Category: How-To Guide

Your Gmail account is a critical part of your digital life, making it a prime target for hackers looking to steal personal information, financial data, and credentials. According to a 2023 study by Google, over 15% of internet users have experienced an attempted email hack, highlighting the need for strong security measures. Once compromised, hackers can steal sensitive data, send phishing emails, and even lock you out of your own account, leading to identity theft and financial fraud. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to determine if your Gmail has been compromised and how to secure it effectively.

Signs That Your Gmail Account Has Been Hacked

If you suspect that someone has gained unauthorized access to your account, look out for these warning signs:

1. Unexpected Password Changes

If you receive a notification that your password has been changed and you didn’t do it, this is a major red flag. Learn more about password security.

2. Unfamiliar Devices or Locations

Google tracks the devices that access your account. If you notice a login from an unfamiliar device or location, someone else may be using your account.

3. Emails Sent That You Didn’t Write

If your friends or colleagues receive emails from your account that you never sent, it’s likely a hacker is using your email for spam or phishing attacks.

4. Altered Recovery Information

If your recovery phone number or email address has been changed, an attacker may be trying to prevent you from regaining access to your account.

5. Automatic Email Forwarding

Hackers sometimes set up automatic email forwarding to steal incoming emails without you noticing. You can check this setting in Gmail’s settings menu.

6. Security Alerts from Google

Google will send security alerts if it detects suspicious activity, such as an unfamiliar login attempt. If you receive such an alert, take action immediately.

How to Check If Your Gmail Account Has Been Compromised

If you’ve noticed any of the warning signs, follow these steps to investigate further:

1. Check Recent Account Activity

Google allows you to review recent login attempts:

  • Go to Gmail and scroll to the bottom right of your inbox.
  • Click on “Details” under “Last account activity.”
  • Look for any unfamiliar IP addresses or locations.
  • If you see something suspicious, click “Sign out of all other web sessions” to log out any unauthorized users.

2. Review Security Events in Google Account

Google provides a security audit feature where you can track login attempts and device access. When reviewing these events, look for unfamiliar IP addresses, multiple failed login attempts, or login activity from different countries that you haven’t visited. Google provides a security audit feature where you can track login attempts and device access:

  • Visit Google’s Security Checkup.
  • Look for any unfamiliar devices, locations, or recent security events.
  • If you see anything suspicious, take action immediately.

3. Verify Account Recovery Settings

Ensure your recovery email and phone number are correct:

4. Check for Email Forwarding or Filters

Hackers often set up automatic email forwarding:

  • Open Gmail Settings.
  • Go to “Forwarding and POP/IMAP”.
  • If you see an unknown forwarding address, remove it.
  • Check the Filters and Blocked Addresses section to ensure no suspicious filters are forwarding your emails.

How to Secure Your Gmail Account

If your account has been hacked, or you suspect it might be vulnerable, take these immediate steps:

1. Change Your Password

  • Use a strong, unique password that includes a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters.
  • Do not reuse old passwords or use easily guessable information (e.g., birthdays, common words).
  • Update your password by going to Google Password Change.

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security:

  • Visit Google 2-Step Verification.
  • Enable it and choose an authentication method (e.g., SMS, Google Authenticator, Security Key).

3. Review and Remove Suspicious Third-Party Apps

4. Scan Your Device for Malware

  • Run a full antivirus scan using trusted security software like Malwarebytes or Windows Defender.

5. Notify Your Contacts

If a hacker has sent spam or phishing emails from your account, inform your contacts so they don’t fall for any scams. You can send them a simple message like this:

‘Hi everyone, my Gmail account was recently compromised, and some of you may have received suspicious emails from me. Please do not click on any links or respond to those messages. I’ve taken steps to secure my account. Stay safe!’ If a hacker has sent spam or phishing emails from your account, inform your contacts so they don’t fall for any scams.

6. Monitor Your Account for Ongoing Threats

  • Regularly check your Google Security Checkup.
  • Be cautious of phishing attempts and fake Google login pages.

Final Thoughts

Cybersecurity is a continuous process, and staying vigilant is essential to protecting your Gmail account and personal data from cyber threats. Stay updated with the latest cybersecurity news. By following these steps, you can check if your Gmail account has been hacked and take action to secure it immediately.

For more official information, refer to Google’s security help page: Google Support: Recover a Hacked Account.

Stay Safe Online!

Cybersecurity is not a one-time action but an ongoing process. Make it a habit to regularly update your passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and stay informed about the latest security threats.

Have you ever had your Gmail account hacked? Let us know in the comments below and share your tips on how you secured it! Have you ever had your Gmail account hacked?

The post How to Check If Your Gmail Account Has Been Hacked (Step-by-Step Guide to Secure It) appeared first on Cybersecurity Insiders.

Introduction to Password Security

Password security has seen dramatic shifts driven by the escalation of cyber threats and advancements in technology. Initially, simple passwords sufficed, but as cyberattacks evolved in complexity so did the need for robust password strategies. The rise of credential stuffing, brute force, and dictionary attacks necessitated a rethink in password management practices.

Historically, password policies emphasized complexity—combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols thought to fortify security. These policies often mandated frequent changes, assuming this would mitigate breach risks. However, research revealed such practices often resulted in predictable and weak passwords, like “Password1!,” which did little to deter sophisticated cybercriminals.

This shift in strategies is embodied in the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Special Publication 800-63B, which moves away from complexity and frequency of changes. Instead, it emphasizes password length and uniqueness, aligning with practical user management and reflecting a balance between security and usability.

Moreover, the adoption of NIST’s latest recommendations aligns password policies with real-world use cases and threat scenarios. It acknowledges that security is not just about creating barriers to unauthorized access but about building sustainable practices that enhance an organization’s cybersecurity posture while supporting operational efficiency.

NIST Password Guidelines

The latest iteration of NIST’s password guidelines in SP 800-63B introduces key recommendations designed to enhance password security while improving usability:

•Length Over Complexity

NIST emphasizes that passwords should prioritize length over complexity. A longer passphrase, which can include any characters including all Unicode characters, is more secure and easier for users to remember. The minimum recommended length is eight characters for standard users, with longer passphrases encouraged.

•No Requirement for Character Complexity

NIST no longer mandates the use of specific mixtures of character types (uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols). This change is to prevent the creation of predictable passwords that meet complexity requirements but are easy to guess.

•Discouragement of Frequent Password Changes

NIST advises against mandatory periodic password changes, previously a staple of security policies, unless there is evidence of a breach or similar security threat. This guideline is aimed at reducing password fatigue and discouraging the creation of predictable passwords.

•Screening Against Dynamic Blacklists

To improve password security, NIST recommends ongoing screening of new passwords against blacklists of known compromised passwords. This helps ensure that users do not choose passwords that have already been exposed in breaches.

•Use of Password Managers

NIST supports the use of reputable password managers to help users generate, store, and manage complex passwords efficiently. This recommendation is twofold: it decreases the likelihood of password reuse across accounts and facilitates the use of longer, more complex passwords by allowing users to copy and paste them as needed. This approach reduces the burden on memory and enhances security by making it easier to use unique passwords for different accounts.

