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We’re only halfway into 2019, yet data protection specialists and IT analysts have already seen an unfortunate spike in criminal activity across industries.

Thus far, here are the biggest cybersecurity crises of the year.

2019’s Top Cybersecurity Stories

#1 – Supply chain attacks

Unique to 2019 is a growing trend of supply chain attacks.

Supply chain attacks are also called third-party attacks. That’s because they are attacks that don’t directly target you and your company, but that still affect you. This occurs by a hacker targeting a third party that your company works with, thus, in the end, indirectly affecting your company.

For example, if your company contracts with another company to provide your stores with POC (point of sale) units, the company providing your POCs could be hacked in a way that ends up affecting your company.

This trend began in 2017 with NotPetya, a piece of malware that spread when Russian cybercriminals hacked how auto-updates were implemented within an accounting application based in the Ukraine. Since, similar attacks have hit several companies, from Asus and CCleaner (a computer cleanup program), to Visual Studio (an application from Microsoft).

#2 – Breach of the American Medical Collection Agency

The American Medical Collection Agency was hacked over a long period of time from August 2018 through March 2019. During this time, it is estimated that 20 million patients had their data stolen.

Information that was compromised included complete names and dates of birth, addresses and phone numbers, balances due for medical expenses, healthcare provider information, and dates of medical services rendered. Although Social Security numbers and insurance ID numbers were not known to be compromised in the attack, the fact that personal information was lost from so many customers is truly troubling.

#3 – Attacks from Iranian hackers

Iran has certainly been in the news recently for reasons other than cyberattacks. When Trump pulled the United States out of the Iranian nuclear agreement, escalations between the two countries escalated quickly. Although many citizens may not realize it, these attacks are happening both in the physical world and the cyber world.

Trump recently aborted a military strike to Iran after Iran attempted to shoot down a U.S. drone. However, he did approve a cyberattack against the control launch systems of Iran’s missile and rocket program. Since, Iran has fought back in a similar manner and perpetuated the cyber quarrel.

#4 – Breach of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Surveillance Contractor

After the breach of a surveillance contractor for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, hackers were able to obtain license plate information and traveler photos for approximately 100,000 people.

Many travelers going across U.S. borders in May were routinely photographed by Perceptics, a Tennessee-based surveillance contractor. Unknown hackers stole this information and later posted it on the dark web.

#5 – First American’s Data Exposure

First American is a title insurance and real estate firm that had personal and financial data from 885 million customers exposed for anyone who wanted a look-see.

This was not a security breach or a hack, but an internal error — and a terrible one at that. Anyone who visited the First American website during the exposure could have stolen detailed financial and personal information from the hundreds of millions of customers that First American had data on. It would have only taken some simple navigation around the site. Information that was available included Social Security numbers, mortgage documents, tax documents, bank account numbers, driver’s license images, and more.

Still, it is not known whether anything was indeed compromised or stolen.

#6 – Ransomware attacks on local governments

Ransomware attacks have long been a problem in the cybersphere. But recently, they’ve been taken to a whole new level.

Instead of targeting individuals or attempting to target huge enterprises, hackers specializing in ransomware are now aiming their attention at local governments and municipalities, such as the city of Baltimore in Maryland, three cities in Florida, Atlanta in Georgia, and many others around the nation.

Ransomware is a type of malicious software or malware that locks down data and/or computer systems from the owners. Once this occurs, the hackers who installed the malware demand a monetary sum (usually in bitcoin) in order for the owners to regain system and data access.

Often, cybersecurity specialists are unable to locate the perpetrators or unlock the ransomed systems or data. In these situations, many target cities have reluctantly decided to pay the ransom. In Riviera Beach, Florida, for example, the city voted to pay a whopping $500,000 in ransom in order to regain access to their computer systems.

Phishing scams — and, increasingly, spear-phishing scams — are the number one way that cyber hackers gain access to closed computer systems, steal information and money, and corrupt data.

Let’s take a look at what phishing and spear-phishing scams really are, how you can spot them, and how to help your organization avoid their highly detrimental consequences.

Phishing and spear-phishing: What’s the difference?

Both phishing and spear-phishing are forms of email-based cyberattacks.

