Category Archives: End-user Focused

Some Thoughts on Security Policy Violation and Terminations

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There was recently a discussion on one of my forums that I visited about whether or not employees should be terminated if they violate information security policies. 

The discussion was heated by some parties, and the threads grew long and multi-layered. 

I asked Frase.io to summarize that discussion and pull together a relevant set of ideas stemming from it. Here is what the AI tool created:

– Following information security policies is crucial for the protection of sensitive data and the overall cybersecurity of a company. Therefore, it is important to discuss whether employees should face consequences for not adhering to these policies.
– When employees fail to follow information security policies, it can put the entire organization at risk. The consequences of a data breach can be severe, including financial loss, damage to reputation, and legal implications. Therefore, some argue that firing employees who do not comply with these policies is necessary to maintain a secure work environment.
– On the other hand, it is essential to consider the context and severity of the violation before deciding on termination. Employees may unintentionally make mistakes or be unaware of the policies, in which case education and training may be more appropriate than immediate termination.
– Implementing a fair and consistent approach to enforcing information security policies is crucial. This includes clear communication of expectations, regular training programs, and providing employees with the necessary tools and resources to comply with policies.
– Ultimately, the decision to fire an employee for not following information security policies should be based on a thorough assessment of the situation. It is important to balance the need for security with fairness and understanding, considering the employee’s intentions, previous behavior, and potential for improvement.

After all of the rhetoric and the flames, this seems to be a rational approach to me. I think that stripped of the emotions of the participating infosec practitioners; there is logic here that is useful. 

What do you think about termination for security policy violations? What have you seen that works, and what doesn’t in your experience? Drop me a line on Twitter (@lbhuston) or Mastodon (@lbhuston@mastodon.social) and let me know your opinion.

 

* Just to let you know, we used some AI tools to gather the information for this article, and we polished it up with Grammarly to make sure it reads just right!

3 Daily Habits for Information Security Practitioners to Stay Updated

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  1. Stay Informed with Industry News:
    • Why? The cybersecurity landscape is ever-evolving. New threats, vulnerabilities, and attack vectors emerge daily.
    • How?
      • Subscribe to cybersecurity news websites and blogs like KrebsOnSecurity, The Hacker News, or Dark Reading.
      • Join forums and online communities like Reddit’s r/netsec or Stack Exchange’s Information Security.
      • Set up Google Alerts for specific cybersecurity keywords to get real-time updates.
  2. Engage in Continuous Learning:
    • Why? Technologies and tools in the cybersecurity domain are constantly advancing. To remain effective, professionals must keep up with the latest techniques and methodologies.
    • How?
      • Dedicate time each day to learn something new, whether it’s a new programming language, a cybersecurity tool, or a security protocol.
      • Enroll in online courses or webinars. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Cybrary offer many courses tailored for cybersecurity professionals.
      • Participate in Capture The Flag (CTF) challenges or cybersecurity simulations to hone your skills in a practical environment.
  3. Network with Peers:
    • Why? Networking helps share knowledge, learn about real-world challenges, and understand best practices from experienced professionals.
    • How?
      • Attend local or virtual cybersecurity meetups, conferences, and seminars.
      • Join professional organizations such as (ISC)², ISACA, or the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA).
      • Engage in discussions on LinkedIn groups or Twitter threads related to cybersecurity.

Remember, the field of information security is vast and dynamic. By integrating these habits into your daily routine, you’ll be better equipped to stay ahead of the curve and safeguard your organization’s digital assets.

 

* Just to let you know, we used some AI tools to gather the information for this article, and we polished it up with Grammarly to make sure it reads just right!

 

Managing Risks Associated with Model Manipulation and Attacks in Generative AI Tools

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In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), one area that has garnered significant attention is the security risks associated with model manipulation and attacks. As organizations increasingly adopt generative AI tools, understanding and mitigating these risks becomes paramount.

1. Adversarial Attacks:

Example: Consider a facial recognition system. An attacker can subtly alter an image, making it unrecognizable to the AI model but still recognizable to the human eye. This can lead to unauthorized access or false rejections.

Mitigation Strategies:

Robust Model Training: Incorporate adversarial examples in the training data to make the model more resilient.
Real-time Monitoring: Implement continuous monitoring to detect and respond to unusual patterns.

2. Model Stealing:

Example: A competitor might create queries to a proprietary model hosted online and use the responses to recreate a similar model, bypassing intellectual property rights.