Rationale Behind the Current Guidelines

The updates to NIST’s password guidelines are based on extensive research into user behavior and password policy effectiveness. Studies have consistently shown that traditional complexity requirements often led to predictable, easily guessed passwords. For instance, the inclusion of mandatory alphanumeric and symbol combinations typically resulted in patterns like “Password1!,” which did not enhance security

Further, the frequent mandate to change passwords often resulted in minor variations of previous passwords, adding little security benefit while increasing user frustration. Notably, research, including findings from Google and the Verizon DBIR, highlights the widespread issue of password reuse across personal and professional accounts, significantly heightening security risks.

These insights prompted NIST to shift their focus from complexity and frequent changes to longer passphrases that are both easier to remember and harder to guess, thereby improving realworld security and reducing the cognitive load on users. This approach acknowledges the limitations of human memory and the practical aspects of password use, aiming to foster more secure and manageable password practices.

Benefits of Following NIST Guidelines

Adopting NIST’s revised password guidelines offers several benefits:

•Enhanced Security

By focusing on length and discouraging complex but common password formulas, policies based on these guidelines are more likely to withstand typical password attacks like brute force and dictionary attacks.

•Improved Usability

Simpler guidelines that prioritize memorable passphrases over arbitrary complexity help reduce user frustration and lower the chances of security shortcuts, such as writing down passwords.

•Reduced Operational Burden

Eliminating routine password changes reduces the administrative overhead associated with managing user accounts and handling issues related to password resets and account lockouts.

Incorporating NIST’s guidelines helps organizations align with proven best practices that not only enhance security but also improve the user experience and administrative efficiency. Advanced solutions that integrate seamlessly with systems like Active Directory provide tools for real-time monitoring of password integrity and compliance with these guidelines. This approach not only adheres to NIST’s standards but also empowers organizations to proactively manage their cybersecurity risks.

Best Practices For NIST Compliant Password Security

In an era where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated and pervasive, it is imperative for organizations to reassess and fortify their password security strategies. As the first line of defense against unauthorized access, effective password management is fundamental to safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining business continuity. This section outlines essential practices derived from NIST guidelines that are designed to fortify your security posture significantly. By adopting these practices, organizations can ensure robust protection against both current and emerging threats, creating a resilient and adaptable security environment.

Password Policy Development And Updating

1.Review and Enhance Password Policies

Conduct a thorough review of your existing password policies and align them with NIST’s latest guidelines. Focus on adopting practices that enhance password strength without compromising usability.

2.Encourage Strong, UserFriendly Passphrases

According to NIST guidelines, the key to strong passwords lies in their length and uniqueness, rather than complex and hard-to-remember combinations of characters. To comply with these standards, encourage the use of passphrases—sequences of words or other easily remembered strings of characters—which are both longer and easier to recall for users than traditional passwords. A best practice is to guide users to choose passphrases that are meaningful to them but hard to guess for others, avoiding common phrases, famous quotations, or sequences from widely accessible sources.

Implementation of Advanced Security Solutions

1.Leverage Password Managers

Password managers play a crucial role in maintaining robust password security by generating and storing complex passwords for users. These tools create a unique, strong password for each account, which users do not need to memorize. NIST supports the use of password managers, as they significantly reduce the risk of password reuse across multiple sites, a common vulnerability in personal and organizational security.

2.Integrate Security into Access Management Systems

Integrating NIST password guidelines into existing identity and access management systems such as Active Directory (AD) is crucial for maintaining consistent and enforceable security policies across an organization. Active Directory, used by organizations worldwide to manage network resources and services, is often targeted by cybercriminals due to its ubiquity. While AD provides a robust framework, it alone may not fully comply with the latest NIST guidelines without additional enhancements.

Advanced password automation solutions, like Enzoic for Active Directory, offer seamless integration and are essential for bringing AD into compliance with NIST standards. The solution provides features such as real-time password screening and compliance checks without disrupting existing user workflows, ensuring uniform application of password security measures across all user accounts. 

Enzoic actively checks if passwords are compromised at creation and continuously monitors them, updating checks against a daily-refreshed blacklist and automatically taking remediation steps when vulnerabilities are found. This ensures that compromised credentials are quickly addressed, significantly reducing security risks.

For organizations aiming to meet NIST requirements, solutions like Enzoic’s plugin make it possible to enforce a NIST-approved password policy effectively. With simple configurations such as a single checkbox to apply all NIST password policy options and a dashboard that alerts IT teams to any settings changes, these tools enhance security while improving the user experience within the Active Directory environment.

3.Activate Real-Time Password Screening 

Screening passwords against known compromised credentials is crucial to maintaining the integrity of passwords. Utilizing dynamic blacklists that update in near real-time allows for the reflection of the latest data breaches and leaks, providing a robust defense against the rapidly changing landscape of exposed credentials. Real-time screening technology automates this process, checking new or changed passwords against continuously updated databases of compromised credentials to prevent the accidental use of already exposed passwords, thereby maintaining robust security standards and ensuring compliance with NIST guidelines.

4.Customize Password Screening with CompanySpecific Blacklists

In addition to using dynamic blacklists, organizations should enhance their password screening processes with context-specific terms, such as company names, product names, and industry-specific jargon that are likely to be used in passwords. 

This list of highly predictable passwords can then be incorporated into the screening process, providing another layer of personalized security that anticipates potential attacker strategies. This targeted approach helps prevent the use of predictable passwords that attackers might exploit, thus fortifying the organization’s defenses against targeted attacks.

It’s also crucial to screen passwords not only against exact matches on blacklists but also for ‘fuzzy’ variations. Humans are highly predictable, and attackers know the typical patterns people use to satisfy complexity requirements. For example, a user might change ‘baseball’ to ‘Baseball1990!’ to meet complexity demands, mistakenly thinking this variation is secure. Advanced screening technology includes the capability to detect these common variations, further enhancing password security.

5.Implement Advanced Encryption for Password Storage

Secure password storage by employing advanced encryption methods like bcrypt, scrypt, or Argon2. These hashing functions incorporate salt and key stretching techniques to safeguard passwords stored in databases, rendering them useless to attackers even in the event of a data breach.

Ongoing Security Monitoring and Response

 

 

1.Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Adopt MFA to add an additional layer of security by requiring two or more verification methods, which significantly decreases the risk of unauthorized access. NIST recommends the use of MFA, as it complements strong password practices, providing an additional barrier against the exploitation of stolen or weak passwords. While MFA is an excellent compensating control, it should not be a replacement for securing passwords directly. As outlined in Microsoft’s 2023 Digital Defense Report, MFA is only successful at stopping 76% of targeted attacks, leaving a significant vulnerability.

2.Implement Continuous Password Monitoring

Continuous monitoring of passwords against breach databases is vital for maintaining secure credentials. With the vast array of credentials available on the dark web, it’s crucial that monitoring is not just periodic but ongoing. 

Password security automation can provide continuous monitoring by checking passwords at least once every 24 hours against the latest breach databases, ensuring that any compromised passwords are quickly identified. This monitoring is essential for meeting the NIST guideline that mandates changing passwords following a compromise. Such proactive monitoring can significantly mitigate the risk of a data breach, maintaining the integrity of user credentials at all times.

