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Tips to Protect your Business from Ransomware Attacks

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“Ransomware is not only about weaponizing encryption, its more about bridging the fractures in the mind with a weaponized message that demands a response from the victim.”

- James Scott, Senior Fellow, Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology

Businesses can reduce their vulnerability if they know how to prevent ransomware. While this type of malware does not draw much attention, it can be much more devastating than other types of malware. As ransomware attacks are sophisticated in nature, many larger financial organizations have their own call centers for handling these types of data breaches.

  • Ransomware contributes to 10% of all breaches, but it doubled its frequency in 2021.
  • 37% of global organizations are victims of ransomware attacks.
  • According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, 14 of the 16 U.S. critical infrastructure sectors faced ransomware attacks in February 2022.
  • There are more than 130 different ransomware strains detected.

Ransomware usually stops the user from using the system, programs, or files. Hackers ask you to pay a ransom to regain control of the PC. You may have to pay to avoid losing everything.

As backups may not provide complete protection against ransomware attacks, this malware is considered essential. It shows the importance of depending upon a professional security service.

Read the article to know more about how to detect and prevent potential data breaches through ransomware effectively.


How to Detect Ransomware Attacks

It is hard for traditional antivirus software to detect ransomware because this advanced malware uses a set of complex evasion techniques. Therefore, it has become essential to educate yourself and your employees on ways to detect ransomware before it damages data in your system.

Ransomware creators apply advanced social engineering tricks and military-grade encryption algorithms to take control of your system and encrypt your data. Unfortunately, it becomes difficult to recognize which files are infected as the ransomware can scramble files.

In 2018, 180,000 users globally had been infected with ransomware. Due to the increasing number of ransomware attacks, it has become imperative to know how to detect and prevent ransomware attacks in time. Below are some of the tips on how to detect ransomware.

  • Through a similar-looking email account, ransomware creators send malicious emails. For example, they use capital letters instead of the small letters in the original email ID. So, it is important to learn how to spot ransomware by paying close attention to the email addresses.
  • Another thing is to check the content of the email thoroughly, especially if it has sensitive information. Modern ransomware creators are so sophisticated that they even cleverly imitate emails and even the writing voice of the institution or person. Do not do anything suggested in the mail content if you sense anything strange. The best thing to do is to call the person or organization involved to check the email's authenticity.
  • If you doubt the authenticity of the email, do not click on the links in the email immediately. Closely assessing the email can give you hints as to whether the email is genuine or not. In addition, you can check for unusual domains and spelling errors in the email.
  • Another effective way to detect ransomware is to be careful while downloading attachments. Ransomware creators hide it in an encrypted zip file. You won’t be able to see the malicious file encrypted until you extract it from the file.


Tips to Prevent Ransomware Attacks


Avoid Providing Personal Data to Unknown

Do not give out personal information if you receive a call, text, or email from an unknown source asking for it. Before a ransomware attack, there is a possibility that cybercriminals may try to obtain personal information. This information can be used to target individuals personally through phishing emails.

The goal is to get you to open a malicious attachment or link. Permitting the perpetrators to access data to make their trap more plausible is not a good idea. If a corporation contacts you for information, ignore the request and contact the company on your own to confirm that it is legitimate.


Get Security Software Assistance

As cybercrime increases it becomes essential to have ransomware protection. Use a comprehensive internet security solution like Kaspersky Internet Security to protect your PC from ransomware.

Software stops corrupted files from being downloaded or streamed, preventing ransomware from getting into your system and keeping hackers away.


Back up your data

It is always a good idea to keep a backup of your data. In case you are hit by ransomware, you will know that your data is safe. Keep everything on a hard drive, but don't leave it attached to your computer while you're not using it. Leaving the hard drive attached to your system can compromise the data if you become a victim of ransomware. The data inside the hard drive can get encrypted.

With cloud storage solutions, you can also go back to previous versions of your files. As a result, if ransomware encrypts them, you should be able to restore an unencrypted version using cloud storage.


Click Only on Verified Links

Clicking links on unfamiliar websites or in spam emails should be avoided. One way for your computer to become infected is through downloads that begin when you click on malicious links.

When ransomware infects your computer, it either encrypts your files or locks down your operating system. Once the ransomware has anything to hold as a 'hostage,' it will demand to unlock your files. The simplest solution is to pay the ransoms. However, this is what the criminal wants you to do, and paying the ransom does not guarantee that you will be able to access your device or data.


Do Not Download Software from Unknown Websites

To make sure that you do not get ransomware, don’t download software or media assets from unknown websites.

If you want to download something, go to a site that has been verified and is reputable. Most reputable websites will have trust indicators that you can spot. For example, type “https” into the search field to see if the site uses “https” rather than “http”. A shield or lock symbol may appear in the address bar, to confirm that the site is secure.

If it’s something that you want to download for your phone, be sure it's from a trusted source. For example, Android users should download apps from the Google Play Store, while iPhone users should go to the App Store.


What to Do in Case You Have Become a Victim of Ransomware

What if you've already been under a ransomware attack and you are unaware of it?

  • It's critical to know what to do in the event of a ransomware attack. Here are some easy steps that may help reduce damage to some extent.
  • If you're hit by ransomware, the first thing you should do is disconnect from all networks and the internet. By disconnecting, you isolate your computer and limit the ransomware virus from spreading to other devices.
  • It's advisable to consult a cybersecurity professional before paying ransom to cybercriminals. They will learn the situation and advice you to act accordingly.


Summing Up

Ransomware is difficult to detect and defend against. Organizations, on the other hand, can take steps to protect their systems and sensitive data by taking necessary precautions. The first thing to do is to educate employees about common red flags and vulnerabilities, set up processes and procedures for preventative monitoring, and install anti-ransomware software and tools.


Frequently Asked Questions


How does ransomware work?

Ransomware encrypts files on a computer and prevents the user or organization from accessing them. This malware encrypts files and demands a ransom for the decryption key. This puts businesses in a situation where paying the ransom is the most convenient way for them to get back the data.


Is it possible to remove ransomware?

Robust cybersecurity software can be used to decrypt ransomware files. A cybersecurity specialist should assist you at every step of the ransomware eradication process with the ransomware removal tool. However, retrieving all the files may not always be possible.


Is it possible to detect ransomware?

Ransomware can be identified at the network level by checking for unusual traffic patterns. This can signal a ransomware infestation or malware in general.

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Data Security, Platform Security, Software Security