Essentially, both terms refer to email-based attacks that attempt to gain personal or sensitive information using deceptive or disguised emails appearing to be from legitimate sources.

Phishing is the broad term for these attacks. Spear phishing only differs in that these email attacks are specifically targeted at an individual. This may mean that the email includes the individual’s actual name, address, and/or phone number. Or, the email may reference other personal information, such as the individual’s workplace, work position, alma mater, or where they bank.

Here are some examples of spear-phishing emails you may have seen before:

• An email appearing to be from your actual bank: “Dear YOUR NAME, Your debit card may have been compromised. Click here to login to your account and check your statement.”
• An email appearing to be from a store where you frequently shop online: “Your recent order from XXX STORE has been dispatched. Go here to track your shipment.”

Notice that each example includes a place where you should click. This is by design. Often, simply opening a phishing email will not result in any issues; however, clicking on a link inside the email can actually be enough to cause the bulk of the issues (sometimes, major issues). A police department employee in Florida recently opened a phishing email link that led to ransomware being installed on the city’s computer system. In the end, the ransomware cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars.

How can clicking on a simple link end in such disaster?

The answer is malware.

Malware is a shortened term for malicious software. This software can be automatically downloaded to your computer and/or entire computer system and network by a “trap door.” These trap doors are disguised as links, attachments, login fields, or downloads, which are embedded within phishing emails.

If hackers can get a spear-phishing target to click on their “trap door,” they can use that gateway to install malware onto your system. And once this happens, your entire network and data are at risk.

How Can You Spot a Phishing Email?

Phishing emails often have specific features, which should raise red flags right away:

• The message is unusual (comes at an odd time, is from someone you don’t know, is in a bizarre tone, makes a bizarre or out-of-the-blue request).
• The message makes you panic (e.g., “Your money has been stolen!”).
• The message is threatening (e.g., “If you don’t click here now, you risk losing your job.”).
• It’s written poorly, as if by a non-English speaker.
• The email includes personal information … but not very much.
• The sender’s email address or the web address they want you to navigate doesn’t look right.

What Should You Do if You Think You’ve Received a Spear Phishing Email?

If you think you or someone else in your company has received a phishing email, do nothing at first. Remember that clicking on links, downloading attachments, and opening files or pictures are all the things that hackers want you to do, which is exactly why you should never do them if you are suspicious of an email.

On the other hand, some emails may be clearly legitimate. It’s important to know the difference.

For example, if you speak to Ross from accounting in person by the water cooler, and he tells you he’ll be sending over an invoice you need to sign in the next 10 minutes, if you get an email with an invoice attachment from Ross in the next 10 minutes, the email’s probably okay.

If you get an email from Ross out of the blue on a Saturday? And you didn’t expect it? And it’s not in the tone that Ross usually uses?

This is when you shouldn’t do anything. Instead, check the legitimacy of the email. Do this either in-person or over the phone. For example, call Ross or wait until Monday to speak with him personally. Double-check that he sent the email. If it turns out the email cannot be accounted for, contact your company’s IT security department immediately.

Train Your Employees to Spot Phishing and Spear Phishing Emails

Understanding and following these guidelines as a CEO or manager is important, but remember that spear-phishing emails can target your employees as well.

For this reason, ensure that all of your employees know and understand:

• What phishing and spear-phishing emails are
• How to spot these emails
• What you should never do with a suspicious email (click, download, or login via the email’s prompt)
• What to do if they suspect they’ve received a phishing email

By following these guidelines, you can keep your business safe from phishing scams and the subsequent ramifications.

How Do I Choose a Cloud Computing Model?

No matter what your company or organization specializes in, it’s sure that you have some form or forms of data that needs to be stored, well, somewhere.

Before the invention of cloud computing, most company data was always stored on-site — that is, in the hard drives at a place of business. Additionally, some businesses may have had data stored on remotely-located hard drives or discs; but the majority of data was “in the building.”

Naturally, you can see how this would be dangerous — both for you as a business owner and your clients, customers, and investors. Sensitive data such as customer specs or financial information could be easily stolen, corrupted, lost because of a computer glitch, or even destroyed in a fire.

