CompCiti Business Solutions, Inc.

Warm wishes for a season filled with success, happiness, and peace. #HappyHolidays

🔒 Protecting Mobile Communications: Key Insights from CISA's Latest Guidance 🔒   Recent cyberespionage campaigns targeting U.S. telecom infrastructure have raised serious concerns about mobile security. In response, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released comprehensive guidance to help highly targeted individuals—and all mobile users—secure their communications.   The guidance, motivated by the actions of a China-linked group known as Salt Typhoon, highlights critical security practices to mitigate the risks of interception and manipulation of mobile communications. While designed for individuals in high-risk roles, such as senior government officials, these recommendations are applicable to anyone looking to enhance their mobile security posture.   👉 Key Takeaways: 1) Use Secure Communication Apps: Opt for end-to-end encrypted messaging platforms like Signal, which offer enhanced privacy features. 2) Adopt Strong Authentication: Enable phishing-resistant MFA (such as FIDO) and avoid SMS-based MFA. 3) Strengthen Mobile Account Security: Set PINs or passcodes for mobile accounts and use password managers. 4) Update and Optimize Devices: Regularly update operating systems and apps, and use devices with robust security records. 5) Enhance Device-Specific Protections: > iPhone: Enable Lockdown Mode, use encrypted DNS, enroll in iCloud Private Relay, and restrict sensitive app permissions. > Android: Use RCS with encryption, protect DNS queries, configure secure browser settings, and enable Google Play Protect. These measures are essential in safeguarding against sophisticated threats from state-sponsored actors. For businesses, particularly micro and small enterprises, implementing these practices can significantly reduce vulnerabilities in mobile communications.   As cybersecurity professionals, we must remain vigilant and proactive in protecting critical communications. Explore CISA’s detailed best practices guide and take immediate steps to fortify your mobile security.   Let’s prioritize security—because protecting information is protecting business.   Learn more, visit: https://lnkd.in/dbzytdm2   #CompCiti #CyberAware #Cybersecurity #MobileSecurity #CISA #SecureCommunications #CyberResilience

Data Pipeline Challenges of Privacy-Preserving Federated Learning   Privacy-preserving federated learning (PPFL) offers significant privacy advantages by preventing organizations from accessing training data directly. However, this approach also introduces new challenges in data preprocessing, participant trustworthiness, and model quality. A recent article by NIST titled "Privacy-Preserving Federated Learning: Data Quality Challenges and Emerging Solutions" highlights these challenges and explores potential solutions.   👉 Data Preprocessing and Consistency Challenges   PPFL systems often overlook the critical step of data cleaning and preparation. Inconsistent data formatting and varied preprocessing methods among participants can lead to unexpected failures in real-world deployments. Unlike centralized systems, PPFL lacks standardized approaches to ensure clean, uniformly formatted datasets during training.   👉Participant Trustworthiness and Malicious Data   PPFL's privacy protections make it challenging to identify and address malicious participants or poor-quality data submissions. These issues can compromise the global model, as distinguishing between harmful and unintentional errors is difficult without directly accessing the data.   👉Emerging Solutions   Innovative solutions like FLTrust and EIFFeL are adapting data poisoning defenses for PPFL. These methods validate input data securely and safeguard the training process without violating privacy. While many of these approaches are still in development, they hold promise for addressing PPFL's complexities in the near future.   As a cybersecurity expert, we recognize the importance of these advancements in building secure and trustworthy AI systems.   To read the full article, visit: https://lnkd.in/gsTDSn44   #CompCiti #CyberAware #Cybersecurity #FederatedLearning #PrivacyPreservingAI #DataQuality #PPFL #Innovation

Gratitude is the heart of Thanksgiving. Wishing everyone a day filled with joy, togetherness, and thankfulness. 🍁    #HappyThanksgiving

