Difference between Network Security and Cyber Security

Network Security:

Network Security is the measures taken by any enterprise or organisation to secure its computer network and data using both hardware and software systems. This aims at securing the confidentiality and accessibility of the data and network. Every company or organisation that handles large amount of data, has a degree of solutions against many cyber threats.

Cyber Security:

Cyber Security is the measures to protect our system from cyber attacks and malicious attacks. It is basically to advance our security of the system so that we can prevent unauthorized access of our system from attacker. It protects the cyberspace from attacks and damages. Cyberspace can be hampered by inherent vulnerabilities that cannot be removed sometimes.

Difference between Network Security and Cyber Security:

Network Security	Cyber Security
It protects the data flowing over the network.	It protects the data residing in the devices and servers.
It is a subset of cyber security.	It is a subset of information security.
It protects anything in the network realm.	It protects anything in the cyber realm.
It deals with the protection from DOS attacks.	It deals with the protection from cyber attacks.
Network Security strikes against trojans.	Cyber Security strikes against cyber crimes and cyber frauds.
It includes viruses and worms.	It includes phishing and pre-texting.
Network security ensures to protect the transit data only.	Cyber security ensures to protect entire digital data.
It secures the data travelling across the network by terminals.	It deals with the protection of the data resting.

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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Transferring College with an Advantage (Credit Transfer)

The Benefits of Transferring Your Credits to ECCU

Wondering how to utilize your previously earned credits? Well, you need not worry about that, for knowledge earned does not ever go to waste. And EC-Council University (ECCU) not only professes it, but also practices it.

The university does accept transfer of credits from other recognized universities. Transferring credits can be a cumbersome process at times, but not at ECCU. We do it the easiest way, i.e. by taking advantage of the array of courses that most colleges and universities offer. Let’s go step-by-step to understand the process of credit transfer.

Let’s Understand How Credit Transfers Work

Every university has its own credit transfer policy. Few insist on a minimum number of credits from the previous university, while others restrict on a maximum number of allowable credit transfer. Credit transfer policy also depends on the type of degree you opt for.

To be eligible for credit transfer, students must first know what courses are accepted for the same. The entire process takes determined planning and work. When done right, attaining your degree with credit transfer becomes a smooth experience.

Benefits of Credit Transfer

◉ It allows students to receive credits toward their degree from other institutions and can have a profound effect on a student’s career planning.

◉ It enables students to reduce the time required to complete their degrees and to get transferred to more advanced programs.

◉ It allows students to work at their own pace, take additional courses, and fine-tune their curriculum according to their interests.

Myths around Credit Transfers

Contrary to the popular myth, credit transfers are common. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 33 percent of all college students in the United States transfer at least once during their college careers. Of course, the reasons to opt for it are different for different students. Some students seek a more challenging academic environment or a different career path; whereas, others find they need more time or financial resources to complete their degree. Still, others simply opt it for they need a changing stream of study.

Whatever be the reasons, the credit transfer process is critical for students, and can prove to be life-changing and future-shaping for them.

Reasons for Credits Transfer at ECCU

◉ Credits earned indicate the amount of knowledge you acquired.

◉ Credit transfer is a method to save you time.

◉ Credit transfer reduces your costs.

◉ Credit transfer saves you the effort of starting from scratch.

◉ Right credit transfer may make you eligible for an advanced degree or a diploma program.

Take Advantage of EC-Council University’s Transfer of Credits

EC-Council University is an internationally recognized university for Cyber Security aspirants. ECCU is committed to providing high-quality education, hands-on practical experience, and cutting-edge research.

The EC-Council University curriculum aligns with the latest Cyber Security topics, accessible to students worldwide. While studying at ECCU, you can not only earn your degree 100% online from the convenience of your home, but you can also transfer credits toward your degree from other accredited institutions.

The Limit of Credits Transfer at ECCU

At ECCU, you may receive a maximum of 18 graduate credit hours in the graduate program and 90 credits in the undergraduate program. Additionally, you will:

◉ learn from highly qualified instructors.

◉ gain networking opportunities.

◉ get the opportunity to attain industry certification.

◉ acquire an accredited degree with a global presence.

Fast Track Your Degree with ECCU’s Seamless Credit Transfer Policy

The transfer of credits at ECCU is a seamless process. Here’s how you can apply to transfer your credits at ECCU:

◉ Submit an official transcript or NACES/NAFSA evaluation.

◉ Submit an official transcript or NACES/NAFSA evaluation.

Source: eccu.edu

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Cyber Security in Cloud computing

Every new technology, together with cloud computing, has an entirely different security outlook reckoning on the precise user United Nations agency is accessing it. It principally depends on the user whether or not to decide a specific technology smart or dangerous for him. Speaking regarding cloud technology, around ninetieth of the enterprises within the North American country alone have started managing their daily accounting tasks over the cloud platform, which implies that even large businesses United Nations agency area unit handling much knowledge realize cloud computing as a promising alternative.

Cybersecurity is the umbrella that captures all things necessary about security. The cloud computing security is that the blend of the technologies and tips – that the management is dependent upon, basically portrays overseeing the consistency leads and secure infrastructure data applications, safe-secure directions, framework, and information applications, relates & identifies to cloud computing use. Security for ancient knowledge centers and cloud computing platforms works on the same premises of confidentiality, integrity, and handiness. Cloud computing security addresses every physical and logical security issues across all the assorted service models of code, platform, and infrastructure. It conjointly addresses; however, these services area unit delivered (public, private, or hybrid delivery model).

If we tend to compare the “cloud technology” with “traditional or native servers, ” then undoubtedly the previous is comparatively safer. However, if we manage to compare safety among the general public, private, and, hybrid cloud, then the viewpoints might dissent. Clients’ want utmost assurance of security before they hand their sensitive knowledge to a 3rd party cloud supplier, that makes the essence of the cloud rather more relevant within the context of safety.

Here area unit 5 essential property to see to basically get you started :

Network Segmentation:

Examine robust zone access to stay detail, containers, appliance, and full systems confined from one another once doable. It’s planning to stop facet movement in associate degree attack and the incorrect association between systems by any threat actor.

Cloud-based Access Controls:

All aspects of computing within the cloud ought to have access to management lists. Since services sort of info will begin severally, it’s more practical than it’s for on basis to specify and implement applicable approach management. Any virtual base, efficient systems, applications, and even tools accustomed to monitor the case is incorporated by it.

