Every day, cybersecurity becomes more important for businesses. Organizations have a need to protect their customer data and the number of attacks that businesses have experienced has increased. The bottom line is that cybersecurity news and best practices are important to pay attention to.
Without further ado, let’s get into some of the latest news in cybersecurity as well as tips and tricks for how to protect your data.
1. U.S Business Prepare for Ransomware Sophistication
After hundreds of businesses were hit by ransomware attacks over the Fourth of July weekend, organizations are dealing with the fact that cybercrime is becoming more lucrative, and cybercriminals have more money and resources to steal company data. These attacks have come from international cybercriminals, many analysts say at the behest of the Russian government. The Biden administration is continuing to pressure Russia to crack down on this cybercrime.
2. America’s Cybersecurity Problem: Not Enough Cyberwarriors
In 2021, as much of the word starts to put a difficult pandemic and the related work and cybersecurity problems behind it, one of the biggest issues facing countries is ransomware attacks. However, the United States is struggling to manage this problem because of serious lack of cyber-professionals to combat it. Many organizations are unable to receive help regarding ransomware incidents because of the disconnect between supply and demand of cyber-professionals.
3. New Executive Order to Bolster Cybersecurity
President Joe Biden has signed an executive order to help improve the nation’s cybersecurity. The order will aim to bolster the nation’s ability to respond to cybersecurity threats as well as enhance software supply chain security and implement best practices. Private sector entities will have influence over these actions and help provide direction. The directive comes at a time when cybersecurity risks are greater than ever to a nation that has yet to completely modernize its cybersecurity infrastructure.
4. Cybersecurity Practices That Cause Trouble
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released a list of bad cybersecurity practices in an effort to help prioritize cybersecurity responsibilities. The list will grow over time and bad practices will be catalogued. Updates will be shared based on feedback from risk managers. The list is being made in hopes of bolstering the techniques security teams use to keep their organizations safe from cybersecurity attacks. Here are two major tips from CISA:
- Use of unsupported (or end-of-life) software in service of Critical Infrastructure and National Critical Functions is dangerous and significantly elevates risk to national security, national economic security, and national public health and safety. This dangerous practice is especially egregious in internet-accessible technologies.
- Use of known/fixed/default passwords and credentials in service of Critical Infrastructure and National Critical Functions is dangerous and significantly elevates risk to national security, national economic security, and national public health and safety. This dangerous practice is especially egregious in internet-accessible technologies.
5. NYC Becomes First City to Create Cybersecurity Center
New York City has become the first city to set up a center for cybersecurity. The new center will open with 282 partners, including government agencies and private businesses. These partners will share data with one another with the intention of enhancing cybersecurity practices and preventing cyber threats from taking their toll. New York made this move recognizing that the state is at particular risk for cyber crime.
