data breaches, BestCrypt delivers 'on-the-fly' data encryption that's easy to use for virtual drives, selected files and folders. BestCrypt encrypts files on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.
DelayExec v.1.01Have you ever wanted to delay the execution of a program? Now you can with DelayExec. This small utility accepts command line parameters to launc the file of your choice. The first parameter is the full path to the file you would like to execute. The ...
USB PC lock v.1.1Use any USB device as key for your PC. Protect your privacy with our new generation ...
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http://www.winsite.com/Utilities/Encryption/Firetrust-Encrypt/
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Cyber security is essential no matter what your business is. For most companies, breaches in security can result in downed systems and loss of time and money. For some, however, cyber security threats can lead to even greater damage. If you oversee a school, you know that the welfare of students is in your hands. Any cyber security vulnerabilities that might threaten their safety must be taken seriously and prevented.
The bad news is that the frequency of cyber security threats to schools has actually increased in recent years. In 2019, the number of cyber security threats was almost as numerous as the previous two years combined. This increase means that cyber security in schools needs to be improved. As malware evolves to take advantage of any weakness in the system, possible entryways must be closed off.
The Most Common Cyber Security Threats
There are 5 common cyber security threats to schools. They are data breaches, malware, phishing, network/school infrastructure hacks, and denial of service attacks. Each of these threats can ultimately compromise the security of sensitive and potentially confidential material.
A data breach is when data is accessed by an unapproved, outside source. Because school databases can contain student addresses and other private information, this trend is troubling. Phishing is when fraudulent emails are sent out by someone pretending to be a school representative. If these emails solicit information under a fraudulent guise, sensitive information can be stolen in this way. Malware, infrastructure hacks, and denial of service attacks are other ways that information can be compromised.
Luckily, there are ways to more efficiently protect schools against cyber security threats. What can you do? One option is to boost perimeter and internal network security. Perimeter security utilizes firewalls, web filters, and email protection to help enforce a stronger perimeter. This is to prevent malicious software from getting through. Internal network security helps to strengthen the network from within. It’s important to stay up to date with security patches, as well as the most current versions of software.
The other thing you can do is make sure to have a knowledgeable support system. When you have IT professionals working on your behalf, you set your school up for success. Preventing cyber security threats starts with us. Contact our team at LA Creative for a cyber security assessment to find and correct weak spots before they become a problem. We can keep your school’s network safe and secure!
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https://www.lacreativetech.com/school-administrators-guide-to-cyber-security/
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The Ala Wai flood project now is projected to cost nearly $651 million after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers made dramatic changes. Above, a view of Ala Wai Canal in Waikiki as seen on Saturday.
The cost of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Ala Wai Flood Risk Management Project has nearly doubled to $651 million, potentially stalling the two-decades-old project once again. Read more
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The higher price tag, verified by Army Corps of Engineers spokesman Dino Buchanan in an email Friday to the Honolulu Star- Advertiser, came after the agency made dramatic changes to the project, including adding a four-story pump station to the historic Ala Wai Canal, where controversial walls and berms already were planned.
The changes, which were unveiled late last year, are aimed at evacuating water in the upper reaches of the watershed valleys without detaining it, lessening the impact on residential properties and natural streams.
Buchanan said the pathway to getting additional state and federal funding for the project has yet to be determined. The state’s previous cost share was estimated at $121 million, but he said a new figure hasn’t been determined.
“We are still in the review process of the updated technical products and it is pre-decisional to make a funding determination,” he said. “The impacts on the project timeline will be determined after the technical information is reviewed and compiled. However, there are several factors that drive project schedule, cost being one of them.”
The Ala Wai flood management project, which dates back to a March 2001 feasibility study that wasn’t completed until 2017, has had lots of stops and starts.
It stalled in late 2019 after staggering pushback from the community, which included the formation of a Honolulu City Council permitted interaction group, protests and even a lawsuit brought by the community action group Protect Our Ala Wai Watersheds. But it seemed to be advancing again after the Army Corps of Engineers obtained federal approval last August for an Engineering Documentation Report (EDR) that makes design changes and adds new features.
The redesign was expected to increase the cost of the project, however, the increase was more significant than expected. The project was originally funded for construction by the federal Bi-Partisan Budget Act of 2018 under the Long-term Disaster Recovery Investment Program with an authorized cost of just over $345 million.
Additional state and federal funds might be hard to come by in the midst of the pandemic-related economic downturn, especially since even supporters are now urging that the project be retooled to fall within previous cost estimates.
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, said in a statement Friday, “We need to protect Honolulu from flooding, but the increased cost makes this particular design completely impractical and unaffordable. I will ask the Army Corps to work with the city and the state to redesign the project to stay within the previous budget.”
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, who will soon be asked to sign a project partnership agreement with the Army Corps, also balked at the cost increase.