Today, with the advent of cloud computing. The bulk of these worries are gone. Nearly all major companies, organizations, governments, and many individuals use the cloud.

What is the cloud and what is “cloud computing”?

The first thing to know about “the cloud” is that it’s not a physical thing like a computer or a hard drive. Instead, this term refers to a virtual space or a select part of the Internet — the part that stores data.

Just as you can surf the web from anywhere in the world as long as you have an Internet connection, you can also access the cloud from anywhere in the world — plus whatever you store there. Again, you simply need an Internet connection. In this way, many people simply define the “cloud” as a metaphor for the Internet.

“Cloud computing” is the generally recognized term for all computing actions done in or via the cloud. Therefore, cloud computing refers to cloud-based data storage, but it also means cloud-based:

• Data management
• Content delivery
• Access to applications and software
• Delivery of services

Should your business be using cloud computing?

Before we dive into how to choose a cloud computing method, let’s talk about why you should be using cloud computing — and you absolutely should be.

Cloud computing provides numerous benefits that old-fashioned computing methods just can’t live up to. Specifically, cloud computing provides:

• Mobility and Efficiency: You can work on the cloud from anywhere. Allow your employees, customers, clients, and investors to access the best that your company has to offer, without worrying about weighing down the system or collapsing your infrastructure.
• Ultimate Security: The cloud provides the best security available when it comes to storing your sensitive data. Even when hardware and equipment fails, you know your data will be stored safely and backed up.
• Scalability and Flexibility: With non-cloud computing solutions, you must anticipate the extent to which you’ll use your storage space and other computing needs beforehand. Cloud computing allows you to scale your cloud services up or down, based on your unique needs.
• Strategic Value: Cloud computing methods are always updated with the latest software and the newest tech. This gives your company a competitive edge. Plus, there’s no need to toss outdated technology or revamp your entire network, which would otherwise set your company timeline back significantly.

What method of cloud computing should my business use?

This depends on the organization’s specifications, needs, and goals. There are three basic methods of cloud computing to choose from.

Private Cloud Computing

This model of cloud computing provides dedicated use to your company’s data and systems over a private IT infrastructure. This is a good model to choose if you are particularly concerned about confidentiality and security. Only a trusted third-party or your company’s internal resources team should manage a private model of cloud computing, and you should only give access to those within your company.

Public Cloud Computing

This method of cloud computing allows your business’s resources (software, platforms, infrastructure) to be available to the general public. In some cases, these types of cloud computing models are offered to the public for free, but they may also be sold by a pay-per-usage model.

Hybrid Cloud Computing

As the name suggests, the hybrid cloud computing model blends a public cloud and a private cloud. The hybrid model is mostly by companies who need to operate both models, and thus, the two are integrated into one overarching system.

Resources in the cloud are easier to access, manage, and recover after an equipment malfunction. By switching your business to one of the cloud computing models outlined above, you’ll have a competitive edge and complete control of your company’s data and systems.

The Top Cyber Security Threats Facing Enterprises and How to Mitigate Them

As cybersecurity threats become more prominent and the Internet of Things (IoT) devices become more essential, the tactics behind the threats are evolving into more sophisticated forms. This can lead to an increase in certain types of cybersecurity attacks and threats that can sometimes catch IT managers off guard. Knowing what types of attacks and tactics are on the rise can help managers plan proper prevention and mitigation strategies. Given that 31 percent of organizations have been subject to cyber-attacks according to United States Cybersecurity Magazine, managers can no longer afford to be lax when it comes to security protocols.

What are the Top Threats?

Financial fraud through compromised business emails, credential stuffing, web application attacks, data breaches, and malware attacks have made the top list of threats. Compromised business emails come in the form of false requests to employees to pay nonexistent invoices, modify bank accounts, and purchase gift cards. Many of these emails are written using spoofing techniques that make it appear as though the email is coming from a top-level executive or a person of authority within the organization. When employees are misled by the emails and disclose the financial information the attackers are looking for, the company’s financial accounts and resources become compromised.

