cybersecurity Archives - Techso Mogro

The Evolution of Passwords and Digital Security in the 21st Century

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 20:57:44 +0000

Maggie Bloom’s fifth contribution to the Techso Mogro looks at a subject near and dear to my heart. Back when I was a technology dinosaur in the 1990s, to secure a computer with high levels of protection, you used a plug-in dongle and token-based security. Every time you logged in and out, you had to input a random string of characters.

Over the years, I have searched for alternatives to the endless password-related security issues that come with being online. I use a single-sign-on app today. But now, passwords and digital security are about to be more complicated by artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing.

That’s why Maggie’s article is appropriate for the times.

Password Evolution in the Age of Rapid Technological Change

Have you found yourself locked out of your Microsoft account and going through the process of trying to recover your email address and other online personal information? The problem isn’t limited to recovering Microsoft credentials and, considering passwords have been the primary gatekeepers of our digital lives, these occurrences are more than irksome.

Passwords today protect everything, from personal email accounts and financial information to workplace systems and cloud-based applications. Despite their widespread use, passwords have also become the weakest link in protecting our cyber presence, creating challenges for all.

As digital technology continues to change rapidly, the future of authentication needs to adapt as well. Advancements in AI, biometrics, cloud computing, and identity management are already transforming how people access digital services. Quantum computing going mainstream will mean much of what we use today to secure our digital presence will no longer work.

Rather than relying solely on complex strings of characters, future authentication systems need to focus on creating convenience and security, and a seamless online experience.

Beyond Password Authentication

2FA and MFA

Recently, you may have experienced two-factor (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA) requests to confirm you are who you say you are. This is becoming quite common in banking apps. 2FA and MFA send push notifications to a second device or to an email address that you have identified as a trusted alternative. Usually, 2FA involves a string of characters or a set of pictures that require you to identify which ones share a common object.

Passwordless Authentication

Then there is the arrival of passwordless authentication that eliminates the need to memorize endless passwords. Because security experts and technology companies are increasingly aware of their vulnerability to phishing attacks, credential theft, and human error, they are removing passwords from the authentication process altogether.

Instead, passkeys are emerging as one of the leading solutions. These cryptographic credentials are stored securely on trusted devices and verified through biometric methods such as facial recognition, fingerprint, voice, or device PIN. To access a site or app, one or more of these may be needed. Passkeys are resistant to phishing attacks and do not require users to remember complicated routines.

Biometric Authentication

Biometric measurements, mentioned above, are increasingly becoming important for online security. Fingerprint scans, facial recognition, iris scans and voice identification (the stuff of spy movies in the past) are becoming more accessible. Smartphones today incorporate biometric security features.

Adding AI to biometrics is likely the next evolutionary step. Rather than relying on a single biometric trait, AI authentication systems could analyze multiple factors simultaneously. This layered approach would make it significantly more difficult for cybercriminals to impersonate legitimate users.

Single Sign-On Authentication

Single sign-on (SSO) technology allows users to access multiple applications and services using one verified identity. Instead of memorizing or managing dozens of unique passwords for different platforms, SSO can securely authenticate a user once to gain access to authorized systems. It addresses password fatigue and can incorporate biometric verification, passkeys, and contextual intelligence. Authentication systems will evaluate factors such as device trust, user location, network security, and behavioural patterns before granting access.

AI and Adaptive Security

AI will dramatically influence how passwords and authentication systems evolve. Traditional passwords treat every login attempt the same way, but future systems will continuously
analyze risks in real time. AI-powered security platforms will identify suspicious behaviours that may indicate compromised accounts. For example, if a user suddenly attempts to access a system from an unfamiliar location, unusual device, or unexpected time zone, the system can require stronger verification before granting access.

These adaptive authentication methods create a more intelligent security environment. Rather than requiring users to complete multiple authentication steps every time they sign in, security measures will adjust dynamically based on risk levels. This balance between convenience and protection is expected to become a defining characteristic of future authentication systems.

Digital Identity Ecosystems of the Future

Another significant advancement will be the development of comprehensive digital identity
ecosystems. Instead of creating separate accounts for every website and application, individuals may maintain trusted digital identities that can be verified across multiple services.

Governments, financial institutions, healthcare providers, and employers are likely to participate in secure identity frameworks that streamline authentication while protecting sensitive information.

The Quantum Computing Challenge

If any single technology advancement can throw a wrench into online security, it will be quantum computing. Passwords, 2FA, MFA, biometrics, digital authentication and AI-enhanced systems will all need a complete overhaul. Two algorithms used in quantum computing, Shor’s and Grover’s, can break all current cryptographic applications. They effectively will kill traditional password security’s effectiveness.

Biometric systems will be compromised because facial, fingerprint, voice, and iris scan stored templates wouldn’t hold up to quantum-enabled native decryption capability. Tokens and passkeys would equally be useless.

Quantum-based security remains a relatively new endeavour. Google and Apple are working on hybrid cybersecurity solutions. Governments are also looking at prioritizing research into quantum encryption apps. Needless to say, with quantum computing ever closer to being a useful adjunct to traditional computing platforms, there is a sense of urgency to develop algorithmic breakthroughs capable of addressing the switch from bits and bytes to qubits.

Quantum computing will need new types of cryptography because, surely, cybercriminals will be working in parallel to break these systems.

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Smart Gadgets Reshape Corporate Cyberdefence

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 16:15:06 +0000

The increasing use of smart gadgets in business is changing how companies address potential cyberthreats. Over the last decade, corporate offices have started to look vastly different from workspaces just a few years ago. Desks are no longer just a place for laptops and monitors.

