No single person should be able to delete a user account. You just can’t have one person solely responsible for such critical decisions.

Multi-User Authentication: Taking Cyber Defense To The Next Level

BreachLock has been mentioned in 'Gartner® Emerging Tech Impact Radar: Security' ReportNEW YORK, Oct. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BreachLock, a

BreachLock Mentioned in New 'Gartner® Emerging Tech Impact Radar: Security' Report for Exposure Management

The personnel agency is also gearing up to recruit AI workers into the government as part of a talent surge called for in the recent AI executive order.

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Cybercriminals are increasingly breaching healthcare systems, exposing patient information and threatening access to medical care. Here’s the latest.

Tracking healthcare data breaches

Mobile banking and payments should have strengthened multi-factor authentication (MFA). The Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS) cybersecurity advisory panel (CSAP) proposed strategies for securing mobile banking and payments amidst online banking scams.

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A Microsoft logo is seen in Los Angeles, California U.S. November 7, 2017. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 10 (Reuters) - A U.S.

Microsoft's role in data breach part of US cyber inquiry -Bloomberg … – Reuters

Each serves a unique purpose and can be leveraged by healthcare organizations of varying sizes and security program complexity. The main document outlines current cyber threats facing the ...

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Many business leaders do not prioritize cybersecurity, leaving their companies more vulnerable to security breaches and threats, according to a study by global professional services company Accenture. More than half (60%) of the 1,000 chief executive ...

Cybersecurity priority lacking among business leaders — Accenture report

Get the most recent info and news about Augmenta Cyber Security on HackerNoon, where 10k+ technologists publish stories for 4M+ monthly readers.

Augmenta Cyber Security assesses the cyber threat, giving you visibility of how vulnerable your business is to attack & provides cyber crime security. Find out more

Augmenta Cyber Security

With a multiplicity of end-user devices, including smartphones, watches, tablets, and others becoming increasingly integrated. Eventually, all of them will likely have the ability to connect to each other – the potential dangers due to hacking and other cybersecurity attacks will certainly increase. For example, an FBI report revealed that from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, cybercrimes have increased over 300%, where were received each day – a major jump from prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, when about 1,000 complaints were received daily. And according to INTERPOL, in the past 20 years, the cybercrimes they investigate have risen from zero to 70% of all cases. between 3,000 and 4,000 cybersecurity complaints The multitudes of cyberthreats in today’s digital environment are often more sophisticated than the IT networks and systems they target. Much of this has to do with legacy systems. According to a recent , “more than half of operational technology (OT) environments tested in one study had versions of Windows for which Microsoft is no longer providing security patches [and] fully 69% had passwords traversing OT networks in plain text.” And it’s essential to guard against email phishing scams. McKinsey report For instance, after reviewing data from 41,686 security incidents and 2,013 data breaches, a 2019 found that 94% of all malware is delivered by email. Verizon report Initiate a cyber protection plan now! In order to counteract this alarming trend, companies of all sizes – including managed service providers (MSPs) and managed security services providers (MSSPs) alike – will have to initiate comprehensive cyber protection plans. During the pandemic, there has been an unprecedented migration from traditional offices to work-from-home and other remote workplaces, which has of additional exposure to cyberattacks. With its lockdowns and other measures to restrict a population’s mobility, the pandemic has resulted in a seismic shift from traditional crime to cybercrime, which has left many organizations that had to reinvent employees’ work spaces in rapid fashion ill-prepared to mitigate the many threats posed by cybercriminals. created an existential crisis Traditional corporate security, with its in-house networks protected by firewalls, software and hardware solutions, and highly skilled teams of security and system administrators, has resulted in employees escaping the safe confines of these defensive measures and have often become unwitting victims in this cyber contagion. And the trend continues to grow exponentially. Cyber protection – the advantages it provides. Cyber protection is more than just cybersecurity – it goes beyond preventative methods and system restoration. On the other hand, cyber protection is a fully-integrated system of functions that are executed for a given cyberattack that augment a company’s defenses. There are five key functions that serve to provide both cybersecurity and data protection. These functions employ advanced technology to not only intercept an attempted attack, but to protect a company’s data, and, if an attack were to be successful, provide backup and protection management, including forensics. The five pillars of cyber protection. The five essential functions integrated into a comprehensive cyber protection scheme include prevention, detection, recovery, response, and forensics. Its cybersecurity together with data backup and recovery, and endpoint protection management. involves the mitigation of potential threats and the prevention of attacks. In the modern remote working environment, collaboration apps (e.g., Zoom) are considered to have the weakest threshold against hacking. An ideal cyber protection program would ensure that these apps are all protected against vulnerabilities; that those vulnerabilities are assessed regularly and that any found receive fail-safe patching. Prevention 2. concerns scanning full-disk backups at a centralized location to help find potential vulnerabilities and malware infections – ensuring that users are able to restore a malware-free backup. Detection 3. can prevent system and network downtime and data loss. A well-deployed response plan can monitor the security landscape and alert an organization of potential threats, as well as adjust the plan based on the alerts received. These smart alerts can prompt more frequent backups, deeper AV scans, and specific patch installs, resulting in greater protection. Fast response 4. A solid program would integrate anti-malware scans and antivirus updates into the recovery process. After all, backed-up datа can be infected with malware. Applying the latest antivirus definitions along with anti-malware scans of backup images would enable users to restore a malware-free OS image, thereby reducing the chance of a reoccurring infection. recovery 5. is a critical component in helping to short-circuit and reduce the severity and frequency of cyberattacks. As with the traditional investigation of a crime scene, cyber forensics seeks to scan the aftermath of a hacking operation and find the cause and/or the perpetrators. Prompt and precise investigations require tools such as forensic-rich backups, where vital data and other information required for analysis in an investigation is preserved. Key evidence would be secured in backups, and in turn, this would make future investigations easier and less costly. Forensics Simplify your IT framework. What are some of the important first steps that need to be accomplished in moving toward cyber-protection? To make those recommendations, an organization or business has to first look at problems that exist in plain sight. A mismatch of solutions or tools leaves security gaps/overlaps and places an undue resource burden on your employees and processes – requiring complex and complicated licensing, deployment and training, etc. Closing integration and automation gaps will help immensely toward a robust cyber protection program. Why is a timely cyber protection plan essential? We should all be aware of the disastrous and expensive consequences cyberattacks have leveled against individuals, organizations, companies, and governments – as well as their dramatic increases in frequency and scope. Aside from the costs incurred from downtime, ransomware, and loss of productivity, another, less well-known consequence of such breaches is loss of “digital trust.” IT professionals and MSPs need to reduce and manage client risk and build trust while they fight complexity, security, and operational costs. Companies are only as profitable – not to mention viable – as their reputations in the business community. When cyberattacks adversely affect an organization – whether it be once, or multiple times – public trust erodes. People rarely see the herculean efforts it takes to keep networks and systems safe. But they are keenly aware when they fail. A responsible organization with a well-conceived and implemented cyber protection regimen will constantly apply patches, monitor multiple screens, and try to stay one step ahead of cybersecurity threats.

