MITRE ATT&CK: Meaning, Uses, Benefits and Mitre Attack Framework

MITRE ATT&CK (Adversarial Tactics, Techniques, and Common Knowledge) is a knowledge base used by cybersecurity experts, but do you really know what it is and why it matters? Read on to learn everything you need to know about this important security tool.

What is the MITRE ATTACK Framework?

While “MITRE ATTACK” refers to the knowledge base, “MITRE ATTACK” refers to its framework. The MITRE ATTACK framework is a “globally-accessible knowledge base of adversary tactics and techniques based on real-world observations” (MITRE) used for threat modeling language. The objective of ATTACK is to provide a common language for describing attacker behavior and to serve as a foundation for developing specific threat models and methodologies.

The framework is designed for cybersecurity practitioners at all organizational levels, from analysts to executives. Practitioners can use it to inform decisions about detection, prevention, and response strategies. Additionally, the ATTACK framework can be used to benchmark an organization’s security posture against specific adversaries, measure the effectiveness of security controls, and assess gaps in defenses (VMWare, 2022).

The MITRE ATTACK framework consists of three layers (Trellix):

◉ Tactics: the actions used by an adversary to accomplish their objectives

◉ Techniques: the specific methods or tools employed by an adversary to execute a tactic

◉ Procedures: the detailed steps taken by an adversary to carry out a technique

The framework is organized by tactics, which are grouped into categories based on their purpose. Each category contains techniques attackers can use to achieve the associated tactic. For each technique, there is a description of the procedure that an adversary may use to carry it out.

Is MITRE a Threat Model?

ATTACK is the knowledge base used for MITRE’s threat modeling language. In general, threat modeling identifies threats, vulnerabilities, and risks so that users can better understand and protect their systems. For example, engineers will consider fire hazards, earthquake risks, and flooding potential when designing a new building to make the structure as safe as possible. In the same way, analysts use threat modeling to identify potential weaknesses and vulnerabilities when developing a new cybersecurity system.

What Technologies Does ATTACK Apply To?

The ATTACK framework applies to various technologies, including but not limited to:

◉ Operating systems: Windows, Linux, macOS

◉ Mobile devices: Android, iOS

◉ Cloud providers: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

◉ Virtualization platforms: VMware, Xen

◉ Container platforms: Docker, Kubernetes

◉ Industrial control systems (ICS): Siemens Simatic WinCC, GE Proficy iFix

Each technology has its own specific MITRE ATTACK techniques that apply to that platform. For example, Windows has techniques such as Process Injection and Privilege Escalation that are specific to that operating system. Similarly, Code Injection and App Whitelisting Bypass techniques are specific to the Android platform. The MITRE ATTACK framework is constantly updated with new techniques as attackers find new ways to exploit systems. Therefore, as new technologies emerge, the list of MITRE ATTACK applicable technologies will continue to grow.

Is MITRE ATT&CK Open Source?

ATTACK is not itself open source, but the information contained within it is freely available to anyone. Anyone can use the ATTACK knowledge base to help improve their security posture (CyberArk, 2021). 

There are many ways to use MITRE ATTACK. One popular way is to create what are called “attack simulations.” In an attack simulation, defenders try to stop an adversary using known techniques from ATTACK. These simulations help defenders practice their responses to real-world threats and learn about any gaps in their defenses.

How Many Tactics and Techniques are There in MITRE ATTACK?

The current version of MITRE ATTACK includes nine tactics and more than 100 techniques. But that doesn’t mean there are only nine ways to attack a system or that there are only 100 techniques in existence. There are many more than that. 

Some common techniques include malware infection, social engineering, password guessing, SQL injection, and denial-of-service attacks. As attackers find new ways to exploit systems and people, new techniques are being created.

How Does MITRE ATTACK Help Security Operations?

The goal of MITRE ATTACK is to provide a common language for discussing cybersecurity threats and to help security practitioners share information about TTPs. It is not meant to be a silver bullet or be used as a sole source of intelligence; practitioners should use it in conjunction with other tools and sources of information.

The MITRE ATT&CK Matrix: Tactics and Techniques

The objective of the ATTACK matrix is to better equip defenders to anticipate attacker behavior, identify gaps in their defenses, and implement mitigation strategies. The matrix and MITRE ATT&CK techniques have been widely adopted within the cybersecurity community and are used by practitioners across various industries. 

The attack MITRE matrix consists of tactics grouped into three categories: initial access, execution, and persistence. Each tactic represents a high-level action that an attacker may take to gain access to a system or maintain access to a system. For each tactic, one or more associated MITRE ATT&CK techniques describe how an attacker may execute that tactic.

What Are Some Use Cases of the MITRE ATTACK Matrix?

One common use case for the matrix is identifying which assets within an organization are most critical and need to be protected. This can help prioritize security spending and ensure that the most critical assets are adequately defended. Additionally, the matrix can be used to assess an organization’s current security posture and identify gaps (Walkowski, 2021). 

The MITRE ATTACK matrix can also be used to create “playbooks” for different types of attacks (Anderson, 2020). These playbooks can be used to help incident response teams rapidly identify and respond to attacks. Additionally, the playbooks can train staff on how to respond to various types of attacks.

Finally, threat intelligence analysts can use the matrix to track and analyze trends in MITRE attack techniques. This information can then be used to develop better defenses against future attacks.

Source: eccouncil.org

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How Can Security Align with Business Objectives?

Information security is a top priority for businesses, but ensuring that information security aligns with business objectives can be a challenge. Many factors need to be considered when designing an information security strategy, such as the type of data being protected and the risks associated with its loss or unauthorized access. In order to ensure that information security aligns with business objectives, businesses need to take a holistic approach that considers all aspects of the organization. Here we’ll explore how information security can be aligned with business objectives and discuss some key considerations for doing so.

Why Information Security and Business Objectives Should Be in Sync

You don’t need to be a chief security officer to know that information security is crucial for businesses. But what many don’t realize is that aligning information security goals with business objectives can be hugely beneficial for an organization.

When it comes to protecting your data and systems, you need to have a plan in place that covers all the potential threats. These include everything from malicious attacks to accidental data breaches. But if your information security strategy isn’t aligned with your business objectives, you could be missing out on opportunities to improve your overall security posture.