Today, corporate environments are filled with smart gadgets: smart whiteboards, connected climate control systems, wearable employee technology, robotic helpers, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. While this explosion of devices is driving unprecedented workplace efficiency, it is also creating sprawling, highly complex digital footprints that IT departments need to address.

As enterprise and other organization network perimeters dissolve into a web of decentralized endpoints, security teams face a daunting challenge. Rapid digitization of workplaces is outpacing the implementation of adequate safety measures.

Every connected coffee maker, smart projector, or biometric door scanner can become a potential gateway for malicious actors to gain entry. Navigating a highly fragmented digital landscape filled with smart gadgets is a major reason for modern organizations to make investments in dedicated cybersecurity services that can map, monitor, and protect extended network infrastructure. By bringing in specialized expertise, organizations can, therefore, better understand and address the unique vulnerabilities introduced by these devices and develop comprehensive risk management protocols.

The Authentication Dilemma on Modern Devices

One of the most immediate problems introduced by the influx of smart gadgets is the breakdown of traditional access controls. Historically, network security relied on sturdy passwords and multi-factor authentication tied to a specific user and a single device. However, smart gadgets operate differently. Many of these tools run headless, meaning there is no screen or standard interface for human authentication, making conventional login processes impossible to enforce.

When organizations attempt to force old security protocols onto new hardware, the system inevitably breaks down. As the sheer volume of gadgets multiplies within the workplace, relying on manual authentication creates a severe password crunch that leaves enterprise networks exposed. Legacy single sign-on systems and complex password requirements simply cannot scale to accommodate thousands of autonomous sensors and smart monitors. As a result, IT teams are often forced to use default credentials or weak workarounds, practically inviting automated cyberattacks and jeopardizing sensitive corporate data.

Why Smart Gadgets Get Targeted

Cybercriminals are highly opportunistic. Rather than attacking a heavily fortified main server, they look for paths of least resistance, and, unfortunately, smart gadgets often provide that. Unlike standard enterprise computers, many of these IoT devices are priced and built for convenience and easy adoption, with security a secondary concern. This leads to key vulnerabilities, making smart gadgets particularly appealing to threat actors, because of:

Hardcoded Default Credentials: Many devices ship with universal passwords that cannot be easily changed by the end user, making it incredibly easy to compromise security when attached to the broader corporate network and Internet.
Lack of Regular Patching: Unlike laptops or smartphones that prompt users to install security updates, smart thermostats or warehouse sensors rarely receive automated firmware patches to fix known exploits.
Excessive Network Permissions: Gadgets are often plugged directly into the primary corporate network without proper segmentation. If a single smart lightbulb is breached, hackers can pivot laterally to access sensitive company databases.
Limited Processing Power: Small IoT devices often lack the computing capacity to run native antivirus software or advanced encryption protocols.

Strategies for a Resilient Enterprise Defence

To protect against vulnerabilities in smart gadgets, enterprise cyber defence needs to evolve. It is no longer enough to build a strong wall around the enterprise network and assume everything inside is safe. The traditional perimeter-based approach is entirely obsolete where data flows constantly between physical offices, remote workers, and cloud environments.

Businesses must adopt a Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), addressing security for all physical and virtual infrastructure, from routers to switches, servers, Cloud services and thoat IoT smart gadgets. Any device on the network could be compromised, regardless of whether it is a trusted executive’s laptop or a newly-installed printer. ZTA means rigorous, continuous verification for everything always.

A crucial part of ZTA involves isolating vulnerable gadgets from critical data. Recent guidelines from the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) on securing operational technology highlight that addressing risks from IoT devices requires strict network segmentation. Their framework serves as a vital call to action for infrastructure providers to boost cyber resilience, noting that technology alone cannot mitigate advanced threats without highly trained personnel and expert security teams overseeing the network.

By placing smart gadgets on a separate, heavily restricted subnetwork, organizations can ensure that a compromised whiteboard located in a boardroom does not lead to a massive data breach. Furthermore, implementing automated asset discovery tools allows IT departments to maintain real-time visibility over every single device connected to the corporate infrastructure, ensuring rogue devices are flagged immediately.

The Future of Connected Workspaces

The integration of smart gadgets into organizations will only continue to accelerate. From automated manufacturing sensors to AI-driven office assistants and robots, the benefits of connectivity are proving too great to ignore. This hardware revolution, therefore, demands a fundamental shift in how we approach digital defence in the modern workplace.

Organizations must stop viewing security as a one-time setup and start treating it as a dynamic, continuous process that scales alongside their technological investments. By moving away from outdated authentication methods, enforcing strict network segmentation, and relying on expert threat monitoring, enterprises can safely embrace the gadget revolution without exposing their proprietary information. The goal is not to slow down technological progress, but to ensure that our digital defences are smart enough to protect the tools of tomorrow. Preparing now will ensure that future workplaces remain both highly efficient and also deeply secure from emerging automated cyberthreats.

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Can Artificial Intelligence Make Us More Cyber Secure?

Fri, 09 May 2025 18:44:06 +0000

In 2023, at a World Economic Forum meeting, cybersecurity was top of mind, with artificial intelligence (AI) described as a new tool that could be critical in dealing with the complex and rapidly evolving level of threats from relentless bad actors and nation-states whose activities included sophisticated volleys of phishing attacks, ransomware and breach attempts. Since 2023, AI Large Language Models (LLMs), neural networks and machine learning (ML) have arrived in force, and what they are bringing to cybersecurity is significant.

