ISRO Offers Free Online Course on Cybersecurity for Professionals

Welcome to another thrilling episode of "Hacker Hacks," the podcast where we dive deep into the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity. Today, we're exploring a range of topics that sit at the cutting edge of cyber defense and strategy. From groundbreaking educational initiatives to legal landmarks in cybersecurity, we're covering the spectrum to keep you informed and prepared. Whether you're a seasoned security expert or just keen on staying ahead in the digital realm, this episode is packed with insights and developments you won't want to miss. So, let's hack into today's topics!

ISRO's Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS) is offering a free online cybersecurity course for Central and State Government professionals. The 14-day course, "Geo-data sharing and Cybersecurity," is part of the IIRS outreach program. It covers topics like cyber threats, secure data access, network security, and cybersecurity tools. The course runs from November 28 to December 11, 2023, with certificates for participants with 70% attendance. Registration details are available on the IIRS website.

Cybersecurity is a continuous journey rather than a fixed destination. While products and services can mitigate risks, they cannot entirely eliminate them, similar to how driving safely and using a vehicle with advanced safety features reduces, but does not completely remove, the risk of car accidents. This analogy highlights the inherent risks that persist despite precautions, emphasizing the ongoing nature of cybersecurity efforts.

In 2023, cyber insurance premiums for construction companies stabilized, with increases around 5% compared to previous hikes of 100-200%. This change reflects improved cybersecurity measures like multi-factor authentication and regular software patching. The market also saw new insurers and increased competition, leading to higher payout limits. However, the sector remains a target for cyberattacks, including costly ransomware. Cyber insurance now covers more scenarios, but criminals continue to adapt, sometimes demanding ransoms matching policy limits.

Thomas Donnelly discusses the need for a human-centric approach in cybersecurity, emphasizing that employee engagement is crucial in closing security gaps. Gartner highlights this as a top trend, noting current cybersecurity programs are ineffective. Combining human-centric methods with automation, such as self-healing systems that involve employees in scheduling updates, can significantly reduce vulnerabilities. Leveraging generative AI for employee education and participation is key. This approach can lead to sustainable security practices and a strong security culture.

Cybersecurity funding surged in Q3 with $1.2 billion invested across 70 deals, a significant increase from Q2's $790 million in 57 deals. Seed and Series A rounds drove this growth, with seed deals reaching a median size of $4 million and pre-money valuations rising 26% to $17 million. AI and machine learning-focused startups dominated top funding ranges. However, Series B and late-stage funding lagged, with only two Series B deals and a 75% decrease in late-stage deals from last year. Despite economic challenges, the sector shows resilience, with expectations that standout companies will lead cybersecurity's evolution.

The U.S. SEC charged SolarWinds and its former CISO, Timothy Brown, with fraud and internal control failures related to the 2020 cyberattack. This landmark case marks the first time the SEC has charged a CISO in connection with a cybersecurity incident, highlighting the increasing scrutiny on cybersecurity in corporate governance. The charges allege misleading statements about cybersecurity practices and inadequate controls. This case signals a shift in how cybersecurity is viewed legally and emphasizes the need for robust cybersecurity measures and accountability at the executive level.

The "Cyber Security Insights Report 2023" reveals organizations prioritize high-value cybersecurity investments, focusing on technologies, threat intelligence, risk assessment, cyber insurance, and third-party risk management. However, there's a shift from purely technological investments to incorporating governance and skilled personnel. C-suite executives and IT professionals differ in their value perception of technology and insurance. Budget constraints remain a challenge, with cybersecurity accounting for about a quarter of IT budgets across various sectors. Future budget increases are expected to focus on upskilling and hiring skilled security personnel.

Generative AI is emerging as a key tool in cybersecurity, offering three main benefits: 1) Assisting developers with AI-powered security co-pilots to ensure code follows best practices, 2) Analyzing known software vulnerabilities to prioritize patches, enhancing efficiency and accuracy, and 3) Generating synthetic data to simulate attack patterns, helping prepare defenses against novel threats. This approach enables proactive defense strategies and addresses the shortage of cybersecurity experts, integrating AI into various layers of cybersecurity infrastructure.

And that wraps up this episode of "Hacker Hacks." Today, we journeyed through the dynamic and multifaceted world of cybersecurity, uncovering the latest trends, challenges, and innovations. From ISRO's educational strides to the significant legal developments in the SolarWinds case, we've seen how the landscape of cybersecurity is rapidly evolving. Remember, staying informed is key in this digital age, and we hope today's episode has provided you with valuable insights and knowledge. Don't forget to tune in next time for more insights on Hacker Hacks. Stay safe, stay secure, and keep hacking the hackers!

Reference list of newsletter, categorized by topic:

Cybersecurity Education and Training:

1. [ISRO Offers Free Online Course on Cybersecurity for Professionals](https://www.dqindia.com/isro-offers-free-online-course-on-cybersecurity-for-professionals/ )

Cybersecurity Perspectives and Insights:

2. [Cybersecurity—A Journey, Not A Destination | New Jersey Law Journal](https://www.law.com/njlawjournal/2023/11/17/cybersecurity-a-journey-not-a-destination/?slreturn=20231017105319 )

3. [How Human-Centric and Self-Healing Security Closes the Great Gap in Cybersecurity | SC Media](https://www.scmagazine.com/perspective/how-human-centric-and-self-healing-security-closes-the-great-gap-in-cybersecurity )

Cybersecurity in Business and Finance:

4. [Cyber Security: Insurance Prices Level After Two Years of Brutal Increases | Engineering News-Record](https://www.enr.com/articles/57618-cyber-security-insurance-prices-level-after-two-years-of-brutal-increases )

5. [Third Quarter Sees a Surge in Cybersecurity Funding: $1.2B Across 70 Deals - SiliconANGLE](https://siliconangle.com/2023/11/17/third-quarter-sees-surge-cybersecurity-funding-1-2b-across-70-deals/ )

6. [SEC Charges CISO With Fraud In Landmark Cybersecurity Case](https://www.forbes.com/sites/betsyatkins/2023/11/16/sec-charges-ciso-with-fraud-in-landmark-cybersecurity-case/?sh=4e0cd9725d50 )

Cybersecurity Technology and Innovation:

7. [Cybersecurity Investment Involves More Than Just Technology](https://www.darkreading.com/tech-trends/cybersecurity-investment-more-than-technology )

8. [Three Ways Generative AI Can Bolster Cybersecurity | NVIDIA Blogs](https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/generative-ai-cybersecurity/ )

These links provide a comprehensive overview of current trends and developments in cybersecurity, from educational opportunities and industry insights to technological advancements and significant legal cases.