Рубрика: Cybersecurity

Cyber threat intelligence tools continuously monitor various data sources, including dark web forums, hacker chatter, and malicious websites, to provide real-time updates on emerging threats. They provide information about the origin, tactics, techniques, and procedures of cyber adversaries. This proactive approach allows organizations to stay ahead of potential attacks and take preventive measures.

Cyber threat intelligence platforms play a crucial role in maintaining robust cybersecurity hygiene round the clock. The top 10 cyber threat intelligence tools showcased in this article have been crafted to provide the most up-to-date and actionable insights and contextual information about the nature of threats, their potential impact, and recommended actions.

In this article, we highlight the threat intelligence tools that have proven to be highly effective in safeguarding businesses from cyberattacks in 2023. Before we delve into the world of advanced cybersecurity solutions that are here to protect and empower organizations in the development of targeted defense strategies, let’s first get the basics right.

Indispensable Features Required in Cyber Threat Intelligence Tools in 2023:

Choosing the best cyber threat intelligence tool is paramount for any company. It must align seamlessly with the unique requirements and work ecosystem of the organization. Here are five essential features to consider when adopting the best cyber threat intelligence software in 2023 to aid you in this selection process.

Data Aggregation: The ability to collect and aggregate data from various sources, including open-source intelligence (OSINT), dark web, social media, and proprietary feeds.

Real-time Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of threats in real-time to identify emerging risks and potential cyberattacks promptly.

Threat Analysis: Advanced analytics and machine learning capabilities to analyze and categorize threats and providing actionable insights.

Integration Capabilities: Seamless integration with other security tools and platforms to enhance overall cybersecurity operations.

Incident Response Automation: Automation of routine tasks and processes to expedite incident response and reduce manual effort.

Threat Indicator Sharing: The ability to share threat intelligence with trusted partners or relevant industry peers for collective defense.

Reporting and Collaboration: Comprehensive and customizable reporting capabilities to facilitate collaboration among different teams and stakeholders.

IoC Management: Management of Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) to identify malicious activities and prevent further spread across the network.

Top 10 Cyber Threat Intelligence Tools of 2023

Cyber Threat Intelligence tools have become indispensable for companies aiming to fortify their security measures effectively. These tools are vital in gathering and analyzing threat data from external sources, ensuring businesses can shield themselves from existing vulnerabilities and stay prepared for potential future threats.

The global cyber threat intelligence market was valued at $392.2 million in 2020 and is expected to reach $981.8 million by 2023, as per Statista. Several leading companies in this segment can equip you with powerful tools to take on sophisticated threat variants.

Here’s our list of the top 10 cyber threat intelligence tools to consider in 2023.

1. Cyble Vision

Cyble Vision is Cyble’s advanced AI-powered Threat Intelligence platform, providing organizations unparalleled visibility into the dark web and underground cybercrime platforms. Recently the company has secured $24 million in Series B funding, to propel its AI and Threat Intelligence offerings.

Recognized as the Best Threat Intelligence Platform of 2023 by the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards, Cyble Vision offers a unified view of potential risks, ensuring that businesses stay one step ahead of cyber threats. Through proactive monitoring, real-time alerts, and in-depth threat analysis, Cyble Vision leverages over 5 billion Darkweb records per month, monitors more than 15 billion pages per day, and keeps tabs on over 5,000 Threat Actors 24/7. The platform encompasses more than 6 capabilities, including Threat Intelligence, Attack Surface Management, Brand Reputation Monitoring, Dark Web and Deep Web Monitoring, Threat Hunting, Vulnerability Management, and Third-Party Risk Scoring. Additionally, it offers 40+ subsequent use cases that are essential for every organization.

You can schedule a demo of this platform to see how it fits your business needs.

1. Cisco Umbrella

Cisco, a global cybersecurity and network solutions leader, presents its paramount cyber threat intelligence software, Cisco Umbrella. Empowered by advanced threat intelligence, Cisco Umbrella robustly safeguards endpoints, remote users, and office locales. This software accommodates diverse security needs, encompassing web security, cloud access, and data loss prevention. Its strength is collecting comprehensive cross-product security data from Cisco infrastructure and third-party sources, facilitating proactive cybersecurity strategies.

