Tag Archives: security

Interview and Update on Ransomware Leader LockbitSupp

#lockbit #ransomware #cybersecurity #fraud #cyberextortion

Fig. 1. Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev, aka LockBitSupp.[1]

Law enforcement agencies spanning the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia have collectively pinpointed Russian national Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev as the suspected architect behind the infamous LockBit ransomware crime gang, operating under the moniker LockBitSupp. The government asserts LockBit victims span a wide array of entities, including individuals, small businesses, multinational corporations, hospitals, schools, nonprofit organizations, critical infrastructure, and government and law enforcement agencies. They are responsible for draining an estimated $500 million from its victims over an extensive hacking spree including:[2]

1)       148 built attacks.

2)       119 engaged in negotiations with victims, meaning they definitely deployed attacks.

3)       Of the 119 who began negotiations, there are 39 who appear not to have ever received a ransom payment.

4)       75 did not engage in any negotiation, so also appear not to have received any ransom payments.

The group has long evaded identification, with LockBitSupp shrouded in online anonymity due to multiple VPNs, VMs, and fake pass-through names and entities. He was so bold that he even offered a $10 million reward to anyone that could reveal his identity.[3]

This revelation comes in the wake of a substantial operation by UK law enforcement, which infiltrated LockBit’s systems, executed multiple arrests, dismantled its infrastructure, and intercepted internal communications, effectively reducing LockBit’s criminal operations — but not stopping or deterring them. This was dubbed Operation Cronos and initiated in February 2024.[4]

Details disclosed by the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) reveal Khoroshev, aged 31 and residing in Russia, is under sanction, with his designation including various email and cryptocurrency addresses, alongside details from his Russian passport. Furthermore, the United States has filed a comprehensive indictment against him.[5] He also faces 26 criminal charges, including extortion and hacking, carrying a cumulative maximum penalty of 185 years in prison. The Justice Department has also issued a $10 million bounty for information leading to his arrest.

‘”This identification and charging of Khoroshev mark a significant milestone,” remarked Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole Argentieri in a statement on Tuesday. “Through the meticulous efforts of our investigators and prosecutors, we have unveiled the individual behind LockBitSupp.”’[6]

According to the indictment, Khoroshev is alleged to have served as the developer and administrator of the LockBit ransomware group from its inception in September 2019 through May 2024, typically receiving a 20 percent share of each ransom payment extorted from LockBit victims.

Federal authorities utilized LockBit’s existing victim shaming website layout to disseminate press releases and provide free decryption tools. Following the FBI’s intervention, LockBitSupp reassured partners and affiliates via Russian cybercrime forums that the ransomware operation remained fully operational. Additional darknet websites were launched, promising the release of data stolen from several LockBit victims prior to the FBI’s intervention.

Fig. 2. Lockbit Victim Shaming Portal With FBI Takeover.[7]

Despite LockBitSupp’s claims of invincibility, law enforcement efforts have made strides. The group’s modus operandi included “double extortion,” demanding separate ransom payments for both unlocking hijacked systems and promising to delete stolen data. However, the Justice Department asserts LockBit never followed through on deleting victim data, regardless of ransom payments made — all the more reason why you should not pay or trust these types.

Khoroshev marks the sixth individual indicted as an active member of LockBit. Among those indicted are Russian nationals Artur Sungatov and Ivan Gennadievich Kondratyev, alias “Bassterlord,” charged with deploying LockBit against targets in various industries across multiple countries.[8]

Lastly, leading threat intel consultancy Recorded Future facilitated an interview with LockbitSupp over an encrypted app via the dark web, where he said they got the wrong guy, among other things. [9] The interview is linked here thanks to hard work of The Record from Recorded Future News and Dmitry Smilyanets!

Disclaimer:

All citations and statements are from publicly available reports. No private info was disclosed in this article. Feedback is welcome. Attempts to retaliate against or censor my research and/or writing will be reported (you will be blocked). This was drafted with the current info, and future info could change things.

