CYBER SECURITY CONSULTING SERVICE AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
CyberSecOp's comprehensive managed security services, cyber security consulting, professional services, and data protection technology are recognized as industry-leading threat detection and response solutions by major analyst firms, key media outlets, and others.
Empowering Digital Business: The Role of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
the role of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) has evolved into a senior-level executive whose responsibilities traverse areas of technology, risk, and compliance. CISOs have a fiduciary and legal responsibility to their respective organizations, the board, and the public. As a leader for ensuring compliance, the gatekeeper and protector of Intellectual Property, Business Enablement and fortifying the enterprise’s digital ecosystem the CISO is a business influencer! .
As organizations increasingly digitize their operations, ingest more data, and adopt AI initiatives, the CISO stands at the forefront of risk and compliance, ensuring that cybersecurity measures safeguard against the evolving threat landscape, mitigating risk while also enabling threats and supporting our business’s ability to grow and innovate
Developing a Robust Cybersecurity Program
Per Gartner, by 2027, 75% of employees will engage with technology outside the visibility of IT—significantly higher than the 41% reported in 2022. This underscores the CISO's challenge to secure an increasingly decentralized technology landscape while enabling agile and secure digital transformation through the adoption of AI, advanced machine learning, and automation throughout the enterprise.
Embracing Generative AI in Cybersecurity
Generative AI represents a transformative opportunity and challenge for CISOs. As Jeremy D'Hoinne, VP Analyst and KI Leader at Gartner, emphasizes, CISOs must navigate the complexities of generative AI to secure critical business applications of effectively of integrating AI-driven technologies like ChatGPT marks just the beginning of how AI will reshape cybersecurity practices, demanding proactive strategies to harness its benefits while mitigating risks.
Technology Adoption, Security Risk Management and Leveraging Gartner's Cybersecurity Roadmap
CyberSecOp is an award-winning, Gartner-recognized global cybersecurity consultancy. Gartner’s IT Roadmap for Cybersecurity offers a comprehensive guide based on experience, extensive research and insights from thousands of organizations across diverse sectors. It outlines best practices and key stages necessary for executing effective cybersecurity initiatives. CIOs, CISOs, and security leaders can leverage this roadmap to navigate complex security challenges and align cybersecurity strategies with business objectives. Further, CyberSecOp has effectively platformed a programmatic approach to The Technology Adoption Roadmap for Security and Risk Management, which highlights 49 key technologies categorized by adoption phase, deployment risks, and enterprise value. This roadmap operationalizes and helps prioritize investments and strategies to mitigate risks and effectively establish risk tolerances.
Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASB)
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR)
Deception Technologies
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
Identity Governance and Administration (IGA)
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Container Security
Network Traffic Analysis (NTA)
Threat Intelligence Platforms (TIP)
Encryption Technologies
Mobile Device Management (MDM)
Vulnerability Assessment and Management
Incident Response Platforms (IRP)
Application Security Testing (AST)
Behavioral Analytics
File Integrity Monitoring (FIM)
Cloud Workload Protection Platforms (CWPP)
Data Encryption Gateways
Microsegmentation
Security Ratings Services
Network Access Control (NAC)
Web Application Firewalls (WAF)
Privileged Access Management (PAM)
Security Awareness Training
Remote Browser Isolation (RBI)
Blockchain Security
Email Security Gateways
Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP)
Database Security
Security Configuration Management
Security Operations Centers (SOC)
API Security Management
Backup and Recovery Solutions
Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)
Deep Packet Inspection (DPI)
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Security Policy Management
Security Incident and Event Management (SIEM)
Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW)
Data Masking and Tokenization
Insider Threat Detection
Patch Management
Security Awareness Training
Risk Assessment Tools
Digital Rights Management (DRM)
Forensic Analysis Tools
Network Segmentation Tools
These technologies are crucial for organizations looking to enhance their security posture, manage risks effectively, and align their security strategies with business objectives. Gartner's categorization helps security and risk management leaders prioritize investments and initiatives based on the adoption phase, deployment risks, and enterprise value of each technology.
Why Lesser-Known Software Can Offer Unique Protection Against Hackers
In the realm of cybersecurity, the choice of software can significantly impact an organization's defense against cyber threats. While mainstream software solutions are widely adopted due to their robust features and extensive support, lesser-known software can sometimes provide unique advantages in protecting against hackers. This blog delves into why using lesser-known software can enhance your cybersecurity posture and the potential benefits it offers.
Understanding the Cybersecurity Landscape
The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving, with hackers continuously developing new methods to exploit vulnerabilities. Most cyber attacks target widely-used software, as it offers a higher probability of success due to its large user base. As a result, organizations using mainstream software are often more vulnerable to attacks, simply because they are more frequent targets.