Credential stuffing occurs with unauthorized access to the company’s systems or enterprise-level applications via a legitimate employee’s username and password. With credential stuffing, a large number of employees’ usernames and passwords are either obtained through social engineering, phishing, or random guessing. Since it is natural for most to keep reusing the same usernames and passwords, it can make it easy for attackers to guess credentials that are similar in nature or that are updated in a sequential manner.

Web application attacks take advantage of vulnerabilities in the coding of applications and configurations. Common types of attacks include distributed denial of service (DDOS) and bypassing network firewalls to obtain sensitive data. Sometimes web application attacks are used in order to gain access into an organization, including physical access to a company’s servers. Data breaches can occur through web application attacks and unauthorized access to a company’s cloud storage accounts. Weak encryption systems and malware are often to blame with data breaches. Malware can come disguised in the form of freeware or shareware, file-sharing programs, programs or infected files stored on USB drives, and infected files or links shared through email.

Mitigating the Risks

Guarding an organization against compromised business emails includes enabling two-factor or multi-factor authentication. With two-factor authentication, a person must not only enter in credentials but provide another source of verification. This can be a code that is sent via text message to the person’s cell phone. Secondary means of authentication can also come in the form of a fingerprint or key fob. While it is easier for an attacker to guess a weak password and username, it is not easy to gain access to a code sent to a physical device that is only in the possession of the authorized user or duplicate a means of identification that is unique to the person’s physicality. Other means of guarding against compromised business emails include detection rules, employee education about spoofing, and more stringent policies regarding accounting and appropriate uses of email.

Two-factor authentication can also protect an organization against credential stuffing. Additional means include manual checking of passwords against known compromised credentials, enforcing frequent password change policies, employee education about not disclosing credentials, implementing detection rules, and employee education about social engineering and phishing tactics. Web application attacks can be prevented through more stringent firewalls, intrusion detection tools, limiting inbound access requests to server-based applications and systems, stricter scrutiny of cloud service providers and the providers’ security protocols, and the implementation of stricter internal security processes and policies.

Cybersecurity threats are unlikely to become a thing of the past as more devices and business processes become network integrated. However, simply having an internal IT security team in place is not enough to guard against attacks and unauthorized access. Developing both a defensive and an offensive game plan for the top threats most organizations face is an important step towards protecting a company’s sensitive data and technology-related resources.

3 Ways to Improve Your Cyber Security Plan

Cyber attacks cost organizations millions of dollars per incident and often results in system downtime. The average cost of system downtime per cyber attack is as much as $1.25 million, according to Cybersecurity Ventures. System downtime can be costly due to lost sales, frustrated clients, and unfulfilled requests that lead to a significant backlog. Some clients also have long memories that lead to negative word of mouth and a future drop in sales. Despite the real threat of cyber attacks, Cybersecurity Ventures reports that only 28% of firms involved in installing network-dependent technology regard security strategy as highly important. Although completely preventing cyber attacks is often regarded as unrealistic, assessing threats, establishing key performance indicators, and mitigating human factors can help technology leaders improve their security strategies.

Threat Assessment

A proper threat assessment does not involve a single activity or happen once. Threat assessment is an ongoing strategic activity involving research, analysis, simulations, and follow-up. Starting with a series of questions is critical during the start of the research phase, as it helps security teams and technology leaders develop a profile of potential threats to the organization. Some of the questions to ask during this phase include:

• Who is most likely to launch an attack against the organization and its resources?
• Why is the individual or group of individuals motivated to launch an attack?
• What data or information is valuable to the potential attacker(s)?
• How are the potential attacker(s) likely to try to gain unauthorized access to the organization’s systems and data?
• How has the potential attacker(s) breached other organizations?

Once security teams and leaders determine the answers to these questions, an analysis of the firm’s IT systems and infrastructure can occur. Finding vulnerabilities and ways to detect intrusions and other types of cyberattacks is as much about thinking like the potential attacker(s) as it is about discovering ways to stay a few steps ahead. This means setting up preventative measures and also conducting exercises to try to get around those preventative measures. By trying to accomplish a mock cyberattack, internal security teams can better identify previously unseen vulnerabilities in the organization’s infrastructure, processes, and security strategy. Follow-up activities involve analyzing system logs to determine if past indications of common or known attack methods exist.

