Aarogya Setu app, Indiaâs contact tracing app for Covid-19, has become the latest government-backed app to be threatened by cybercriminals who have developed clones to steal data from users.
According to Sonic Wall Labs, a California-based cybersecurity firm, there have been several cloned malware apps masquerading as the legitimate Aarogya Setu app that maliciously infects userâs smartphones.
The cloned apps were designed to install monitoring malware on infected smartphones and to steal sensitive data, including banking and login details. With the legitimate Aarogya Setu having recorded about 10 million downloads since its launch in April, the clones are most likely to hit about two hundred thousand downloads.
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How Does Aarogya Setu Contact Tracing App Clone Apps Work?
The Regional Sales VP â of Sonic Wall Labs, Asia Pacific, Debashish Mukherjee, in a statement, said that the malware, once downloaded on smartphones, can record audio, send SMS, and make calls, also, without granted permission. The malware app can be launched each time the infected device is rebooted.
He continued by saying, âThe method of installing the Aarogya Setu app running in the background remains common, but threat actors exploit this method to deceive victims into thinking they are using the legitimate application while using the malicious app to execute functions in the background.â
The researchers explained that the attack on the contact tracing app is not peculiar to India alone, after identifying about 12 COVID-19 contact tracing apps around the world with cloned contact tracing apps. For instance, countries like Brazil, Indonesia, Iran, Russia and a host of others as contained in a release.
How To Identify A Real Contact Tracing App
The fake app is armed with the Aarogya Setu icon, which, on closer evaluation, appears stretched to deceive users into believing they are downloading the legitimate app.
The security research firm says that âMost fake apps have poorly written reviews and comments, which is one of the signs that you are on the wrong app.â
Downloads from unofficial sources should be deleted while running an antivirus scan to detect any hidden infections on your device. If you cannot delete the app after installation, perform a factory reset on your device to get rid of the threat.
Aarogya Setu is a mobile app developed by the Indian government to help slow the spread of COVID-19. It uses contact tracing technology to identify people who may have been exposed to the virus.
How Does Aarogya Setu Work?
The app uses Bluetooth technology to exchange anonymous digital tokens with nearby phones. If a user tests positive for COVID-19, they can choose to anonymously notify others who have been in close contact through the app. This allows those potentially exposed individuals to get tested and self-isolate, potentially preventing further spread of the virus.
What is the meaning of Arogya Setu?
“Aarogya” means “health” in Sanskrit and Hindi, and “Setu” means “bridge.” So, Aarogya Setu translates to “bridge to health.”
Contact tracing is the process of identifying people who may have been exposed to an infectious disease by coming into close contact with someone who is infected. Traditionally, this involves public health officials interviewing infected individuals to determine who they have been in contact with.
What are the Benefits of Contact Tracing?
Helps Slow the Spread:Â By identifying and notifying potentially exposed individuals, contact tracing can help break the chain of transmission and slow the spread of the virus.
Early Detection and Isolation:Â Early notification allows potentially exposed individuals to get tested and isolate themselves if necessary, preventing them from unknowingly spreading the virus to others.
Informs Public Health Efforts:Â Contact tracing data can be valuable for public health officials to understand transmission patterns and allocate resources effectively.
Hope you find this helpful?
Note: This was initially published in June 2020, but has been updated for freshness and accuracy.
Honda Global Operations just confirmed that their network has been a victim of a cyber attack. This was first confirmed via a tweet by the Honda Automobile Customer Service on June 8, 2020.
The tweet reads,â At this time, Honda Customer Service and Honda Financial Services are experiencing technical difficulties and are unavailable. We are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and understanding.â
In addition to this, a statement was released. This statement confirmed that the recent cyberattack on Honda’s global operations had a major effect on computer and email servers, so it is difficult to access internal systems.
Although the statement didnât really dive into details, it confirmed that the attack was from an external source and was spreading throughout the Honda network.
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Honda Production Systems Affected Globally
Notably, the attack on Honda’s global operations affected production systems, not just in Japan but in other operating countries as well. Honda is renowned for producing cars, motorcycles, lawnmowers, generators, and more. With production systems affected, the output is bound to be slow.
So far, there have been activities aimed at minimizing these effects in other for production to return to normal.
According to cyber-security professionals, the cause of the cyberattack has been linked to ransomware with the idea that the hackers locked out some of Hondaâs IT systems with data encryption techniques.
Morgan Wright, Sentinel Oneâs security advisor implied that the attacks resemble one in which the Ekans ransomware was used. This is a type of ransomware that is used to target industrial control system networks and, as such, has disrupted Hondaâs manufacturing systems.
However, Honda confirms that there have been no data stolen and the effect has been quite minimal business-wise.
In the buzz of these events, it was revealed that production in the UK factory in Swindon has been put on hold including that in other regions like Italy, North America, and Turkey.
Honda Hit by Cyberattack: Frequently Asked Questions
The recent cyberattack on Honda has raised concerns about cybersecurity and its impact on major corporations. Here are some FAQs to address what happened and clear up some misconceptions:
Has Honda been hacked?
Yes, Honda confirmed that they were the victim of a cyberattack in June 2020. This attack affected their computer and email servers, disrupting internal systems and impacting production across various countries.
Why are modern power systems prone to cyber threats?
This question is more relevant to cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, like power grids. Honda, in this case, is a manufacturer of vehicles and other equipment. However, modern systems in any industry, including manufacturing, are increasingly reliant on computer networks and control systems, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks.
What is the first step in the cyber attack cycle?
The first step in the cyber attack cycle can vary, but it often involves reconnaissance. In this stage, attackers gather information about their target, such as vulnerabilities in their systems or network configurations.
Let’s focus on the Honda incident. What is the suspected cause of the attack?
Cybersecurity professionals suspect the attack involved ransomware. Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim’s data, making it inaccessible. Attackers then demand a ransom payment in exchange for a decryption key.
What about the impact on Honda production?
The attack did disrupt production systems globally. Honda took steps to minimize the effects, but production in factories located in the UK, Italy, North America, and Turkey was reportedly put on hold.
Note: This was initially published in June 2020 but has been updated for freshness and accuracy.
1. Stuart Cooke from Evalian Cybersecurity Consultancy Firm
To secure and protect a website, you must limit the number of people you give access to. The more individuals have access to your website, the more likely their IP addresses are to be targeted by hackers.Â
Of course, for large organizations, itâs often necessary for a lot of people to log in to the back end of a website, and if thatâs the case, then I would recommend being careful with the roles you grant.
Keep full admin access for the very few people who will require it regularly; for the rest, author, editor, or read-only access should suffice.
2. Dusan Stanar From VSS Monitoring
My most significant advice is to limit client access to the website. This means you determine how often a user can request a page over time. For example, maybe they can only access ten pages every 30 seconds.Â
This helps prevent automated hacking and scripts meant to hack your website, which requires them to be able to access your site thousands of times a minute. Doing so will drastically increase your security and reduce the risk of being hacked.