Here are a few reasons why information security and business objectives should be in sync:

1. Improves Security Posture

If you want to reduce the risk of a data breach or other security incident, you must take a holistic approach to information security. This means looking at all the potential threats and vulnerabilities and then implementing controls that mitigate those risks.

However, if your information security strategy isn’t aligned with your business objectives, you could be missing out on opportunities to improve your overall security posture. For example, you might implement a security control that doesn’t address a key vulnerability or fail to deploy a critical security update because it doesn’t fit with the organization’s business goals (Scalzo, C., 2018).

2. Plays a Key Role in Strategic Planning 

Information security is a critical part of any business, and you should include it in your overall strategic planning. However, many organizations fail to take information security into account when they’re developing their business plans. This can lead to problems down the road, such as a lack of response plans in the event of a data breach or other security incident.

Aligning your information security strategy with your business objectives can help you avoid these problems and ensure that information security is given the attention it deserves. Including information security in your strategic planning will allow you to develop effective response plans and make sure that all stakeholders are aware of their roles and responsibilities in the event of a security incident (BizzSecure, 2020).

3. Establishes a Security-Focused Company Culture

Organizations are made up of different departments, each with its own objectives and goals. However, if there’s a disconnect between the information security team and the rest of the organization, it can lead to problems. For example, the marketing department might launch a new campaign without involving the security team, which could result in sensitive data being exposed.

Aligning your information security strategy with your business objectives can help you ensure that all departments are working together towards a common goal. In addition, establishing a security-focused company culture can help everyone in the organization understand the importance of information security and their role in protecting the company’s data.

4. Helps Mitigate Risks at Touch Points

One of the most important aspects of information security management is protecting your data from unauthorized access. There are many ways that attackers can gain access to your data, and having controls in place can mitigate these risks. For example, you might implement a password policy or use two-factor authentication to make it more difficult for attackers to gain access to your systems.

Aligning your information security strategy with your business objectives can help you ensure that you’re taking all the necessary steps to protect your data. This includes identifying all the potential risks and implementing controls that will mitigate those risks.

In addition, you can avoid these problems and improve your overall security posture. Implementing an effective information security strategy can help you protect your data, attract and retain customers, and improve your bottom line.

How the Certified CISO Program Helps

EC-Council’s Certified Chief Information Security Officer (C|CISO) program was developed in collaboration with top industry chief information security officers. The program focuses on the key domains of information security management and information security and business objectives.

The C|CISO program gives cybersecurity leaders the knowledge and skills they need to effectively lead their organizations in today’s ever-changing digital landscape.

EC-Council’s Certified CISO program is the only certification that covers all five domains of information security management:

◉ Governance

◉ Risk Management

◉ Asset Security

◉ Security Architecture and Design

◉ Security Operations

Businesses today are under more pressure than ever to protect themselves from a growing number of cyberthreats. Balancing the need for security with the demands of customers and partners can be a tough tightrope to walk, but it is possible to find alignment between these two competing interests.

By understanding your business objectives and using them as a guide, you can develop an information security strategy that meets your needs without sacrificing the agility or customer experience that your business depends on.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Password Sniffing in Ethical Hacking and Its Types Explained

Sniffing is capturing data packets as they are transmitted across a network. Using a sniffer tool, you can capture sensitive information such as passwords and credit card numbers. Here we will discuss the different types of sniffing and the tools used for each type before discussing some tips for protecting yourself against sniffers.

What is Sniffing?

Sniffing is a process of capturing packets of data being sent across a network. The data can be captured on either a wired or wireless network. The most common type of sniffing is done with a packet analyzer, which is a software program that can capture and decode the data.

Wireless sniffing is especially difficult to detect, as it can be done from a distance and does not require attackers to physically connect their computers to the network (Cybersecurity Exchange, 2022).

What is Password Sniffing?

Password sniffing is a type of network attack in which an attacker intercepts data packets that include passwords. The attacker then uses a password-cracking program to obtain the actual passwords from the intercepted data.

Password sniffing can be used to obtain passwords for any type of account, including email, social media, and financial accounts. It is one of the most common types of attacks on both home and business networks.

What Is a Sniffing Attack?

Sniffing attacks are a type of network attack in which an attacker intercepts data packets as they travel across a network. Sniffing attacks can steal sensitive information, such as passwords and credit card numbers, or eavesdrop on communications.

Sniffing attacks are possible because most networks use shared media, such as Ethernet cables or wireless networks. This means that every computer can see all data packets sent across the network on the network. Using a packet sniffer, an attacker can see all the data passing through the network, including any unencrypted passwords or other sensitive information.

How Do Hackers Use Packet Sniffers?

Hackers use packet sniffers to steal information or login credentials through sniffing attacks. Attackers can use them to intercept passwords, email messages, and other sensitive data. Packet sniffers can also monitor internet activity and collect user data without their knowledge or consent.

There are several ways hackers can use packet sniffers. One common method is ARP poisoning, which allows hackers to intercept traffic meant for another computer on the same network. By redirecting this traffic, hackers can eavesdrop on conversations or collect passwords (Lifewire, 2022).

What is Active Sniffing vs. Passive Sniffing?

Active sniffing involves an attacker sending packets onto the network to disrupt or intercept communications. This can be done by flooding the network with traffic or targeting a particular user or device. Because active sniffing requires the attacker to generate traffic, it is more easily detected than passive sniffing.

On the other hand, passive password sniffing does not involve the attacker generating any traffic. Instead, they eavesdrop on existing traffic passing through the network. Attackers can do this by placing a device in promiscuous mode, which allows it to listen to all traffic on the network, or by using port mirroring to duplicate traffic and send it to the attacker. Because passive password sniffing does not generate traffic, it is more difficult to detect.

Types of Sniffing

When it comes to ethical hacking, sniffing refers to capturing network traffic to gain information that can be used to exploit vulnerabilities. There are various ways to perform sniffing, each with advantages and disadvantages.

◉ Web Password Sniffing – Web password sniffing captures passwords sent over a network. By sniffing the traffic, an ethical hacker can see how passwords are transmitted and what information is being exchanged. This can be useful for identifying security vulnerabilities or for troubleshooting network issues.

◉ LAN Sniffing – This type of sniffing is used to monitor traffic on a local area network (LAN). By using a packet sniffer, an ethical hacker can see all the data being sent and received by each device on the network. This can be useful for troubleshooting network issues or for gathering information about what devices are communicating with each other.

