Security | Threat Detection | Cyberattacks | DevSecOps | Compliance

A firewall is a type of network security system that helps protect your network from external threats by controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic. A firewall can be either software-based or hardware-based. A hardware firewall is typically a router, which is a physical device that blocks traffic from accessing the internal network. A software firewall works similarly, but is installed on your device. For instance, the Windows Firewall comes with operating systems Windows XP SP2 and later.

Cyber attacks at government organizations are prevalent in 2024, as the government continues to be one of the most targeted sectors. Research by IT Governance has found that in January alone there have been 183 incidents in the public sector, including both ransomware attacks and data breaches. Cybercriminals target government agencies because they store valuable personal data and perform critical functions and services.

On March 21, 2024, security researchers published a technical analysis along with a proof of concept (PoC) regarding the critical Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability, CVE-2023-48788, in Fortinet’s FortiClientEMS. This vulnerability enables an unauthenticated threat actor to achieve RCE through the manipulation of SQL commands. Fortinet has stated that this vulnerability is under active exploitation. PoC exploit code is also now publicly available.

This year’s Fierce TMF Summit took place in sunny Savannah Georgia, a city known for its ghosts. But the estimated 200 plus attendees of this year’s Summit aren’t afraid of your average ghosts and ghouls: instead, we shudder at tales of inspection findings, unruly document contributors, and other challenges in TMF management.

In today’s rapidly evolving digital and cyber landscape, securing and delivering applications efficiently is crucial for businesses of all sizes. The pursuit of uninterrupted service is no longer the only focus. Security concerns have taken center stage, transforming the landscape into a battleground where the slightest disruption triggers a search for root causes and solutions. When websites falter, application owners navigate a maze of possibilities.

In today’s cloud-native world, systems are usually accessed by users from multiple devices and in various geographic locations. Anyone who has tried to operationalize an impossible travel type alert for cloud resources will understand the myriad nuances and gotchas involved in such an endeavor. A user may be accessing a cloud resource from a mobile device that is tied to a carrier network well away from their normal geographic location.

Malware loaders, critical for deploying malware, enable threat actors to deliver and execute malicious payloads, facilitating criminal activities like data theft and ransomware. Utilizing advanced evasion techniques, loaders bypass security measures and exploit various distribution channels for extensive impact, threat groups enhance their ability to download and execute various malware types as demonstrated by Smoke Loader and GuLoader, highlighting their role in extensive malware distribution.

A Phishing-as-a-Service (PhaaS) platform called “Tycoon 2FA” has surged in popularity over the past several months, according to researchers at Sekoia. The phishing kit is notable for its focus on bypassing victims’ multi-factor authentication measures.

A new report on the state of email security sheds some light on how organizations are viewing and approaching cyber insurance as they shift strategy toward being cyber resilient. The topic of cyber insurance has been covered quite a bit here on this blog. From when cyber insurance first began as a concept, to the challenges it poses for organizations looking as their last resort after an attack, to changes in insurance policy and law.

Now is the time. It’s been over 30 years since the introduction of the first web browser. Since then, the browser has evolved into an application that allows us to stream entertainment, work and interact through social media. It’s the most widely used application among consumers … and now the enterprise. Unfortunately, there’s little separation between work and personal life when you use a browser designed for consumer use.