3. Jeff Neal, Owner of The Critter Depot
I am a big proponent of 2-factor authentication. Using two separate methods is a great way to force anyone to verify their identity. However, sim swapping has recently caused a lot of problems for people. This proves that 2FA is unsuitable if people rely on text messages or phone calls to verify their identity. Sim swapping is where a hacker successfully switches the targetâs mobile number onto their device.
Then, when the hacker logs into their target account, the hacker will receive a text message or phone call with the secret code, allowing the hacker access to the targetâs account. The best way to prevent this is to use a code generator app that changes the numbers every 30 seconds.Â
4. Saqib Ahmed Khan, Digital Marketer at PureVPN
The first and foremost necessity is to install an SSL certificate to secure and protect a website. Any website without HTTPS doesnât encrypt data. Keep the plugins or any software for your website up to date because vulnerabilities are discovered from time to time.Â
Use two-factor authentication to provide specific data because the website administrator requires more security than a regular user. Store passwords in a hashed form, not plain text; if a data breach occurs, the passwords will still be secured.Â
Always validate inputs on your website because cross-site scripting and SQL injection attacks occur daily. Maintain timely backup mechanisms for your website because anything can happen in the real world.Â
5. Ashley Simmons, Webmaster at Avoid the Hack!
I recommend that all websites should force their HTTPS version at the server level:
HTTPS encrypts data sent to and from your web server(s)
Forcing HTTPS on the server level (for example, Apache) ensures that all versions served are secure
HTTPS helps protect against eavesdroppers
Without HTTPS, many browsers will encourage visitors not to interact with your site
Using HTTPS improves SEO (search engine optimization)
Forcing HTTPS at the server level means all visitors get directed to the secure version.
6. Per-Erik Eriksson, Author of VPNetic.com
Besides securing your website with proper hosting, firewalls, and anti-malware software, the best thing you can do for your website security are the following:
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication.
Use a strong password AND username.
Never click links in emails.
People often overlook these things because they will never slip up. Social engineering is the most common hacking method today, yet it rarely gets the attention it deserves. Â
7. Jessica Rose, CEO of Copper H2O
Since many of us work remotely and there is a greater chance of getting hacked due to less secure home office computers, ensuring your online systems are protected is more critical than ever.Â
Our #1 for businesses is to activate two-factor authentication on their website and related accounts. When started, no one can log into your website or accounts unless they know your password and the security code sent to your smartphone at the time of login. This method costs nothing and dramatically increases your websiteâs and businessâs security.
8. Tom Winter Tech Recruitment Advisor & Co-Founder at DevSkillerÂ
The strength of passwords is often neglected as an essential security factor. Sometimes, even experienced IT professionals will set weak passwords for admin accounts, exposing your entire website to outside attacks.Â
To prevent this from happening, insist on strong passwords for your admin panel and external users. If you have any logging option on your website, require all users to use different characters when creating a password. That way, you can secure and protect a website.
9. Hary Toledo, Strategic Partner at CenturyLink
Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, the weapon for cybercriminals targeting Internet-based business sites, can cause prolonged outages for services like eCommerce, online bill pay, or VoIP telephony. These attacks can be devastating if you rely on web-based transactions to generate even a tiny portion of your revenue.
When users access websites, their requests are routed to the corresponding servers as appropriate during legitimate web use. However, the infrastructure (servers, routers, firewalls, switches, and circuits) can only process a finite amount of traffic. When that limit is reached, additional requests cannot be processed.Â
In a DDoS attack, hackers overwhelm targeted servers with many requests from a host of separate computers, blocking legitimate server access. A DDoS attack can be so enormous that it completely overwhelms routers, network links or servers â rendering the location unavailable for all Internet use.
10. Artur Yolchyan, Expert Software Engineer & Owner of Coding Skills
To develop a secure website, you should measure 10 OWASP protection for your website. To successfully do it, you should use a mature web development library such as Spring Security to reduce the risk of your website being attacked.Â
I recommend using already existing and well-tested security frameworks to protect your website and hiring experts to configure these frameworks.Â
11. Greg Scott, Author and Cybersecurity Professional at Infrasupport CorporationÂ
My Ukrainian friend, Ihor, offered to penetrate my website a few years ago, and I agreed. What could he possibly find? After all, I am a professional… Every time I get cocky, I learn a lesson in humility. It took him only a few minutes to find a directory I had neglected to lock down from directory listings. I was embarrassed and angry and considered not fixing it. And so I can identify with people faced with the same stress on a larger scale. But after feeling sorry for myself, I did my homework and fixed it. Iâm grateful to Ihor for his work. Embarrassment is better than penetration.
12. Stacy Clements, Owner of Milepost 42
Keeping the software updated is one of the most essential actions to secure and protect a website. This is especially important if youâre running a CMS like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal, as these systems depend on multiple software packages for functionality. However, any website runs on a web server, and itâs just as important (and often overlooked) to ensure the software on that server is updated.
Another crucial component of securing a website is protecting access to the site. Use the principle of least privilege to ensure access is restricted to the lowest possible level and enforce strong passwords and two-factor authentication.Â
13. James LePage, Founder & CEO of Isotropic Design
The most effective thing a WordPress website owner can do to secure their site is install a plugin called Wordfence. Wordfence is a free web application firewall and malware scanner. This tool blocks all IP addresses the company has maliciously by logging in to your WordPress websiteâs admin dashboard, preventing brute force attacks.Â
You can set up two-factor authentication and incorporate Googleâs reCAPTCHA bot protection system. The tool will also periodically scan the files that make up your website for any malicious code. If it identifies any files that shouldnât be there, it will automatically delete them.
As an agency, we use this WordPress plugin on all our websites. Itâs a free tool, is automatically installed and configured, and is the most comprehensive security solution for WordPress websites.Â
14. Rahul Gulati, Founder of GyanDevign Tech Services
This is a no-brainer, but people pay little attention to this. It is still a pity to find people having passwords like ââŹĹ987654321â⏠or ââŹĹadmin12345ââŹ. A WordPress user with a weak password is an open door for hackers. The lowest point on a website is your password; the stats are apparent. A Linux-based computer produces 350 billion guesses/second. So, there are a lot of chances for your password to be one of them.
Wordfence has to say that there have been six million attacks on WordPress websites in 16 hours. A strong password will keep you out of reach of such malicious threats. You can also see why WordPress emphasizes a stronger password as well.
Password strength meters are a simple add-on you can opt for. Just add the following line to your functions.php file.
wp_enqueue_script( ‘password-strength-meter’ )
Usually, the combination of 2FA is a username with a password or username with a HOTP. This OTP usually lasts for a minute, keeping the window very short.
The real advantage of 2FA is the integrated device to secure the WordPress website. Hackers cannot get through without the OTP, even when they get hold of your credentials,
15. Pushpraj Kumar, Business Analyst at iFour Technolab
You can add a security socket layer (SSL) to your website with HTTPS, a protocol that allows you to send secure communication over your computer network. You can shield your website against SQL injection.