About the Author:

Jeremy Swenson is a disruptive-thinking security entrepreneur, futurist/researcher, and senior management tech risk consultant. He is a frequent speaker, published writer, podcaster, and even does some pro bono consulting in these areas. He holds an MBA from St. Mary’s University of MN, an MSST (Master of Science in Security Technologies) degree from the University of Minnesota, and a BA in political science from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. He is an alum of the Federal Reserve Secure Payment Task Force, the Crystal, Robbinsdale and New Hope Citizens Police Academy, and the Minneapolis FBI Citizens Academy.

References:

[1] Goodin, Dan. “Ransomware mastermind LockBitSupp reveled in his anonymity—now he’s been ID’d.” Ars Technical. 05/07/24. https://arstechnica.com/security/2024/05/the-mastermind-of-the-prolific-ransomware-group-lockbit-has-finally-been-unmasked/

[2] National Crime Agency (NCA). “LockBit leader unmasked and sanctioned.” Viewed 05/10/24. https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news/lockbit-leader-unmasked-and-sanctioned

[3] Burgess, Matt. “The Alleged LockBit Ransomware Mastermind Has Been Identified.” Wired. 05/07/24. https://www.wired.com/story/lockbitsupp-lockbit-ransomware/

[4] Boyton, Christopher. “Unveiling the Fallout: Operation Cronos’ Impact on LockBit Following Landmark Disruption.” Trend Micro. 04/03/24. https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/24/d/operation-cronos-aftermath.html

[5] US Attorneys Office: NJ. “U.S. Charges Russian National with Developing and Operating Lockbit Ransomware.” 05/07/24. https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/us-charges-russian-national-developing-and-operating-lockbit-ransomware

[6] Sean Powers, Sean; Abdul-Malik, Jade; Temple Raston, Dina. “In interview, LockbitSupp says authorities outed the wrong guy.” The Record by Recorded Future. 05/09/24. https://therecord.media/lockbitsupp-interview-ransomware-cybercrime-lockbit  

[7] Boyton, Christopher. “Unveiling the Fallout: Operation Cronos’ Impact on LockBit Following Landmark Disruption.” Trend Micro. 04/03/24. https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/24/d/operation-cronos-aftermath.html

[8] FlashPoint. “Indictment-USA-v.-Ivan-Kondratyev.” 05/17/22. https://flashpoint.io/wp-content/uploads/Indictment-USA-v.-Ivan-Kondratyev.pdf

[9] Sean Powers, Sean; Abdul-Malik, Jade; Temple Raston, Dina. “In interview, LockbitSupp says authorities outed the wrong guy.” The Record by Recorded Future. 05/09/24. https://therecord.media/lockbitsupp-interview-ransomware-cybercrime-lockbit

Secure Cloud Best Practices — A Collaborative Endeavor for Business Resilience

Fig. 1. Cloud Shared Security Responsibility Model, Microsoft, 2024.

#CloudSecurity #CyberSecurity #SharedResponsibility #IAM #DataEncryption #PolicyCompliance #EmployeeTraining #EndpointSecurity #RiskMitigation #DataProtection #BusinessResilience #InfoSec #SecurityAwareness #CloudMigration #CIOInsights

In today’s digitally interconnected world, the cloud has emerged as a cornerstone of modern business operations, offering scalability, flexibility, and efficiency like never before. Leading vendors like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft, Oracle, Dell, and Oracle offer public, private, and hybrid cloud formats. However, as businesses increasingly migrate their operations to the cloud, ensuring robust security measures becomes paramount. Here, we delve into seven essential strategies for securing the cloud effectively, emphasizing collaboration between C-suite leaders and IT stakeholders.

1)      Understanding the Cloud-Shared Responsibility Model:

The first step in securing the cloud is grasping the nuances of the shared responsibility model (Fig. 1.). While cloud providers manage the security of the infrastructure platform, customers are responsible for securing their data and applications, including who gets access to them and at what level (Fig 1.). This necessitates a clear delineation of responsibilities, ensuring no security gaps exist. CIOs and CISOs must thoroughly educate themselves and their teams on this model to make informed security decisions.

