What is Mimic?Mimic is family of ransomware, first found in-the-wild in 2022. In common with many other ransomware attacks, Mimic encrypts a victim's files, and demands a ransom payment in cryptocurrency for the release of a decryption key.Does Mimic also steal data?Yes, some variants of Mimic can also exfiltrate data from a user's computers before it is encrypted - the stolen data is typically...

Data loss can be a consequence of a variety of factors from malicious ransomware to hardware failures and even natural disasters. Regardless of the reason for data loss, we need to be able to restore our data. A data recovery plan begins with prioritizing our data, protecting it while it is being stored, and having a plan to recover data. Key Takeaways for Control 11Prioritize your data and come...

As cyber threats escalate in frequency and severity, IT and security teams face increased pressure to maintain transparency. With this in mind, the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) Cyber Disclosure Rule, released on 26 July 2023, mandates timely and detailed public disclosures about cyber incidents.This rule places a heavy burden on chief information security officers (CISOs), chief...

Today's CISOs wear many hats. They are expected to be experts in technologies, negotiators, strategists, influencers, and a source of inspiration throughout the value chain. As cybersecurity threats evolve and grow, the role of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is becoming even more critical.Cybersecurity Budgets are BoomingFortunately, unlike other tech leaders, CISOs have largely...

In recent years, organizations have learned how crucial penetration testing is for enhancing cyber resilience. However, traditional penetration testing is insufficient in today’s dynamic threat landscape. Recent trends highlight the need for a more continuous and proactive approach to security testing, and continuous penetration testing is set to record huge growth over the next few years, both...

When we think about cybersecurity, we think of malicious actors constantly devising new ways to breach our defenses. While this is critical, it's equally important to understand that another menace can be sitting down the hall. The risk of insider attacks is significant and should not be overlooked.These attacks have floored businesses of all sizes and in various industries, frequently with dire...

Most modern organizations have complex IT infrastructures made up of various components like Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), public cloud, and sometimes hybrid environments. While these infrastructures bring significant benefits, including improved scalability, flexibility, and cost savings, increasing complexity has made it...

When we think about our data being leaked onto the internet, we often picture it as our financial records, our passwords, our names and addresses... what is less often considered is the exposure of our private medical information.A French hospital has found itself in the unenviable position of learning that hackers have gained access to the medical records of over 750,000 patients following a...

Zero Trust is a network security model that dictates that no one or no system should be trusted by default and that every attempt to access a network or application is a threat.For those who are naturally trusting of others, this concept is difficult to accept. However, distrusting every entity on a network until it has been verified is imperative today. Security Configuration in Zero TrustWhen...

As we continue to embrace remote work, it’s crucial to keep our security practices sharp to protect both company and personal data. With increasing cyber threats, adhering to security best practices helps us safeguard our information and maintain our productivity. Here’s a quick guide to help you stay vigilant and secure while working remotely.Secure Your Home OfficePick a space that is private.Do...

Business email compromise (BEC) is a sophisticated type of phishing that uses social engineering and deception to obtain access to sensitive accounts, networks, and data. In these attacks, bad actors pose as organization executives to request funds transfers from other members of the organization. Playing on the trust that employees place in executives, this scam demands that the attacker gather...

The cybersecurity landscape is constantly changing as new technologies and threat trends emerge. Maintaining an effective cybersecurity strategy over time requires updating tools and practices with the evolution of cyberattacks, security capabilities, and business operations. Implementing the best tools for the most pressing issues as they arise has been the predominant tactic for many...

Fraud is a rampant threat to individuals and organizations worldwide and across all sectors. In order to protect against the dangers of fraud in its many forms, it is vital to stay in the loop on the latest fraud trends and the threat landscape.The Fraudscape 2024 report from Cifas, the UK’s Fraud Prevention Community, is an effort to share this information to help prevent fraud. The report is...

Cyberbiosecurity has emerged as an essential area of interest as the boundaries between the digital and biological sectors continue to blur. With rapid advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence, automation, and synthetic biology, the need for strong cyberbiosecurity protections has grown to safeguard the bioeconomy. As biotechnology evolves, it creates a complex landscape where...

What is ShrinkLocker?ShrinkLocker is a family of ransomware that encrypts an organisation's data and demands a ransom payment in order to restore access to their files. It was first identified by security researchers in May 2024, after attacks were observed in Mexico, Indonesia, and Jordan.So far, so normal. What makes it noteworthy?The ShrinkLocker ransomware is unusual because it uses VBScript...

In an era where innovative technologies are emerging left, right, and center, two of the most influential in recent years are experiencing exponential growth. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are immersive technologies that have now firmly integrated into numerous industries.As these technologies have become more prevalent in our personal and professional lives, they bring with them...

Data shows that financial motivation is a huge incentive for threat actors, which explains the rising prevalence of ransomware and other extortion breaches in the corporate world. In 2023 alone, business email compromise (BEC) complaints received by the FBI amounted to over 2.9 billion. SourceThis situation highlights an uncomfortable truth that has...

Scammers have leapt at the opportunity to exploit vulnerable UK residents by sending bogus messages telling them they need to take action to receive help with their winter heating bills. In July, the UK's new Labour Government announced that it was limiting who was eligible for assistance with their winter fuel bills by making eligibility means-tested. The controversial decision appears to have...

When tasked with the IT security of an organization, it can be easy to get bogged down in particulars and definitions and lose heart before you’ve even begun. With a plethora of terms to learn, details to secure, and moving parts to keep track of, building an effective cybersecurity strategy is no simple task. It requires a great deal of effort, planning, and coordination.Security is a crucial...

In today's cybersecurity landscape, controlling access to USB drives is critical, particularly for organizations looking to maintain compliance with regulations like NERC CIP and bolster their security posture. Unauthorized USB usage poses significant risks, from data exfiltration to malware injection. However, restricting USB access entirely isn't always practical. Instead, organizations can...