Thriving in the Digital Age: Mastering Digital Continuity and Cyber Risk Management

In today's dynamic digital landscape, businesses face a constant barrage of challenges. Evolving customer expectations, ever-present cybersecurity threats, and a growing emphasis on sustainability demand a strategic approach and execution. Here's where the concepts of digital continuity and cyber risk management come into play, acting as cornerstones for organizational resilience and success.

This blog post explores why these concepts matter and how businesses can leverage them to navigate the ever-changing digital world.

The Power of Digital Continuity

• Digital continuity ensures a seamless flow of digital information, guaranteeing operational efficiency and fostering seamless collaboration. It allows businesses to adapt to technological advancements without disruption, ensuring the consistency, accessibility, and reliability of their digital assets.

Here's how CyberSecOp can help you establish a robust digital continuity plan:

• Digital Transformation Assessments: We conduct a thorough evaluation of your existing architecture, systems, processes, and data flows, identifying areas for improvement and pinpointing vulnerabilities.

• Business Continuity Planning: Our experts collaborate with you to develop a comprehensive business continuity plan, ensuring minimal disruption in the face of unforeseen events.

• Data Management Solutions: We implement robust data management practices to safeguard your critical information and streamline access for authorized users.

 Building a Culture of Cyber Resilience

Strengthening cybersecurity measures is crucial for protecting sensitive data and critical infrastructure from cyber threats. Conducting regular risk assessments and fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness among employees are essential steps.

CyberSecOp offers a suite of services to bolster your organization's cyber defenses:

• Managed Security Services: We provide proactive threat detection, rapid incident response, and 24/7 security monitoring to safeguard your systems from cyberattacks.

• Penetration Testing: We simulate cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities in your systems and applications, allowing you to address them before malicious actors exploit them.

• Security Awareness Training: Our engaging training programs equip your employees with the knowledge and skills to identify and mitigate cyber threats.

Digital Continuity: A Pillar of Sustainability

Digital continuity aligns with sustainability initiatives by optimizing resource utilization and minimizing waste. By digitizing operations, businesses can reduce their carbon footprint and enhance energy efficiency, contributing to a more sustainable future.

Conclusion

By embracing digital continuity, strengthening cybersecurity practices, and prioritizing sustainability, businesses can navigate the digital landscape with confidence, agility, and a commitment to the environment. Partnering with CyberSecOp empowers you to unlock the full potential of digital technologies while mitigating cyber risks and driving growth alongside a sustainable future.

Ready to thrive in the digital age?

Contact CyberSecOp today to discuss your unique needs and discover how we can help you build a resilient and sustainable future!

Empowering Healthcare E-Commerce: Navigating Cybersecurity Challenges

Empowering Healthcare E-Commerce: Navigating Cybersecurity Challenges with CyberSecOp

Consumer expectations in healthcare are evolving, paving the way for exciting opportunities for healthcare organizations in e-commerce, remote care, and technology based advancements in care. However, with the rise in cyberattacks, it's crucial for regulated health companies venturing into any of these areas to prioritize and harden their cybersecurity measures. Analysts project significant growth in the global healthcare cybersecurity market, estimated to reach around US$58.4 billion by 2030.

To navigate this evolving landscape successfully, healthcare companies must adopt scalable and adaptable e-commerce solutions that prioritize the protection of Protected Health Information (PHI), while also remaining compliant. Choosing the right platforms grounded in security-by-design principles is vital. Integration of cybersecurity measures and auditable compliance across organizational processes is essential, ensuring industrialized security, availability, and global reach.

CyberSecOp offers assistance through cybersecurity solutions focused on Direct to Consumer for Consumer Product security solutions, addressing the evolving consumer needs in healthcare. Trust is paramount, particularly in the healthcare sector, as the industry embraces digital direct-to-consumer (DTC) models. Building trust is essential for long-term success.

Open communication about PHI safeguarding measures builds consumer trust in healthcare ecosystems, fostering engagement and sustainable growth. Establishing long-lasting consumer relationships based on trust is paramount, influencing consumer decisions and promoting brand loyalty.

Modernizing and hardening direct-to-consumer channels in regulated healthcare markets presents significant opportunities, contingent upon effective risk management and trust-building efforts with support from CyberSecOp will build that trust.

As a security consultancy, CyberSecOp provides award winning, industry recognized, expert guidance on cybersecurity strategies tailored specifically for the healthcare industry, ensuring comprehensive protection of PHI and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Cybercrime: A Booming Industry Threatening Your Business

If Cybersecurity is not part of your ongoing business planning and forethought, your business will likely become an afterthought.

By incorporating strong, enforceable cybersecurity policies, your organization becomes a defensible harder target. Per a recent MSN article, if cybercrime were a standalone economy, it would be third in line behind the U.S. and China. Cybercrime is on pace to pass $17.5 trillion by 2025.

How is your organization planning for and addressing your Cybersecurity and Governance, Risk & Compliance requirements?

• 43% of all data breaches involve small and medium-sized businesses.

• 68% of all cyber-attacks focused on business disruption first and data acquisition second.

• 72% of cybercrime victims are large businesses (affecting not only their employees and customers but also their partners and suppliers).

• Over 75% of targeted cyberattacks start with an email (RoundRobin)

• Approximately 84% of all events are caused by humans

• Nearly 90% of ransomware attacks are preventable

• In 2021 there was an estimated 2.7billion hours of lost production globally due to cybercrime (Norton)

What is Regulations Compliance and Cybersecurity Compliance?

Being compliant refers to adhering to specific laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines relevant to a particular industry or field. Compliance ensures that organizations operate within legal boundaries, meet industry standards, and uphold ethical practices. In the context of cybersecurity, compliance involves implementing measures to protect sensitive data, prevent unauthorized access, and mitigate security risks.

In today's digital landscape, cybersecurity compliance is paramount for businesses to safeguard their assets and maintain trust with customers. Failure to comply with cybersecurity regulations can result in severe consequences, including legal penalties, financial losses, and reputational damage.

Cybersecurity services play a crucial role in helping organizations achieve and maintain compliance. These services encompass a range of offerings, including cybersecurity consulting, IT security services, and cybersecurity consulting services. Cybersecurity consultants assist organizations in identifying compliance requirements, assessing their current security posture, and implementing measures to meet regulatory standards.

Cybersecurity companies like CyberSecOp offer comprehensive solutions to assist organizations in navigating the complexities of cybersecurity compliance. Here's how CyberSecOp can help:

1. Regulatory Expertise: CyberSecOp consultants possess in-depth knowledge of cybersecurity regulations and standards relevant to various industries. They can help organizations interpret complex compliance requirements and develop tailored strategies to address specific regulatory mandates.

2. Risk Assessments: CyberSecOp conducts thorough risk assessments to identify potential security vulnerabilities and compliance gaps within an organization's infrastructure. By assessing risks proactively, organizations can prioritize remediation efforts and minimize the likelihood of compliance violations.

3. Policy Development: CyberSecOp assists organizations in developing and implementing robust cybersecurity policies and procedures aligned with regulatory requirements. These policies cover areas such as data protection, access control, incident response, and employee training, ensuring comprehensive compliance coverage.

4. Technical Solutions: CyberSecOp offers a range of technical solutions to enhance cybersecurity and facilitate compliance. This includes implementing encryption technologies, access controls, intrusion detection systems, and security monitoring tools to protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access.