2)      Asking Detailed Security Questions:

It is imperative to engage cloud providers in detailed discussions regarding security measures, digging far deeper than boilerplate questions and checkbox forms. C-suite executives should inquire about specific security protocols, compliance certifications, incident response procedures, and data protection mechanisms. Organizations can mitigate risks and build trust in their cloud ecosystem by seeking transparency and understanding the provider’s security posture.

3)      Implementing IAM Solutions:

Identity and access management (IAM) lies at the core of cloud security. Robust IAM solutions enable organizations to authenticate, authorize, and manage user access effectively. CIOs and CISOs should invest in IAM platforms equipped with features like multi-factor authentication, role-based access control, least privilege, and privileged access management (PAM) governance. By enforcing the principle of least privilege, businesses can minimize the risk of unauthorized access and insider threats.

4)      Establishing Modern Cloud Security Policies:

A proactive approach to security entails the formulation of comprehensive cloud security policies aligned with industry best practices and regulatory requirements. Business leaders must collaborate with security professionals to develop policies covering data classification, incident response, encryption standards, and employee responsibilities. Regularly updating and reviewing these policies are essential to adapting to evolving threats and technologies — can be country specific.

5)      Encrypting Data in Motion and at Rest:

Encryption serves as a critical safeguard for data confidentiality and integrity in the cloud. Organizations should employ robust encryption mechanisms to protect data both in transit and at rest. Utilizing encryption protocols such as TLS for network communications and AES for data storage adds an extra layer of defense against unauthorized access. Additionally, implementing reliable backup solutions ensures data resilience in the event of breaches or disasters. Having all key files backed up via the 3-2-1 rule — three copies of files in two different media forms with one offsite — thus reducing ransomware attack damage.

6)      Educating Staff Regularly:

Human error remains one of the most significant vulnerabilities in cloud security. Therefore, ongoing employee education and awareness initiatives are indispensable. C-suite leaders must prioritize security training programs to cultivate a security-conscious culture across the organization. By educating staff on security best practices, threat awareness, and incident response protocols, businesses can fortify their defense against social engineering attacks and insider threats. Importantly, this education is far more effective when interactive and gamified to ensure participation and sustained learning outcomes.

7)      Mapping and Securing Endpoints:

Endpoints serve as crucial entry points for cyber threats targeting cloud environments. CIOs and CISOs should conduct thorough assessments to identify and secure all endpoints accessing the cloud infrastructure. Visually mapping endpoints is the first step to confirm how many, what type, and where they actually are at present — this can and does change. Implementing endpoint protection solutions, enforcing device management policies, and promptly deploying security patches are essential to mitigate endpoint vulnerabilities. Furthermore, embracing technologies like zero-trust architecture enhances endpoint security by continuously verifying user identities and device integrity.

In conclusion, securing the cloud demands a multifaceted approach encompassing collaboration, diligence, vendor communication and partnership, and innovation. By embracing the principles outlined above, organizations can strengthen their cloud security posture, mitigate risks, and foster a resilient business environment. C-suite leaders, in conjunction with IT professionals, must champion these strategies to navigate the evolving threat landscape and safeguard the future of their enterprises.

About the Author:

Jeremy Swenson is a disruptive-thinking security entrepreneur, futurist/researcher, and senior management tech risk consultant. He is a frequent speaker, published writer, podcaster, and even does some pro bono consulting in these areas. He holds an MBA from St. Mary’s University of MN, an MSST (Master of Science in Security Technologies) degree from the University of Minnesota, and a BA in political science from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. He is an alum of the Federal Reserve Secure Payment Task Force, the Crystal, Robbinsdale and New Hope Citizens Police Academy, and the Minneapolis FBI Citizens Academy.

AT&T Faces Massive Data Breach Impacting 73 Million and Negligence Lawsuits

Fig 1. AT&T Data Breach Infographic, WLBT3, 2024.

After weeks of denials, AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), a leading player in the telecommunications sector, has recently unveiled a substantial data breach originating from 2021, leading to the compromise of sensitive information belonging to 73 million users [1]. This data breach has since surfaced on the dark web, exposing a trove of personal data including Social Security numbers, email addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth, impacting both current and past account holders. The compromised information encompasses names, addresses, phone numbers, and for numerous individuals, highly sensitive data such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and AT&T passcodes.