Key Performance Indicators

Assessing vulnerabilities and developing a profile of high probability threats is important, but even the most sound threat assessment will be ineffective if performance measurements are not established. A sound cybersecurity plan contains ways to measure whether the organization’s strategy is working and identify areas for continued improvement. Common key performance indicators include:

• Average detection time
• Average time to mitigate detected threats
• Number of identified vulnerabilities
• Ability to control and prevent threats
• Ability to meet and comply with the plan’s objectives
• Whether key objectives or milestones were accomplished

Human Factors

Securing an organization’s systems and IT infrastructure against external threats is only part of a thorough cybersecurity strategy. Planning for the internal threats related to human error and inappropriate system access is even more crucial. Employees and vendors that have access to an organization’s systems should be subjected to security policies, including controlled access, account-level privileges, several layers of authentication, and awareness of social engineering and phishing techniques.

Education that includes security policies and training related to scenarios depicting potential threats is the cornerstone of a sound mitigation plan. Employees who understand what phishing attempts look like will be less likely to click on suspicious email links and less likely to download files that contain malware. Good communication, interactive training sessions, tests that simulate phishing and social engineering attempts, raising awareness about best practices, and implementing metrics can go a long way towards mitigating vulnerabilities related to human error. Implementing access policies that only give employees the system access they need to effectively perform their jobs is a secondary factor involved in mitigating internal threats.

The possibility of an organization becoming a target of a cyber attack is high if not a guarantee. Technology leaders and IT security teams cannot afford to not take cybersecurity strategy seriously. Conducting constant threat assessments, developing and refining key performance indicators, and finding effective ways to stress the importance of security protocols to employees and vendors are three foundations of a sound cybersecurity plan. Preventing cyber attacks from becoming serious incidents is important to an organization’s sustainability but learning how to make improvements based on existing vulnerabilities is even more critical to continued success.

Small Business Owner? How to Choose Tech Support

It is an unfortunate truth that many small businesses assume they don’t need to outsource their IT needs to a professional IT company.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, small businesses desperately need IT support — often, because they won’t have the resources to staff an in-house IT department.

Fortunately, IT companies generally offer support contracts that can work in a small business’s favor. Your company will be able to choose the level of support you specifically need. If you only require IT services occasionally, for troubleshooting network problems or setting up new software, for example, you can choose a low-level contract that won’t cost much. If you’re looking for more comprehensive coverage, you can always scale up.

Here are some other important tips to consider when choosing tech support for your small business.

Consider what type of fee structure you prefer.

IT companies generally offer two different types of fee structures:

• A flat fee due monthly, biannually, or annually
• A pay-as-you-go structure

Every business is different, but it is possible (and maybe even likely) that your small business won’t benefit from a flat fee payment structure.

This is because you may not actually end up needing the extent of services that a flat fee structure is best for. Larger businesses, certainly, will need to contact and get help from their IT company regularly every week or month. In fact, these companies often have in-house IT. But If your small business only uses IT minimally (for example, just for your website or for inventory ordering, etc.), you won’t use enough of your support package, and paying the flat-rate fee will get expensive.

On the other hand, we must note that niche industries may require a lot of IT tech support — even if your business is small. If this is the case for you, a flat rate monthly or biannual fee could be beneficial.

Look for IT companies who’ve been in the industry a while.

Brand-new IT companies often nab customers by claiming to know the latest trends in IT and how to best handle the most recent wave of cyberattacks. While these are both areas to be concerned about, as a local business or one that’s just starting out, these benefits (if they are actually true in the first place) may not be particularly beneficial to you.

As a small business, you basically want reliable IT support for basic security monitoring, troubleshooting, and possible software or hardware recommendations and/or setups. For this reason, it’s important to search for an IT company that is local and has been in the industry for a long period of time. This means they have the experience, which is exactly what you want. Ask the IT companies you are considering to speak with clients they’ve worked with for a long time so that you can get a handle on the kind of support you’ll be receiving from them.

Find an IT company that can help you grow.

Most small businesses are looking for ways to grow. If this is the case for your business, you should start looking for an IT company who can scale up your services when you eventually need them.