◉ Protocol Sniffing – Protocol sniffing is similar to LAN sniffing but focuses on the protocols used to communicate between devices. By sniffing the traffic, an ethical hacker can see how data is transmitted and what information is being exchanged. This can be useful for identifying security vulnerabilities or for troubleshooting network issues.

◉ ARP Sniffing – ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) is a protocol used to map IP addresses to physical addresses. By sniffing ARP traffic, an ethical hacker can see which IP addresses are mapped to which physical addresses. This can be useful for gathering information about network devices or troubleshooting network issues.

TCP Session Stealing – TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a protocol used for communication between devices on a network. By sniffing TCP traffic, an ethical hacker can see how data is transmitted and what information is being exchanged. This can be useful for identifying security vulnerabilities or for troubleshooting network issues.

Which Is the Best Defense Against Password Sniffing?

One way to defend against password sniffing is to encrypt your traffic which can be done with a VPN or by using SSL/TLS. Encryption will make it much more difficult for an attacker to read your traffic.

Another way to defend against password sniffing is to use a switch instead of a hub. Switches only send traffic to the intended port, while hubs send traffic to all ports, meaning an attacker would only see traffic meant for their device.

What is a Sniffer App?

A sniffer app is a type of software that can be used to intercept and log network traffic. This type of sniffing tool can be used for legal and illegal purposes, depending on how it is configured and used.

Network administrators typically use sniffer apps to monitor network activity and identify potential security threats. However, malicious individuals can use sniffer apps to steal sensitive information like passwords or credit card numbers.

What Makes Password Sniffing a Threat?

Password sniffing is a threat because it can lead to the theft of sensitive information, such as login credentials and credit card numbers. Password sniffing can be used to eavesdrop on network traffic or to physically intercept data transmitted between devices.

When passwords are sniffed, the attacker can access the victim’s account and impersonate them. This can lead to financial loss or the disclosure of confidential information.

There are several ways that attackers can sniff passwords. They may use specialized hardware, or they may use software that is installed on a computer that is already on the network. Once they have access to the network traffic, they can use several methods to decrypt the passwords.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Principle of Information System Security : Security System Development Life Cycle

Security System Development Life Cycle (SecSDLC) is defined as the set of procedures that are executed in a sequence in the software development cycle (SDLC). It is designed such that it can help developers to create software and applications in a way that reduces the security risks at later stages significantly from the start. The Security System Development Life Cycle (SecSDLC) is similar to Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), but they differ in terms of the activities that are carried out in each phase of the cycle. SecSDLC eliminates security vulnerabilities. Its process involves identification of certain threats and the risks they impose on a system as well as the needed implementation of security controls to counter, remove and manage the risks involved. Whereas, in the SDLC process, the focus is mainly on the designs and implementations of an information system. Phases involved in SecSDLC are:

◉ System Investigation: This process is started by the officials/directives working at the top level management in the organization. The objectives and goals of the project are considered priorly in order to execute this process. An Information Security Policy is defined which contains the descriptions of security applications and programs installed along with their implementations in organization’s system.

◉ System Analysis: In this phase, detailed document analysis of the documents from the System Investigation phase are done. Already existing security policies, applications and software are analyzed in order to check for different flaws and vulnerabilities in the system. Upcoming threat possibilities are also analyzed. Risk management comes under this process only.

◉ Logical Design: The Logical Design phase deals with the development of tools and following blueprints that are involved in various information security policies, their applications and software. Backup and recovery policies are also drafted in order to prevent future losses. In case of any disaster, the steps to take in business are also planned. The decision to outsource the company project is decided in this phase. It is analyzed whether the project can be completed in the company itself or it needs to be sent to another company for the specific task.

◉ Physical Design: The technical teams acquire the tools and blueprints needed for the implementation of the software and application of the system security. During this phase, different solutions are investigated for any unforeseen issues which may be encountered in the future. They are analyzed and written down in order to cover most of the vulnerabilities that were missed during the analysis phase.

◉ Implementation: The solution decided in earlier phases is made final whether the project is in-house or outsourced. The proper documentation is provided of the product in order to meet the requirements specified for the project to be met. Implementation and integration process of the project are carried out with the help of various teams aggressively testing whether the product meets the system requirements specified in the system documentation.

◉ Maintenance: After the implementation of the security program it must be ensured that it is functioning properly and is managed accordingly. The security program must be kept up to date accordingly in order to counter new threats that can be left unseen at the time of design.

These are the steps that are involved in the SecSDLC cycle with their brief description.

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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How Security System Should Evolve to Handle Cyber Security Threats and Vulnerabilities?

Stories of organizations paralyzed by cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities are at their peak. According to a report published by Symantec Corp, India is one of the top five countries that have become the victim of cyber crime. Nowadays, modern technologies such as cloud computing, IoT, cognitive computing, etc. are categorized as the critical assets of any organization. With the increase in the use of advanced technology and interconnected applications, there is a rapid spike not only in businesses but also in threats and vulnerabilities as well.

In this feature, we focus on security threats, challenges faced by defenders to protect the organization from emerging threats, and how the security system should evolve to overcome the day-to-day critical security challenges. Let’s dig deep into the below topics.

◉ Cyber Threats

◉ Security Challenges

◉ How must security system evolve?

Cyber Threats

Technology is transforming as never before. With the advancement in technology, organizations started to experience consistent business growth at a faster pace. They were able to interconnect people, robots, gadgets, contents, and more in an intelligent way that drives more business. But, at the same time, this advancement in technology opens up a center of attention for cyber crimes, targeted attacks, and corporate espionage.

A cyber threat is a malicious attack that gains unauthorized access to a system or network and thereby damages or steals confidential data. Let’s go a bit further to understand the different types of cyber threats. 

1. Ransomware

2. DDoS Attack

3. Threats originated within an organization

4. Data Breaches

5. Advanced Persistence Threat (APT)

1. Ransomware

Ransomware is malware that encrypts the system data and demands payment for access permission. It prevents you from accessing the system, and it can also destroy the data if the payment is not made on time. Based on a survey conducted by Sophos, over 51% of organizations were attacked by ransomware during the year 2019. Ransomware is also available as Ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) over the dark web marketplace. WannaCry, NotPetya, SimpleLocker, TeslaCrypt, CryptoLocker, and PC Cyborg are some of the Ransomware. 

2. Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks

The DDoS attack is a malicious attack that increases the traffic of a server with overwhelming random traffic. In DDoS, the server is targeted by different independent networks with the help of botnet, and this is how it differs from DoS. One of the famous and highest reported impacts was against Dyn, a US-based DNS service provider. The DDoS attack against Dyn has affected many websites including Twitter, GitHub, Amazon, Netflix, and more. 

3. Threats originated within an organization

Internal threats are malicious threats that come from people within the organization who have access to confidential information. It can be employees, former employees, partners, associates, and so on. Using these threats, the attacker can bypass security in a legalized way.

4. Data Breaches

Data Breaches can be defined as the leakage of confidential information that includes sensitive corporate documents, technical blueprints, trade secrets, and more. It can lead to financial loss, 

brand reputation loss, customer trust loss, and so on. Some of the main reasons for Data Breaches are malicious attacks, a weak security system, and human errors. As per the Verizon Data Breach report, over 88% of data breaches involve human errors. 

5. Advanced persistence threat (APT)

APT is an advanced attack threat. It uses multiple phases to break the network and thereby allow unauthorized people to stay in the organization network. APT can happen through spear-phishing or inside threats. This threat is hard to detect and can retrieve valuable information over a sustained period. 

Security Challenges

Be ahead of your adversaries; If you fail to do so, soon you will become a victim. Let’s discuss some of the security challenges.

1. Slow security adaption

One of the issues related to the cybersecurity system is that cybersecurity solutions are not advancing at an expected rate. In today’s digital era, cloud technologies and other solutions are evolving at a faster pace, and the traditional network architecture has been deputized with simple and flat architecture. But, concerns cybersecurity solutions, many organizations still use traditional zone-based security solutions to prevent threats.

2. Human Errors

Human errors such as system misconfiguration, insufficient patch management, etc. are common in the majority of organizations. These errors resulted in numerous cyber attacks. According to the IBM security threat, over 95% of cyber-attacks are due to human errors.

3. Third-party vendor security risk

In today’s world, everything is connected. Organizations let third parties store their information for better business operations. But, if they don’t choose a trustworthy third-party vendor, then the organization is at risk. Here, an attacker can bypass the security system by initiating supply chain attacks. 

How must security system evolve?

In this section, we will discuss advanced security strategies to defend against threats and strengthen the cybersecurity system. Let’s take a moment to understand some of the best security practices. They are as follows:

◉ Threat prevention strategies

◉ Zero-trust approach

◉ Assume breach approach

1. Threat Prevention Strategies

Security researchers are researching and innovating effective solutions to prevent threats. They work around the clock aiming at zero-day vulnerabilities and are also actively involved in conducting awareness programs. Threat prevention strategies are mainly categorized into four main sections. They are as follows:

◉ Reduce the attack surface: Continuous process of vulnerability scanning practice helps to determine top risk applications, security gaps in the network, risky users and processes, and more. Relative Attack Surface Quotient (RASQ) is one such method that can keep track of every change to the attack surface.

◉ Complete visibility: End-point protection is another factor to take on board. In most cases, end-point security can be compromised by using SMB-based vulnerabilities. So, it is important to separate normal SMB behavior from strange SMB behaviors, and this categorization can be done by providing complete visibility. It is the key that can identify malicious behavior.

◉ Prevent known threats: Firewalls and anti-virus software are necessary to prevent known threats. It is the first step towards defending networks and endpoints.

◉ Prevent unknown threats: Advanced and unknown threats are evolving as never before. As a result, it is more challenging to achieve a 100% threat protection. To deal with such threats, organizations have to adopt new techniques such as dynamic and behavioral analysis, deep learning techniques, and attacker techniques, tactics, and procedures (TTPs) analysis.

2. Zero-trust approach

The Zero-trust approach strategy is the continuous verification of all data and assets. It helps to detect the attackers who exfiltrate sensitive information through lateral movements. Let’s take a moment to understand the process of the Zero-trust approach.

◉ Identify and classify sensitive data: It is necessary to identify and classify sensitive data for data protection.

◉ Map the data flow: You have to understand the application flow across the network by collaborating with the network team, application team, and security architect.

◉ Architect the network: Architect the network by identifying the physical and virtual configurations. It includes the communication flow between multiple networks and external data accessing procedures.

◉ Create the policy base: While creating a policy base, you should include an efficient access control mechanism, information about user identity, application behavior, and so on.

◉ Continuous monitoring: In this process, continuous monitoring of both internal and external traffic is performed. Here the network and application logs are checked frequently on a real-time basis.

3. Assume breach approach

The reality is that none of the security prevention technology can ensure you 100% protection against threats. As the days’ pass, advance threats manage to bypass the security system. Here comes the importance of the assume breach approach. It is a way of testing the incident response force of an organization. It provides various security solutions and services. They are as follows:

◉ Red-team exercise: It is an advanced version of penetration testing, where a team of highly professional security experts not only finds vulnerabilities but also tests an organization’s threat detection and response capabilities. It opens up a way for immediate as well as long-term security posture improvement.

◉ Continuous monitoring: Continuous monitoring is necessary to detect threats at an early stage, and it can be achieved by providing real-time visibility of users as well as network endpoints. An active security monitoring system can ensure cyber hygiene and compliance by actively monitoring the network, application, and user activities. Some of the common tools used for monitoring are security information and event management (SIEM) tool and endpoint detection and response(EDR) tool.

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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Identity and Access Management (IAM) in Cyber Security Roles

Introductions:

Identity Access and Management is abbreviated as IAM. In simple words, it restricts access to sensitive data while allowing employees to view, copy and change content related to their jobs. This information can range from sensitive information to company-specific information.

It refers to the IAM IT security discipline as well as the framework for managing digital identities. It also deprives the provision of identity, which allows access to resources and performing particular activities.

When you exceed your target, IAM ensures that the appropriate resources, such as the database, application, and network, are accessible. Everything is proceeding according to plan.

IAM’s objectives are as follows :

◉ To prevent unauthorized parties from exiting the system, the purpose of this IAM should be to ensure that legitimate parties have adequate access to the right resources at the right time.

◉ It only gives access to a certain group of people, such as contractors, employees, customers, and vendors. You’ll also need the key to verify their identities and provide them access to everything throughout the onboarding process.

◉ To revoke access and begin monitoring activities in order to safeguard the system and data. IAM goals include operational efficiency in regulatory compliance, fraud detection, and lifecycle management, in addition to protection against cyber intrusions.

