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EtraHop data shows shifts in IoT Device Usage During COVID-19 Have Broad Security Implications

New Report Details IoT and Other Connected Devices Trends During Pandemic; Identifies Biggest Security Gaps for Organizations

SEATTLE – May 6, 2020 – ExtraHop has issued a report detailing rapid substantial changes in device usage trends as businesses shifted their operations in March due to COVID-19. The report also warns of the security complexity and risks posed by connected devices—both those used by employees at home, and those left idle but connected to the office network.

: DAWN NICHOLLS; Industry News; Posted On Friday, 08 May 2020 11:12

Bubble-Wrapped Americans: How the U.S. Became Obsessed with Physical and Emotional Safety

“In America we say if anyone gets hurt, we will ban it for everyone everywhere for all time. And before we know it, everything is banned.”

Professor Jonathan Haidt

It’s a common refrain: We have bubble-wrapped the world. Americans in particular are obsessed with “safety.” The simplest way to get any law passed in America, be it a zoning law or a sweeping reform of the intelligence community, is to invoke a simple sentence: “A kid might get hurt.”

Almost no one is opposed to reasonable efforts at making the world a safer place. But the operating word here is “reasonable.” Banning lawn darts, for example, rather than just telling people that they can be dangerous when used by unsupervised children, is a perfect example of a craving for safety gone too far.

: Sam Jacobs; Intelligence and Policing; Posted On Friday, 08 May 2020 11:09

Transforming Leadership in the Face of the Pandemic

By Arlene J. Schar and Dr. David Leffler
The world is currently experiencing the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, which may well linger long after the pandemic itself is resolved. Devastating death tolls are ripping apart families, and no one has been spared from the economic collapse brought on by this pandemic. Once we emerge from this crisis, the very fabric of our society may be irrevocably altered. As we put our faith in our leaders, we question if there is anything our leaders can actually do to alleviate this emergency; we also recognize that some leaders have responded better than others during this challenging time.

: Arlene J. Schar and Dr. David Leffler; Viewpoints; Posted On Friday, 08 May 2020 11:01

SMEs - 5 Steps to cyber security

Below is the latest blog from CySure. In it, Guy Lloyd, a Director of CySure Ltd, shares 5 simple and effective steps SMEs can take to build a robust security awareness programme.

Security awareness programmes are not just for large companies with dedicated IT resources. Guy Lloyd at CySure explains the 5 steps SMEs can take to build security awareness and ensure data compliance at the same time.

It tends to be household names that hit the headlines when it comes to data leaks and cyber-attacks. This can lead to small to medium size enterprises (SMEs) developing a false sense of security, after all who would go to the effort of targeting a small company? In truth, SMEs are more likely to suffer a cyber-attack as they are seen as softer targets. A recent report from insurer Hiscox[i], revealed a sharp increase in reported cyber-attacks year-on-year among small firms (from 33% to 47%) and medium-sized businesses (36% to 63%) across UK, Europe and the US.

Cyber-criminals are motivated by financial gain and for that reason, they cast their net as wide as possible to reel in multiple victims. According to government business population estimates for the UK,[ii] SMEs (defined as companies with 0-249 employees) make up over 99 per cent of private sector firms in the UK. For organised cyber-crime gangs that’s an enormous ocean worth fishing in. However, SMEs can turn their size into a benefit. With a small workforce it’s possible to innovate security awareness strategies in a way many large companies often can’t due to logistical difficulties and costs.