Multi-tenancy in Cloud Computing:

While multi holding affords ascendable and analysis help purposely, there’s conjointly the chance of information bleed and unreliable compass that may not be manageable within the cloud. Examine association management in a very multi holding state of affairs and policy compass for any account which will have an association across holder.

Cloud Access Management:

Remember, these don’t seem to be your computers. Ideas sort of a crack cart don’t naturally administer; thus, you essential to handle the influential association to any or all cloud effects and conjointly examine disaster improvement and any deficiency in your great association chance. We tend to feel honored these days on assertion with countersign administration clarification and administrator accounts. We {want} the distinctive approach within the cloud; however, don’t want cloud administrator rights to be everyplace.

Cloud Computing Threats and Liability:

This impression simplifies one for one from on assertion operation however might use operator and different combination technologies to finish the assertion of responsibility. Once analyze, they need to be computed victimization threat brilliance and remitted in a very timely fashion.

Cloud Computing security means that the safety approaches taken to secure the Cloud. Cloud Computing itself isn’t a technology – it’s a computing approach that encapsulates all different computing means that. Thus, Cloud Computing security could be a large and sophisticated side to handle. Security considerations in the Cloud Computing area unit most likely additional advanced and confusing than the manner Cloud Computing itself is complicated and complex. Curiously, plenty of security considerations in Cloud Computing don’t seem to be technology connected – strategic higher cognitive process and human factors area unit usually related to it.

Note:

You would like to understand that security of the client’s knowledge, and applications area unit is still your responsibility. Simply because a cloud supplier is hosting your understanding, and your claims don’t mean that security isn’t your concern any longer. It’s a shared responsibility between you and your cloud supplier.

The major Cloud Security threats that area unit value lightness from a recent report embodies these three – Insider threats, Data loss risks, and Inadequate due diligence. These Cloud Security threats area unit is demonstrating the still-into-practice a touch of casual angle that a lot of companies area unit still having regarding the usage of cloud-based services and their management.

So, associate degree agile and open-eyed approach is needed at each level and to either side (cloud supplier and users). Also, it’s a repetitive procedure wherever the necessity of continuous upgradation is kind of essential with information, innovation, and, technology.

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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Pivoting – Moving Inside a Network (Cyber Security)

An exploit is a bit of programming, a piece of information, or a grouping of commands that exploits a bug or weakness to make unintended or unforeseen conduct happen on the computer program, equipment, or something electronic (typically computerized). Such conduct habitually incorporates things like gaining unintended access to a PC, permitting privilege escalation, or a denial-of-service (DoS or related DDoS) attack.

Pivoting is the exceptional method of utilizing an instance (likewise alluded to as a ‘plant’ or ‘foothold’) to have the option to move around inside a network. Fundamentally utilizing the main compromised system to permit and even guide in the exploit of others, in any case, blocked off systems.

Pivoting alludes to a technique used by the pen-testers that utilization of a compromised system to attack other different systems on the same network to dodge limitations, for example, firewall, which may deny direct admittance to all machines. For instance, if an attacker hacks a web-server on a corporate network, the aggressor would then be able to utilize the compromised web-server to attack other different systems on the network. These kinds of attacks are frequently called multi-layered attacks. Pivoting is otherwise called island bouncing.

Types of Pivoting

Pivoting can additionally be recognized into Proxy Pivoting and VPN Pivoting.

1. Proxy pivoting for the most part portrays the act of diverting traffic through an undermined target utilizing an intermediary payload on the machine and propelling attacks from the PC. This sort of pivoting is confined to certain TCP and UDP ports that are upheld by the intermediary.

2. VPN pivoting empowers the hacker to make an encoded layer to tunnel into the undermined machine to course any system traffic through that target machine, for instance, to run a vulnerability scan on the compromised network through the undermined machine, adequately giving the aggressor full system access as though they were behind the firewall.

Ordinarily, the intermediary or VPN applications empowering pivoting are executed on the objective PC as the payload (program) of an exploit.

Pivoting is normally done by penetrating an aspect of network infrastructure (for instance, a weak printer or indoor regulator) and utilizing a scanner to discover different devices connected in order to hack them. By exploiting a weak bit of systems administration, a hacker could penetrate through most of the entire network infrastructure and enjoy the complete control.

How Do Attackers Pivot?

1. Attackers are searching for any ‘plant’ they can use to get entrance into a system. The least expensive and best method of accessing systems today is through some type of phishing.

2. The aggressor investigates an objective, makes some kind of email with malware joined to it, and afterward sends it off wanting to fool the client into tapping on whatever it is they’ve appended.

3. With the end goal of this, we’ll expect the client taps on the malware and the attacker presently has effectively penetrated the casualty’s system.

4. Now, the attack will start to do some extra certainty finding. It will attempt to discover different data like, the extra clients who approach this machine, which networks are easily accessible by this machine, are there any offers on this framework, and maybe, where the neighbourhood DNS servers are.

5. They do the entirety of this in light of the fact that the individual they’ve exploited isn’t really their objective.

6. It’s normally some other system or another information point in the system. When they increase enough data from this client, they will at that point start to attempt to mix in with the typical system traffic and endeavour to access these different frameworks.

One of the most well-known services exploited in systems today, Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). Since the aggressor has got all the usernames and passwords off of the underlying casualty’s machine and distinguished important servers, he/she will at that point use RDP to possibly sign in to different systems – while utilizing the underlying casualty’s machine as his source. This is one of the most essential types of pivoting. The aggressor began by sending a phishing email from outside the association. When he accessed the victim’s machine, he does his information assembling and afterward utilizes that data to look as though he’s an ordinary client on the system moving to the genuine objective. This kind of hack is very normal.

Common Pivoting Methods

The most common Pivoting Methods that are used are:

1. Pivot with Proxy chains & SSH: This technique influences SSH with dynamic port sending to make a sock intermediary, with proxy chains to help with devices that can’t utilize socks intermediaries. You can use this passage in two different ways:

o In a device, arrange a SOCKS intermediary and direct it toward the SSH tunnel. This works in tools that support it like Burp, etc.

o Execute a command with proxy chains, which pipelines information over the SSH intermediary.

o This technique permits for the most part total admittance to the objective system, with not many impediments. It requires the accompanying pre-conditions to use:

◉ Access to the victim machine.

◉ SSH administration running on the victim machine and reachable from the aggressor machine. A secret word bargain or composing of an open key for passage, to a client that permits distant SSH login.

o Non-root accounts may restrict a few tools from working completely, (for example, Nmap), while making specific kinds of bundles are root-only exercises.