Ensure the solution offers real-time password monitoring and screening, which checks passwords against updated threat intelligence as they are set or changed. This should include the capability to intercept passwords at the moment of creation or reset, comparing them against an extensive database of exposed credentials. The ideal solution sends only hashed parts of passwords to maintain privacy and security, using efficient algorithms to reduce latency in checks.

3.Automate Remediation for Compromised Credentials

When compromised credentials are detected, the speed of response is crucial to minimize potential damage. Advanced password security platforms enable organizations to customize the remediation actions taken. These actions might include alerting the user, forcing a password reset, or temporarily disabling the account and flagging the issue for IT team intervention.

This level of automation ensures that compromised credentials are dealt with promptly, reducing the window of vulnerability and risk of data breaches. This flexibility allows organizations to balance security needs with user convenience, ensuring that security measures do not unduly hinder productivity.

Workforce Education and Empowerment

1.Educate Employees on Secure Password Practices

Regularly educate your employees about the importance of secure password practices and highlight the specific steps they can take to protect both their personal and professional information.

2.Embrace User-Centric Password Policies

Many organizations find that switching from frequent password changes to more user-centric models is remarkably smooth and requires no adjustment period. 

This transition is not just a technological update but also a positive shift in organizational culture and user behavior.

User-centric password policies focus on creating a more intuitive and user-friendly security environment. Instead of imposing frequent password changes that can be cumbersome and frustrating for users, these policies advocate for more memorable and secure password practices. According to NIST’s guidelines, encouraging the use of longer, more complex passwords (that do not require regular changes unless there is evidence of compromise) can significantly enhance both security and user satisfaction.

Implementing this change can be seamless, with minimal disruption to user workflows. A direct shift can be made wherein users no longer need to reset their passwords periodically. Most users will likely not notice the change, yet they will benefit from the elimination of periodic resets. This approach not only enhances user convenience but also improves overall security compliance by reducing the likelihood of predictable password patterns and password fatigue.

By taking these steps, organizations can ensure they are not only compliant with the highest standards of password security but are also equipped to defend against the evolving landscape of cyber threats. Review, update, and fortify—your proactive steps today will define your security posture tomorrow.

“After deploying Enzoic for Active Directory, Hylan was able to follow NIST standards, and eliminate all compromised passwords from our Active Directory environment. The installation process took only one hour across our eight domain controllers. This project allowed us to improve enterprise security and reduce helpdesk resources dedicated to passwords by 90%” -NZOIC CUSTOMER: Ramon Diaz Director of IT Hyla

Key Benefits of Automating Password Policies

Password security automation brings a host of benefits that enhance the overall security framework, ensure compliance, and streamline operations:

Real-Time Protection – Automating the screening of passwords against updated blacklists and other security rules means that new and reset passwords are immediately checked for vulnerabilities. This reduces the window of opportunity for attackers to exploit weak or compromised credentials

Consistency and Compliance – Automated enforcement of password policies ensures that all users consistently follow the same security guidelines across an organization. This uniformity helps maintain high security standards and simplifies compliance with industry regulations.

Enhanced Detection and Response – Automated systems can quickly identify and respond to security issues without waiting for manual intervention. For instance, if a password is found on a blacklist, the system can automatically prompt the user to change it, thus minimizing potential security risks.

Operational Efficiency and Cost Savings – Automation significantly reduces the manual effort required to enforce password policies and monitor compliance. By automating routine tasks such as password resets, organizations can allocate resources more effectively, potentially leading to cost savings in IT operations. It lowers administrative costs by reducing the number of password reset calls and automating remediation, further enhancing operational efficiency.

Improved User Experience – By eliminating complex password composition rules and reducing the frequency of mandatory password resets, automation greatly enhances user satisfaction. This leads to smoother interaction with IT systems and encourages better compliance with security practices, making security management both user-friendly and effective.

The broader impact of automating NIST-compliant password policies is substantial, offering both operational advantages and significant enhancements to an organization’s cybersecurity posture. By reducing administrative overhead, improving user satisfaction, and strengthening defenses, policy automation not only supports compliance but also drives better security practices that protect organizations against emerging cyber threats. 

As organizations continue to face a landscape marked by sophisticated cyberattacks, adopting and implementing NIST’s password guidelines with the support of automated password security tools can provide a critical edge in maintaining robust, effective defenses.

CONCLUSION 

Fortify Your Cybersecurity with Proactive Password Security Management

As we wrap up this CISO guide on NIST-compliant password security, it’s evident that robust password policies are crucial for safeguarding digital assets against sophisticated cyber threats. Adopting NIST guidelines enhances security and usability by prioritizing password length and uniqueness over complexity, which increases user compliance and reduces administrative burdens.

The integration of advanced security solutions like real-time monitoring, dynamic blacklisting, and seamless Active Directory integration ensures practical enforceability of these policies. Furthermore, a culture of continuous improvement—supported by regular audits, user education, and phased practice updates—helps organizations stay ahead of emerging threats and create a resilient and adaptable security environment.

Commit to these best practices today to safeguard your digital assets tomorrow, ensuring your cybersecurity measures evolve with the threat landscape.

 

 

 

The post Ciso Guide To Password Security – How to Implement and Automate Key Elements of NIST 800-63B appeared first on Cybersecurity Insiders.

Network security is now an important part of keeping a company safe in this digital age where cyber threats are getting smarter. It is expected that cybercrime will cost the world $10,5 trillion every year by 2025. Because of this, businesses need to take action right away. One of the best ways to detect and stop possible cyber threats before they become full-scale attacks is through network monitoring, which happens in real-time.

Monitoring is very important for finding strange things, attempts to get in without permission, and strange patterns of data flow that could mean there has been a breach. By looking at these signs early on, businesses can successfully lower risks, keeping sensitive data safe and making sure they can keep running. This proactive method not only limits damage but also lowers the cost of recovery, which makes the security stronger overall.

Monitoring in Preventing Cyber Attacks

Smart technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and behavior analytics are used in good network tracking to give detailed information about what’s happening in the network. AI-powered solutions, for instance, can look at huge amounts of data in real time and pinpoint possible threats with great accuracy. Modern attacks like ransomware, phishing, and zero-day exploits often get past standard barriers, so this method is especially important for stopping them.

Also, laws like GDPR and HIPAA stress how important it is to keep an eye on things all the time to protect personal and business data. Businesses that follow these standards not only make sure they are following the law, but they also improve their image as safe and trustworthy organizations.

Cybercrime is on the rise, so companies need to make network monitoring a key part of their cybersecurity plan. Being able to find and stop threats before they happen can make the difference between a small problem and a major breach. This shows how important network security is in today’s digital world.

What is Proactive Cybersecurity?

Being proactive about cybersecurity means planning ahead to stop online threats before they happen. The standard reactive approach focuses on dealing with problems after they happen. Proactive cybersecurity, on the other hand, focuses on predicting, finding, and stopping possible threats before they happen.

The main difference between proactive and reactive hacking is when and what they focus on. While reactive steps are necessary for containment, damage control, and recovery after a breach, they can be pricey and cause problems. Proactive cybersecurity, on the other hand, tries to stop events before they happen by fixing weaknesses early on to make breaches less likely. This method not only lessens the harm, but it also lessens the costs that come with it, like fines, legal fees, and damage to your image.