Advantages of Lesser-Known Software
Reduced Attack Surface
Lesser-known software typically has a smaller user base, making it a less attractive target for hackers. Cybercriminals tend to focus their efforts on popular software with widespread adoption, where a single exploit can affect many users. By using software that flies under the radar, organizations can reduce their attack surface and lower the likelihood of being targeted.
Obscurity as a Defense
While security through obscurity is not a standalone strategy, it can provide an additional layer of protection when combined with other robust security measures. Lesser-known software is less likely to be on the radar of attackers who are scanning for common vulnerabilities in widely-used applications. This obscurity can make it more challenging for hackers to find and exploit weaknesses.
Unique Architectures and Codebases
Mainstream software often shares similar architectures and codebases, making it easier for hackers to develop exploits that can be reused across multiple platforms. Lesser-known software, on the other hand, may have unique architectures and codebases that require different attack methods. This diversity can slow down attackers and make it more difficult for them to successfully compromise systems.
Niche-Specific Security Features
Lesser-known software is often developed for niche markets with specific security needs. As a result, these solutions may incorporate specialized security features that are not present in more general-purpose software. These niche-specific features can provide enhanced protection tailored to the unique requirements of certain industries or applications.
Agility in Patching and Updates
Smaller software vendors can sometimes be more agile in responding to security vulnerabilities. With a smaller user base and less bureaucracy, they can quickly release patches and updates to address newly discovered vulnerabilities. This rapid response can help organizations stay ahead of emerging threats and reduce the window of exposure to potential attacks.
Considerations When Using Lesser-Known Software
While lesser-known software can offer unique protection advantages, it's important to consider the potential challenges and ensure a balanced approach to cybersecurity:
Thorough Evaluation
Conduct a thorough evaluation of the software's security features, development practices, and vendor reputation. Ensure that the software undergoes regular security audits and follows best practices in secure coding and vulnerability management.
Compatibility and Integration
Ensure that the lesser-known software integrates seamlessly with your existing IT infrastructure and security tools. Compatibility issues can create gaps in your security posture and hinder your ability to effectively manage and monitor your systems.
Vendor Support
Assess the level of support provided by the software vendor. Reliable support is crucial for timely updates, patch management, and resolving any security issues that may arise.
Comprehensive Security Strategy
While lesser-known software can provide additional protection, it should be part of a comprehensive security strategy. Combine it with other security measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, multi-factor authentication, and employee training to create a robust defense against cyber threats.
Conclusion
In an era where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated, exploring lesser-known software can offer unique protection advantages. By reducing the attack surface, leveraging obscurity, and benefiting from niche-specific security features, organizations can enhance their cybersecurity posture. However, it's essential to balance the use of lesser-known software with a comprehensive security strategy and ensure thorough evaluation and vendor support.
Contact Us Today
To learn more about how to integrate lesser-known software into your cybersecurity strategy and enhance your protection against cyber threats, contact us at CyberSecOp. Our experts are ready to help you navigate the complexities of cybersecurity and build a robust defense tailored to your organization's needs.
Safeguarding Business Operations: The Importance of Privileged Access Management Risk Assessment
In today's digital age, businesses heavily depend on digital systems, applications, and online platforms for their day-to-day operations. However, alongside this reliance on technology comes the ever-growing risk of unauthorized access to sensitive accounts and data. Particularly vulnerable are companies with privileged access to critical systems and applications, making them prime targets for cyber threats aimed at exploiting human vulnerabilities within organizations.
Recent headlines have shed light on the alarming sophistication of cybercriminals, with reports of ransom scams employing AI-generated deepfakes to manipulate individuals into surrendering substantial sums of money. Such incidents underscore the evolving tactics of cyber attackers and their readiness to exploit technological advancements for financial gain.
The impact of cybercrime on businesses cannot be overstated. According to recent statistics, in 2022 alone, the FBI received over 900,000 cybercrime complaints, resulting in staggering losses amounting to $5.3 billion. From phishing scams to ransomware attacks, cybercriminals employ a diverse array of tactics, leveraging AI-powered technologies to breach security measures and wreak havoc on organizations' digital infrastructure.
In light of these escalating threats, it is imperative for businesses to remain vigilant and proactively safeguard their digital assets. One crucial step towards bolstering cybersecurity defenses is the implementation of Privileged Access Management (PAM) risk assessments.
By conducting thorough PAM risk assessments, organizations can identify potential security gaps and vulnerabilities associated with privileged access to critical systems and applications. This process involves several key steps:
Step 1: Identify privileged users and assets
Begin by identifying all individuals, including employees, contractors, and third-party vendors, who possess privileged access to critical systems and applications. Simultaneously, pinpoint the assets these users can access, such as servers, databases, and essential applications.
Step 2: Determine the level of access
Next, ascertain the extent of access granted to each privileged user. This entails delineating the specific privileges conferred upon them, such as administrative or superuser access. Moreover, evaluate existing policies and procedures governing access to critical assets.