How to Build a Compliance Program and Its Advantages

Article | March 29, 2023

Despite the fact that today's technological world is an ever-emerging landscape of complex network infrastructure, security measures, and state-of-the-art technological tools, we still cannot guarantee that a cyber-attack or a breach can be easily averted. The prime reason for such cyber breaches is the possession of complex and highly advanced attack mechanisms by hackers or attackers. Therefore, the only sustainable way to counter cyber-attacks is to implement a continuous monitoring system. A compliance program is an example of continuous monitoring where consistent adherence to a benchmark or compliance level is highly emphasized on a continual basis. A compliance program is essential for ensuring data integrity, confidentiality, and availability. The three elements (integrity, confidentiality, and availability) form the backbone of any information security system. It is needed to increase the operational efficiency of organizations ranging from education, healthcare, financial institutions, and others. A compliance program equips company personnel with the resources necessary to develop confidence in their compliance efforts, allowing them to concentrate on running their organization. In the subsequent paragraphs, we shall discuss the approach that should be used to build a robust compliance program. The scope of the compliance program for which we will build is the first and most important step we take. The following procedures, which are listed below, may be included in the scope of the enterprise: Access Management Vulnerability and Patch Management Asset and Configuration Management Logging and Monitoring Risk Management Physical and Environmental Security Privacy Governance (Policies & Procedures & Awareness) End Point Security Change Management Incident and Problem Management, Capacity and Availability Vendor Management Application Security Once the scope is identified, it is easier to move forward with the design of the compliance program. Now we define a benchmark for measuring the compliance level of each of these processes. For e.g., if we take end point security into consideration, the percentage of security patches deployed or implemented on the servers and workstations must comply with the benchmark or compliance level percentage formerly identified and agreed upon. Then we analyze the data collection at a given point of time for each of these processes that provide us with the current posture. The data collection is to be done by various tech teams and can be in the form of reports, logs, or any raw form of data. A thorough review and analysis of the data collected is done against the benchmark to identify the gaps. This is an important step and the most crucial one, as any lack here may result in a security breach. For example, if we take vulnerability management into consideration and we analyze that the remediation of vulnerabilities for a quarter is falling short of the benchmark percentage, then such un-remediated vulnerabilities in turn actually expose the servers and systems to serious security breaches, and hence effort must be taken to remediate such findings within the stipulated time. "It is important to recommend solutions and a roadmap to close the gaps within a specified period. The roadmap to close the gaps in a compliance program is usually over a period of a number of years. This should sit in conformance with the various tech teams and must have their consent." Finally, measure the compliance level (against a benchmark already identified) and come up with a compliance score for each of these processes at any given point in time. The compliance score can be depicted in the form of a dashboard showcasing the various graphs and charts and hence depicting the current security posture of the organization. These components give the necessary foundation to set up a compliance program and begin protecting any highly regulated firm immediately. These components contribute to the establishment of an effective compliance and ethics program by detecting and preventing inappropriate conduct as well as encouraging adherence to the organization's legal and ethical responsibilities. Why should Organizations have a Compliance Program? Building a compliance program is neither a simple nor an inexpensive task. Since compliance departments do not generate income, it can be tempting to disregard compliance as a cost center. This would be a mistake. A compliance breach has the ability to do severe damage to a business, or in the worst-case situation, to completely destroy it (as famously happened to Enron Corporation). Listed below are a few of the advantages that a compliance program offers: A compliance program indicates the organizations' dedication to ethical behavior It minimizes the likelihood of violations, establishes a means for detecting violations sooner rather than later, and establishes a procedure for swiftly and efficiently responding to violations It will minimize the risk of severe consequences in the event of a violation An effective compliance program in business operations reduces compliance risk and business drag The importance and complexity of compliance programs have increased in recent years, as has the number of organizations using them. It has emerged as a critical component for employees, investors, regulators, and everyone else who is concerned with the operation, protection, and evaluation of a company.

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6 Hacker Hat Colours Explained

Article | November 22, 2022

Hacking and hackers are probably the number one concern for modern businesses and cybersecurity professionals today. This is because successful black hat hackers can cause widespread damage to business operations, profits and reputation. However, despite the fact that everyone seems to be concerned about hackers, hacking as a category is widely misunderstood. Not all hackers are bad and different hat colours denote different types of hackers which are important to understand for anyone interested in truly comprehending cyber crime and building long term cyber resilience. Just as characters in old western movies wore different-coloured hats to reflect their alignment, there are different hacker hat colours that denote different categories of hackers. In this blog, we explain the six different hacker hat colours and how they impact cybersecurity. 1. White Hat Hackers White hat hackers actually use their skills for good. Also, called ethical hackers or penetration testers, these are cybersecurity professionals who look for vulnerabilities in businesses’ IT systems. They then recommend possible improvements to help keep businesses safe from black hat hackers or the real cyber criminals as we know them. White hat hackers and penetration testers can reveal crucial cybersecurity flaws in business infrastructure. For example, one recent ethical hacking project found that 65% of tested organizations didn’t use multifactor authentication. Without these tests, companies may have glaring vulnerabilities they don’t know about, exposing themselves to expensive ransomware attacks and other cyber threats. 2. Black Hat Hackers Black hat hackers are the most familiar type of cyber criminals that we all know of. These are cybercriminals that maliciously attack users or organisations for personal gain. More often than not, their actions are financially motivated, like stealing data to resell on the dark web or using ransomware to demand payment. While many of these hackers are skilled, simple attacks often prove effective enough to cause considerable damage. For example, one stolen password compromised more than 60 million Dropbox accounts at the hands of a black hat hacker. Even in the case of the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, it appears that a leaked password was all that was required to disrupt gas supplies in the world’s largest economy. To protect your business from such malicious attacks by black hat hackers, you can prepare yourself to prevent ransomware attacks by downloading our Ransomware Checklist. If you end up being hit by ransomware, you can use our Ransomware Response Workflow and our Ransomware Response Checklist to take the right steps and mitigate the impact of attack as far as possible. 3. Gray Hat Hackers As one might expect, gray hat hackers don’t fall neatly into either “good” or “bad” categories. They may not have malicious intent like black hat hackers but may still engage in illegal practices, unlike white hats. Many of them simply enjoy hacking as a hobby and try to find new exploits and vulnerabilities for fun. Some gray hat hackers act like white hats but through illegal or illicit methods. One such incident occurred in 2013 when a web developer hacked into Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook page to demonstrate a bug in the platform’s infrastructure. The intent wasn’t exactly malicious but the end result can be seen as incorrect. 4. Red Hat Hackers Red hat hackers are similar to gray hats in that they fall somewhere between white and black hats. These actors are vigilantes, taking cybersecurity into their own hands by seeking and attacking black hats. Instead of stopping black hat hackers and turning them in to the authorities, they launch cyberattacks against them. They may use viruses, DDoS attacks or other methods to compromise and even destroy hackers’ resources. Some people debate whether these internet vigilantes really exist or are merely a romanticized ideal since there’s little evidence of their actions. 5. Blue Hat Hackers The term “blue hat hackers” has two different meanings, depending on the source. In some circles, these are penetration testers that work outside the company. Microsoft hosts a blue hat conference to improve cybersecurity training and encourage continuous learning on hacking techniques. The other definition refers to hackers who act only out of revenge. These are typically less-skilled attackers who have only learned hacking methods to take out a specific target. They may attack only once but could cause significant damage since they’re not interested in monetary gains. 6. Green Hat Hackers Like blue hat hackers, green hats are new to the practice. Unlike the blue hats, though, they have a desire to grow and become expert hackers. These are fledgling black hats, seeking vulnerable targets to hone their skills on and eventually evolve into more dangerous threats. While green hat hackers lack the skills of more experienced cybercriminals, they can still be concerning. As the Dropbox hack shows, it doesn’t always take high-level techniques to cause damage. These attackers may also target small businesses with less advanced security that may not be able to recover. Why should you know the different types of hackers? Hacking is a wide and very diverse field, contrary to what many people may think about it. It is important for cybersecurity professionals and security-focussed businesses to understand the different types of hackers and even hacker hat colors. This is simply because knowing your enemy, their tactics and techniques, their motivations and their skill level is critical to keeping your business safe. Only once you understand some basic hacking techniques and methods can you gauge the opportunities hackers may be after with respect to your specific business. You can prepare for a potential hacking incident in your own organisation with a Cyber Tabletop Exercise. An external, experienced facilitator can play a crucial role in helping your business executives understand the different types of hacking techniques and what a hacker may be after in your business. The exercise involves building a cybersecurity scenario-based simulation which can help team members understand where your business stands with respect to possible cyber attacks and hacks. Only once you’re aware of your weaknesses and the loopholes in your incident response plans and strategies can you work towards building a strong, cyber-resilient organisation over the longer term.