2. Pivoting with SOCKS proxy and Meterpreter: Like SSH, meterpreter can turn into a sock intermediary, it has been discovered that it is less reliable than SSH. Shockingly, socks4 proxies just for the most part support TCP conventions, and specific sorts of traffic won’t function admirably, so full Nmap and comparative tools utilization may not be conceivable.

3. Pivoting over a Netcat relay: In the event that Ncat or netcat are introduced on the objective (they are normally taken out during hardening on current frameworks), or in the event that you introduce it yourself on the objective, it tends to be utilized to arrange passage for pivoting. Ncat is a decent proxy apparatus from the Nmap project, yet netcat relays are the least dependable strategy referenced here. They may work just for a single solicitation before being restored (or building up to them in a loop on the objective machine), and won’t chip away at in excess of a single port. In any case, some time netcat is everything you can utilize.

4. Introducing Tools on the Objective Machine: On the off chance that you are eager to introduce tools on the objective machine, you could introduce different command-line tools (or even visual desktop frameworks like VNC) and utilize the pivot box as “another” attacker machine. This is in some cases the best approach if introducing tools on such a gadget is passable in the standards of engagement. One extra intermediary tool we can reference to is 3proxy. Shockingly, for Linux we will need to fabricate a static binary to convey (or endeavor to expand on the objective), so is somewhat less easy to get running.

Best Way of Pivoting:

Well on the off chance that you are doing a penetration testing or security audit and you have to test the internal network, remember to demand a VPN access. VPNs are the most ideal approach to tunnel your traffic through there inward networks without being confined.

Preventive Measures Against Pivoting:

The basic preventive measures against Pivoting are as follows:

1. Lead a Cybersecurity Assessment.

2. Survey the Human Element in Cybersecurity.

3. Watch Out for Phishing Attacks.

4. Give the IT Department Useful Tools.

5. Limit Access to Critical Information.

6. Perceive the Risks of BYOD.

7. Look Beyond Your Employees.

8. Try not to Overlook the Importance of Data Backups.

And, specifically:

1. We can minimize the amount of external party content on the website.

2. Vet the content prior to allowing it to be served up.

3. Automatically follow all the links on your website and scan them for malicious code.

4. Sandboxing would limit code to only access objects or data in its sandbox and not access everything that the Web browser could access. This would mean that the malicious code potentially would only be able to access the objects it had access to in its sandbox, rather than the more broad access that a Web browser might have access to.

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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6 Best Practices to Perform a Cybersecurity Audit

Considering the rapid increment of cyber-attacks and vulnerabilities in the tech world, CyberSecurity seems to be only growing in demand!! Even as per the reports, most of the businesses have already disrupted in the last few years due to cybersecurity incidents. Moreover, if we take a look at a few prominent cybersecurity stats such as:

◉ The global market of Information Security is all set to reach around $170 Billion by the year 2022.

◉ The Security breaches have increased by nearly 12% within just the last 2 years.

◉ The Ransomware attacks are annually growing with a rate of more than 300%.

These facts & figures notably show that CyberSecurity solutions are the need of the hour!!

But here the catch is that you’re not only required to adopt cybersecurity solutions for your organization but there is also a need for a regular cybersecurity auditing process to ensure that the implemented cybersecurity measures & strategies are effective and functioning well as per the requirements. As the people behind such malicious activities are getting smarter day-by-day, hence you’re required to stay updated with the latest cybersecurity practices to prevent your organization from any kind of cyber-attack.

Now the question arises – What is Cybersecurity Audit…?? A cybersecurity audit is concerned with the detailed assessment of the security system of any organization to identify any vulnerable spot in the IT infrastructure. In general, an effective CyberSecurity process helps you to analyze the security status of the organization’s infrastructure. A comprehensive audit helps you to remain in compliance with the data security laws. Meanwhile, whether you’re performing an audit with the help of third-party vendors or by an in-house team, you need to follow several efficient practices making the auditing process more effective & worthwhile.

Here, in this article, we’ll let you know 6 best practices that you should consider to perform a successful Cybersecurity Audit in your organization:

1. Define Clear Objectives

First and foremost, you need to identify the specific goals that you or your organization are aiming to achieve through the audit process. When you clearly define the audit goals, it helps you to perform the audit process fluently without wasting extra time & resources on unnecessary or inapt things. You can identify the clear auditing goals by preparing a comprehensive checklist or questionnaire consisting of several prominent questions such as What do you want to audit – digital infrastructure, business operations, or any other? Are you concerned about several specific cybersecurity risks? Do you want to administer cybersecurity audits by third-party vendors or the internal team of the organization? etc.

2. Plan the Audit & Collect Required Information Priorly

Once you’ll get done with defining clear audit goals, now you need to work on audit planning and subsequently collect all the required information and data to make things more convenient & efficient. If you’re going to perform a cybersecurity audit in your organization with the help of external auditors, you can directly ask them what information they’ll require from your side. Also, if the audit will be performed by an in-house team you need to determine the roles & responsibilities of the team members along with the tools & technologies that’ll be used. The required information can be related to security architecture & design, system & network management, security policies, etc. However, you must ensure the reliability and confidentiality aspects with the auditors before handling them all these crucial insights.

3. Get all the Team Members On Board

It is one of the basic yet most ignored practice while doing a cybersecurity audit. Indeed, there is a need for all the employees in the organization to know about the upcoming audit process. It is necessary to make all of them aware of the necessity of cybersecurity solutions in the organization, how they can maintain all these at their levels, what kind of risks can be expected in the organization’s digital infrastructure, etc. It will help them to become more concerned about the security aspects of the organization. Also, when each and every potential employee knows about the upcoming audit, it becomes easier to organize resources such as time, money, etc. conveniently for the audit.

4. Perform the Auditing Process

Here comes the core part – perform the auditing process. According to the goals, planning and information gathered in the above-mentioned steps, now it’s time for the auditing team to conduct the audit work. The process can include various tasks from minor to major level as per the required goals such as scanning database servers, user access rights, system configurations, file-sharing services, and many more. There can be several additional tasks such as discussion with employees regarding the company’s security policy and physical inspection of devices & network structures. Meanwhile, once you’ll get done with performing the audit process, you’re required to document all the findings & outcomes of the audit work in a report format for further steps.

5. Analyze the Audit Report

Now, once the audit work is done, you need to thoroughly analyze the documented audit report along with the management and IT team of the organization. The reports should consist of all the findings of audit work such as security risks, vulnerabilities found in digital infrastructure, etc. Furthermore, you need to conduct a meeting or discussion with all the employees to summarize the outcomes of audit work and what actions will be required to be taken accordingly. Also, you can work upon arranging the required resources and services, ideal backup plans, staff training, and other aspects related to audit report based actions.