Avoid Phishing Scams with Three Simple Tips:   Phishing scams are online messages designed to look like they’re from a trusted source. We may open what we thought was a safe email, attachment or image only to find ourselves exposed to malware or a scammer looking for our personal data. The good news is we can take precautions to protect our important data. Learn to recognize the signs and report phishing to protect devices and data.   1) Recognize the common signs    • Urgent or emotionally appealing language  • Requests to send personal or financial information  • Unexpected attachments  • Untrusted shortened URLs  • Email addresses that do not match the supposed sender  • Poor writing/misspellings (less common)   2) Resist and report:   Report suspicious messages by using the “report spam” feature. If the message is designed to resemble an organization you trust, report the message by alerting the organization using their contact information found on their webpage.   3) Delete:   Delete the message. Don’t reply or click on any attachment or link, including any “unsubscribe” link. The unsubscribe button could also carry a link used for phishing. Just delete.   If a message looks suspicious, it’s probably phishing. But even if there’s a possibility it could be real, don’t click any link, attachment or call any number. Look up another way to contact a company or person directly:    👉 Go to a company’s website to find their contact information  👉 Call the individual at a known number and confirm whether they sent the message   Taking these steps helps Secure Our World. We can all help one another stay safer online, so share these tips with a family member or friend!   Learn more, visit: https://lnkd.in/gAVcUNFc   #CompCiti #Cybersecurity #CyberAware #CISA #Phishing #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth

Stay safer with MULTIFACTOR AUTHENTICATION (MFA) As we observe Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October, there's no better time to strengthen the security of your online accounts by enabling Multifactor Authentication (MFA). How to turn on MFA: MFA provides extra security for our online accounts and apps. This security could be a code sent via text or email or generated by an app, or biometrics like fingerprints and facial recognition. Using MFA confirms our identities when logging into our accounts. 👉 Go to Settings: It may be called Account Settings, Settings & Privacy or similar. 👉 Look for and turn on MFA: It may be called two-factor authentication, two-step verification or similar. 👉 Confirm: Select how to provide extra login security, such as by entering a code sent via text or email or using facial recognition. Congratulations! After setting up MFA, logging in may require completing the MFA security step to prove our identities. It only takes a moment but makes us significantly safer from malicious hackers! Turn on MFA for every online account or app that offers it. Doing so will protect our Email, Banking, Social Media, Online Purchases and Identities. Using MFA is one way to SECURE OUR WORLD. Taking these steps helps Secure Our World. We can all help one another stay safer online, so share these tips with a family member or friend!   Learn more, visit: https://lnkd.in/gAVcUNFc   #CompCiti #Cybersecurity #CyberAware #CISA #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth #MultifactorAuthentication #MFA #StaySafeOnline #DigitalSecurity #Phishing

Our online world needs to be protected. There are easy things we can do to ensure our information is safe from those wishing to steal it.   Use Strong Passwords: Simple passwords can be guessed. Make passwords at least 16 characters long, random and unique for each account. Use a password manager, a secure program that maintains and creates passwords. This easy-to-use program will store passwords and fill them in automatically on the web.   Turn on Multifactor Authentication (MFA): Use MFA on any site that offers it. MFA provides an extra layer of security in addition to a password when logging into accounts and apps, like a face scan or a code sent by text. Using MFA will make you much less likely to get hacked.   Update Software: When devices, apps or software programs (especially antivirus software) notify us that updates are available, we should install them as soon as possible. Updates close security code bugs to better protect our data. Turn on automatic updates to make it even easier.   Recognize & Report Phishing: Most successful online intrusions result from a recipient of a “phishing” message accidentally downloading malware or giving their personal information to a spammer. Do not click or engage with these phishing attempts. Instead, recognize them by their use of alarming language or offers that are too good to be true. Report the phish and delete phishing messages.   Taking these steps helps Secure Our World. We can all help one another stay safer online, so share these tips with a family member or friend!   #CompCiti #Cybersecurity #CyberAware #CISA #MFA #Phishing #SecureOurWorld