“I am requesting the Army Corps of Engineers work with the City and County of Honolulu on a project that will come within the existing federal appropriation while providing protection to our residents, businesses and communities exposed to flooding from the Ala Wai watershed,” Blangiardi said in a statement Friday. “The threat of flooding is real and we need to focus on solutions that will reduce the threat with existing funds.”
In a statement Friday, Gov. David Ige’s chief of staff, Linda Chu Takayama, said the state is holding off on any further activity regarding project financing “until we receive the economic analysis next month.”
Honolulu City Council Chairman Tommy Waters also wants to hold off on issuing more funds to Oceanit, a contractor hired in 2019 by the City Council permitted interaction group to “manage the opportunity of flood control for the City and County of Honolulu while reducing community impact and confusion from flood control measures.”
In a memo dated Wednesday, Waters notified fellow Council members that he had terminated Oceanit’s contract, which would have required an additional $575,000 payment on top of the roughly $700,000 previously billed to the city.
Waters was part of the permitted interaction group that hired Oceanit but said, given the uncertainty surrounding the Army Corps project, it wasn’t prudent for the contractor to continue.
“Back in November, the budget and fiscal services director told us that the city was facing a $400 million deficit, and while it might have been narrowed, we are still facing a significant deficit,” Waters said. “The state also has to cough up the share that they promised, and I just don’t feel confident that they will do that. An additional $575,000 is a lot to spend when we don’t have an advancing plan.”
But Councilwoman Carol Fukunaga, who chairs the Council’s Public Infrastructure and Technology Committee and served on the permitted interaction group with Waters, said Oceanit is still needed.
Fukunaga said there was strong community support for Resolution 21-19, which was reported out for adoption Jan. 13 and expressed support for the “expedited analysis of the United States Army Corps of Engineers’ recommendations in the Engineering Documentation Report, Oceanit Laboratories Subsurface Watershed Inundation Flow Technology tunnel design, and other community-based recommendations that result in a comprehensive, effective and cost effective flood risk mitigation project for review.”
Waters said it appears the Army Corps does not plan to pursue the Subsurface Watershed Inundation Flow Technology plan from August that was developed by Oceanit. That plan would have used two 12-foot tunnels — one for Manoa and one for Palolo — “to remove water from the upper watersheds, bypass the lower watershed and the Ala Wai Canal, and discharge directly into the ocean.”
However, Waters said he felt that Oceanit’s role wasn’t for naught, as it did get the Army Corps to “come up with alternatives to the cement dams in the back of Manoa and Palolo.”
Waters said he’s prepared a floor draft of Resolution 21-19, which deletes reference to a Council consultant.
The resolution is on the agenda for the regular Honolulu City Council meeting, which starts at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Fukunaga said she would urge Council members to support the original resolution, “which calls for the Oceanit consultant, the Army Corps, the city, and the state to all work together to refine the EDR project.” “If the (Army Corps proposal) is priced higher than what many people would view as being viable, then what are some of the Oceanit and community-generated alternatives that could be substituted for some of those features?” she said.
Almost everyone understands the need to minimize flood risks in the Ala Wai Watershed, which is approximately 19 square miles and extends from the Koolau Mountains to Mamala Bay. The Army Corps estimates that a 100-year flood in the watershed, which includes Waikiki, could affect 1,358 acres, damage 3,000 structures and cost more than $1.14 billion.
But there’s been strong debate on the best way to do it.
The Army Corps’ new plan was developed to create alternatives to a 2017 plan, which would have required condemning large swaths of residential property and building large retention and detention ponds in the upper reaches of the Ala Wai watershed.
While many Waikiki stakeholders supported the 2017 plan, residential owners in the watershed often complained that it protected tourism interests at their expense.
The new proposal conveys flood waters through the Manoa watershed and Ala Wai Canal, and addresses potential effects associated with redirecting floodwaters at Manoa Marketplace.
It consolidates two pump stations into a single pump station at the Ala Wai Golf Course and proposes eliminating six detention basins in the upper watershed. It adds a Woodlawn bypass feature to Manoa Marketplace to divert water away from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
The proposal includes a new bypass culvert for Makiki Stream, which adds a new promenade area near the Hawai‘i Convention Center. It also makes modifications to previously authorized project features at Kanewai and Hausten Ditch, Ala Wai Golf Course and Ala Wai Canal flood barriers with pump stations.
Fukunaga said it’s clear that several key components of the new plan, such as the Woodlawn bypass, floodwalls and the Ala Wai Canal pump station, aren’t supported by all Ala Wai Watershed community stakeholders. While the public may submit comments on the new plan during its environmental review process, she doesn’t think that’s the most effective way forward.
“Do we really want to spend another year going through that if we can find a shorter way to accomplish something that everyone can support?” she asked.
Waters pledged to use Honolulu City Council resources to ensure the Army Corps conducts adequate community outreach.