6. Take Appropriate Actions in accordance with Audit Results

Finally, you’re expected to take necessary actions based on the audit work report. For example, if there is a vulnerability found in the organization’s digital infrastructure after the audit, you need to work for its remediation. Similarly, if the data system is out of regulatory compliance, you’re required to fetch it into compliance. Moreover, obtaining the latest tools & technologies and adopting several additional cybersecurity practices strengthening the existing security environment of the organization can also fall under this phase. In addition, you’re also recommended to come up with practical guidelines for all the employees of the organizations based on the audit report for better results.

So, these are the several must-follow practices to perform a successful Cybersecurity Audit in an organization. Also, you need to remember that a cybersecurity audit is not a one-time process and it needs to be performed regularly to prevent your organization from any kind of cyber-attack or malicious activity. Hence, do follow the above-mentioned audit practices and ensure the digital security of your business and organization!!

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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The Future of Cyber Security

Cyberattacks have become a harsh and unwelcome reality of contemporary times. As technology continues to be omnipresent and inevitable, cybercriminals are combining creativity and logic to break into IT systems. We explored the Top Ten Cyber Attacks of 2020-21 in one of our previous blogs. In this blog, we are going to look ahead and talk about the future of Cyber Security.

Knowledgeable, skilled, and capable Cyber Security professionals are very much in demand. And this demand for skilled Cyber Security professionals is only going to rise further, with businesses moving online and working remotely becoming the norm.

What Are the Major Cyber Threats?

Cyberattacks take many forms—malware, phishing, man-in-the-middle attacks, denial-of-service attacks, SQL injections, zero-day-exploits, etc. Malware is the most common variety of cyberattacks, and ransomware is its most popular form. Cybercriminals use ransomware to disable a device or hold important data hostage until the owner pays money as ransom.

Another common threat is phishing, where criminals impersonate legitimate organizations via email, text message, advertisement, or other means to steal sensitive information. This may include a link that will take users to the company’s website to fill in their information – but the website is a clever fake. The information users provide goes straight to the crooks behind the scam. According to Retarus, phishing attacks account for over 80% of security incidents.

Who Are the Threat Actors?

Gone are the days when cybercriminals were just individuals who hacked into powerful computer systems from a laptop in their bedrooms. Cybercrime is now highly organized in the way that hackers work in groups and operate across geographical boundaries. We have seen groups developing and coordinating ransomware attacks on a large scale. Have you heard about the REvil group?

We have also seen state-sponsored cyberattacks in the recent past, for example, the Chinese government attack on Microsoft Exchange Server users and the Russian attack via the SolarWinds software platform. The purpose behind these attacks was disruption, theft, or espionage. So, can we say that when nations fall out with each other in the future, the battleground will be cyber?

While hackers leverage automation and machine learning to carry out attacks against corporations and governments, Cyber Security professionals need to stay ahead of the game by using advanced algorithms and futuristic technologies to mitigate such sophisticated attacks.

What Are the Future Challenges?

Beyond 2021, these will be some of the future challenges for Cyber Security:

The Dependence on IoT

In the future, the dependence on IoT (Internet of Things) will only increase as more people will use it in their daily lives. According to IoT Analytics estimates, there will be 30.9 billion connected devices by 2025.

IoT devices contain sensors and mini-computer processors that act on the data collected by the sensors via machine learning. Machine learning is when computers learn similarly as humans — by collecting data from their surroundings — and it makes IoT devices smart, like smart cars, smart homes, etc. IoT devices connect to networks that have access to highly sensitive information; however, these devices have weak security controls. As a result, businesses struggle to provide adequate security measures that will keep IoT devices secure.

The Human Element

We can hope that in the future, internet communications will be more secure. Network threats are more likely to subside with the advent of quantum networks. This is because quantum networks rely on the quantum properties of protons, not on the computer codes that can be cracked.

But the problem is that humans, at least a vast majority, are prone to errors. Cybercriminals will continue to use social engineering tricks like phishing that people will fall prey to.

Heavy Reliance on Digital Transactions

It is expected that the future will move towards digital financial transactions more rapidly, requiring the services of internet banking platforms, third-party payment platforms, etc. As of now, these platforms are not centralized in many countries, and laws and regulations will take time to be in place. This may increase the risk of fraud.

Also, since these activities are internet-based, where there is a lack of global laws and regulations, law enforcement authorities may find it difficult to prosecute cybercriminals belonging to other countries even if they are caught.

A Growing Void of Skilled Professionals

If a company or organization wants to implement a strong defense against cyberattacks, it will need to employ skilled Cyber Security professionals. But the demand for Cyber Security experts is more than the supply. And the challenge to fill this void will be greater in the future as there will be more focus on prevention and preparedness for cyberattacks in most companies and organizations across the globe.

Source: eccu.edu

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High-demand for Cyber Security professionals in India: Are you ready?

The Indian economy is surging to become the next superpower. With over 560 million internet users, India is the second largest online market in the world. Furthermore, Statista.com estimates that by 2023, there would be over 650 million internet users in the country. It suggests that Cyber Security is going to be one of the fastest-growing industries in India. With more people working from home now, there has been an increase in the number of Cyber Security incidents.

It is common knowledge that cybercrimes are responsible for billions of dollars of loss annually. However, this increase in the occurrences of cybercrimes also has a flip side to it. It has led to 0the creation of jobs, increased the security of critical infrastructures, and ensured the privacy rights of individuals while keeping their sensitive data safe from fraudsters.

A joint study by PwC India and Data Security Council of India (DSCI) shows that India’s Cyber Security market would reach USD 3.05 billion by 2022 at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.6%, which is almost 1.5 times the global security market rate. This increase has led to a spike in demand for Cyber Security experts, for they are the only ones who will keep intact the data security of a corporation.

Job-related facts about Cyber Security in India

Here is a quick summary of a few aspects of the Cyber Security industry in India, making it a promising career choice.

◉ The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) reported that India lacks skilled Cyber Security specialists regardless of having the largest global IT talent pool.

◉ According to LinkedIn, there are over 4,000 Cyber Security jobs available in India as of January 3, 2021.

◉ And, according to PayScale, an Information Security Manager in India can earn an average salary of ₹19,32,475 per annum.