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Leading the Pack: Top 15 Network Security Providers for Businesses

Article | February 12, 2024

Uncover the network security leaders at the forefront of fortifying digital space against an array of cyber threats. Discover solutions tailored to ensure business's online safety and continuity. In the expanding digital space, where cyberattacks and data breaches are a constant threat, businesses of all sizes must prioritize network security to preserve customer confidence, safeguard sensitive data, and ensure uninterrupted operations. With this, selecting the right network security provider has become an integral element of a company's cybersecurity strategy. As businesses continue to navigate the technological landscape, working with a dependable and holistic network security provider is an investment that pays off in terms of protecting assets, maintaining trust, and ensuring continuous operations. Here are some of the leading network security providers for businesses: 360 SOC, Inc. 360 SOC, Inc., a cybersecurity corporation headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a model of innovation and efficiency. Together with its sister company, HTG 360, Inc., the company has earned a commendable reputation for providing cutting-edge security solutions to marginalized business communities at competitive prices. With a team of experienced security consultants, visionary business leaders, and adept engineers, 360 SOC employs its distinctive 'Reverse DNA' methodology, which leverages a unique combination of business acumen and technological expertise. Praetorian Praetorian is at the forefront of offensive security services, providing enterprises with unwavering assistance in navigating the digital domain. Utilizing profound cybersecurity expertise, the company's skilled professionals provide the necessary knowledge to fortify defenses against persistent and sophisticated attacks. Its managed services provide full protection against an exhaustive range of attack vectors, including external, internal, cloud, web applications, secrets, phishing, and supply chain and vendor risks. With Praetorians as their vigilant guardian, Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) of the world's prominent businesses are confident in their ability to propel digital expansion without hindrance. SecqureOne For the past 17 years, SecqureOne (SQ1), a prominent Silicon Valley-based cybersecurity and compliance solution provider, has graciously served global businesses. SQ1 has emerged as a trustworthy security partner for companies across various industries, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, financial services, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, insurance, government, legal, technology, oil, and energy. Its platform, SQ1Shield, combines 24x7 vigilant monitoring led by skilled cybersecurity analysts, Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services for endpoints and networks, and proficiency in Security Orchestration and Automated Response mechanisms. NordLayer NordLayer stands as a leading provider of flexible and easily deployable cybersecurity solutions for businesses of all sizes and operational models, developed using NordVPN's excellence as a benchmark. The company's mission is to facilitate network security for businesses, enabling a streamlined approach to fortification. By enhancing internet security and modernizing network and resource access, NordLayer offers technological enhancements that align with the most stringent regulatory compliance requirements. Following the Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and Secure Web Gateway (SWG) principles, NordLayer focuses on the security service edge within cybersecurity services. Silver Spring Networks Silver Spring Networks is a pivotal enabler of the Internet of Important Things, consistently promoting the dependable and secure interconnection of important entities. Municipalities, utilities, and corporations across five continents leverage the company's cost-effective and high-performance IoT network and data platform to improve operational efficiency, embrace sustainability and indicate cutting-edge offerings poised to improve countless lives. With a track record of delivering over 27.3 million devices, Silver Spring Networks offers a battle-tested, standards-driven, and military-grade secure foundation. Absolute Software Absolute Software emerges as the sole provider of intelligent, self-renewing security solutions. The company distinguishes itself as the only platform orchestrating an enduring digital linkage that proficiently and dynamically imparts visibility, control, and self-healing characteristics on endpoints, applications, and network connections. This fortification enables clients to strengthen their cyber resilience against the rising tide of ransomware and malicious attacks. Absolute's eminence is highlighted by its lasting recognition as a Leader in G2's Summer 2023 Grid Report for Endpoint Management - a prestigious honor earned for the fourteenth consecutive quarter - and as a Leader for the fourth successive quarter in the grid for Zero Trust Networking. ARIA Cybersecurity Solutions ARIA Cybersecurity Solutions is a leading firm that provides multifaceted solutions with dual functions: increasing the efficacy of businesses' existing security infrastructure and helping the deployment of extensive AI-driven Security Operations Center (SOC) capabilities within a unified framework. 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Through its multifaceted approach, SBS CyberSecurity enables clients to make well-informed security decisions, instilling confidence in the security and integrity of their most vital data assets. Cynet Security Cynet Security is a pioneer and market leader in advanced threat detection and response. The company's devotion to simplifying security is demonstrated by its rapid deployment of an exhaustive platform that includes detection, prevention, and automated response to sophisticated threats, all while maintaining an exceptionally low rate of false positives. This method effectively reduces the time between detection and resolution, thereby minimizing the potential for damage to organizations. The company expands its offerings by providing consumers with access to a team of expert threat analysts and investigators 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Security Leaders: Transforming Network Security for Businesses As organizations rely increasingly on digital infrastructure to conduct operations, communicate sensitive information, and interact with customers, the surface area for potential cyber threats increases proportionally. This necessitates that businesses have extensive network security in order to place a crucial barrier between valuable assets and malicious actors, protecting against a spectrum of threats ranging from data breaches and ransomware attacks to phishing attempts. Since businesses navigate the complexities of the contemporary cyber frontier, these distinguished network security providers emerge as more than just protection mechanisms; they represent the sentinels of trust, dependability, and innovation. These industry-leading network security providers serve as an impregnable shield, allowing businesses to exploit the complete potential of technology without making any concessions.

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Healthcare Sector Suffers From Increasing Number of Cybersecurity Attacks

Article | November 1, 2021

The rapid acceleration of digital adoption in healthcare has largely improved patient access amid the pandemic. In 2020 alone, over one billion consultations were predicted in lieu of physical physician visits. This prediction turned out to be accurate. Unfortunately, this wide scale telehealth rollout has also created a virtual playground for cybercriminals looking to exploit the deluge of sensitive information online. In fact, since 2020, cyber-attacks on the healthcare industry have risen by 55%. How the Coronavirus Paved the Way for Cybercrime The events of 2020 created the perfect storm for cybercriminals. While reports from as early as 2017 stated that the American healthcare system was significantly vulnerable, very little was done to safeguard its policies and operations. Despite recommendations from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other agencies, studies show that only 4% to 7% of the average health institution’s IT budget was allocated for cybersecurity. This lackluster investment in improving online safety was further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to massive shifts in the industry, cybersecurity’s already modest budget was stretched even further to make up for cash flow adjustments and the sudden adoption of telehealth services. Today, with the Delta variant pressuring the U.S. healthcare industry, IT professionals have been tracking continued surges in cybercrime attacks. At the national level, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has reported noticeable activity spikes in their servers. Unnamed sources have attributed this to hackers trying to use the floods of traffic to slow online operations. Meanwhile, more regional attacks have come in the form of phishing or ransomware. Over 70% of all malware attacks in 2020 were even credited to the latter. This act not only compromises confidential patient information but also halts the hospital’s access to its digital systems. This causes significant complications in the execution of essential tasks, like non-emergency surgeries and emergency room (ER) operations. As of October 2020, the FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency have released statements warning that they believe that cybercrime will continue to become more dangerous and prolific as the pandemic surges. How the Healthcare Sector Can Combat Cyber threats Among all other industries, healthcare is the one that reports the biggest losses, the most breaches, the longest breach identification time, and the most prolonged breach recovery period. Given this, many health and cybersecurity stakeholders have already begun rolling out protective measures and suggestions. Again, at a national level, cybersecurity analysts suggest that the HIPAA be updated. Being a 25-year-old law, it has glaring gaps in the standards and safeguards it mandates upon hospitals and third-party cyber service providers. This means that, at the moment, healthcare institutions and IT vendors have no vetted guidelines to aid them as they adjust to contemporary demands. But, of course, the responsibility to better their cybersecurity also falls on the service users themselves. Aside from having IT team members who specialize in internal processes and improving user experience for patients, hospitals are also encouraged to onboard cybersecurity professionals. As a matter of fact, the forecast demand for these experts is expected to jump by 31% in the next decade, in accordance with the rise of cybercrime threats. Given this, and the current gap in cybersecurity talent, educational institutions are now offering online cybersecurity degrees. In line with the spread of telehealth adoption, these online degrees open up the field to a much wider array of potential talent. They also offer concentrations on mobile device hacking and forensics—both of which are timely skills in creating a defensive cybersecurity strategy. Since cybercriminals are also targeting the data sent from patients, many security leaders suggest offering telehealth user training. In these short and digestible sessions, patients (and even non-IT hospital staff members) can be taught the basics of cybercrime safety. These include avoiding downloadable malware, using powerful passwords, and discerning which network connections are trustworthy. This effort can significantly reduce the chances of a breach since 95% of these vulnerabilities are caused by errors on the part of the service user. All in all, the necessary changes to combat cybercrime are estimated to be worth over $125 billion by 2025. While it may be a costly process on the surface, it is a necessary—and long overdue—expenditure. Cybercriminals are getting more sophisticated daily, and by taking our time to scale up, we’ve let a hacking epidemic ride on the coattails of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Top 5 Application Security Trends Businesses Must Be Aware of in 2023