◉ When it comes to fraud protection, IAM is the best way to reduce fraud losses. Since a crime has been committed, the insider who has abused his access rights has been identified as corrupt. IAM assists in hiding traces to evade discovery. IAM is an automated system that analyses transactions for fraud detection using preset criteria.

◉ It also guarantees that the Company meets various regulatory criteria for the detection and identification of suspicious behavior and money-laundering situations.

Benefits of Using an Identity and Access Management System :

We will learn about the various organizational benefits in this section. These are listed below –

◉ Reduce risk – 

You’ll have more user control, which means you’ll be less vulnerable to internal and external data breaches. When hackers utilize the user credential as a crucial technique to obtain access to the business network and resources, this is critical.

◉ Secure access – 

When your company grows, you will have additional employees, customers, contractors, partners, etc. Your company’s risk will increase at the same time, and you will have higher efficiency and production overall. IAM allows you to expand your business without compromising on security at the moment.

◉ Meeting Compliance – 

A good IAM system can help a company meet its compliance requirements as well as meet the rapidly expanding data protection regulations.

◉ Minimize Help Desk Requests – 

IAM looks into the user’s needs and then resets the password and the help desk will help them automate the same. Getting the authentication requires the user to verify their identity without bothering the system administrator as they need to focus on other things in the business, which gives more profit to the business.

Another advantage of the IAM framework is that it can provide businesses with an advantage over their competitors. Without jeopardizing security standards, IAM technology can give users outside the organization access to the data they need to perform their tasks.

Implementation Guide for IAM :

1. Consider your company’s size and type – 

IAM is important for company authentication and handles identity to allow users to exercise their rights from a remote location. It also aids in calculating the surroundings when multiple devices are used. IAM is highly successful for all types of organizations, large, small, and medium. Additional options are available for larger organizations, and you can choose the tool that streamlines user access.

2. Create a strategy for IAM integration – 

This is a well-known story with risks, and it has been implemented with IAM and moved to the cloud. Employees must use tools that are permitted by the company, sometimes called shadow IT. IAM will devote time and resources to developing a comprehensive identity management strategy.

3. Find the best IAM solution for you – 

There are a few key components of IAM that you may use to keep your business from collapsing, which are listed below :

◉ Access management products control a user’s identification while also enabling a few tools such as the network, web resources, cloud, and so on.

◉ Multi-factor and risk authentication method helps in verification of the identity of an individual.

◉ Where passwords fail, password tokens provide additional security.

As a business owner, you must learn about all of the IAM tools available to protect your company’s identity and access management.

The rise in prominence of IAM :

In today’s environment, measuring organizational maturity against the basics of IAM is one of the most important parts of cybersecurity for organizations. It will provide you with an overview of the current security situation of your company when it comes to digital assets and infrastructure.

Here are some key ideas – 

◉ Identity data management – 

This includes a review of the organization’s identification and data management processes as well as the technologies, networks, and systems used to handle the data.

◉ Access management – 

Instead of relying on a single password login, stronger authentication techniques are being used, such as multifactor authentication, union, and passport management.

◉ Access governance – 

Is required system access properly regulated? It is important to make sure everything is in working order. For this, security administrators must ensure that policies exist that allow IAM functions to be implemented, evaluated, and audited, as well as the appropriateness of the policies.

◉ Identity management – 

Is it possible to regulate access to critical systems? It is important to double-check that everything is in working order. For this purpose, security administrators should ensure that policies exist that allow IAM functions to be implemented, evaluated, and audited, as well as the appropriateness of the policies.

◉ Data security and analysis – 

Is required system access properly regulated? It is important to make sure everything is in working order. For this, security administrators must ensure that policies exist that allow IAM functions to be implemented, evaluated, and audited, as well as the appropriateness of the policies.

Existing Cyber Security Protocols and IAM :

When correctly implemented, IAM may improve cybersecurity among employees and third-party providers. It’s capable of more than just restricting or allowing access to systems and data. Here are several examples:

◉ Access to data subsets is restricted – 

Depending on their employment, some workers may be given limited access to data and systems. It enables employees to perform their responsibilities while protecting data that is privileged or outside the scope of their employment.

◉ Access is restricted to viewing only –

Some job descriptions simply need employees to see data rather than copy or change it. This reduces the chances of internal security breaches.

◉ Platform access must be limited to –

Users can only use platforms that have been approved for them. This disables access to the operating system, but not to those in the development or testing phases.

◉ Prevent the transmission of data –

Employees can modify, delete and generate new data, but they cannot transfer data that is already in the system. It prevents any security breach by preventing it from being shared with third parties.

The cybersecurity of any company depends on its identity management structure. It adds another degree of security to systems and equipment used by suppliers, customers, workers, and third-party partners. On the other hand, the framework should be compatible with any other security systems that may already exist.

IAM policies :

Identity management covers five policies that must be addressed for the framework to be successful.

◉ The method through which the system recognizes employees/individuals.

◉ The method for identifying and assigning responsibilities to personnel.

◉ Employees and their responsibilities should be able to be added, removed, and updated via the system.

◉ Allow certain levels of access to be provided to groups or individuals.

◉ Keep sensitive data safe and the system safe from hacking.

When properly implemented, these five rules will provide employees with the necessary data, while also ensuring that organizations comply with all privacy laws. However, implementing IAM standards is not always straightforward.

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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Difference between Information Security and Network Security

Information Security is the measures taken to protect the information from unauthorized access and use. It provides confidentiality, integrity, and availability. It is the superset that contains cyber security and network security. It is necessary for any organization or firm that works on a large scale. 

Examples and inclusion of Information Security are as follows:

1. Procedural Controls

2. Access Controls

3. Technical Controls

4. Compliance Controls

Network Security: Network Security is the measures taken by any enterprise or organization 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 organization that handles a large amount of data, has a degree of solutions against many cyber threats. 