◉ Cyber Security Manager

◉ Security Architect

Here is a list of Cyber Security jobs in India that have witnessed an increase in demand due to the shortage of skilled Cyber Security specialists:

◉ Cyber Security Analyst

◉ Network Security Engineer

◉ Chief Information Security Officer

◉ Cyber Security Manager

◉ Security Architect

Wondering how you can make a difference in the Cyber Security domain?

Well, the sky is the limit because it is being anticipated that by 2021, there will be massive resources and opportunities in the Cyber Security domain for individuals seeking to advance their careers and develop globally.

EC-Council University (ECCU) can play a pivotal role for Cyber Security aspirants and enthusiasts, offering some of the most effective Cyber Security degrees with premier industry certifications embedded within their programs. These programs give access to hands-on training tools, like iLabs with 24/7 accessibility to perform structured tasks online. EC-Council certifications are among the most sought-after certifications across the world as they have given a new direction to many careers. With ECCU, you do not just earn a degree but also stand a chance to be eligible for these industry certifications.

Cyber Security aspirants are always keen on learning a program that will help advance their careers in Cyber Security. Interestingly, ECCU’s curriculum, designed by EC-Council and over 350 industry professionals, has been proven to give aspirants the skills they need to be industry-ready.

As the awareness about Cyber Security grows and the demand for skilled experts increases, competition and job opportunities in this domain for Indian professionals will rise. With this increased competition in the arena of Cyber Security, there will be a surge in demand for individuals having the Cyber Security expertise, complemented that there is already a severe talent shortage in this industry. Needless to state that the Cyber Security workforce in India will play a vital role in shaping the future of the country and the talent within.

Once you have decided to embark on a career in Cyber Security, a few questions arise.

Source: eccu.edu

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Pegasus Spyware: What you should know

There has been a lot of fuss in the name of the Pegasus spyware. But before we dive in, it is worth mentioning that the name “Pegasus”, belongs to the winged horse from Greek mythology. Legend has it that wherever the winged horse struck his hoof, a water spring burst forth.

Presently, people associate this with the most powerful spyware developed by a private company. Once the Pegasus spyware is covertly installed onto a phone, it turns that phone into a 24-hour surveillance device. The operator of the tool can copy messages that the owner of the phone sends or receives, get access to photos, and record calls. The Pegasus spyware can film secretly through the phone’s camera and even activate the microphone to record conversations. It can use the phone’s GPS to potentially pinpoint the location of the owner of the phone in real-time.

Who developed the Pegasus spyware and why?

An Israeli private company, NSO Group, developed and markets the Pegasus spyware. Given the havoc the spyware can cause, NSO Group licenses this product only to government intelligence agencies and law enforcement agencies after doing due diligence.

The NSO Group says that the Pegasus spyware helps prevent terrorism, breaks up criminal operations, finds missing persons and assists search and rescue teams. Mexico, the first client of the Pegasus spyware, had used it to fight the drug cartels. Notorious Mexican drug lord, Joaquin Guzman Loera, better known as El Chapo, was arrested with the help of this hacking software.

Why is the Pegasus spyware so special?

Pegasus is a world-leading cyber intelligence solution that enables intelligence agencies and law enforcement agencies to remotely and covertly extract data from any mobile device, be it android or IOS.

Until early 2018, NSO Group’s clients had to rely on SMS and WhatsApp messages to trick targets into opening a malicious link that would infect their phones with this malware. Since then, the Pegasus spyware’s attack capabilities have become much more improved. Infections can now be achieved with “zero-click” attacks. This means that the spyware can now be installed in a phone without requiring any interaction with the phone’s owner.

The hacking software can achieve such “zero-click” installations in several ways. One option is to send a push message covertly that makes the target device load the spyware, with the device’s owner completely unaware of the installation. These attributes differentiate Pegasus spyware from any other spyware available in the market.

When neither phishing nor “zero-click” attacks succeed, spies can install Pegasus spyware with the help of a wireless transceiver located near the target or simply by getting hold of the target’s phone in his/her absence.

Once installed, the Pegasus spyware contacts the attacker’s command-and-control servers to receive and carry out instructions and send the target’s private data to the attacker, including contact lists, calendar events, passwords, text messages, and live calls, even those which are end-to-end encrypted.

The Pegasus spyware only sends scheduled updates to avoid extensive bandwidth consumption that may alert the client and prevent detection by anti-virus software; it also evades forensic analysis, allowing the attacker to deactivate the spyware as and when necessary.

How did the controversy start?

In July 2021, Amnesty International, a London-based NGO, along with 17 media outlets worldwide, released a report on how the Pegasus Spyware was being used to snoop on Human Rights Activists, journalists, lawyers, and politicians by authoritarian governments in various countries.

Forbidden Stories, a Paris-based non-profit media organization, and Amnesty International claimed access to a leaked list containing over 50,000 phone numbers of people under the radar. They shared this list with their 17 media partners as part of the “Pegasus Project,” a reporting consortium.

Is the claim based on flimsy ground?

Amnesty International never disclosed the source of the leak and what type of test scans were carried out to establish the integrity of the data. The consortium claimed to have identified only 1000 telephone numbers out of 50,000. The phone number on the list did not reveal whether the device was infected by Pegasus or subjected to an attempted hack.

Amnesty International’s statement that its test scan methodology could not scan Android devices sounds bizarre and raises serious doubts about the integrity of the scan process itself. Also, the consortium had not shared the country-wise break-up of the phone numbers for snooping. This, even though Citizen Lab, an interdisciplinary laboratory based at the University of Toronto, had claimed that the Pegasus Spyware was used by 45 countries. It would be worth mentioning here that Amnesty International and Citizen Lab have a history of working together.

Forbidden Stories and Amnesty International had drawn their conclusion based on the forensic analysis of 67 phones out of the 50,000 phone numbers on the list, providing no details about the identity of these phone numbers.

The question that remains unanswered is how many of these 67 phone numbers belonged to employees or associates of Amnesty International, Forbidden Stories, Citizen Lab, and the seventeen media partners of the consortium?

What were the repercussions?

Despite the declaration by the consortium that the mere presence of the phone numbers in the leaked list is not proof of infection or snooping, serious allegations were leveled on eleven countries, including Mexico, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, India, and Hungary. Based on the sample size of sixty-seven, the consortium concluded that these countries were guilty of large-scale snooping-a preposterous and outrageously scandalous claim.

As a result of this claim, mass hysteria broke loose. Media outlets persuasively reported global abuse of this cyber-surveillance weapon. Opposition parties took this opportunity to put democratically elected governments under pressure, and everybody started fearing that hackers will hack their phones. There was enough hue and cry for the entire world to know about Pegasus’s flight from Greek mythology to the complicated world of spyware.

