In 2022, the buzz phrase of the year has to be “The Great Resignation”. What is it? It’s a term coined to describe the current rise in people leaving their employer to find work elsewhere. But people have always moved on, right? Of course they have. Staff retention rates have always been a target for most HR functions. But something is different in...

Today’s VERT Alert addresses Microsoft’s July 2022 Security Updates. VERT is actively working on coverage for these Patch Tuesday vulnerabilities and expects to ship ASPL-1011 on Wednesday, July 13th. In-The-Wild & Disclosed CVEs CVE-2022-22047 Microsoft is reporting this month that a single vulnerability in the Windows Client/Server Runtime...

Lateral movement is one of the most consequential types of network activity for which organizations need to be on the lookout. After accessing a network, the attacker maintains ongoing access by essentially stirring through the compromised environment and obtaining increased privileges (known as “escalation of privileges”) using various tools and...

The aviation industry is both vast and complex. More than 45,000 flights and 2.9 million passengers travel through U.S. airspace every day, requiring high-tech tools and extensive communications networks. All of that data and complexity makes the sector a prime target for cybercriminals. Worryingly, only 49% of non-governmental organizations have...

DevSecOps is the key to achieving effective IT security in software development. By taking a proactive approach to security and building it into the process from the start, DevSecOps ensures improved application security. It also allows organizations to rapidly develop application security with fewer bottlenecks and setbacks. Some critical aspects...

Apple has previewed a new feature which aims to harden high-risk users from the serious threat of being spied upon by enemy states and intelligence agencies. "Lockdown Mode" is scheduled to arrive later this year with the release of Apple iOS 16 and macOS Ventura. It's an optional feature for users who believe their computers and smartphones face a...

The new PCI DSS Standard, version 4.0, contains all the steps, best practices, and explanations required for full compliance. In fact, even an organization that does not process cardholder data could follow the PCI Standard to implement a robust cybersecurity program for any of its important data. In our series about how the new standard differs...

There have been many articles about the cost of a security breach. With the emergence of privacy regulations that assign penalties based on a business’ profit, or those that calculate a value for each compromised record, it is possible to calculate the cost of a breach based on those metrics. However, it would seem that these hard numbers are not...

The Center for Internet Security (CIS) controls are a relatively short list of high-priority, highly effective defensive actions that provide a “must-do, do-first” starting point for every enterprise seeking to improve its cyber defense. Initially developed by the SANS Institute and known as the SANS Critical Controls, these best practices are...

In the Godfather Part II, Michael Corleone says, “There are many things my father taught me here in this room. He taught me: keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” This lesson Vito Corleone taught his son Michael is just as applicable to IT security configuration management (SCM). Faster breach detection Today’s cyber threat landscape...

The widespread adaptability and integration of tools and the professionals who can effectively use them to comply with the law will significantly impact the careers of both lawyers and other legal personnel. One of the fastest-growing areas in the legal profession in the United States is Privacy Law. Privacy certifications endorse attorneys as...

The job of a CISO is one of constant change and unexpected challenges. One of the most energetic environments to govern is that of a university. Universities function not only as academic institutions, but also as research hubs, hosting both curious students, as well as notable scholars. This is an audience not known for slow-motion progress. They...

What is Black Basta? Black Basta is a relatively new family of ransomware, first discovered in April 2022. Although only active for the past couple of months, the Black Basta ransomware is thought to have already hit almost 50 organisations - first exfiltrating data from targeted companies, and then encrypting files on the firm's computer systems....

As we continue our review of the 12 Requirements of PCI DSS version 4.0, one has to stop and consider, is it possible to have a favorite section of a standard? After all, most guidance documents, as well as regulations are seen as tedious distractions from the importance of getting the job done. However, depending on a person’s position and function...

Just when you thought that we couldn’t be any more integrated with (and dependent on) technology, the Covid pandemic swooped in to prove otherwise. The rise in the use of applications and devices to perform even basic functions pushed companies and end-users to keep pace. Of course, one group of people always seem to be ready: cybercriminals. Cyber...

Cloud computing is an effective solution for large and small companies across every industry. There has been rapid adoption due in large part to its accessibility, flexibility, and reliability. The cloud environment brings a significant amount of benefits, but at the same time, it can expose businesses to various alarming cybersecurity risks. A...

Ransomware has matured significantly over the previous decade or so. Initially thought to be a relatively basic virus that could be contained on a floppy disk, it can now damage global business infrastructures, stop healthcare systems dead in their tracks, mess with fuel supply networks, and disrupt transportation infrastructure. Its simplicity is...