Step 3: Assess the risks
Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the risks associated with privileged access. Identify potential threats and vulnerabilities, including unauthorized access attempts, data breaches, and insider threats. Assess the potential impact of these risks on the organization's operations, reputation, and financial standing.
Step 4: Implement controls
Implement robust controls to mitigate identified risks effectively. This may involve deploying role-based access controls, enforcing the principle of least privilege, and establishing robust monitoring and auditing mechanisms to detect and prevent unauthorized access.
Step 5: Review and update regularly
Regularly review and update the PAM risk assessment to ensure its continued effectiveness. Adapt the assessment to reflect changes in the organization's PAM policies, procedures, and the evolving threat landscape.
By adhering to these steps, businesses can fortify their cybersecurity posture and mitigate the risks associated with privileged access. Ultimately, prioritizing cybersecurity and staying abreast of emerging threats is paramount in safeguarding sensitive accounts and ensuring uninterrupted business operations amidst the ever-present specter of cyber threats.
Navigating the Sea of Data Privacy Laws and Cyber Regulations in 2024
Introduction
Fasten your digital seatbelts, because 2024 is shaping up to be a global whirlwind of data privacy and cybersecurity regulations. From five new comprehensive state data privacy laws in the US, including the Utah Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA) taking effect at the end of 2023, to radical new consumer health data privacy laws, businesses worldwide face unprecedented compliance challenges. But fear not, intrepid captains of your digital vessels! A robust security and privacy program can be your life raft in this regulatory storm, no matter where you navigate the digital seas.
The Perfect Storm: New Privacy, Breach Notification, and Cybersecurity Laws (Worldwide)
This year, businesses are facing a global regulatory tsunami:
1. New Privacy Laws: The US isn't alone. Comprehensive data privacy laws are popping up worldwide, with jurisdictions like Brazil, China, California, Australia, and now Utah, Texas, Oregon, Florida, and Montana leading the charge. Each law brings its own unique requirements, making compliance a complex international puzzle.
2. Breach Notification Blitz: Data breaches are a global concern, and governments are responding with stricter notification laws. From the EU's GDPR to India's Personal Data Protection Bill, expect to see tighter deadlines, broader notification requirements, and potential penalties for failing to report breaches promptly.
3. Cybersecurity Mandates on the March: Governments are raising the bar on cybersecurity, imposing new mandates and standards on businesses across industries. From zero trust requirements to software assurance guidelines, staying compliant will require proactive investment in your security posture.
Key US Data Privacy Laws and Health Data Privacy Regulations to Be Aware of in 2024:
Data Privacy Laws:
Utah Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA) - Effective December 31, 2023: Applies to businesses exceeding $25 million in revenue and processing data of 100,000 or more Utah residents. Grants Utah residents rights to access, delete, and opt-out of the sale of their personal data.
Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA) - Effective July 1, 2024: Applies to businesses exceeding $25 million in revenue and handling data of Texas residents. Grants similar rights to UCPA, with additional restrictions on data deletion and requiring data security measures.
Oregon Consumer Privacy Act (OCPA) - Effective July 1, 2024: Applies to businesses exceeding $25 million in revenue and handling data of 100,000 or more Oregon residents. Grants similar rights to UCPA, with emphasis on data minimization and specific requirements for obtaining consumers' consent.
Florida Digital Bill of Rights - Effective July 1, 2024: Establishes principles for data privacy but does not create individual rights or enforcement mechanisms. Requires businesses to disclose data collection practices and implement data security measures.
Montana Consumer Data Privacy Act (MCDPA) - Effective October 1, 2024: Applies to businesses exceeding $25 million in revenue and handling data of 25,000 or more Montana residents. Grants rights to access, correct, and delete personal data, with exemptions for specific sectors.
Health Data Privacy Regulations:
Washington My Health My Data Act: Enacted in May 2023, prohibits the selling of Washingtonians' health data and restricts collection and sharing without consent. Imposes geofencing limitations around sensitive healthcare facilities.
Nevada Consumer Health Privacy Law (SB 370): Effective March 31, 2024, prohibits selling consumer health data without written consent and restricts collection and sharing. Similar geofencing limitations as Washington.
Amended California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Regulations: Taking effect July 1, 2023, expand CCPA's scope to include specific consumer rights regarding their health data.
Colorado Universal Opt-Out Mechanisms: Effective July 1, 2023, requires businesses exceeding $100 million in gross revenue to offer a universal opt-out mechanism for the sale of personal data, including health data.
Connecticut Senate Bill 3: Took effect July 1, 2023, adds "consumer health data" to its data privacy act, requiring opt-in consent for selling and imposing geofencing restrictions around sensitive healthcare facilities.