1. Anomali ThreatStream

ThreatStream by Anomali is harnesses millions of threat indicators to proactively identify new attacks, detect existing breaches, and enable security teams to respond swiftly to potential threats. With its extensive data aggregation capabilities and seamless integration with various security tools, Anomali ThreatStream equips organizations with the insights needed to stay one step ahead of cyber adversaries.

1. IBM X-Force Exchange

IBM X-Force Exchange is a top threat intelligence tool designed to empower security analysts with focused insights into critical threats. This Threat Intelligence Platform (TIP) offers a unique perspective on potential cyber threats by combining a vast global security feed with human-generated intelligence. It continuously monitors and gathers threat intelligence from over 25 billion websites and millions of endpoints across the globe, ensuring organizations are well-equipped to tackle emerging risks.

1. IntSights TIP

Rapid7, a leading cybersecurity and network solution provider, has made a significant move by acquiring IntSights, a company renowned for blending threat intelligence, data, and cutting-edge tools. This strategic collaboration aims to empower cybersecurity professionals with swift and effective measures to halt attacks and enhance return on investment (ROI). Rapid7 has seamlessly integrated IntSights’ advanced technology into its powerful threat command platform, further solidifying its position in the industry.

1. LookingGlass

LookingGlass is a premier data intelligence platform, harnessing information from over 80 available and exclusive commercial feeds. This vast wealth of data is meticulously organized into a repository called Collections, empowering businesses to quickly access and utilize critical information. A distinctive feature of LookingGlass is its cutting-edge Threat Indicator Confidence scoring tool, which enables organizations to identify and address top-priority risks swiftly.

1. ThreatConnect

ThreatConnect is one of the best threat intelligence software that offers a unified and comprehensive platform. With integrated cyber risk quantification, intelligence, automation, and analytics, ThreatConnect empowers your organization to strengthen its defenses against potential risks and threats. It simplifies complex data into actionable insights, ensuring your team can make informed decisions to protect your assets.

1. RecordedFuture

RecordedFuture offers an advanced, cutting-edge tool that automates the entire process, from data collection to analysis and reporting, delivering profound insights into your adversaries, infrastructure, and potential targets.

1. ThreatQuotient

ThreatQ, the best cyber threat intelligence tool from ThreatQuotient, offers a flexible and collaborative environment for effective cyber threat management and analysis. It addresses evolving cybersecurity challenges with a dynamic platform for proactive defense. ThreatQ aggregates data from diverse sources, centralizing the threat landscape view. Custom playbooks and workflows automate tasks, enhancing security operations.

1. ThreatMiner

ThreatMiner, a top cyber threat intelligence tool, specializes in collecting, analyzing, and visualizing threat intelligence from diverse sources. This tool streamlines the process of identifying and comprehending cyber threats for organizations. It employs advanced data mining techniques to extract and process threat intelligence data, spanning malware repositories and open-source feeds.

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With the rise of cyber-attacks, the best cybersecurity course matter for aspirants to land a job

As the number of cybersecurity attacks increases, so does the demand for the best cybersecurity course to defend against them. There are over 700,000 available cybersecurity roles in the United States alone and the occupation is increasing more than twice as fast as the general rate of the country’s economy.

These roles are difficult to fill for a variety of reasons, including the lack of cybersecurity knowledge among firm executives about the sort of cybersecurity course required to defend their assets, as well as a lack of education and awareness about current job risks. Inadequate training, credentials, or skill sets, on the other hand, are limiting cybersecurity professionals from obtaining these positions. While there are other paths to becoming a cybersecurity expert, such as taking up the best cybersecurity course matter because of the time to acquire new skills on the job, gaining a master’s degree is a well-established path.

Graduates of top cybersecurity courses may expect to earn six-figure beginning salaries ranging from US$100,000 to US$200,000.

“Security has always been well-paying, and it comes down to scarcity—both in terms of the number of professionals and the requisite capabilities,” Mike Hendrickson, Skillsoft’s vice president of tech and development, told Fortune earlier. “With today’s limited pool of security personnel, firms must make their offerings highly appealing, both in terms of remuneration and professional growth prospects.”

Salary For Cybersecurity Master’s Graduates

Students who graduate from the best cybersecurity master’s program in the country, as ranked by Fortune, frequently see their incomes quadruple. Students entering the program during the 2020-21 academic year self-report wages of US$104,100, while their contemporaries graduating during the same year self-report salaries of US$200,000—nearly twice as much.