These are some of the news that has been reported by “The Pegasus Project” (as reported by “The Guardian” a British newspaper and one of the seventeen media outlets):

◉ The mobile phone of a British lawyer and human rights campaigner named David Haigh, who fought to free Dubai’s Princess Latifa, was compromised by the Pegasus spyware.

◉ There has been a call for ministers in Hungary to resign in the wake of Pegasus revelations.

◉ Pegasus spyware was found on journalists’ phones in France.

◉ The USA has voiced concerns with the Israeli officials regarding Pegasus revelations.

◉ Israeli authorities have inspected NSO Group offices after Pegasus revelations.

◉ Investors of the NSO Group are in talks to transfer the Management of funds.

What is the NSO Group saying?

The NSO Group told ANI, “Where is the proof? We are used to these accusations. No proof is given, they are relying on nothing. They approached us saying fifty thousand targets of Pegasus were noticed. This is ridiculous! We sell the licenses, we know that this is an impossibility. What has come out in the reports so far is that out of fifty thousand now they seem to be talking about one-eighty, from one-eighty it has come down to thirty-seven… and now it seems in actuality it is twelve.”

The NSO Group further added, “This is clearly some international conspiracy. The entire idea of Pegasus is to fight terror and crime and those that buy these services are trying to break terror outfits that use end-to-end encryptions. Law agencies have no other way to fight terror than to use credible technology like ours which have several firewalls of regulation and human rights policies and verification processes.”

Source: eccu.edu

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What Are the Benefits of Hands-On Learning?

The world is evolving rapidly, and the way we are transferring, consuming, and utilizing information is also changing. We are on the cusp of a revolution, a new dawn, where traditional learning is dawdling behind, and hands-on learning can help us adapt to this transition. Our students at EC-Council University are already reaping its benefits.

One of the key differentiators between our programs and the traditional bachelor’s and master’s degrees is that our new-age degree programs prepare students for the real-world environment with the help of simulations and projects. So, their  first day in the office doesn’t have them looking lost. To make our courses industry-relevant, we use hands-on learning techniques, which play a vital role in preparing for the challenges ahead. The average age of our students is 36, indicating that cyber security professionals understand the need for upskilling from time to time. 

So, what is Hands-On Learning?

Hands-on learning is a form of education in which students learn by doing, rather than memorizing, from textbooks. Instead of depending on an instructor or professor, they engage with the subject matter to solve problems and create something new.  

At EC-Council University, we use iLabs to reinforce learning by offering a simulated environment with over 400 complete exercises covering Ethical Hacking, Computer Forensics, Penetration Testing, Secure Coding, and even Disaster Recovery!  

Our students get to face real-world cyber threats in the most secure environments, and this experiential endeavor immerses them in the environment and prepares them better than any textbook or lecture.

Is Hands-on Learning beneficial?

Yes, research indicates that learning by immersing in activities offers better practical implementation strategies compared to teaching lessons in a traditional classroom setting.

Some advantages of hands-on learning techniques are:

◉ Hands-on learning creates one of the most engaging learning environments.

◉ This technique develops critical thinking skills of students because it requires students to choose and decide to receive outcomes, and the outcomes shape the learning experience.

◉ Real-world experience and knowledge gets translated. Individuals engage, practice, and visualize better to develop necessary skills and use their learning in real-world settings.

◉ With this method, individuals can find different and more creative ways to find solutions.

◉ Real-world equipment and material is used to design hands-on learning experiences.

What are the benefits of Hands-on Learning for a student of Cyber Security?

Hands-on learning is probably one of the best ways to learn Cyber Security, considering we continue to face unprecedented challenges daily. Joe Biden, President of the United States, expresses the challenge of cyber threats we face, “You know, we’ve seen how cyber threats, including ransomware attacks, increasingly can cause damage and disruption to the real world. I can’t guarantee this, and you’re as informed as I am, but I think it’s more likely we’re going to end up — well, if we end up in a war, a real shooting war with a major power, it’s going to be as a consequence of a cyber breach of great consequence. And it’s increasing exponentially — the capabilities.”

Hence, traditional forms of education are inadequate to prepare cyber warriors for tomorrow. We need to continue to learn and implement in real-time to stay updated and stay relevant.

We recently conducted an alumni survey. Our findings show that 83% of our alumni students benefited from iLabs and that they have taken great strides in their careers. Our survey also shows how important hands-on learning is.

Is Cyber Security still a profitable career path to pursue in 2021? 

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts Cyber Security jobs will grow 31% through 2029, over seven times faster than the national average job growth of 4%. This is not only true for the United States, but is the case around the globe. So, we can safely say that Cyber Security is an extremely profitable career path.

Why should you get an online Cyber Security Degree?

An online Cyber Security degree from EC-Council University comes with a host of benefits. It is flexible, allowing you to complete your degree while working full time and offering value for your time. You get to interact with university faculty and batch mates from around the world. You not only get to grow your network but also learn from the best, regardless of your location.

We understand that modern students need to be industry-ready; hence, all of EC Council’s relevant industry certifications have been included in the various specializations. 

Source: eccu.edu

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Degree Or Certification: How To Secure Your Future In The Cyber Security Sector?

With ever-increasing dependence on the online world, especially in the aftermath of the Covid-19 outbreak, cybercrime is one of the most severe problems organizations face today. Cybersecurity Ventures estimates that the annual cost of cybercrime to the global economy will reach $10.5 trillion by 2025. This truth puts every company in danger and makes them susceptible to cyber threats, resulting in damage and destruction of data, significant financial losses, and poor reputation through theft of intellectual property and personal and financial data.

Suppose you look at the ends of the supply and demand balance. On one end, there are over 3.12 million unfilled positions in the Cyber Security sector worldwide, leading to exponential growth and demand for Cyber Security professionals. On the other end, cybercrime continues to pervade the fabric of online businesses, transactions, information, and systems. Organizations need individuals who have the skills and knowledge to secure their confidential data from ever-intensifying cyber threats. Thus, the Cyber Security sector will continue to offer vast potential for individuals who wish to bridge the supply and demand gap in the Cyber Security job market.

Advantages of Cyber Security degree and certifications

According to Burning Glass Technologies, about 84% of Cyber Security jobs require a bachelor’s degree or higher. To secure a future in this ever-growing sector and to develop your expertise in assessing tactical and strategic aspects of information security, you must get a degree that gives you a solid foundation in theoretical and practical knowledge acquisition in the domain of Cyber Security.