5. Training and Awareness: CyberSecOp provides cybersecurity training and awareness programs to educate employees about compliance requirements, security best practices, and the importance of maintaining a secure digital environment. By fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness, organizations can empower employees to contribute to compliance efforts effectively.

6. Continuous Monitoring and Compliance Audits: CyberSecOp conducts regular security assessments and compliance audits to ensure ongoing adherence to regulatory standards. By monitoring systems and processes continuously, organizations can identify and address compliance issues promptly, reducing the risk of regulatory penalties and data breaches.

In summary, CyberSecOp plays a vital role in helping organizations navigate the complexities of cybersecurity compliance. By offering regulatory expertise, conducting risk assessments, developing policies and procedures, implementing technical solutions, providing training and awareness, and conducting continuous monitoring and audits, CyberSecOp assists organizations in achieving and maintaining compliance with confidence. With CyberSecOp's support, organizations can enhance their security posture, mitigate risks, and demonstrate a commitment to protecting sensitive data and maintaining compliance with applicable regulations.

Safeguarding Business Operations: The Importance of Privileged Access Management Risk Assessment

In today's digital age, businesses heavily depend on digital systems, applications, and online platforms for their day-to-day operations. However, alongside this reliance on technology comes the ever-growing risk of unauthorized access to sensitive accounts and data. Particularly vulnerable are companies with privileged access to critical systems and applications, making them prime targets for cyber threats aimed at exploiting human vulnerabilities within organizations.

Recent headlines have shed light on the alarming sophistication of cybercriminals, with reports of ransom scams employing AI-generated deepfakes to manipulate individuals into surrendering substantial sums of money. Such incidents underscore the evolving tactics of cyber attackers and their readiness to exploit technological advancements for financial gain.

The impact of cybercrime on businesses cannot be overstated. According to recent statistics, in 2022 alone, the FBI received over 900,000 cybercrime complaints, resulting in staggering losses amounting to $5.3 billion. From phishing scams to ransomware attacks, cybercriminals employ a diverse array of tactics, leveraging AI-powered technologies to breach security measures and wreak havoc on organizations' digital infrastructure.

In light of these escalating threats, it is imperative for businesses to remain vigilant and proactively safeguard their digital assets. One crucial step towards bolstering cybersecurity defenses is the implementation of Privileged Access Management (PAM) risk assessments.

By conducting thorough PAM risk assessments, organizations can identify potential security gaps and vulnerabilities associated with privileged access to critical systems and applications. This process involves several key steps:

Step 1: Identify privileged users and assets

Begin by identifying all individuals, including employees, contractors, and third-party vendors, who possess privileged access to critical systems and applications. Simultaneously, pinpoint the assets these users can access, such as servers, databases, and essential applications.

Step 2: Determine the level of access

Next, ascertain the extent of access granted to each privileged user. This entails delineating the specific privileges conferred upon them, such as administrative or superuser access. Moreover, evaluate existing policies and procedures governing access to critical assets.

Step 3: Assess the risks

Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the risks associated with privileged access. Identify potential threats and vulnerabilities, including unauthorized access attempts, data breaches, and insider threats. Assess the potential impact of these risks on the organization's operations, reputation, and financial standing.

Step 4: Implement controls

Implement robust controls to mitigate identified risks effectively. This may involve deploying role-based access controls, enforcing the principle of least privilege, and establishing robust monitoring and auditing mechanisms to detect and prevent unauthorized access.

Step 5: Review and update regularly

Regularly review and update the PAM risk assessment to ensure its continued effectiveness. Adapt the assessment to reflect changes in the organization's PAM policies, procedures, and the evolving threat landscape.

By adhering to these steps, businesses can fortify their cybersecurity posture and mitigate the risks associated with privileged access. Ultimately, prioritizing cybersecurity and staying abreast of emerging threats is paramount in safeguarding sensitive accounts and ensuring uninterrupted business operations amidst the ever-present specter of cyber threats.

Defense Department Releases Companion CMMC Public Comment

Defense Department Releases Companion Video for CMMC Public Comment Period

Feb. 15, 2024 | By C. Todd Lopez, DOD News

In a bid to demystify the intricacies and significance of the recently published proposed rule for its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program, the Defense Department has unveiled an informative video resource.

Tailored to enlighten members of the defense industrial base and other stakeholders, the video elucidates the nuances of the proposed rule for the CMMC program. Its primary objective is to assist stakeholders in comprehending the intricacies of the program and to facilitate their preparation of comments and feedback for the upcoming review process, shaping the finalization of the CMMC program proposed rule.

A 60-day public comment period on the proposed rule commenced on Dec. 26, 2023, and will conclude on Feb. 26 at 11:59 p.m. The feedback received during this period will be meticulously reviewed and will play a pivotal role in informing the final rule.

At its core, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program serves as a mechanism for the Defense Department to ascertain the preparedness of defense contractors, regardless of size, in managing controlled unclassified information and federal contract information in compliance with federal regulations.

Central to the program's execution are the authorized CMMC "third-party assessment organizations" (C3PAOs), tasked with conducting CMMC Level 2 certification assessments for interested companies. The Department will oversee CMMC Level 3 assessments.

Although the Department does not remunerate C3PAOs, it does establish the requirements governing their operations. Gurpreet Bhatia, the DOD Chief Information Officer's principal director for cybersecurity, underscores the program's significance in safeguarding crucial DOD information from adversarial incursions.

Bhatia emphasizes that the CMMC program is pivotal in bolstering defense contractors' compliance with cybersecurity regulations while enabling the DOD to monitor compliance status effectively.

He underscores the Department's unwavering commitment to implementing the CMMC Program, underscoring its pivotal role in fortifying the protection of DOD's sensitive information. Bhatia urges stakeholders to seize the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed CMMC rule, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in enhancing cybersecurity and safeguarding DOD information assets.

Understanding the Global Ransomware Landscape: A Closer Look at Recent Incidents and Cybersecurity Initiatives

In recent years, state institutions worldwide have increasingly fallen victim to ransomware attacks orchestrated by sophisticated cybercriminal gangs. These nefarious actors employ various tactics, such as encrypting or stealing sensitive data, to extort hefty ransoms from their targets. The primary victims include councils, hospitals, schools, and universities, entities often known for their inadequate cybersecurity measures and urgent operational needs.

The British Library Incident: A Wake-Up Call

One significant incident that highlights the severity of the ransomware threat is the attack on the British Library. Despite the UK government's longstanding policy against paying ransoms, the library became a target, resulting in significant disruptions to its operations. The attackers, after stealing 600GB of data, resorted to dumping it on the dark web when their ransom demands were not met. Moreover, they inflicted irreversible damage by destroying critical infrastructure, making recovery efforts challenging for the institution.

Global Response to Ransomware: Challenges and Innovations

While efforts to combat ransomware globally have intensified, challenges persist, particularly in light of geopolitical developments. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia disrupted international cooperation on cybersecurity, as Russia withdrew from collaborative efforts. This setback forced law enforcement agencies to explore alternative strategies, including "hack back" operations, to combat ransomware gangs.

US Government's Cybersecurity Funding Boost

In the United States, President Joe Biden has proposed a significant increase in cybersecurity funding as part of his fiscal year 2025 spending plan. This proposal includes additional funding for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and allocations to enhance cybersecurity across various government departments. While the proposal faces political hurdles, it underscores the administration's commitment to bolstering national cybersecurity measures.