Key Components of Proactive Cybersecurity

Threat intelligence, risk assessment, vulnerability management, and incident reaction planning are some of the strategies that are used in proactive cybersecurity. Let’s take a closer look at each part:

Information About Threats

Threat information is what makes proactive security work. Organizations can stop possible attacks before they happen by collecting and analyzing data on current threats and attack methods. With this information, security teams can stay ahead of new threats and effectively protect important systems.

Evaluation of Risk

Risk assessment is the process of looking at an organization’s IT infrastructure in a planned way to find, analyze, and rank risks. Steps include making a list of important assets, checking for weaknesses, figuring out how likely and harmful threats are, and putting in place custom plans to protect them. Monitoring and updating the process on a regular basis make sure it can change to new risks.

Taking Care of Vulnerabilities

Security holes are found, categorized, and fixed through this ongoing process of thorough testing and patch management. Keeping systems safe from known vulnerabilities with regular updates and patches is an important part of keeping a strong security posture.

Plan for Responding to an Incident

Incident reaction planning makes sure that security incidents are dealt with quickly and effectively, since no system is completely safe from attacks. Automated tools make work easier and faster, which helps limit and lessen possible damage more quickly. These tools shorten the time it takes to respond and lessen the damage that threats do, making the system more resilient overall.

To protect against new cyber dangers, proactive cybersecurity is important. It gives businesses the tools and knowledge they need to safeguard their digital assets.

What You Should Know About Network Security Monitoring (NSM)

Network Security Monitoring (NSM) is the process of gathering and studying network data to find and fix security problems. It is necessary to keep a strong security stance.

Proactive Threat Detection: NSM focuses on finding suspicious behaviors as soon as possible. This limits attackers’ options and keeps companies ahead of both known and new threats.

The most important parts of an NSM system are its ability to provide full insight, collect data continuously, work seamlessly with other security tools, and respond quickly to threats.

Strategic Role in Cybersecurity: NSM is more than just monitoring; it takes a strategic approach that focuses on lowering risks, stopping threats, and constantly checking the security of a company.

Real-Time Monitoring Pros: It lets you respond more quickly, find threats more accurately, lower the risk of data breaches, see more of your network, and make compliance reporting easier.

Prevention of Potential Threats: NSM finds and stops possible threats before they get worse. This helps create better security measures and lowers the chance of data breaches.

Long-Term Network Security: An effective NSM strategy protects digital assets, follows security rules, and can adapt to new threats, ensuring the future success of a company.

The Role of Network Security Monitoring (NSM) in Cybersecurity

Network Security Monitoring (NSM) is an important part of modern cybersecurity. It’s more than just watching things; it uses a strategic method to find risks and reduce them. NSM is all about finding possible attackers, figuring out how they work, and coming up with good ways to defend against risks.

Threat information and prevention are at the heart of NSM. Companies can plan ahead for attacks and stop them before they happen by looking at network data and comparing it to known threat trends. In the world of cybersecurity, where threats change every minute, this preventative approach is very important.

Furthermore, NSM provides ongoing evaluations of a company’s security state. By looking at data flows and user behavior on a daily basis, it makes the necessary changes and improvements, making the system more resistant to new threats. An important part of a good NSM plan is getting feedback all the time. This helps companies stay ahead of their cyber enemies.

Real-time network security monitoring has many benefits.

Real-time NSM has changed advanced security strategies by making it easier for companies to find cyber threats, stop them, and reply to them. Some important perks are:

Faster Response Times: Real-time tracking lets you find threats right away, so you can take action faster to lessen the damage of breaches.

Better Accuracy in Threat Detection: Continuous data analysis makes it easier to spot bad behavior by cutting down on false positives and focused on real threats.

Less likely to leak data: Finding problems quickly makes it much less likely that data will get out, keeping private data safe and the network running smoothly.

Better visibility into the network: regular monitoring lets you see everything that’s happening on the network, which makes it easier to control resources and spot strange behavior.

Compliance Support: NSM creates detailed logs and reports that help businesses meet the rules of their field and make them more accountable.

Active Protection Against Threats

NSM stands out because it takes a proactive approach to protection. Instead of responding to breaches, NSM finds threats and stops them before they become full-scale strikes.

Modern tools for watching networks look at traffic in real-time, which lets security teams find problems right away and fix them. This method not only stops possible leaks but it also helps the network stay stable and work well. Also, proactive measures make it easier to create more advanced security procedures that can effectively deal with new threats as they appear.

Using NSM to improve security

When NSM technologies are used together, they make a company safer overall. A mindset of putting security first is fostered by constant visibility and awareness, which makes sure that all network activities follow established policies and standards.

An NSM system protects IT infrastructure from many types of threats by using many levels of security. These levels range from preventing unauthorized entry to dealing with complex cyberattacks. A strong network that is backed up by NSM can respond quickly to new threats, successfully lower risks, and protect the integrity of important assets.

Conclusion

Today’s cyber world changes quickly. It is important to keep digital assets safe by actively looking for threats through strong network tracking. Continuous tracking not only finds possible holes in security. It also lets companies act quickly to lower risks before they become major problems. AI-driven analytics and real-time alerts are some of the advanced tools and methods companies can use. These tools help them stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.

Investing in good network security plans protects your data. It also makes your network more resilient and builds trust among all stakeholders. As cyber threats get smarter, being proactive about watching networks is no longer a choice. It has become a must for protecting the integrity, privacy, and availability of important data and systems. Be careful and stay safe.

The post Proactive Threat Detection: The Role of Network Security appeared first on Cybersecurity Insiders.

Securing the software supply chain has become a top priority due to high-profile breaches and increasing regulatory scrutiny. International agencies like CISA and NIST emphasize the urgent need to address how we inventory and manage the software and services we rely on. The complexity of modern software systems and the potential for widespread impact from a single compromised component drive this growing focus. Recent incidents, such as the SolarWinds, have shown how interconnected systems can be exploited. The global outage related to CrowdStrike’s software update shows how a single mistake can quickly cascade across the entire global economy. Regulatory bodies globally, including the European Union through the EU Cybersecurity Act, are actively working to mitigate the supply chain issues that enable these incidents.

As security leaders, we can’t forget a critical part of the software supply chain: cryptography. Implementing comprehensive standards for cryptography usage, key management, and continuous monitoring can help effectively tackle these challenges.

The Problem: Inadequate Cryptographic Management

Modern software relies on multiple third-party libraries, open-source components, and numerous dependencies. This interconnectedness can hide vulnerabilities and create security blind spots, which is also true for these components’ cryptography. According to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), leaked credentials—often synonymous with leaked cryptographic keys—are among the most common attack vectors. These machine and workload keys, if compromised due to inadequate key management practices, can grant attackers unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data.

The lack of automated tooling to efficiently manage the myriad of software components often leaves organizations unaware of the deep security risks associated with their software dependencies. Outdated or insecure libraries, such as those using broken cryptographic algorithms or outdated protocol versions, may be integrated into critical systems. This makes it difficult to fully understand and address the risks posed by poor cryptographic practices in your software supply chains and deployments.

