Importance of Active Defense to Mitigate Security Threats and Intrusions

Cyber attackers have increased in volume and sophistication in recent years, making the traditional approach to data security inept. With threat actors ramping up their tools and techniques, the volume of zero-day exploits has increased, and the amount of time available at the disposal of security professionals to fix the vulnerability has reduced drastically. Security teams across organizations relying on passive monitoring and detection must shift to proactive security measures to thwart emerging threats.

Proactive security starts with advanced threat intelligence gathering and policy implementation that helps organizations prepare for novel threats and vulnerabilities. Active defense in cybersecurity aims to understand the new and emerging Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) of all threats and actors by gathering intelligence through various means. Proactive security is not just about possessing the latest technologies but also about how organizations utilize these capabilities to impede the progress and impact of sophisticated threats. As actors tend to exploit inadequately defended networks or applications, leveraging proactive defense has become an imperative strategy for modern cybersecurity.

Understanding Security Threats and Active Defense

While infiltrating an organization’s network, attackers often display behavior that, when analyzed, can provide valuable insights into their threat activities. Active defense strategies leverage these TTPs to collect in-depth information about malicious activities.

Active defense employs proactive strategies to outmaneuver hackers and disrupt their cyberattacks, making their nefarious activities more challenging (Fortinet, n.d.). This approach aids organizations in thwarting cyber intruders’ progress within their network, increasing the likelihood of hackers making errors that reveal their presence or methods.

Active defense integrates deception technology, which identifies attackers in the earliest stages of their assault. Techniques such as digital baiting and device decoys obscure the attack surface and deceive intruders. This diversion tactic wastes attackers’ time and computational resources and provides valuable intelligence regarding the ongoing cyber threat.

In some cases, active defense extends to supporting offensive measures and may involve counterattacking against hackers. However, this aggressive approach is generally reserved for law enforcement agencies with the authority and resources to act appropriately.

Threat Intelligence as Part of Active Defense

A honeypot is a cybersecurity mechanism designed to deceive and lure potential attackers. It operates as a simulated, enticing target or system, enticing hackers to interact with it. The primary aim of a honeypot is to gather intelligence on cyber threats and the tactics employed by malicious actors (Manglicmot, 2015). By attracting and monitoring the activities of hackers, organizations can gain insights into emerging attack techniques, vulnerabilities, and potential security weaknesses. Honeypots do not contain real data or provide access to critical systems, making them a valuable tool for enhancing network security, detecting threats, and fortifying defenses against cyberattacks (Petrunić, 2015). Based on the same principles, various methodologies for active defense could be listed as follows:

• Creating fake email addresses: Email is a common target for cyberattacks, especially phishing scams with harmful attachments and fake website links. Companies can use fictitious email addresses to bait attackers, which can provide valuable insights into the attacker’s phishing methods.
• Deploying fake database data: Another commonly used method involves introducing baited data, fictitious records, or content into a segmented network, enticing attackers to pilfer the phony data. This tactic equips organizations with valuable insights into the intrusion methods employed by attackers and the vulnerabilities they exploit within their networks.
• Embedding web beacons: Web beacons are comprised of an internet link connected to a discreetly concealed element within a file, purposefully designed to maintain a low profile. When an attacker gains access to a document housing such a beacon, the entity managing the beacon gathers information about the target computer system and its online activities. Much like the strategy involving counterfeit executable files, the effectiveness of this approach depends on the attackers’ failure to enforce firewall restrictions on outbound traffic or external ports.
• Fake executable files: Dummy ‘.exe’ files appear as applications or software programs, but upon execution by the attacker, they trigger a ‘phone home’ function. This action allows the organization to gather details about the attacker, including their Internet Protocol (IP) address and system information, a process sometimes called a ‘hack back.’ This method could potentially harm the attacker’s system and raise concerns about cybersecurity and privacy regulations.
• Active data baiting: Web application platforms require digital keys and passwords to unlock their access management infrastructure. Organizations have the flexibility to store these credentials in diverse locations, given their significant value to cybercriminals, who may exploit these keys to manipulate an organization’s infrastructure or infiltrate corporate networks. Through the integration of logging mechanisms with credential usage, organizations can employ these as honeytokens for the purpose of scrutinizing, tracking, and documenting the actions of potential attackers.

Since the honeypots are faked proxies used to log network activity, they contain no sensitive information. Further based on their design, there are four types of honeypots: low-interaction honeypots, medium-interaction honeypots, high-interaction honeypots, and pure honeypots. Going a few steps ahead, organizations can use honeynets, which are nothing but a network of honeypots that are installed in a virtual and isolated environment along with various servers to record the activities of the attackers and understand the potential threats (Pawar, 2023).