How can you determine if you were impacted by the AT&T data breach? Firstly, ask yourself if you ever were a customer, and do not rely solely on AT&T to notify you. By utilizing services like Have I Been Pwned, you can ascertain if your data has been compromised. Additionally, Google’s Password Checkup tool can notify you if your account details are exposed, especially if you store password information in a Google account. For enhanced security, the premium edition of Bitwarden, a top-rated recommended password manager, offers the capability to scan for compromised passwords across the internet.

One prevalent issue concerning data breaches is the tendency for individuals to overlook safeguarding their data until it’s too late. It’s a common scenario – we often don’t anticipate our personal information falling into the hands of hackers who then sell it to malicious entities online. Regrettably, given the frequency and magnitude of cyber-attacks, the likelihood of your data being exposed has shifted from an “if” to a “when” scenario.

Given this reality, it’s imperative to adopt measures to safeguard your identity and data online, including [2]:

  1. Implementing multi-factor authentication – a crucial step in thwarting hackers’ attempts to infiltrate your accounts, even if your email address is publicly available.
  2. Avoiding password reuse and promptly changing passwords if they are compromised in a data breach – this practice ensures that even if your login credentials are exposed, hackers cannot infiltrate other accounts you utilize, including the one that has experienced a breach.
  3. Investing in identity protection services, either as standalone solutions or as part of comprehensive internet security suites – identity protection software can actively monitor the web for data breaches involving you, enabling you to take proactive measures to safeguard your identity.

AT&T defines a customer’s passcode as a numeric Personal Identification Number (PIN), typically consisting of four digits. Distinguishing it from a password, a passcode is necessary for finalizing an AT&T installation, conducting personal account activities over the phone, or reaching out to technical support, according to AT&T.

How to reset your AT&T passcode:

AT&T has taken steps to reset passcodes for active accounts affected by the data breach. However, as a precautionary measure, AT&T advises users who haven’t altered their passcodes within the last year to do so. Below are the steps to change your AT&T passcode:

  1. Navigate to your myAT&T Profile.
  2. Sign in when prompted. (If additional security measures are in place and sign-in isn’t possible, AT&T suggests opting for “Get a new passcode.”)
  3. Locate “My linked accounts” and select “Edit” for the passcode you wish to update.
  4. Follow the provided prompts to complete the process.

Here is AT&T’s official statement on the matter from 03/03/24 [3]:

“Based on our preliminary analysis, the data set appears to be from 2019 or earlier, impacting approximately 7.6 million current AT&T account holders and approximately 65.4 million former account holders. Currently, AT&T does not have evidence of unauthorized access to its systems resulting in exfiltration of the data set. The company is communicating proactively with those impacted and will be offering credit monitoring at our expense where applicable. We encourage current and former customers with questions to visit http://www.att.com/accountsafety for more information.”

The hackers behind this, allegedly ShiningHacker, endeavored to profit from the pilfered data by listing it for sale on the RaidForums data theft forum, initiating the bidding at $200,000 and entertaining additional offers in increments of $30,000 [4]. Moreover, they demonstrated readiness to promptly sell the data for $1 million, highlighting the gravity and boldness of the cyber offense.

Not surprisingly, AT&T is currently confronting numerous class-action lawsuits subsequent to the company’s acknowledgment of this data breach, which compromised the sensitive information of 73 million existing and former customers [5]. Among the ten lawsuits filed, one is being handled by Morgan & Morgan, representing plaintiff Patricia Dean and individuals in similar circumstances.

The lawsuit levels allegations of negligence, breach of implied contract, and unjust enrichment against AT&T, contending that the company’s deficient security measures and failure to promptly provide adequate notification about the data breach exposed customers to significant risks, including identity theft and various forms of fraud. It seeks compensatory damages, restitution, injunctive relief, enhancements to AT&T’s data security protocols, future audits, credit monitoring services funded by the company, and a trial by jury [6].