Microsoft's Patch Rollout: Addressing Critical Vulnerabilities

Amid the escalating ransomware threat, technology companies like Microsoft play a crucial role in mitigating risks. Recently, Microsoft issued patches for numerous security vulnerabilities affecting its Windows ecosystem, including critical flaws in HyperV and Open Management Infrastructure (OMI). Urging users to prioritize these fixes, Microsoft remains vigilant in addressing potential avenues for remote code execution and denial-of-service attacks.

Conclusion

As ransomware attacks continue to pose significant threats to state institutions and businesses worldwide, collaboration among governments, law enforcement agencies, and technology companies remains imperative. Heightened cybersecurity measures, coupled with proactive initiatives to deter ransomware attacks, are essential in safeguarding critical infrastructure and protecting sensitive data from malicious actors.

Deep Dive: Unconventional Strategies for Fortressing Your Security Posture

In today's ever-escalating cyberwarfare, building an impenetrable security fortress requires venturing beyond the standard firewalls and antivirus shields. Let's delve into unconventional strategies that can bolster your defenses and surprise even the most cunning attackers.

Think Unthinkable, Act Unpredictable:

• Embrace the Underdogs: While familiar names dominate the software landscape, consider migrating sensitive operations to lesser-known applications. Their smaller attack surfaces make them less predictable targets, potentially throwing attackers off guard. But beware, thorough vetting and security assessments are crucial before diving in.

• Friend or Foe? The Internal Keylogger Conundrum: This ethically sensitive but potentially powerful tool can monitor employee activity but with great caution. Ensure strict regulations and employee privacy are upheld. Remember, prioritize prevention through comprehensive training and access control before resorting to monitoring.

• Zero Trust: Your Network, Your Rules: Ditch the outdated "trust but verify" approach and embrace "never trust, always verify" with Zero Trust methodology. Segment your network, enforce multi-factor authentication for every access attempt, and implement least-privilege access, granting escalation only when absolutely necessary. Remember, trust is earned, not assumed.

Beyond Your Walls: Securing the Extended Ecosystem:

• Vendor Risk Management: Don't Let the Backdoor Swing Open: Third-party vendors are often the weakest link in the security chain. Conduct thorough attack surface assessments and due diligence checks on every vendor. Prioritize those with demonstrably robust security postures and minimal dark web exposure. Remember, your security is only as strong as your weakest link.

• Move Security Beyond Marketing Hype: Don't fall victim to "security theater," where vendors showcase impressive-sounding features without the substance. Demand transparency and evidence of effectiveness. Request detailed security audits and penetration testing reports to see their defenses in action. Remember, security is not a show, it's a shield.

Remember:

• There's No Silver Bullet: These strategies are complementary tools, not magic solutions. Integrate them with traditional security practices and a risk-based approach for maximum impact.

• Context is King: What works for one organization might not be suitable for another. Tailor your approach based on your specific industry, risk profile, and resources.

• Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Liberty: The threat landscape is a living, evolving beast. Stay updated on new vulnerabilities, adapt your strategies accordingly, and conduct regular security assessments to identify and address emerging threats. Remember, security is a continuous journey, not a one-time destination.

By embracing these unconventional ideas, adapting them to your unique context, and maintaining a proactive approach, you can build a security posture that not only deters attackers but leaves them bewildered and frustrated. Remember, the best defense is an unexpected one. Let's start thinking outside the box and outsmart the adversaries before they even have a chance.

Russian Cyber Spy Group APT28 Backdoors Cisco Routers via SNMP

Russian-aligned cyber groups are seeking to target Western infrastructure, including Russian cyber spy group APT28 backdoors Cisco routers via SNMP

The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has warned that Russian-aligned cyber groups are seeking to target critical infrastructure in the West. The NCSC said that these groups are motivated more by ideology than by money, and that they pose a potential risk to crucial infrastructure systems in Western countries, especially those that are "poorly protected."

The NCSC said that the groups often focus on denial-of-service attacks, defacing websites and spreading misinformation. However, some of the groups have stated a desire to achieve a more disruptive and destructive impact against Western critical national infrastructure, including in the UK.

Without outside assistance, it is unlikely that the groups "have the capability to deliberately cause a destructive, rather than disruptive, impact in the short term." However, the NCSC warns that the groups may become more effective over time, and that organizations "act now to manage the risk against successful future attacks."

The NCSC has issued a number of recommendations to organizations to help them protect themselves from these threats. These include:

• Keeping software up to date

• Using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication

• Implementing a robust incident response plan

• Raising awareness of cyber security threats among employees

The NCSC also encourages organizations to report any suspicious activity to the NCSC or their local law enforcement agency.

The NCSC's warning comes as the UK and its allies continue to impose sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. The NCSC said that the sanctions are likely to further motivate Russian-aligned cyber groups to target Western infrastructure.

The NCSC's warning is a reminder that cyber security is a top priority for organizations of all sizes. By taking steps to protect themselves from cyber threats, organizations can help to mitigate the risk of disruption and damage.

In addition to the NCSC's warning, it has also been reported that Russian cyber spy group APT28 has been backdooring Cisco routers via SNMP. APT28, also known as Fancy Bear or Sednit, is a Russian state-sponsored hacking group that has been linked to a number of high-profile cyberattacks, including the 2016 Democratic National Committee email hack.

The backdoor in Cisco routers is believed to have been used by APT28 to gain access to networks and steal sensitive data. The backdoor was discovered by researchers at Cisco Talos, who have released a report on the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is a remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability that affects Cisco IOS 15.2 and earlier versions. The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker who can send a specially crafted packet to a vulnerable router.

Cisco has released a patch for the vulnerability. Organizations that are using Cisco IOS 15.2 or earlier versions should apply the patch as soon as possible.

The discovery of the backdoor in Cisco routers is a reminder that cyber threats are constantly evolving. Organizations need to be aware of the latest threats and take steps to protect themselves.

This vulnerability is one of several SNMP flaws that Cisco patched on June 29, 2017. Its exploitation requires an attacker to be able to access the vulnerable SNMP OID. For this, they first need to know the SNMP read-only credential, but these are not always hard to find.

Here are some tips for protecting your Cisco routers from this vulnerability:

• Keep your software up to date. Cisco has released a patch for this vulnerability. Organizations that are using Cisco IOS 15.2 or earlier versions should apply the patch as soon as possible.

• Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication. Make sure that your SNMP credentials are strong and that you are using multi-factor authentication.

• Implement a robust incident response plan. Have a plan in place in case your network is compromised. This plan should include steps for containing the breach, notifying affected parties, and recovering from the attack.

• Raise awareness of cyber security threats among employees. Make sure that your employees are aware of the latest cyber threats and how to protect themselves.

In conclusion, the discovery of the backdoor in Cisco routers is a reminder that cyber threats are constantly evolving. Organizations need to be aware of the latest threats and take steps to protect themselves. By taking steps to protect yourself from cyber threats, you can help to mitigate the risk of disruption and damage.

Databricks: AI Could Become So Intelligent That It Surpasses Human Intelligence

Databricks is a unified analytics platform that helps businesses accelerate time to insights with data engineering, data science, and machine learning. Databricks is at the front and center of machine learning, and its capabilities are vast.

Some of the key capabilities of Databricks include:

• Data engineering: Databricks makes it easy to ingest, clean, and prepare data for analysis. Databricks also provides a variety of tools for data transformation and data modeling.

• Data science: Databricks provides a complete environment for data scientists to build, train, and deploy machine learning models. Databricks also provides a variety of tools for data visualization and model evaluation.