Mitigation Strategies:

Rate Limiting: Implement restrictions on the number of queries from a single source.
Query Obfuscation: Randomize responses slightly to make it harder to reverse-engineer the model.

Policies and Processes to Manage Risks:

1. Security Policy Framework:

Define: Clearly outline the acceptable use of AI models and the responsibilities of various stakeholders.
Implement: Enforce security controls through technical measures and regular audits.

2. Incident Response Plan:

Prepare: Develop a comprehensive plan to respond to potential attacks, including reporting mechanisms and escalation procedures.
Test: Regularly test the plan through simulated exercises to ensure effectiveness.

3. Regular Training and Awareness:

Educate: Conduct regular training sessions for staff to understand the risks and their role in mitigating them.
Update: Keep abreast of the latest threats and countermeasures through continuous learning.

4. Collaboration with Industry and Regulators:

Engage: Collaborate with industry peers, academia, and regulators to share knowledge and best practices.
Comply: Ensure alignment with legal and regulatory requirements related to AI and cybersecurity.

Conclusion:

Model manipulation and attacks in generative AI tools present real and evolving challenges. Organizations must adopt a proactive and layered approach, combining technical measures with robust policies and continuous education. By fostering a culture of security and collaboration, we can navigate the complexities of this dynamic field and harness the power of AI responsibly and securely.

* Just to let you know, we used some AI tools to gather the information for this article, and we polished it up with Grammarly to make sure it reads just right!

5 Tips for User Access Auditing in Linux

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User access auditing is a critical aspect of maintaining a secure and efficient computing environment. It provides a detailed record of user activities, helping administrators identify potential security risks, ensure compliance with access control policies, and detect any unauthorized or suspicious activities. Regular user access audits can also aid in troubleshooting, system optimization, and forensic investigations. In essence, user access auditing is not just about security, but also about gaining insights into user behavior and system usage, which are invaluable for improving system reliability and performance.

1. Understand the Basics of Linux Permissions: Linux permissions are the first line of defense in securing your system. They determine who can read, write, and execute files. The three types of Linux permissions are User (u), Group (g), and Others (o). Familiarize yourself with the `chmod` command to modify these permissions and the `ls -l` command to view them.

2. Use the `last` Command: The `last` command in Linux provides a list of the last logged-in users on your system. This is a great tool for auditing user access as it allows you to see who has been accessing your system and when. Regularly check this log to keep track of user activity.

3. Audit User Accounts with `cat /etc/passwd`: This command will display a list of all user accounts on your Linux system. Regularly auditing this list can help you identify any unauthorized or inactive accounts that should be removed or disabled to enhance system security.

4. Monitor User Activity with `w` and `who` Commands: The `w` command displays who is currently logged in and what they are doing, while the `who` command shows who is currently logged in. Regularly monitoring user activity can help you identify any suspicious behavior.

5. Leverage Linux Auditing System (Auditd): Auditd is a powerful tool that allows you to monitor almost any event on your Linux system. You can use it to track security-related events, record system calls, and log any changes to your system files. Regularly review the logs generated by Auditd to ensure there are no unauthorized changes or activities on your system.

Regular monitoring and auditing of user activities are crucial to maintaining a secure Linux environment.

 

*This article was written with the help of AI tools and Grammarly.

5 ChatGPT Prompt Templates for Infosec Teams

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In the evolving world of information security, practitioners constantly seek new ways to stay informed, hone their skills, and address complex challenges. One tool that has proven incredibly useful in this endeavor is OpenAI’s language model, GPT-3, and its successors. By generating human-like text, these models can provide valuable insights, simulate potential security scenarios, and assist with various tasks. The key to unlocking the potential of these models lies in asking the right questions. Here are five ChatGPT prompts optimized for effectiveness that are invaluable for information security practitioners.

Prompt 1: “What are the latest trends in cybersecurity threats?”

Keeping abreast of the current trends in cybersecurity threats is crucial for any security practitioner. This prompt can provide a general overview of the threat landscape, including the types of attacks currently prevalent, the industries or regions most at risk, and the techniques used by malicious actors.

Prompt 2: “Can you explain the concept of zero trust security architecture and its benefits?”

Conceptual prompts like this one can help practitioners understand complex security topics. By asking the model to explain the concept of zero-trust security architecture, you can gain a clear and concise understanding of this critical approach to network security.