Role of Security Operations Center (SOC) in Active Defense

A Security Operations Center (SOC) is pivotal in active defense strategies. SOC teams are the first line of defense against cyber threats. They continuously monitor networks, detect anomalies, and respond to potential security breaches. Active defense, as facilitated by a SOC, involves proactive measures to thwart threats (Checkpoint, n.d.). This includes real-time threat intelligence analysis, threat hunting, and immediate incident response. SOC experts can monitor the threat actor’s activity by collaborating with the honey pot strategy. Utilizing the intelligence from the honeypot SOC can help security teams identify vulnerabilities, implement security measures, and fortify network defenses, reducing the attack surface. 

SOC can also collaborate with threat-sharing communities by utilizing intelligence from the honeypot and staying updated on emerging threats. A SOC’s active defense capabilities are critical for preventing, mitigating, and rapidly responding to cyber threats. A SOC, at the core of an organization’s infrastructure, plays a critical role in enhancing overall security. It is important to recognize that the SOC handles authentication and access control, which are critical components in risk mitigation and sensitive data protection. Prioritizing regulatory compliance is essential for organizations, even as they work to cut down on operating costs and avoid data breaches (Pawar, 2023).

Challenges in Implementing Active Defense

Implementing active defense strategies in a cybersecurity framework is essential for effectively mitigating threats, but it comes with its own challenges.

• There’s a fine line between active defense and potentially crossing legal boundaries. Deception, for instance, can inadvertently impact legitimate users and expose organizations to legal risks. Striking the right balance between proactive defense and compliance with laws and regulations is a perpetual challenge.
• The resource and expertise gap can be significant. Many organizations need help finding and retaining skilled cybersecurity professionals who effectively manage and execute active defense measures. The evolving nature of cyber threats requires ongoing training and education, adding another layer of complexity.
• Active defense strategies often require reallocating resources and investments. Organizations must decide where to allocate budgets, which security tools to implement, and how to maintain a robust security posture without overburdening their finances.
• Interoperability and integration among various security tools can also be a challenge. Ensuring these tools work seamlessly and provide a holistic view of the threat landscape can be complex.
• The dynamic nature of threats means that active defense strategies must continuously evolve. What worked today may not work tomorrow, necessitating a constant planning, testing, and adjustment cycle.

While active defense is crucial in safeguarding against cyber threats, organizations must navigate a complex landscape of technological and operational challenges to implement and maintain effective strategies. It requires a multidisciplinary approach and a commitment to staying ahead of ever-evolving threats.

Conclusion

Active defense serves as a vital asset in bolstering an organization’s security. The tactics mentioned above empower security teams to collect valuable insights into cybercriminal techniques, their methods for exploiting vulnerabilities, and their preferences for specific information. This intelligence is essential for gaining a deeper understanding of attackers’ motives and safeguarding organizational security measures against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Navigating the Cybersecurity Landscape: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction to Cybersecurity

In today's interconnected digital world, cybersecurity has become paramount. Cybersecurity encompasses the technologies, processes, and practices designed to protect networks, devices, programs, and data from attack, damage, or unauthorized access. As businesses increasingly rely on digital infrastructure to conduct operations, the importance of robust cybersecurity measures cannot be overstated.

Understanding the Threat Landscape

The threat landscape in cybersecurity is constantly evolving, with new vulnerabilities and attack vectors emerging regularly. From phishing scams to ransomware attacks, cybercriminals employ various tactics to exploit weaknesses in systems and networks. It is crucial for organizations to stay vigilant and proactive in identifying and mitigating potential threats.

Types of Cyber Threats

Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks involve fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details, by disguising as a trustworthy entity in electronic communication. These attacks often occur via email, text message, or social media platforms and can have devastating consequences if successful.

Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system or files until a sum of money is paid. These attacks can disrupt operations, cause financial losses, and tarnish an organization's reputation. Preventative measures, such as regular data backups and robust cybersecurity protocols, are essential in defending against ransomware attacks.

Implementing Effective Cybersecurity Measures

Strong Password Management

One of the simplest yet most effective cybersecurity measures is strong password management. Passwords should be complex, unique, and regularly updated to minimize the risk of unauthorized access. Utilizing multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring additional verification beyond a password.

Security Software and Firewalls

Deploying security software such as antivirus programs and firewalls is essential for protecting against malware and unauthorized access. These tools monitor network traffic, detect suspicious activity, and block potential threats before they can infiltrate systems.

Employee Training and Awareness

Human error remains one of the leading causes of cybersecurity breaches. Therefore, employee training and awareness programs are critical components of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. Educating staff about the latest threats, phishing tactics, and best practices for data protection can significantly reduce the risk of security incidents.

The Role of Encryption

Encryption is a fundamental technique used to secure sensitive data by encoding it in such a way that only authorized parties can access it. Whether it's data in transit or data at rest, encryption helps safeguard information from interception or theft. Implementing strong encryption protocols is essential for maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of data.