Regularly watch your email transmission ports; you can also check your communication ports under email settings. Donât allow highly suspicious file uploads. Invest more in website vulnerability scanners that will identify technical weaknesses on your website. Confidentiality refers to access control of information to ensure user authentications and access control components.
16. Samuel David, Founder of Smart Home Vault
For WordPress users (who represent about 20% of self-hosted websites globally), Iâd recommend installing the Wordfence plugin. Wordfence plugin is a security plugin and has free and paid plans. Besides being an automated tool, Wordfence is straightforward hence ideal for users who arenât tech-savvy.Â
Depending on settings, Wordfence will block an IP address for 4 hours after five failed attempts. For every failed attempt – and other issues detected (like plugins with security risks) – Wordfence will notify by email. Still talking about email alerts, I like that Wordfence is big on updates/news about the vulnerability and risks of Wordpress and Wordpress plugins. That way, users can act just in time.
17. Abdul Rehman, Cybersecurity Editor at VPNRanks
The one website security tip Iâd like to give you is setting up a web application firewall like Sucuri on your website. A WAF is essential for your website security as it filters and blocks malicious and harmful traffic.
You can also block and allow specific types of traffic as you desire. Itâs essential since it prevents harmful injections and hack attacks that can harm your site and the data it holds.Â
18. Bruce Sigrist, Web Developer + WordPress Specialist at Phase Three Goods
To secure and protect a website, be thorough and uncompromising.
On thoroughness… itâs easy to disregard crucial parts of website security because the jargon is new or the setup looks cumbersome. From 2-factor authentification to firewalls and IP-limited logins, these steps might seem overwhelming to non-specialists. Hackers and spambots are determined; every obstacle you throw at them will reduce the likelihood of a breach.
On being uncompromising… while searching for security improvements, you might find limitations in your siteâs build or hosting environment. Donât be afraid to switch hosts or frameworks if circumstances limit your site security.
19. Noman Nalkhande, Founder of WP Adventure
I take the utmost care to ensure no gaping loopholes for a security breach to occur. Since WordPress is hugely popular, some fantastic plugins are built primarily to serve this purpose.Â
Sucuri and WordFence are extremely popular and do a great job. Besides using a security plugin, Iâd also advise keeping your WP themes and plugins up to date with the latest versions. Changing the default login URL from /wp-admin to something more unique using a plugin like ManageWP or adding a few lines of code directly in the .htaccess file is also wise.
20. Juan Pineda, Partner at Sofyma
Most attacks on business websites are happening because three aspects are disregarded: hosting security, website software maintenance, and password strength.
If possible, you should opt for a robust hosting platform that isolates the live environment from any server access. This guards against unauthorized updates that can result in compromise.Â
Independently of the hosting provider, it would be best to use strong passwords to access your server, control panel, or website management system.Â
Another essential aspect to consider is keeping your platform software updated. If you are not using a managed hosting provider, you should stay current with security releases for the operating system, SSL software, programming language, and database you use.Â
If you use a content management system or framework for your website, you should also keep it updated with the security releases published by the community.Â
21. Chris Love, Owner of Love2DevÂ
Using HTTPS for all communications is a no-brainer today. It was once complicated and expensive. Today, it takes about 30 seconds and is free.
A common mistake I see is improper use of identity for authentication. Many websites incorrectly use identity to block access to sensitive account data. Often, applications are brought to me. APIÂ APIs are not secured, and direct access to the database can be had with direct calls to the exposed API endpoints.
Another recommendation I am making more and more is using biometrics and passwordless authentication. Here, only verified tokens are made available to the application. The userâs device verifies the identity with facial recognition or fingerprint analysis. It is hard to crack, and storing a password hash is unnecessary.
22. Jessica Rhoades, Owner and Designer at Create IT Web Designs
Most people think that web security is just installing a WordPress plugin.
It is more than that. It is forming a plan around your website. First, do you take regular backups of your website and keep them off the webserver? Keeping a backup is critical to protecting your data.Â
Secondly, are you updating your plugins on a regular schedule? Vulnerabilities in plugins are constantly being discovered.Â
Lastly, do you have any subdomains, and are you updating and scanning those regularly?
 An old test server on a subdomain that a customer forgot about was how one of my customers was hacked. The subdomain plugins were not updated for over two years and were hacked. Since they could get into the subdomain, it affected the main website. We quickly resolved the security with the subdomain, but the main website was down for about 6-8 hours.
23. Nir Kshetri, Professor at the University of North Carolina-GreensboroÂ
Many strategies must be used to secure and protect a website, but I would emphasize two things. First, companies should practice extreme precautions and safeguards if they allow others to upload files through their websites to ensure that no malicious files are uploaded.Â
Moreover, if users upload too big files, they can bring the website down. An option to keep the website secure would be not to allow file upload.Â
However, this is not a practical strategy for many companies. Companies should allow uploads to support only one or a few file types. They can set up an email address and list on their Contact Us page to submit other file types. They should also limit the file size to avoid DDoS attacks and scan received files for viruses and malware.
Second, if the website stores passwords, it is critical to hash passwords and employ a more muscular hashing function (e.g., bcrypt) rather than a simple function (e.g., SHA1). In this way, even if hackers can penetrate a companyâs network, it will make it difficult to steal passwords and use them for nefarious purposes.Â
24. Michael Miller, CEO of VPN Online
As a security evangelist, one tip I always preach is to update everything! Your first line of defence will always be your antivirus, operating system, hardware, and passwords. Make sure you religiously update them. As an added insurance, keep offsite backups. The easiest way to fix a problem is by restoring to a previous backup.Â
25. Nelson Sherwin, Manager of PEO Companies
Did you know your domain name is a target?: My one tip is to not forget about your domain name. It can be a massive attack target, so you must prioritize its security. A registrar with security as a primary focus is a great first move. It would be best to look into adding a domain lock and setting up multi-factor authentication for extra steps to ensure it is kept safe.
26. Chase Higbee, Lead IT Strategist at Atlantic.Net
The key to website security is to minimize the attack surface of the website infrastructure and place controls over how network traffic reaches the website.Â
Exposing only the front-end web server(s) to the public Internet using a DMZ is critical in logically positioning application and database servers behind additional firewalls.Â
Protect the front end by proxying TLS traffic through a secured web gateway and create strict security policies to manage end-to-end traffic inside the perimeter network.Â
27. Jon Rasiko, Managing Director at DeepCode
Starts with the basics. Ensure you take the time to carefully configure your web server using cryptographic solid parameters, a necessity for many frameworks such as PCI-DSS or HIPAA.
Learn and implement web security headers like the Content-Security-Policy header to mitigate some of the top 10 OWASP security issues. Secure your cookies with the proper flags, such as âHttpOnlyâ and âSecureâ.Â
One last piece of advice: protect your code repositories by removing passwords and tokens and cleaning up non-essential files on your production web servers.
28. Kyle Hrzenak, President & CISO at Green Shield Security
Some of the best ways to secure a website are as follows.
SSL – An SSL is essential because it ensures data safety if you protect SSLv3 Poodle.