Prompt 3: “Generate a step-by-step incident response plan for a suspected data breach.”

Practical prompts can help practitioners prepare for real-world scenarios. This prompt, for example, can provide a thorough incident response plan, which is crucial in mitigating the damage of a suspected data breach.

Prompt 4: “Can you list and explain the top five vulnerabilities in the OWASP Top 10 list?”

The OWASP Top 10 is a standard awareness document representing a broad consensus about web applications’ most critical security risks. A prompt like this can provide a quick refresher or a deep dive into these vulnerabilities.

Prompt 5: “What are the potential cybersecurity implications of adopting AI and machine learning technologies in an organization?”

Understanding their cybersecurity implications is essential, given the increasing adoption of AI and machine learning technologies in various industries. This prompt can help practitioners understand the risks associated with these technologies and how to manage them.

As we’ve seen, ChatGPT can be a powerful tool for information security practitioners, providing insights into current trends, clarifying complex concepts, offering practical step-by-step guides, and facilitating a deeper understanding of potential risks. The model’s effectiveness highly depends on the prompts used, so crafting optimized prompts is vital. The above prompts are a great starting point but feel free to customize them according to your specific needs or to explore new prompts that align with your unique information security challenges. With the right questions, the possibilities are virtually endless.

*This article was written with the help of AI tools and Grammarly.

ClawBack from MicroSolved: A Solution for Detecting Data Exposures on IT Help Forums and Support Sites

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Introduction

In today’s interconnected world, the sharing of information has become a necessary aspect of both personal and professional life. However, this also increases the risk of exposing sensitive data to malicious actors. IT help forums, and support sites are particularly vulnerable to such data exposures, as users inadvertently share information that can compromise their networks and systems. ClawBack from MicroSolved is a powerful tool designed to identify and mitigate these data exposures, helping organizations safeguard their sensitive information.

ClawBack: A Solution for Detecting Data Exposures

ClawBack is a data leakage detection tool developed by MicroSolved, an industry leader in information security services. It is specifically designed to scan the internet for sensitive data exposure, including IT help forums and support sites, where individuals and organizations may unwittingly disclose critical information. By utilizing cutting-edge search techniques, ClawBack can efficiently and effectively identify exposed data, enabling organizations to take appropriate action.

Key Features of ClawBack

  1. Advanced Search Algorithms: ClawBack employs sophisticated search algorithms to identify specific data types, such as personally identifiable information (PII), intellectual property, and system configuration details. This ensures that organizations can focus on addressing the most critical exposures.

  2. Comprehensive Coverage: ClawBack’s search capabilities extend beyond IT help forums and support sites. It also covers social media platforms, code repositories, and other online sources where sensitive data may be exposed.

  3. Customizable Searches: Organizations can tailor ClawBack’s search parameters to their unique needs, targeting specific keywords, internal project names, and even key/certificate shards. This customization ensures organizations can focus on the most relevant and potentially damaging exposures.

  4. Real-time Alerts: ClawBack provides real-time notifications to organizations when sensitive data is detected, allowing for prompt response and mitigation.

The Importance of Addressing Data Exposures

Organizations must recognize the importance of addressing data exposures proactively. The sensitive information disclosed on IT help forums and support sites can provide cybercriminals with the tools to infiltrate an organization’s network, steal valuable assets, and cause significant reputational damage.

ClawBack offers a proactive solution to this growing problem. Identifying and alerting organizations to potential data exposures allows them to take swift action to secure their sensitive information. This can include contacting the source of the exposure, requesting the removal of the exposed data, or initiating internal remediation processes to mitigate any potential risks.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ClawBack from MicroSolved is an invaluable tool for organizations seeking to protect their sensitive data from exposure on IT help forums and support sites. Its advanced search algorithms, comprehensive coverage, and real-time alerts enable organizations to proactively address data exposures and strengthen their security posture.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, it is essential for organizations to remain vigilant and invest in solutions like ClawBack to safeguard their valuable information. By doing so, organizations can build a robust security foundation that will help them thrive in the digital age.

High-Level FAQ on Attack Surface Mapping

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Q:What is attack surface mapping?

A: Attack surface mapping is a technique used to identify and assess potential attack vectors on a system or network. It involves identifying and analyzing the various components, data flows, and security controls of a system to identify potential vulnerabilities.

Q:What are the benefits of attack surface mapping?