• Machine learning: Databricks provides a variety of machine learning algorithms and frameworks. Databricks also provides a variety of tools for model deployment and monitoring.

In addition to its core capabilities, Databricks also offers a number of additional features, such as:

• Collaboration: Databricks makes it easy for teams to collaborate on data projects. Databricks provides a variety of tools for sharing data, code, and notebooks.

• Security: Databricks is built on a secure foundation. Databricks provides a variety of features for data security, such as role-based access control, data encryption, and audit logging.

• Governance: Databricks provides a variety of features for data governance, such as data lineage tracking, data quality checks, and data policy enforcement.

Databricks is a powerful platform that can help businesses accelerate time to insights with data engineering, data science, and machine learning. If you are looking for a platform to help you with your data projects, Databricks is a great option.

Here are some additional thoughts on the potential dangers of AI, as raised by Ian Hogarth:

• AI could become so intelligent that it surpasses human intelligence. This could lead to a situation where AI is able to make decisions that are better than humans, but which humans do not understand. This could have a profound impact on society, as humans would no longer be in control of their own destiny.

• AI could become so powerful that it could pose a threat to humanity. This could happen if AI is used for malicious purposes, such as developing autonomous weapons or creating surveillance systems that are too powerful to be controlled by humans.

• AI could become so ubiquitous that it could become difficult to distinguish between humans and machines. This could lead to a situation where humans are no longer unique or special.

It is important to be aware of the potential dangers of AI, and to take steps to mitigate these risks. One way to do this is to ensure that AI is developed and used in a responsible manner. This means ensuring that AI is aligned with human values, and that it is used for good rather than for evil.

It is also important to remember that AI is a tool, and like any tool, it can be used for good or for evil. It is up to us to decide how AI is used, and to ensure that it is used for the benefit of humanity.

The Growing Cyber Threat from China: AI is being used by China to develop new cyber weapons

The United States is facing an increasing threat from China in cyberspace. China is becoming more aggressive in its use of cyber attacks and developing new and more sophisticated capabilities. The U.S. government and private sector need to take steps to improve their cyber security in order to protect against these threats.

One of the biggest challenges facing the U.S. is the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) by China. AI is being used by China to develop new cyber weapons and to automate its cyber attacks. This is making it more difficult for the U.S. to defend against these attacks.

The U.S. government and the private sector need to work together to develop new AI-based cyber defenses. They also need to invest in research and development to stay ahead of China in developing AI-based cyber weapons.

In addition, the U.S. needs to work with its allies to share information about cyber threats and to coordinate responses to these threats. This will help to protect the U.S. and its allies from Chinese cyber-attacks.

The U.S. is facing a serious threat from China in cyberspace. However, the U.S. can take steps to protect itself from these threats by improving its cyber security, developing new AI-based cyber defenses, and working with its allies.

Here are some additional details about the threat from China:

• China is believed to be responsible for a number of high-profile cyber-attacks, including the 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack and the 2020 SolarWinds hack.

• China is also believed to be developing a number of new cyber weapons, including AI-based weapons that can automate attacks and make them more difficult to defend against.

• The U.S. government and private sector have been working to improve their cyber security, but China's growing capabilities pose a serious challenge.

• The U.S. and its allies need to continue to work together to share information about cyber threats and to coordinate responses to these threats.

• China is believed to be responsible for a number of high-profile cyber-attacks, including the 2017 WannaCry ransomware attack and the 2020 SolarWinds hack.

The WannaCry ransomware attack was a global cyberattack that affected over 200,000 computers in over 150 countries. The attack was carried out using a worm that exploited a vulnerability in the Windows operating system. The worm was able to spread from computer to computer, encrypting files and demanding a ransom payment in Bitcoin.

The SolarWinds hack was a sophisticated cyberattack that targeted the U.S. government and private sector. The attack was carried out by using a malicious update to the SolarWinds Orion software. The update was installed on computers at over 100 organizations, including the U.S. Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Security Agency. The attackers were able to use the access they gained to these organizations to steal sensitive data.

• China is also believed to be developing a number of new cyber weapons, including AI-based weapons that can automate attacks and make them more difficult to defend against.

AI-based cyber weapons are weapons that use artificial intelligence to automate attacks. These weapons can be used to launch large-scale attacks that would be difficult for humans to carry out. They can also be used to target specific individuals or organizations.

• The U.S. government and private sector have been working to improve their cyber security, but China's growing capabilities pose a serious challenge.

The U.S. government and private sector have been working to improve their cyber security in recent years. They have invested in new technologies and training to defend against cyber-attacks. However, China's growing capabilities pose a serious challenge. China is investing heavily in cyber security and is developing new technologies that could be used to launch attacks on the U.S.

• The U.S. and its allies need to continue to work together to share information about cyber threats and to coordinate responses to these threats.

The U.S. and its allies need to continue to work together to share information about cyber threats and to coordinate responses to these threats. This will help to protect the U.S. and its allies from Chinese cyber-attacks.

In conclusion,

the U.S. faces a severe threat from China in cyberspace. China is developing new cyber weapons and is using artificial intelligence to automate attacks. The U.S. government and the private sector must work together to improve their cyber security and develop new AI-based cyber defenses. The U.S. also needs to work with its allies to share information about cyber threats and to coordinate responses to these threats.

The U.S. and China are engaged in a cyber arms race, and the U.S. needs to take steps to stay ahead of China. The U.S. must invest in research and development and work with its allies to share information and coordinate responses. The U.S. also needs to educate its citizens about cyber security and how to protect themselves from attacks.

The cyber threat from China is real and severe, but the U.S. can take steps to protect itself. By working together, the U.S. and its allies can deter China from carrying out attacks and protect themselves from those occurring.

Defending Against Cybersecurity Threats: Best Practices for Individuals and Organizations

Cybersecurity breaches have become increasingly common in recent years, affecting organizations and individuals alike. According to a report by Risk Based Security, there were over 18,000 publicly disclosed data breaches in the first half of 2021, resulting in the exposure of over 18 billion records. This represents a 47% increase in the number of breaches compared to the same period in 2020.

The consequences of a cybersecurity breach can be severe and long-lasting. Breaches can lead to the theft of sensitive data, financial losses, reputational damage, and legal liabilities. For businesses, a cybersecurity breach can result in lost productivity, customer loss, and damage to the company's brand and reputation.

To address the growing threat of cybersecurity breaches, organizations need to take a proactive approach to cybersecurity. This includes implementing robust security measures, regularly monitoring systems for signs of intrusion, and educating employees about safe online practices. Organizations should also have an incident response plan in place to quickly and effectively respond to a breach if one occurs.

Individuals can also take steps to protect themselves from cybersecurity breaches, such as using strong and unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and being cautious of phishing attacks.

Defending against cyber security threats

Defending against cyber security threats is a complex and ongoing process that requires a combination of technical, administrative, and physical measures. Here are some general steps you can take to improve your cyber security posture:

1. Keep software and systems up-to-date: Regularly update your operating system, applications, and antivirus software to patch vulnerabilities and fix bugs.

2. Use strong and unique passwords: Use complex passwords and avoid using the same password across multiple accounts. Consider using a password manager to generate and store strong passwords.

3. Enable two-factor authentication: Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all your online accounts, which adds an extra layer of security beyond passwords.

4. Be cautious of phishing attacks: Be suspicious of emails or messages that ask for personal or financial information or contain suspicious links. Always verify the source before providing any information.