Compliance and Regulatory Requirements

In addition to protecting against cyber threats, organizations must also comply with various regulatory requirements and industry standards related to data security and privacy. Failure to adhere to these regulations can result in severe penalties, legal ramifications, and damage to reputation. It is imperative for businesses to stay informed about relevant laws and regulations and ensure compliance at all times.

Conclusion

In conclusion, navigating the cybersecurity landscape requires a proactive and multi-faceted approach. By understanding the threat landscape, implementing effective cybersecurity measures, and staying abreast of compliance requirements, organizations can mitigate risks and protect their assets from cyber threats.

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Exploring Diverse Career Opportunities in Cybersecurity

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, cybersecurity has emerged as a critical field safeguarding organizations and individuals from digital threats. With the proliferation of cyberattacks and data breaches, the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals has skyrocketed, leading to a multitude of job opportunities across various domains. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the diverse career roles within cybersecurity, shedding light on the responsibilities, skills required, and career prospects associated with each role.

Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity analysts play a pivotal role in protecting an organization's digital assets by proactively identifying and mitigating potential security risks. They are responsible for monitoring network traffic, analyzing security logs, and detecting anomalies or suspicious activities that could indicate a cyber threat. Additionally, cybersecurity analysts conduct vulnerability assessments, develop incident response plans, and collaborate with other IT teams to implement security measures effectively.

To excel in this role, individuals must possess strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of network protocols and security technologies. Certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) can enhance one's credentials and open doors to advanced career opportunities in cybersecurity analysis.

Penetration Tester (Ethical Hacker)

Penetration testers, also known as ethical hackers, are cybersecurity professionals tasked with assessing the security posture of an organization's systems and networks. Their primary objective is to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses that malicious actors could exploit to compromise sensitive data or disrupt operations. By conducting controlled cyberattacks, penetration testers evaluate the effectiveness of existing security controls and provide recommendations for remediation.

A successful career in penetration testing requires proficiency in ethical hacking techniques, knowledge of common vulnerabilities and exploits, and the ability to think like a cybercriminal. Certifications such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) or Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) validate one's skills in penetration testing and demonstrate a commitment to ethical cybersecurity practices.

Security Architect

Security architects are responsible for designing and implementing robust cybersecurity frameworks that protect an organization's IT infrastructure from a wide range of threats. They assess security requirements, develop security policies and standards, and oversee the deployment of security solutions such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption technologies.

To thrive in this role, individuals must possess a deep understanding of security best practices, risk management principles, and emerging cybersecurity trends. Certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) validate one's expertise in security architecture and pave the way for lucrative career opportunities in cybersecurity leadership roles.

Incident Responder

Incident responders are frontline defenders tasked with rapidly detecting, analyzing, and mitigating cybersecurity incidents such as data breaches, malware infections, or insider threats. They work tirelessly to contain the impact of security breaches, restore normal operations, and prevent future incidents through proactive measures such as security awareness training and system hardening.

To excel in this fast-paced role, individuals must possess strong problem-solving skills, crisis management abilities, and technical expertise in digital forensics and incident response tools. Certifications such as Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) or Certified Computer Examiner (CCE) validate one's proficiency in incident response and demonstrate readiness to tackle complex cybersecurity challenges.

Cybersecurity Consultant

Cybersecurity consultants provide expert guidance and advisory services to organizations seeking to strengthen their security posture and compliance with industry regulations. They conduct comprehensive security assessments, risk evaluations, and gap analyses to identify areas of vulnerability and formulate customized security strategies tailored to the client's needs and objectives.

To succeed in this dynamic role, individuals must possess excellent communication skills, business acumen, and a deep technical understanding of cybersecurity principles. Certifications such as Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) or Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) validate one's expertise in cybersecurity consulting and enhance credibility in the eyes of potential clients.

In conclusion, cybersecurity offers a wealth of rewarding career opportunities for individuals passionate about protecting sensitive information and safeguarding digital assets. Whether you aspire to be a cybersecurity analyst, penetration tester, security architect, incident responder, or cybersecurity consultant, acquiring the requisite skills and certifications is key to unlocking a successful career in this rapidly evolving field.

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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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What Is the Pyramid of Pain, and Why Is It Important in Threat Detection?

Organizations today face more cyberthreats than ever before and have larger attack surfaces than ever. Given these challenges, companies need to stay ahead of the curve and make intelligent decisions about how they prevent, detect, and mitigate threats.

For this reason, security experts have developed conceptual models such as the Pyramid of Pain to help businesses strengthen their cybersecurity capabilities. Below, we’ll discuss the Pyramid of Pain and how it helps with threat detection and mitigation.

What Is the Pyramid of Pain?