Use website penetration software such as Acunetix Web Vulnerability Scanner. Tools similar will provide errors currently on your website or web server and provide documents to fix those issues.
29. Alex Artamonov, Cybersecurity Specialist at Infinitely Virtual
If a website is hosted in a shared environment, back-end server security is the hosting companyâs responsibility. Security lies with the owner if the server is hosted within a private environment.Â
Special attention must be paid to front-end and back-end code in both cases. Many interactive websites have opted to use both pre-written and custom JavaScript libraries. Itâs essential to ensure the code doesnât include unwanted functionality when using public libraries.Â
With a website hosted on a private server, additional vigilance â e.g., an effective patch management policy â is essential. Likewise, close any unused ports, turn off filtering of any remote management ports, use secure passwords, and run regular vulnerability tests.Â
30. Nicholas McBride, Cybersecurity Consultant at Ecuron
When securing a website, four basic steps will prevent most attacks.
First, check that all permissions are correctly set. One of the most common avenues of attack is via improperly set file permissions, allowing attackers to view sensitive files or upload their own.
Second, ensure that HTTPS is adequately enabled and strictly required for all domains and subdomains.
Third, configure DNS properly to prevent the possibility of DNS hijacking.Â
And finally, patch your server and operating system software promptly. These four steps will do the most to keep your website secure.
31. Lumena Mukherjee, Cybersecurity Consultant at SectigoStore
Website security is often assumed to be the responsibility of hosting providers. However, thatâs not the case. Securing the site is the site ownerâs responsibility. The tips below can get you started in the right direction:
Run regular vulnerability scans and perform manual web application security assessments to identify and fix security weaknesses before a breach.
Use an SSL/TLS certificate to encrypt the communication between client browsers and your webserver to guarantee that no data is transmitted in plaintext.
Back up your website automatically using a third-party platform regularly to minimize the impact of any issues.
32. Vladlen Shulepov, CEO at Riseapps
Itâs true that to provide website security, there should be a strategy in place. First, data encryption is one of the most important ways to protect a site, so such a well-known measure as an SSL certificate must be used.
Any framework, cloud service, firewall, etc., used in the development process should be trustworthy and safe, and the same applies to servers. Multi-factor authorization is the most secure choice if there is a login option. If an intrusion occurs, a data breach protocol can help minimize the damage.
33. Joe Tuan, CEO of Topflightapps
Our WordPress site has been recently hacked multiple times. In response, we are applying Cloudflare rate limiting. It can help determine excessive requests for specific URLs or an entire domain.
On top of that, we took stock of all external plugins we installed on our site and removed those posing a threat: no longer updated and used.Â
34. Maxim Ivanov, CEO of Aimprosoft
Besides standard website security measures, such as reliable hosting, patching all applications on the webserver to the latest version, etc., use more enhanced precautions.Â
Firstly, choose a firewall to secure your servers and restrict access to all undesirable ports except those that should be available (e.g., 80 and 443).
Secondly, use WAF (web application firewall) to secure your app from outside attacks, such as SQL injections, XSS (Cross-Site Scripting) attacks, file inclusion, etc. Remember that there are special services, such as Cloudflare, that function like reverse proxy, provide WAF and DDoS mitigation, and take care of website security for you.Â
Finally, security audits of a web application code are conducted to minimize its vulnerability and configure fuzzing using a tool like Fail2ban.
35. Swapnil Bhalode, Co-founder and CTO of Tala Security
Client-side vulnerabilities are the webâs weakest link, resulting in data breaches at leading global brands – and the biggest GDPR OK to date (BA, $230m). Known as Magecart or credit card skimming, these attacks succeed because only 1% of website owners deploy security policies that protect the client side.
The best strategy to secure websites against these attacks is to deploy browser-native security controls such as CSP, SRI, and other advanced standards.Â
Developed by the worldâs leading web experts, like Google and GitHub, theyâre constantly refined with the latest web developments. They provide the most comprehensive, future-proof protection against client-side attacks.Â
36. Rob Shavell, CEO of Abine/DeleteMe
To secure and protect a website as much as possible, you must use strong passwords for your server and website admin area. In addition, if your site requires a sign-in, you should encourage your users to use best password practices to protect their data.
37. Laura Fuentes, Operator of Infinity Dish
Keep your software up to date. Outdated software may prevent a leak of information. Strong passwords. Enforce a firm password policy and have users change them regularly. Every 3-4 months at most. Do not use cookies to secure susceptible information. Hackers easily manipulate them. Hold web security training for your employees. It helps them understand the importance of security and the ability to spot vulnerabilities readily.
38. Heinrich Long, Privacy Expert at Restore Privacy
There are three leading protective technologies to consider when implementing a solid web security strategy to secure and protect a website.Â
First and foremost, you should invest in a tremendous cloud-based firewall; Norton is a great provider with a range of products to suit almost any website. The firewall protects your website by evaluating visitors and blocking potential hackers from gaining unauthorized access to your data.Â
Secondly, support this with an application-level firewall that explicitly protects your site from vulnerabilities created by apps or services linked to your site.Â
Finally, invest in technologies to support application hardening. Application hardening is a crucial aspect of your security strategy and is required to prevent hackersâ efforts to tamper with an app and compromise your site.
Bottom Line
There you have it! Thirty-eight ways to secure and protect a website!
According to Webarx Security, about 30000 new websites were hacked daily in 2019. The most popular CMS, WordPress, is reportedly the most hacked CMS in cyberspace.
Thankfully, the interviewees have provided helpful website security tips that you can apply to secure and protect your websites.
Note: This was initially published in July 2020, but has been updated for freshness and accuracy.
What are CATI telephone investigations? What is the CATI method? Read on to find out…
Every company needs to perform various analyses to see if it is doing well. The considerations are made above all on the level of customer satisfaction if they return to buy, or if they prefer to turn to competitors.
The best market research is done through surveys or questionnaires that address the customer in person, asking them for an evaluation of a product or service, customer service, and much more.
In cybersecurity, market research is vital, and surveys are a valuable tool. This section explores the role of surveys in collecting data to assess customer satisfaction and preferences.
Surveys can be carried out in different ways; the most used are online surveys and telephone interviews recorded with CATI software, which involves entering the answers into an automated program. Â
The term “CATI” translates as: Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing and indicates a method that uses telephone interviews, in which the interviewer reads the interviewee’s questions and records the answers on specific software.
This survey method is considered very useful because it is not necessary to hire a specialized person; the employees of the marketing department can manage the questionnaires independently since the software is easy to use and there is no need to process the data.
Table of Contents
CATI Method: A Cybersecurity Perspective
Surveys can be carried out in different ways, one of which is through telephone interviews recorded with CATI software. This involves entering the answers into an automated program. This section delves into the CATI method and its relevance in cybersecurity.
The term “CATI” translates as: Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing and indicates a method that uses telephone interviews, in which the interviewer reads the interviewee’s questions and records the answers on specific software. In this subsection, we break down what CATI stands for and how it works.