5. Use a firewall: A firewall can help protect your network by filtering traffic and blocking unauthorized access.

6. Back up your data regularly: Back up your important data regularly to protect against data loss in case of a security breach or hardware failure.

7. Limit access to sensitive data: Restrict access to sensitive data to only those who need it and use secure methods to share data.

8. Educate yourself and others: Stay informed about the latest cyber security threats and educate others, including employees, family members, and friends, about safe online practices.

Remember, cyber security is an ongoing process, and it requires constant attention and vigilance. By implementing these steps, you can help protect yourself and your organization from cyber threats.

In conclusion, cybersecurity breaches are a growing threat that can have severe consequences for both organizations and individuals. By implementing robust security measures and staying vigilant, organizations and individuals can help reduce the risk of a breach and minimize the impact if one occurs.

Chat GPT 3 and Chat GPT 4: How They're Helping the World

In the last few years, artificial intelligence has revolutionized the way we interact with technology. One of the most remarkable developments in this field is the creation of advanced chatbots powered by natural language processing (NLP). Among them, Chat GPT 3 and Chat GPT 4 are two of the most popular and powerful NLP models.

Chat GPT 3, released in 2020 by OpenAI, is a third-generation language model that can generate human-like responses to a wide range of prompts, from simple questions to complex essays. Its developers trained it on a massive corpus of text data, including books, articles, and websites, using an unsupervised learning algorithm that allowed it to learn patterns and structures in language without explicit guidance from humans.

Since its release, Chat GPT 3 has been used for a variety of applications, such as chatbots, language translation, content creation, and even coding. Its ability to understand natural language and generate coherent responses has made it a valuable tool for businesses, developers, and researchers alike.

Chat GPT 4, which is currently in development and expected to be released in the near future, promises to take NLP to the next level. According to OpenAI, Chat GPT 4 will be even more powerful and versatile than its predecessor, with the ability to perform tasks that are currently beyond the reach of AI, such as reasoning and common-sense understanding.

The Benefits of Chat GPT 3 and Chat GPT 4

The benefits of Chat GPT 3 and Chat GPT 4 are numerous and far-reaching. Here are a few examples:

1. Improved Customer Experience: Chatbots powered by Chat GPT 3 and Chat GPT 4 can provide personalized and natural interactions with customers, improving the overall experience and satisfaction.

2. Language Translation: The ability of Chat GPT 3 and Chat GPT 4 to understand and generate language can be used to create better translation services, improving communication and understanding between people from different cultures and languages.

3. Content Creation: Chat GPT 3 and Chat GPT 4 can generate high-quality content for a variety of purposes, such as marketing, journalism, and education, saving time and resources for businesses and individuals.

4. Education: Chat GPT 3 and Chat GPT 4 can be used to create intelligent tutoring systems, helping students learn more effectively and efficiently.

Who is Using Chat GPT?

Many companies and organizations are already using Chat GPT 3 for various applications. Some of the notable examples are:

1. Microsoft: Microsoft has integrated Chat GPT 3 into its Power Virtual Agents platform, enabling developers to create conversational AI experiences with ease.

2. OpenAI: OpenAI has developed GPT-3-powered chatbots that can perform various tasks, such as writing emails, generating code, and even composing poetry.

3. Intel: Intel has used Chat GPT 3 to create an AI-powered chatbot to help customers find the right products and services.

The Future of Chat GPT

As AI technology continues to evolve, the future of Chat GPT looks promising. With the release of Chat GPT 4, we can expect even more advanced and sophisticated NLP models that can perform tasks that were previously thought impossible. In the coming years, we may see the emergence of AI-powered virtual assistants that can understand and respond to our needs naturally and intuitively, revolutionizing the way we interact with technology.

Conclusion

Chat GPT 3 and Chat GPT 4 are two of the most exciting developments in the field of artificial intelligence. Their ability to understand and generate language has opened up a world of possibilities.

Cyber Insurance Ransomware

Cybersecurity is more important now than ever, and with more and more businesses around the world being affected by cyberattacks, having adequate cyber insurance has become essential.

Due diligence is a crucial part of getting the right cyber insurance policy. Companies should evaluate their potential risks and vulnerabilities in order to determine if they need a robust policy or if a cheaper, lower-coverage policy can suffice. Knowing what type of policy they need can help them save money while increasing assurance that they are properly covered if an attack occurs.

Companies need to understand that getting the right cyber insurance policy comes at a cost, as premiums tend to increase significantly when coverage increases. However, with proper due diligence, companies can make sure that their policies meet their needs without paying too much for unnecessary coverage.

Cybersecurity companies are recognizing “cyber extortion coverage” or “ransomware cyber insurance” as a critical element in protecting against the increasing ransomware threats and cyber attacks. This type of insurance protects organizations from losses due to such malicious activities, such as data breaches, ransomware threats, and other forms of cyber attacks.

By providing this type of coverage, cybersecurity companies can give their clients greater security and peace of mind. This coverage helps ensure that they won't be responsible financially for payments associated with an attack that results in the loss or theft of sensitive data. It also provides protection against any reputational losses that may arise after such an attack has taken place.

Ransomware & cyber extortion cyber insurance

Ransomware cyber insurance, also known as cyber extortion coverage, can protect organizations and their customers from the financial losses associated with a malicious attack. Cyber security companies offer this coverage under their cyber liability policies, typically included with a sublimit to help cover medical expenses related to those affected by the attack. Such policies allow companies to respond quickly and effectively to a ransomware attack, limiting the downtime and damage caused. By providing this protection, cyber security companies can ensure that businesses have a back-up option in case of malicious attacks or other unforeseen disasters.

What is Cyber Insurance?

Cyber insurance offers an additional layer of security for businesses against the ever-growing risk of a ransomware attack. Ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to block access to critical data on your computer system until a ransom is paid. By purchasing cyber insurance, companies can minimize the financial impact if they are hit by such an attack, as the policy reimburses victims for any losses incurred as a result of the incident. Cyber insurance also offers security consulting services such as malware removal and web application testing that can help reduce the risk of being targeted in the first place. Companies looking to protect themselves from ransomware should consider investing in cyber insurance to ensure their critical systems are protected against these kinds of threats.

Cyber Insurance& ransomware Protections

Cyber insurance is increasingly becoming an integral part of a company's cybersecurity policy in the face of fast-growing cybercrime threats like ransomware. Ransomware attacks can cause significant financial loss and affect companies' operations in many ways. Cyber insurance acts as a safeguard against such malicious programs and financially mitigates any losses related to the attack and helps companies get back on track without too much disruption. Companies must ensure that they have cyber insurance policies in place to protect themselves from ransomware attacks which have the potential to wreak havoc on any system.

Cyber insurance provides protection against ransomware. Cyber insurance works by providing coverage for financial losses and other damages caused by a hacker, malware or ransomware attack. Cyber insurance policies often cover losses related to data privacy and security, reputation damage, business interruption, and legal expenses. This type of coverage is increasingly becoming more critical as companies are increasingly exposed to cyber-attacks like ransomware. Ransomware is malicious software that locks down computers and networks, preventing users from accessing their own data until a certain amount of money is paid in return for the unlock code. With cyber insurance in place, organizations can ensure that their operations are protected from the financial costs associated with these malicious attacks.

Cyber insurance protects you by transferring loss

Cyber criminals are on the rise, and companies need to do whatever they can to combat attacks from ransomware, malware and phishing attempts. Cyber security companies offer organizations a comprehensive solution for cyber extortion coverage that helps protect against costly losses associated with successful infiltrations. Cyber extortion coverage can be included within a cyber liability policy as a sublimit or it can be secured separately, depending on your company’s risk exposure profile. With this coverage in place, businesses can rest assured that their cyber risk is adequately covered and their reputation is protected.