Examples and inclusion of Network Security are as follows:

1. Firewall

2. Network Segmentation

3. Remote Access VPN

4. Email Security

5. Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)

6. Sandboxing

7. Hyperscale Network Security.

8. Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

Difference between Information Security and Network Security:

Parameters	Information Security	Network Security
Data	It protects information from unauthorized users, access, and data modification.	It protects the data flowing over the network.
Part of	It is a superset of cyber security and network security.	It is a subset of cyber security.
Protection	Information security is for information irrespective of the realm.	It protects anything in the network realm.
Attack	It deals with the protection of data from any form of threat.	It deals with the protection from DOS attacks.
Scope	It strikes against unauthorized access, disclosure modification, and disruption.	Network Security strikes against trojans.
Usage	It provides confidentiality, integrity, and availability.	It provides security over the network only.
Ensures	Information security ensures to the protection of transit and stationary data.	Network security ensures to protect the transit data only.
Deals with	It deals with information assets and integrity, confidentiality, and availability.	It secures the data traveling across the network by terminals.

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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What Are the Responsibilities of a Security Operations Center Team?

A security operations center (SOC) is essential for any organization in today’s data-driven world. A SOC is a group of cybersecurity experts responsible for monitoring and protecting an organization’s networks and information.

SOC teams play a critical role in keeping organizations secure. This article will discuss the SOC framework, how a SOC works, and the responsibilities of the various members of a SOC team.

What Is a Security Operations Center?

A SOC is comprised of specialized professionals trained in cybersecurity. Members of a SOC team may have education and experience in fields such as IT, computer science, and engineering.

While it’s not necessary for all members of a SOC to have a deep understanding of every aspect of cybersecurity, they should have a well-rounded working knowledge of the basics, since they are responsible for identifying and mitigating threats and responding to security incidents.

Job Roles in a Security Operations Center

A SOC team typically includes the following roles:

◉ Security analysts monitor the organization’s networks and systems for signs of security threats. They investigate any suspicious activity and take action to mitigate it.

◉ Incident responders are tasked with reacting to security incidents. They work with security analysts to identify and resolve any issues that arise.

◉ Systems administrators are responsible for maintaining the organization’s infrastructure by ensuring that all systems are running smoothly and securely.

◉ Network engineers are responsible for network infrastructure design, implementation, and troubleshooting.

What Are the Main Functions of a Security Operations Center?

The SOC framework is designed to help SOC teams effectively monitor and defend their organization’s networks and data. The main functions of a SOC team are as follows:

◉ Monitoring. SOC analysts monitor the organization’s networks and systems for signs of security threats. They look for any suspicious activity and take action to mitigate it.

◉ Threat intelligence. SOC analysts use threat intelligence to identify potential security threats. They track new threats and develop strategies to deal with them.

◉ Incident response. When a security incident occurs, the SOC team responds quickly and effectively to identify and resolve the issue.

◉ Security training. SOC analysts offer security awareness training for other staff members to protect the business from possible attacks (Koziol & Bottorff, 2021).

What Are the Benefits of Having a Security Operations Center Team?

In recent years, organizations have heavily invested in online software, tools, and databases, but with this digitization comes an increased demand for cybersecurity teams to protect these assets. As more and more confidential data points are exchanged online, cyber theft and malicious hacks have increased.

Having a group of individuals whose primary task is preventing cyberattacks is crucial for all organizations. SOC teams provide this protection and are an essential part of the security infrastructure for any organization that wants to keep its data safe.

With security such a significant concern in today’s digital environment, a dedicated SOC team is highly valuable to organizations. Here are some of the key benefits:

◉ Increased security. Businesses can strengthen their cybersecurity posture by having a team of experts dedicated to monitoring and protecting their networks and data.

◉ Reduced risk. A SOC can help reduce the risk of a security incident happening in an organization and mitigate damage if a breach does occur.

◉ Improved compliance. SOCs help organizations meet their compliance obligations by providing reports and evidence of their security measures.

◉ Reduced costs. Having a SOC can help organizations save money by reducing the number and severity of security incidents.

◉ Improved efficiency. A SOC can enhance the efficiency of an organization’s IT department by taking responsibility for cybersecurity and freeing up IT professionals to focus on other tasks.

By having a team of experts who can effectively monitor and respond to cyberthreats, businesses can reduce the number of security incidents they face. As data environments continue to become more complex, the need for knowledgeable SOC teams will only increase.

What Challenges Do Security Operations Centers Face Today?

SOCs have many responsibilities, and the SOC team can be easily overwhelmed if these issues are not properly managed. Some of the challenges faced by SOCs today include:

◉ Managing big data. SOCs are tasked with collecting and handling a vast amount of data (Kelley, 2022). This massive data can be a challenge for SOC teams, who may find it overwhelming to monitor and analyze.

◉ Keeping pace with new technologies. Cybersecurity is constantly evolving, and part of a SOC’s responsibility is to keep up with the latest changes in technologies and attack techniques to stay ahead of the curve.

◉ Finding qualified personnel. SOCs require a team of skilled analysts who can identify and mitigate security threats. Given the cybersecurity talent shortage, this can be difficult to find in today’s market (Li, 2021).

◉ The increasing complexity of data environments. The number of devices that an organization has on its network increases the complexity of the environment. As an organization scales, it becomes more challenging for SOC analysts to track and respond to security threats.

◉ The growing number of cyberattacks. The frequency of cyberattacks is increasing by the day, making it more difficult for SOCs to keep up.

Source: eccouncil.org

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What Are the 3 Types of Cloud Computing?

Thinking of moving to the cloud, and wondering what options you have? Well, there are 3 types of cloud computing: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS).

With IaaS, companies control their own computing, networking, and storing components without having to manage them on-premises physically. PaaS, provides developers with a framework to build custom applications, while SaaS avails internet-enabled software to organizations via a third party.

Cloud Deployment Models

The three main types of cloud deployment models are private, public, or hybrid. Selecting your desired model depends on your specific requirements.

Private Cloud

This model consists of an infrastructure that is owned by a single business. This model can be hosted in-house or can be externally hosted. Although expensive, the private cloud model is well suited for large organizations with a focus on security, customizability, and computing power.

Pros of a private cloud:

◉ Highest level of security

◉ Better autonomy over the servers

◉ Highly customizable

◉ No risk of sudden changes that can disrupt company operations

Cons of a private cloud:

◉ Requires extensive expertise of IT personnel

◉ Comparatively expensive

Public Cloud

This model consists of services and infrastructure that are shared by all organizations. With huge available space, scalability becomes easier in public cloud solutions. Organizations pay public cloud models on a pay-per-use basis, making it a suitable solution for smaller businesses looking out to save money.