About the Author:

Jeremy Swenson is a disruptive-thinking security entrepreneur, futurist/researcher, and senior management tech risk consultant. He is a frequent speaker, published writer, podcaster, and even does some pro bono consulting in these areas. He holds an MBA from St. Mary’s University of MN, an MSST (Master of Science in Security Technologies) degree from the University of Minnesota, and a BA in political science from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. He is an alum of the Federal Reserve Secure Payment Task Force, the Crystal, Robbinsdale and New Hope Citizens Police Academy, and the Minneapolis FBI Citizens Academy.

References:

[1] AT&T. “AT&T Addresses Recent Data Set Released on the Dark Web.” 03/30/24: https://about.att.com/story/2024/addressing-data-set-released-on-dark-web.html

[2] Colby, Clifford, Combs, Mary-Elisabeth; “Data From 73 Million AT&T Accounts Stolen: How You Can Protect Yourself.” CNET. 04/02/24: https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/data-from-73-million-at-t-accounts-stolen-how-you-can-protect-yourself/

[3] AT&T. “AT&T Addresses Recent Data Set Released on the Dark Web.” 03/30/24: https://about.att.com/story/2024/addressing-data-set-released-on-dark-web.html

[4] Naysmith, Caleb. “73 Million AT&T Users’ Data Leaked As Hacker Said, ‘I Don’t Care If They Don’t Admit. I’m Just Selling’ Auctioned At Starting Price Of $200K”. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/73-million-t-users-data-173015617.html

[5] Kan, Michael. “AT&T Faces Class-Action Lawsuit Over Leak of Data on 73M Customers.” PC Mag. 04/02/24: https://www.pcmag.com/news/att-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-leak-of-data-on-73m-customers

[6] Kan, Michael. “AT&T Faces Class-Action Lawsuit Over Leak of Data on 73M Customers.” PC Mag. 04/02/24: https://www.pcmag.com/news/att-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-leak-of-data-on-73m-customers

Four Key Emerging Considerations with Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Cyber Security

#cryptonews #cyberrisk #techrisk #techinnovation #techyearinreview #infosec #musktwitter #disinformation #cio #ciso #cto #chatgpt #openai #airisk #iam #rbac #artificialintelligence #samaltman #aiethics #nistai #futurereadybusiness #futureofai

By Jeremy Swenson

Fig. 1. Zero Trust Components to Orchestration AI Mashup; Microsoft, 09/17/21; and Swenson, Jeremy, 03/29/24.

1. The Zero-Trust Security Model Becomes More Orchestrated via Artificial Intelligence (AI):

      The zero-trust model represents a paradigm shift in cybersecurity, advocating for the premise that no user or system, irrespective of their position within the corporate network, should be automatically trusted. This approach entails stringent enforcement of access controls and continual verification processes to validate the legitimacy of users and devices. By adopting a need-to-know-only access philosophy, often referred to as the principle of least privilege, organizations operate under the assumption of compromise, necessitating robust security measures at every level.

      Implementing a zero-trust framework involves a comprehensive overhaul of traditional security practices. It entails the adoption of single sign-on functionalities at the individual device level and the enhancement of multifactor authentication protocols. Additionally, it requires the implementation of advanced role-based access controls (RBAC), fortified network firewalls, and the formulation of refined need-to-know policies. Effective application whitelisting and blacklisting mechanisms, along with regular group membership reviews, play pivotal roles in bolstering security posture. Moreover, deploying state-of-the-art privileged access management (PAM) tools, such as CyberArk for password check out and vaulting, enables organizations to enhance toxic combination monitoring and reporting capabilities.

      App-to-app orchestration refers to the process of coordinating and managing interactions between different applications within a software ecosystem to achieve specific business objectives or workflows. It involves the seamless integration and synchronization of multiple applications to automate complex tasks or processes, facilitating efficient data flow and communication between them. Moreover, it aims to streamline and optimize various operational workflows by orchestrating interactions between disparate applications in a cohesive manner. This orchestration process typically involves defining the sequence of actions, dependencies, and data exchanges required to execute a particular task or workflow across multiple applications.