The 5 Pillars of Cybersecurity for the Hidden Dangers We Confront Every Day

* * Achievement unlocked: With more than ‘4 billion’ in total votes -- almost half the population of earth voted for startups! JUST KIDDING! Some companies had a to accumulating their votes. unique approach In 2021, decided to host to highlight the backbone of the future - tech startups! for the first time in forever (make sure you sing it in Anna’s voice), HackerNoon.com Startups of The Year More than 44,000 startups were nominated all across the globe, spanning over 4,553 cities. That’s.Just.Spiffy! To see who is a winner in each respective city, visit and pick a city. The name at the top of the list is the winner. (Compromised awards are under review.) startups.hackernoon.com The will announce the winners per region in their respective cities. Startups Winners Announcement Series We’d like to take a moment here and thank every single person who cast a vote and every single company, both nominated and not nominated yet this year. Furthermore, we thank you for existing and opening more opportunities for the wonders of the future to come. Even if you don’t win anything today, you’ve won something much more valuable - our hearts <3 Okay, sorry for the long introduction. Below are all the Startups Winners: Startups of the Year (SOTY) in Africa Johannesburg, South Africa With more than 900 votes cast, #SOTY calls.... MiBRAND Thank you for connecting businesses and consumers, great job! Lagos, Nigeria With 836 votes in the bag, let’s give it up for... Goodtalent Thanks for helping tech companies build great engineering teams. Cape Town, South Africa Want to learn more about finance and use that knowledge to make better financial decisions? Look no further. Introducing winner of Startups of The Year, Cape Town: Revix With 527 votes cast, it seems like a lot of people have more money in their pockets thanks to . Revix Mahé, Seychelles With around 515 votes cast, #SOTY summons... DAOLaunch Thank you for bridging the gap between investors and startups. Lusaka And the winner for #SOTY in Lusaka is... ComGrow Thanks to them, people here are getting closer to the reality of the digitization of village banking. Nairobi, Kenya With 252 votes cast, UTU came out top as the Startup of The Year. Thanks for building the trust infrastructure of the internet to help businesses and consumers engage and transact in a more reliable way. Yaoundé Accounting for more than 73% of total votes, CamPay won this award fair and square. Thank you for making sending and receiving payments easier between online merchants. Abuja, Nigeria A proud winner in the prestigious capital of Nigeria, Elesaro deserves all the plaudits it gets. is a suite crowdfunding protocol built on BSC, Reward, Equity, Lending & NFT Marketplace. Congratulations! Elesaro Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania Jamii Africa is the name that will always be engraved on the #SOTY trophy. As a mobile micro-health insurance, Jamii Africa has done a great job for the health sector in Tanzania. Kigali, Rwanda Another #SOTY medal in the bag for none other than …wait for it… BAG Innovation BAG Innovation applies Gamification to offer real-time access to experience-based learning for University students in East Africa. Everybody loves playing games, but using games to learn in school is on another level. Gauteng, South Africa And the award goes to... Planet42 Thanks for democratising mobility by enabling people ignored by banks to get access to a personal vehicle through a car subscription service. Once again, congratulations! Port Harcourt, Nigeria Cryptocurrency is the present and the future, as we’ve all come to know. FLITBASE makes these digital assets more accessible to everyone. #SOTY is proud to add you to our Hall of Fame. Cairo, Egypt With 18 votes won out of the 91 cast, it seems there was fierce competition. Congratulations to... SubsBase for winning Startups of The Year. SubsBase allows businesses to manage their subscribers, automate recurring billings, set pricing plans, and monitor subscription KPIs. Tunis, Tunisia Come one, come all! Witness the greatness of yet another wonderful startup in the #SOTY. Thank you... VYND for providing a fully integrated digital platform to help venue owners better serve their customers and grow their businesses. Stellenbosch, South Africa BankTech connects clients to a payment network where it provides a convenient interface to meet various payments needs. You’ve won #SOTY proudly! Pretoria #SOTY acknowledges... Grays Pharmaceuticals Thank you for all you do. Lekki, Nigeria Middletrust provides reliable escrow services in Africa. Congratulations on winning a #SOTY medal. Addis Ababa Thank you... Hello Solar for consistently accelerating sustainable energy solutions, especially for remote communities. With half of the votes cast, you beat the odds. Accra, Ghana UT Bank Ghana provides various commercial banking services to individuals and companies in Ghana. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of financial services to humankind. #SOTY is proud of all you do. Gîza, Egypt Big congratulations to... HOVO for winning this award. Your on-demand mobile app for ordering trucks is truly appreciated! Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo Congratulations for coming out on top of #SOTY, SillonBlue Technologies As an ICT Consulting and SaaS company, SillonBlue Technologies focuses on software and mobile app development, and data collection. Yaba, Nigeria With more than half of the votes cast, this nominee conquered undisputedly. Let’s give it up for... Kuda a no-fee full-service digital bank making banking affordable for all Africans on the planet. Morocco City Almes provides infrastructure and logistics services. Congratulations on earning a #SOTY medal. Dakar ShopMeAway provides families and businesses with new ways to shop around the world with reduced shipping costs. You deserve the plaudits you’ve received! Casablanca Sheaply provides crowd shipping and crowd shopping solutions. This reduces cost and improves efficiency on shipping and shopping. Congratulations on winning a #SOTY medal. Nguru, Nigeria Accounting for 88% of the votes, TradeBuza wins #SOTY almost flawlessly. TradeBuza is a tech-enabled commodities sourcing platform for commodities aggregators and out-grower schemes. Ikeja, Nigeria PropertyPro Nigeria is now pronounced Startup of the Year in Ikeja. Let’s admit, who doesn’t appreciate a platform built to search for real estate properties? Ibadan, Nigeria No Bank, No Problem! (That’s probably not their motto, by the way) Shield Finders is a fintech and financial service provider to the unbanked. Congratulation on winning most of the votes! 6 October City, Egypt Wuilt is a website builder where you can create your own Arabic website in under 5 minutes. Thank you for making this technology accessible to people. One #SOTY medal for you! Algiers The only nominee who outvoted all others, please give it up for... Yassir Thank you for providing convenient transport services using your app. Enugu In an area that usually suffers from inconsistent electricity, Greenage comes to the rescue with their green cape and spandex suit. Greenage Technologies is a Nigerian startup solving electricity problems in Nigeria using solar energy technology. Congrats, Greenage. Abeokuta, Nigeria A government organization creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and the unemployed - no one deserves the title Startup of The Year better than Ogun Innovate Congratulations! Ariana And the award goes to... E-Stores Factory a web platform that helps rent and manage e-shops for enterprises seeking to sell online. Thank you for making the (not a typo) more friendly! e-cosystem Benin City Health really is wealth. MOBicure provides mobile technology solutions for Africa's biggest health problems. Thank you for all you do. From #SOTY with love <3 Centurion GameZBoost offers white label gaming platforms, including online desktop solutions, fully responsive mobile and social platforms. Thank you for making the world a more fun place! Gaborone Augmenta Cyber Security provides services in cyber security, safe data storage, SCADA security, SAP Security, etc. Congratulations on winning 10/10 of the votes. You rock! Garki There can never be enough medical platforms in the world. Congratulations to... Wella Health an operator of a healthcare technology company intended to provide treatments and medicines for malaria. Thank you for all you do! Lilongwe Yellow is a digital platform enabling informal merchants in Africa. #SOTY welcomes you to its hall of fame. Make yourself at home ;) Luanda Access to finance is important for any company or sector to succeed. And no other company deserves the title Startup of The Year more than Deya the first Angolan and PALOP crowdfunding platform that aims to increase access to financing for social impact causes and entrepreneurs. . 10/10 will recommend Mombasa Life can be hard, and so a little humor helps ease these hardships. Congratulations to this political satire puppet show, The XYZ Show for winning #SOTY. Thanks for putting smiles on our faces. Port Louis Town Bet you’ve never heard of a Smartcup. Thanks to Intellicup that exists now, and therefore earns this startup a #SOTY badge.  Intellicup is a unique high-speed beverage dispensing solution with integrated smart technology. While this cup won’t be able to wake you up in the morning, you have to agree that it’s still pretty impressive. Rabat Atlan Space is a startup building AI to autonomously pilot any fixed-wing drone, to monitor and take measures over very large areas. You deserve the #SOTY medal. Réunion Imagine having the power to do ultrasound scans on your handheld device. OSCULT by Oscadi is a handheld ultrasound imaging device interfaced with the Apple iPad. Congratulations on making it into the #SOTY! Somerset West Winning the award fair and square is Sticitt a cashless payment platform that is also aimed at teaching learners at school the basics of finance. The future of the world would be in good hands when our children know how to adequately manage finances. Thank you for saving the world in advance. Thika Flowers make the world a beautiful place to live in. Wilmar Flowers exports summer flowers grown by small and medium-sized farmers from Kenya. Kudos for making the world beautiful, #SOTY is honored to have you in our Hall of Fame. Kampala, Uganda Yo-Waste Limited is an African startup that provides waste, recycling and “smart city” solutions to businesses and governments. Your #SOTY gold medal shines as much as you do <3 Harare, Zimbabwe The world is becoming more and more digital every day. Thanks to companies like Golix that provide services of digital currencies for people in Africa, the digitization of the world is becoming more robust. Freetown Easy Solar is a distribution company making energy, durable goods and financial services affordable and accessible through pay-as-you-go tech. Thumbs up! Kicukiro FOODLINE specializes in non-genetically-modified grocery farming and production lines. Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! #SOTY Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo Startups Nuru is a renewable and environmental company that specializes in the fields of storage micro-grids and solar energy. After racking up all the votes, #SOTY honors you. Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire Digitech provides a fully integrated and cloud-based InsurTech platform to incumbent insurance companies. You are awesome! Durban Security can never really be enough. We’d like to honor Blue Security the title Startup of The Year, for specializing in the installation and monitoring of intruder detection systems, and in providing armed response services. Ikoyi And the Startup of The year goes to... Winich Farms an Agritech Startup leveraging tech to connect rural farmers to Finance & Market, thus, increasing productivity and cutting post-harvest loss. You rock! Lomé The last recipient of #SOTY in Africa calls for... Gozem a transport technology platform for Francophone West and Central Africa. Thank you for providing a platform for transportation. We are honored to have you! *Winners missing from this list will be added accordingly. More Information If you’re a winner, please answer ! If you’re a reader, participant, just a curious individual, consider answering one of our interviews . this interview here Read the FAQs about or . Startups here here To see all of the winners you may visit , pick any city and view the name that appears at the top. this site If you’re interested in partnering with us, we invite you to look through some of these or reach out to our business department. unique sponsorship options Perhaps creating your very own tickles your fancy or maybe you have a whole new idea for how we can partner! writing contest Thank you to all of our sponsors! We truly appreciate your contribution to the tech world and thus the future! The Startups Awards are sponsored by: , , , , , , , , , , Blockster Brex FreeCodeCamp LaunchDarkly Coil Udacity Udemy Vercel Asia Pacific Transgender Network Bybit Everscale Network This post was written and edited by Kien Dao and Joshua Omale. If you have any questions or concerns or would like to report a discrepancy please email ellen@hackernoon.com.

