GDPR: The Stakes Are High and Time Is of the Essence

With the General Data Protection Regulation GDPR going into effect in under three months, the countdown clock is fast approaching zero for organizations worldwide that handle personal data of EU residents. GDPR is a very broad and wide-ranging regulation that requires organizations to obtain a lo...

Building an incident response program: creating the framework

In part one of our series, our overview of Building an incident response plan, we discussed what regulations organizations will need to meet in order to address incident/breach response protocols laid out in the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation GDPR. This week, we’ll talk to you about step...

Apple Moves iCloud Data and Encryption Keys for Chinese Users to China

Apple has finally agreed to open a new Chinese data center next month to comply with the country's latest controversial data protection law. Apple will now move the cryptographic keys of its Chinese iCloud users in data centers run by a state-owned company called Cloud Big Data Industrial...

Supporters of Net Neutrality Vow to Fight Rule Changes

The repeal of network neutrality rules inched closer to reality on Thursday when the Federal Communications Commission submitted into the Federal Registry its controversial replacement called the Restoring Internet Freedom order. Opponents say the new order will create powerful internet gatekeepe...

Countdown to GDPR: For GDPR Compliance, Web App Security Is a Must

With web and mobile apps becoming a preferred vector for data breaches, organizations must include application security in their plans for complying with the EU's General Data Protection Regulation GDPR. First discussed in the 1990s and turned into law in 2016, GDPR goes into effect in May of thi...

GDPR and Breach Detection: How to Ask the Right Questions to Meet the GDPR Breach Notification Rule

It is now less than four months before the General Data Protection Regulation GDPR becomes effective. This new data regulation of the European Union is designed to provide individuals with rights and protections over their personal data collected by business around the world. It aims to unify dat...

Security Breaches Don't Affect Stock Price

Interesting research: "Long-term market implications of data breaches, not," by Russell Lange and Eric W. Burger. Abstract: This report assesses the impact disclosure of data breaches has on the total returns and volatility of the affected companies' stock, with a focus on the results relative to...

Three Reasons Why GDPR Encourages Pseudonymization

The General Data Protection Regulation GDPR is the European Union’s new data regulation designed to provide individuals with rights and protections over their personal data that is collected or created by businesses or government entities. It unifies data protection regulation across all member...

A week in security (December 11 – December 17)

Last week we explained what fast flux is and how it's being abused, we showed you all kinds of Bitcoin-related scams, presented a video recording of a tech support scammer trying to sell free software, and pointed out some free software to keep an eye on your Internet traffic. We also informed yo...

Deploying and Troubleshooting Compliance Baselines

If you are in the IT space, youve most likely encountered or are bound by some form of regulation/framework such as PCI, HIPAA, FISMA, and/or CGIS. Most of these compliance programs require a hardened baseline to be implemented within your information systems to reduce the risk and impact of an...

Threat Outbreak Alert RuleID31440: Email Messages Distributing Malicious Software on November 24, 2017

Medium Alert ID: 56046 First Published: 2017 November 27 13:16 GMT Version: 1 Summary Cisco Security has detected significant activity related to spam email messages distributing malicious software. Email messages that are related to this threat RuleID31440 may contain the following files: Name |...

November 22, 2017 – Morning Cyber Coffee Headlines – “Thanksgiving Week” Edition

Good morning! Sit with Carbon Black this morning over a cup of coffee or tea and browse a few industry headlines to get the day started. We’ve got just enough information below to get you through that first cup…enjoy! November 22, 2017 - Headlines Carbon Black in the News: Holiday season scams:...

November 7, 2017 – Morning Cyber Coffee Headlines – “Election Day” Edition

Good morning! Sit with Carbon Black this morning over a cup of coffee or tea and browse a few industry headlines to get the day started. We’ve got just enough information below to get you through that first cup…enjoy! November 7, 2017 - Headlines Carbon Black in the News: CRN Exclusive: Carbon...

Threat Outbreak Alert RuleID31217: Email Messages Distributing Malicious Software on November 7, 2017

Medium Alert ID: 55794 First Published: 2017 November 7 13:57 GMT Version: 1 Summary Cisco Security has detected significant activity related to spam email messages distributing malicious software. Email messages that are related to this threat RuleID31217 may contain the following files: Name |...

Why emerging APAC markets are prime targets for the malware of the future

In many ways, Asia has led the way in technological development. Robotics, video games, dizzyingly fast Internet speeds. But when it comes to cybersecurity, several APAC countries, especially those in emerging markets, are severely lacking. And while, according to the 2017 State of Malware Report...

My Blogging

Blog regulars will notice that I haven't been posting as much lately as I have in the past. There are two reasons. One, it feels harder to find things to write about. So often it's the same stories over and over. I don't like repeating myself. Two, I am busy writing a book. The title is still:...

On the Equifax Data Breach

Last Thursday, Equifax reported a data breach that affects 143 million US customers, about 44% of the population. It's an extremely serious breach; hackers got access to full names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, driver's license numbers -- exactly the sort of information...

Nigerian scams without the Nigerians

Users in English speaking countries are quite familiar with the Nigerian scam: an important guy in Nigeria needs your help getting his money out of the country and if you assist with some transaction fees, a chunk of his fortune could be yours. But what about non-English speaking countries? What...

China Bans Fundraising Through Initial Coin Offering (ICO)

China's central bank today announced an immediate ban on all ICO—Initial Coin Offering—fundraising, to prevent fraud and illegal fundraising. ICO is the hottest new thing in the blockchain world, which is an alternative to crowdfunding that lets a firm raise funding from multiple sources. The...

China Enforces Real-Name Policy to Regulate Online Comments

If you reside in China, your Internet life within the borders will soon be even more challenging. Last Friday, China's top Internet regulator announced a new set of rules that would force citizens to post comments using their real-world identities on Internet forums and other web platforms. Yes,...