      However, while the concept of zero-trust offers a compelling vision for fortifying cybersecurity, its effective implementation relies on selecting and integrating the right technological components seamlessly within the existing infrastructure stack. This necessitates careful consideration to ensure that these components complement rather than undermine the orchestration of security measures. Nonetheless, there is optimism that the rapid development and deployment of AI-based custom middleware can mitigate potential complexities inherent in orchestrating zero-trust capabilities. Through automation and orchestration, these technologies aim to streamline security operations, ensuring that the pursuit of heightened security does not inadvertently introduce operational bottlenecks or obscure visibility through complexity.

      2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Powered Threat Detection Has Improved Analytics:

      The utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) is on the rise to bolster threat detection capabilities. Through machine learning algorithms, extensive datasets are scrutinized to discern patterns suggestive of potential security risks. This facilitates swifter and more precise identification of malicious activities. Enhanced with refined machine learning algorithms, security information and event management (SIEM) systems are adept at pinpointing anomalies in network traffic, application logs, and data flow, thereby expediting the identification of potential security incidents for organizations.

      There will be reduced false positives which has been a sustained issue in the past with large overconfident companies repeatedly wasting millions of dollars per year fine tuning useless data security lakes that mostly produce garbage anomaly detection reports [1], [2]. Literally the kind good artificial intelligence (AI) laughs at – we are getting there. All the while, the technology vendors try to solve this via better SIEM functionality for an increased price at present. Yet we expect prices to drop really low as the automation matures.  

      With enhanced natural language processing (NLP) methodologies, artificial intelligence (AI) systems possess the capability to analyze unstructured data originating from various sources such as social media feeds, images, videos, and news articles. This proficiency enables organizations to compile valuable threat intelligence, staying abreast of indicators of compromise (IOCs) and emerging attack strategies. Notable vendors offering such services include Dark Trace, IBM, CrowdStrike, and numerous startups poised to enter the market. The landscape presents ample opportunities for innovation, necessitating the abandonment of past biases. Young, innovative minds well-versed in web 3.0 technologies hold significant value in this domain. Consequently, in the future, more companies are likely to opt for building their tailored threat detection tools, leveraging advancements in AI platform technology, rather than purchasing pre-existing solutions.

      3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Driven Threat Response Ability Advances:

      Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just confined to threat detection; it’s increasingly playing a pivotal role in automating response actions within cybersecurity operations. This encompasses a range of tasks, including the automatic isolation of compromised systems, the blocking of malicious internet protocol (IP) addresses, the adjustment of firewall configurations, and the coordination of responses to cyber incidents—all achieved with greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness. By harnessing AI-driven algorithms, security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) platforms empower organizations to analyze and address security incidents swiftly and intelligently.

      SOAR platforms capitalize on AI capabilities to streamline incident response processes, enabling security teams to automate repetitive tasks and promptly react to evolving threats. These platforms leverage AI not only to detect anomalies but also to craft tailored responses, thereby enhancing the overall resilience of cybersecurity infrastructures. Leading examples of such platforms include Microsoft Sentinel, Rapid7 InsightConnect, and FortiSOAR, each exemplifying the fusion of AI-driven automation with comprehensive security orchestration capabilities.

      Microsoft Sentinel, for instance, utilizes AI algorithms to sift through vast volumes of security data, identifying potential threats and anomalies in real-time. It then orchestrates response actions, such as isolating compromised systems or blocking suspicious IP addresses, with precision and speed. Similarly, Rapid7 InsightConnect integrates AI-driven automation to streamline incident response workflows, enabling security teams to mitigate risks more effectively. FortiSOAR, on the other hand, offers a comprehensive suite of AI-powered tools for incident analysis, response automation, and threat intelligence correlation, empowering organizations to proactively defend against cyber threats. Basically, AI tools will help SOAR tools mature so security operations centers (SOCs) can catch the low hanging fruit; thus, they will have more time for analysis of more complex threats. These AI tools will employ the observe, orient, decide, act (OODA) Loop methodology [3]. This will allow them to stay up to date, customized, and informed of many zero-day exploits. At the same time, threat actors will constantly try to avert this with the same AI but with no governance.