Cyber insurance Due diligence to ensure adequate protection

With the increasing threat of cyber fraud, companies must perform some due diligence to ensure they have adequate protection. Cyber insurance policies protect businesses from any financial losses caused by cyber-attacks. However, without proper due diligence, companies may end up paying higher premiums or getting policies that do not cover all aspects of the risk.

Therefore, to reduce costs and get the right coverage, companies need to perform thorough research and find insurance providers who offer reasonable terms and conditions with their cyber insurance policies. Companies must also consider factors like premiums, deductibles, limits, and exclusions before purchasing a policy.

By doing so they will be able to get the most suitable coverage for their business at an affordable price.

Cyber insurance due diligence is a key process for any business when evaluating the cost and level of protection offered by their cyber insurance policy. As cyber risks continue to evolve, companies must always be aware of the increasing cost and premiums associated with their current policy and evaluate whether it is enough to keep up with the latest malicious threats.

In order to ensure the most effective protection, companies should conduct due diligence on their cyber insurance policies. This not only involves understanding how claims will be handled in different scenarios, but also considering the cost of increased coverage and extra premium costs that might be necessary. By understanding their risk profile and protecting themselves adequately, businesses can ensure they are equipped if they are ever faced with a malicious attack.

Cyber insurance premiums will continue to increase

Cyber attacks are rising yearly, with more businesses falling victim to cyber- Attacks resulting in security breaches and financial losses. As a result, more companies are now investing in cyber insurance policies to protect their data and minimize damages. However, this increased demand of cyber insurance policies has led to an increase in policy premiums, making it costlier for businesses to obtain the coverage they need. In this article, we will discuss why cyber insurance premiums continue to rise and suggest potential solutions for companies looking for coverage.

Cyber insurance must be included in your risk management strategy

Cyber insurance has become an essential part of any business's risk management strategy. As cyber-attacks become more frequent and destructive, enterprises are turning to cyber insurance providers to protect themselves from costly damages. But as the amount of claims for cyber-attacks increases, so does the increase in premium costs to cover those losses. This article will explore the reasons why we can expect to see a continuous increase in cyber insurance premiums over time.

Cyber insurance policies are becoming increasingly popular as more and more companies are seeing the benefit of having a policy in place to protect their business from cyber-attacks. As more companies realize the impact of cyber security breaches, the demand for cyber insurance is likely to increase, driving up premiums.

As prices increase, so too does the importance of having a comprehensive cyber insurance policy that covers all the possible loopholes that can occur during an attack. With this in mind, businesses are wise to explore their options when selecting their providers and to ensure they get the best coverage available for their needs. By exploring these options and understanding what is covered under different policies, firms can make an informed decision about which provider offers them the most protection at a competitive premium cost.

Known Cyber Espionage Group and Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)

The primary purpose of cyber espionage groups and advanced persistent threats (APTs) is to gather sensitive information covertly from target organizations or individuals. This information can include a wide range of data, such as intellectual property, trade secrets, military plans, political intelligence, and more.

APTs are called "advanced" because they use advanced tactics and techniques to infiltrate and compromise target systems. They are called "persistent" because they often maintain a long-term presence on a target's systems to continue gathering information.

Cyber espionage groups and APTs are often sponsored by governments or other organizations, and they may target a wide range of sectors, including government, military, finance, and more. The information they gather can be used for various purposes, including military advantage, economic gain, and political leverage.

Here are a few things you will need to know to understand this blog:

• Compromise: When a system or network is compromised, an unauthorized party has gained access to it. This could be due to a security vulnerability or a successful cyber attack.

• Cyber espionage: Cyber espionage refers to the practice of collecting sensitive information covertly through the use of computer networks and the internet, often for military or political purposes.

• Exploit: An exploit is a vulnerability or weakness in a computer system, network, or application that can be exploited by an attacker to gain unauthorized access or perform other malicious actions.

• Ransomware: Ransomware is malware that encrypts a victim's files, making them inaccessible until a ransom is paid to the attacker.

• Breach: A breach is an incident in which a security system or protocol has been successfully attacked or bypassed.

• Phishing: Phishing is a type of cyber attack that involves tricking people into revealing sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial information, by pretending to be a legitimate entity. This is often done through fake emails or websites.

Known Cyber Espionage Group and Advanced Persistent Threats

There are many known cyber espionage groups and advanced persistent threats (APTs) that have been identified by cybersecurity researchers. Some examples include:

• APT1 (also known as Comment Crew or Shanghai Group): A Chinese APT that has been active since 2004 and has been linked to several high-profile cyber espionage campaigns.

• APT28 (also known as Fancy Bear or Sofacy Group): A Russian APT that has been active since at least 2007 and has been linked to cyber espionage campaigns against governments, military organizations, and other high-value targets.

• APT29 (also known as Cozy Bear or The Dukes): Another Russian APT that has been active since at least 2008 and has been linked to cyber espionage campaigns against a wide range of targets, including government agencies, think tanks, and political organizations.

• APT3 (also known as Gothic Panda or UPS Team): A Chinese APT that has been active since at least 2010 and has been linked to cyber espionage campaigns against a wide range of targets, including governments, military organizations, and businesses.

• APT10 (also known as Stone Panda or MenuPass Group): A Chinese APT that has been active since at least 2010 and has been linked to cyber espionage campaigns against a wide range of targets, including governments, military organizations, and businesses.

Cyber Espionage Group and Advanced Persistent Threats Tools

Cyber espionage groups and advanced persistent threats (APTs) use various tools and techniques to infiltrate and compromise target systems. These can include:

Malware: APTs often use malware to infect and compromise target systems. This can include viruses, trojans, worms, ransomware, and other types of malicious software.

Spearphishing: APTs may use spearphishing attacks to trick target individuals into revealing sensitive information or installing malware. Spearphishing attacks are highly targeted and often involve using fake emails or websites that appear legitimate.

Vulnerabilities: APTs may exploit vulnerabilities in software or systems to gain access to a target's systems. This can include known vulnerabilities that have not been patched, as well as zero-day vulnerabilities (vulnerabilities that are unknown to the vendor and have not yet been patched).

Command and control servers: APTs may use command and control servers to remotely control the malware they have deployed on a target's systems and to exfiltrate stolen data.

Custom tools: APTs may use custom tools developed specifically for their operations. These tools may be designed to evade detection or to perform specific tasks, such as stealing specific types of data or taking control of systems.

How to Protect System Form Cyber Espionage Groups and Advanced Persistent Threats?

Here are a few steps that organizations and individuals can take to protect their systems from cyber espionage groups and advanced persistent threats (APTs):

• Keep software and systems up to date: Make sure to apply the latest security updates and patches for all software and systems. This can help to close known vulnerabilities that could be exploited by APTs.

• Use antivirus and firewall software: Install and regularly update antivirus and firewall software to help protect against malware and other threats.

• Use strong, unique passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts and do not reuse passwords across different accounts.

• Enable two-factor authentication: Use two-factor authentication, which requires a second form of authentication in addition to a password, whenever possible. This can help to protect against attacks that rely on stolen passwords.

• Be cautious of emails and links: Be cautious of emails and links, particularly those that come from unknown sources. Do not click on links or download attachments from untrusted sources, as they may contain malware.