Navigating the Calm After the Storm with CyberSecOp
2024 has indeed become a tsunami of data privacy and cybersecurity regulations, leaving businesses feeling like they're caught in a riptide. But fear not, weary sailors! Just as a lighthouse guides ships through treacherous waters, a robust security and privacy program can be your beacon of stability in this ever-changing regulatory landscape.
Implementing a comprehensive program isn't just about weathering the storm – it's about thriving in the calmer seas ahead. By prioritizing compliance, you can:
Avoid costly fines and legal action: Proactive measures significantly reduce the risk of non-compliance penalties.
Build trust and loyalty with customers: Demonstrating your commitment to data privacy fosters trust and encourages customer loyalty.
Reduce the likelihood and impact of data breaches: Robust security measures minimize the risk of breaches and mitigate their potential damage.
Gain a competitive edge: Being ahead of the curve on privacy regulations can attract privacy-conscious consumers and partners.
This is where organizations like CyberSecOp come in. We're not just your life raft in the storm – we're your skilled navigators, equipped with the expertise and resources to chart a course towards secure and compliant waters. Here's how we can help:
Conduct thorough security and privacy assessments: Identify vulnerabilities and gaps in your current posture, providing a clear roadmap for improvement.
Develop and implement tailored security and privacy programs: Create solutions that meet your specific needs, industry regulations, and global reach.
Stay ahead of the curve with ongoing monitoring and updates: Our team keeps you informed of evolving regulations and industry best practices.
Respond effectively to data breaches: Minimize the impact of breaches and ensure compliance with reporting requirements.
Offer expert guidance and support throughout your journey: Our team of experienced professionals is here to answer your questions and address your concerns.
Don't wait for the next regulatory wave to hit. Contact CyberSecOp today and let us help you navigate the ever-changing seas of data privacy and cybersecurity with confidence. Together, we can ensure your business sails smoothly towards a successful and secure future.
CEOs / CISOs Cybersecurity Plans For 2023 and 2024 (Copy)
CEOs and CISOs have a crucial role in ensuring cybersecurity for their organizations. Their focus is on protecting sensitive information and critical assets from cyber threats such as data breaches, hacks, and cyber attacks. To achieve this, they must implement a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that addresses all aspects of security, including people, processes, and technology.
Regarding people, CEOs and CISOs must ensure that employees and contractors are trained in cybersecurity best practices and aware of their roles and responsibilities when it comes to protecting company data. They should also implement policies and procedures that promote a culture of security and accountability throughout the organization.
Regarding processes, CEOs and CISOs must establish and enforce policies and procedures that govern how information is accessed, used, and stored. They must also ensure that security measures are integrated into all stages of the software development lifecycle and that regular security assessments are conducted to identify vulnerabilities and risks.
Regarding technology, CEOs and CISOs must deploy and maintain a suite of security technologies that are designed to protect against cyber threats. This includes firewalls, intrusion detection systems, antivirus software, and encryption tools, among others. They must also stay current with the latest security trends and technologies and be prepared to implement new measures as needed to address emerging threats.
Overall, CEOs and CISOs must work together to develop and implement a holistic cybersecurity strategy that addresses people, processes, and technology. By doing so, they can help protect their organizations from cyber threats and maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their data and assets.
CEOs and CISOs are focused on ensuring cybersecurity through a combination of people, process, and technology measures.
Some of the steps that CEOs and CISOs may take to ensure cybersecurity in 2023 include:
Increasing awareness and training: CEOs and CISOs may focus on increasing employee awareness of cybersecurity risks and providing training to help employees identify and avoid potential threats.
Strengthening policies and procedures: CEOs and CISOs may review and update their organization's policies and procedures to ensure they are aligned with the latest industry best practices and regulations.
Implementing advanced technologies: CEOs and CISOs may leverage advanced cybersecurity technologies, such as AI-powered threat detection and response tools, to improve their organization's ability to identify and respond to threats.
Conducting regular audits and assessments: CEOs and CISOs may conduct regular cybersecurity audits and assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities and develop plans to address them.
Artificial Intelligence Enhances Cyber Security
AI is playing a critical role in protecting organizations by providing advanced threat detection and response capabilities. AI-powered cybersecurity tools can analyze vast amounts of data in real-time to identify patterns and anomalies that could indicate a potential threat. AI can also help automate the incident response process, enabling organizations to respond to threats faster and more effectively.
Furthermore, AI is also used to improve the security of the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and the security of software applications themselves. By automating security testing and analysis, AI can help identify vulnerabilities in applications before they are deployed, reducing the risk of cyber attacks.
In summary, CEOs and CISOs are likely to focus on a combination of people, process, and technology measures to ensure cybersecurity in 2023, and AI is playing a critical role in protecting organizations by providing advanced threat detection and response capabilities and improving the security of the SDLC and software applications.
Cyber Insurance Ransomware
Cybersecurity is more important now than ever, and with more and more businesses around the world being affected by cyberattacks, having adequate cyber insurance has become essential.