Pros and Cons of Using AI for Cybersecurity

Just as cyber threats have evolved, so too have the ways we protect companies and organizations. One of those ways is using AI-based systems, which are being integrated into cybersecurity solutions to provide enhanced protection, more timely breach detection, and more efficient security processes. Like all technologies, however, AI has pros and cons. In this post, we point out first the pros and then the cons.

AI Advantages for Cybersecurity Protection

Enhanced Threat Detection

AI is good at finding patterns and anomalies in massive data sets, so it is also an effective way to spot potential cyber threats. Most old-school cybersecurity solutions are rule and signature-based, detecting malware or dodgy behaviour based on well-defined rules and signatures. AI, however, is ready to analyze massive quantities of data in real time and identify emerging threats, and it does so even when such threats have never been seen before.

AI can detect anomalous activity in network traffic, user actions, and file manipulations, which may point to a security threat. This skill is advantageous over traditional approaches.

Faster Response Times

AI can automate much of the threat detection and response process to minimize the time to discover and resolve cyberattacks. AI-powered systems are much faster than human analysts at information processing, pattern spotting, and eliciting responses.

AI can instantly launch pre-determined defensive steps when detecting a threat, such as cutting off access to sensitive and privileged files, isolating compromised systems, and sequestering malware without human intervention. This is especially important when dealing with ransomware.

Learning and Adapting Over Time

AI security learns and evolves to keep up with emerging threats. The more data it processes, the better it gets at recognizing new attack patterns and refining defences. Machine learning (ML) plays a critical role in improving threat detection with the system learning from prior cyberattacks and, therefore, getting better at predicting and detecting future ones.

Reducing Human Error

Security teams are sometimes drowned by alerts, leading to missed threats or delayed responses. Offloading repetitive tasks to AI makes for more effective security operations and decision-making. The tasks the AI can do include monitoring network traffic, parsing log files, and hunting for malware. The security team can concentrate on more advanced concerns that require strategic decision-making, ethical judgment, and complex problem-solving.

AI Drawbacks for Cybersecurity Protection

Dependence on Quality Data

AI algorithms need big data to work well. Ultimately, AI is only as good as the data fed to it. If the AI only sees partial information or is fed faulty data, it can be exploited, leaving a system open to cyberattacks. Similarly, if the AI is trained using biased datasets, it may not recognize a real-world threat. AIs fed poor data will miss key vulnerabilities or label benign behaviour as malicious, leading to false positives.

Robustness to Adversarial Attacks

AI is a potent tool for spotting malicious cyber activity, but it can also be vulnerable to these attacks. Adversarial attack methods that insert false data can impact AI systems negatively, leading to wrong decisions. AI jujitsu refers to “data poisoning” tactics which change how AI algorithms detect and respond to malicious activities. Cyberattackers can take advantage of these types of AI flaws to make the security monitoring less effective.

High Costs and Complexity

AI-based cybersecurity solutions can be expensive to implement and maintain. It can take a lot of expertise and work to construct, train, and refine an AI cyber defence system. As a result, smaller and mid-sized businesses may find AI cybersecurity too expensive to deploy. In addition, AI cybersecurity solutions can require a company to make significant investments in high-performance computing and high-priced expertise for governance.

Over-reliance on Automation

While AI can improve the efficiency of security systems, a dependence on automation can also be dangerous. AI systems aren’t foolproof and often can miss little telltales during a cyberattack that only a human analyst would notice. Becoming overly dependent on AI, therefore, can give a company a false sense of security and create complacency. That’s why the human element of cybersecurity needs to be retained to minimize the risk of AI missing an imminent or ongoing attack.

AI’s Cybersecurity Future

AI is already transforming the cybersecurity landscape. It is transforming the cybercriminal world as well. What can we expect in the future?

Cybercriminals will use AI to create adaptive malware, making phishing emails harder to detect and making threats even more sophisticated. The countering response will be developing AI defenders with more advanced real-time anomaly and threat detection.
Cybercriminals will move from databases to unstructured data such as text, images and video in the future. This requires a new generation of AI cybersecurity tools that can protect these types of digital assets.
Perimeter-based security will increasingly be under threat with companies deploying multi-layered, zero-trust architecture requiring continuous verification of all users and devices. This is something already underway.
When quantum computing technology goes mainstream, it will be capable of breaking current encryption methods. As a result, the security industry will need to develop and adopt quantum-resistant algorithms.

The future of cybersecurity will require all of the above, where AI algorithms will combine with effective governance and constant adaptation to counter every cybercriminal threat, whether human or AI. The preferred strategy for AI cyberthreat deployment will be to automate detection wherever possible and use human cyber defences to manage investigations and determine the best response to any cyber threats.

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Technological Innovation Is Changing The Workspace Paradigm

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 14:04:42 +0000

Rapid advancements in technology related to doing business have marked the 21st century. It’s a digital revolution that is changing not just how we live personally, but also how we conduct daily business. Everyone from startups to multinational corporations is leveraging technology to improve operations, create innovative products, and provide superior customer service. From artificial intelligence (AI) to automation, what are the latest technological innovations taking on the business world?

AI Apps Are Doing Frontline Work

AI in the workplace is a recent thing. Companies trying to use the technology are still working out the kinks. Chatbots for customer service with support close behind seem to be the applications most successfully deployed. Some of the latest being used by companies include:

Erica, a Bank of America chatbot app to help account holders do online banking.
Barista, a Starbucks chatbot app that takes orders and makes personalized recommendations to the company’s repeat customers.
BlueBot, a KLM chatbot app that helps customers with bookings and flight status checks.
TOBi, a Vodafone chatbot designed to help its mobile customers troubleshoot their devices, deal with service issues, manage accounts, and access product information.