How The CATI Method Works
The CATI method was born during the seventies in the United States and then spread all over the world. Telephone interviews are especially suitable for B2B targets, as they can be planned based on the availability of the interviewees.
This method was promoted to eliminate all factors that reduce the quality of data collected through traditional telephone interviews. Thanks to the use of CATI software, operations can be facilitated processes more fluidly and faster without having to invest too many resources.
It is, therefore, a good investment for any company that wants to do market research and involve different targets.
 Putting this method into practice is very simple: a sample is extracted from the list of names to be interviewed, setting parameters to be followed during the extraction.
If you also want to include those who are not on the list, you can rely on the random generation of numbers, which are divided according to geographical areas.
Not all people appreciate receiving telephone interviews, so it is always best to ask for their consent. During the interview, the questionnaire can be read from the computer monitor to the interviewer, who will enter the answers quickly.
Although the online mode is most appreciated today for doing online questionnaires, telephone interviews can still work if they are used in the right way. A company can obtain several advantages using the CATI method:
Optimization of the timing of telephone interviews and data collection thanks to the use of specific software;
direct contact between interviewer and interviewee, there are no misunderstandings or incorrect answers since any doubts can be clarified immediately;
more efficient work performed in real-time, without having to involve other figures within the company;
saving money because there are no large operating costs;
customer evaluation that is reliable and useful for the growth of the company;
better response rate, especially in the B2B sector.
The Use Of The CATI Method In Customer Satisfaction
Before choosing the CATI method to conduct investigations, it is necessary to understand in which sector to use it. In fact, in some cases, it is not recommended, especially when the target is very young, while it is appreciated more in customer satisfaction.
Thanks to this method, it is possible to measure the degree of satisfaction with the products, services, and user experience.
The data that is extracted is very important because it helps the company to focus on customer loyalty, allowing the marketing team to create targeted strategies. A company should use CATI surveys if it wants to have an in-depth assessment of:
customer satisfaction with a particular product or service;
customer support and shopping experience;
launch of a new product/service;
market research on a particular niche;
what customers think of competitors;
problems on the website, in the shop, or in the purchase of products or services.
Interviewing customers directly allows you to get honest and valid answers. In this way, changes can be made in the company and meet customer requests, so as to make them happier and more satisfied.
The analysis of competitors should always be taken into account to analyze what their strengths and shortcomings are in order to be able to offer a better product, a lower price, and a more attentive service.
The main advantages of the CATI method are: the possibility of interviewing people who are difficult to reach by other means, being able to use professional tools for quality control, but also efficiency, speed, and minimal costs.
Thanks to this method of telephone interviews, companies can collect a lot of data, avoid errors through the use of professional software, and optimize times. Usually, the CATI method is used in large numbers, especially to make surveys that are repeated over time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I will say that CATI is a valuable tool for cybersecurity organizations to collect accurate data and gain insights into customer satisfaction, competitive analysis, and user experience.
Its global adoption and versatility make it a promising solution for fortifying cyber defences and improving customer relationships.
In this exclusive interview, we spoke with Dan Fusco, CEO of InnerPC to learn more about their managed IT services, cybersecurity tips for remote working, and more about their company.
InnerPC is a managed IT services company based in New York that helps individuals and small businesses with computer installations, upgrades & repairs, networking, data recovery & transfer, virus & malware issues, and computer tutoring.
Here are Dan Fusco’s responses to our questions:
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1. Question: Your company has been operating for over ten years now; how has the journey been so far?
Dan Fusco: Starting a business is no easy feat. I remember when I first started. I had decided to fix laptops, but I had no idea how to get the word out that I was doing this. One day I was walking by the Saturday flea market on 79th street and saw that businesses had tents set up offering goods and services. The next week, I had a tent and was offering to fix laptops for $35.00. My schedule for fixing laptops got filled up fast!
As time went on, I would often look at the high-rise buildings, and I would ask myself, âHow do I fix computers in those offices?â. Every day I would come up with different ideas about how to get in contact with the partners or C-level employees in order to show them how I could make their IT department run more efficiently. Today InnerPC is responsible for managing the IT departments for more than 30 businesses in those buildings.
I remember fixing a laptop for a very wealthy business owner when I first started out, and I asked him what his key to success was, and he asked, âIs making even one penny profit?â
2. Question: With the need to work from home due to the pandemic, has there been an increased need for managed IT services & support?
Dan Fusco: COVID-19 has had a huge impact on businesses. During the past 3 months, I have hosted webinar events for the Chamber of Commerce, NCCPAP, and LITS, on ideas of how to work remotely in a fast, secure way. Our clients are already set up to work remotely as we host their data in partnership with Microsoft and the Azure infrastructure. They have had zero downtime during this pandemic.
Conversely, there are a lot of businesses that are not set up to work remotely and did experience significant downtime. For these businesses, we are helping them create a roadmap for their IT department so they can work from anywhere in the world. There has been a huge amount of interest in working remotely and we are currently creating IT plans for many businesses.
3. Question: What is your advice to online businesses working remotely in terms of cybersecurity?
Dan Fusco: I often speak on Cyber Security at trade shows and for businesses. There are 5 key ingredients you need to work remotely securely:
1: Filter all emails before they get into your inbox.
2: Have an Anti-virus and firewall installed on your network
3: Back up your Data!!!! (Extremely important.)
4: Implement 2 Factor Authentication for logging into your network
5: Monitor and maintain patches and updates for desktops and servers
4. Question: Based on your experience in the industry, how important would you rate data backup & network documentation?
Dan Fusco: Wow, this is the question of the day. When I speak about backing up data, I often ask who in the group is backing up their data. Only about half the room raises their hands. I also have found that the people who are backing up data have no idea how it is being done. They donât get reports on successful backups and they are not backing data up offsite.
Backing up data both onsite and offsite is crucial for protecting your company against lost data and ransomware. Ransomware is a virus that encrypts your data, this virus can put you out of business. If you back up your data, you can easily recover those encrypted files.
Documentation is a key point in resolving issues in a timely manner. We document everything from usernames to IP addresses for firewalls. It helps technicians get access to crucial data to be able to troubleshoot and fix issues right away.
5. Question: InnerPC offers efficient service delivery to clients; what measures do you take to ensure that you meet up with this?
Dan Fusco: Standard operation procedures are the key to creating an IT department that runs smoothly. We have a unique way of managing data in which there is 99.9% uptime.
To keep these systems running smoothly, we have a huddle meeting with all our technicians every morning to discuss any IT issues people are having and then come up with different ways of resolving those issues. We also are part of a network of 1000 other IT professionals, so we have access to a huge amount of knowledge.
Our clients are particularly happy that we answer the phone. This sounds simple, but how many times do you call a company and you are on hold for 2 hours? We respond to phone calls in 5 minutes and most resolutions are finished in 15 minutes.
6. Question: What have been your significant achievement(s) in 2020 so far?
Dan Fusco: I am happy to say that our partnership with Microsoft is our biggest achievement. We work with consultants from Microsoft every day.
Together, we discuss both the technical aspects of Office 365 and customer relations. This partnership is the key for us to be able to manage large companies with 500 employees.