Due diligence is a crucial part of getting the right cyber insurance policy. Companies should evaluate their potential risks and vulnerabilities in order to determine if they need a robust policy or if a cheaper, lower-coverage policy can suffice. Knowing what type of policy they need can help them save money while increasing assurance that they are properly covered if an attack occurs.
Companies need to understand that getting the right cyber insurance policy comes at a cost, as premiums tend to increase significantly when coverage increases. However, with proper due diligence, companies can make sure that their policies meet their needs without paying too much for unnecessary coverage.
Cybersecurity companies are recognizing “cyber extortion coverage” or “ransomware cyber insurance” as a critical element in protecting against the increasing ransomware threats and cyber attacks. This type of insurance protects organizations from losses due to such malicious activities, such as data breaches, ransomware threats, and other forms of cyber attacks.
By providing this type of coverage, cybersecurity companies can give their clients greater security and peace of mind. This coverage helps ensure that they won't be responsible financially for payments associated with an attack that results in the loss or theft of sensitive data. It also provides protection against any reputational losses that may arise after such an attack has taken place.
Ransomware & cyber extortion cyber insurance
Ransomware cyber insurance, also known as cyber extortion coverage, can protect organizations and their customers from the financial losses associated with a malicious attack. Cyber security companies offer this coverage under their cyber liability policies, typically included with a sublimit to help cover medical expenses related to those affected by the attack. Such policies allow companies to respond quickly and effectively to a ransomware attack, limiting the downtime and damage caused. By providing this protection, cyber security companies can ensure that businesses have a back-up option in case of malicious attacks or other unforeseen disasters.
What is Cyber Insurance?
Cyber insurance offers an additional layer of security for businesses against the ever-growing risk of a ransomware attack. Ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to block access to critical data on your computer system until a ransom is paid. By purchasing cyber insurance, companies can minimize the financial impact if they are hit by such an attack, as the policy reimburses victims for any losses incurred as a result of the incident. Cyber insurance also offers security consulting services such as malware removal and web application testing that can help reduce the risk of being targeted in the first place. Companies looking to protect themselves from ransomware should consider investing in cyber insurance to ensure their critical systems are protected against these kinds of threats.
Cyber Insurance& ransomware Protections
Cyber insurance is increasingly becoming an integral part of a company's cybersecurity policy in the face of fast-growing cybercrime threats like ransomware. Ransomware attacks can cause significant financial loss and affect companies' operations in many ways. Cyber insurance acts as a safeguard against such malicious programs and financially mitigates any losses related to the attack and helps companies get back on track without too much disruption. Companies must ensure that they have cyber insurance policies in place to protect themselves from ransomware attacks which have the potential to wreak havoc on any system.
Cyber insurance provides protection against ransomware. Cyber insurance works by providing coverage for financial losses and other damages caused by a hacker, malware or ransomware attack. Cyber insurance policies often cover losses related to data privacy and security, reputation damage, business interruption, and legal expenses. This type of coverage is increasingly becoming more critical as companies are increasingly exposed to cyber-attacks like ransomware. Ransomware is malicious software that locks down computers and networks, preventing users from accessing their own data until a certain amount of money is paid in return for the unlock code. With cyber insurance in place, organizations can ensure that their operations are protected from the financial costs associated with these malicious attacks.
Cyber insurance protects you by transferring loss
Cyber criminals are on the rise, and companies need to do whatever they can to combat attacks from ransomware, malware and phishing attempts. Cyber security companies offer organizations a comprehensive solution for cyber extortion coverage that helps protect against costly losses associated with successful infiltrations. Cyber extortion coverage can be included within a cyber liability policy as a sublimit or it can be secured separately, depending on your company’s risk exposure profile. With this coverage in place, businesses can rest assured that their cyber risk is adequately covered and their reputation is protected.
Cyber insurance Due diligence to ensure adequate protection
With the increasing threat of cyber fraud, companies must perform some due diligence to ensure they have adequate protection. Cyber insurance policies protect businesses from any financial losses caused by cyber-attacks. However, without proper due diligence, companies may end up paying higher premiums or getting policies that do not cover all aspects of the risk.
Therefore, to reduce costs and get the right coverage, companies need to perform thorough research and find insurance providers who offer reasonable terms and conditions with their cyber insurance policies. Companies must also consider factors like premiums, deductibles, limits, and exclusions before purchasing a policy.
By doing so they will be able to get the most suitable coverage for their business at an affordable price.
Cyber insurance due diligence is a key process for any business when evaluating the cost and level of protection offered by their cyber insurance policy. As cyber risks continue to evolve, companies must always be aware of the increasing cost and premiums associated with their current policy and evaluate whether it is enough to keep up with the latest malicious threats.