“Our UC Berkeley online master’s in cybersecurity allows students to develop not only technical expertise in cybersecurity, but also essential skills in communications, product development, customer success, and business,” Rebecca Andersen, senior director of student and alumni career development at UC Berkeley, previously told Fortune. “This allows our students to take on leadership roles in the cybersecurity profession and earn big wage increases when they transition.”

UC Berkeley graduates also hold positions of leadership in cybersecurity. According to a UC Berkeley pay study of alumni, graduates with a master’s degree in cybersecurity earn an average income of US$214,000, not counting incentives; the median wage is US$200,000 Some graduates who are now executives earn more than US$300,000, such as chief information security officers (CISOs), chief information officers (CIOs), and chief technology officers (CTOs).

“Depending on the firm and the scale of the organization, the CISO jobs will be more than US$250,000, US$300,000, closer to US$400,000,” McHale adds.

Graduates of Yeshiva University (Katz), which Fortune ranks as having the No. 2 online cybersecurity master’s degree, earn a US$112,000 median base salary immediately after graduation and US$126,000 one year later. According to Skillsoft’s 2022 list of the top-paying IT certifications, Yeshiva’s cybersecurity curriculum aligns with high-paying industry certifications such as Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), which can help professionals land US$150,000-plus salary packages.

“There are several fantastic programs throughout the country,” says Paul Russo, dean of the Katz School of Science and Health. “I just happen to believe we have the proper mix of technological and instructional expertise to enable students to ascend to the top of the employment market.” In addition, the training emphasizes real-world threat modeling and hands-on experience with ransomware, endpoint detection and response, Amazon Web Services, and Splunk.

Western Governors University, which Fortune ranks as the third-best cybersecurity master’s program in the US, also boasts six-figure wages for its alumni. According to Mike Morris, WGU’s College of IT assistant dean and director of academic programs in cybersecurity, the master’s degree allows graduates to embark on cybersecurity leadership posts with prospective earnings of US$135,000. Furthermore, more than 16% of WGU tech graduates report starting salaries of US$150,000 or higher.

“Graduates are prepared to take on cybersecurity leadership roles with major corporations, government agencies, consultancies, and start-ups,” he adds. “In terms of salary impact, a master’s degree has been shown to help cybersecurity professionals’ earning potential.”

Some of the best graduate programs do not disclose six-figure wages, but they do show an increase in base salaries after obtaining a master’s degree. For example, Indiana University-Bloomington claims that the average base salary for its cybersecurity graduates is $77,400, a 44% increase over what they earned before to enrollment. According to Fortune, Indiana has the fourth-best cybersecurity master’s program in the US.

Indiana University’s cybersecurity risk management program takes a broader approach to the field, with students taking core courses in computing, law, and business. They also receive assistance in studying for the CISSP certification, which has the potential for higher earnings.

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As digitalization expands and finds new horizons, the ever-looming threat of Cybersecurity will rear its ugly head. Global cyber-attacks rose by 28% in 2022 with more than 1,130 weekly attacks per organization globally. If there is any way to prevent it, it is to face it, say cybersecurity experts. They say preparing ourselves for impending threats is a key component of cybersecurity. Various studies show that human actions account for a large part of cyber-attacks. A report published by Verizon found that the human element was responsible for 82% of the cyber-breaches studied.

Having exposure to cyber threats first-hand helps companies respond immediately and disclose a data breach immediately. The longer one waits the less trustworthy the company becomes. Prior experience helps the management to be resilient with respect to running core operations while remediating the cyber threats and executing a crisis management plan subsequently. The teams who participate in the drills learn from their mistakes and do not get caught off-guard when a real security breach occurs.

A typical incidence response plan has many components. It can be a planned exercise, a spot check, or even a role-playing exercise. It allows the security team to understand how far they understand the security threats and also the employees understand security risks. The major takeaway here is that you will know exactly which approach works for your organization.

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The AI-based contest will offer nearly US$20 million in prizes and includes collab from leading AI companies

The White House on Wednesday said it had launched a multimillion-dollar AI-based contest to spur the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to boost cybersecurity in the U.S. government infrastructure due to hackers’ growing use of the technology for malicious purposes.

“Cybersecurity is a race between offense and defense,” said Anne Neuberger, the U.S. government’s deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technology.