Sidney Lynch, president of Protect Our Ala Wai Watersheds, said she hopes that if the project continues, “the community and a watchdog organization will be able to have more direct involvement in the further development of this plan.” “The Army Corps has reached out to the public over the past year by holding many informational meetings yet continues to develop the project in isolation,” Lynch said in an email.
Lynch said the community alternatives were never assessed as Oceanit was redirected by the City Council in late 2019 to help the Army Corps come up with solutions to the water that would be left in Manoa Valley and other areas after the project underwent its first revision.
“Maintenance of any infrastructure, especially the four-story pumphouse in the middle of the Ala Wai which would be built, is of critical importance and should be included in any project,” Lynch said.
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https://www.staradvertiser.com/2021/01/24/hawaii-news/officials-balk-at-near-doubling-of-price-of-ala-wai-flood-risk-management-project/
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Despite the publicity about breaches, ransomware, and the like, we're still using some pretty dumb passwords. Users typically aim for passwords that are easy to remember for their multiple logins, which they are asked to change frequently. Unfortunately, this has led to too many passwords that are far too easy to hack, causing one of security's biggest headaches.
SplashData posted its sixth annual most common passwords list in February, based on data taken from 5 million leaked emails over the year. Not surprisingly, variations of "password" and "123456" were ranked the top two most commonly used. Other highly used passwords include these:
NIST specifically recommends having users create new passwords when they request to do so, or if there is evidence of a compromise. Say what?!
Yes, NIST believes that periodic password changes don't really prevent breaches. However, it also says that passwords should be at least eight characters in length. Ideally, they will be checked against passwords obtained from previous breaches, dictionary words, repetitive or sequential characters (for example, "aaaaaa" and "1234abcd"), and context-specific words, such as the name of the service, the username, and derivatives thereof.
I agree with NIST's recommendation here. Specifically, if an end user creates a sufficiently strong password, then why would you make him or her change it frequently? In fact, periodic password changes likely result in less-secure passwords, as frustrated users decide to opt for easy (and insecure) ones, reasoning that they'll have to change them sooner or later. The key here is to keep the password complex, otherwise we risk having insecure passwords for long periods of the time.
Usability Is Important
NIST points out that usability of authentication systems is paramount. If authentication methods aren't easy for end users, then they will work around complexity by writing down passwords and doing things like replacing vowels with numbers (such as "passw0rd" instead of "password"). Hackers have definitely figured this out already. Password policies and strategies have all been geared toward making passwords too complex to remember, and that has resulted in end users working around the complexity, in turn making passwords more insecure.
An executive once told me how he walked around at night flipping over keyboards and finding passwords written on sticky notes. And while old fashioned sticky notes may escape hackers' best efforts, digital documents can't.
Check Passwords Against a Dictionary of Compromised Password
Hackers typically will perform dictionary attacks against a target. They'll run through a list of passwords to see which one works. So one additional recommendation is to check a changed password against a database of known, compromised passwords. If the password has been compromised previously (such as "12345" or "StarWars") you can guess the hackers have that in their dictionary.
Personally, I think checking passwords against a dictionary of compromised passwords is the best practice to take to ensure that you're avoid using one that is commonly hacked.
Knowledge-Based Authentication Is Out
NIST recommends that knowledge-based authentication (KBA) be discontinued: "Memorized secret verifiers SHALL NOT permit the subscriber to store a hint that is accessible to an unauthenticated claimant. Verifiers SHALL NOT prompt subscribers to use specific types of information (e.g., "What was the name of your first pet?") when choosing memorized secrets."
I agree with this guidance as well. With the availability of Facebook and LinkedIn, it is increasingly easy for the bad guys to troll around for answers to things like "What high school did you go to?" or "What city did you meet your spouse in?" (This is especially true for celebrities, who must contend with the fact that all this information is publicly available, making them ridiculously easy to hack.) Questions such as "What's your mother's maiden name?" are also well out of favor now for the same reasons.
I strongly recommend that anyone who has KBA-type questions associated with a system go take a second look at those Q&As to ensure that 1) the questions cannot be answered by looking at your Facebook or LinkedIn profile, and 2) that you update your questions per my previous point and ensure that your answers are still accurate.
Passwords and Beyond
The upshot of this is that in its new guidelines related to authentication and authenticators, NIST has prioritized usability over complexity. NIST is putting the onus on the manufacturers of these systems to do a better job rather than putting it on the end user to remember complex password policies, which inevitably results in passwords being written down or stored in a Word document or Excel spreadsheet — like the infamous Sony breach, during which hackers simply searched through documents with "password" in their titles before stumbling on hundreds of valuable credentials.
Beyond changing these simple password policies, the right strategy when it comes to user authentication is one that is both adaptive and multifactor — one that accounts for human blunders and sophisticated hacks.
I'm looking forward to less rigor related to how often I have to change my password. IT, are you reading this?
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https://www.darkreading.com/endpoint/why-relaxing-our-password-policies-might-actually-bolster-user-safety
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