CyberSecure Specialist

09 Aug

Black Hat USA 2024: How cyber insurance is shaping cybersecurity strategies

Information

Business Security Cyber insurance is not only a safety net, but it can also be a catalyst for advancing security practices and standards Tony Anscombe 08 Aug 2024  •  , 3 min. read If there was ever any doubt about the relationship between cybersecurity and the cyber insurance industry, then Black Hat USA 2024 dispelled it. A full afternoon on a main stage was dedicated to the cyber insurance industry, allowing them to share their…

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08 Aug

Why tech-savvy leadership is key to cyber insurance readiness

Information

Business Security Having knowledgeable leaders at the helm is crucial for protecting the organization and securing the best possible cyber insurance coverage Tony Anscombe 07 Aug 2024  •  , 4 min. read The board does not understand cybersecurity – that’s not so anymore. Prior to the pandemic, the CISO and cybersecurity team were seen as the geeks in the room down the hall who always said no. Even post-pandemic, while there is appreciation that cybersecurity…

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08 Aug

Best Practices for Cisco Device Configuration

Attacks, Insights, Malware

In recent incidents, CISA has seen malicious cyber actors acquire system configuration files by leveraging available protocols or software on devices, such as abusing the legacy Cisco Smart Install feature. CISA recommends organizations disable Smart Install and review NSA’s Smart Install Protocol Misuse advisory and Network Infrastructure Security Guide for configuration guidance.  CISA also continues to see weak password types used on Cisco network devices. A Cisco password type is the type of algorithm used…

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07 Aug

Cybercrime Rapper Sues Bank over Fraud Investigation

Information, Insights

A partial selfie posted by Puchmade Dev to his Twitter account. Yes, that is a functioning handheld card skimming device, encrusted in diamonds. Underneath that are more medallions, including a diamond-studded bitcoin and payment card. In January, KrebsOnSecurity wrote about rapper Punchmade Dev, whose music videos sing the praises of a cybercrime lifestyle. That story showed how Punchmade’s social media profiles promoted Punchmade-themed online stores selling bank account and payment card data. The subject of…

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07 Aug

Royal Ransomware Actors Rebrand as “BlackSuit,” FBI and CISA Release Update to Advisory

Attacks, Insights, Malware

Today, CISA—in partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)—released an update to joint Cybersecurity Advisory #StopRansomware: Royal Ransomware, #StopRansomware: BlackSuit (Royal) Ransomware. The updated advisory provides network defenders with recent and historically observed tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and indicators of compromise (IOCs) associated with BlackSuit and legacy Royal activity. FBI investigations identified these TTPs and IOCs as recently as July 2024. BlackSuit ransomware attacks have spread across numerous critical infrastructure sectors including, but…

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06 Aug

CISA Releases Secure by Demand Guidance

Attacks, Insights, Malware

Today, CISA and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have released Secure by Demand Guide: How Software Customers Can Drive a Secure Technology Ecosystem to help organizations drive a secure technology ecosystem by ensuring their software manufacturers prioritize secure technology from the start. An organization’s acquisition staff often has a general understanding of the core cybersecurity requirements for a particular technology acquisition. However, they frequently don’t assess whether a given supplier has practices and policies…

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05 Aug

Low-Drama ‘Dark Angels’ Reap Record Ransoms

Data Breaches, Information, Insights

A ransomware group called Dark Angels made headlines this past week when it was revealed the crime group recently received a record $75 million data ransom payment from a Fortune 50 company. Security experts say the Dark Angels have been around since 2021, but the group doesn’t get much press because they work alone and maintain a low profile, picking one target at a time and favoring mass data theft over disrupting the victim’s operations.…

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03 Aug

AI and automation reducing breach costs – Week in security with Tony Anscombe

Information

Video Organizations that leveraged AI and automation in security prevention cut the cost of a data breach by US$2.22 million compared to those that didn’t deploy these technologies, according to IBM 02 Aug 2024 Organizations that leveraged the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in security prevention cut the cost of a data breach by as much as US$2.22 million compared to those that didn’t deploy these technologies, according to IBM’s Cost of a…

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02 Aug

The cyberthreat that drives businesses towards cyber risk insurance

Information

Business Security Many smaller organizations are turning to cyber risk insurance, both to protect against the cost of a cyber incident and to use the extensive post-incident services that insurers provide Tony Anscombe 31 Jul 2024  •  , 4 min. read If we were to stop people on the street and ask for words to describe the people involved in the world of cyber, there would, undoubtedly, be many words used. I am confident they…

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01 Aug

U.S. Trades Cybercriminals to Russia in Prisoner Swap

Information, Insights

Twenty-four prisoners were freed today in an international prisoner swap between Russia and Western countries. Among the eight Russians repatriated were several convicted cybercriminals. In return, Russia has reportedly released 16 prisoners, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and ex-U.S. Marine Paul Whelan. AMong those in the prisoner swap is Roman Seleznev, 40, who was sentenced in 2017 to 27 years in prison for racketeering convictions tied to a lengthy career in stealing and…

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