In the field of computer security and threat detection, an indicator of compromise (IOC) is a piece of evidence that some form of cyberattack has occurred, such as an intrusion or data breach. Just as detectives collect clues to trace backward from the crime scene, digital forensics experts search for IOCs to understand how the attack took place and who was responsible. The Pyramid of Pain is a conceptual model for understanding cybersecurity threats that organizes IOCs into six different levels. Information security expert David J. Bianco was the first to formalize this idea in his article “The Pyramid of Pain” (Bianco, 2013). The six levels of IOCs in the Pyramid of Pain are organized in order of how “painful” they would be to the attacker if the victim discovered them and took action against them. From the bottom to the top of the pyramid—from least painful to most painful—these IOCs are:

◉ Hash values: A hash value is a software or file “signature” that is the output of a complex cryptographic hash function such as SHA-1 and MD5. These hash functions practically guarantee that two different files will not have the same hash value.

◉ IP addresses: An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a set of numbers that uniquely identifies a computer or other device connected to the Internet.

◉ Domain names: A domain name is a string of text that uniquely identifies an Internet resource such as a website or server.

◉ Network artifacts/host artifacts: A network artifact is produced as the result of some network activity, while a host artifact is produced as the result of some activity on a host machine.

◉ Tools: Attackers use various software tools and platforms to carry out attacks (such as backdoors or password crackers).

◉ Tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs): Attackers often have a modus operandi that identifies them—everything from the initial method of entry to the means of spreading throughout the network and exfiltrating data.

What Are the Types of Threat Detection?

The IOCs on the Pyramid of Pain are just one type of indicator used in threat detection. In turn, indicators are just one form of threat detection in cybersecurity. Below are the four types of threat detection:

◉ Configuration: In configuration threat detection, analysts look for signs that a device has deviated from a known standard configuration. For example, if a device on the network is set to communicate using only specific port numbers, any communication on a different port number should be treated as suspicious.

◉ Modeling: Beyond configuration changes, analysts can look for deviations from a predefined baseline using mathematical modeling. For example, if a device sends more packets than normal or sends them at unusual times of day, this behavior might be flagged as suspicious.

◉ Indicators: An indicator is a piece of information, either “good” or “bad,” that provides some clue as to a device’s state or context. IOCs are the most common indicators, offering evidence that a malicious actor has gained access to the system.

◉ Behaviors: Behavioral threat analysis looks for abstract, higher-level techniques and methods used by a malicious actor. For example, a known adversary might use a particular form of spear phishing email to obtain user credentials.

How Does the Pyramid of Pain Help Mitigate Threats?

If a career in threat analysis appeals to you, obtaining a threat analyst certification is an ideal way to get a foothold in the industry while honing your in-demand cybersecurity skills. EC-Council offers the Certified Threat Intelligence Analyst (C|TIA) program, with real-world training in how to identify and thwart active and potential attacks.

Designed in coordination with leading cybersecurity and threat intelligence experts, the C|TIA program teaches students to identify and mitigate critical business risks with both theoretical and practical modules. The C|TIA program offers hands-on experience in the latest tools, techniques, and methodologies at all stages of the threat intelligence lifecycle.

Source: eccouncil.org

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How to Identify Network Security Threats and Vulnerabilities

Anyone who operates a computer network is susceptible to security threats and vulnerabilities. Hackers, criminals, and other malicious actors often exploit these weaknesses to steal data or disrupt service. To protect your network from these threats, it is important to be able to identify them and take appropriate steps to mitigate risks. Here we will provide an overview of some of the most common security threats and vulnerabilities as well as tips on how to detect them.

What Is a Network Threat?

A network threat is when an attacker targets a computer network or the computers and devices connected to it. Network threats can cause significant damage to data, systems, and networks and lead to downtime or even complete system failure. There are many different types of network threats, but some of the most common include:

◉ Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks: A DoS attack is an attempt to make a computer or network resource unavailable to users. They can be carried out using various methods, including flooding the target with requests or traffic or exploiting vulnerabilities in the network or system.

◉ Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attacks: A DDoS attack is similar to a DoS attack, but multiple computers or devices, known as zombies, are used to carry out the attack. A large number of requests or traffic from the zombies can overwhelm the target, thus denying access to legitimate users. 

◉ Malware: Malware or malicious software refers to any type of software that is designed to damage or disrupt a computer system. Viruses, worms, and Trojans are some examples of malware.

◉ Phishing: Phishing is a type of social engineering attack that attempts to trick users into revealing sensitive information, like passwords or credit card numbers. Such attacks are often carried out by email and may include links to fake websites that look identical to the real website (SecurityScorecard, 2021). 

What Are Network Vulnerabilities?

Network vulnerabilities are weaknesses in a computer network that malicious actors can exploit to gain unauthorized access, launch DoS attacks, or spread malware. While some vulnerabilities are unintentionally introduced during the design and implementation of a network, others may be deliberately introduced by attackers.