Note: This was initially published in July 2020, but has been updated for freshness and accuracy.
Here is an infographic on the cybersecurity trends to be known from 2020 to 2030.
With the number of cyber incidents on the rise, there is a pressing need to be on top of IT security more than ever.
This infographic looks at the new innovations and emerging technologies in 2020 that are helping organisations strengthen their cybersecurity practices.
The past decade witnessed a dramatic surge in cyber threats, and the years 2020 to 2030 are likely to see this trend continue with even more sophisticated and multifaceted attacks. Staying ahead of the curve requires understanding the key cybersecurity trends.
Here are some to watch:
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Essential Trends In Cybersecurity To Know Right Now
1. Deepfakes and Disinformation
Malicious actors will increasingly leverage deepfakes, synthetic AI-generated media, to manipulate public opinion, disrupt trust in institutions, and launch targeted scams. Detecting and mitigating these deepfakes will pose a significant challenge.
2. Convergence of IT and OT
As Operational Technology (OT) systems controlling critical infrastructure, like power grids and transportation, become more interconnected with Information Technology (IT), the attack surface will expand significantly. Securing these converged systems will be crucial.
RaaS models, where pre-built ransomware and attack tools are offered for rent, make cyberattacks more accessible to less skilled individuals and criminal organizations. Expect more frequent and devastating ransomware attacks.
4. AI-powered Attacks and Defense
Both attackers and defenders will increasingly leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to automate tasks, analyze data, and predict vulnerabilities and attack patterns. The “arms race” between offensive and defensive AI will intensify.
5. Quantum Computing and Cryptography
The emergence of quantum computers could break current encryption standards, potentially rendering much of our online security obsolete. Quantum-resistant cryptography is being developed, but the transition will be complex and time-consuming.
6. Supply Chain Attacks
Targeting vulnerabilities in third-party vendors and software suppliers will become a common tactic to gain access to larger organizations. Building a secure software supply chain will be critical for mitigating these risks.
As biometric authentication becomes more prevalent, attackers will develop techniques to exploit these systems, like forging fingerprints or using deepfakes to bypass facial recognition. Multi-factor authentication and continuous security improvements will be necessary.
8. Increased Regulation and Privacy Concerns
Governments worldwide are likely to implement stricter data privacy regulations to protect individuals. Organizations must adapt their practices to comply with these regulations while maintaining security effectiveness.
The demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals will continue to outpace the supply, making it even more challenging for organizations to find and retain qualified talent. Upskilling and reskilling existing employees will be crucial.
10. Focus on Proactive Risk Management
Organizations must move from reactive cybersecurity measures to proactive risk management strategies, continuously identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them.
What are the biggest cybersecurity threats of 2024?
Supply Chain Attacks: These attacks target third-party vendors and partners to gain access to a target organization’s systems. Since many businesses rely on a complex web of suppliers, a single compromised vendor can create a significant security risk.
Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS): This model makes it easier for even individuals with limited technical expertise to launch ransomware attacks. RaaS attackers can purchase or rent ransomware tools and infrastructure from cybercriminal marketplaces.
Phishing Attacks: Phishing attacks continue to be a major threat, and cybercriminals are constantly developing new techniques to trick users into revealing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links. Be extra cautious of phishing attempts through SMS, text messages, or social media.
Cloud Security Challenges: As more businesses move their data and applications to the cloud, cloud security becomes an increasingly important concern. Security misconfigurations, insecure APIs, and unauthorized access to cloud storage are some challenges organizations face.
What are some emerging cybersecurity technologies that can help mitigate these threats?
Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA):Â ZTA is a security model that eliminates the concept of implicit trust on a network. It assumes that no user or device is inherently trustworthy and requires continuous verification throughout a session.
Extended Detection and Response (XDR): XDR goes beyond traditional endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions by collecting data from various sources, including network devices, cloud workloads, and user activity. This allows for more comprehensive threat detection and investigation.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): AI and ML are being used to develop more sophisticated security solutions to detect and respond to cyber threats in real time. These technologies can help to automate security tasks and identify patterns that might be missed by human analysts.
Biometric Authentication: Biometric authentication, such as fingerprint scanning or facial recognition, is becoming increasingly popular to add more security to user authentication.
How can businesses stay ahead of the cybersecurity curve?
Regular Security Assessments: Businesses should conduct regular security assessments to identify system and application vulnerabilities.
Employee Training: Educate employees about cybersecurity best practices, such as identifying phishing attacks and creating strong passwords.
Software Updates: Keep all software applications and operating systems updated with the latest security patches.
Incident Response Plan: Develop a plan for responding to a cyberattack, including data breach notification procedures.
Security Awareness Programs: Implement ongoing security awareness programs to inform employees about the latest cyber threats.
What steps can individuals take to protect themselves from cyber threats?
Use Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):Â Create strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts and enable MFA whenever possible.
Be Wary of Phishing Attempts:Â Don’t click on suspicious links or attachments in emails, and be cautious of unsolicited messages.
Beware of Social Engineering Scams:Â Social engineering scams attempt to trick you into revealing sensitive information or taking actions that could compromise your security.
Keep Software Updated: Keep your operating system, web browser, and other software applications updated with the latest security patches.
Be Cautious on Public Wi-Fi:Â Avoid accessing sensitive information or financial accounts when using public Wi-Fi networks. Consider using a VPN for added security.
Take Your Knowledge To The Next Level
These are key trends shaping the cybersecurity landscape in the coming decade.
Organizations and individuals can better protect themselves in the increasingly complex digital world by staying informed and adapting to these evolving threats.
Staying across these trends has a personal and professional impact, so youâre maintaining a high-level approach to protecting your data and cybersecurity best practices.
Remember, cybersecurity is an ongoing journey, not a one-time fix, and requires constant vigilance and adaptation.
Here, we will show you all you should know when choosing digital signage software.
Last year, we saw a significant increase in the number of digital signage software options available.
To help you choose between them and figure out which one is best for your business, we’ve compiled this list to highlight a few benefits that come with using digital signage software.
The first benefit is that digital signage software helps to improve communication. With the ability to quickly and easily update messages, you can ensure that your contacts are always up-to-date and relevant.
Secondly, digital signage software makes it easy to manage content. For example, you can create playlists of videos, images, and text for your displays, making it simple to keep your screens looking fresh and engaging.
Thirdly, using digital signage software can help you save time and money. Rather than printing out multiple versions of documents or advertisements, you can send them electronically to be displayed on your screens. Additionally, by reducing the need for printed materials, you’ll be helping the environment!
Fourthly, digital signage software gives you the ability to monitor your ads. With analytics reports, you can measure how often each ad is viewed and decide which ones should be shown more frequently.
1. Digital signage software helps improve customer service by providing an easy way to ask questions or place orders: they can use a mobile device or computer to access content on one of your screens!
The possibilities are endless with this option – don’t limit yourself just because we haven’t thought up all potential uses yet.