In order to ensure the most effective protection, companies should conduct due diligence on their cyber insurance policies. This not only involves understanding how claims will be handled in different scenarios, but also considering the cost of increased coverage and extra premium costs that might be necessary. By understanding their risk profile and protecting themselves adequately, businesses can ensure they are equipped if they are ever faced with a malicious attack.
Cyber insurance premiums will continue to increase
Cyber attacks are rising yearly, with more businesses falling victim to cyber- Attacks resulting in security breaches and financial losses. As a result, more companies are now investing in cyber insurance policies to protect their data and minimize damages. However, this increased demand of cyber insurance policies has led to an increase in policy premiums, making it costlier for businesses to obtain the coverage they need. In this article, we will discuss why cyber insurance premiums continue to rise and suggest potential solutions for companies looking for coverage.
Cyber insurance must be included in your risk management strategy
Cyber insurance has become an essential part of any business's risk management strategy. As cyber-attacks become more frequent and destructive, enterprises are turning to cyber insurance providers to protect themselves from costly damages. But as the amount of claims for cyber-attacks increases, so does the increase in premium costs to cover those losses. This article will explore the reasons why we can expect to see a continuous increase in cyber insurance premiums over time.
Cyber insurance policies are becoming increasingly popular as more and more companies are seeing the benefit of having a policy in place to protect their business from cyber-attacks. As more companies realize the impact of cyber security breaches, the demand for cyber insurance is likely to increase, driving up premiums.
As prices increase, so too does the importance of having a comprehensive cyber insurance policy that covers all the possible loopholes that can occur during an attack. With this in mind, businesses are wise to explore their options when selecting their providers and to ensure they get the best coverage available for their needs. By exploring these options and understanding what is covered under different policies, firms can make an informed decision about which provider offers them the most protection at a competitive premium cost.
What Does Cybersecurity Compliance Mean?
Cybersecurity Compliance involves meeting various controls (usually enacted by a regulatory authority, law, or industry group) to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. This is usually driven by a security consultant.
What is a Security Consultant?
A security consultant, also sometimes called a security analyst, pinpoints vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, and software programs and identifies solutions to defend against hackers. This consultant role is a strong example of a highly specialized IT occupation.
What Does a Cybersecurity Consultant do?
Cybersecurity consultants assess an organization's security operations, computer systems, network, and software for vulnerabilities, then design and implement the best security solutions for the company. If a cyberattack does happen, the client will reach out to a security consulting firm, such as CyberSecOp, to seek expertise to respond and mitigate the damage. Cybersecurity consultants and risk managers can provide your organization with technology controls, policies, procedures and other management controls.
What does a Risk Manager do?
While cyber security consultants/analysts are geared more towards the technology stack of an organization a Risk Manager takes it a level higher and focuses on the organization risk from a holistic view. A risk manager can help an organization understand how to formulate a documented Risk Management Framework (RMF) in which representation from key stakeholders and leaders take part in continuously assessing, identifying and mitigating risks for the organization. This goes beyond the security tools and into the realm of Policy, Culture, Procedure, Communication and continuous improvement. Risk Managers are skilled at organizational risk and are a key component of not only ensuring compliance, but risk reduction as a whole. It is important to remember that being compliant is not necessarily being secure, and risk mangers can bring that whole package together.
What are Cybersecurity Consulting Services?
Cybersecurity consulting helps organizations mitigate certain risks and prevent identity theft, hacking and data theft. A cybersecurity consultant can also help identify risks that the business may have previously overlooked. Cybersecurity consulting acts as an extension to your in-house security team.
Main Areas of Focus Will Be:
Security management, governance and compliance
Risk Management
Security monitoring
Security architecture
Incident response
Remediation of attacks
Attack detection
Cybersecurity Consulting Service Benefits
Cybersecurity consulting acts as an extension to your in-house security team.
The professionals from CyberSecOp security consulting services can identify problems within the organization
Maximize your security investments with cybersecurity services.
Cybersecurity consulting management makes it easier to handle regulatory and compliance requirements.
Cybersecurity services provide you with experts who have the training, experience and qualifications needed to identify and manage risk all the while ensuring your business remains compliant.
CyberSecOp security consulting services help your organization achieve maturity within your security environment. CyberSecOp cybersecurity consulting firm has experience with diverse clients across many industries. A skilled group of security consultants will know the pitfalls and hurdles to avoid in relation to your security transformation or security compliance requirements.
CEO Letter - Cyber Security Operations Consulting (CyberSecOp)
Vinny La Rocca
Chief Executive Officer
We believe the foundation of our success is grounded in our vision to uplift enterprise security while ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability beyond best practices. That purpose is a virtuous circle. We create long-term value by empowering our people to deliver for our customers and communities. CyberSecOp helps organizations with security consulting, incident response and ransomware negotiation, payment, and recovery.