A qualifying event will be held in the spring, where up to 20 top-scoring teams will be chosen to advance to the semifinal competition at DEF CON 2024, a cybersecurity conference. Up to five teams will win US$2 million each and advance to the final at DEF CON 2025. The top three teams will be eligible for additional prizes, including a top prize of US$4 million for the team that “best secures vital software,” according to a press release.

Competitors will be asked to open-source their systems so that their solutions can be used widely. The Linux Foundation’s Open-Source Security Foundation also advises on the challenge.

DARPA will host an open competition in which the competitor that best secures vital software will win millions of dollars in prizes. AI companies will make their cutting-edge technology—some of the most powerful AI systems in the world—available for competitors to use in designing new cybersecurity solutions. To ensure broad participation and a level playing field for AIxCC, DARPA will also make available US$7 million to small businesses that want to compete.

The government said that Alphabet’s Google, Anthropic, Microsoft, and OpenAI – the U.S. technology firms at the forefront of the AI revolution – will make their systems available for the challenge.

The contest signals official attempts to tackle an emerging threat that experts still try to grasp fully. In the past year, U.S. firms have launched a range of generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, that allow users to create convincing videos, images, texts, and computer code. Chinese companies have launched similar models to catch up.

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Wipro report reveals how generative AI and cloud technologies are causing cybersecurity gaps

Wipro, a leading technology services and consulting company, has published its State of Cybersecurity Report 2023, which provides an in-depth analysis of the current and emerging trends and challenges in cybersecurity across different regions and sectors. The report is based on the responses of 345 security leaders from various organizations and data from multiple sources, such as the Council on Foreign Relations, government websites, and patent filings.

The report covers four pillars of cybersecurity resilience: cyber-attacks, breaches, and law; enterprise cyber capabilities; collaboration; and the future of cybersecurity. It also provides recommendations for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) to address the cybersecurity gaps and achieve cyber resilience in the face of disruptive changes.

The report reveals that cyber-attacks have increased in frequency, sophistication, and impact amid geopolitical tensions and economic slowdowns worldwide. The report identifies four types of cyber-attacks: nation-state attacks, ransomware attacks, supply chain attacks, and insider threats. The report also discusses the legal aspects of cybersecurity, such as breach notification and data-transfer laws.

The report reveals that enterprise cyber capabilities have improved governance, strategy, budget, and talent. The report also reveals that enterprise cyber capabilities have evolved regarding technology, processes, and culture. The report also reveals that enterprise cyber capabilities have matured in terms of metrics, standards, and frameworks.

The report reveals that collaboration is essential for enhancing cybersecurity resilience across the ecosystem. The report finds that 78% of the respondents have collaborated with external stakeholders, such as regulators, industry peers, academia, and vendors, to share information and best practices on cybersecurity. The report also finds that 76% of the respondents have collaborated with internal stakeholders, such as business units, functions, and employees, to raise awareness and alignment on cybersecurity.

The report reveals that disruptive changes in the technology landscape will drive the future of cybersecurity. The report identifies four emerging technologies that will create new opportunities and challenges for cybersecurity: generative AI, quantum computing, biometrics, and blockchain.

The report concludes that CISOs must embrace the disruptive changes in the cybersecurity landscape and adopt a holistic and strategic approach to cybersecurity that can support their business objectives and enable digital transformation. The report provides several recommendations for CISOs to address the cybersecurity gaps and achieve cyber resilience in the face of disruptive changes.

The report also provides insights on cybersecurity trends across three geographies (US, Europe, Asia Pacific Middle East, and Africa) and seven industry sectors (banking financial services & insurance; communications; consumer business; energy natural resources & utilities; healthcare life sciences & services; manufacturing; technology). The report also features interviews with leading cybersecurity experts from various domains.

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Cybersecurity techniques are crucial kinds of sustainable technology since cyberattacks

The link between cybersecurity and sustainability may not be clear at first glance, yet strong security is required to live greener lifestyles. Consumers may not automatically associate cybersecurity with sustainability. Tight internet security, on the other hand, is required for many of the goods and initiatives that people use to live greener lifestyles and do environmental research.

These are four ways cybersecurity contributes to sustainability:

1. Preventing Attacks on Renewable Energy Infrastructure: Renewable energy is being used to power homes and businesses more than ever before. Apart from the environmental benefits of renewables, users may frequently claim tax incentives that make installing renewable energy equipment more affordable.