• Educate employees: Educate employees about the risks of cyber attacks and teach them how to recognize and avoid suspicious emails and other threats.

• Conduct regular security assessments: Conduct regular security assessments to identify vulnerabilities and to ensure that security measures are effective.

Are you worried about cyber espionage?

CyberSecOp managed services help organizations by providing the expertise and resources; we are a specialized cybersecurity provider for organizations that may not have the in-house expertise or resources to manage their cybersecurity effectively.

Some common types of managed services in the context of APTs and cyber espionage may include:

• Threat intelligence and monitoring: Offer real-time monitoring for APTs and other threats, as well as analysis of threat intelligence data.

• Vulnerability management: Offer services to help organizations identify and address vulnerabilities in their systems and applications.

• Security incident response: Offer support to organizations in responding to security incidents, including providing guidance on how to contain and mitigate the effects of an attack.

• Security testing and assessment: Providers may offer services to help organizations assess the effectiveness of their current security measures and identify areas for improvement.

CyberSecOp use MITRE ATT&CK to help organizations better understand the tactics, techniques, and procedures used by attackers and design more effective defenses against them. We also use it in relation to incident response, allowing organizations to quickly identify what stage of an attack they are dealing with and take appropriate action.

Using MITRE ATT&CK to provide services, it helps your clients improve their cybersecurity posture and defend against cyber attacks. This could involve providing guidance on how to implement controls to mitigate specific attack techniques, conducting assessments to identify vulnerabilities and areas for improvement, or providing incident response support.

The Majority Of US Defense Contractors Fails To Meet Basic Cybersecurity Standards.

 According to the study, this could have severe consequences for defense contractors, with nearly half losing up to 60% of their revenue if DoD contracts are lost.

"CMMC is a set of commercially reasonable standards to protect data," said CyberSecOp CISO. Organizations must address it as a part of doing business or risk losing the contract. “Nearly nine in ten (90%) of US defense contractors need to meet basic cybersecurity regulatory requirements.

According to the survey, defense contractors still need to implement basic standards. A sampling:

·        35% have security information and event management (SIEM)

·        39% have an endpoint detection response solution (EDR)

·        18% have a vulnerability management solution

·        28% have multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Defense contractors are being targeted by state hackers.

Defense contractors are a popular target for nation-state groups due to the sensitive information they possess about the US military. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an advisory in October 2022 highlighting advanced persistent threat (APT) activity detected on a defense organization's enterprise network.

CyberSecOp CISO is concerned that four out of five defense contractors reported a cyber-related incident, with nearly three out of five reporting business loss due to a cyber-related event.

CyberSecOp is a CMMC-AB REGISTERED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION (RPO)

DOD has made an effort to simplify CMMC, but it is undoubtedly still complicated. CMMC is based on several other standards, including DFARS, 800-171, and ISO 27001. Utilizing all the above information security standards make it very challenging for most DOD contractors to copy with CMMC. Get compliant with CyberSecOp CMMC Assessment, Security Program & Advisory Services.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2022

What is Cybersecurity Awareness Month?

Cybersecurity Awareness Month was founded in 2004 as a collaborative effort between the government and private industries to raise awareness about digital security and empower everyone to protect their personal information from digital forms of crime. It also aims to increase the resiliency of the country during a cyber threat.

Cybersecurity Awareness makes the community more aware to recognize, reject and report threats. Organizations can protect their users from being scammed and safeguard the organization.

When is Cybersecurity Awareness Month? 

October is known as National Cybersecurity awareness month. It's an international campaign.

What is the history behind Cybersecurity Awareness Month?

In 2004 the President of the United States and Congress declared October to be Cybersecurity Awareness Month, helping individuals protect themselves online as threats to technology and confidential data become more commonplace. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) lead a collaborative effort between government and industry to raise cybersecurity awareness nationally and internationally.

 Facts and figures

• 42% of schools have students or employees that circumvent cybersecurity protections (Impact My Biz)

• Nearly three-quarters (74%) of ransomware attacks on higher education institutions succeeded due to a lack of awareness (Inside Higher Ed)

• Ransomware attacks on U.S. schools and colleges cost $6.62b in 2020 (darkreading)

  • 95% of cybersecurity breaches are caused by human error. (World Economic Forum)

  • 69% of Companies’ Are Increasing Their Investments in Their Cybersecurity Budgets (Global digital Trust insights report

  • APWG (Anti Phishing Working Group) Reports That Website Phishing Attacks Have Tripled Since Early 2020

  • 88% of Businesses Experienced a Ransomware Attack

What are some examples of past Cyber-attacks?

The most recent well-known attack was the Colonial Pipeline (May 2021). The pipeline from Houston to the southeastern United States suffered a ransomware attack that took over key components of the computer software used to control the pipeline. This attack was singlehandedly the largest attack on oil and gas infrastructure in U.S. history. The attack led to panic buying of gasoline in the southeast, which caused shortages in some areas. Anthem (2015) a U.S. healthcare company, sustained what at the time was the biggest data breach in U.S. history. Hackers gained access to patient names, Social Security numbers, birthdays, addresses, emails, employment information and salary data.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) was hit with a cyberattack in 2021. In mid-April of 2021, the hacker group Babuk claimed to have stolen 500 GB of confidential data concerning the Houston Rockets. Babuk warned that these confidential documents, including financial info and contracts, would be made public if their demands were not met. As of this posting, no ransom payments have been made.

REvil, the same hacker group made headlines in July with an attack on Kaseya. Kaseya manages IT infrastructure for major companies worldwide. Similar to the attacks on Colonial Pipeline, this hack could potentially disrupt key areas of the economy on a large scale.

REvil carried out this attack by sending out a fake software update through Kaseya’s Virtual System Administrator, which infiltrated both Kaseya’s direct clients as well as their customers. According to REvil, one million systems were encrypted and held for ransom. Kayesa, stated that around 50 of their clients and around 1000 businesses were impacted. REvil demanded $70 million in bitcoin. To illustrate the impact of the cyber-attack, Coop, a Swedish supermarket chain, was forced to close 800 stores for a full week.

Soon after the attack, the FBI gained access to REvil’s servers and obtained the encryption keys to resolve the hack. Fortunately, no ransom was paid, and Kaseya could restore its clients' IT infrastructure. Although it started as one of the biggest ransomware attacks of the year, the situation was salvaged in the end.

 How should you and others stay safe?

·         Always use Antivirus

·         For younger kids use Parental Controls

·         Never download random files or software

·         When you can Use Two factor authentication

·         Keep your software up to date

·         Complex Passwords

·         Don’t click on any links or attachments in texts, emails, or social media posts

·         Don’t connect to unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks

·         Only visit secure websites (HTTPS)

·         Try not to overshare information (social media)

·         Use a VPN

Healthcare is a Top 3 Cyber Target

 Attacks on the healthcare industry are on the rise as noted in a recent article published in CYBERSECOP.  Healthcare providers of all sizes are subject to attack and in this case, CHRISTUS Health learned of “unauthorized access” likely similar to 254 ransomware incidents targeting patient care facilities between June 2020 and April 2022 worldwide.  Patients are at risk, both their health and their PII where threat actors can alter and/or add to patient billings with no notice of impropriety.  The true impact will be hard to discern until more time and data are collected but we know one thing for sure, the healthcare industry needs to take cybersecurity as seriously as they do patient care and follow their own advice; Plan, Prevent, Protect and Respond.