Automation is Redefining Workplaces and the Nature of Work

When you hear the word automation, you think robots. But that’s not what we are talking about here. The automation tools that offices use widely today are ones we almost take for granted because they are how we work now. Think of how reliant we have become using email apps, messaging and videoconferencing to communicate, and how spreadsheets, databases, word processing and specialty software applications have changed the way we work.

Less familiar automation tools to add to the list include:

This table was created by Perplexity.ai.

Note, no humanoid robots or cobots need apply.

Collaboration and Remote Work

The COVID-19 pandemic forever changed the definition of the workplace. What was seen as a temporary measure to allow employees to work from home has introduced technologies to keep staff connected and ensure work collaboration continues.

What are the tools we use? Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet and Slack have become indispensable, enabling real-time communication, file sharing, and project management. Furthermore, virtual reality (VR) is being introduced for conducting immersive remote meetings to lessen the barrier of distance for effective collaboration.

E-Commerce Has Changed the Workplace

In the realm of e-commerce, businesses are leveraging technology to provide seamless online shopping experiences. A key player in this domain is Salesupply. The link is https://www.salesupply.com/. It offers comprehensive e-commerce solutions, including international online marketing, logistic fulfillment, and sales supply aids for every step in the e-commerce journey. Salesupply provides a source for innovative solutions to help businesses optimize their online presence, reach global audiences, and scale efficiently.

Securing the Digital Workplace is a Necessity

Cybersecurity has become a top priority for businesses with our increasing digital presence. Advanced technology innovations in this field help to protect sensitive data and prevent cybercriminal threats. From encryption technologies to AI-powered threat detection systems, businesses are investing heavily in cybersecurity measures to safeguard their operations.

Here are some examples of cybersecurity apps being used today:

This table was created by Perplexity.ai.

Transforming Workplaces with Smart Technology

What smart technologies are not already covered in the above that are in use today or coming down the pipe? Consider the following list:

Internet-of-Things (IoT) sensors backed up to Cloud-based applications that integrate motion detectors, facial recognition, control workplace entrances, lighting, heating and cooling usage, and occupancy.
Smart layouts with smart furniture that includes desks and chairs ergonomically suited to individual employees.
Robots that collaborate with employees on projects and in teams; telepresence robots to represent remote workers where physical presence is needed; and humanoid, dextrous robots to handle repetitive and even complex workspace tasks.

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Ten Cyber Threats To Look Out For In The Future

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 15:18:51 +0000

Please welcome Maggie Bloom back to the Techso Mogro. Maggie is a Utah Valley University graduate with a communications and writing degree. Maggie likes to write about personal development, mental health, and the therapeutic benefits of reading. In her spare time, she dances, bakes, and travels. This posting, however, from her isn’t typical. She expresses her concernsabout managing cybersecurity services in Philadelphia, PA and looks to the future to provide the ten most dangerous threats to which readers need to be aware.

Threats to your digital security evolve in tandem with technological advances. Cybercriminals are in lockstep with cybersecurity advances and developing complex tactics and strategies that are not only more dangerous but also harder for system users to detect.

That is why if you use digital technology today, staying informed about threats and scams is critical. Personal and awareness means you stay ahead of cyberthreats that include sophisticated phishing schemes and other tactics designed to exploit the vulnerabilities found in the everyday devices we use to connect us to the digital realm.

What are the greatest threats we collectively face from cybercriminals here in the 21st century? Here is my top ten list.

1. Ransomware Attacks Targeting Critical Infrastructure

Industries have already been disrupted by ransomware, but in the future, cybercriminals may target vital infrastructure such as transportation networks, energy grids, and healthcare networks. These attacks are meant to paralyze essential services and demand big ransoms for recovery. Such breaches have a terrible effect on the national security and economies of nations; hence, companies need to implement strong cybersecurity frameworks. Vulnerabilities to important systems must become a main focus as we get more connected using IoT (Internet of Things) devices.

2. Deepfake Technology in Cyberattacks

Deepfakes represent an emerging cybersecurity threat and involve the impersonation of individuals. Deepfakes can be used to manipulate public opinion, deceive employees and family members, and lead to identity theft through the use of AI-generated fake videos and audio.

Deepfakes are becoming easier to use as the cybertechnology develops ways to avoid identity verification, rendering conventional security measures obsolete. That’s why the future of cybersecurity involves developing new methods for the detection and combatting of deepfake content. This involves advanced biometric security detection and artificial intelligence (AI) tools.

3. AI-Powered Cyberattacks

AI is revolutionizing cybersecurity while hackers are weaponizing it. Attacks driven by AI can learn from systems they target and modify approaches to get beyond traditional defenses.

This dynamic strategy enables cybercriminals to execute more complex and rapid attacks, like launching spear-phishing campaigns with unprecedented precision or avoiding malware detection.
Attackers will use the same AI tools as those being integrated into cyber defense systems. This means using managed cybersecurity services to stay ahead of evolving risks.

4. Phishing Scams Becoming More Convincing

Although phishing is already a major cybersecurity concern, data mining methods and AI will help phishing efforts become much more convincing. With access to comprehensive personal data, hackers will be capable of utilizing phishing techniques to produce extremely tailored emails, messages, and websites that look authentic. Investing in awareness training and sophisticated filtering systems is going to be crucial in the near future if not now since phishing attacks will be more difficult to detect with the cost of becoming a victim rising. Be extra cautious of unsolicited communication.

5. IoT Device Vulnerabilities

The Internet of Things (IoT) is already exploding in size and getting bigger. These devices were invented without much thought to security. Their weaknesses allow hackers to gain access to the networks they use to pilfer critical data, or even launch large-scale attacks.