2. Digital signage software makes it easier for everyone in your company (from executives down) to reach their audiences through dynamic multimedia displays that update automatically and engage viewers at every turn.
Rather than passively consuming information, viewers are prompted to interact with your signage and learn more about what you have to offer.
When choosing digital signage software, there are a few factors to consider. The following tips will help you choose the right software for your needs.
Few Tips To Consider When Choosing Digital Signage Software
First, decide what type of content you want to display. For example, some software can only manage text-based content, while others can also handle videos and photos.
Second, think about how often you’ll need to update the content. If you plan on changing it frequently, you’ll need software that’s easy to use and navigate. Otherwise, you may end up wasting time trying to figure out how to use the software every time you want to make a change.
Third, consider the size of your organization and how many people need access to the software. For example, some programs can be accessed by multiple users on a network, while others are designed for solo use.
Finally, choose the features you need most. For example, some programs allow you to add branding and logos to your content display. Other options include QR code integration or social media sharing buttons that can help increase engagement with viewers of your digital signage.
What Is Digital Signage Software?
Digital signage software is a tool that enables you to create, manage, and display multimedia content on digital signs and screens.
It simplifies the process of using these displays for informational or promotional purposes in various public and commercial settings.
Here’s a breakdown of its key features:
Content Management
Create content like text, images, videos, and interactive elements using built-in tools or drag-and-drop interfaces.
Schedule content to display at specific times or based on triggers (e.g., sensor data, weather updates).
Manage multiple displays and create playlists for different locations or purposes.
Device Management
Remotely control and configure connected digital signs.
Monitor their performance and troubleshoot any issues.
Update software and content wirelessly across your network.
Analytics and Reporting
Track content performance and audience engagement data.
Gain insights into how viewers interact with your displays.
Measure the effectiveness of your messaging and campaigns.
Popular Digital Signage Software Options
Screenly: User-friendly and affordable, good for beginners.
Xibo: Scalable and feature-rich, suitable for enterprise use.
BrightSign: Powerful and reliable, ideal for complex deployments.
Mvix: Cloud-based and versatile, great for multi-location businesses.
Nsign: Feature-packed and customizable, excellent for interactive displays.
Choosing the right digital signage software depends on your specific needs and budget. Consider factors like desired features, ease of use, scalability, and integration capabilities.
Many popular software options feature user-friendly interfaces with drag-and-drop functionality, making them accessible even for those with limited technical experience. Some platforms even offer pre-designed templates and content libraries to further simplify the process.
How much does digital signage software cost?
Pricing varies depending on features, functionality, and the number of licenses needed. Basic cloud-based options can start at around $20 per month, while enterprise-grade solutions with advanced features may cost hundreds of dollars per license. Consider free trials or demos to explore different options before committing.
What hardware do I need to use digital signage software?
The hardware requirements will depend on the capabilities of your chosen software and the size and resolution of your displays. You’ll typically need commercial-grade displays, media players to connect the displays to the network, and cables. Some software might offer cloud-based rendering, eliminating the need for local media players.
Is digital signage software secure?
Security is crucial, especially when displaying sensitive information. Look for software that offers features like user authentication, access control, and content encryption to ensure your data and displays are protected. Additionally, choose a reputable vendor with a commitment to data security and software updates.
How can I measure the success of my digital signage?
Most digital signage software offers built-in analytics tools to track content performance and audience engagement. You can monitor metrics like impressions, clicks, dwell time, and heatmaps to understand how viewers interact with your displays and adjust your strategy accordingly.
In conclusion, using digital signage software can help you improve your business. By cutting down on waste, providing customer service that’s second to none, and reaching audiences engagingly through dynamic multimedia displays, this solution is a win for everyone involved!
Red Dog Casino is a young project on the American market but it has already managed to achieve good results so in a short time it might enter the top of the reliable gambling platforms.
The casino makes interest for newcomers, high rollers and bonus hunters, offering conditions that are really favorable.Â
You will enjoy certified content from leading providers, prompt withdrawals to credit cards and e-wallets, user-friendly interface with an original design and English language support.
In reviews, customers note the generous bonuses from Red Dog Casino so it is worth learning about the bonus program of the casino to take advantage of the best offers of the season.
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No Deposit Bonus to Each Player
The administration of the online casino is confident in the quality of software and a high level of service and it offers you to test the conditions without investing. For this purpose, an additional promo has been developed to allow newcomers to receive a no deposit bonus. You just need to meet several requirements:
Complete the registration
Confirm your email
After a performance of these simple actions the system will automatically give you 40$. You can spend money on any game, except the Live section, but it is forbidden to exceed the maximum bet of $10.
Withdrawal of the no deposit bonus becomes available only after the x50 wagering is fulfilled. There is no limit on the maximum amount of bonus money in the rules so it is allowed to withdraw the bonus and all winnings received from it.
Welcome Deposit Bonus
After testing the service and conditions thanks to the no deposit bonus, you can safely top up your account and start playing for real money. Online casino will increase your starting deposit by 225%, and moreover, you can get the welcome bonus 5 times.
It is allowed to withdraw the money given only after you wager it 30 times, you also can spend the money in slots, poker, baccarat, blackjack and lotteries. Get bonuses at online casinos Red Dog can be found on the official site https://slotsandcasinos.org/casino-red-dog-bonuses/.
Red Dog Casino offers additional promos for visitors who often bet on the site. You can enjoy generous reloads weekly and there are three types of them. For a deposit of $30-74, you will be given additional 120%, a deposit of $75-149 is awarded with 135%, while the maximum bonus of 160% is given to players who make a deposit of $150 or more.
To withdraw the money received, you have to make a 35-fold turnover during no longer than 7 days. A promo code is not required as the main thing is to deposit the amount, which meets the requirements, in one payment.
Seasonal Free Spins for a Minimum Deposit
Red Dog online casino regularly gives out free spins for different slots, and this season you can receive FS for the new Desert Raider slot by Realtime Gaming.
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What Bonuses Does Red Dog Casino Offer Its Gamblers?
Red Dog Casino offers a variety of bonuses and promotions for new and existing gamblers. Here’s a breakdown of some of their offerings, but it’s important to note that bonuses and terms can change, so it’s always best to check their website for the latest information:
New Player Welcome Bonuses
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Review the terms and conditions:Â Before claiming any bonus, carefully read and understand the terms and conditions associated with it.
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For the latest and most accurate information on Red Dog Casino’s bonuses and promotions, it’s always best to visit their official website.
Companies tend to put the majority of their focus on preventing external threatsâsuch as hackers and virusesâdespite the fact that internal threats are more common. Itâs likely your organization spends considerable resources to protect itself against data breachesâand rightly so. Data breaches can result in compliance violations, large expenses, and damaged reputations.
According to the Ponemon Instituteâs 2020 Cost of Insider Threats Report, insider-caused cybersecurity threats are up 47% since 2018 and the average annual cost of internal threats has risen to $11.45 millionâup 31% in two years.
Internal breaches sprout from a wide array of motivations: a current employee feels overlooked for an opportunity; a departing employee wants to impress their new employer by copying intellectual property or contact lists; or a contractor is unhappy about being let go.