‍Ensuring that third-party vendors adhere to modern cryptography management practices is essential for mitigating these risks. Widespread use of weak cryptography can expose the entire supply chain to catastrophic vulnerabilities. The Heartbleed bug in OpenSSL, used by many third-party providers, exposed millions of systems to data breaches, underscoring the need for cryptographic standards and monitoring for them in your supply chain. The Debian OpenSSL bug, where a change in the code led to predictable keys, affecting millions of SSL/TLS keys, highlighted how critical it is to ensure robust and secure implementations. Additionally, regulatory requirements such as HIPAA mandate the encryption of ePHI, with non-compliance leading to significant fines, as seen in the $16 million Anthem Inc. settlement. This highlights the critical need for robust cryptographic management to avoid legal repercussions and ensure compliance.

Mitigating Hidden Threats

There are many vulnerabilities that affect cryptography specifically, from insecure cryptographic libraries and implementations to inadequate monitoring and outdated cryptographic protocol versions.

Ensuring compliance with good cryptographic management practices, robust key management, and comprehensive reporting are the first line of defense. Regular audits, integrated into procurement processes, help maintain up-to-date and effective cryptographic practices. Continuous scanning and threat intelligence feeds keep organizations ahead of emerging threats. Organizations must also stay informed about changes in industry standards and update their practices accordingly to ensure ongoing compliance. Recognizing the importance of these practices, the White House’s Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity has mandated the discovery and inventory of cryptographic keys to bolster software supply chain security.

Operational Continuity is another critical aspect of securing the software supply chain. Disruptions caused by outdated certificates, cryptographic migration issues, or attacks significantly impact business operations. For example, the Microsoft Teams outage in 2020, caused by an expired certificate, demonstrated how failures in certificate management could take down business-critical services. This incident highlighted the importance of maintaining robust cryptographic management practices to ensure operational resilience and reduce the risk of business disruptions.

Supply chains often involve the exchange of sensitive data and proprietary information between partners. Without modern cryptography management measures in place, it is challenging to reduce exposure to cryptographic vulnerabilities or to provide evidence for compliance with cryptography-related guidelines. The Codecov attack in 2021, where attackers manipulated scripts to exfiltrate sensitive data, highlights the necessity of secure cryptographic practices to protect intellectual property and maintain data integrity. This breach demonstrated how vulnerabilities in the supply chain could be exploited to access and steal valuable information, emphasizing the criticality of having robust cryptographic measures in place.

Robust Key Management

Implementing automated key rotation and revocation processes is essential to reduce the risk of key compromise. However, focusing on last-mile key management is equally important. This means ensuring secure key distribution and usage at the endpoint, where credentials and keys are often most vulnerable. Many organizations fall short by focusing solely on “secret sprawl”—centralizing keys and credentials but then distributing them across deployments without proper controls. This narrow focus leads to “secret spray,” increasing the risk of key leakage and unauthorized access. A stark example of the consequences of inadequate last-mile key management is the Storm-0558 incident, where Chinese hackers were able to forge authentication tokens by exploiting poorly managed cryptographic keys. This breach highlighted how failures in endpoint key management can lead to significant security incidents, emphasizing the need for robust last-mile key management to close the loop on end-to-end security.

Additionally, employing tools that provide real-time monitoring and alerting for cryptographic missteps and policy violations is crucial. Similarly, requiring vendors to maintain and regularly update Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs) helps ensure transparency of all components. SBOMs provide a detailed inventory of all software components. However, they do not capture the cryptography they use, making it hard to identify and address cryptographic vulnerabilities when they become known. This is where discovery tools come into play. They help you hold vendors accountable for their security promises, discover how they use cryptography, and how you use the cryptographic capabilities of their products.

The Solution: Unified Cryptography Management

Integrating robust cryptographic management into the core processes of software development and operations is crucial for addressing these challenges. A unified cryptography management platform ensures all software components adhere to stringent cryptographic standards. This platform should automate key management, monitor cryptographic activities, and ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory bodies.

Conclusion

Securing the software supply chain demands a proactive approach to cryptographic management. Organizations should adhere to comprehensive standards and implement robust key management practices. Maintaining detailed usage inventories, continuous monitoring, and thorough reporting are also essential.

The post Cryptography: A Forgotten Part of Software Supply Chain Security appeared first on Cybersecurity Insiders.

Software is the heart of our connected world, but as its importance grows, so do cyber threats. According to the Department of Homeland Security, 90% of security incidents come from defects in software design or code. Yet, many developers aren’t prepared to tackle this. The number of new software vulnerabilities has steadily increased year after year since 2016 with no signs of slowing down. However, the situation is far from hopeless. Many security issues are well-documented, and industry best practices can help mitigate them. 

Herein lie six rules of secure software development, designed to strengthen our defenses and cultivate a culture of secure coding.

Shift left – The importance of early integration

The “Shift left” principle emphasizes early and continuous testing to uncover defects in the software development life cycle (SDLC). This principle extends to security, urging the integration of security measures during development.

Detecting security issues early reduces the cost of fixing them. Developers should actively engage in preventing, identifying, and addressing vulnerabilities throughout the development process. The involvement of all team members is crucial, rather than relying solely on security experts before deployment. However, this collaborative approach requires developers to have the necessary security knowledge for it – understanding threats and best practices for secure coding.

Implement a secure development lifecycle (SDL) strategy

Treating software security as an afterthought— a last-minute penetration test or a brief security review at the project’s end—is tempting. However, as previously discussed with the concept of shifting left, delaying security measures exposes systems to potential threats and escalates costs. 

Many security concerns stem from decisions made during the initial phases of development, such as design and requirements specification. To address this, we must integrate security into every SDLC stage, not treat it as a standalone task. Methodologies like MS SDL (Microsoft’s Security Development Lifecycle, BSIMM (Build Security In Maturity Model), and OWASP SAMM (Security Assurance Maturity Model), support this proactive approach. Across these models, training engineers in security is crucial. 

While penetration testing is useful as a final check, over-reliance on it is risky and cannot replace secure software development. 

Secure Your Entire IT Ecosystem 

Software security includes both your code and third-party code. With 80% of all code in modern software coming from third-party packages (Zahan et al, 2022), the potential attack surface is vast – and can be exploited, as seen in 2021 with the Log4Shell vulnerability. 

Moreover, supply chain attacks, including malicious code injection, are also on the rise – there was a particularly dramatic increase by 650% in 2021. Notable incidents like the SolarWinds supply chain attack have had a profound impact on global cybersecurity strategies.  Robust vulnerability management is essential. This includes promptly identifying, assessing, and addressing vulnerabilities in your program’s dependencies. It also requires a strategy for releasing security patches and hotfixes.

From reacting to preventing

When discussing code security, the concepts of robustness and resilience are essential. Robustness involves anticipating and preventing failures, while resilience entails minimizing the impact of failures and facilitating recovery. While both are important, preventing incidents is always preferable to reacting to them afterward. 

Design by Contract (DbC) and defensive programming are two philosophies aimed at fortifying system robustness and resilience.

  • Design by Contract (DbC) defines contracts for functions to declare expected preconditions, postconditions, and invariants, assuming these contracts won’t be violated.
  • Defensive programming assumes system interactions may be incorrect, erroneous, or malicious, so developers should explicitly implement input validation in functions processing user input.

It’s important to recognize that both techniques have their merits – but defensive programming is better at protecting against intentional misuse.