Pros of public cloud:

◉ Highly scalable

◉ Cost-effective

◉ Management is delegated to the cloud service provider

◉ Not bound by geographical restrictions

Cons of public cloud:

◉ Offers less customization

◉ Sudden changes by cloud provider can have dire impacts

◉ Lesser autonomy over servers

◉ Since the server is shared, it is less secure

Hybrid Cloud

A combination of both public and private clouds, a hybrid cloud combines the two models to create a tailored solution that allows both platforms to interact seamlessly.

Pros of hybrid cloud:

◉ Highly secure, flexible, and economic

◉ Better security than pure public cloud solutions

Cons of hybrid cloud:

◉ Since communication occurs between public and private clouds, it can become conflicted at times.

IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)

IaaS provides an on-demand infrastructure to organizations on a pay-as-you-go basis over the Internet instead of via a traditional datacenter. IaaS has the following physical and virtual resources that allow organizations to run workloads in the cloud:

Physical datacenters. IaaS providers have tens of powerful servers spread across the world to provide on-demand and scalable computing. IaaS provisions these components as a service rather than users interacting with them directly.

Compute resources. IaaS compute resources are Virtual Machines (VMs) that are managed by hypervisors. IaaS providers provision VMs based on CPU, GPU, and memory consumption for various workloads. Organizations can auto-scale and load-balance different workloads based on the performance characteristic they want to achieve.

Networks. Software-defined networking programmatically manages network hardware such as switches and routers.

Storage. IaaS providers offer highly distributed storage technologies such as file storage, block storage and object storage that are resilient and easily accessible over Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

Startups can opt for the IaaS model to avoid the costly and tedious process of setting up on-premises IT infrastructure. Similarly, large corporations that want to retain control over their IT infrastructure, but with the flexibility of paying only for resources consumed, can also use this model.

Common examples of IaaS include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Rackspace and Alibaba Cloud.

Disadvantages of IaaS

◉ Because IaaS has a multi-tenant architecture, there are data security issues associated with it.

◉ If there are vendor outages in IaaS solutions, users might be unable to access their data for some time.

◉ Managing a new infrastructure can be challenging, thus giving rise to the need for team training.

PaaS (Platform as a Service)

In a PaaS model, developers lease the infrastructure they need for a complete application lifecycle: development, testing, deployment and maintenance. Like IaaS, developers rent the servers, networking and storage components. In addition, they also lease items like middleware, development tools, and database management systems (DBMSs) from the PaaS provider.

PaaS allows an organization to avoid the often costly and complex process of purchasing and managing software licenses. Essentially, PaaS providers manage everything else related to the application lifecycle while allowing developers to focus on applications they are developing. PaaS is particularly useful for organizations that want to streamline workflows in a production environment that has multiple developers.

PaaS can also minimize costs greatly and simplify the application development lifecycle in a Rapid Application Development (RAD) environment. Common examples of PaaS include Google App Engine, Apache Stratos, OpenShift, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, and Heroku.

Disadvantages of PaaS

◉ PaaS can have data security issues.

◉ Since not every element of existing infrastructure can be cloud-enabled, there might be compatibility issues with adopting PaaS solutions.

◉ The speed, support, and reliability of PaaS depend on the vendor.

SaaS (Software as a Service)

In this model, SaaS providers host software on their servers and lease it to organizations on a subscription basis. Rather than IT administrators installing the software on individual workstations, the SaaS model allows users to access the application via a web browser where they log in with their usernames and passwords.

Under the SaaS model, organizations can lease productivity software such as email, collaboration and calendaring. Also, they can lease other business applications, including enterprise resource planning (ERP), document management, and customer relationship management (CRM).

Startups can use the SaaS model to launch enterprise applications quickly if they do not have the time to set up the server or software. Common examples of SaaS include Dropbox, Google GSuite (applications), Cisco Webex, and GoToMeeting.

Disadvantages of SaaS

◉ There is a limited range of solutions with SaaS.

◉ Network connectivity is a must when it comes to using SaaS solutions.

◉ There is a loss of control when using SaaS solutions.

Source: parallels.com

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What are the Security Risks of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing provides various advantages, such as improved collaboration, excellent accessibility, Mobility, Storage capacity, etc. But there are also security risks in cloud computing.

Some most common Security Risks of Cloud Computing are given below -

Data Loss

Data loss is the most common cloud security risks of cloud computing. It is also known as data leakage. Data loss is the process in which data is being deleted, corrupted, and unreadable by a user, software, or application. In a cloud computing environment, data loss occurs when our sensitive data is somebody else's hands, one or more data elements can not be utilized by the data owner, hard disk is not working properly, and software is not updated.

Hacked Interfaces and Insecure APIs

As we all know, cloud computing is completely depends on Internet, so it is compulsory to protect interfaces and APIs that are used by external users. APIs are the easiest way to communicate with most of the cloud services. In cloud computing, few services are available in the public domain. These services can be accessed by third parties, so there may be a chance that these services easily harmed and hacked by hackers.

Data Breach

Data Breach is the process in which the confidential data is viewed, accessed, or stolen by the third party without any authorization, so organization's data is hacked by the hackers.

Vendor lock-in

Vendor lock-in is the of the biggest security risks in cloud computing. Organizations may face problems when transferring their services from one vendor to another. As different vendors provide different platforms, that can cause difficulty moving one cloud to another.

Increased complexity strains IT staff

Migrating, integrating, and operating the cloud services is complex for the IT staff. IT staff must require the extra capability and skills to manage, integrate, and maintain the data to the cloud.

Spectre & Meltdown

Spectre & Meltdown allows programs to view and steal data which is currently processed on computer. It can run on personal computers, mobile devices, and in the cloud. It can store the password, your personal information such as images, emails, and business documents in the memory of other running programs.

Denial of Service (DoS) attacks

Denial of service (DoS) attacks occur when the system receives too much traffic to buffer the server. Mostly, DoS attackers target web servers of large organizations such as banking sectors, media companies, and government organizations. To recover the lost data, DoS attackers charge a great deal of time and money to handle the data.

Account hijacking

Account hijacking is a serious security risk in cloud computing. It is the process in which individual user's or organization's cloud account (bank account, e-mail account, and social media account) is stolen by hackers. The hackers use the stolen account to perform unauthorized activities.

Source: javatpoint.com

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What is incident management?

Incident Management restores normal service operation while minimizing impact to business operations and maintaining quality.

An incident, by definition, is an occurrence that can disrupt or cause a loss of operations, services, or functions. Incident management describes the necessary actions taken by an organization to analyze, identify, and correct problems while taking actions that can prevent future incidents.