Article | March 29, 2023

Despite the fact that today's technological world is an ever-emerging landscape of complex network infrastructure, security measures, and state-of-the-art technological tools, we still cannot guarantee that a cyber-attack or a breach can be easily averted. The prime reason for such cyber breaches is the possession of complex and highly advanced attack mechanisms by hackers or attackers. Therefore, the only sustainable way to counter cyber-attacks is to implement a continuous monitoring system. A compliance program is an example of continuous monitoring where consistent adherence to a benchmark or compliance level is highly emphasized on a continual basis. A compliance program is essential for ensuring data integrity, confidentiality, and availability. The three elements (integrity, confidentiality, and availability) form the backbone of any information security system. It is needed to increase the operational efficiency of organizations ranging from education, healthcare, financial institutions, and others. A compliance program equips company personnel with the resources necessary to develop confidence in their compliance efforts, allowing them to concentrate on running their organization. In the subsequent paragraphs, we shall discuss the approach that should be used to build a robust compliance program. The scope of the compliance program for which we will build is the first and most important step we take. The following procedures, which are listed below, may be included in the scope of the enterprise: Access Management Vulnerability and Patch Management Asset and Configuration Management Logging and Monitoring Risk Management Physical and Environmental Security Privacy Governance (Policies & Procedures & Awareness) End Point Security Change Management Incident and Problem Management, Capacity and Availability Vendor Management Application Security Once the scope is identified, it is easier to move forward with the design of the compliance program. Now we define a benchmark for measuring the compliance level of each of these processes. For e.g., if we take end point security into consideration, the percentage of security patches deployed or implemented on the servers and workstations must comply with the benchmark or compliance level percentage formerly identified and agreed upon. Then we analyze the data collection at a given point of time for each of these processes that provide us with the current posture. The data collection is to be done by various tech teams and can be in the form of reports, logs, or any raw form of data. A thorough review and analysis of the data collected is done against the benchmark to identify the gaps. This is an important step and the most crucial one, as any lack here may result in a security breach. For example, if we take vulnerability management into consideration and we analyze that the remediation of vulnerabilities for a quarter is falling short of the benchmark percentage, then such un-remediated vulnerabilities in turn actually expose the servers and systems to serious security breaches, and hence effort must be taken to remediate such findings within the stipulated time. "It is important to recommend solutions and a roadmap to close the gaps within a specified period. The roadmap to close the gaps in a compliance program is usually over a period of a number of years. This should sit in conformance with the various tech teams and must have their consent." Finally, measure the compliance level (against a benchmark already identified) and come up with a compliance score for each of these processes at any given point in time. The compliance score can be depicted in the form of a dashboard showcasing the various graphs and charts and hence depicting the current security posture of the organization. These components give the necessary foundation to set up a compliance program and begin protecting any highly regulated firm immediately. These components contribute to the establishment of an effective compliance and ethics program by detecting and preventing inappropriate conduct as well as encouraging adherence to the organization's legal and ethical responsibilities. Why should Organizations have a Compliance Program? Building a compliance program is neither a simple nor an inexpensive task. Since compliance departments do not generate income, it can be tempting to disregard compliance as a cost center. This would be a mistake. A compliance breach has the ability to do severe damage to a business, or in the worst-case situation, to completely destroy it (as famously happened to Enron Corporation). Listed below are a few of the advantages that a compliance program offers: A compliance program indicates the organizations' dedication to ethical behavior It minimizes the likelihood of violations, establishes a means for detecting violations sooner rather than later, and establishes a procedure for swiftly and efficiently responding to violations It will minimize the risk of severe consequences in the event of a violation An effective compliance program in business operations reduces compliance risk and business drag The importance and complexity of compliance programs have increased in recent years, as has the number of organizations using them. It has emerged as a critical component for employees, investors, regulators, and everyone else who is concerned with the operation, protection, and evaluation of a company.

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Data Security, Enterprise Security

Top 5 Tactics for Improving Cloud Security Hygiene for Businesses

Article | November 22, 2022

Hacking and hackers are probably the number one concern for modern businesses and cybersecurity professionals today. This is because successful black hat hackers can cause widespread damage to business operations, profits and reputation. However, despite the fact that everyone seems to be concerned about hackers, hacking as a category is widely misunderstood. Not all hackers are bad and different hat colours denote different types of hackers which are important to understand for anyone interested in truly comprehending cyber crime and building long term cyber resilience. Just as characters in old western movies wore different-coloured hats to reflect their alignment, there are different hacker hat colours that denote different categories of hackers. In this blog, we explain the six different hacker hat colours and how they impact cybersecurity. 1. White Hat Hackers White hat hackers actually use their skills for good. Also, called ethical hackers or penetration testers, these are cybersecurity professionals who look for vulnerabilities in businesses’ IT systems. They then recommend possible improvements to help keep businesses safe from black hat hackers or the real cyber criminals as we know them. White hat hackers and penetration testers can reveal crucial cybersecurity flaws in business infrastructure. For example, one recent ethical hacking project found that 65% of tested organizations didn’t use multifactor authentication. Without these tests, companies may have glaring vulnerabilities they don’t know about, exposing themselves to expensive ransomware attacks and other cyber threats. 2. Black Hat Hackers Black hat hackers are the most familiar type of cyber criminals that we all know of. These are cybercriminals that maliciously attack users or organisations for personal gain. More often than not, their actions are financially motivated, like stealing data to resell on the dark web or using ransomware to demand payment. While many of these hackers are skilled, simple attacks often prove effective enough to cause considerable damage. For example, one stolen password compromised more than 60 million Dropbox accounts at the hands of a black hat hacker. Even in the case of the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, it appears that a leaked password was all that was required to disrupt gas supplies in the world’s largest economy. To protect your business from such malicious attacks by black hat hackers, you can prepare yourself to prevent ransomware attacks by downloading our Ransomware Checklist. If you end up being hit by ransomware, you can use our Ransomware Response Workflow and our Ransomware Response Checklist to take the right steps and mitigate the impact of attack as far as possible. 3. Gray Hat Hackers As one might expect, gray hat hackers don’t fall neatly into either “good” or “bad” categories. They may not have malicious intent like black hat hackers but may still engage in illegal practices, unlike white hats. Many of them simply enjoy hacking as a hobby and try to find new exploits and vulnerabilities for fun. Some gray hat hackers act like white hats but through illegal or illicit methods. One such incident occurred in 2013 when a web developer hacked into Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook page to demonstrate a bug in the platform’s infrastructure. The intent wasn’t exactly malicious but the end result can be seen as incorrect. 4. Red Hat Hackers Red hat hackers are similar to gray hats in that they fall somewhere between white and black hats. These actors are vigilantes, taking cybersecurity into their own hands by seeking and attacking black hats. Instead of stopping black hat hackers and turning them in to the authorities, they launch cyberattacks against them. They may use viruses, DDoS attacks or other methods to compromise and even destroy hackers’ resources. Some people debate whether these internet vigilantes really exist or are merely a romanticized ideal since there’s little evidence of their actions. 5. Blue Hat Hackers The term “blue hat hackers” has two different meanings, depending on the source. In some circles, these are penetration testers that work outside the company. Microsoft hosts a blue hat conference to improve cybersecurity training and encourage continuous learning on hacking techniques. The other definition refers to hackers who act only out of revenge. These are typically less-skilled attackers who have only learned hacking methods to take out a specific target. They may attack only once but could cause significant damage since they’re not interested in monetary gains. 6. Green Hat Hackers Like blue hat hackers, green hats are new to the practice. Unlike the blue hats, though, they have a desire to grow and become expert hackers. These are fledgling black hats, seeking vulnerable targets to hone their skills on and eventually evolve into more dangerous threats. While green hat hackers lack the skills of more experienced cybercriminals, they can still be concerning. As the Dropbox hack shows, it doesn’t always take high-level techniques to cause damage. These attackers may also target small businesses with less advanced security that may not be able to recover. Why should you know the different types of hackers? Hacking is a wide and very diverse field, contrary to what many people may think about it. It is important for cybersecurity professionals and security-focussed businesses to understand the different types of hackers and even hacker hat colors. This is simply because knowing your enemy, their tactics and techniques, their motivations and their skill level is critical to keeping your business safe. Only once you understand some basic hacking techniques and methods can you gauge the opportunities hackers may be after with respect to your specific business. You can prepare for a potential hacking incident in your own organisation with a Cyber Tabletop Exercise. An external, experienced facilitator can play a crucial role in helping your business executives understand the different types of hacking techniques and what a hacker may be after in your business. The exercise involves building a cybersecurity scenario-based simulation which can help team members understand where your business stands with respect to possible cyber attacks and hacks. Only once you’re aware of your weaknesses and the loopholes in your incident response plans and strategies can you work towards building a strong, cyber-resilient organisation over the longer term.