Mindset over technology

When asked about preventing cyberattacks, most people mention firewalls and IDS. Although important, they only offer partial solutions to existing vulnerabilities, with attackers continually finding ways to bypass these defenses. SSRF attacks can get around perimeters, and firewalls won’t make you immune to zero-days like Heartbleed and Log4Shell. So how can we effectively address the challenge of vulnerable code, especially within massive and old codebases? According to Sourcegraph’s The Emergence of Big Code, developers are tasked with managing larger volume of code. In fact, about 51% of developers report having to handle a hundred times more code over the past decade.

Some companies are trying to use AI to write more secure code than developers, but AI mostly uses data from open-source projects, which can be flawed. Consequently, this represents a step in the wrong direction, as we cannot rely on AI by default for secure coding. Developers’ inputs are crucial here. However, expecting developers to ensure security without the resources and support for it isn’t realistic. GitLab’s Global Developer Report (2022) shows that even though companies are focusing more on combining development with security, DevSecOps, security teams lack confidence about their roles, even with lots of tools. 

While automation can help address vulnerabilities, it comes with limitations. These tools can generate false positives leading to unnecessary rework, and false negatives offering a false sense of security. Automation alone won’t solve security issues; human expertise remains irreplaceable. 

Invest in Secure Coding Training

To address cybersecurity effectively, we must tackle both past issues, such as unidentified vulnerabilities in older and third-party code, and future challenges, including vulnerabilities in newly developed code. While tools help with past issues, the key to future security lies in educating developers. This involves comprehensive training to equip them with the necessary skills and mindset for identifying vulnerabilities and writing secure code. 

Hands-on secure coding education proves most effective, allowing developers to observe vulnerable code in action, grasp its exploitation consequences, and learn how to fix it themselves. While microlearning aids in knowledge reinforcement, it’s insufficient for initial skill acquisition. A blended learning approach is recommended – developers start with in-depth, instructor-led training, followed by regular microlearning modules. 

Cydrill’s blended learning journey offers comprehensive training in proactive secure coding for developers. By combining instructor-led training, e-learning, hands-on labs, and gamification, Cydrill provides an effective approach to learning how to code securely.

By adhering to this six key rules of secure software development and investing in comprehensive secure coding training for developers, organizations can fortify their defenses against vulnerabilities and foster a culture of proactive security.

The post The developers’ guide to secure coding: The six steps towards secure software development appeared first on Cybersecurity Insiders.

Microsoft Active Directory (AD) is currently used by over 90% of large organizations. It functions as the ‘keys to the kingdom’ – a critical identity system that controls user authentication and permissions for the entirety of an organization’s resources and operations. The level of access Active Directory provides is immense, and unsurprisingly, it’s a hacker favorite. Case in point: 88% of Microsoft customers impacted by ransomware didn’t apply AD security best practices, according to Microsoft’s 2022 Digital Defense report.

Traditionally, security has been perimeter-based, i.e., the bad guys are outside the building, and the good guys are in. But this no longer works – given the prevalence of hybrid environments, perimeters effectively no longer exist. It’s nearly impossible to contain an attack, especially in a hybrid environment, as hackers find the weakest spot and spread laterally.

The Zero Trust approach aims to significantly reduce these risks. With Zero Trust, those who are ‘inside’ are no longer implicitly trusted. Active Directory is the foundational system of ‘who’s who’ in most organizations, and is thus the primary system involved in large-scale attacks. This means AD needs to be a core component of any Zero Trust strategy.

The following outlines a step-by-step guide to implementing a Zero Trust approach using Active Directory.

Phase 1: Assessment

First, take stock of which systems you have, and which rely on your AD, both cloud and on-premises. This includes assessing where your accounts are, how different systems interact, access protocols for both administration and business applications, where users and groups are located, and how permissions and access are granted. It’s also important to understand which authentication and SSO platforms your organization employs. The goal of the assessment phase is to get a clear picture of where your identities and permissions live, and how they are related.

Phase 2: Governance

Governance entails defining, developing, monitoring and enforcing policies, including automated accounts and permissions provisioning and deprovisioning to build repeatable processes that can be continuously monitored and assessed. In the context of Zero Trust, identity governance makes trust explicit, rather than implicit. This enables an organization to explicitly grant employees access to systems and data based on their job role, while avoiding overprivileged access and automatically deprovisioning access when an employee changes roles or leaves the company. Clearly defined governance models that are enforced through automated identity governance also enable organizations to satisfy and demonstrate compliance requirements.

Phase 3: Granular Delegated Administration

Active Directory was designed decades ago using a standing administrative privileges model, which no longer applies today. To implement Zero Trust, you must remove all native AD administration permissions and replace them with granular permissions granted to specified personnel for specific tasks within a specific scope, including temporary just-in-time access for unique circumstances. The more you limit standard access privileges, the more you limit the attack surface.

Phase 4: Automation

Automation eliminates manual and error-prone administrative processes and thus the requirement to grant and manage access rights for these. By automating processes and removing manual steps, less trust is given to individual humans, and the attack surface is reduced further. Automation is also tied to governance, as automating access enables you to explicitly define your organization’s governance process. Explicit processes can be assessed, monitored, reviewed, and shared with compliance auditors. Anomalous behavior can be more easily detected.

Phase 5: Monitoring and Threat Detection

Once you’ve designed the system, you need to make sure it runs the way it’s supposed to. Monitoring how your planned Zero Trust processes run in reality enables you to catch any red flags and suspicious behaviors for continual improvements.

Threat detection takes monitoring to the next level, enabling you to track for specific behaviors and patterns that indicate your organization is vulnerable, has been compromised, or is under attack. This includes common identity attacks such as password spraying, Golden Ticket and Silver Ticket attacks, modified administrative access, group policies, and others. Threat detection can also use machine learning to fine-tune attack and anomaly detection over time.

Phase 6: Recovery 

While recovery is not always considered part of implementing Zero Trust, you need a plan for when things go wrong. When AD goes down, everything comes to a halt. Employees log in through AD, and it often controls the authorization for all directory-enabled applications across line of business, accounting, marketing, product and other departments, as well as printers, file shares and other core resources. An AD outage impacts all parties connected to your organization including employees, customers, partners and suppliers. Should an attack occur, you need to be able to get back to an operational state quickly. Develop a recovery plan that will enable you to restore AD as quickly as possible.

Additional Best Practices

The following are additional considerations in implementing Zero Trust for Active Directory:

  • Identity verification: Ensure authentication methods such as MFA are in place for accessing AD resources, including the ability to monitor and track for multiple failed MFA login attempts.
  • Incident response plan: Develop an incident response plan specific to Active Directory security incidents to ensure a swift and coordinated response to any security breaches or anomalies detected within the AD environment. Be sure to test it daily in an automated way, and factor in rollback capabilities in the event that an attack spurs an outage.
  • Endpoints: Endpoints and devices need to be part of the Zero Trust framework as well, as employees use their Active Directory accounts across their devices. Remove local administrative privileges on employee devices and implement centralized and automated device protection and management policies.