Our vital role to the community can be found in our mission statement. Our mission is to make the world a better place by defending and protecting our clients and partners from the theft of sensitive data through rapid incident response, cyber security programs, threat hunting, and the deployment of protective measures.
Sustainability and Growth
Our sustainability is rooted in our vision and mission statement. We believe this is an integral part of our growth and the reason we can keep our promises to our clients and partners.
Growth - Expectations for 2022 are higher than 2021, a year with 85% growth. Cyber risks currently rank as one of the top global threats to businesses and custodians of data, along with an ever-increasing number of data privacy and protection laws. These factors, combined with CyberSecOp’s ability to respond both proactively and reactively, put the company in a very favorable position.
Partnerships - CyberSecOp continues to develop, encourage and align an increasing number of strategic partnerships, allowing our teams to continually improve upon our Service Level Agreements (SLA’s) and expand our portfolio and breadth of services.
Culture - CyberSecOp has built a culture of people passionate about Cybersecurity and Professional Services. Uniting around a common goal brings our team together and ensures everyone is working to assist our clients with Cyber Security and compliance. We are a diverse workforce with an open and collaborative culture. Our goal is to be a leading security consulting company by empowering our employees to provide top-quality services measured against best-in-class industry benchmarks.
Customer Success - Customer satisfaction and success continue to be CyberSecOp’s highest priority, measured by retention and the increase in recurring services. Our success is a direct result of the success of our clients.
Our commitment to our mission, staff, clients and partners will continue to fuel our fast growth, creating long-term value for all stakeholders.
What is Your Organization's Cybersecurity Game Plan?
What is Your Organization’s Game Plan for Optimizing Cybersecurity Management?
Like the teams prepping for Sunday's Big Game, cybersecurity and risk management require a playbook to efficiently manage multiple frameworks. Most organizations are going on the offensive with their defensive measures in regards to cybersecurity and risk management. CyberSecOp cybersecurity programs empower your security maturity and culture by utilizing multiple security frameworks to address expanding requirements.
Why is Offensive Defense Important?
Threats like ransomware give attackers the ability to shut down your access to devices, databases and other data streams. While large corporations and government agencies are in attackers’ crosshairs to yield big payouts, small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are not immune to ransomware risks.
Which Security Framework Can Reduce the Risk of Ransomware?
CyberSecOp provides cyber risk and advisory programs to identify the right security framework for your organization and industry.
How CyberSecOp Assists Our Customers:
To protect against ransomware, CyberSecOp assists clients to implement NIST Cybersecurity Framework and NIST SP 800-207, Zero Trust Architecture to help understand, manage and reduce your cybersecurity risks like phishing and ransomware attacks.
CyberSecOp assist our customers with:
Benefits
Reduce the potential of ransomware encryption
Experienced Security & IT leader
Reduce risk
Build risk assessment program
Third-party risks, privacy compliance and data processing mapping.
Response and mitigation strategies
Security monitoring (SOC & MDR)
GRC platform that incorporates all stages of processing in the risk operational workflow.
Monitor and report on combines and individual frameworks
CyberSecOp cybersecurity experts have been involved in thousands of audit processes at organizations worldwide. Our team has experience with the following framework and regulatory requirements: NIST, PCI, HIPAA, GLBA, SOC, FISMA, GDPR, NYDFS, ISO 27000, SEC, FINRA and others.
Cyber Threats Require New Approach to Design Flaws and Risk
Now that the year is in full swing, and you’re only left with the distant memories, COVID, and cyber security, what are your business cyber objectives for 2022?
Ours goals are to continue helping businesses:
Improving security for everyone, by doubling the amount or organizations we helped last year (100% our client shows no evidence of a data breach)
Offer competitive pricing, to make security an attainable goal for every organization
Reduce cost and increase security by implementing more automation and artificial intelligence
Cyber threats are a real threat to all modern businesses, with the evolution of technology in all sectors. Malicious cyberattacks in 2021 forced shutdown of many business operations at an average downtime of a month. According to multiple reports, the amount of companies who ended paid hackers grew by 300% in 2020, and 200% in 2021. The businesses that were victimized had two options, pay the ransom or go out of business.
Email is the most popular attack vector
Email is still a top attack vector cybercriminal use. A majority of data breaches are caused by attacks on the human layer, but email hacking is much more than phishing.
Top 3 email attacks
Most wire frauds are successful over email communication; the focus trust, in most case the threat actor would be in the middle of a communication between two are more parties. This allows the threat actor to control the conversation, and change wire information.
Threat actor’s setup email rules to keep persistent connections and visibility to gain insight into the organization long after all passwords have been changed.
Threat actors add external emails to distribution groups to keep persistent connect and gain continuous insight into the organization in preparation for their next attack.
Double and Triple Extortion
Cybercriminal groups identified by the FBI responsible for most incidents are known for conducting aggressive “double/triple extortion” ransomware attacks once they have gained access to a network.
