Tag: Cybersecurity
Beware the poisoned search
Conducting an innocent online search for any business-related document, such as a legal contract, has become as potentially risky as opening a link in an unsolicited email. Ransomware gangs, usually outside US, UK, and EU jurisdiction, are now luring business users of popular search engines to compromised websites designed to look like professional forums, creating a back door into the searcher’s entire organization.
US Government Launches “Shields Ready” Cyber Resilience Campaign – November 9th
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) launched the "Shields Ready" cybersecurity campaign to promote critical national infrastructure (CNI). The "Shields Ready" campaign will tackle CNI by establishing focused strategic strategies to protect organizations from potential disruption, and by building cyber-resilient systems.
Palo Alto Networks Acquires Talon Cyber Security – November 8th
Palo Alto Networks announced its purchase of Talon Cyber Security for $625 million to ramp up its merger and acquisition efforts. Palo Alto Networks credited the acquisition of Talon to its ability to navigate the challenges of today's connected digital environments.
Ransomware Attacks Double Over Past Two Years – November 7th
Ransomware Attacks Double Over Past Two Years Akamai Technologies found that organizations
OpenAI Launches Initiative to Tackle Growing AI Risks – November 6th
OpenAI has announced a new team, intended to counter the risks brought by generative AI systems. Labeled the "preparedness" unit, the new OpenAI branch will be tasked to set preventive measures for systemic AI risks which include individual persuasion, cybersecurity, autonomous replication and adaptation, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats.
APAC Organizations Unable to Prevent 41% of Cyberattacks – November 3rd
In a study by Forrester in collaboration with exposure management company, Tenable found that companies in the Asia Pacific region could not prevent 41% of cyberattacks within the past two years. The APAC edition of the report "Old Habits Die Hard: How People, Process and Technology Challenges Are Hurting Cybersecurity" was based on a survey consisting of 219 cybersecurity leaders in APAC.
Forty Countries Vow to Not Pay Cyber Ransoms – November 1st
Forty US-allied countries pledged to no longer pay cybercrime ransoms at the second annual meeting of the International Counter Ransomware Initiative. The idea behind the pledge is that as long as ransom is paid to these cyber criminals, it will continue. This initiative would also seek to encourage organizations within the participating countries to focus on improving their cybersecurity infrastructure rather than just folding to these cyber criminals.
Enterprises face a steep rise in insider threats
As we predicted earlier this year, harsh economic conditions across Western democracies are acting as a catalyst for cybercrime - particularly those cyber-attacks that target staff inside the organization. As cybersecurity becomes more effective, cybercriminals are finding ways to bypass digital security barriers by victimizing and sometimes terrorizing key personnel within the target organization.
Canadian Government Employees Banned to Use Kaspersky and WeChat Apps – October 31st
SlashNext's "State of Phishing Report for 2023" report stated the 1265% phishing increase in malicious phishing emails since Q4 2022, correlating to ChatGPT's launch. It was also reported that 31,000 phishing emails were sent on a daily basis in the past year, 68% of them being text-based Business Email Compromise (BEC).
United States to regulate AI
US President Joe Biden has issued an executive order aimed at regulating artificial intelligence (AI), urging Congress to pass the necessary legislation as swiftly as possible. The announcement was made only 48 hours before tomorrow’s Global AI Summit in the UK, which US Vice President Kamala Harris will attend. The push to swiftly legislate indicates that the threat of AI is being taken seriously globally, with governments taking a coordinated approach. A mass of legislation and backroom deals with IT companies is surely set to follow.
Revenue Losses in Small Businesses due to Cyber Attacks Rise to 42% – October 30th
According to a report by the Identity Theft Resource Center, 42% of small businesses lost revenue due to a cyber attack in 2023. Despite the record rise of cyber attacks (73%) and revenue loss in small businesses, 85% of small business leaders claim to be prepared for cyber attacks.
Google’s Vulnerability Rewards Program (VRP) Expansion – October 27th
Google's Vulnerability Rewards Program (VRP), a program made to reward researchers who find system vulnerabilities, has been expanded for generative AI. Google explained the expansion of the VRP as a reaction to the risks brought by AI, and the magnified implications it has for traditional digital security.