What are the Top Startups in Africa?

The cyber threat intelligence market is expected to keep growing with new and improved commercial security products and managed security services. As part of these offerings, comprehensive and accurate threat intelligence sources such as domain intelligence are essential in facilitating threat detection, correlation, mitigation, and response. At the very least, domain name records can be compared against information published on a website or shared in an email. A claim of being in business for 10+ years by a potential business partner is indeed assessable by looking at its domain's registration date and age. However, that piece of information takes on a whole new meaning when analyzed together with registrant's details, domain reputation, website category, and other enrichment angles. In this post, we take a closer look at domain intelligence lookups and capabilities that can be used for deeper contextualization as part of cybersecurity operations, law enforcement investigations, and SIEM, SOAR, and TIP platforms. What is Domain Intelligence? Domain intelligence is the process of monitoring and identifying trends and interesting events in domain name registrations and their ownership details using data feeds, APIs, lookup tools, and other consumption models. In cybersecurity, domain intelligence helps detect and take the necessary precautionary measures against domain-related threats, including typosquatting, phishing, business email compromise, and third-party vulnerabilities. Top 8 Domain Intelligence Sources an Organization Can Benefit From We compiled eight domain intelligence sources that can help organizations strengthen their cybersecurity strategies. 1. WHOIS WHOIS information comprises comprehensive domain registration details, including a domain's age, expiration date, registrant details, administrative contact details, and technical contact information. It also returns the list of hostnames that the domain uses. Organizations that don't allow employees to make external API calls can use 's Web-based counterpart, . Those who wish to obtain more detailed results for investigations can subscribe to , which is part of the Domain Research Suite. WHOIS API WHOIS Lookup WHOIS Search 2. Bulk WHOIS Bulk WHOIS is useful for organizations that want to know the WHOIS information of multiple domains or IP addresses at once. With a single query, users can retrieve the WHOIS records of up to 500,000 domains or IP addresses, downloadable in comma-separated values (CSV) format. Like WHOIS API, users can also make bulk WHOIS queries via 's Web-based counterpart, . Bulk WHOIS API Bulk WHOIS Lookup 3. Domain Availability Domain Availability lets users know if a domain name is available for registration or not. When used as part of the Domain Research Suite, users can easily do a WHOIS lookup if a domain is unavailable according to so they'd know its ownership details. Users can also set up domain monitoring so they'd get alerted when the domain is dropped. also has a Web-based counterpart, Domain Availability Lookup, which is ideal for organizations that don't allow employees to make outside API calls. Domain Availability Check Domain Availability API 4. WHOIS History A domain could have a long history that a simple WHOIS search won't reveal. With the help of , users can unveil over ten years' worth of WHOIS ownership details. Users can also rely on , which is part of the Domain Research Suite, or WHOIS History Lookup as alternatives. WHOIS History API WHOIS History Search 5. Domain Research Suite The is a web-based domain intelligence source that includes three of the four WHOIS search tools discussed above—WHOIS History Search, WHOIS Search, and Domain Availability Check. It also includes . Domain Research Suite Reverse WHOIS Search Aside from domain research, the suite also allows users to conduct domain, registrant, and brand monitoring, as it includes Domain Monitor, Registrant Monitor, and Brand Monitor. All these tools practically alert them when domains that satisfy their search terms are registered, updated, or dropped. 6. DNS Lookup and allow users to look into the Domain Name System (DNS) infrastructure of a given domain name. Users can retrieve up to 50 different DNS record types, including the domain's corresponding IP address, mail servers, and name servers. DNS Lookup DNS Lookup API 7. Domain Reputation comes in handy when users need to assess a domain's or an IP address's reputation without accessing it. The API gleans data from different domain intelligence sources, including WHOIS records, host configurations, and various malware data feeds, and summarizes findings with a score and main relevant warnings. Domain Reputation Users who can't make external API calls can use its Web-based counterpart, Domain Reputation Lookup. 8. Website Categorization uses machine learning (ML) to retrieve a site's content and meta tags. It then uses natural language processing (NLP) to make sense of the extracted text and assign categories to the website. The service has around 25 categories. And each site can belong to up to three types. For easier access and report sharing, users can rely on Website Categorization Lookup as well. Website Categorization --- Enterprise security can employ the above-cited sources of domain intelligence and others such as and to augment their cybersecurity systems. Although most of them can be used in conjunction with other sources to derive comprehensive insights, some can serve as standalone cybersecurity tools. Typosquatting Data Feed Newly Registered & Just Expired Domains