The primary responsibility of a Cyber Security professional is to protect vital computer networks and electronic infrastructures from attack. Suppose you choose this profession or wish for a career in this domain. In that case, you need proficiency in current and emerging technologies, like computer and network security, digital forensics, ethical hacking, cryptography, and web security, to grow in the cyber security field.

Burning Glass Technologies further reveals that 59% of all Cyber Security jobs require at least one certification. An ISC2.org report shows that about 86% of Cyber Security professionals are currently pursuing Cyber Security certifications or planning to in the future to maintain and advance their careers. Certifications can propel your career to new heights, make you a valuable asset that every company would want to have, and provide you with real-world applications. In the post-pandemic world, such skills and quality training with value-added credentials will give you an edge over your contenders in this highly competitive sector and secure your jobs in various in-demand positions in the public and private sectors. Studies assert that the Cyber Security domain is lucrative. According to Talent.com, the average salary for a Cyber Security Architect in the US is $143,100 per annum. As per 6figr, the average salary for a Cyber Security Architect in India is ₹32 lakhs per annum.

With EC-Council University (ECCU), you get a degree bundled with certificates, the best of both worlds!

ECCU offers highly advanced and future-focused Cyber Security degree programs that are 100% online and with industry certifications embedded in them. You need not look further to equip yourself with the skills necessary to succeed in this futuristic endeavor.

Unlike most courses in this domain, ECCU’s Master of Science in Cyber Security and Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security programs are embedded with up to seven globally respected industry certifications. Both the master’s and bachelor’s programs parallel the knowledge requirements for EC-Council certifications. After successfully completing the degree program, students are eligible to take the certification exams and be industry ready. Thus, ECCU students graduate with not only a degree in Cyber Security but with a string of certifications.

To maximize your career growth, now is the time to prepare yourself for an in-demand Cyber Security job by enrolling yourself in ECCU’s two-in-one Cyber Security programs.

Source: eccu.edu

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4 Popular Misconceptions About Penetration Testing

Penetration testing (pen-testing) is crucial in enhancing any organization’s safety. However, penetration testers often face questions of whether penetration testing is enough to secure personal and sensitive data. Penetration testing is an authorized full risk assessment that analyzes systems for vulnerabilities to identify possible Cyber Security glitches. It fully comprehends the extent of damage that cyber-criminals could cause to an organization before a breach occurs.

The average cost of a single data breach across all industries worldwide, as of 2020, stood at nearly 4 million U.S. dollars. (Source: Statista.com)

With the help of penetration testing, organizations have a chance to increase their security before malicious attackers destroy or expose critical and sensitive data in the market. However, some organizations put off or avoid penetration testing because of certain misconceptions they have towards penetration testing.

Here are 4 popular misconceptions about penetration testing that must be dispelled immediately:

1. Penetration testing is only for large companies

A 2021 Data Breach Investigation Report by Verizon, shows that small organizations fared less positively at 47%, to find data breaches. (Source: Verizon)

According to the Data Breach Investigation Report by Verizon, over 60% of breaches hit smaller businesses, while according to UPS Capital, a mere 10% of all small businesses provide protection to a customer and business personal data, resulting in a loss of approximately $84,000—$148,000. (can’t find source)

Smaller businesses are not immune to data breaches. Penetration testing helps businesses, irrespective of whether they are small or large, to remain secure from malware attacks like trojans, ransomware, and phishing attacks. Most of these attacks aim to destroy or gain personally identifiable information (PII) or financial benefits.

2. Pen testers have hardly any knowledge about the systems they are targeting

Out of the three types of penetration testing, only one doesn’t provide the penetration testers with knowledge about the system that they are targeting, other than the information that is already freely available to the public. This type of penetration testing is known as black-box testing.

The other two types of testing are:

White box testing: The penetration testers use knowledge about programming code to examine the outputs after having full visibility of what the targeted program is supposed to do.

Gray box testing: The penetration testers have knowledge limited to how the system components function and interact but will not have a comprehensive understanding of the internal program.

3. Pen testing concentrates only on the technical aspects and not physical security.

Traditional penetration testing concentrates on both technical and physical aspects of security. It tests your network, applications, devices, and physical security to simulate a real-world attack by a malicious cyber-criminal, to identify the areas where your security posture can be improved.

Various types of penetration tests conducted for the same are:

Network penetration testing: Identifies network and system vulnerabilities like wireless network vulnerabilities, weak passwords and default accounts, and system misconfigurations.

Application penetration testing: Identifies cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection vulnerabilities, and flaws in the HTML code.

Physical penetration testing: Identifies weaknesses in physical security such as locks, cameras, and sensors.

4. Only third-party vendors conduct pen-tests

Penetration tests can be conducted by full-time employees, employees on a contractual basis, or third-party vendors, as long as your company is getting the protection they need.

If you opt to hire a third-party vendor to do your penetration testing, it is advised that a thorough background check on the third-party vendor is conducted. The test conducted should be on a contractual basis, to ensure that exploited data is not misused.

When done right, penetration testing can help organizations remain secure regardless of what industry they cater to or how large or small scale they are.

In this digital age, organizations must move beyond misconceptions, be well-informed about the advantages and disadvantages of penetration testing before making a decision in haste or because of lack of information.

Source: eccu.edu

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All You Should Know About Cryptojacking

All you should know about Cryptojacking – the new cyber threat

The shift of activities to the digital platform has increased across the globe. From working online to financial transactions, most of the population actively uses digital platforms. With the rise of cryptocurrency in recent years, cryptojacking has become more prominent, allowing people to steal, involving lower risk and higher potential for financial gain.

What is Cryptojacking?

Cryptojacking is the unauthorized use of a person’s computer resources to mine cryptocurrency without their knowledge, which may lead to a full-blown ransomware situation. 

Cryptojacking is a malicious hacker technique that harnesses the processing power of computers to mine for cryptocurrency. It is used to steal resources and mine online currencies like Bitcoin. Hackers practice cryptojacking either by getting the victim to click on a malicious link sent to them through an email or by infecting their computer system via an online ad or a website with JavaScript code. With the help of cryptojacking, cybercriminals hack into any user’s laptop, personal computer, mobile device, or business computer network to install malicious software.

What is a Cryptojacking Attack?

Cryptojacking is a process where malicious cryptocurrency miners stealthily embed in a website, causing the visitor’s browsers to run more slowly while another entity mines the currency in the background. It allows cybercriminals to gain financial benefits from using other people’s computers and resources to mine cryptocurrencies, or cybercriminals get paid by advertising agencies for the display of their ads on certain websites.