Plan – Get a Risk Assessment to identify and understand your cybersecurity vulnerabilities is one of the most critical steps as the awareness will lead to a prioritized remediation plan.  Even a chink in the armor will have your patients, employees, and community concerned as a cyber-attack will likely affect critical operations because the prize is financial data, patient, and employee Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

Prevent - After an assessment is completed, you need a trusted and reliable security cyber organization to assist in leveraging the right framework and controls to be measured by such as HITURST, HITECH, HIPAA and PCI.  These guidelines assist in defining the appropriate critical security controls for effective cyber defense.  These efforts can be awareness training, policy creation & enforcement, and security controls as well as incident response readiness and governance.  It’s a journey, not a sprint.

Protect – Within most remediation plans include investments in endpoint protection dark web monitoring and focusing on digital trust goals to ensure the technology investments already made as well as those in the future work in harmony.  Like a Rubik’s cube, the goal is to have every facet of your organization in order, not just celebrating a single win.  It is important to have a managed security partner to protect your patients, employees, devices, and data with monitored protection systems along with managed & encrypted backups with a Security Operations Center staffed with certified security professionals watching and engaging on your behalf 24x7x365.

Respond – Did you know that a threat actor will live in your ecosystem for an average of 121 days mining sensitive data, passwords, organization charts, and behaviors before acting?  Nearly 95% of ransomware attacks are preventable so what starts as a threat becomes a technology issue, then a business risk issue, and eventually decision-making and communications issue at the board level.  Do you pay the ransomware or not?  Are we able to recover our data?  Has the threat actor accessed our PII?  And equally important is how do you keep from reaching this point again.  Having an incident response assessment and plan might be the one thing you do if you don’t buy into everything else.  You should receive an IT assessment of “how capable are we to thwart an attack?” and “how able are we to recover if breached?”  Buying cyber insurance is not the silver bullet it used to be so having an incident partner who is proactively focused on your company’s sensitive data and reputation is paramount.

Not unlike a hospital, there are two main ways to address cyber security by coming through the Emergency Room or the front door proactively for testing; I recommend the latter.  A proactive health check is the best step to understanding your ability to fight off an attack like a stress test.  The results may drive adjustments in behavior and readiness, such as point endpoint detection, policy creation & enforcement, and security training.  If you enter the ER, then don’t panic because you read this blog and signed up a reputable security partner to react & respond, including quarantining affected systems to prevent the ransom spread, resetting all passwords, checking your backups, activating your existing crisis/DR plans and negotiate with the threat actor if that is the best business decision communicating carefully along the way with detailed documentation.  The moral of this story is that hope is not a strategy, so know your security scorecard and realize cyber readiness is a journey, not a sprint.

Author: Christopher Yula

Don't Forget the Fundamentals on World Backup Day 2022

March 31st is apparently world backup day! Who knew? In honor of that it seemed like a good time for a quick post extolling the virtues of backups. According to the “WorldBackupDay” website, 21% of people have never taken a backup and 30% of computers are already infected with malware. While these stats are related to individuals and not necessarily businesses the stats sound about right.

Take Backups!

Regardless of whether you are a small business or a global Fortune 500 company, backups are an essential part of your organization's risk management plan.  It’s easy to be lulled into complacency.  Just the other day I was working with an organization in the mechanical service delivery industry who’s entire “IT Infrastructure” was a single 2017 iMac.  They never bothered with any additional machines, backups and other such items because they had been told that Mac’s were “bulletproof” and not susceptible to the common maladies of the humble PC.  Unfortunately, their Mac was susceptible to good old fashioned old age and corrupt updates.  As a result they found themselves in a position where they had a large proposal for a job due the next day and the only place it existed was on this one broken Mac.  Now fortunately for them, we were able to recover the system and restore their data, but what if we hadn’t been able to?  It is absolutely critical, regardless of the size of your organization that you have a backup solution in place tailored to your specific needs.  Stay tuned for some suggestions on backup providers we love at the end of this article!

Test your Backups!

This might seem like a no-brainer, but in addition to taking backups, it's critically important that you TEST your backups.  Having a plan and procedure in place for how to recover your data in the event of a disaster is just as important as taking the backup in the first place!  In my last example of the company with a single iMac.  What if they had set up icloud and automatically configured their file to sync there.  If I had asked the owner of the business if he had the password for the icloud account or even knew what account icloud was associated with, I wonder if he would have known?  Having a documented plan that outlines where your backups go, what authentication is used to access them, how frequently they are taken, and how to restore them to a device is critical. If you are a larger organization you probably want to start having conversations about RTO and RPO at this point as well and ensuring your backup solution can meet those goals. (Recovery Time Objective, Recovery Point Objective.)  Essentially, how long will it take to recover my data and how much time passes between backups, or put more simply, how much data can I afford to lose?  1 Day’s Worth? 1 Weeks worth?  Less? More? Make sure your backup solution can meet your specific needs and goals!  

Protect your Backups!

Finally, congrats if you're taking and testing your backups!  Are you also protecting your backups?  You’re probably thinking, protecting my backups?! What’s this guy going on about now?  Consider this, you backup your information every night and test it regularly.  You sleep easy at night knowing that you can recover should the worst happen.  However, what you don’t know, is that earlier last month one of your employee’s laptops was infected with a virus.  This virus replicated across your organization but stayed dormant, collecting information about your company and environment but not taking any malicious actions yet.  The threat actor discovers that your backups run nightly and are stored for 4 months on a network share.  The virus then deletes all of your backups and begins encrypting your files.  When you return to work the next day and find all of your computers and files encrypted, you attempt to recover from backup only to find your backups have been deleted!  This is an oversimplification of the process but this is essentially what the bad guys are doing.  There are many ways to prevent this sort of attack including storing backups in offline or immutable data stores, encrypting your backups and storing multiple copies of every backup in different locations.  At this point you might be thinking “I can simply copy files to an external drive of some sort on a regular basis right?” , but what if something happens to that drive?  As the old timer’s say, “two is one and one is none”.  The idea is that if you only have one, something could happen to it and then you have none.  Have a backup plan for your backup plan!

Conclusion

Now that you’re completely terrified know that there are solutions out there for all of these problems.  Proper backup planning is a key component of every organization's Disaster Recovery, Business Continuity and Incident Response Planning.  If you are looking for assistance with any of those plans, make sure you give us at CyberSecOp a call, we would love to help you with this.

In the meantime if you're looking for somewhere to start with backup’s here are some of our favorites. 

Author: Timothy Burger

ADVISORY: Reports of possible digital breach

ADVISORY: Reports of possible digital breach

 Okta investigating reports of possible digital breach

Lapsus$, a cyber extortion gang, has announced that they have breached Microsoft and Okta.

The gang has leaked torrents containing source code for Bing, Bing Maps, and Microsoft Cortana, as well as a screenshot of an internal Microsoft Azure DevOps account. They also claim to have had “Superuser/Admin” access to Okta’s systems for two months, and said its focus was “only on Okta customers.”

Both Microsoft and OKTA  have started an investigation to confirm or disprove they’ve been breached. 

Recommended Actions: 

These attacks are a striking reminder of the supply chain’s cyber risks - Real risks brought to organizations by use of softwares and systems like OKTA, Microsoft, as well as many others.

Please work with your vCISO or Risk Manager to ensure the proper Vendor Security controls and processes are in place as well as other vital security controls that will drastically reduce the possibility of these dangerous hacks spilling into your network and systems.

Author: Michael Sardari