8 Sources of Cyber Threat & Domain Intelligence for Enterprise Security

These unprecedented times have pushed us to adapt distinctive lifestyles contrary to what we’ve been used to for a millenia. Industries like finance, law, banking and the public sector where culture has traditionally frowned upon working-from-home, are compelled to succumb to such mandates out of necessity. As much rampant the unfortunate layoffs, hiring freezes, and budget cuts across travel and hospitality industries are, And this is an important observation that we can’t afford to overlook. data breaches have been on a steady rise. Increased reliance on digital technology, VPNs and network infrastructure calls for a greater need to protect them, lest one drew attention from adversaries. To dig deeper into the reality of the 'new normal', I decided to interview over a dozen businesses and security experts asking for their insight into  the matter. Here's what businesses and security experts have to say: “It’s no secret that most businesses struggled with IT security before the COVID-19 crisis. Many lacked the infrastructure and security required to handle the shift to remote working while keeping critical systems secure,” says , CEO of , a leading provider of secure digital identity management solutions. “Working from home has accelerated the number of connection points in the network and the certificates and keys they rely on. Ensuring visibility to and the security of those connections is mission critical – lack of adequate management can lead to systems disruptions, outages and even breaches.” Jordan Rackie Keyfactor , VP of Innovation at managed services provider notes, “[We have] seen a huge increase in demand for VPN connections since working from home began (peak of 762% on April 6), as well as a 100% increase in the number of abuse email notifications sent.” They’ve been busy helping clients navigate how to modernize current IT structures with a focus on security. Ray Watson Masergy Then there’s the never-ending series of data breaches impacting major players and making headlines. From , , and other breaches, to the hacked representing big names like and , there’s chaos all over. Not to forget, a second wave of ransomware attack (‘Maze’) that got the postal tech giant And, the dating app breach impacting some 3.6M users. And lastly, the return of Thunderbolt data extraction flaw, dubbed “ ” this time around: Ghost DigiCert SaltStack law firm Lady Gaga Madonna Pitney Bowes. MobiFriends thunderspy all within a thirty day span, and at a time when businesses are most vulnerable. Business, budgets, and cuts From an executive and managerial standpoint, cutting immediate losses in these unforeseen times seems to be the pragmatic step, and is often necessary. However, looking at the bigger picture, one must be careful that any such step undertaken with the objective of curbing spending doesn’t backfire, resulting in even bigger problems in near future.  And is often the paramount issue when organisations scrutinise their security budgets, and contemplate cuts. that “We have definitely had to cut our cybersecurity budget. Unfortunately right now it comes down to paying payroll, or making temporary cuts where we can. Cybersecurity was the last of these cuts,” says , President, . “We’re not without any protection [and] we take security risks very seriously. Every employee has to be more accountable now, as a [breach] will almost certainly fall on our shoulders.” Bailey hopes the disruption would be ephemeral and intends to reinstate the necessary resources immediately, once the funds allow for it. Dan Bailey WikiLawn On the contrary, , Director of states his company has had to augment their budgets: “Cybersecurity has been one of our big concerns, since we had to transition everyone to full-time remote. We did increase our cyber-security budget, and we provided everyone with training and software, to limit our vulnerability as much as possible. Our research shows that at least half of these kinds of attacks happen because of employee breaches, so we’re on top of it. Obviously, we’re relying on our website more than ever, and the last thing we need is an attack.” Sean Nguyen Internet Advisor Surely, temptation arises to put aside that cash cushion and halt any activities deemed unnecessary. But that is a risk too big to take, when discussing information security—effectively a tangible form of insurance your infrastructure thrives on. “Enterprises should make sure cyber security remains a top priority and not let their guard down,” says , head of the at Juniper Networks. “It doesn’t take much for a threat actor to infiltrate a network, once a vulnerability is exposed. Sometimes, it means reaching beyond the corporate perimeter to top employees’ homes to help them have the correct set up. A Wi-Fi access point with cloud management capability goes a long way towards securing the access your C-suite needs to have from home, for example.” Mounir Hahad Juniper Threat Labs Insider and outsider threats With increased dependency on a totally remote workforce more so than ever, and no immediate plans to return to the office, there’s a lot at stake for businesses. There’s the obvious risks of employees falling for ransomware and phishing scams. But now, unless a company’s security controls can extend to an employee’s home-office setup, there is little visibility into the possibility of insider threats, such as data exfiltration and insider trading. , VP of Product Management at California-based cybersecurity firm suggests, “investing into automation of laborious tasks, such as change auditing and user behavior analytics, so the IT team could focus on more strategic areas. Moreover, such solutions will speed up detection and investigation of potential incidents, and if you set alerts on suspicious user behavior patterns, you will be able to quickly address security issues without sacrificing other IT tasks.” Ilia Sotnikov Netwrix An increased attack surface also favours malicious actors preying on the weakest link, and opens up doorway to remote attacks geared towards unsavvy employees. “The simple fact is that the likelihood of data breaches will only increase as systems become more interconnected, employees continue to decentralise and work remotely, and bad actors become more sophisticated in capitalising on security weaknesses,” notes , CEO of , a secure collaboration platform. Morten Brøgger Wire Brøgger stresses, “Not only can a data breach or cyber attack inflict severe financial damage, it can freeze up digital assets which are the lifeblood of an organisation. Without them, there is no product, no service, no sales.” Leveraging existing resources which don’t cost a fortune, or a penny “It’s not necessarily about spending more, but spending smarter. Many solutions require a lot of set up and manual intervention to keep current, which is not sustainable and forces artificial choices between security and affordability. Newer, smarter solutions, however, automate the implementation of security to eradicate the need to choose. If companies can deploy these newer solutions, they can often strengthen their security within their budget constraints,” suggests , CEO and cofounder, . Benny Lakunishok Zero Networks Security awareness trainings “People are still responsible for operating, whether it’s local or in the cloud, and humans make mistakes. Even if they can’t invest in security software due to tight budgets, a company’s leadership should dedicate time each month in security awareness training, such as how to spot an email that could potentially be a phishing scam,” says , CEO and Founder of , the creators of “security awareness trainings your employees will love.” Nick Santora Curricula Additionally, , a cybersecurity expert and CEO of suggests running phishing simulation exercises. “There are a number of organizations that offer free online courses that cover best practices that you can implement for your business.  I recommend taking this a step further, and running simulated phishing tests for your staff.  That will identify your staff members that need additional security awareness training.” Courtney H. Jackson Paragon Cyber Solutions Network security and open source solutions of Guidepost Solutions had some practical tips to share on the networking front. “Companies can increase their network security without impacting their spending, through several tactics: if possible, move [your] services to a robust and secured cloud solution, implement layer 1-4 TCP/IP model network security best practices, utilise multi-factor authentication, encrypt all types of data communication, and [lastly,] install and update antivirus and antispyware on all machines.” Ahmad Zoua In the open source scene, there are a plethora of “community editions” and free versions of popular security products that can be leveraged by IT professionals and developers alike. And they often cost nothing. “With all the focus on changes introduced by work from home, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that most prominent attacks these days focus on deployed applications. Those applications can have latent vulnerabilities sitting in the open source components that comprise about 80% of the code base these days. It’s easy to do an assessment to find out what’s lurking inside your applications,” says , CTO of , the company behind : “a free catalogue of open source components and scanning tools to help developers identify vulnerabilities, understand risk, and keep their software safe.” Brian Fox Sonatype OSS Index , Senior Manager and Head of Cyber Security at additionally offered insight into some free tools businesses can adopt: “There are a surplus of phenomenal open source tools, such as (network monitoring), (intrusion prevention and detection), (full network packet capture), and (open source incident management platform). Most importantly, use this time to level up your employees. Employees are the first line of defense and a force multiplier when it comes to security. Simple things like teaching strong and effective password hygiene as well as running phishing simulations will increase security awareness with little to no cost.” Tyler Young Relativity Bro Snort Moloch The Hive In conclusion, there is no end to strengthening security at an organisation, and never a guarantee that a business is immune to cyber attacks despite best efforts. After all, businesses are made up of people and the element remains the weakest link in the game. Implementing the aforementioned security measures, however, provides a substantial relief and can deter hackers by a long shot for your business. human © 2020. ( ). All Rights Reserved. Ax Sharma Twitter Author’s Note: Thank you to all the businesses and experts from the security community who responded to requests for comment and interviews. I received over five dozen pitches, and while I regrettably couldn’t feature all of them, I sincerely thank everyone for their valuable time and insight.

Experts Warn: Amidst Budget Cuts, The Pandemic Calls for Stepping Up Security Efforts