Common types of network vulnerabilities include unpatched software flaws, weak passwords, and open ports. To protect a network from attack, it is important to regularly scan for vulnerabilities and take steps to remediate them. Network administrators can use a variety of tools to perform vulnerability scans, including open source and commercial products.

Once a vulnerability has been identified, it is essential to fix the loophole based on the potential impact of an exploit. For example, a vulnerability that could allow an attacker to gain administrative access to a server should be addressed urgently. In contrast, a less critical vulnerability may be patched at a later time.

Network vulnerabilities can have a wide range of impacts, from causing minor disruptions to leading to complete system compromise. In some cases, attackers may exploit vulnerabilities to launch DoS attacks or steal sensitive data. In other cases, they may use vulnerabilities to gain control of systems and use them for malicious purposes such as sending spam or launching attacks against other targets.

What Are the Types of Network Security Threats?

While there are many different types of network security threats out there, some of the most dangerous ones include:

◉ Viruses and Malware: Viruses and malware are malicious software programs that can infect your computer or network and cause serious damage. They can delete important files, steal confidential information, or even shut down your entire system.

◉ SQL Injection Attacks: SQL injection attacks exploit vulnerabilities in web applications that use Structured Query Language (SQL) to communicate with databases. By injecting malicious SQL code into these vulnerable applications, attackers can gain access to sensitive data or even take control of the entire database.

◉ OnPath Attacks: OnPath attacks occur when an attacker intercepts communication between two parties and impersonates each party to the other. This allows the attacker to eavesdrop on the conversation or modify the data being exchanged.

◉ Password Attacks: Password attacks are common types of network attacks because they are very effective. There are many types of password attacks, but some of the most common include brute force attacks, dictionary attacks, and rainbow table attacks (EasyDmarc, 2022).

What Are the Main Types of Security Vulnerability?

In computer security, a vulnerability is a weakness that can be exploited by a threat actor, usually for malicious purposes. Vulnerabilities can be found in many different areas of a system, including hardware, software, networks, and even people.

There are four main types of security vulnerabilities:

◉ Misconfigurations: Incorrectly configured systems and applications are often the weakest links in an organization’s security posture. A poorly configured firewall in cybersecurity, weak passwords, and leaving default accounts active are all examples of common misconfigurations that can lead to serious security vulnerabilities.

◉ Unsecured APIs: Many modern applications rely on application programming interfaces (APIs) to function properly. However, if APIs are not properly secured, they can be a serious security vulnerability. Attackers can exploit unsecured APIs to gain access to sensitive data or even take control of entire systems.

◉ Outdated or Unpatched Software: Software vulnerabilities are often the root cause of major security breaches. Outdated software is especially vulnerable, as attackers can exploit known weaknesses that have already been patched in newer versions. Unpatched software is also a major security risk, as many organizations fail to apply critical security updates in a timely manner.

◉ Zero-Day Vulnerabilities: A zero-day vulnerability is a previously unknown security flaw exploited by attackers before the vendor has patched it. These types of vulnerabilities are extremely dangerous, as there is usually no way to defend against them until after they have been exploited (CrowdStrike, 2022).

So, what can you do to address these types of security vulnerabilities?

Learn More About Risk and Vulnerability Assessment with C|ND

As the world increasingly moves online, the need for network security professionals who are up to date on the latest threats and vulnerabilities has never been greater. EC-Council’s Certified Network Defender (C|ND) program is designed to provide IT professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to protect networks from a wide range of attacks.

As a certified network defender, you can protect your organization’s infrastructure from online threats. The C|ND modules teach you risk and vulnerability assessment to identify potential risks and vulnerabilities in your network, using tools like a network vulnerability scanner and UTM firewall. This knowledge will help you mitigate these risks and vulnerabilities, thereby protecting your organization’s data and resources.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Is AI Really a Threat to Cybersecurity?

It is true to say that the introduction of Artificial Intelligence, also known as AI models are a blessing to the IT industry. It has very well connected humans and the natural environment with technology in such a way that no one has ever expected. Machines have got enough power to replace humans. All thanks to AI!!!

But, now the question arises is what is AI (Artificial Intelligence)? If it’s playing an important role in the IT sector then why it’s taking so much time to take over all the security management of the industry? Why do people consider it a threat? Is it really a threat?

What is Artificial Intelligence?

The field of science that is mainly concerned with getting computers to Think, Learn, and Do – all these being performed without any human intelligence is termed Artificial Intelligence (AI). But, only training any computer just on the provided dataset and information and then asking that machine for a valid prediction is generally termed Machine Learning which is the initial phase of any Artificial Intelligent Model. 