Active Directory is the core identity and access management system for the majority of enterprises. As such, it is the perfect attack target – a critical risk vector that must be addressed in any effective Zero Trust strategy. Active Directory’s security posture directly impacts an organization’s cyber resilience and business continuity. Implementing robust Zero Trust principles with Active Directory in mind enables organizations to protect core IT infrastructure from identity-based attacks. Ultimately, safeguarding this foundational system should be a cornerstone of every organization’s cyber defense strategy.

About Dmitry Sotnikov

Dmitry Sotnikov is Chief Product Officer at Cayosoft, which offers the only unified solution enabling organizations to securely manage, continuously monitor for threats or suspect changes, and instantly recover their Microsoft platforms, including on-premises Active Directory, hybrid AD, Entra ID, Office 365, and more. 

Dmitry spearheads the vision, strategy, design, and delivery of Cayosoft’s software products, ensuring they resonate with market demands and offer unmatched value to users. With over two decades in enterprise IT software, cloud computing, and security, Dmitry has held pivotal roles at esteemed organizations like Netwrix, 42Crunch, WSO2, Jelastic, and Quest Software. His academic credentials include MA degrees in Computer Science and Economics, complemented by Executive Education from Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Beyond his corporate endeavors, Dmitry serves on the Advisory Board at the University of California, Riverside Extension, and has been recognized with 11 consecutive MVP awards from Microsoft.

The post A Practical Guide to Applying Zero Trust Principles to Active Directory for Microsoft On-Premises and Hybrid Environment Protection appeared first on Cybersecurity Insiders.

In today’s digital age, email has become an indispensable tool for communication, both personal and professional. Among the most widely used email services is Gmail, provided by Google. However, with the convenience of email also comes the risk of fraud and unauthorized access to your account.

Protecting your Gmail account from fraud is essential to safeguard your personal information, sensitive data, and digital identity. In this article, we’ll explore strategies to defend against Gmail account frauds.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

One of the most effective ways to enhance the security of your Gmail account is by enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). With 2FA enabled, accessing your account requires not only your password but also a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone or generated by an authentication app. This additional layer of security significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, even if your password is compromised.

Create a Strong Password

Ensure that your Gmail account is protected by a strong, unique password. Avoid using easily guessable passwords such as “123456” or “password.” Instead, create a complex password comprising a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters. Consider using a reputable password manager to generate and store secure passwords for all your online accounts, including Gmail.

Beware of Phishing Attempts

Phishing is a common tactic used by fraudsters to trick users into revealing their login credentials or personal information. Be cautious of unsolicited emails, especially those requesting sensitive information or urging immediate action. Verify the legitimacy of email sender addresses and avoid clicking on suspicious links or attachments. Google provides built-in phishing protection in Gmail, but remaining vigilant is crucial.

Regularly Review Account Activity

Keep a close eye on your Gmail account activity by regularly reviewing the “Recent activity” section. This feature allows you to monitor login locations, devices, and sessions associated with your account. If you notice any unfamiliar activity or login attempts from unrecognized devices or locations, take immediate action to secure your account, such as changing your password and enabling 2FA.

Update Security Settings

Take advantage of Gmail’s built-in security features and regularly review your account’s security settings. Google offers various security options, such as device management, app permissions, and account recovery settings. Ensure that these settings are configured according to your preferences and security requirements. Stay informed about new security features and updates released by Google to enhance the protection of your Gmail account.

Educate Yourself and Others

Stay informed about common email scams and fraud tactics to recognize and avoid potential threats. Educate yourself and others, such as friends, family members, and colleagues, about best practices for email security and fraud prevention. Encourage them to implement security measures such as 2FA, strong passwords, and email verification procedures.

Conclusion

Protecting your Gmail account from fraud requires a proactive approach and adherence to security best practices. By implementing strategies such as enabling Two-Factor Authentication, using strong passwords, being cautious of phishing attempts, reviewing account activity, updating security settings, and educating yourself and others, you can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and safeguard your digital identity. Remember, maintaining the security of your Gmail account is essential for protecting your personal information and ensuring a safe online experience.

 

The post Safeguarding Your Gmail Account: Strategies to Defend Against Fraud appeared first on Cybersecurity Insiders.

In today’s flexible holiday landscape, where travelers enjoy getaways at various times of the year, the hospitality industry thrives. However, recent incidents like the cyber-attack on Omni Hotels underscore the importance of safeguarding guest data. Here are some key measures to protect against such breaches.

Foremost, both guests and hotels must recognize that cybercriminals target credit card data, a commodity highly sought after on the dark web. To mitigate risks, it’s advisable to securely manage and store such sensitive information. From a guest perspective, consider using multiple cards for expenses during holidays rather than relying on a single card. This diversification reduces vulnerability, ensuring financial safety.

Additionally, it’s crucial to assess the types of personal information provided to hotels, including names, phone numbers, addresses, and email IDs. Some establishments, particularly in the Eastern regions, may request additional data such as passport numbers, driving license details, medical insurance information, and medical history. While ostensibly for administrative purposes, collecting such extensive data poses significant security risks, potentially leading to identity theft, phishing, and other malicious activities. Guests should ascertain the necessity of data collection and inquire about the security measures in place for its storage.

To bolster data protection efforts, hospitality businesses must prioritize cybersecurity measures. Regularly reviewing and updating cybersecurity protocols is paramount. Furthermore, maintaining a proactive stance by establishing an incident response team equips establishments to swiftly address and mitigate potential breaches.

In essence, safeguarding guest information in the hospitality sector requires a multifaceted approach encompassing robust cybersecurity measures, vigilant data management practices, and proactive risk mitigation strategies. By prioritizing the protection of sensitive data, hotels can uphold trust and confidence among their clientele in an increasingly digitalized landscape.

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Governance, risk and compliance (GRC) cybersecurity professionals play a vital role in organizations, aligning IT goals with objectives as they manage cyber risks and achieve regulatory needs. They help ensure organizations operate in a transparent, responsible and compliant manner while mitigating risks.

Are you ready for a career in GRC? ISC2, creator of the leading advanced cybersecurity certification, the CISSP, recommends these specific steps.

  1. Become an ISC2 Candidate. Begin your journey by joining ISC2, the world’s leading cybersecurity professional organization, more than 500,000 members, associates and candidates strong. As part of their One Million Certified in Cybersecurity pledge to help close the workforce gap, you’ll be able to access free Official ISC2

Online Self-Paced Training for Certified in Cybersecurity entry-level certification and a free exam. Candidates can also tap a full range of benefits, including 20% off online training and up to 50% off textbooks. Sign up now to get your first year free.

  1. Start your journey toward CGRC certification. Certified in Governance, Risk and Compliance (CGRC) demonstrates that you have the knowledge and skills to integrate governance, performance management, risk management and regulatory compliance within the organization. It shows you’re able to use various international frameworks to manage risk and authorize and maintain information systems.

To qualify for the CGRC, candidates must pass the exam and have at least two years of cumulative, paid work experience in one or more of the seven domains of the ISC2 CGRC exam outline.

If you don’t yet have the required experience to become a CGRC, you can become an Associate of ISC2 after successfully passing the exam. You will then have three years to earn the experience needed for certification.