Regrettably, the increased use of renewable energy has resulted in an increase in cybercriminals attacking green energy infrastructure. Massive blackouts would be disastrous, limiting or halting key services. Too many successful attacks on green energy equipment may lead consumers to believe it is untrustworthy.

2. Practices for Data Collection and Sharing: The internet makes it much easier for scientists and other interested parties to obtain information regarding climate change, animal migration, natural catastrophes, and other climate crisis elements.

Cybersecurity specialists are critical in ensuring the availability of databases and other technologies that allow users to share their results. Several methods also make use of modern technology, such as artificial intelligence, to forecast CO2 emissions or the consequences of climate change.

3. Protecting Goods from Attacks: The Internet of Things (IoT) has significantly enhanced connection and communication among appliances. From your fitness tracker to your coffee maker, anything may now submit real-time data to cloud-based services for subsequent analysis. Several smart home products promote sustainability as well. You might, for example, purchase a smart showerhead to save water while showering or a smart thermostat to maintain your house at an energy-saving yet pleasant temperature.

The proliferation of IoT goods, on the other hand, has considerably expanded the possible attack surface for hackers to exploit. Most smart home device manufacturers recognize that independent cybersecurity researchers are among their most valuable friends in identifying risks and alerting product makers to them.

4. Become Sustainability Consultants for Manufacturers of Sustainable Goods: Many consumers are keen to buy linked devices that will help them live more environmentally friendly lifestyles. Yet they object if it means losing their privacy. It was one of the key findings of a 2023 survey conducted by Smart Sensi Thermostats, which questioned both smart thermostat owners and those who were not actively using the devices.

Developing a privacy-centric smart gadget that promotes sustainable living is a big selling factor for potential customers. Product developers might also enlist the assistance of cybersecurity specialists to generate documentation that accurately outlines the built-in safety and security features.

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In today’s interconnected world, cybersecurity is of paramount importance. With the increasing reliance on digital platforms and the growing sophistication of cyber threats, safeguarding your digital assets has become a critical task. This article explores the key aspects of cybersecurity and provides valuable insights on how you can protect your digital assets from malicious actors.

Understanding The Cyber Threat Landscape

The first step in safeguarding your digital assets is to understand the evolving cyber threat landscape. Cyber threats come in various forms, such as malware, ransomware, phishing attacks, and data breaches. Hackers are constantly finding new ways to exploit vulnerabilities in systems and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. One significant aspect of the threat landscape is the presence of software vulnerabilities, which can be exploited by cybercriminals.

As reported by Analytics Insight, a recent study conducted by Analytics Insight highlighted the severity of WordPress plugin vulnerabilities, posing a serious threat to over 2 lakh websites. These vulnerabilities can allow attackers to gain control over websites, compromise user data, and even inject malicious code. It is crucial for website owners and administrators to be aware of such vulnerabilities and promptly apply security patches and updates.

The Role of Incident Response and Recovery

Despite taking proactive cybersecurity measures, it is essential to have a robust incident response and recovery plan in place. This plan outlines the steps to be taken in the event of a cyber-attack or security breach. It helps minimize the impact of an incident, enables a timely response, and facilitates the recovery process.

An effective incident response plan includes:

Detection and Analysis: Establish mechanisms to detect and analyze security incidents promptly. This involves monitoring systems, logs, and network traffic for any signs of unauthorized access or malicious activities.

Containment and Mitigation: Isolate compromised systems or affected areas to prevent further spread of the attack. Mitigate the impact by applying security patches, removing malware, and implementing temporary safeguards.

Investigation and Recovery: Conduct a thorough investigation to understand the scope and impact of the incident. Recover compromised data from backups, restore affected systems, and implement additional security measures to prevent future incidents.

It can be best to buy software that can handle all of this for you in one spot. For example, the IBM Security QRadar SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) is one often cited as the best of the market.

It is a comprehensive security intelligence platform developed by IBM. It helps organizations effectively monitor their IT infrastructure, detect security threats, and respond to incidents in real-time. QRadar SIEM provides advanced capabilities for log management, threat detection, incident response, and compliance management.

The primary purpose of QRadar SIEM is to aggregate and correlate data from various sources within an organization’s network, including logs, network traffic, user activity, and security events. It uses advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms to identify patterns, anomalies, and potential security incidents.