The attack surface will continue to expand as more IoT devices, from smart thermostats to medical equipment, are connected to the Internet. Stronger security systems must be applied at the device and network levels to guard against this new vulnerability.

6. Cloud Storage Breaches

As businesses rely more on the Cloud and Cloud storage for data, the risks of breaches will continue to increase. Weak Cloud access restrictions, poor configuration settings, and vulnerabilities within cloud applications represent opportunities for malicious actors to access private data.

Attackers are and will continue to use flaws in Cloud architecture to steal financial records, personal information, and intellectual property. Businesses need their Cloud-based assets safeguarded using robust encryption, multi-factor authentication, and frequent audits.

7. Supply Chain Attacks

Supply chain attacks will continue to become more sophisticated, focusing on third-party vendors and service providers. This will allow hackers to infiltrate larger organizations with high-value targets by compromising less-secure supply chain partners.

Avoiding conventional security protections, cybercriminals will take advantage of confidence between companies and suppliers to launch destructive attacks requiring companies to implement thorough risk management plans, including security vetting for all third-party partners and suppliers.

8. Blockchain Vulnerabilities

Blockchains are considered a safe way to conduct online transactions. That may not be true. Sophisticated cybercriminals can infiltrate the consensus process of the blockchain today. These attacks can alter transaction records. For digital currency exchanges, this is an increasing vulnerability.

Considering the current American government’s desire to create a cryptocurrency reserve, blockchain vulnerability needs to be addressed continuously with stronger security measures in place to avoid evolving breach threats.

9. Quantum Computing and Cryptography Breakthroughs

As quantum computing devices achieve wider use in the coming decades, they represent a threat to existing encryption systems, rendering many of them obsolete. By processing data at rates faster than conventional computing platforms, quantum computers will help businesses, researchers, and other users solve increasingly complex challenges. At the same time, they represent a distinct threat to the current computer ecosystem and the data contained in it. That’s why cybersecurity specialists are developing quantum-resistant cryptographic systems.

10. Data Privacy Laws and Compliance Challenges

Governments need to enhance safeguards for consumer data and information privacy in the face of evolving cyberthreats. Businesses also face increased pressure to comply with evolving privacy laws and regulations. Non-compliance can lead to legal consequences, heavy fines, and reputational damage.

Given the complexity of worldwide data protection rules and the rising volume of personal data handled, compliance is becoming a key concern with companies routinely examining their security systems and making investments in strong data protection plans to remain compliant and to lower risks.

Staying Ahead of the Criminals

For every cyberthreat, there must be an advanced cybersecurity response. That means active measures to counter ransomware, AI-powered attacks, and IoT vulnerabilities. By using managed cybersecurity services, companies can stay up to date with the newest protection technology and guarantee tools and plans are in place to guard against changing risks. Being proactive and vigilant is the key as cybercrime strategies evolve with technology advances in the 21st century.

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Study Shows Canada and Other Countries Unprepared for Cyberthreats

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 17:27:01 +0000

A new report from Cisco Systems Inc., the global information technology company reveals that very few organizations in North America, Latin America, The Middle East and Asia Pacific are prepared to deal with the evolving cyberthreats of the 21st century.

Did you know that more than 2,800 publicly disclosed data breaches happened in 2023 involving over 8.2 billion records stolen, that 43% of organizations responding to a cybersecurity survey reported breaches in 2023 and that the average cost per organization amounted to US $300,000 with 12% exceeding $1 million?

In a newswire release on March 27, 2024, covering Canada, the report notes that a mere 1% of organizations in Canada have reached a “Mature” level of readiness against modern cybersecurity risks. That is less than the Cybersecurity Readiness Index average of 3% which is woefully low.

We live in an era defined by hyperconnectivity with companies around the world being targeted by cybercriminals. Techniques range from phishing and ransomware to supply chain and social engineering attacks. While building defences against these attacks, organizations are struggling to defend themselves, slowed down by their own overly complex security postures dominated by multiple-point solutions. Distributed working environments spread across multiple locations, devices, applications and users compound the threat. Adding to the security threat are advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) like Generative AI that is empowering malicious actors to deploy increasingly sophisticated attacks.

Despite all of the above 80% of organizations, 78% in Canada state they are moderately very confident in their ability to defend against a cyberattack with their current infrastructure. The report sees that companies may have misplaced confidence in their ability to navigate the threat landscape. Stated Jeetu Patel, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Security and Collaboration at Cisco, “We cannot underestimate the threat posed by our overconfidence. Today’s organizations need to prioritize investments in integrated platforms and lean into AI to operate at machine scale and finally tip the scales in the favour of defenders.”

The overconfidence expressed may have something to do with the fact that 91% of organizations surveyed indicated increasing cybersecurity budgets and expect this to continue into the foreseeable future.

Companies that showed the highest level of readiness which Cisco calls mature had more than 1,000 employees. Organizations with between 250 and 1,000 were not far behind.

What the 2024 Index Shows

The Index was compiled from a double-blind survey of 8,136 private sector security and business leaders across 30 global markets. It assesses cybersecurity preparedness in five areas with scoring weighted by percentages seen in brackets:

Identity Intelligence (25%),
Network Resilience (25%),
Machine Trustworthiness (20%),
Cloud Reinforcement (15%),
AI Fortification (15%).

A score of 70% or higher was rated mature, 41 to 69% was described as progressive meaning the organization was deploying cybersecurity solutions and performing above average, 11 to 40% was designated formative with some level of cybersecurity readiness, and 10% or less was defined as beginners.