A Machine learning model which learns from the data (also past experiences) has been provided. But, using that data when the model is capable of making its prediction whether it belongs to that data or not is termed an AI model. AI models have just upgraded Machine Learning models which after training learn from their mistakes and then backpropagate to rectify the data or the values that were responsible for that wrong prediction. This way the model keeps on learning from the predictions as well and also with the real-world data that it encounters during its further phases.

Just like a human learns to walk or talk just by failing multiple times in his attempts and then eventually becomes the expert in walking or talking. These models tend to become more mature and powerful over time as they keep on learning, keeps on making new conclusions, and guessing the future prediction. There is no doubt that it will take over the world one day as the calculations, the analysis that a machine can perform in a fraction of seconds will take years to get solved via a human.

What is the State of AI Now?

For the best analysis of this question, it’s best to just look around ourselves. We all can notice a drastic change and progress in our surroundings, who is responsible for this? It’s today’s technology, due to this Artificial Intelligence or AI-based machinery only now the productivity of every task has increased by multiple times, the goods are now available much quicker and reasonable rates anywhere over the world. From manufacturing to transportation to development and security every field has been flourished with the introduction of AI-themed products and appliances. But is also true that we humans have not even scratched the surface of AI till now, It still has a lot to discover. We have understood its importance, its use, and its demand, but we still can’t predict how much potential an AI model has. For now, large factories, machinery, robotic arms, and many more are controlled via AI. Today the whole world’s house is being automated using AI-based Siri and Alexa.

But truly speaking it’s not even 10% of what the AI model can serve us. Engineers are working on unlocking much more merits of the Artificial Intelligence model and as the termed machine will automatically become more intelligent and experienced over time. affecting every industry at a scale that a human can just have dreamed for.

Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity

If every industry is getting affected by this Artificial Intelligence, then their safety and security are also a major concern because if a model is getting educated for any industry it must be exploring through multiple past, present, and future planned data of that industry and therefore as a machine it’s well predicted that a machine will always have those data in its storage unit, not like humans who will forget any information as per the passage of time. So keeping the data secure and not letting that vital data to any wrong hand is a big responsibility. This is done very efficiently by Cybersecurity companies till now, but a blend of AI in this is also quite new and questionable as well. 

Cybersecurity companies use complex algorithms to train their AI models on how to detect viruses and malware so that AI can run its pattern recognition software and stop that. We can train AI to catch the smallest ever ransomware and isolate it from the system. Considering the strength and potential of AI models, what if AI leads our security system i.e fully automated, quick, and efficient. There will be no need for a passcode, an automatic face recognition system for whoever is entering the department, How about the system which can directly track which person is using the account and the location too, and all his biometrics just in one click, no cyberattacks, no data hacking. Won’t it be amazing? Yes, this is the future, but why not today?

Artificial Intelligence as a Threat

Till now Artificial Intelligence has served a lot in cybersecurity like in credit card fraud detection, spam filter, credit scoring, user authentication, and hacking incident forecasting. Even after serving this much in cybersecurity the role of AI is still limited in their field just because:

1. Implementation of AI in cybersecurity will cost more power consumption, more skilled developers, proper server set up raising the expense of that company.

2. If security is totally handed over to AI, there are chances that hackers introduce more skill models of AI resulting in a much more destructive hacking beyond anyone’s imagination causing a threat.

3. Data provided to AI if altered or guided wrongly will result in false predictions of their models which will serve as a path to the hackers.

4. Every AI model is provided with a large amount of data set to learn and then predict and that data can be helpful for hackers if they can retrieve the data provided to the model via any means.

Future of AI in Cybersecurity

For any country or even organization that matters, data is their real treasure, and no one can afford to lose it anyhow, as the max potential of AI is not defined, and no one can risk their security fully to Artificial Intelligence. Considering the future, yes, the world will be dominated via AI technology, But in a general sense, it can never take over Cybersecurity, as there is no finish line to AI learning skills. With time, it will keep on enhancing which can lead to a path for hackers bringing up more skilled and experienced AI models that will be leading the security. Though AI will be always an important part of Cybersecurity because without it, it won’t be able to keep up with the upcoming technologies for its prevention.

Source: geeksforgeeks.org

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Why Organizations Need to Deliberately Adopt Threat Intelligence

Every organization will, one way or another, land on the radar of cybercriminals or hackers who have an incentive to compromise their systems. Threat intelligence has therefore become a top priority for many organizations around the world.

Some of the top security challenges organizations have faced over the last few years include:

◉ Identifying the right frameworks to implement

◉ Choosing from varying vendor solutions to fill gaps in technology

◉ Mitigating supply chain risks

◉ Managing vulnerabilities and patches

◉ Addressing insufficient skill sets within cybersecurity teams

◉ Handling inadequate threat intelligence and visibility

◉ Securing third-party engagement and integration

◉ Promoting general awareness of cyber resilience among staff

Cybersecurity: A Growing Concern in Digital Transformations

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a number of mindset shifts. Many organizations started moving to the cloud, and others started to activate digital transformation playbooks that had been shelved for many years.