The added danger of these internal threats is they can easily go undetected. They have all the access, but whoâd suspect a current employee? It would likely be an invisible attack. Further, many organizations fail to adequately remove access from departing or terminated employees.
Incomplete offboarding remains a major risk throughout many businesses, but former employees are quickly forgotten. Too often, no one is looking for or monitoring their accounts. Plus, these users tend to know their way around the network.
An internal breach in 2017 saw the City of Calgaryâs payout fines of 92.9 million Canadian dollars. This scandal started when an email was sent by an employee to a colleague at another municipality. The email shared personal information of more than 3,700 employees. Leaving your network unprotected can leave you vulnerable to a similar threat.
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Manual Access Management
When access management is done manually, the granting and revocation of access often has flaws. Manual efforts regularly suffer from a lack of consistent data entry and loggingâcausing inconsistencies and loss of recordsâor from lax policies. Employees are frequently given too much access and, with no review system in place, this leads to severe oversights both during and after employment.
Each employee or contractorâs manager is responsible for making the IT team aware of the level of access needed (i.e. read, write, edit, admin), so the IT staff can issue the relevant permissions for each organizational system, app, and file share. However, IT staff do not have the day-to-day business and operational experience to determine which user roles should access what.
Making requests and waiting for them to be fulfilled can often be time-consuming. As a result of this, managers frequently request excess access to avoid having to request additional rights in the future. This can lead to employees acquiring a level of access that they shouldnât have.
This âextra accessâ, also known as permission bloat, can lead to a large security risk to your organization. Even if the employee has no malicious intent, there is always the chance that their credentials are stolen, and if that happens, a large amount of your organizationâs resources become put at risk.
In addition, managers are responsible for notifying the IT department when an employee is terminated or departing. This notice should begin the offboarding process so the given userâs access can be revoked. If managers forget or take longer than is ideal, employees may retain access to sensitive information/resources after their term of employment has ended.
Even if the offboarding process is executed, IT has to check every location and resource in your environment to which the given user retained access. Any missed spots risk breaches or compliance violations and manual management efforts simply arenât thorough enough.
Vast and overlooked access rights lack transparency and leave a great deal of room for human error or exploitation by malicious actors. They are unequivocally, without a doubt, a massive cause of internal breaches, and an issue your organization needs to address.
So, whatâs the solution?
With one of the biggest internal threats to data security right under the noses of organizations, how do you make access easier while retaining security against the threat of data breaches?
The level of security employed would typically depend on the sensitivity of the data being protected and the compliance pressures stemming from your organizationâs particular industry.
That said, there are a few universal steps that all organizations can take to not only mitigate breaches, but also optimize their processes. With automation, the entire provisioning and access management processes are made more centralized, efficient, cost-effective, and transparent.
How To Protect Your Organization From Internal Threats
1. User provisioning
Let’s look at access in a chronological sense, starting with onboarding. Unlike manual processes, identity and access management (IAM) solutions connects disparate management systems throughout the network to automate processes.
For example, the HRMS tracks usersâ personal detailsâe.g., their names and addresses, employment start and end dates, departments, positionsâand then the IAM solution automatically synchronizes usersâ account information between the HRMS and the network.
Changes made in the HRMS are detected, then automatically updated or implemented across the network. The management dashboard within an IAM solution allows IT and managerial staff to oversee access beyond the automated processes.
2. Access governance
An automated access governance solution integrates with the IAM tool to determine, on a per-user basis, what access rights a user should have.
Authorization matrices in the solution use an employee or contractorâs job role to determine access rights for various company resources. These rights include whether the employee or contractor can perform certain transactions, access a particular system, or access specific physical locations.
To enforce this authorization matrix, access rights are recorded in the solution and then issued, changed, and withdrawn for each user accordingly. This type of role-based access control allows for the ability to oversee and track individuals who have access to what, and these changes can be monitored.
Automated solutions also allow managers to generate overviews of and fully report on each employee or contractor’s activity. The IAM technology logs and tracks the individuals performing activities and when these occured.
Solutions that automatically revise access rights according to user changes help prevent permission bloat by ensuring every employee is held to the Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP).
Adhering to PoLP ensures that your users retain access to exactly the resources they needâno more, no less. This prevents the security and compliance risks that occur over time due to unreviewed access rights.
3. Workflow management and self-service
While automated provisioning helps keep onboarding efforts secure, some users require additional access rights beyond what is configured for their base job role. Whether additional assignments, temporary projects, or other responsibilities, not every employee will perfectly fit your role model.
To account for unique roles and the many other unplanned for scenarios that occur within organizations, access must be maintained appropriately throughout the employee/contractor lifecycle.
Workflow management and self-service solutions allow team members and leaders to request, monitor and approve resources without any IT intervention. For example, an employee that needs access to a resource to complete a task will request access to an that resource (whether it is an application or a file share). The approval process for granting that access should be part of a structured workflow within the overall IAM solution.
Then, the team leader authorizes each permission or request and how access is granted within the network. The employee receives access to the required resource and moves forward with the tasks at hand. Note that with the right solution, all these processes are executed with zero IT involvement.
A strong self-service solution will allow users to directly request access from their managers or the appointed and knowledgeable decision-maker. As already mentioned, IT staff do not typically have the knowledge of day-to-day business operations and what access may or may not be problematic. Bypassing IT allows the correct people to approve or deny the request, with the solution executing all changes automatically. Moments after requesting a resource, a manger can approve it; moments after approval, the user has their resource.
Not only do IAM solutions make it easy to grant and revoke user access rights, but they can also grant or revoke physical access to work areas, and allow the user to submit helpdesk tickets.
4. User de-provisioning
The final stage of the employee/contractor lifecycle requires deprovisioning whether they are departing to a new organization, their contract simply expired, they were terminated, or other reason. De-provisioning should be your organizationâs number one priority since orphaned accounts (accounts without an active user) often pose as major security risks, if not taken care of properly.
IAM solutions can detect a change in an employee or contractorâs employment status in the HRMS system and instantly disable the network account in all centrally located systems and applications.
If an employee or contractor terminates their employment early for some reason, make sure your organizationâs policies include alerting the IT team or the systems administrator, so someone can revoke all access within the IAM system. The transparency provided by an automated IAM system reduces access pollution, so you can clearly see when all access is removed.
Bottom Line – Internalize Security
In today’s competitive business landscape, a breach scandal can sink an organization. It’s important to protect against both external threats and the more-common internal threats.
An IAM system replaces spreadsheets and other manual entry templates. It ensures that all users maintain the correct authorizations appropriate to their individual roles, as well as relieves the IT team from mundane and repetitive provisioning tasks. With all that time reclaimed, IT can focus on other, more impactful projects instead of menial data entry.
IAM solutions streamline access management, increase efficiency, and provide a transparent access trail for easy auditing that relieves worries of compliance and auditing on polluted file systems. The sophisticated access controls and automated processes help minimize the typical weak points exploited by internal security threats.
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