  1. Keep learning

Governance, risk and compliance never stands still. It’s a constantly evolving field that requires continuing education to stay in front cyberthreats and on top of trends. Professionals can choose from a variety of flexible learning options, including:

ISC2 Certificates turn a laser focus on specific subject matters. And with courseware created on the hottest topics by cybersecurity’s most respected certifying body, you’re assured the most current and relevant content. Choose from online instructor-led or self-paced education with content created by industry experts:

Online Instructor-Led*
• Prerecorded lessons led by an ISC2 Authorized Instructor
• Instruction that complements self-paced content
• Digital badges upon passing certificate assessments

Online Self-Paced
• Online learning at your own pace
• Videos available for download on demand
• Digital badges upon passing certificate assessments

*Online instructor-led only available for select certificates.

ISC2 Risk Management Certificates provide an understanding of how to assess and analyze risk, while taking a deeper dive into standards and risk methods to ensure cybersecurity practitioners are ready for success. Online on-demand certificates include:

  • Conducting Practical Risk Analysis
  • Exploring Risk Standards
  • Practical Risk Methods

ISC2 Governance, Risk and Compliance Skill-Builders will help you learn valuable skills as you pursue a career in GRC. Grow what you know with short-format learning designed to fit your busy schedule.

A career in governance, risk and compliance provides the opportunity to make a significant impact on the world. Qualified professionals are indispensable to organizations, safeguarding their information and systems. See yourself in GRC and get started today. Learn More

More questions about CGRC? Get Answers in the Ultimate Guide, everything you need to know about CGRC. Download Now.

The post Thinking about a Career in Governance, Risk and Compliance? Follow this Path appeared first on Cybersecurity Insiders.

[By Mike Toole, Head of IT and Security at Blumira]

It’s no secret that news about breaches and cyberattacks emerge daily. As a result of this constant exposure, even the most dedicated professionals understandably experience “data breach fatigue” and become desensitized to persistent threats.

This mentality can create new unseen risks detrimental to a company’s cybersecurity, such as negligence and lack of education, or in some cases, fatigue from security budget spending that ultimately doesn’t fix all the issues that arise. These challenges contribute to how most companies experience breaches, with 90% of all cyber claims stemming from human error or behavior.

While most employees strive to protect sensitive data, rapidly evolving threats and constant changes make that extraordinarily difficult. With empathy for these challenges, companies have an opportunity to support their teams with reasonable systems and collaboration that proactively strengthen cybersecurity. The goal is to build resilience against threats through proactive planning and training.

Let’s examine how companies can enact change and set their teams up for cybersecurity success.

A five-step framework for countering cyber complacency

Organizations must establish and follow a robust cybersecurity framework in the digital age to overcome complacency. This framework serves as a comprehensive strategy encompassing several critical steps to prevent and respond to cyber incidents.

  1. Conduct a vulnerability assessment

A vulnerability assessment can pinpoint weaknesses in the organization’s systems and processes that malicious actors could exploit. The assessment actively counters complacency by systematically identifying and evaluating security weaknesses within an organization’s infrastructure. It also serves as a regular reminder of the potential risks and underscores the necessity of vigilance in cybersecurity practices. In addition, an assessment prevents security risks from becoming normalized by continuously bringing them to the forefront, reminding organizations to regularly update their defenses and maintain awareness of potential issues.

An assessment starts with identifying and cataloging assets and then uses a combination of automated and manual testing to uncover security gaps. Companies can use the assessment results to remediate existing issues and schedule ongoing reassessments to strengthen cybersecurity measures as emerging threats arise. Typically, a team of individuals with specialized knowledge and expertise in information security, such as in-house or external IT teams or security consultants, conducts a cybersecurity vulnerability assessment.

  1. Develop and communicate security policies

As part of a proactive cybersecurity approach, it is vital to define security policies. Security policies should address password management, data classification, acceptable technology use, managing mobile devices, and more custom elements depending on your organization, vertical, or compliance needs.

To effectively enact cybersecurity policies, companies should develop clear and comprehensive protocols with stakeholder input and approval from company leaders. Policies should be regularly reviewed and updated to adapt to new threats, feedback and company changes, ensuring they remain relevant and robust. Revisiting policies over time establishes a solid cybersecurity foundation and promotes a culture of continual vigilance and improvement within the organization. When developing or revising policies, it can be beneficial to gauge current knowledge and practices to uncover gaps where further policy detail or training is needed.

Equally important is effectively communicating these policies to all employees. Ensure that personnel know and understand the security policies to help achieve successful implementation. Regular communication, including sharing need-to-know updates and policy changes, helps to promote adherence to established guidelines and best practices in cybersecurity. Another effective best practice to reinforce the information is to make cybersecurity personal and relevant to individuals, demonstrating how it impacts their role or team functions.

It’s important to emphasize that cyber threats aren’t just an issue for specific people or groups within the company—anyone at any level can fall prey to an attack.

  1. Prepare an incident response plan

In addition to clearly laying out company cybersecurity policies, organizations will need an effective incident response plan. The plan should outline the specific steps during a cybersecurity incident, including procedures for identifying, containing, eradicating, recovering from and analyzing security incidents. The ongoing effectiveness of the incident response plan hinges on regular testing and updates. Conducting simulated exercises to test the plan’s efficacy enables the organization to identify potential gaps or areas for improvement.

Utilize lessons learned from these exercises to update and refine the incident response plan. Regular testing and updates contribute to the organization’s preparedness and resilience in mitigating the impact of cybersecurity incidents.

  1. Invest in employee skills development

Investing in employee and IT team skills development in cybersecurity is crucial for several reasons. Cybersecurity threats constantly evolve, and employees are often the first line of defense against attacks. Investing in their skills can help them recognize and respond to threats, protecting sensitive company and customer information. All employees—regardless of tenure or seniority—need to participate in training to bolster the company’s security position. For example, companies can simulate a phishing attack where employees receive fake phishing emails to gauge their responses and improve their ability to identify threats.

Employees well-trained in security are less likely to fall victim to common threats like phishing attacks or social engineering. In a security incident, well-trained employees can respond quickly and effectively, minimizing the impact of an incident and facilitating a faster recovery. Swift responses can save the business time and resources while maintaining its reputation.

While technology plays a crucial role in cybersecurity, the human element is equally important. Team members who understand how to use security tools effectively can maximize their impact, making the overall security infrastructure more robust.

  1. Implement easy-to-use cybersecurity software
    For small and medium-sized businesses, actively adopting cybersecurity solutions remains a critical yet often neglected aspect of many organizations’ security postures. By choosing cybersecurity tools that are accessible and straightforward, organizations can significantly enhance their security posture. User-friendly software encourages consistent use and adherence to security protocols by IT staff, thereby decreasing the risk of breaches caused by human error.

Cyber complacency ends now

When it comes to cybersecurity, complacency is not an option. By fostering a culture of vigilance and resilience, companies can transform cybersecurity from a daunting challenge into a manageable and integral part of their daily operations. By recognizing employees as a critical line of defense, fostering a positive security culture and equipping teams with knowledge and tools, organizations can fortify their cybersecurity posture and navigate the evolving challenges of the digital realm.

About the author

Mike Toole, Head of Security and IT at Blumira, has over a decade of experience in IT. Prior to joining Blumira, he managed IT for Duo Security and Censys. He has broad experience with a range of IT and security focus areas, including compliance, network design, log monitoring, project management, and cross-platform IT.

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