Security awareness is a must have in every company, also yours!

Cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field, as new threats and technologies emerge. Cybercriminals are often finding new ways to exploit vulnerabilities, such as through ransomware attacks, phishing scams, and other forms of social engineering. #cybersecurity requires therefore ongoing attention and investment to maintain effective protection, for individuals, organizations, and governments alike. It helps to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information and systems, and can prevent costly data breaches, downtime, and reputation damage.

The cybersecurity industry is therefore evolving to meet the changing landscape of digital threats and technologies. Some key trends and changes in the industry include:

1. Increased reliance on cloud computing: As more organizations adopt cloud-based services, there is a need for robust security measures to protect data and systems in the cloud.
2. Rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning: These technologies are being used to automate and enhance cybersecurity efforts, such as by analyzing and detecting anomalies in large data sets.
3. The growing importance of Internet of Things (IoT) security: With the increasing proliferation of connected devices, there is a need to secure the vast amount of data generated by these devices and the networks they operate on.
4. Increasing need for cybersecurity professionals: As the demand for cybersecurity increases, there is a growing need for trained professionals who can implement and maintain effective security measures.
5. Greater emphasis on compliance and regulation: Governments and industries are implementing stricter cybersecurity regulations and standards, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union.

We at #CactusSoft started the last months with an internal program on Security. An eye-opening initiative for many among us! One of the initiatives in our security program was training in Security Awareness for all team members, which consisted on multiple sessions given by a security expert, Maxim Baele . Many thanks to Maxim, to share your knowledge with us!

If you are not convinced yet security should also be on your radar for 2023, let me share some very recent security incidents that had an important impact:

• Ransomware attack on the Belgian city of Antwerp and Diest during December 2022, leading to hundreds of GB stolen.
• SolarWinds attack, In late 2020, hackers believed to be working on behalf of the Russian government breached the software company SolarWinds, gaining access to the networks of numerous government agencies and private companies.
• Several high-profile data breaches at major companies in recent years
• Uber data breach: In 2016, hackers accessed the personal data of 57 million Uber riders and drivers, including names, email addresses, and drivers' license numbers.
• Delta data breach: In 2018, a hacker accessed the payment information of hundreds of Delta Air Lines customers, including names, credit card numbers, and expiration dates. The company stated that no personal identification information, such as passport numbers, was accessed.
• Twitter data breach: In July 2020, hackers accessed the accounts of several high-profile Twitter users, including former President Barack Obama and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, and used them to promote a cryptocurrency scam.
• Marriott data breach: In 2018, hackers accessed the reservation system of the Marriott hotel chain, exposing the personal information of up to 500 million guests.
• Log4j issue which caused a serious vulnerability allowing an attacker to drop malware or ransomware on a target system.
• Serious vulnerabilities discovered in different products used to secure networks and systems:
• Fortinet-SSL VPN: In 2020, researchers discovered a critical vulnerability in Fortinet's SSL VPN (virtual private network) product that could allow attackers to remotely execute code on affected systems. The vulnerability was patched by Fortinet.
• Citrix: In 2019, researchers discovered a vulnerability in the Citrix application delivery controller (ADC) and gateway products that could allow attackers to gain unauthorised access to affected systems. The vulnerability was patched by Citrix.
• VMWare ESXi: In 2020, researchers discovered a vulnerability in VMWare's ESXi hypervisor that could allow attackers to execute code on affected systems. The vulnerability was patched by VMWare.

Cybersecurity attacks can happen anywhere and can affect individuals, organisations, and governments of all sizes and in all industries. It is important for individuals and organisations to implement strong security measures and practices to protect against these types of attacks. This can include actions like using strong and unique passwords, regularly updating software and security protocols, and being vigilant about identifying and avoiding phishing scams and other forms of social engineering. Running vulnerability and penetration scans are valuable tools for identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities and improving the overall security posture of a system or network.

A vulnerability scan is a security assessment that identifies vulnerabilities in a computer system, network, or web application. These vulnerabilities can include weaknesses in software or hardware that can be exploited by hackers to gain unauthorised access or control. Vulnerability scans can be performed manually or using automated tools, and they typically involve looking for known vulnerabilities in systems and applications, as well as identifying misconfigurations that could be exploited.

A penetration test, also known as a "pen test," is a simulated cyberattack that is conducted to evaluate the security of a computer system, network, or web application. A pen test is typically more thorough and in-depth than a vulnerability scan, and it involves attempting to exploit vulnerabilities and gain unauthorised access to systems and data. Pen tests can be conducted by internal teams or by external consultants, and they are often used to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses that may not be detected by vulnerability scans or other types of security assessments

As security in software development is of primary importance we believe you need to be able to rely on a software partner with thorough knowledge on this. Protecting your organisation from cyber attacks is not an option anymore. Following good software development practises, like Software Assurance Maturity Model, from #owasp , provides an effective and measurable way to analyse and improve the secure development lifecycle for the software.

We are there to contribute in building your secure applications! Click here to get our contact info and check our website. You can trust on our skilled and trained team members.

Want to exchange some ideas on this topic or have a question, do not hesitate to reach out to one of use by sending a personal message on LinkedIn: Jose Laffitte Diana Schweiger Mario Vanlommel Bram Van Nieuwerburgh .

Author: Jose Lafitte, Head of Engineering at CactusSoft

#cybersecurity #securityawareness #cyberattack #owasp #softwaredevelopment #cactussoft