As an AI expert, let me be blunt - cyber threats are a massive, unrelenting risk that no business with an online presence can afford to ignore these days. Whether you're running an e-commerce site, logistics operation, or tech firm, phishing, ransomware attacks, or data breaches - these scourges can cripple a company, leading to devastating financial losses, irreparable brand damage, and even regulatory penalties that could bury you. I've personally seen the aftermath of cyber strikes on SMBs with limited security resources and tight budgets. In those cases, traditional cybersecurity just doesn't cut it against today's attack of threats. But that's exactly where artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as a total game-changer. discovered that organizations leveraging AI and automation extensively saved a mind-blowing $1.76 million on average compared to their less AI-savvy counterparts. IBM's 2023 Cost of Data Breach Report And I can testify that AI-powered cyber defense solutions truly earn those savings. By unleashing cutting-edge AI techniques like machine learning, deep learning models, and natural language processing, modern AI cybersecurity acts like an indispensable digital force multiplier reinforcing our defenses against even the wiliest adversaries. As an AI expert, I've deployed these capabilities for clients - it's like having an entire squad of cybersecurity sentries patrolling the digital premises 24/7 to keep the bad actors at bay. Moving forward, I don't believe adopting advanced AI will be a luxury for organizations - it's a flat-out necessity we can't ignore. Whether you're a small business or a giant enterprise, you'd better get proactive and start leveraging AI's offensive cybersecurity potential to safeguard your vital digital assets and ensure continuous operations. In my opinion, AI is quickly separating the cybersecurity haves from the have-nots. AI's Cyber Offense: How It Turbocharges Threat Detection I can't overstate how AI is revolutionizing cybersecurity by unleashing cutting-edge threat detection and response capabilities never before possible. Just look at the rapidly growing market - projects that AI in the cybersecurity sector will explode from $22.4 billion in 2023 to $60.6 billion by 2028. And there are good reasons behind that meteoric growth. MarketsandMarkets Machine learning algorithms excel at quickly identifying patterns and anomalies within massive datasets - making them invaluable assets for recognizing potential cyber threats amid tons of network traffic, user activity logs, and other data. By training these algorithms on historical data, we can have them recognize known attack signatures and deviations signaling new threats before they can wreak havoc. One study I find particularly compelling is from MDPI, showing machine learning models achieved up to 99% malware detection accuracy using techniques like Decision Trees, Convolutional Neural Networks, and Support Vector Machines. That's the level of precision AI can deliver against emerging threats. There are deep learning models that I've deployed to rapidly analyze and classify malware samples with incredible accuracy. The latest deep-learning architectures can see patterns invisible to the naked eye. However, some of the most exciting AI cybersecurity applications my team has tested involve reinforcement learning for adaptive threat response. These self-learning systems can dynamically adjust defensive actions on the fly based on their experiences against evolving attack vectors. Allied Market Research predicts reinforcement learning will see explosive 41.5% annual growth from 2023 to 2032, with cybersecurity as a prime use case. Let's not overlook natural language processing (NLP) for automating incident analysis. I've personally overseen NLP deployments that can rapidly comprehend human language data from reports, intelligence feeds, and more - streamlining our incident response workflows and prioritizing genuine threats over false positives. Combining all these AI disciplines is delivering incredible offensive capabilities to counter even the trickiest cyber adversaries. As an expert and founder in this space, I truly believe AI's ability to autonomously detect and shut down threats before impact will utterly transform cybersecurity over the coming years. Why UEBA and User Behavior Monitoring Matter (And How AI Excels) The cyber risk from malicious insiders or compromised user accounts is one we can't overlook either. That's why I consider user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) powered by advanced AI/ML models to be paramount for comprehensive, 360-degree security visibility. At a basic level, these AI-driven UEBA solutions leverage machine learning to establish baselines modeling each user's normal behavior based on their activity patterns. Once those baselines are established, the AI can continuously monitor for deviations that may indicate insider threats, privilege abuse, compromised accounts, and other insider risk vectors. What makes this application of AI so powerful is its ability to dynamically score the risk level of unusual user actions based on contextual factors like their role, access privileges, the sensitivity of data/systems involved, and more. This enables real-time flagging of potentially malicious insider activity for further investigation - something that was highly prone to human error with traditional, rigid rule-based approaches. Another area where I've seen UEBA with AI shine is detecting compromised privileged user accounts, which are prime targets for external threat actors seeking a foothold. By understanding the unique behavior patterns of different privileged user roles, AI can rapidly identify the subtle anomalies of a privileged account under hostile control - giving our teams a chance to shut down that breach before catastrophic damage occurs. In my opinion, deploying AI for insider and privileged user threat detection by understanding human behavior is an absolute game-changer. Monitoring our people and accounts is just as vital as external threat monitoring - without it, we're leaving a gaping hole in our defenses that skilled adversaries will inevitably find and exploit. Of course, my teams always emphasize that AI-powered UEBA is just one layer in a comprehensive, defense-in-depth strategy. But it's a crucial layer that lets us get in front of insider incidents before they escalate - buying time that can mean the difference between a contained issue and a full-blown crisis. The Flip Side: Defending Against AI-Powered Threats As amazing as AI's cybersecurity offensive capabilities are, I have to address the flip side too: hackers are actively working on ways to weaponize AI against us. Adversarial attacks designed to bypass, poison, or steal our AI models are a clear and present danger we can't ignore. One disturbing forecast from research analysts indicates: Up to 30% of AI cyberattacks will leverage training data poisoning, model stealing, or adversarial examples to attack AI-powered systems. But we're not defenseless - there are proven ways to harden AI systems against these tactics if we invest in robust AI security controls from the start. Approaches like adversarial training, where models are intentionally exposed to deceptive inputs during the learning process, can improve resilience against evasion. Differential privacy techniques can also obscure model behavior to thwart extraction attacks. We follow best practices around secure AI development Life Cycle, subjecting our models to rigorous adversarial testing and employing defensive AI techniques to stay ahead of emerging threats. I don't mean to sound alarmist, but the cybersecurity industry at large needs to prioritize battling AI-powered threats just as much as leveraging AI for defense. It's a two-way street - we must secure the AI models underpinning our cyber defenses with the same vigor we apply AI offensively. Neglecting AI security WILL be exploited by sophisticated hackers. So while I'm incredibly confident about AI's potential to revolutionize cyber threat detection and response, I'm also pragmatic. We simply can't ignore the dark side and must proactively invest in developing and deploying AI securely to maintain a decisive strategic advantage. Integrating AI Across Security Operations Of course, AI alone is not a silver bullet for cybersecurity. Its true power comes from thoughtful integration across existing processes, teams, and technology stacks. As an enthusiastic AI Expert, I emphasize this force-multiplier effect to clients constantly. AI should augment and empower human expertise, not replace it entirely. That's why the most successful deployments I've seen use AI to offload tedious, repetitive tasks to machines - freeing up skilled personnel to focus on higher-level analysis, investigation, and decision-making that requires human judgment. That's also why AI is rapidly becoming essential for SOC analysts and incident response teams: by automating alert triage, log analysis and basic response workflows, AI drastically reduces burnout from low-value "grunt work" while improving overall efficiency. Research from Capgemini revealed organizations using AI for security operations saw a 12% increase in breach detection rates and an impressive 19% reduction in time-to-respond. Those are major gains I've validated through my own startup's AI deployments. AI and machine learning are also driving huge advances in security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) tools that streamline entire incident response processes. With SOAR, AI handles tasks like correlating disparate security signals, surfacing relevant threat intelligence, and even executing semi-automated response playbooks. It's a huge step towards smarter, more autonomous incident handling. Ultimately though, AI is a complement to skilled human teams, not a wholesale replacement. Cybersecurity operations will always require human expertise, analysis, and judgment. But by intelligently augmenting our people with AI automation and assistance, we can concentrate their talents on higher-impact duties while optimizing productivity and efficiency. I already see this human-machine symbiosis enhancing the industry's ability to outpace threats. As AI integration continues maturing, I'm confident embracing this collaborative model is the only way we'll realistically close the cybersecurity skills gap plaguing our field. AI's Cybersecurity Superpowers By rapidly analyzing network data, user activities, system logs, and more, AI can identify malicious behavior patterns and potential threats with superhuman speed - giving us an early warning to shut down attacks before escalation. Threat Detection & Prevention: While phishing lures and malware grow more devious, AI algorithms can precisely distinguish malicious files and emails from legitimate ones by evaluating content, sender metadata, behavioral signals, and other artifacts that often evade human analysis. Phishing and Malware Detection: Rather than rigid rules, AI lets us dynamically model normal user activity baselines. It can then rapidly detect anomalies indicative of insider threats, compromised accounts, data exfiltration attempts, and more - all in real-time. User Behavior Analytics: I've deployed AI to prioritize vulnerabilities based on their risk and exploit potential, automating the triaging process. AI can also correlate vulnerabilities with active threats, showing us which exposures need patching first. Automated Vulnerability Management: Modern AI-powered SIEM solutions can correlate security events across networks, endpoints, and other sources to rapidly identify genuine incidents amidst the noise. AI also streamlines response workflows based on alert contexts. Smart SIEM & Incident Response: Across incident triage, alert analysis, threat hunting, and more, AI is automating repetitive, labor-intensive security tasks - amplifying the impact of human personnel while reducing burnout and fatigue. Security Ops Automation: I could go on, but you get the idea. As an AI expert and entrepreneur, I've seen these capabilities utterly transform cybersecurity operations into an amazingly proactive, autonomous counter-threat force. And AI's offensive cyber capabilities are still rapidly evolving. The Way Forward: Practical AI Cyber Defense But when I gaze into the future of AI-powered cybersecurity, I see incredible potential beyond just better threat detection and response. Used wisely, I believe AI can fundamentally reshape and elevate our entire profession into a truly proactive, predictive security posture - finally outpacing even the wiliest cyber adversaries. However, realizing this AI-driven future won't happen automatically. It requires us as an industry to thoughtfully and securely integrate AI across our people, processes, and technology stacks with a keen focus on augmenting human expertise and capabilities rather than wholesale automation. At an operational level, this will mean embracing increasingly autonomous security workflows offloaded to AI systems - handling tedious triaging and basic response while escalating only the most critical issues to skilled analysts for analysis and key decisions. It's a pragmatic balance of human and machine capabilities. We'll also need a new class of cybersecurity professionals fluent in interpreting AI system outputs and translating them into strategic guidance. These AI-savvy analysts must be adept at not just using but explaining and justifying AI system behaviors and decisions to leadership stakeholders. It plays a crucial role in building organizational trust and accountability around AI systems. Additionally, organizations must adopt secure AI system development lifecycles, proactively battling adversarial AI threats through approaches like robust model training, adversarial testing, privacy-preserving analytics, and defensive AI architectures. We simply can't leave our AI systems vulnerable to adversarial subversion. Thankfully, I see positive momentum towards these goals across the AI security startup ecosystem and cybersecurity community. But we must keep pressing forward holistically - investing in skilling our people, refining our processes, and pioneering new AI-centric technologies securely and ethically. Only then can we responsibly wield AI's incredible cyber defense potential without enabling worse nightmares. Despite all the work ahead, I'm hugely optimistic as an AI expert and founder. I've already deployed these transformative AI capabilities in the field, experiencing their game-changing impact firsthand. AI gives us a truly decisive advantage in combating even the most sophisticated threat actors - if we successfully fuse machine intelligence and human expertise. It won't be easy, but I'm convinced the payoff will be a safer, more secure digital world actively hardening itself against cyber threats in real-time. A world where novel attacks are neutralized before impact, where vulnerabilities are patched before exploitation, and where malicious insiders and compromised accounts are stopped in their tracks. Best of all, AI cyber defense done right should free up our human personnel for higher-impact strategic work, not tedious data grunt work. AI should empower us to be the cybersecurity experts, creative problem-solvers, and strategic leaders we always aspired to be - not menial attack analysts. So to my fellow AI professionals, founders, and innovators - the path ahead is clear. Let's blaze this trail TOGETHER, pioneering the new era of practical, intelligent, and ethical AI-powered cyber defense. The future of digital safety depends on us doing this right. And with our unique combination of human ingenuity and machine intelligence, I'm confident we're up to the immense challenge. Let's get to work.

Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity: Boosting Threat Defense System

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Joining the cybersecurity field as an outsider without a technical background was a transformative journey for me. What immediately captivated me about the industry was its relentless pace and the exhilarating challenge it constantly presented. Interacting with professionals in the field, I was heartened by their overwhelming support for newcomers who genuinely exhibited the will to learn. However, I quickly found a prevailing sentiment: there's a general expectation for newcomers to be independent self-learners. This could be a daunting expectation, especially considering that many potential beginners in aren't inherently self-learners. While innate curiosity is undoubtedly a valuable trait, it's essential to recognize that many individuals, even those with immense potential, need a structured framework to move their initial steps into this vast domain. cybersecurity In the last few years, significant progress has been made in filling the talent gap in the industry. However, as of 2023, according to the , there were 440,000 new jobs created in cybersecurity globally (an 8.7% increase year over year), but a staggering 4 million positions remained unfilled (a 12.6% increase year over year). This enormous gap results from the disconnect between employers' needs for experienced professionals and the real-world shortage of such expertise ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study The solution to this talent crunch lies in focusing on the early stages of potential cybersecurity professionals' careers, particularly young students. As a community, it's imperative that we equip the youth with the tools they need to explore cybersecurity as a viable career option. The key is to offer structured, practical, and accessible learning paths. Below are some steps and examples of how to do so. Study Frameworks Like NIST-NICE The NIST-NICE framework categorizes cybersecurity work into seven high-level categories: Analyze, Collect and Operate, Investigate, Operate and Maintain, Oversee and Govern, Protect and Defend, and Securely Provision. Each category is further divided into specialty areas and work roles, providing a comprehensive roadmap for career progression. Table 1: NICE Framework Work Role Categories Category Description Number of Work Roles Securely Provision (SP) Conceptualizes, designs, procures, and/or builds secure IT systems. Responsible for aspects of system and/or network development. 11 Operate and Maintain (OM) Provides the support, administration, and maintenance necessary to ensure effective and efficient IT system performance and security. 7 Oversee and Govern (OV) Provides leadership, management, direction, or development and advocacy so the organization may effectively conduct cybersecurity work. 14 Protect and Defend (PR) Identifies, analyzes, and mitigates threats to internal IT systems and/or networks. 4 Investigate (IN) Investigates cybersecurity events or crimes related to IT systems, networks, and digital evidence. 3 Analyze (AN) Performs highly-specialized review and evaluation of incoming cybersecurity information to determine its usefulness for intelligence. 7 Collect and Operate (CO) Provides specialized denial and deception operations and collection of cybersecurity information that may be used to develop intelligence. 6 This table showcases the broad spectrum of roles within the cybersecurity landscape. By understanding these categories, beginners can better position themselves for a more tailored and informed career trajectory. For a comprehensive understanding of the NIST-NICE framework and to access a myriad of resources tailored for beginners, one can visit the . NICE's Getting Started Resource Center The goal is to explore various facets of cybersecurity and determine where passion intersects with proficiency. Since cybersecurity is a dynamic field, there's always room for an individual to pivot, learn, and evolve. Become Friends with Real Hackers The cybersecurity community is exceptionally supportive of newcomers. Even seasoned professionals are often open to sharing tips and advice and are incredibly accessible to beginners. The secret to meeting these people is to attend live events. Real-time interactions at in-person events offer spontaneous questions, discussions, and the possibility for deeper understanding. It’s not just about soaking in knowledge; it's also about networking. These venues are prime opportunities for establishing meaningful connections, potentially leading to mentorships, job placements, or even collaborative projects. Furthermore, many such gatherings have live challenges or hands-on workshops where attendees can put theory into practice, often under the guidance of an expert. Here's why attending in-person events can be so beneficial for a cybersecurity enthusiast: Directly engage in challenges or workshops, honing skills in real time. Skill Demonstrations: Cybersecurity is ever-evolving. Engage in fresh, cutting-edge discussions that might not have reached the wider online community yet. Staying Updated: Share experiences and challenges with peers. It's comforting and motivating to know others face similar challenges. Moral Support: When it comes to venues, some platforms and organizations stand out: (Open Web Application Security Project): Renowned for its insights into web vulnerabilities, its global chapters regularly hold meetings and workshops. OWASP : These community-driven events offer a cozier, more intimate setting for discussions and learning. BSides : One of the hacker conventions, it is an excellent place for someone keen on diving deep into hacking and cybersecurity. DEF CON When planning to attend, here are a few tips: Don't just be a passive participant. Engage, ask, discuss! Engage Actively: Go through the event's schedule, note down sessions of interest, and research the speakers. Prepare: Did you connect with someone interesting? Drop them a thank-you note or a simple message post-event. It could be the start of a valuable relationship. Follow-up: So, if you're aiming to deepen your cybersecurity knowledge and network, attending such events could be the stepping stones to your next big opportunity. Participate in CTF Challenges and Hackathons Capture The Flag (CTF) challenges are competitions where participants solve cybersecurity puzzles ranging from cryptography to web application vulnerabilities. These challenges offer beginners a practical, hands-on experience in solving . For example, the DEF CON CTF event annually attracts a global audience and has puzzles suitable for all skill levels. real-world cybersecurity problems Engaging in CTF challenges directly correlates with several areas outlined in the NIST-NICE framework: Analyze (AN): Deciphering cryptographic puzzles in CTFs sharpens skills pertinent to the Analyze category, where one evaluates incoming cybersecurity information. Protect and Defend (PR): Addressing vulnerabilities during a CTF strengthens a participant's capabilities in identifying, analyzing, and mitigating threats to IT systems, aligning closely with the Protect and Defend category. Investigate (IN): Some CTFs involve forensic challenges, aligning with the Investigate category, where one examines cybersecurity events or crimes related to IT systems. Securely Provision (SP): Tackling challenges where participants must secure or harden systems mirrors the Securely Provision category, emphasizing the design and creation of secure IT systems. By immersing oneself in CTFs, beginners not only gain valuable hands-on experience but also better understand the different roles and areas they might be interested in as per the NICE framework. It provides a tangible, engaging way to explore and deepen specific cybersecurity competencies. Join Bug Bounty Campaigns In a bug bounty campaign, companies incentivize ethical hackers to find and report vulnerabilities in their systems. This practice is becoming increasingly prevalent among leading technology companies, realizing the value of the global pool of independent security researchers. For instance, tech giants like Google, Facebook, Apple, Microsoft, and Twitter have all rolled out their own bug bounty programs, encouraging ethical hackers to identify and responsibly disclose potential security flaws in their platforms. By offering these campaigns, these organizations not only enhance the security of their systems but also foster a symbiotic relationship with the cybersecurity community. For example: Google's Vulnerability Reward Program (VRP) rewards researchers who uncover security vulnerabilities in Google's products and services. Their reward amounts can range from $100 to over $30,000, depending on the severity of the flaw and the product affected. In some exceptional cases, even higher rewards have been granted. Google's VRP has been instrumental in ensuring the security of products such as Google Chrome, Android, and Google Cloud Platform. Apple's Security Bounty Program invites security researchers to find vulnerabilities across iOS, macOS, and other Apple software. The payouts can be quite substantial, with rewards for the most critical issues reaching up to $1 million. This reflects Apple's commitment to user privacy and security. Platforms like Bugcrowd, Hackerone, and Intigrity have also streamlined the process, acting as intermediaries connecting ethical hackers with organizations, including those that might not have independent programs like Google or Apple. Once a vulnerability is identified and reported through these platforms or directly to the companies with established programs, it undergoes a verification process. If validated, the researcher could receive a financial reward, recognition, or both. Focus on Practical-led