At Cisco Canada, Robert Barton, Chief Technology Officer, noted “The threats we face today will not be the same ones we face tomorrow so Canadian businesses need to evolve to keep up. The material, financial and reputational consequences can have a serious impact on organizations so cybersecurity readiness must be a business priority, not just a technological one.” The Canadian findings are disturbing with 78% of organizations defined as beginners or in the formative stages of developing cybersecurity readiness.

Other key global findings:

63% of organizations said they expected a cybersecurity incident to disrupt them in the next 12 to 24 months.
72% admitted that multiple-point networking solutions were making it more difficult to detect, respond and recover from cybersecurity incidents with 62% stating they had deployed ten or more point solutions in security stacks, and 17% indicating they had deployed 30 or more.
78% said employees were accessing company platforms from unmanaged devices with 33% spending 20% of their work time logged in from these devices.
20% reported that employees hopped between at least six networks within a work week.

Cybersecurity Investments Increasing

Organizations are aware of cybersecurity challenges with the survey reporting that 40% have plans to upgrade IT infrastructure in the next 12 to 24 months, a marked increase from 25% a year ago. Organizations plan to upgrade existing solutions with 50% stating an intention to invest in AI-based technology.

Companies are invested with 96% expecting to increase their cybersecurity budget this year, and 78% increasing the amount by 10% or more. These investments include the adoption of innovative security measures and a security platform approach, a strengthening of network resilience, the use of generative AI, and ramping up recruitment to bridge the cybersecurity skills gap.

Organizations see external actors (62%) as a bigger threat than internal ones (31%). This too is a marked shift from 2023 when the two were seen as almost equal. One of the key drivers of this turnaround could be the fact that cybersecurity threats from external actors are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

The graphic appearing at the top of this article shows the weighting of cybersecurity attacks organizations are experiencing with malware and phishing the highest. Because the way we work has changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its fallout, hybrid work presents new threat opportunities with 82% of organizations citing remote logins as a heightened threat with main concerns coming from employees doing remote work using unsecured Wi-Fi networks and unmanaged devices. Credential theft is seen by 36% of organizations as their top cybersecurity challenge with 99% of them implementing identity management solutions including identity behaviour analytics.

Deployment of AI is seen both as a potential external threat, but also as a way to make identity management systems more robust. That’s why 90% of organizations reported they were at least partially using AI to verify identity.

Threat mitigation, however, does not end with identity verification. The explosion in the number of connected devices is increasing almost exponentially. It is not just users’ laptops, tablets, and smartphones that are getting connected, but smart devices that are coming online.

The report notes that billions of new Internet-of-Thing devices are connecting with billions more to come which will generate data running into zettabytes. Everything from soil moisture detectors, connected microscopes, plant machinery, and even door security systems will be connected online adding to potential cybersecurity threats.

A final challenge that nine in ten organizations reported is the critical shortage of cybersecurity expertise. Nearly half reported having 10 or more cybersecurity positions unfilled. Can AI fill the personnel gap? Most organizations are skeptical and are looking for human expertise anywhere it can be found.

What the Report Recommends

Increase investments in cybersecurity across the board by adopting a platform approach and ensuring solutions are leveraged to their maximum ability.
Assess and close vulnerability gaps created by unmanaged devices and unsecured Wi-Fi networks.
Track developments in Generative AI and use the technology to enhance security programs and operational resilience.
Ramp up recruitment and upskill in-house talent to fill unfilled positions. Where possible, leverage AI to augment and automate tasks while leaning on external cybersecurity expertise to help in the interim.
Establish a company baseline of security readiness in these five major security categories: Identity Intelligence, Network Resilience, Machine Trustworthiness, Cloud Reinforcement, and AI Fortification.

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After Watching “The Undeclared War” I’m Not Surprised About Calls For A Cyber Force Military Branch

Sat, 08 Apr 2023 17:38:05 +0000

Cybersecurity is the theme of a television series called “The Undeclared War.” The setting is the United Kingdom in 2024 on the eve of a general election. The plot has Russian hackers penetrating the UK’s electoral system which begins a cyberwar between the two countries. Even if you don’t understand the computer jargon, it is a compelling watch and I won’t give away the unfolding events and how we are left at the end of the sixth and “final?” episode. But I highly recommend it.

Cyber security as fiction has become a reality based on headlines this week that provides a rationale for why, in the United States, there is a call for a seventh military branch. The first six include the Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard and Space Force. The seventh will be the Cyber Force, an acknowledgement of the growing online threat posed by adversary nations and non-state actors to Internet and space-based assets.

In the last two days, there has been an unauthorized release of classified Pentagon documents that have appeared on social media sites like Telegram, Twitter, and Facebook. The documents include photographs, intelligence briefings, tactical updates, and analyses done by the U.S. related to the Russia-Ukraine war, China, and other countries. The information leaked has American national security officials looking for those responsible. Was this a Russian cyber hack, or another inside job like the 2013 Edward Snowden Wikileaks?

It was inevitable that either an external or internal hack would happen at some point that would highlight why cybersecurity needs to be addressed by a dedicated team within the military and by a civilian government agency equivalent.

A centralized military command responsible for all cyberspace would end what has been called a “hodgepodge“ approach by the Military Cyber Professionals Association (MCPA). The MCPA is holding its second annual convention in Laurel, Maryland on May 18th. I am certain that conversations at the convention will buzz about this latest leak of classified documents that currently has the Pentagon scrambling for answers.

Before this latest leak, there have been recent cyber incidents that include:

the shutting down of NATO member online services and websites.
ransom attacks that have compromised U.S. law enforcement operations.
the Viasat hack on Ukraine’s broadband communications network at the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Cyber Force would incorporate Cyber Command which the U.S. established in 2009. The latter included 6,000 personnel in 133 teams spread throughout the various branches of the military. But the growing number of incidents, hacker attacks, ransomware demands, misinformation dissemination and classified material leaks over the Internet requires a new level of computer vigilance.

