Data Security Year In Review – Threats and Breaches Galore
It’s that time of year again. The time when we look back at the cybersecurity year in review to see what trends soared, what information got compromised, and, hopefully, how to better protect ourselves in the future. We saw the evolution of ransomware, which, according to cybersecurity firm Bitdefender, totaled payments of $2 billion in… Read More
Don’t Get Caught Unprepared, GDPR Fast Approaching
It seems that the May 2018 deadline for the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is approaching just a bit faster than businesses are ready for. According to research for ProofPoint, Inc., less than half of IT decision makers at UK companies (48%) say they are financially prepared for the new regulations. This, despite the… Read More
The Value of Strong Security Policy
One of the most often used, but still meaningful clichés in sports is “culture,” and its importance in building winning teams. Attitudes, knowledge, the dynamics and interactions between different levels of the organization—these are the essential elements to team culture. Teams with a positive, mature, open culture are generally the ones that have the most… Read More
SHIELDing Consumers From Data Breaches
The New York City subways have become extremely problematic, enough to warrant a long form Times piece. Trying to avert disasters in another area, at least, New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman recently introduced the SHIELD Act (Stop Hacks and Improve Data Security Act) to protect New Yorkers and their personal information from data breaches. … Read More
Facing the Cyber Threats of the Future
Who would have thought the world of floristry could be so brutal? Alas, we are simply in a time where small private entities can crash their rivals’ websites through DDoS attacks. In the case I’m referring to, online florists pulled such a stunt on key dates like Valentine’s Day, to get a leg up on… Read More
The Value of Customer Loyalty
At a time when it seems more people are distrustful of institutions that are nominally supposed to look after their interests, it’s not surprising to find this trend extending to the realm of information security. According to a recent Ponemon report, which polled consumers from several countries including the US, UK and Germany, 62% of… Read More
Too Many Still Don’t Utilize Encryption
Encryption is the last line of defense in data protection. Even if all the perimeter barricades are broken, as they often are, encrypting the information stored within makes it illegible and useless to intruders. Why do I mention this? Because with October behind us, so too has ended National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This collaboration between… Read More
Bridging the Data Breach Confidence Gap
Confidence is a beneficial trait to have, but an excess can get you into trouble. As I’ve said before, companies who overestimate their cyber protection capabilities leave themselves open to a rude awakening when a security incident strikes. Despite Gartner’s prediction of $90 billion spent on security this year, this false expectation continues to be… Read More
Customer Spotlight: Newport Credentialing Solutions
Scott Friesen, CEO of Newport Credentialing Solutions, is proud of the exponential growth that his company has experienced since it was founded in 2009. Newport Credentialing Solutions is a technology and services company which provides decision support software and back office services for physicians and allied health providers in the medical credentialing and provider enrollment… Read More
BYOD – Bring Your Own Device
Mobile and BYOD (“bring your own device”) security continues to be a pressing concern for businesses of all sizes and verticals. Everyone is bringing their own devices to work, and, as ever, this creates countless new vulnerable spots in an organization’s network. Security awareness is generally not, after all, a strong suit among employees. It’s… Read More