Best Practices for Cybersecurity

To safeguard your digital assets effectively, it is essential to adopt best practices for cybersecurity. Here are some key measures you should implement:

Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Use unique and complex passwords for all your accounts and ensure regular password changes. Additionally, enable multi-factor authentication whenever possible to add an extra layer of security.

Regular Software Updates and Patching: Keep all your software, operating systems, and plugins up to date. Developers frequently release patches and updates to address security vulnerabilities. Failing to update your software can leave your systems exposed to known threats.

Firewalls and Antivirus Software: Install robust firewalls and reliable antivirus software on all your devices. Firewalls help monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic, while antivirus software scans for and removes malicious programs.

Expert Reviews: In addition to providing your own security, it is a good idea to check out expert reviews of any websites where you will be entering sensitive information. For online casinos, Casino Bonus CA offers great reviews with an emphasis on security, proper payouts, and bonuses. These online casinos are available in Canada, as these are often geographically specific. You can tell these reviews are thorough because they include their real experience processing bonuses and requesting payouts.

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In today’s digital age, every industry is heavily dependent on technology. We are putting software everywhere and while this is changing our lives in a positive direction, the future maybe slightly worrisome. Thanks to the advent of Internet of Things (IoT), it is predicted that by 2020, the internet will connect a whopping 200 billion things worldwide. One can only imagine the massive amounts of data generated, stored and processed which is sacred to every company or organization.

Most of the technologies today from automated alarm systems in your house to industrial systems can be hacked. Hence stating that all the information is vulnerable to outside attack and no matter how skilled the network security professionals are or however thick your firewall is, the network infrastructure is not secure. In 2016, about 300,000 SimpliSafe alarm systems were hacked and the only solution to it was to replace the pieces. This is a proof that cyber attacks are costing millions of dollars to businesses, and are the biggest threat to companies globally.

Why the traditional methods do not work?

The connected devices create a humongous amount of streaming data, and on the other hands, attacks are getting multifaceted too. Difficulties arise when companies are working on older and newer systems together where one insecure component damages the entire system. As a result, it becomes troublesome for companies to diagnose the breach in security. The existing security tools are not sufficient to process the current volume of data generated and thus assessing even one threat in an enterprise is getting time-consuming.

Systems such as logging, network device events, security information, compliance reporting and file integrity monitoring are important to a company’s network defense arsenal. These are highly vulnerable to cyber-attacks and have limitations in their ability to monitor and indicate anomalies.

A single successful attempt into the systems and the whole network can be exposed to the hackers, in such case, one cannot merely prevent the attacks from happening. So, it necessitates companies to detect them in real-time and respond fast. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), recently issued updated guidelines in the risk assessment framework that recommends companies to shift toward continuous monitoring and real-time assessments. This can be achieved through the use of big data analytics.

Big data provides robust security solutions

A proactive mode implies looking into all the information and applying predictive analytics techniques to determine the probability of a threat, detect the abnormal behavior and respond to alleviate it. The existing tools and software in Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems should be optimised to bring automation into the picture.

Companies today need complete visibility of their data- a comprehensive, centralized view of all relevant data, both current and historic. Historical data is useful in recognizing the deviations from the normal behavior and has opened up new paradigms of statistical and predictive models. If monitored over a period of time, it can predict the likelihood of certain attacks happening in some selected places such as an important database, for an instance.

Secondly, the companies need high ingestion speed of big volume of data. Security telemetry or reports are constantly generated which needs to be stored at high speeds too. Hadoop is one of the most popular tools for big data analytics. Hadoop processes large, heterogeneous data using a core programming model named MapReduce. It analyzes massive amounts of data and mitigates potential threats including the botnets that are a major threat to the Internet.

Big data analytics as a holistic approach

The real-time processing of data streams provides information like threat locations, what data was leaked and where was it sent; all of this with the incorporation of automation. The reports can be sent to the right people at the right time who knows what to do with the data and patterns deciphered.

Today a holistic approach to cybersecurity includes an amalgam of big data technologies, machine learning and data science. Agencies worldwide are in favor of these technologies working far better than the traditional approach, especially for bigger organizations and government agencies. According to a survey, 94% of federal agencies plan to invest in big data technologies, and 84% of big data users have reported success in thwarting threats.