        4. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Streamlines Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM):

        With the escalating migration of organizations to cloud environments, safeguarding the security of cloud assets emerges as a paramount concern. While industry giants like Microsoft, Oracle, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) dominate this landscape with their comprehensive cloud offerings, numerous large organizations opt to establish and maintain their own cloud infrastructures to retain greater control over their data and operations. In response to the evolving security landscape, the adoption of cloud security posture management (CSPM) tools has become imperative for organizations seeking to effectively manage and fortify their cloud environments.

        CSPM tools play a pivotal role in enhancing the security posture of cloud infrastructures by facilitating continuous monitoring of configurations and swiftly identifying any misconfigurations that could potentially expose vulnerabilities. These tools operate by autonomously assessing cloud configurations against established security best practices, ensuring adherence to stringent compliance standards. Key facets of their functionality include the automatic identification of unnecessary open ports and the verification of proper encryption configurations, thereby mitigating the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches. “Keeping data safe in the cloud requires a layered defense that gives organizations clear visibility into the state of their data. This includes enabling organizations to monitor how each storage bucket is configured across all their storage services to ensure their data is not inadvertently exposed to unauthorized applications or users” [4]. This has considerations at both the cloud user and provider level especially considering artificial intelligence (AI) applications can be built and run inside the cloud for a variety of reasons. Importantly, these build designs often use approved plug ins from different vendors making it all the more complex.

        Furthermore, CSPM solutions enable organizations to proactively address security gaps and bolster their resilience against emerging threats in the dynamic cloud landscape. By providing real-time insights into the security status of cloud assets, these tools empower security teams to swiftly remediate vulnerabilities and enforce robust security controls. Additionally, CSPM platforms facilitate comprehensive compliance management by generating detailed reports and audit trails, facilitating adherence to regulatory requirements and industry standards.

        In essence, as organizations navigate the complexities of cloud adoption and seek to safeguard their digital assets, CSPM tools serve as indispensable allies in fortifying cloud security postures. By offering automated monitoring, proactive threat detection, and compliance management capabilities, these solutions empower organizations to embrace the transformative potential of cloud technologies while effectively mitigating associated security risks.

        About the Author:

        Jeremy Swenson is a disruptive-thinking security entrepreneur, futurist / researcher, and senior management tech risk consultant. He is a frequent speaker, published writer, podcaster, and even does some pro bono consulting in these areas. He holds an MBA from St. Mary’s University of MN, an MSST (Master of Science in Security Technologies) degree from the University of Minnesota, and a BA in political science from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. He is an alum of the Federal Reserve Secure Payment Task Force, the Crystal, Robbinsdale and New Hope Citizens Police Academy, and the Minneapolis FBI Citizens Academy.

        References:

        [1] Tobin, Donal; “What Challenges Are Hindering the Success of Your Data Lake Initiative?” Integrate.io. 10/05/22: https://www.integrate.io/blog/data-lake-initiative/

        [2] Chuvakin, Anton; “Why Your Security Data Lake Project Will … Well, Actually …” Medium. 10/22/22. https://medium.com/anton-on-security/why-your-security-data-lake-project-will-well-actually-78e0e360c292

        [3] Michael, Katina, Abbas, Roba, and Roussos, George; “AI in Cybersecurity: The Paradox.” IEEE Transactions on Technology and Society. Vol. 4, no. 2: pg. 104-109. 2023: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/10153442

        [4] Rosencrance, Linda; “How to choose the best cloud security posture management tools.” CSO Online. 10/30/23: https://www.csoonline.com/article/657138/how-to-choose-the-best-cloud-security-posture-management-tools.html

        NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) New Version 2.0 Summary

        Fig. 1. NIST CSF 2.0 Stepper, NIST, 2024.