The Cyber Force when constituted would be doing more than looking at what is happening here on the ground. Cyberspace goes all the way into outer space. That’s because our communications systems are increasingly reliant on satellites. The growing Starlink constellation of satellites helped Ukraine overcome the Russian Viasat hack. But as more of our global communications, whether commercial or military become space-dependent, the easiest way in the future to disrupt a country will be to target outer space assets.

How many satellites are orbiting Earth today? As of February 2023, Starlink alone had 3,580 in low-Earth orbit with plans to deploy 12,000 in total for its global Internet communications mesh network coverage. That’s an impressive number when you consider a census of satellites in low-Earth orbit done recently by the Union of Concerned Scientists showing a total of 4,582 active out of 7,941 still circling the planet launched from the beginning of the Space Age back in 1957. If that seems like a lot today, some experts are predicting we will have more than 100,000 orbiting the planet by 2040, and that number doesn’t include new space habitations, or a planned satellite network to orbit the Moon to provide computing, communications, and other essential operations in near-Earth space.

Considering the Viasat hack, Starlink, GPS satellites, and the constellation of new commercial operators from the U.S. alone let alone China, Russia, India, Canada, and others, it is pretty clear the “space” in the word cyberspace will require global extra vigilance than what is in place today. Our cyber defences will be both on this world and out of this world.

Attacks on satellites will in the future be considered acts of war equal to 9/11, and Pearl Harbor. That’s why America’s consideration of creating a Cyber Force branch for its military makes sense as a dedicated service of this type does for all nations that currently and shortly will face state and non-state-sponsored threats.

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Why New Internet Businesses Need to Pay Attention to Cybersecurity

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 19:07:53 +0000

Harry Wilson is the Head of Digital Marketing Department at Globex Outreach.
He helps clients grow their online businesses and occasionally writes blogs to share his experience with other professionals. This is Harry’s first contribution to Techso Mogro and the topic is one that anyone starting a new Internet-based business or one with an online presence needs to know. Cybercriminals and hackers are abundant on today’s World Wide Web. They are one email or one inadvertent click away from gaining access to personal and customer data. Knowing what a business might face and how to secure it, therefore, is a must. If you have never read about cybersecurity, consider this posting to be a good introduction with links to help you learn more.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Report stated that cybercrime losses exceeded US $4.2 billion in 2020. And out of these, new business firms proved to be more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Why new businesses? Because small and new businesses are tempting targets to cybercriminals because they have the information that fraudsters seek, and lack the cybersecurity that larger, more established companies implement. Moreover, many new business organizations can’t afford IT specialists and solutions, don’t have the time to commit to cyber protection or know where to start.

What Is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is the condition or process of preventing and recovering from cyber attacks on computer systems, networks, devices, and applications. Hackers employ new artificial intelligence (AI) and social engineering methods to evade conventional data security protections. As a result, cyber assaults are becoming a more sophisticated and evolved risk to vulnerable data.

The cyberworld is constantly evolving, depending more and more on newer technologies. This trend will grow as we bring the next generation of advanced technologies, with accessibility to our linked devices via WiFi and Bluetooth.

Intelligent cloud security measures, therefore, need to be deployed to prevent unwanted access. And the promotion and usage of strong passwords to safeguard customer data needs to be at front of mind when integrating new software and systems.

Why Is Cybersecurity Important?

Cybersecurity is essential to protect a business against theft and loss of all types of data. So much sensitive information, protected health and personal information, intellectual property, operational, government and industrial data are all vital and valuable to a company’s reputation and its operational viability. Without cybersecurity programs, therefore, a business leaves itself open to data breaches that can freeze operations and cost a lot of money. That’s why a new business needs to choose strong cybersecurity and should embrace technology that intervenes to prevent approaching attacks.

What Are the Most Common Threats?

Although cyberattacks constantly change, company owners need to be aware of what are their most typical forms which include:

Malware is a blanket term for software specifically meant to harm computers, servers, customers, or network devices.
Ransomware is software that infects a computer and prevents access until a ransom is paid. Ransomware is frequently spread via phishing emails and makes use of software flaws that have been left unattended.
Phishing is a form of cyberattack that infects a computer with malware or collects sensitive information through the sending of an email or going to a website containing embedded malware. Phishing emails may appear to come from legitimate companies or acquaintances. In many cases, the receiver of a phishing expedition gets fooled into clicking a link or attachment containing malware.

What Are the Implications of Cybercrime?

Ignoring the issue of cybersecurity may affect a business in several ways, including having:

Financial Impact: Intellectual property data theft, firm information espionage, trading interruptions, and the expense to repair a corrupted system all become an extra burden.
Reputational Cost: Consumer trust gets eroded, present and potential consumers get lost to rivals, and negative media coverage gets generated.
Regulatory Cost: Because of general data protection regulations (GDPR) and other data breach rules, a company might face regulatory penalties or punishment due to cybercrime.

To learn more visit cybersecurity online course sites like this one offered by Harvard University so that you can go from being a novice to becoming well-informed and ready to face and deter cybercriminals.

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Cybersecurity Steps That Every Business Should Follow

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 17:53:56 +0000

Every day, a battle wages on the internet between hackers and cybersecurity. As black hatters develop new methods for hacking, such as targeting the Internet of Things (IoT) with botnet kits and the increase in “zero-day” exploits, cybersecurity companies are in a race to develop systems to counter every evolving attack.