Over the last couple of years, cryptojacking has become a serious global issue. Companies can prevent cryptojacking by training their IT team, using the anti-crypto mining extension, educating employees about cryptojacking, disabling JavaScript, and using ad blockers to block malicious code.

How does Cryptojacking Work?

Cryptojackers use three methods. They are:

i) Browser-Based Cryptojacking

This type of cryptojacking attack takes place directly within a web browser. Attackers use IT infrastructure to mine for cryptocurrency. With a programming language, hackers create a crypto mining script, which is then embedded onto numerous websites.

ii) File-Based Cryptojacking

A file-based cryptojacking attack is one of the most common ways through which cryptojacking attacks occur. It takes place when malware is downloaded, and an executable file is run on a computer network. This malware then spreads a crypto mining script throughout the infrastructure of the computer network.

iii) Cloud Cryptojacking

A cloud cryptojacking attack takes place when a cybercriminal uses the cloud services to search through an organization’s files and code to find the API keys. Once the hackers gain access, they siphon unlimited CPU resources for crypto mining.

How to Detect Cryptojacking?

Cybercriminals infect random computer systems with hidden cryptocurrency miners, damaging computers. Thus, organizations need to stay alert to potential cryptojacking threats that can affect operations and compromise their computer systems. Users can detect a cryptojacking threat by following these steps:

1. Being aware of a decrease in performance of the computing device

2. Watching out for overheating of devices and running of fans

3. Monitoring computer systems for CPU usage (this can be a red flag)

4. Scanning for malware

5. Following the latest crypto-news, staying alert, and updating against any threats

Ransomware vs Cryptojacking

While ransomware attacks are complicated, involving research, and planning to develop and deploy the malware, a cryptojacking attack can be less complex as it takes less time to initiate.

Source: eccu.edu

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Information Security and Cyber Laws

A Virtual Organization is such type of organization whose members are geographically separated and usually work by computer e-mail and software system while appearing to others to be a single, combined organization with a real physical location.

Virtual Organization is defined as being closely integrated ambitious with its suppliers and downstream with its customers. In the virtual organization, each discrete firm keeps supremacy in major budgeting and pricing matters and functions as part of a greater organization coordinated by the central firm acting as combiner of the actions done by the various partners. Interdependent among partners differentiates the virtual organization from the conventional hierarchy.

Read More: EC-Council Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO)

Companies adept to coordinating and maximizing the capabilities of suppliers will gain more control over key elements of time-from overall order-to-shipment lead time to product-specific cycle time. In addition, full-fledged alliances that tap the resources of multiple parties will effectively slash product-or- process-development time.

◉ Virtual organization is a energetic collection of individuals and institutions which are required to share resources to obtain specified targets.

◉ Virtual organization is a network of independent organizations that combine together for production of a service or product.

◉ Virtual organizations are also mentioned as network organizations, organic networks, hybrid arrangements and value-adding partnerships. This phenomenon has been driven by the effort to achieve greater effectiveness and responsiveness in an extremely competitive environment marked by increasing globalization, technological change and customer demands.

Virtual Organization Properties:

1. Delocalization:

Delocalization is one of the most important developments in the globalization process. It is potentially space dependence. Therefore, enterprises become independent off space and capacity. It eliminates the need for a particular space.

2. Temporalization:

This property deals with the inter-organizational connections and with the internal process organization, in the sense of the standard and pattern organization. The interdependence is described in the life cycle stages of an virtual organization as a circular process of creation, operation, evaluation, and dissolution.

3. Dematerialization:

Dematerialization has the virtual forms in products, communities, services, and so on along the development of the virtualization. With increasing virtualization products become potential immaterial. It means that all object areas are immaterial. Existing correlative confidence for members, lack of physical credits and executives can affect system performance and flexibility.

4. Individualization:

The main reason for this property is increasing consumer demands. One of ways for encapsulating market is to handle to mass production along with personal requirements. Mass customization is one of the way for producers to fulfill customer demands and grave new markets.

5. Non-Institutionalization:

Because operations are performed in a virtual environment without physical attributes, institutionalization of inter-organizational relationships in such environments can be waived.

6. Asynchronization:

This attribute causes members to asynchronously communicate and interact with each other via the ICT in the context of innovations with the release of time. Some companies globally plan their works in three shifts between spread locations.

7. Integrative Atomization:

This property refers to integrate all atomized core competencies of the participants for satisfying customer.

Characteristics of a Virtual Organization:

◉ Virtual organization does not have a corporeal presence but subsits electronically (virtually) on the Internet.

◉ Virtual organization is not constrained by the legal definition of a company.

◉ Virtual organization is formed in an informal manner as an association of independent legal entities.

◉ Principal of synergy (many–to-one). Virtual organization displays a combined property because it is composed from different organizational entities that produce an effect of a single organization.

◉ Principle of divergence (one-to-many). A single organization can display multiplication property by engaging in many virtual organizations at the same time.

◉ Partners in virtual organizations share risks, costs and rewards in search of a global market. The common characteristics of these opportunities, worlds-class core competence, information networks, and interdependent relationships.

◉ Dynamic virtual organizations have a capability to unite quickly.

Virtual Organization Life Cycle:

1. Virtual Organization Creation

2. Virtual Organization Operation

3. Virtual Organization Evolution

4. Virtual Organization Dissolution

Benefits of Virtual Organization:

◉ Virtual organizations make it possible to convince repeatedly changing customer and market needs in a competitive way.

◉ With the help of virtual organizations, it becomes possible to provide services exactly customized to a specific customer need.

◉ Virtual organizations provide ability to participate in the total service range a company can offer to its customers.

◉ Participation in virtual organization enlarges the total number of end-customers a company can extend indirectly via its partners.

◉ By joining in a virtual organization the concept-to-cash time is minimized.

Drawbacks of Virtual Organization:

◉ Each party has its own strategy on access control and conditions of use.

◉ Virtual organization parties require to build trust between them on a peer-to-peer basis.

◉ The assignment of resources is often dynamic since the structure of virtual organizations may change dynamically. This implies that the virtual organization beginner may not know a priority that additional resources may be required.

◉ Members of virtual organization may be located in different countries under different authorities and, as a result, stick on to different legal and business requirements.

◉ There must be mutual trust in security system by all partners involved in virtual organization. This leads to the challenge to come up with an successful and pliable security system.

◉ Privacy and probity at a virtual organization level have to be assured. At the same time parties have to yield access to their services and resources as mentioned in agreements.

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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