The importance of incident management

Incidents can disrupt operations, lead to temporary downtime, and contribute to the loss of data and productivity. It is increasingly crucial for organizations to take incident management practices seriously, as there are multiple benefits of it.

Some of these benefits include:

Better efficiency and productivity

There can be established practices and procedures that can help IT teams better respond to incidents and mitigate future incidents. Additionally, machine learning automatically assigns incidents to the right groups for faster resolution. Dedicated agent portals for issue resolution have access to all necessary information in one view, and can leverage AI to deliver recommended solutions immediately. A dedicated portal for Major Incident Management enables swift resolution by bringing together the right resolution teams and stakeholders to restore services.

Visibility and transparency

Employees can easily contact IT support to track and fix issues. They can connect with IT through web or mobile to have a better understanding of the status of their incidents from start to finish, and subsequent effects. A better consumer experience is delivered through intuitive omni-channel self-service and transparent, two-way communications.

Higher level of service quality

Agents have the ability to prioritize incidents based on established processes, which can also assist in the continuity of business processes, brought together to manage work and collaborate using a single planform for IT processes. Likewise, incident management makes it possible to restore services fast by bringing together the right agents to manage work and collaborate using a single platform for IT processes. IT can use advanced machine learning and data models to automatically categorize and assign incidents, learning from patterns in historical data.

More insight into service quality

Incidents can be logged away into incident management software, which provides insight into service time, severity of the incident, and whether or not there is a constant type of incident that can be mitigated. From here, the software can generate reports for visibility and analysis.

Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

Incident management systems help build out processes that provide insight into SLA and whether or not they are being met.

Prevention of incidents

Once incidents are identified and mitigated, knowledge of those incidents and necessary responses can be applied to future incidents for faster resolution or all-around prevention. Increase incident deflection rate by reducing tickets and call volumes using self-service portals and ServiceNow chatbots—employees are able to find answers on their own before needing to log an incident, effectively preventing issues before they impact users with AIOps.

Improved mean time to resolution (MTTR)

The average amount of time to resolution decreases when there are documented processes and data from past incidents. Accelerate incident resolution with machine learning and contextual help to eliminate bottlenecks. AIOps integration reduces incidents and mean time to resolution (MTTR) to eliminate noise, prioritize, and remediate.

Reduction or elimination of downtime

Incidents cause downtime, which can slow or prevent businesses from executing operations and services. Well-documented incident management processes help in the reduction or total elimination of downtime that occurs as a result of an incident.

Improved customer and employee experience

Smooth operations within a company are reflected in a product or service. Customers will have a better experience if businesses do not experience downtime or a lapse in services due to an incident. Likewise, providing omnichannel options, where employees can submit incidents through self-service portals, chatbots, email, phone, or mobile, empowers them to easily contact support to track and fix issues with incident management.

Source: servicenow.com

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How to Defend Against Common Web Application Attacks

With the rapid adoption of innovative technologies, cybersecurity has become more imperative than ever. From data breaches and ransomware to web application exploits, businesses today are constantly under attack.

Not only is the number of cyberattacks increasing, but the cost of each breach is also on the rise: According to a recent report (IBM, 2021), the rapid adoption of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to data breaches that cost an average of $1,000,000 more than data breaches not involving remote work. This is an alarming number, given that it is projected that over 40 million Americans will work remotely by the year 2026 (Tanzi, 2021).

Organizations need a comprehensive cybersecurity plan that includes defense against web application attacks. This article discusses some of the most common types of application security threats, how organizations can defend against them, and how to kickstart a career in application security by becoming an EC-Council Certified Application Security Engineer (C|ASE).

SQL Injection

One of the most common web application attacks is SQL injection (Towson University, n.d.): a type of attack that takes place when a web application does not validate values provided by a web form, cookie, input parameter, or another source before forwarding them to SQL queries on a database server. This allows attackers to insert malicious code by manipulating the input variables. Hackers can then use that code to extract data from a database or execute malicious commands on the server.

There are several ways to defend against SQL injection attacks, but one of the most reliable is to use a web application firewall (WAF) to detect and block malicious SQL code. Input validation can also be used to check for invalid or malformed input data, and parameterized queries can be used rather than dynamic queries to prevent attackers from executing commands on the database.

Cross-Site Scripting

Another common attack vector is cross-site scripting (XSS). XSS attacks occur when an attacker takes advantage of vulnerabilities in a web application to inject malicious code that enables them to access a target end user’s data. The code can be embedded in a script tag, iframe, or hyperlink. These attacks are typically launched using a client-side script and can occur whenever a web application uses input data from a user without validation or encryption.

There are several ways to protect against XSS attacks, including using a WAF to identify and block malicious code and input validation to identify unsafe or invalid input data. A content security policy can also be used to prevent attackers from injecting code into a webpage.

Cross-Site Request Forgery

Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) allows an attacker to execute unauthorized requests on behalf of another user (OWASP Foundation, 2021). This can be done by embedding the target’s session ID in a malicious payload.

There are several ways to protect against CSRF attacks. The first is to use a WAF to detect and block unauthorized requests. A second approach to defending against CSRF attacks is to use authentication tokens: unique identifiers used to verify the legitimacy of a request.

Insecure Direct Object References

Insecure direct object references (IDOR) are another common web application vulnerability (OWASP Foundation, 2020). IDOR-based attacks occur when a malicious hacker accesses sensitive data by manipulating the URLs used to reference objects in an application.

There are several ways to protect against IDOR and associated attacks. One technique is to use input validation to check that input values are safe and valid. Additionally, obfuscation techniques like URL rewriting and encoding can make it more difficult for attackers to exploit vulnerable URLs.

Opportunities for Career Growth in Application Security

As the world embraces new technologies faster than ever before and remote work increases, the threat of cybersecurity breaches looms large. To keep their data safe and ensure the security of their infrastructures and operations, organizations need cybersecurity professionals who understand the types of web application cyberattacks and how to defend against them.

While there are multiple threats to web applications, some sectors are more vulnerable to cyberattacks than others. One prominent industry is the blockchain and cryptocurrency space. For example, in 2017, a vulnerability was disclosed in the Parity Wallet, which stores cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, that allowed attackers to steal over USD 30 million worth of digital currency (Zhao, 2017).

Source: eccouncil.org

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