Organizations that did not think the time would ever come for remote work had to activate many work-from-home programs. Affected businesses ranged from small and medium-sized enterprises to large corporations that had to rework their entire security fabrics to stay resilient as attacks rose.

The Limitations of Existing Cybersecurity Solutions

Top-tier companies are continuously buying new solutions in hopes of solving contemporaneous security issues that arise. These include antimalware and data loss prevention software; upgrades to firewalls, routers, and switches; network access control solutions; data and network monitoring software; and many more.

However, the above solutions often do not communicate with each other after implementation, which creates challenges when it comes to decision making. This leads to an increase in risks to the organization.

An antimalware solution, for instance, might be able to detect malware, but it may not work with the organization’s network and access control solutions to isolate the infected machine or the organization’s firewall to block the IP address of the threat actor. Instead, organizations must rely on manual intervention, meaning that actualizing mitigation controls can take a great deal of time.

Take, for example, a financial institution. The sensitive data it handles might include:

◉ Client lists

◉ Customer credit card information

◉ The company’s banking details

◉ Pricing structures for various services

◉ Future product designs

◉ The organization’s expansion plans

The impacts of a security incident on that financial organization can include:

◉ Financial losses resulting from theft of banking information

◉ Financial losses resulting from business disruption

◉ High costs associated with ridding the network of threats

◉ Damage to reputation after telling customers their information was compromised

“You can get cybersecurity right 99% of the time, but adversaries only need to exploit the 1% to cause tremendous damage.”

The Evolution of Cybersecurity Models

The focus of cybersecurity when it comes to protecting business operations has shifted from the traditional risk management approach, which relies on perimeter and static assessment through grading on the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) system, to a framework of predictive threat intelligence, agile posture, and dynamic controls.

The deciding factor in whether an organization will be able to get back up and running after a security incident is its ability to recover very easily. This is directly proportional to operational readiness and time.

Historically, the definition of security has centered around the concepts of protection, detection, and response. Resilience, on the other hand, involves two other elements: identification and recovery. Being able to identify potential risks and plan out a recovery method is key to maintaining operational status as a business

Comparing Security Software Solutions

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

Every modern-day organization should have a security information and event management (SIEM) tool. SIEM software can be either proprietary or open source, depending on the company’s budget and needs.

SIEM tools have several core functionalities, in addition to many other crucial capabilities:

◉ Correlating logs

◉ Analyzing user behavior

◉ Performing forensics

◉ Monitoring file integrity

◉ Providing a dashboard for analyzing incidents

Incident responders may receive thousands of alerts each day from all devices connected to their organization’s SIEM solution. As a result, they often spend a large portion of their time engaged in detection, triage, and investigation.

A typical example could be seen in the case of a malicious IP scanning a target network. The analyst has to filter out false positives, analyze the details of the IP address (such as origin and reputation), and send the details to the firewall to block the IP based on that analysis.

The response time required to investigate alerts and filter out false positives reduces analysts’ productivity, leaving room for attackers to succeed in a potential threat scenario. Post-incident analysis of past breaches often finds that the SIEM detection time and the steps taken by analysts are predictive of the actions performed by various parties.

Security Orchestration Automation and Response (SOAR)

Security orchestration automation and response (SOAR) solutions came into play to solve the above challenge. SOAR systems detect, triage, respond and periodize throughout the full chain of threat intelligence.

Consider, for instance, a malware indicator of compromise in a network of about 200 endpoints. While a SIEM will be able to pick it up, investigating how many other machines are similarly affected and making decisions about whether to isolate them from the network usually has to be done manually.

Likewise, sending the malicious IP address that is acting as the malware’s command-and-control server to be blocked by the firewall is a further step. A SOAR solution automates all these processes by investigating and taking necessary action before sending an alert to the analyst, prompting them to examine the situation further.

Despite being misconstrued as a “plug-and-play” solution by many security personnel, SOAR platforms are still new technologies and are not yet capable of acting fully automatically. SOAR technology is not meant to replace all solutions in an organization. Instead, it enables security teams to make smart decisions in time to curb adversaries’ actions.

SOAR software works following a series of actions, known as a playbook, that is written by analysts and fine-tuned to fit the organization’s network and existing solutions. The process of writing a playbook can only be done by developing use cases as a continuous process.

Threat intelligence has various measures of success when a holistic viewpoint is taken that encompasses not only technology solutions but also the human element, especially threat intelligence analysts. An organization’s threat intelligence analysts consolidate all the architecture of collection, correlation, decision making, and post-implementation tactics to avoid future potential breaches.