A:Attack surface mapping helps organizations to better understand their security posture, identify weaknesses, and deploy appropriate controls. It can also help reduce risk by providing visibility into the system’s attack surface, allowing organizations to better prepare for potential threats.

Q:What are the components involved in attack surface mapping?

A: Attack surface mapping involves examining the various components of a system or network, including hardware, software, infrastructure, data flows, and security controls. It also includes evaluating the system’s current security posture, identifying potential attack vectors, and deploying appropriate controls.

Q:What techniques are used in attack surface mapping?

A: Attack surface mapping typically involves using visual representations such as mind-maps, heat maps, and photos to illustrate the various components and data flows of a system. In addition, it may involve using video demonstrations to show how potential vulnerabilities can be exploited.

How Information Security and Risk Management Teams Can Support FinOps

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As organizations continue to move their operations to cloud services, it is becoming increasingly important for information security and risk management teams to understand how they can support financial operations (FinOps). FinOps is a management practice that promotes shared responsibility for an organization’s cloud computing infrastructure and cloud cost management. In this post, we will explore some ways in which the information security and risk management team can support FinOps initiatives.

1. Establishing Governance: Information security and risk management teams can play a vital role in helping FinOps teams establish effective governance. This includes creating a framework for budget management, setting up policies and procedures for cloud resource usage, and ensuring that all cloud infrastructure is secure and meets compliance requirements.

2. Security Awareness Training: Information security and risk management teams can provide security awareness training to ensure that all cloud practitioners are aware of the importance of secure cloud computing practices. This includes data protection, authentication protocols, encryption standards, and other security measures.

3. Cloud Rate Optimization: Information security and risk management teams can help FinOps teams identify areas of cost optimization. This includes analyzing cloud usage data to identify opportunities for cost savings, recommending risk-based ways to optimize server utilization, and helping determine the most appropriate pricing model for specific services or applications.

4. Sharing Incident Response, Disaster Recovery, and Business Continuity Insights: Information security and risk management teams can help FinOps teams respond to cloud environment incidents quickly and effectively by providing technical support in the event of a breach or outage. This includes helping to diagnose the issue, developing mitigations or workarounds, and providing guidance on how to prevent similar incidents in the future. The data from the DR/BC plans are also highly relevant to the FinOps team mission and can be used as a roadmap for asset prioritization, process relationships, and data flows.

5. Compliance Management: Information security and risk management teams can help FinOps teams stay compliant with relevant regulations by managing audits and reporting requirements, ensuring that all relevant security controls are in place, auditing existing procedures, developing policies for data protection, and providing guidance on how to ensure compliance with applicable laws.

The bottom line is this: By leveraging the shared data and experience of the risk management and information security teams, FinOps teams can ensure their operations are secure, efficient, and completely aligned with the organization’s overall risk and security posture. This adds value to the work of all three teams in the triad. By working together, the teams can significantly enhance the maturity around technology business management functions. All-in-all, by working together, the teams can create significantly better business outcomes.

 

New Book Launch: We Need To Talk: 52 Weeks To Better Cyber-Security

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I have released a new e-book titled “We Need To Talk: 52 Weeks To Better Cyber-Security.” I self-published through PublishDrive and MSI. It has been quite an interesting project, and I learned a lot in both writing/editing (with an AI), and in the publishing aspects.

The book provides a comprehensive approach to discussing cyber-security, addressing topics such as risk management, configuration management, vulnerability management, policy, threat intelligence, and incident response. The discussions that are sparked will lead to helping your team strengthen and mature your organization’s security posture.

The book is designed for information security professionals and their teams looking for a structured way to improve their organization’s cyber-security posture over one year. It is an ideal resource for those teams who wish to develop a well-rounded understanding of cyber-security and gain insight into the various elements that are needed for a successful program.

The book is 111 pages and sells for $9.99 in most of the ebook stores below:

Amazon

Apple

Barnes & Noble

Check it out, and please leave a review if you don’t mind taking the time. It will be much appreciated.

Print-on-demand options and other stores will be coming shortly. Hopefully, the book helps folks build better infosec programs. As always, thanks for reading, and stay safe out there! 

Video: Auditing Authentication Mechanisms

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Here’s a quick video walkthrough of the presentation around auditing authentication mechanisms. 

We are getting some great feedback on this one, and people are rising to the challenge of doing audits for their organizations. Many folks are finding some quite unexpected results! 

Let me know on Twitter (@lbhuston) what you discover! 

 

As always, thanks for reading and watching!