        #cyberresilience #cybersecurity #generativeai #cyberthreats #enterprisearchitecture #CIO #CTO #riskmanagement #bias #governance #RBAC #CybersecurityFramework #Cybersecurity #NISTCSF #RiskManagement #DigitalResilience #nist #nistframework #cyberawareness

        The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has updated its widely used Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) — a free respected landmark guidance document for reducing cybersecurity risk. However, it’s important to note that most of the framework core has remained the same. Here are the core components the security community knows:

        Govern (GV): Sets forth the strategic path and guidelines for managing cybersecurity risks, ensuring harmony with business goals and adherence to legal requirements and standards. This is the newest addition which was inferred before but is specifically illustrated to touch every aspect of the framework. It seeks to establish and monitor your company’s cybersecurity risk management strategy, expectations, and policy.

        1.      Identify (ID): Entails cultivating a comprehensive organizational comprehension of managing cybersecurity risks to systems, assets, data, and capabilities.

        2.      Protect (PR): Concentrates on deploying suitable measures to guarantee the provision of vital services.

        3.      Detect (DE): Specifies the actions for recognizing the onset of a cybersecurity incident.

        4.      Respond (RS): Outlines the actions to take in the event of a cybersecurity incident.

        5.      Recover (RC): Focuses on restoring capabilities or services that were impaired due to a cybersecurity incident.

        The new 2.0 edition is structured for all audiences, industry sectors, and organization types, from the smallest startups and nonprofits to the largest corporations and government departments — regardless of their level of cybersecurity preparedness and complexity.

        Fig. 2. NIST CSF 2.0 Function Breakdown, NIST, 2024.

        Here are some key updates:

        Emphasis is placed on the framework’s expanded scope, extending beyond critical infrastructure to encompass all organizations. Importantly, it better incorporates and expands upon supply chain risk management processes. It also introduces a new focus on governance, highlighting cybersecurity as a critical enterprise risk with many dependencies. This is critically important with the emergence of artificial intelligence.

        To make it easier for a wide variety of organizations to implement the CSF 2.0, NIST has developed quick-start guides customized for various audiences, along with case studies showcasing successful implementations, and a searchable catalog of references, all aimed at facilitating the adoption of CSF 2.0 by diverse organizations.

        The CSF 2.0 is aligned with the National Cybersecurity Strategy and includes a suite of resources to adapt to evolving cybersecurity needs, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to managing cybersecurity risk. New adopters can benefit from implementation examples and quick-start guides tailored to specific user types, facilitating easier integration into their cybersecurity practices. The CSF 2.0 Reference Tool simplifies implementation, enabling users to access, search, and export core guidance data in user-friendly and machine-readable formats. A searchable catalog of references allows organizations to cross-reference their actions with the CSF, linking to over 50 other cybersecurity documents – facilitating comprehensive risk management. The Cybersecurity and Privacy Reference Tool (CPRT) contextualizes NIST resources with other popular references, facilitating communication across all levels of an organization.

        NIST aims to continually enhance CSF resources based on community feedback, encouraging users to share their experiences to improve collective understanding and management of cybersecurity risk. The CSF’s international adoption is significant, with translations of previous versions into 13 languages. NIST expects CSF 2.0 to follow suit, further expanding its global reach. NIST’s collaboration with ISO/IEC aligns cybersecurity frameworks internationally, enabling organizations to utilize CSF functions in conjunction with ISO/IEC resources for comprehensive cybersecurity management.

        Resources:

        1. NIST CSF 2.0 Fact Sheet.
        2. NIST CSF 2.0 PDF.
        3. NIST CSF 2.0 Reference Tool.
        4. NIST CSF 2.0 YouTube Breakdown.

        About the Author:

        Jeremy Swenson is a disruptive-thinking security entrepreneur, futurist/researcher, and senior management tech risk consultant. He is a frequent speaker, published writer, podcaster, and even does some pro bono consulting in these areas. He holds an MBA from St. Mary’s University of MN, an MSST (Master of Science in Security Technologies) degree from the University of Minnesota, and a BA in political science from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. He is an alum of the Federal Reserve Secure Payment Task Force, the Crystal, Robbinsdale and New Hope Citizens Police Academy, and the Minneapolis FBI Citizens Academy.