We’ve already stated the importance of having several payment options when it comes to your service level needs. This also comes in handy as you look toward the future of your business. While now, you may prefer a pay-as-you-go structure, you should work with an IT company who offers bigger, broader, flat-rate packages too. The extent of their services should also run the gamut.

With this in mind, also remember that an enormous IT company who won’t be able to provide personalized support to your niche industry isn’t generally recommended. The potential for scalability down the line is key here.

While you may assume that larger businesses are the ones who need all the major tech support, small businesses require IT expertise as well. It’s true that your IT needs may not currently match that of a mid- or large-size enterprise, but investing in the hire of an IT company will surely boost your business’s success as you grow and expand.

Use the simple tips above to locate the optimal IT company for your small business. We’re positive you’ll see the benefits of a good hire right away.

How Technology Helps Today’s CFO Improve Operations

The business world is increasingly tech-savvy, and organizations are looking for CFOs who are comfortable with the language and strategies of digital technology. The office of the CFO has long been a center of excellence for driving efficiencies and technology provides a wealth of new opportunities for forward-thinking CFOs to improve operations and maximize their assets. Finding a CFO who is comfortable with and understands the balance of technology in the workplace can be a significant boon for organizations, especially those who rely on their operational prowess as a means to outpace the competition. From growing efficiencies on the front line to improving back-office processes, see how technology is quickly becoming a game-changer for enterprising CFOs.

The Evolution of the CFO

For years, CFOs have been a major part of creating seamless operations for the business, including finding the right solutions for finance and accounting as well as processes such as travel and payroll. These disparate systems continue to mature, making it crucial that CFOs understand how they fit together seamlessly and provide value back to the organization. It’s not unusual for today’s CFOs to be more deeply involved in other decision-making, including the selection of project management software, customer relationship management tools, marketing automation and more. With their eye for back-office processes, CFOs are in a unique position to add their voice to the conversation around holistic technology for the business. This evolving role requires CFOs to expand their knowledge of systems and data architecture while still maintaining a tight hold on operational excellence throughout the organization.

Driving Digital Business Transformation

Staying up-to-date on the latest advances can also require the CFO to act as a digital transformation strategist for the business, a role that isn’t always comfortable for this top executive. Watching customer trends, social media insight and a variety of different datasets is a requirement as CFOs attempt to predict the future of the organization and drive innovation. Emerging technology requires near-constant focus, something that can be extremely demanding when CFOs are attempting to split their time and attention between multiple priorities. Technology, marketing and finance are the three pillars where the majority of data is present in the organization, and these leaders need to collaborate closely to ensure that data is mobilized for use in future applications. Having a deep understanding of the way various systems are built and maintained will allow CFOs to stitch together solutions that will benefit the organization in the future.

Moving Faster, Cheaper and Smarter

Finding the right technology for the job can require an investment in time as CFOs seek to gain an understanding of the various options on the market. Cloud-based technology can easily form the basis of the new operations stack, providing CFOs with a noticeably better budgeting process that doesn’t rely exclusively on capital expenses but spreads costs operationally, instead. Automation is one of the ways that finance executives are finding to drive optimization in the business, allowing entire teams to move on new developments more rapidly and with authority. Project management, reporting and marketing solutions increasingly rely on automation and artificial intelligence to provide greater insight and a deeper understanding of customer needs and sentiment.

As the role of the CFO evolves, technology will continue to play a key role for the business’s top finance executive. From shifting strategies to understanding how to implement and measure the value of various strategies, CFOs are gaining experience and insight that can be leveraged to make good technology decisions in the future.

From wirelessly connected fax machines to network-integrated treatment equipment, the modern-day healthcare facility has a full list of things that must be a part of their network. As convenient as the IoT may be for modern practices, every device adds a potential point of security vulnerability. Each new addition offers incredible convenience and functionality to a healthcare operation, and many of these connected devices have become quite standard in modern practices.

Something as simple as an insecure email generates a new onslaught of security concern, but when you look at the thousands of things that must maintain a network connection, those concerns seem somehow minimal by comparison. Managing privacy and utmost security with every new device has become a challenge simply because these devices have all-out exploded in the medical arena. Here are a few tips to remember where securing IoT in healthcare is concerned.