The global cybersecurity market was valued at US$122 billion in 2016 and is expected to reach US$231billion by 2022. Major areas of growth within the cybersecurity market include security analytics, threat intelligence, mobile security, and cloud security. However, the market is faced with challenges and constraints such as inadequate infrastructure, high cost, and a lack of skilled workforce. Developing economies should invest significantly in big data analytics tools with the required infrastructure, and education in order to secure its booming IT industry, and retain innovation and growth.

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Recent few years perceived many destructive cyber-attacks. In 2017 itself, many technically proficient cybercriminals made their way in through breaking well-built information technology infrastructures. Some of the disastrous cyber-attacks like Wanna Cry, literally made users cry. In May 2017, over 200,000 devices were attacked and infected by the attack, which was undoubtedly the best instance of the outcome of an ill intention of those noted tech thieves.

The past year, was enough to give a glimpse of the coming year, the year which may turn even more disastrous as the hackers and cybercriminals are now well equipped with artificial intelligence tools. Internet of things can act as an added advantage for those hackers as the network accessibility has already empowered with an easy pathway to millions of home and professional systems over the world. Unquestionably, 2018 has got many more disastrous dishes served on the plate for the cybersecurity, here are some of those predictions that can be useful to guess and prepare for near future.

1. Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools

According to Mr. Theo Van Wyk, working as chief security architect for Scalar Decisions, “Machine learning has the potential to allow companies to model normal behavior much more accurately and effectively than a human could, and this can then form the base model from which anomalous behavior can be identified.” If we go with his opinion, artificial intelligence can be a major theft for the cyber securities. Any common user unintentionally creates a security risk through the web traces; the traces have both the sides. If used in a positive aspect, can be used to aware the users, and also build more safe security infrastructures, and on the other sides same web traces can be used and manipulated by hackers to break in. Artificial intelligence is really dependable, but the efficiency is significantly affected by both the design of the algorithm of the dataset. So, more research and deep algorithm coding are expected to overcome probable cyber-attacks.

2. Rise of Crypto Currencies and Subsequent Attacks

The end of 2017 has witnessed the sudden rise in cryptocurrency, the virtual currency. Bitcoin was never this famous and known, and as it touched terrific high peaks, it became a showstopper for all of the investors. The rise not only grabbed the attention of the investors but also the hackers and cybercriminals have set their eyes on the cryptocurrencies. Lately, cybercriminals were observed aiming at cyber-attacks against ICO in the endeavor to take over capitals to buy tokens, and in no time, specialists detected ICO hacks that triggered millions of dollar losses. Several malware applications specifically designed to steal cryptocurrencies were witnessed by the authorities and that proves it to be a potential threat to cybersecurity.

3. Dramatic Rise in Mobile Phone Users

Early versions of communication devices have been well replaced by smartphones. Those phones have given enormous power to the fingertips of users. The applications are designed to trace the behavior of the user. Location tracking is one of the most important aspects of such tracings. Almost every second user has turned it on for better user experience. Data is collected at every counting second, no doubt, the data is encrypted, but it has its own limitations. The rise in the use of the smartphone users has initiated a process to produce a tremendous amount of metadata, which can be decrypted if needed, taking over the privacy policies. And, if any such thing happens, then it would be the most vital task to control.

4. Cloud Security, Is It Safe?

Almost all of the enterprises have shifted to cloud storage and cloud computing for all of their data needs, instead of owning and maintaining a physical server. The cloud has, a well- established security infrastructure defined and executed. But, the question mark is still there.

The cloud has the data which can be used at any point of time to misuse for exploitation. Hackers and cybercriminals are human only who are capable to break into the human-made securities only. Thus, making cloud computing even safer is the most priority thing for the enterprises and data maintaining authorities. Otherwise, the cloud may turn into the most potent threat to cybersecurity.

5. Ransomware, the Theft May Continue with its Nuisance

The ransomware was the most discussed disastrous malware that hit worldwide in 2017. There is a strong possibility that, ransomware will characterize most hazardous threat to enterprises and end-users in coming year also. Security professionals presume ransomware as the most vulnerable one, as the older version when attacked in 2017, impacted terribly all over the globe. Many enterprises were compelled to shut off their systems for affected days. The home users were also infected. The ransomware solution was very hard to decode as the algorithms were so well coded. There is a strong possibility that, ransomware will hit back again in 2018, as the coders must have improved the hazardous level of malware by learning from last attack experience.