Training For beginners, there are web browser-based labs. These labs allow users to practice in a controlled environment directly within their browsers. While convenient and easy to access, these platforms might not fully replicate the complexities and intricacies of real-world systems. They are good introductory tools, but as users progress in their cybersecurity journey, they might find them less challenging. On the other hand, there are virtualized environments that require VPN access. These platforms offer environments that are almost identical to actual company infrastructures. The virtualized scenarios are meticulously crafted to emulate real-world networks, servers, and workstations. As users connect via VPN, they feel as if they are truly inside an operational network, providing a level of authenticity that web browser-based labs might lack. This type of environment allows for a deeper exploration of tools, tactics, and procedures, effectively training the participant to tackle genuine cybersecurity threats. The rigorous training in these environments ensures that participants are job-ready and fully prepared to address the multifaceted challenges they might face in their cybersecurity careers. By experiencing both types of training, candidates can appreciate the gradient of complexity in cybersecurity challenges and better hone their skills to be effective professionals. Here is a list of free or affordable practical cybersecurity training resources for beginners: : Provides a series of war games designed to teach the principles of security from the basics to advanced concepts. It's a great starting point for beginners wanting to learn Linux commands and simple penetration testing techniques. OverTheWire : This platform offers more than 300 challenges across different domains to help users improve their hacking skills. It provides a hands-on approach to learning about network security, web application security, and more. Root Me : Developed by the creators of the Burp Suite, this academy offers free hands-on web security training. It covers a wide array of topics from basic to advanced web vulnerabilities. PortSwigger Academy : Provides a beginners-friendly courses paired with VPN-based real-world training experience, emulating genuine cybersecurity scenarios. PWNX.io : A platform designed primarily for students to learn about cybersecurity. It offers educational modules tailored to different skill levels. PWN.college : An online platform that aids learning in cybersecurity through hands-on virtual labs. Its gamified challenges range from the very basics to more advanced, catering to users of all skill levels. TryHackMe A platform that provides various cybersecurity labs and challenges. While it does cater to users of all skill levels, some of the challenges can be very advanced, making it ideal for those looking to progress beyond the basics. Hack The Box: TCM Security offers self-paced cybersecurity courses that cover topics such as penetration testing, security training, and compliance. Additionally, they provide certifications that are increasingly gaining reputation in the industry. TCM Security: The resources mentioned above represent just a snapshot of the many tools and platforms that have gained attention and appreciation within the cybersecurity community. The realm of cybersecurity training is vast, and the list of valuable resources extends far beyond what's provided here. Additionally, there are numerous open-source projects and other content available online that can be instrumental in enhancing one's learning journey. Specialized forums and websites, which I will detail in the next paragraph, can be invaluable in discovering reviews or feedback from other community members. This feedback provides insights into the quality of new resources that are constantly being released. Leverage Social Media and Forums to Find a Mentor In the vast realm of cybersecurity, guidance from someone experienced can make all the difference. Platforms like LinkedIn can be particularly beneficial, not just for networking, but also for identifying potential mentors. By carefully reviewing profiles, joining relevant groups, and actively participating in discussions, you can showcase your eagerness and catch the attention of experienced professionals willing to guide newcomers. Discord, a platform initially created for gamers, has burgeoned into a hub for various professional communities. Specialized forums and websites further amplify the opportunity: Reddit’s Cybersecurity Communities: Platforms like and subreddits are teeming with professionals and enthusiasts discussing the latest in security trends, challenges, and solutions. The subreddit is particularly designed for students and beginners, fostering a nurturing space for queries and guidance. Reddit's Cybersecurity Netsec Netsecstudents Wilders Security Forums: Dive deep into discussions about online privacy, security, and data protection on . The vast range of threads and posts signifies a dedicated community, making it an invaluable resource for all cybersecurity-related topics. Wilders Security Forums MalwareTips and Antionline Forums: Websites like and are vibrant communities where one can engage in in-depth discussions on various facets of security, from malware threats to network safety. MalwareTips Antionline Bleeping Computer and Spiceworks Community: Forums such as and the are dedicated to comprehensive security-related discussions, from firewalls and VPNs to password managers and malware attacks. Bleeping Computer Spiceworks Security Forum Hacklido: A unique platform, is where the brightest hackers come together to share knowledge, experiences, and guidance. It's a rich source of practical insights and real-world examples. Hacklido By actively engaging in these forums and communities, not only can one expand their knowledge but also build meaningful connections. As you participate and contribute, the chances of meeting potential mentors who recognize your passion and dedication increase significantly. Remember, mentorship in cybersecurity is not just about learning the ropes; it's about guidance, feedback, and understanding the nuances of the rapidly evolving world of digital protection. Make Use of Free Tools As you embark on your cybersecurity journey, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the plethora of free tools available. These tools, widely recognized and utilized by professionals in the field, can significantly augment your learning experience: Wireshark: An open-source packet analyzer, Wireshark allows users to see what's happening on their network at a microscopic level. It's widely used for network troubleshooting, analysis, software, and communications protocol development, and education. Description: The tool comes with a range of to help newcomers grasp its functionalities. Resource: official documentation and guides OWASP ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy): Developed by OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project), ZAP is a free, open-source web application security scanner. It helps find security vulnerabilities in web applications while you are developing and testing them. Description: New users can benefit from the tool's and various community-contributed guides. Resource: official documentation Metasploit Community Edition: Part of the Metasploit Project, this edition is a free-of-charge penetration testing tool that helps verify vulnerabilities and manage security assessments. It aids in the discovery, analysis, and exploitation of vulnerabilities. Description: Metasploit provides a plethora of for various functionalities. Resource: tutorials and user guides Snort: As an open-source network intrusion prevention system (NIPS) and intrusion detection system (IDS), Snort is adept at performing real-time traffic analysis and packet logging. Description: Beginners can find extensive documentation and a community of users on the . Resource: Snort official website OpenVAS (Open Vulnerability Assessment System): OpenVAS is a full-featured vulnerability scanner that comes with numerous tests and offers updates for the latest vulnerabilities. It assists in identifying issues in systems and applications. Description: The OpenVAS community provides a to support new users in understanding and maximizing the tool's capabilities. Resource: comprehensive set of documentation Kali Linux: Kali Linux is a Debian-based Linux distribution that's geared towards advanced penetration testing and security auditing. It comes pre-installed with hundreds of integrated security tools, making it a staple in the cybersecurity community. Description: For those new to Kali, the offers comprehensive guidance, ranging from installation to utilizing its vast array of tools. Resource: official documentation Harnessing the capabilities of these tools not only gives beginners a practical understanding of various cybersecurity domains but also provides a hands-on approach to combating potential threats. Remember to explore the associated documentation and tutorials for each tool, as they often hold a wealth of knowledge and best practices. Untapped Potential and the Need for Guidance While there are self-learners who manage to connect the dots on their own, a vast number of budding talents are not yet part of the , mainly because they lack initial guidance. By providing targeted and practical guidance, we can help pave the way for a new generation of cybersecurity professionals ready to take on the challenges and opportunities that this rapidly evolving field has to offer. cybersecurity ecosystem Structured learning can be achieved in various ways, and this guide aims to offer an alternative perspective, coming from a non-traditional cybersecurity professional who had the unique opportunity to learn from genuine hackers.