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Data Security

15 Go-to Data Security Tools to Better Protect and Encrypt Data

Article | February 12, 2024

Uncover the network security leaders at the forefront of fortifying digital space against an array of cyber threats. Discover solutions tailored to ensure business's online safety and continuity. In the expanding digital space, where cyberattacks and data breaches are a constant threat, businesses of all sizes must prioritize network security to preserve customer confidence, safeguard sensitive data, and ensure uninterrupted operations. With this, selecting the right network security provider has become an integral element of a company's cybersecurity strategy. As businesses continue to navigate the technological landscape, working with a dependable and holistic network security provider is an investment that pays off in terms of protecting assets, maintaining trust, and ensuring continuous operations. Here are some of the leading network security providers for businesses: 360 SOC, Inc. 360 SOC, Inc., a cybersecurity corporation headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a model of innovation and efficiency. Together with its sister company, HTG 360, Inc., the company has earned a commendable reputation for providing cutting-edge security solutions to marginalized business communities at competitive prices. With a team of experienced security consultants, visionary business leaders, and adept engineers, 360 SOC employs its distinctive 'Reverse DNA' methodology, which leverages a unique combination of business acumen and technological expertise. Praetorian Praetorian is at the forefront of offensive security services, providing enterprises with unwavering assistance in navigating the digital domain. Utilizing profound cybersecurity expertise, the company's skilled professionals provide the necessary knowledge to fortify defenses against persistent and sophisticated attacks. Its managed services provide full protection against an exhaustive range of attack vectors, including external, internal, cloud, web applications, secrets, phishing, and supply chain and vendor risks. With Praetorians as their vigilant guardian, Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) of the world's prominent businesses are confident in their ability to propel digital expansion without hindrance. SecqureOne For the past 17 years, SecqureOne (SQ1), a prominent Silicon Valley-based cybersecurity and compliance solution provider, has graciously served global businesses. SQ1 has emerged as a trustworthy security partner for companies across various industries, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, financial services, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, insurance, government, legal, technology, oil, and energy. Its platform, SQ1Shield, combines 24x7 vigilant monitoring led by skilled cybersecurity analysts, Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services for endpoints and networks, and proficiency in Security Orchestration and Automated Response mechanisms. NordLayer NordLayer stands as a leading provider of flexible and easily deployable cybersecurity solutions for businesses of all sizes and operational models, developed using NordVPN's excellence as a benchmark. The company's mission is to facilitate network security for businesses, enabling a streamlined approach to fortification. By enhancing internet security and modernizing network and resource access, NordLayer offers technological enhancements that align with the most stringent regulatory compliance requirements. Following the Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and Secure Web Gateway (SWG) principles, NordLayer focuses on the security service edge within cybersecurity services. Silver Spring Networks Silver Spring Networks is a pivotal enabler of the Internet of Important Things, consistently promoting the dependable and secure interconnection of important entities. Municipalities, utilities, and corporations across five continents leverage the company's cost-effective and high-performance IoT network and data platform to improve operational efficiency, embrace sustainability and indicate cutting-edge offerings poised to improve countless lives. With a track record of delivering over 27.3 million devices, Silver Spring Networks offers a battle-tested, standards-driven, and military-grade secure foundation. Absolute Software Absolute Software emerges as the sole provider of intelligent, self-renewing security solutions. The company distinguishes itself as the only platform orchestrating an enduring digital linkage that proficiently and dynamically imparts visibility, control, and self-healing characteristics on endpoints, applications, and network connections. This fortification enables clients to strengthen their cyber resilience against the rising tide of ransomware and malicious attacks. Absolute's eminence is highlighted by its lasting recognition as a Leader in G2's Summer 2023 Grid Report for Endpoint Management - a prestigious honor earned for the fourteenth consecutive quarter - and as a Leader for the fourth successive quarter in the grid for Zero Trust Networking. ARIA Cybersecurity Solutions ARIA Cybersecurity Solutions is a leading firm that provides multifaceted solutions with dual functions: increasing the efficacy of businesses' existing security infrastructure and helping the deployment of extensive AI-driven Security Operations Center (SOC) capabilities within a unified framework. The company's solutions introduce novel methods for monitoring internal traffic, in addition to cautious analytics directed at security tools such as SIEMs or its ARIA ADR application, through novel approaches. This synergy significantly amplifies threat detection and proactively thwarts cyberattacks and data intrusions. Diverse industries rely on ARIA Cybersecurity Solutions services to strengthen their security posture, regardless of their operational context. ES Cyber Solutions Headquartered in Willowbrook, IL, ES Cyber Solutions (formerly ESPO Systems) is a renowned cybersecurity company offering a vast array of services and solutions carefully designed to address complex security requirements. The company is proud to represent six prominent cybersecurity vendors and their respective partner networks, with a primary focus on managed security services provisioning (MSSP) and professional services. With a history dating back to 2009, ES Cyber Solutions has a proven track record of providing remote and on-site professional services to over 8000 clients worldwide. Supported by cutting-edge technology, the skilled team assures rapid and effective deployment, enabling immediate value realization for esteemed clients. Skybox Security Skybox Security, headquartered in San Jose, California, stands out as an unrivaled organization that provides an all-encompassing view of hybrid and multi-cloud networks and facilitates an in-depth understanding of the attack surface. The company streamlines the process of identifying, prioritizing, and resolving vulnerabilities by providing businesses with holistic visibility, sharp analytics, and effective automation. This transformative strategy optimizes security policies, actions, and change processes across all enterprise networks and cloud environments. By adopting Skybox Security, businesses enable their security teams to transfer their attention to strategic business initiatives, ensuring secure business enablement on a vast scale. Nexum, Inc. Nexum, Inc., founded in 2002 in Chicago and headquartered in Hammond, Indiana, develops custom solutions to meet businesses' specific needs, ranging from identifying and preventing network threats, intrusions, and disruptions to ensuring frictionless alignment with business objectives. The company excels in multiple domains, including security engineering and architecture services, managed security services, and level 1 and level 2 support programs for prestigious brands. Its unwavering dedication to protecting digital landscapes exemplifies its commitment to a diverse clientele, spanning from multinational corporations to smaller, regional, and local organizations. NextRay AI Detection & Response Inc. NextRay AI Detection & Response Inc. stands as a pioneering AI-driven cybersecurity enterprise. Using cutting-edge technology, NextRay AI provides sophisticated and proactive solutions that are meticulously designed to empower clients to combat complex threats, zero-day vulnerabilities, and cloud-based assaults with unmatched efficacy. The company's extensive capabilities include enhanced network and threat visibility, Early Stage Detection and Response, Advanced Network Forensics, and robust AI and cyber security capabilities. This strategic combination of innovation and experience positions NextRay AI at the forefront of protecting digital terrains and enables businesses to navigate the ever-changing cybersecurity space confidently. ReasonLabs ReasonLabs has emerged as a pioneering force in cybersecurity, delivering Fortune 500-caliber cyber protection to countless home users worldwide. Powered by AI prowess, its cutting-edge antivirus engine analyzes billions of files across the globe, preventing cyberattacks in real time and around the clock. RAV Endpoint Protection, the company's primary endpoint security solution, constitutes a multi-layered defense strategy that effectively protects home users from the dangers of next-generation threats and serves as the centerpiece of its comprehensive suite. ReasonLabs is unwavering in its dedication to safeguarding digital domains, providing residential users with a line of defense comparable to the level of security employed by multinational corporations. Safari Micro Safari Micro, founded in 1997, has become a reputable value-added reseller specializing in IT hardware, software, and a plethora of services, including network infrastructure, cloud computing, storage, security, endpoint solutions, and managed services. The company serves a diverse clientele in the US, including businesses, state municipalities, educational institutions, and government agencies. Safari Micro's strategic powers reside in its ability to forge strong partnerships with manufacturers and distributors of varying sizes, allowing its sales and IT services professionals to deliver precise solutions precisely when needed. SBS CyberSecurity, LLC SBS CyberSecurity, LLC (SBS) is a reputable cybersecurity consulting and auditing firm of the highest caliber. Since its founding in 2004, SBS has assisted numerous organizations in establishing robust risk management programs and mitigating cybersecurity vulnerabilities effectively. The company is distinguished by its ability to provide customized, all-inclusive solutions, including cybersecurity risk management software, network security tools, consulting services, IT audits, and educational initiatives. Through its multifaceted approach, SBS CyberSecurity enables clients to make well-informed security decisions, instilling confidence in the security and integrity of their most vital data assets. Cynet Security Cynet Security is a pioneer and market leader in advanced threat detection and response. The company's devotion to simplifying security is demonstrated by its rapid deployment of an exhaustive platform that includes detection, prevention, and automated response to sophisticated threats, all while maintaining an exceptionally low rate of false positives. This method effectively reduces the time between detection and resolution, thereby minimizing the potential for damage to organizations. The company expands its offerings by providing consumers with access to a team of expert threat analysts and investigators 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Security Leaders: Transforming Network Security for Businesses As organizations rely increasingly on digital infrastructure to conduct operations, communicate sensitive information, and interact with customers, the surface area for potential cyber threats increases proportionally. This necessitates that businesses have extensive network security in order to place a crucial barrier between valuable assets and malicious actors, protecting against a spectrum of threats ranging from data breaches and ransomware attacks to phishing attempts. Since businesses navigate the complexities of the contemporary cyber frontier, these distinguished network security providers emerge as more than just protection mechanisms; they represent the sentinels of trust, dependability, and innovation. These industry-leading network security providers serve as an impregnable shield, allowing businesses to exploit the complete potential of technology without making any concessions.