🚨 Avis Car Rental Data Breach Impacts 300,000 Customers: Key Lessons for Cybersecurity 🚨   In August 2024, Avis Car Rental became the latest victim of a data breach, exposing personal information of approximately 300,000 customers. The breach occurred between August 3 and August 6, when attackers gained unauthorized access to a business application. This incident highlights the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity measures across industries.   👉 What Happened 1) Discovery: Avis identified the breach on August 5 and quickly acted to contain it. 2) Data Stolen: The attackers exfiltrated personal identifiable information (PII) such as names, addresses, birth dates, driver’s license numbers, and financial data. 3) Response: Avis notified affected individuals and provided one year of free credit monitoring to mitigate risks of identity theft and fraud. 👉 Key Takeaways for Businesses: 1) Early Detection is Critical: Avis quickly flagged and addressed the breach, limiting further damage. Businesses must invest in advanced threat detection systems to identify suspicious activities promptly. 2) PII Protection: Protecting customer data is a top priority. Encryption, regular audits, and employee training on data handling can prevent breaches from escalating. 3) Be Prepared: Have an incident response plan ready to act quickly when a breach occurs. Avis took immediate action, notifying relevant authorities and impacted customers. 4) Ongoing Threats: Cyberattacks in the automotive sector are increasing. Recent incidents like the CDK Global ransomware attack affecting thousands of car dealers serve as a reminder that all industries are at risk. As cyber threats evolve, companies across all sectors, especially those managing large amounts of PII, must stay vigilant and proactive to protect their networks and customers.   To read the full report, visit: https://lnkd.in/ezwuPD5M   #CompCiti #CyberAware #Cybersecurity #DataBreach #PIIProtection #CyberThreats #IncidentResponse #Avis

🔒 Cyberattack Suspected in Seattle Airport Outages: A Critical Reminder for Cybersecurity Vigilance 🔒   In recent days, the Port of Seattle, including the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA Airport), has been grappling with significant system outages potentially caused by a cyberattack. This incident serves as a critical reminder of the vulnerabilities that essential infrastructure can face in today's digital age.   Beginning on August 24, the outages have impacted both internet and internal systems, disrupting services across the Port and the airport. Despite these challenges, SEA Airport has managed to maintain operations, albeit manually, leading to long delays, especially for travelers on Frontier, Spirit, Sun Country, JetBlue, and international flights. Travelers are being advised to prepare ahead by printing boarding passes at home or using mobile passes and, if possible, limiting themselves to carry-on luggage.   Notably, critical services such as WiFi, flight display boards, SEA Visitor Pass, and the Airport Lost and Found have been affected, highlighting the wide-ranging impact of such incidents.   The Port of Seattle has isolated critical systems and is working diligently to restore full service, although no timeline has been provided. While the nature of the attack remains undisclosed, this situation underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures, particularly in sectors like aviation and maritime that are vital to national infrastructure.   This incident should prompt all organizations, especially those involved in critical infrastructure, to revisit their cybersecurity strategies, prioritize system resilience, and ensure that they are prepared to respond swiftly to potential threats.   As cybersecurity professionals, it's essential that we stay vigilant, continuously improve our defenses, and advocate for the necessary resources to protect against increasingly sophisticated attacks.   To read the full report, visit: https://lnkd.in/ehhhhsmC   #CompCiti #CyberAware #Cybersecurity #CriticalInfrastructure #IncidentResponse #AviationSecurity #SEAairport #PortOfSeattle

The Human Impact of Cyberattacks: Beyond Financial Losses   Cyberattacks are often discussed in terms of financial and operational damage, but the human impact is just as critical. Both victims of cyberattacks and cybersecurity professionals face significant psychological challenges that are often overlooked.   👉 The Toll on Cybersecurity Professionals   Cybersecurity experts frequently deal with high-stakes threats, leading to stress, anxiety, and burnout. A 2022 study found that 67% of professionals experience daily stress, with many reporting insomnia and difficulty maintaining personal relationships. As ransomware attacks rise, so does the psychological burden on those defending against them.   👉 Impact on Victims   Victims of cyberattacks often face long-term emotional consequences. Ransomware attacks can result in job loss, shame, and even health issues. The trauma from such incidents can deeply affect their personal lives.   👉 Building a Resilient Workforce To address these challenges, organizations must: 1) Invest in Training: Equip all employees with the knowledge to prevent cyber threats and reduce the stigma of falling victim. 2) Promote Open Communication: Encourage discussions about cyber threats to prevent attacks and mitigate psychological impacts. 3) Support Mental Health: Provide resources for cybersecurity professionals to manage stress and seek help when needed. 4) Strengthen Processes: Implement checks to prevent social engineering attacks.   👉 Conclusion   By acknowledging the human impact of cyberattacks, companies can better support their teams and strengthen their cybersecurity defenses. It's time to prioritize both technical and human elements in cybersecurity.   To read the full report, visit: https://lnkd.in/dUvzP2SR   #CompCiti #CyberAware #Cybersecurity #HumanImpact #MentalHealth #CyberResilience #CyberDefense #EmployeeWellbeing #DataProtection