These are some of the cybersecurity predictions for 2018. The actual picture may be different as the hackers and cybercriminals are proactive and might have started to use modern tech tools precisely to make it even more hazardous and impactful. Predicting the ideas of them is quite difficult, but yes preparing for the attack is the only way out.

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In this age of digitization, emerging and disruptive technologies are changing the business landscape of every industry be it retail, banking, defence, automotive, or the healthcare industry. Digitized information is replacing piles of paper-based files making it easier to share information virtually, across the globe. This rapid onset of digitization comes with the danger of cyber crime in the form of diverse cyber crime attacks.

Cyber security has become a necessity for each and every organization with the global spend only seen increasing annually. A recent market research report predicts the global cyber security market to reach a value of USD 231 Billion by the year 2022.

Data Security and the Healthcare Outsourcing Industry

While no industry is alien to cyber crimes, malware and ransomware attacks, the healthcare industry has always been a soft target given the sensitive nature of patient information involved in day-to-day transactions. The Healthcare Cyber Security Market by itself is expected to be worth USD 10.85 Billion by the year 2022.

In the healthcare outsourcing industry, data security is a significant aspect, as data from healthcare outsourcing firms comprise of PIIs or Personal Identification Information highly sensitive in nature. While the shift to Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) and Electronic Health Records (EHRs) is helping the industry scale new dimensions, on the other hand, their protection becomes even more vital as these valuable digital assets have become the primary target of cyber attackers in the recent past.

Threats – Internal and External

The primary purpose of cyber attacks in the healthcare industry has been to steal identities, financial information, billing information, bank details and other personal patient information with phishing, spam emails and stolen devices with un-encrypted data being some of the most commonly used methods to steal such data. Cyber threats can be either internal or external, necessitating healthcare organizations and their vendors and partners to adopt very stringent data security measures that they update at regular intervals.

A report from Verizon, the US-based telecommunications firm, Protected Health Information Data Breach 2018, states that healthcare is the only industry where insider threats posed the greatest threat to sensitive data, with 58 percent of incidents coming from insiders.

Adopting Strong Cyber Security Measures

The industry is witnessing a spurt in the number of cyber attacks and data breaches. Using advanced techniques such as SQL injections, clickjacking and rootkits to name a few, attackers are able to easily surpass existing security protocols and gain access to patient records, and their personal information.

Organisations need to put in place strong data security measures in line with applicable state and federal regulations such as HIPAA and HITECH. To address the multi-faceted challenges of cyber security, the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has also formulated a cyber-security framework. The framework’s building blocks are Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond and Recover. This can be implemented by companies in any sector and of any size for creating a cyber-resilient organization.

Today most of the attacks are targeted through employees. A weak cyber security system makes it very easy for any individual to leak data or disrupt internal data. The HIPAA Journal states that unauthorized access and theft of medical records remain the top concerns of the healthcare industry.

Hence, organizations need to develop cyber resilience by imparting knowledge to their employees, educating them on the possible threats and attacks and the ways to avoid and tackle such situations.

Following basic hygiene such as change management, role-based access, patch management, identity and access management etc. will tremendously help in minimizing threats and attacks. Organisations should also focus on developing strong incident detection and response processes. They should develop a playbook listing all possible scenarios, related response mechanism and role of individuals/team during such attacks.

Deception Technology is yet another new technique that many organizations are rampantly implementing as a defence mechanism to detect and curb threats. It lures attackers to “decoy” assets mimicking the organization’s actual data, in order to study and understand attack patterns, without the knowledge of the attackers.

Conclusion

With the advent of technology, Internet of Things (IoT) and rapid evolution of business models, the dependency on digital information is bound to increase. Providing improved patient care, reducing operational costs, increasing returns and improving the efficiency of the revenue cycle processes being the key reasons for adoption of technology and digitization in the healthcare industry, organizations need to be well informed of the lurking threats. As these advancements put at stake the reputation and brand value of the organization, data and cyber security have become a subject of importance across the board.

Organisations need to constantly evolve their cyber security measures to be able to detect, prevent, and react to the network attack or cyberattack at the time of intrusion. Such measures need to be scalable and flexible ensuring the organization is always prepared to take such combats head-on!

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