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你不是一个人学习：网络安全初学者的结构化指南

In an era where the intersection of geopolitical tensions and technological advancements has become the new normal, the global landscape for cybersecurity professionals has never been more challenging. The now ranks cyber insecurity as the fourth most severe short-term global risk. Critical vulnerabilities across IT services and software supply chains are relentlessly exploited, and the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Israel have only exacerbated the situation. Mastering cybersecurity talent challenges has become paramount and requires new strategies. WEF Global Risk Report 2024 Unprecedented Threat Landscape Cybersecurity professionals now face an unprecedented threat landscape. An alarming view the current challenges as the most daunting in the past five years. Yet, only 52% believe their organizations possess the tools and expertise to respond effectively to cyber incidents over the next few years. Those grappling with staff shortages and skills gaps are particularly concerned about their ability to safeguard their organizations. 75% of them Budget Cutbacks and Layoffs Budget constraints and layoffs have sent shockwaves through the cybersecurity community. In 2023, reported layoffs, resulting in the elimination of 5025 cybersecurity roles. This followed 2729 layoffs in 2022, marking a worrying trend. The impact of these cutbacks extends beyond mere numbers; 71% of cybersecurity professionals report increased workloads, diminished productivity, lower team morale, and compromised preparedness for future threats. 54 cybersecurity companies globally According to the , these challenges are expected to persist in 2024. Shockingly, 31% of respondents foresee additional cutbacks within their organizations, with a worrisome 70% expecting these cutbacks to involve layoffs. Cybersecurity Workforce Study Growing Workforce, Escalating Demand, and Widening Gap Paradoxically, while the cybersecurity workforce continues to expand, demand for their expertise is growing even faster. The report found that 71% of survey respondents have unfilled cybersecurity positions, 46% of organizations deem their cybersecurity teams "somewhat understaffed," while 13% consider them "significantly understaffed." Only 2% believe they are overstaffed. ISACA State of Cybersecurity estimates that the global cybersecurity workforce has grown to 5.5 million, a 9% increase from 2022. Unfortunately, the global workforce gap is widening even faster, surging by 13% from 2022. In 2023, a staggering 4 million cybersecurity professionals were needed worldwide, almost doubling the current workforce's size. Cybersecurity Workforce Study Skills Shortages and Gaps Skills shortages and gaps compound the challenges. An alarming 67% of respondents report a lack of cybersecurity staff capable of preventing and addressing security issues. The primary causes of these shortages are difficulty finding qualified talent (41%), budget constraints (34%), and uncompetitive wages (30%). Skills gaps, often more detrimental than staff shortages, affect 59% of cybersecurity workers. These gaps persist even when organizations have both skill gaps and staffing shortages. Critical areas like cloud computing security, artificial intelligence/machine learning security, and Zero Trust implementation are the most commonly reported skills gaps, underscoring the industry's evolving demands. Soft Skills and Cybersecurity Recruitment Challenges Interestingly, it's not just technical skills causing concern. cite a need for soft skills such as leadership, flexibility, and communication as the industry's most significant skill gap. This gap has increased by 2% compared to the previous year, indicating a worsening shortage of these vital skills. 55% of respondents Recruitment in the cybersecurity sector presents unique challenges. Most organizations now take months to fill open vacancies, a stark contrast to the pre-pandemic era when the process was considerably faster. Almost take three to six months to hire a qualified candidate, with another 16% finalizing things in around two months. This approach may be inefficient and costly - HR stands out as the most consistently impactful in terms of costs, ranging from of the overall in-house operation team. half of all organizations 37 to 47% In this employee market, where demand for cybersecurity professionals outstrips supply, organizations face the challenge of attracting top talent. The deep tech industry requires professional recruiters who understand its unique ethos and expectations, which in-house teams may need help comprehending fully. The perfect storm of cutbacks, staffing shortages, and skills gaps escalates risks across all industries. An alarming 57% of cybersecurity workers believe that shortages put their organizations at moderate to extreme risk of cyberattacks. Staffing shortages hinder critical risk assessments and agility in a challenging threat landscape. Strategies to address cybersecurity talent challenges in 2024 In navigating this turbulent landscape, cybersecurity professionals and organizations must adopt agile strategies to protect organization infrastructure effectively. Here are some key strategies: Security Staff Augmentation In the face of staffing shortages and skills gaps, organizations are turning to staff augmentation for cybersecurity. This approach allows companies to delegate specialized tasks, freeing up their core teams to focus on critical projects and meet project deadlines. With staff augmentation, you can rely on external experts to bring specific skills that your in-house team may lack. This strategy offers flexibility in scaling your engineering team on-demand, adding new members when needed, and reducing the team size when the workload returns to normal. Moreover, it can lead to cost savings by avoiding expenses related to benefits and taxes that often apply to internal staff. Embracing staff augmentation also means proactively diversifying your talent pool beyond geographical boundaries, tapping into global expertise and perspectives. AI and Automation Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation have emerged as essential tools in cybersecurity. AI's potential is evident in its ability to analyze user behavior patterns, shifting away from traditional perimeter-based security to detect anomalies. Over the next few years, AI will play a pivotal role in cybersecurity, including predicting breach areas and generating defense tests. This technology can uncover hidden patterns within vast datasets, enhancing security measures significantly. While AI won't replace human workers, it will augment their capabilities by automating routine tasks and fostering collaboration between humans and AI. This approach can boost productivity and potentially increase the demand for skills that complement AI technology, offering a strategic roadmap to address staffing shortages, skills gaps, and the evolving complexity of cyber threats. Businesses can use staff augmentation and AI to fortify their cybersecurity defenses in an era of heightened risk. Retention Programs To address the ongoing challenges in the cybersecurity landscape, organizations should implement retention programs that emphasize the development of critical soft skills such as leadership and communication. Investing in employee growth and well-being is essential. Consider covering certification fees to encourage skill enhancement, and offer professional development training opportunities. Additionally, provide flexibility through remote work options and flexible hours to accommodate the evolving work environment. Foster a continuous learning and development culture to keep your cybersecurity team at the forefront of industry trends and challenges. This addition underscores the importance of both technical and soft skills in cybersecurity and the need to support employees' professional growth and well-being. Summary As we enter 2024, the cybersecurity industry faces formidable challenges, but with the right strategies, it can transform these challenges into opportunities for growth, innovation, and enhanced protection against cyber threats.

AUGMENTA CYBER SECURITY

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AUGMENTA CYBER SECURITY

augcyba.com

1-10 employees

Since 2017

COMPANY RANKING

AUGMENTA CYBER SECURITY

EVERGREEN INDEX #1543

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