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Data Security

Healthcare Sector Suffers From Increasing Number of Cybersecurity Attacks

Article | November 1, 2021

The rapid acceleration of digital adoption in healthcare has largely improved patient access amid the pandemic. In 2020 alone, over one billion consultations were predicted in lieu of physical physician visits. This prediction turned out to be accurate. Unfortunately, this wide scale telehealth rollout has also created a virtual playground for cybercriminals looking to exploit the deluge of sensitive information online. In fact, since 2020, cyber-attacks on the healthcare industry have risen by 55%. How the Coronavirus Paved the Way for Cybercrime The events of 2020 created the perfect storm for cybercriminals. While reports from as early as 2017 stated that the American healthcare system was significantly vulnerable, very little was done to safeguard its policies and operations. Despite recommendations from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other agencies, studies show that only 4% to 7% of the average health institution’s IT budget was allocated for cybersecurity. This lackluster investment in improving online safety was further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to massive shifts in the industry, cybersecurity’s already modest budget was stretched even further to make up for cash flow adjustments and the sudden adoption of telehealth services. Today, with the Delta variant pressuring the U.S. healthcare industry, IT professionals have been tracking continued surges in cybercrime attacks. At the national level, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has reported noticeable activity spikes in their servers. Unnamed sources have attributed this to hackers trying to use the floods of traffic to slow online operations. Meanwhile, more regional attacks have come in the form of phishing or ransomware. Over 70% of all malware attacks in 2020 were even credited to the latter. This act not only compromises confidential patient information but also halts the hospital’s access to its digital systems. This causes significant complications in the execution of essential tasks, like non-emergency surgeries and emergency room (ER) operations. As of October 2020, the FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency have released statements warning that they believe that cybercrime will continue to become more dangerous and prolific as the pandemic surges. How the Healthcare Sector Can Combat Cyber threats Among all other industries, healthcare is the one that reports the biggest losses, the most breaches, the longest breach identification time, and the most prolonged breach recovery period. Given this, many health and cybersecurity stakeholders have already begun rolling out protective measures and suggestions. Again, at a national level, cybersecurity analysts suggest that the HIPAA be updated. Being a 25-year-old law, it has glaring gaps in the standards and safeguards it mandates upon hospitals and third-party cyber service providers. This means that, at the moment, healthcare institutions and IT vendors have no vetted guidelines to aid them as they adjust to contemporary demands. But, of course, the responsibility to better their cybersecurity also falls on the service users themselves. Aside from having IT team members who specialize in internal processes and improving user experience for patients, hospitals are also encouraged to onboard cybersecurity professionals. As a matter of fact, the forecast demand for these experts is expected to jump by 31% in the next decade, in accordance with the rise of cybercrime threats. Given this, and the current gap in cybersecurity talent, educational institutions are now offering online cybersecurity degrees. In line with the spread of telehealth adoption, these online degrees open up the field to a much wider array of potential talent. They also offer concentrations on mobile device hacking and forensics—both of which are timely skills in creating a defensive cybersecurity strategy. Since cybercriminals are also targeting the data sent from patients, many security leaders suggest offering telehealth user training. In these short and digestible sessions, patients (and even non-IT hospital staff members) can be taught the basics of cybercrime safety. These include avoiding downloadable malware, using powerful passwords, and discerning which network connections are trustworthy. This effort can significantly reduce the chances of a breach since 95% of these vulnerabilities are caused by errors on the part of the service user. All in all, the necessary changes to combat cybercrime are estimated to be worth over $125 billion by 2025. While it may be a costly process on the surface, it is a necessary—and long overdue—expenditure. Cybercriminals are getting more sophisticated daily, and by taking our time to scale up, we’ve let a hacking epidemic ride on the coattails of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Intelligent Decisions

For nearly 25 years, Intelligent Decisions (ID), Inc., has been providing a broad range of innovative IT professional services, software, hardware, and manufacturing solutions to the Federal Government. Our value add is simple – we develop, deploy and maintain the most sophisticated technology solutions on the market by combining high-end professional services and cutting-edge technology to provide an all-encompassing, end-to-end solution. Ranked on the prestigious Washington Post "Post 200," Washington Business Journal’s "50 Fastest Growing Companies" as a leading technology solutions provider, and CRN's "VAR500" and "Tech Elite 250," ID's exceptional growth is the direct result of proven solutions, best-value, and customer service excellence.

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Data Security

GuidePoint Security Announces Portfolio of Data Security Governance Services

GuidePoint Security | January 30, 2024

GuidePoint Security, a cybersecurity solutions leader enabling organizations to make smarter decisions and minimize risk, today announced the availability of its Data Security Governance services, which are designed to help customers address the challenges of unstructured data and data sprawl through a proven process and program to meet their unique needs. GuidePoint’s Data Security Governance services consist of policies, standards, and processes leveraging the newest technologies to meet organizations’ data governance goals in both on-prem and cloud environments. Once the right strategy is determined with the customer, GuidePoint Security consultants will review program requirements, assess current policies and controls, perform gap analysis, design and develop/enhance the program, recommend and implement supporting technologies, and create operational processes and metrics. “Whether an organization is just beginning to build their data security governance program or needs help assessing and improving an existing program, our team and service capabilities are built to meet them at their current maturity level,” said Scott Griswold, Practice Director - Security Governance Services, GuidePoint Security. “We work side by side with the customer to conduct the necessary data discovery in their environment and provide tailored recommendations for solutions and processes to ultimately build/improve upon the data security governance program.” GuidePoint’s Data Security Governance Services include: Sensitive Data Cataloging: For organizations just getting started in the process of protecting their sensitive data, GuidePoint offers Data Identification workshops to identify sensitive data types in the environment, including trade secrets, intellectual property, and sensitive business communications. Data Security Governance Program Assessment: For organizations with existing Data Security Governance or Data Protection programs, GuidePoint Security experts will assess the program to identify policy non-compliance, gaps in data protection requirements—whether legal, regulatory, contractual, or business—and program maturity levels. Data Security Governance Program Strategy Development: The GuidePoint team will work with an organization's key stakeholders to design a program strategy aligned with relevant requirements. The outputs of this effort include delivering ongoing sensitive data discovery, automated classification and labeling, the application of required sensitive data protections, restrictions on where sensitive data can be stored and sent, and data retention policy enforcement. Merger and Acquisition Data Identification: This offering provides the ability to identify sensitive data within an M&A target or recent acquisition (including locations, amounts, and access rights) and then perform penetration testing on the storage repositories where that sensitive data exists to determine the risk of data compromise. About GuidePoint Security GuidePoint Security provides trusted cybersecurity expertise, solutions and services that help organizations make better decisions that minimize risk. Our experts act as your trusted advisor to understand your business and challenges, helping you through an evaluation of your cybersecurity posture and ecosystem to expose risks, optimize resources and implement best-fit solutions. GuidePoint’s unmatched expertise has enabled a third of Fortune 500 companies and more than half of the U.S. government cabinet-level agencies to improve their security posture and reduce risk. Learn more at www.guidepointsecurity.com.