In double extortion attacks not only is the victim organization’s data rendered inaccessible until a ransom is paid but the criminals may further monetize the ransomware attack by coupling it with a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack or selling the stolen data onto other criminal groups. In some cases, if the organization is not careful, hackers use email, phone, or text to deceive employees into helping them commit wire fraud.
Providing security is challenging in any industry, whether you’re talking about agriculture, automobiles, furniture, financial services, or educational. It requires special equipment and knowledge around how things can fail in the field, and a disciplined approach to executing tests that reflect real-world conditions as much as possible.
This is where CyberSecOp can help your organization
We are an independent third-party testing, and compliance readiness firm, operating only within the cybersecurity industry. With our comprehensive suite of services and solutions our team can provide continuous testing, security program development, security tabletop exercise, security awareness training to reduce risk and increase critical testing against sensitive systems, using real-world conditions.
CyberSecOp Becomes A CMMC Register Provider Organization
CyberSecOp is a leading Cybersecurity Services Provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) advisory services and cyber security solutions.
CyberSecOp is an CMMC Registered Provider Organization (RPO) listed on the CMMC-AB Marketplace. Our organization staff have passed the RP Exam, Background Check and signed the RPO agreement, indicating our commitment to comply with the CMMC-AB Code of Professional Conduct. CyberSecOp is also an ISO 27001-certified organization.
What are CMMC-AB, CMMC, and the Responsibility of the RPO Designation?
CMMC-AB authorizes RPOs to provide CMMC consulting services in support of government contractors, supply chain/DoD suppliers, and organizations seeking certification within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB).
The CMMC-AB is an independent accreditation body that manages the CMMC on behalf of the DoD. The CMMC framework is a set of mandatory cybersecurity requirements that all contractors within the DoD supply chain will be required to implement and, beginning this year, to have verified by an independent CMMC Third Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO). CMMC was created to address the ongoing theft of and unauthorized access to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) by foreign adversaries through the enforcement of good cyber hygiene and best practices.
It initially launched in June 2020 and formally announced in August 2020 that it was accepting applications for five types of credentialed roles within the CMMC ecosystem. These include the following:
· C3PAOs
· Certified Assessors (CAs)
· Certified Professionals (CPs)
· Licensed Partner Publishers (LPPs)
· Registered Practitioners (RPs)
· Registered Provider Organizations (RPOs)
The CMMC framework establishes five certification levels with a defined security posture or maturity level an organization must achieve, determined by the sensitivity of the information they handle. These are outlined below:
How can CyberSecOp help your organization with CMMC?
CyberSecOp has created a suite of advisory services to help organizations effectively plan and prepare for an official CMMC assessment: CMMC Consulting, CMMC Readiness, Assessments, CMMC-RPO, CMMC Gap Analysis, DFARS, ITAR, VCISO, MSSP, NIST 800 53, and NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), NIST 800-171, Security Services.
CMMC Scoping Workshop – determine the type of data and the required CMMC maturity level needed. Identify how data is received, stored, shared and handled on all information systems.
CMMC Gap Analysis – identify discrepancies between current state and CMMC maturity levels as determined in the scoping workshop. The CMMC Gap Analysis will provide areas of weakness that need to be targeted to reach the desired maturity level.
CMMC Remediation Strategy –assist the organization with remediation efforts, including resolving discrepancies identified in the CMMC Gap Analysis and creating a strategic plan for remediation. This process may include security control testing, polices, procedures and plan creation to close all known gaps related to the desired maturity level.
VCISO (Virtual Chief Information Security Officer) – CyberSecOp provides a board-level security expert backed by a team of professionals to ensure continuous compliance and maintain the maturity level as threats, infrastructure and business objectives evolve. Services include the following.
Compliance Advisory Consulting Services
CMMC Readiness
Vulnerability and Penetration Testing Assessment
Ransomware Response
Forensic Analysis
24/7/365 Security Operations Center (SOC)
Cyber Security Consulting
CMMC Cybersecurity RP, RPO
Incident Response & Incident Management
Security Assessments
Security Awareness
Data Loss Prevention
About CyberSecOp
Cyber Security Operations Consulting (CyberSecOp) is an innovative cybersecurity firm, providing consultants and managed security services to empower businesses since 2001. Our IT & cybersecurity consulting services protect you from cyber criminals in myriad ways. From implementing individualized Cyber Security Programs, which include written Information Security Programs, Incident Response Policies and Plans, and Cybersecurity Assessments, to offering the best-in-class cybersecurity consulting, tools, and IT security solutions, we do it all.
CyberSecOp is an CMMC-AB RPO & ISO 27001 Certified Organization - join thousands of businesses by putting your security in our hands. For more information about CyberSecOp and CMMC, contact us at 866-973-2677, Sales@CyberSecOp.com or visit: www.CyberSecOp.com.