Supreme reliability generates points of security weakness all on its own.

There is a huge disadvantage with some smart medical devices; these units are created to be far more reliable than something man-operated. These devices are often used for treating severe ailments and are often deemed as “high criticality devices.” These devices, by all rights, maybe keeping a patient alive during treatment. As great as this is for patients, it also means the manufacturers of such connected units are extremely hesitant to make changes to operational functions for fear of compromising reliability.

It is not uncommon for some devices to go for many years without updates, rarely get a new patch for security reasons, and end up being highly vulnerable points of access on an organization’s network. Non-updated legacy software may not be designed to thwart incoming attacks.

You have to have a map of IoT architecture to fight security threats properly.

IoT is not the same as something like a network of computers. These units rely on a network differently, and they all usually have different usage patterns. On the contrary, a system of computers would likely all act and connect in the same way, maybe even at the same times. These variances make securing these devices a little more complicated.

As the operator of a medical organization, it will be critical that you have a detailed map of your IoT devices. This map should show how and when devices are used, where they are located, and what measures have been taken to keep them secure. This kind of mapping process affords an awareness when you need to understand the risks that are apparent and how they can be amended or tended to.

The Future of IoT in Healthcare

If there is one thing that is expected to stay consistent in healthcare, it is how IoT will continue to grow and flourish as a necessary component. Therefore, even if you are steadily ignoring some of the risks now with the few smart devices you have, that will definitely not be wise as time goes by. It is best to fully understand the network of devices you have, fully assess and address all security concerns, and continue to work with an IT security expert to make new amendments with every new device added to your operation.

Your MacOS Is Under Attack: 2019’s Biggest Malware Threats

The Mac operating system (MacOs) has frequently been hailed as one of the best systems for its resiliency to malware and typical viruses. But the days of MacOs standing strong and tall with no worries have really always been a misconception. Mac systems are just as vulnerable to the beefed-up, intelligent malware threats that are out there today.

SentinelOne published a lengthy review of the MacOs malware at the end of 2018, but in a new release, SentinelOne also stated that there has actually been an uptick in the numbers of new types out there attacking users. Here is a look at some of 2019’s biggest MacOs malware threats that every Mac-reliant business owner should know.

1. OSX.Siggen: A Malware Download from a Malicious Domain

Masquerading as a helpful app called WhatsApp, OSX.Siggen is actually a latched-on malware that slips in during a regular app download. WhatsApp is a fake social media platform, and the download looks super enticing when users come across it. However, once added to MacOs, the app runs with a backdoor designed to take administrative control over the system.

2. KeyStealDaemon: Password Hijacker

This dirty malware showed up in February of 2019, but by June it was still running strong. Apple allowed a patch several years ago designed for another purpose, but KeyStealDaemon can create administrative privileges for itself by slipping through. Unfortunately, this malware allows the person behind the scenes to get into the system and steal pretty much any password you have stored. The good news is, if you have properly updated your system, KeyStealDaemon can be booted out because it cannot break through.

3. CookieMiner Slips In and Steals Credentials

Toward the end of January 2019, a cryptominer showed up with its own installed backdoor to induce a threatening combination of technologies to steal cryptocurrency exchange cookies and passwords for Google Chrome. The worrisome thing about CookieMiner is this: experts believe that the malware could potentially have the rare ability to bypass things like authentication processes that involve multiple factors. If CookieMiner is capable of gathering enough cookies and credentials, cryptocurrency wallets can be virtually pickpocketed right in plain sight.

4. Mokes.B Puts On a Good Act

Persistence agents running amuck on your MacOs with familiar names may never be spotted, especially if they are calling themselves things like Firefox, Skype, or Chrome. This is precisely how Mokes.B avoids suspicion when it latches onto the operating system in application support folders and tracking files. Mokes.B is super-scary because it can gain the ability to take actual screenshots whole you are on pertinent screens, but it can also record keystrokes to steal date you are keying in.