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Software Security

Trellix and One Source Deliver Industry-Leading Managed Detection and Response Security Services

Trellix | January 22, 2024

Trellix, the cybersecurity company delivering the future of extended detection and response (XDR), today announced an expanded strategic partnership with One Source, a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) and technology delivery partner. Customers benefit from a Fortune 500 SOC capability built on the Trellix XDR Platform with AI-guided intelligence, enabling faster detection, investigation, and remediation. Trellix, the cybersecurity company delivering the future of extended detection and response (XDR), today announced an expanded strategic partnership with One Source, a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) and technology delivery partner. Customers benefit from a Fortune 500 SOC capability built on the Trellix XDR Platform with AI-guided intelligence, enabling faster detection, investigation, and remediation. “The partnership aligns with Trellix’s ongoing commitment to secure organizations from advanced cyber threats,” says Sean Morton, SVP of Professional Services at Trellix. “Leveraging One Source’s MDR capabilities and expanded footprint, we enable more businesses to build cyber resilience, with continued innovation in our combined products and solution offerings to stay ahead of bad actors.” One Source has multiple SOCs leveraging Trellix’s technology, staffed by the industry’s top experts to provide Managed Detection and Response (MDR) capabilities. Their team implements a proactive cyber strategy for customers specific to industry, technology environment, and vulnerabilities, built on the Trellix XDR Platform with 24x7 monitoring. The partnership and combined expertise benefits customers with enhanced services like managed threat detection and response, incident response, security operations and analytics, threat intelligence, threat hunting and forensics, and training and enablement. “The Trellix and One Source partnership is extremely powerful; the former offers an incredible set of security solutions, and the latter excels at personalized deployment and execution,” said Paul Moline, Chief Information Officer, Lindsay Automotive Group. “I never anticipated we could protect our environment with the same security solutions used by government agencies and Fortune 50 companies: I can now sleep at night.” The Trellix XDR Platform’s open architecture and broad set of native security controls across endpoint, email, network, cloud, and data security integrates with over 500 third-party tools to create multi-vector, multi-vendor event correlation and context to speed up investigations. The Trellix Advanced Research Center provides an additional layer of protection by continuously informing the platform with information from millions of global sensors on the latest threat vectors, tactics, and recommendations. One Source experts apply these insights to stay ahead of the constantly evolving threat landscape. “The collaboration with Trellix is a game-changer in reshaping the cybersecurity landscape,” says Eric Gressel, Executive Vice President of Sales, One Source. “Thanks to our partnership, we have access to the highest level of cyber intelligence to fend off newly-revealed hackers and their means of attack, enabling our customers with the most comprehensive offering of enhanced Managed Security Services to protect their businesses.” One Source has a proven track record supporting global businesses spanning retail, restaurant, automotive, healthcare, financial, and manufacturing industries. Trellix customers can rely on One Source's leading Managed Security Services to optimize technology expenses while enhancing telecom connectivity, IT infrastructure, and cybersecurity strategies. About Trellix Trellix is a global company redefining the future of cybersecurity and soulful work. The company’s open and native extended detection and response (XDR) platform helps organizations confronted by today’s most advanced threats gain confidence in the protection and resilience of their operations. Trellix, along with an extensive partner ecosystem, accelerates technology innovation through machine learning and automation to empower over 40,000 business and government customers with living security. More at https://trellix.com. About One Source One Source helps businesses simplify a complex technology world. One Source is the leading provider of Technology and Managed Security Services for enterprises. Today, One Source manages more than 2,500 customers, 45,000 business locations, and over one million assets throughout North America. In addition to Managed Security Services, One Source provides Managed Technology Expense Management, 24 / 7 local helpdesk, procures and provisions telecom & IT solutions, and manages customer service requests. One Source frequently generates triple-digit ROI for customers through contract negotiation, portfolio optimization, and ongoing expense management. In addition, One Source leverages partnerships with industry leaders, including Trellix to bring Fortune 500 security solutions and fully managed services to the mid-market. One Source's approach empowers businesses to focus on customers and revenue-generating activities. Learn more at https://www.onesource.net/.

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Platform Security

Stellar Cyber and Proofpoint Strategic Alliance to Deliver Comprehensive Email Security Solution For SecOps Teams

Stellar Cyber | January 23, 2024

Stellar Cyber, the innovator of Open XDR, announced a new partnership with Proofpoint, a leading cybersecurity and compliance company. Through this alliance, Proofpoint and Stellar Cyber customers benefit from an out-of-the-box integration enabling swift email investigations and real-time response actions to email-driven attacks. Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection monitors emails to identify suspicious emails and potentially malicious attachments and URLs. Once identified, the findings are shared with Stellar Cyber automatically. Stellar Cyber’s Open XDR platform ingests, normalizes, and analyzes Proofpoint findings and other collected data to deliver a comprehensive threat picture. As security analysts conduct investigations, they can instruct integrated third-party products – including Proofpoint – on corrective actions. “Protecting organizations against email-borne attacks is a top priority, and security teams need a way to automatically correlate threat telemetry across the entire attack surface in order to quickly remediate threats,” said Andrew Homer, VP of Strategic Alliances, Stellar Cyber. “This new partnership with Proofpoint is the latest example of Stellar Cyber delivering on its Open XDR strategy to provide customers turn-key integrations that improve productivity and threat detection.” “Email attacks remain the number one entry point into an organization, and the level of sophistication of these attacks continues to grow exponentially,” said D.J. Long, Vice President, Strategic Alliances & Business Development, Proofpoint. “We’re thrilled to work with Stellar Cyber on this strategic alliance to help customers protect against advanced email-based threats and unify their cybersecurity defense.” Through this alliance, Stellar Cyber and Proofpoint give security teams an advantage over attackers, resulting in the following: Real-time threat signals exchanged for proactive detection Correlation of Proofpoint alerts across the entire attack surface Automated response actions for immediate threat containment About Stellar Cyber Stellar Cyber’s Open XDR Platform delivers comprehensive, unified security without complexity, empowering lean security teams of any skill level to secure their environments successfully. With Stellar Cyber, organizations reduce risk with early and precise identification and remediation of threats while slashing costs, retaining investments in existing tools, and improving analyst productivity, delivering an 8X improvement in MTTD and a 20X improvement in MTTR. The company is based in Silicon Valley.