So what cybersecurity steps can every business take to make sure they have the latest protections against hackers and other means of exploitation penetrating corporate defences?

IoT Protection

IoT refers to devices linked to the Internet. Think smartphones, smartwatches, digital cameras, notepads, computers and more. Hackers target these more vulnerable devices as a way to gain access to an organization’s network and its data. It’s easier than trying to attack the system through a head-on attempt to hack the firewall and other defences. Once inside a device, cybercriminals can use it to gain information which ultimately gives them access to the larger corporate network.

Companies are especially vulnerable to this if they allow employees to BYOD (bring your own device) to use for work. As opposed to secured company devices, businesses find it much harder to track private device data movements easily. Employee-owned devices serve multiple purposes because they are used for personal reasons as well as for business. This can mean exposure to social media accounts, apps downloaded from online stores and may lead to data breaches that penetrate a company’s firewalls and other defences.

AI and Machine Learning Software

Cybersecurity programs are written by software coders. Every innovation or adjustment made to the code is inserted manually. Programs can identify and report problems, but they don’t have the computing power to adjust themselves.

However, with advancements in AI and machine learning, programs now can be written to be self-learning and capable of making on-the-fly alterations to code to provide hacker and malware protections. That means shrinking the window between problems arising and solutions being created.

Only a couple of years ago this technology was out-of-reach in terms of cost and computing power for smaller companies. But now cutting-edge cybersecurity development is being offered at rates that meet small business budgets. You can choose from cloud computing services or cybersecurity providers that already have proven AI systems in place.

Cloud Computing Data Storage

Cloud computing refers to using an Internet or third-party locale-based solution for storing a company’s data. Today it is being used by companies both large and small. Cloud computing providers have the technological resources, storage, and security protections that typically are not available to the average small and growing business. That’s what makes them so appealing.

Using a cloud computing service for data storage such as Azure security protects a company’s online assets by decentralizing data and creating multiple redundancies to prevent attacks.

No doubt, the landscape of the Internet will continue to evolve and staying ahead of cybercriminals is in a company or organization’s best interests. No hospital should be held to ransom because its patient data records are compromised. No pipelines should be shut down by a ransomware attack. And yet these types of occurrences seem to be happening with increasing regularity. That’s why it’s vital for businesses and organizations to stay informed about cybersecurity steps they can take to make sure best practices are in place.

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To Achieve Cyber Resilience a Holistic Approach is Needed

Sun, 11 Jul 2021 22:34:03 +0000

The problem with achieving cyber resilience is finding those with the qualifications to institute it in an organization. I am pretty technology literate, have built my own computers, set up networks, planned the development of the architecture to support telecommunications and mobile networks, and with all that experience under my belt, I am not comfortable with cybersecurity.

In an article appearing today on Govtech.com, Dan Lohrmann writes about qualifications for becoming a cybersecurity expert. His rule of thumb is you need people with 10,000-hours of experience and CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), CISM (Certified Information Security Manager), and a Master’s Degree in Information Assurance credentials. And maybe that will be enough.

Cyber resilience requires a holistic approach to the management of digital information. The U.S. military during World War II was among the first to recognize this need. But those were simpler times before the advent of computers, networks, and the Internet. Today, the means and methods of achieving information assurance and resilience, as a result, require a more sophisticated toolset than codebooks and manual encryption and decryption devices.

Opentext, in a June 2021 blog, estimates that by 2025, cybercriminals will be inflicting as much as $10.5 trillion US in damages annually to the global economy. That’s up from this year’s $6 trillion estimate with ransomware attacks happening every 11 seconds, and the average data breach unrecognized for 196 days. That means lots of businesses, NGOs, government operations, and personal computer users don’t know if they have already been hacked, or if and when they are under attack. The average data breach of which 60% happen in North America, is costing $150 million US. That calculation includes lost productivity, the pilfering of intellectual property, and, of course, ransom payouts.

For cyber resilience, an organization needs to anticipate where risks are coming from. It’s not just limited to networks, PCs, and Internet exposure. A thumb drive or laptop, taken to and from work, is a potential cyber threat.

Cybersecurity according to the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is defined as the protection and defence of cyberspace from cyber attacks. At its simplest, it includes implementing firewalls, VPNs, anti-malware software, and good computer practices such as patching software and updating firmware. It also includes the training of employees to become security conscious.

Cyber resilience is the ability for an organization to remain whole after cybersecurity measures fail, hacks, extreme weather events, power failures, and human errors. Cyber resilience is about data resilience and the minimizing of disruptions. It’s about quick recoveries and assurance to the organization’s many partners from suppliers to customers.

Resiliency requires an organization to accept there will be attackers and that measures in place will help to prevent, respond to, and recover from such attacks. That means organizations need greater digital agility. That agility includes the ability to:

Identify vital information and security vulnerabilities.
Develop and implement safeguards to protect critical infrastructure and services.
Develop detection systems for identifying attacks, assessing affected systems, and implementing timely responses.
Create plans that include clearly identified responder roles and responsibilities.
Develop plans for the restoration of any data or services affected.

NIST provides a fact sheet to implement cyber resilience. It includes resources and tools for enacting cryptography, privacy frameworks for managing risk, and practical cybersecurity best practice standards. It looks beyond the human aspects to include connected devices, the Internet of Things (IoT), Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and provides baseline tools for both manufacturers and also end-users. It includes a curriculum providing data for employers, policymakers, and trainers in the field.

A cyber resilient power grid covering both generation and distribution is mission-critical. That’s why NIST singles out this sector looking specifically at cyberattack vulnerabilities and resilience strategies between and among energy producers, distributed energy resource systems, and electric power distribution facilities.

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