5. A Variant of OSX.Pirrit Has Shown Up

OSX.Pirrit caused a lot of problems a few years ago, but this malware never really disappeared altogether. Instead, new family members under the old parent app are still being found on MacOs, and they are not being detected as they would otherwise be when acting as OSX.Pirrit. The aim of this malware is to make money from redirect actions that occur as a result of a browser infection, but there are rumors that PIRRIT is potentially capable of stealing data as well.

6. OSX.Dok Reroutes User Traffic

OSX.Dok gets into a system and installs a securely tucked-away Tor version location on a Mac system. User traffic hitting a site gets sent to an onion server instead of where it should be, which is a major problem for business owners needing to protect sensitive customer actions when they think they are on an e-commerce website. One of the scariest things about OSX.Dok is the fact that it can steal even SSL encrypted internet traffic maneuvers. Older versions of this software were thought to be banished, but new versions continually pop up.

Even though there are so many Mac users who think they are covered by some unseen immunity from malicious software, these risks are there and the growing list of 2019 proves that fact. Attackers deploying these software programs are targeting those easy-to-break barriers, so something like an improperly updated computer or even an unsuspecting employee can leave a business computer wide-open for an attack.

How to Stop Your CEO from Becoming a Phishing Target

Business fraud affects businesses of all types and sizes, and there are no individuals within your business that are truly immune from the possibility of a targeted attack. However, there are some people who are more prone to an attack, simply because of the high value of their knowledge or access to the information within the business. Accountants, finance leads and your CEO are some of the most commonly-targeted individuals when it comes to business email compromise (BEC) attacks, more commonly known as phishing attacks. Knowledge is power, and these tips will help keep your CEO from becoming the next victim of these vicious attacks.

What’s the Difference Between Phishing, Spear Phishing and Whaling attacks?

While phishing is the most common term that you may hear, there are two additional terms that are often used when it comes to upper executives or more targeted attacks: spear phishing or executive whaling. These more specialized attacks go beyond the broadscale spam of phishing attacks that are meant to net any type of “fish” who is willing to click a link. In a spear phishing or whaling attack, the hacker has researched your business and knows enough from either social media or your corporate website to target specific individuals. Cybercriminals spend the time and effort to find any key vendors for your business or some personal details that will inspire confidence in your executives. The assailants then leverage this information to create a highly specific and tempting message that feels more like a personal email from a known vendor partner or internal asset in an attempt to gain control of your systems or to get access to sensitive information. The term spear phishing generally refers to tactics that are specific to a few mid-level individuals in your payroll or accounting department while executive whaling is targeted directly at your CEOs and other C-suite leaders.

What’s the Potential Payoff for Cybercriminals?

This investment by the cybercriminal is expected to have a high-dollar payoff and there’s only one chance at success — so the hacker has a vested interest in taking the time to do it right the first time. Each subsequent request increases the potential of being discovered and reduces the possibility of a return on their investment of time. The fraudulent emails are often requesting that the recipient transfer a large number of funds, pay a massive invoice or otherwise release information to what the target thinks is a “trusted” party. The FBI estimates that a single targeted whaling attack can release upwards of $150,000 in funds to a cybercriminal, making this an extremely lucrative pastime for these malicious actors.

Your CEO Should Be Wary of These Tactics

Coaching your CEO to stay out of the way of cybercriminals starts with an ongoing dose of education. In this case, attackers tend to follow a pattern of sorts that is relatively easy to isolate as long as you’re actively looking for this type of interaction. Receiving an email from vendors that have already invoiced you for the month, or requesting a different payment method that they have not used in the past (such as a direct funds transfer) should be a big red flag for your senior executives. Be cautious of emails that come in from trusted individuals with a slightly different email address; e.g. “@Micros0ft.com” instead of “@Microsoft.com”, as hackers are now spoofing entire mail domains in an attempt to release funds and data from your organization. Funds aren’t the only things that are requested by these organizations — personal information such as tax records also command a high rate on the dark web. This quick flowchart from KnowBe4.com may be a helpful graphic to share with your executive team.

Protecting your organization from the tactics of cybercriminals is not a one-time problem or solution, but requires an ongoing and dedicated effort to foil the efforts of these actors. Keeping your finance teams and senior executives safe can save your organization hundreds of thousands of dollars in remediation and notification costs, not to mention the frustration and difficulties associated with handling a significant breach.