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Data Security

GuidePoint Security Announces Portfolio of Data Security Governance Services

GuidePoint Security | January 30, 2024

GuidePoint Security, a cybersecurity solutions leader enabling organizations to make smarter decisions and minimize risk, today announced the availability of its Data Security Governance services, which are designed to help customers address the challenges of unstructured data and data sprawl through a proven process and program to meet their unique needs. GuidePoint’s Data Security Governance services consist of policies, standards, and processes leveraging the newest technologies to meet organizations’ data governance goals in both on-prem and cloud environments. Once the right strategy is determined with the customer, GuidePoint Security consultants will review program requirements, assess current policies and controls, perform gap analysis, design and develop/enhance the program, recommend and implement supporting technologies, and create operational processes and metrics. “Whether an organization is just beginning to build their data security governance program or needs help assessing and improving an existing program, our team and service capabilities are built to meet them at their current maturity level,” said Scott Griswold, Practice Director - Security Governance Services, GuidePoint Security. “We work side by side with the customer to conduct the necessary data discovery in their environment and provide tailored recommendations for solutions and processes to ultimately build/improve upon the data security governance program.” GuidePoint’s Data Security Governance Services include: Sensitive Data Cataloging: For organizations just getting started in the process of protecting their sensitive data, GuidePoint offers Data Identification workshops to identify sensitive data types in the environment, including trade secrets, intellectual property, and sensitive business communications. Data Security Governance Program Assessment: For organizations with existing Data Security Governance or Data Protection programs, GuidePoint Security experts will assess the program to identify policy non-compliance, gaps in data protection requirements—whether legal, regulatory, contractual, or business—and program maturity levels. Data Security Governance Program Strategy Development: The GuidePoint team will work with an organization's key stakeholders to design a program strategy aligned with relevant requirements. The outputs of this effort include delivering ongoing sensitive data discovery, automated classification and labeling, the application of required sensitive data protections, restrictions on where sensitive data can be stored and sent, and data retention policy enforcement. Merger and Acquisition Data Identification: This offering provides the ability to identify sensitive data within an M&A target or recent acquisition (including locations, amounts, and access rights) and then perform penetration testing on the storage repositories where that sensitive data exists to determine the risk of data compromise. About GuidePoint Security GuidePoint Security provides trusted cybersecurity expertise, solutions and services that help organizations make better decisions that minimize risk. Our experts act as your trusted advisor to understand your business and challenges, helping you through an evaluation of your cybersecurity posture and ecosystem to expose risks, optimize resources and implement best-fit solutions. GuidePoint’s unmatched expertise has enabled a third of Fortune 500 companies and more than half of the U.S. government cabinet-level agencies to improve their security posture and reduce risk. Learn more at www.guidepointsecurity.com.

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Software Security

Trellix and One Source Deliver Industry-Leading Managed Detection and Response Security Services

Trellix | January 22, 2024

Trellix, the cybersecurity company delivering the future of extended detection and response (XDR), today announced an expanded strategic partnership with One Source, a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) and technology delivery partner. Customers benefit from a Fortune 500 SOC capability built on the Trellix XDR Platform with AI-guided intelligence, enabling faster detection, investigation, and remediation. Trellix, the cybersecurity company delivering the future of extended detection and response (XDR), today announced an expanded strategic partnership with One Source, a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) and technology delivery partner. Customers benefit from a Fortune 500 SOC capability built on the Trellix XDR Platform with AI-guided intelligence, enabling faster detection, investigation, and remediation. “The partnership aligns with Trellix’s ongoing commitment to secure organizations from advanced cyber threats,” says Sean Morton, SVP of Professional Services at Trellix. “Leveraging One Source’s MDR capabilities and expanded footprint, we enable more businesses to build cyber resilience, with continued innovation in our combined products and solution offerings to stay ahead of bad actors.” One Source has multiple SOCs leveraging Trellix’s technology, staffed by the industry’s top experts to provide Managed Detection and Response (MDR) capabilities. Their team implements a proactive cyber strategy for customers specific to industry, technology environment, and vulnerabilities, built on the Trellix XDR Platform with 24x7 monitoring. The partnership and combined expertise benefits customers with enhanced services like managed threat detection and response, incident response, security operations and analytics, threat intelligence, threat hunting and forensics, and training and enablement. “The Trellix and One Source partnership is extremely powerful; the former offers an incredible set of security solutions, and the latter excels at personalized deployment and execution,” said Paul Moline, Chief Information Officer, Lindsay Automotive Group. “I never anticipated we could protect our environment with the same security solutions used by government agencies and Fortune 50 companies: I can now sleep at night.” The Trellix XDR Platform’s open architecture and broad set of native security controls across endpoint, email, network, cloud, and data security integrates with over 500 third-party tools to create multi-vector, multi-vendor event correlation and context to speed up investigations. The Trellix Advanced Research Center provides an additional layer of protection by continuously informing the platform with information from millions of global sensors on the latest threat vectors, tactics, and recommendations. One Source experts apply these insights to stay ahead of the constantly evolving threat landscape. “The collaboration with Trellix is a game-changer in reshaping the cybersecurity landscape,” says Eric Gressel, Executive Vice President of Sales, One Source. “Thanks to our partnership, we have access to the highest level of cyber intelligence to fend off newly-revealed hackers and their means of attack, enabling our customers with the most comprehensive offering of enhanced Managed Security Services to protect their businesses.” One Source has a proven track record supporting global businesses spanning retail, restaurant, automotive, healthcare, financial, and manufacturing industries. Trellix customers can rely on One Source's leading Managed Security Services to optimize technology expenses while enhancing telecom connectivity, IT infrastructure, and cybersecurity strategies. About Trellix Trellix is a global company redefining the future of cybersecurity and soulful work. The company’s open and native extended detection and response (XDR) platform helps organizations confronted by today’s most advanced threats gain confidence in the protection and resilience of their operations. Trellix, along with an extensive partner ecosystem, accelerates technology innovation through machine learning and automation to empower over 40,000 business and government customers with living security. More at https://trellix.com. About One Source One Source helps businesses simplify a complex technology world. One Source is the leading provider of Technology and Managed Security Services for enterprises. Today, One Source manages more than 2,500 customers, 45,000 business locations, and over one million assets throughout North America. In addition to Managed Security Services, One Source provides Managed Technology Expense Management, 24 / 7 local helpdesk, procures and provisions telecom & IT solutions, and manages customer service requests. One Source frequently generates triple-digit ROI for customers through contract negotiation, portfolio optimization, and ongoing expense management. In addition, One Source leverages partnerships with industry leaders, including Trellix to bring Fortune 500 security solutions and fully managed services to the mid-market. One Source's approach empowers businesses to focus on customers and revenue-generating activities. Learn more at https://www.onesource.net/.

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Platform Security

Stellar Cyber and Proofpoint Strategic Alliance to Deliver Comprehensive Email Security Solution For SecOps Teams

Stellar Cyber | January 23, 2024

Stellar Cyber, the innovator of Open XDR, announced a new partnership with Proofpoint, a leading cybersecurity and compliance company. Through this alliance, Proofpoint and Stellar Cyber customers benefit from an out-of-the-box integration enabling swift email investigations and real-time response actions to email-driven attacks. Proofpoint Targeted Attack Protection monitors emails to identify suspicious emails and potentially malicious attachments and URLs. Once identified, the findings are shared with Stellar Cyber automatically. Stellar Cyber’s Open XDR platform ingests, normalizes, and analyzes Proofpoint findings and other collected data to deliver a comprehensive threat picture. As security analysts conduct investigations, they can instruct integrated third-party products – including Proofpoint – on corrective actions. “Protecting organizations against email-borne attacks is a top priority, and security teams need a way to automatically correlate threat telemetry across the entire attack surface in order to quickly remediate threats,” said Andrew Homer, VP of Strategic Alliances, Stellar Cyber. “This new partnership with Proofpoint is the latest example of Stellar Cyber delivering on its Open XDR strategy to provide customers turn-key integrations that improve productivity and threat detection.” “Email attacks remain the number one entry point into an organization, and the level of sophistication of these attacks continues to grow exponentially,” said D.J. Long, Vice President, Strategic Alliances & Business Development, Proofpoint. “We’re thrilled to work with Stellar Cyber on this strategic alliance to help customers protect against advanced email-based threats and unify their cybersecurity defense.” Through this alliance, Stellar Cyber and Proofpoint give security teams an advantage over attackers, resulting in the following: Real-time threat signals exchanged for proactive detection Correlation of Proofpoint alerts across the entire attack surface Automated response actions for immediate threat containment About Stellar Cyber Stellar Cyber’s Open XDR Platform delivers comprehensive, unified security without complexity, empowering lean security teams of any skill level to secure their environments successfully. With Stellar Cyber, organizations reduce risk with early and precise identification and remediation of threats while slashing costs, retaining investments in existing tools, and improving analyst productivity, delivering an 8X improvement in MTTD and a 20X improvement in MTTR. The company is based in Silicon Valley.

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