How to Measure the Success of a Threat Intelligence Program

The table below provides a sample summary of key performance indicators, associated metrics, and possible success measurements.

Key Performance Indicator	Metric	Possible Measurements
Workload	Total number of devices being monitored Total number of events Number of tickets assigned	Number of devices Number of devices per analyst Number of events per analyst per day Proportion of assigned to unassigned tickets
Detection success	Number of events per device or application Mean time to detection Amount of false positives	Number of events per device per day or month Number of events per application per day or month Number of false positives per day Time to detect (in hours, days, or months) False positives as a percentage of all alerts
Analyst skill	Time to resolution Event types resolved	Average time to identify Average time to identify per technology Average time to identify per event type All event types resolved by analyst
Key risks	Number of events per application Number of events per user or account Number of events per device Vulnerabilities detected	Number of events generated by application Number of events per user or account Number of events per device Vulnerabilities detected by vulnerability management tools

Why Successful Threat Intelligence Requires Management Support

An organization’s threat intelligence program can never be a success if there is no support from senior management. The involvement of key stakeholders, especially C-suite executives and the board of directors, can lead to risk reduction or even elimination in any organization.

The catalyst for achieving management buy-in is cybersecurity leaders who can communicate key requirements, as well as potential business risks if certain actions are not taken. This responsibility is shared by the chief information security officer, chief information officer, and risk information officer. Together, these three stakeholders’ insights can help ensure a secure and resilient organization.

Source: eccouncil.org

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What Is Threat Modeling?

Data breaches cost companies USD 8.64 million on average (Johnson, 2021), but many companies report they don’t have adequate protection against these vulnerabilities because there aren’t enough IT security professionals to help. The shortage of cybersecurity professionals leaves these organizations vulnerable to costly data breaches.

Threat modeling is a technique cybersecurity professionals use to identify security vulnerabilities in a company’s IT infrastructure and develop techniques to protect its resources. This guide explores cyber threat modeling and explains which threat modeling skills and tools companies need most.

How Cybersecurity Professionals Use Threat Modeling

Cyberattacks are getting more sophisticated and causing more damage to companies’ systems by the day. Security professionals use a structured process to identify the threats that plague organizations.

A threat intelligence professional’s goal is to identify potential cyberthreats and determine their impact. Once the threat intelligence analyst has this information, they can strategize how to prevent each type of attack. Security teams use a process called threat modeling to identify the areas of the organization’s systems and networks that are most vulnerable to attack.

The Cyber Threat Modeling Process

Cybersecurity professionals have several objectives they must meet to evaluate whether they’ve successfully mitigated a risk.

Define Scope

Determining scope helps narrow the focus to a specific area. Attempting to tackle too broad an area may cause analysts to miss vulnerabilities. Often, analysts focus on one or two areas of the system at a time.

Decompose the System

The threat analysis itself starts with decomposing the system. Security analysts must understand every event or action that takes place in the system. Their research highlights the following information.

External Dependencies

External dependencies represent systems outside the target system. For example, an external dependency could be:

◉ A system within the organization, such as a customer relationship management or human resources information system

◉ A system at a third-party vendor or business partner that provides information to the target system, such as updated information from a supplier’s inventory database

Entry and Exit Points

Entry points represent the specific locations where an attacker could enter the system. An example entry point is input fields on a web form. Exit points define where data leaves the system. Entry and exit points define what is known as the “trust boundary.”

Assets

When an attacker targets a system, they have a goal in mind—often, this is access to a particular organizational asset. For example, a malicious hacker may want a list of a company’s customers and each customer’s personal information.

Trust Levels

Trust level represents specific access rights for the system. Threat intelligence analysts cross-reference these access rights against the entry points and exit points. This enables them to see what privileges an attacker needs to interact with to access the asset.

Data Flow

Threat intelligence professionals create data flow diagrams to obtain a high-level picture of the path of information as it flows through the system. These diagrams show analysts what happens to the data at each step.

Identify Threats

At this stage, the analyst chooses a threat model. A threat model represents the process analysts use to pinpoint weak spots in the system. Two of the most common threat models are:

◉ STRIDE. The STRIDE model—an acronym for six threat categories (Spoofing identity, Tampering with data, Repudiation of threat, Information disclosure, Denial of service, and Elevation of privilege)—applies a general set of rules to evaluate a system and identify common vulnerabilities (Geib et al., 2022).

◉ Attack trees. Attack trees represent a graphical way of attacking a system in tree form. The root is the goal, and leaves are possible methods of achieving that goal. Each branch represents a separate attack.

List and Prioritize Threats

In this stage, the analyst creates a list of threats based on the risks the threat modeling identifies. Each risk represents what the company must fix to secure the system.

Mitigate Risk

Cybersecurity professionals share the list created in the previous step with the appropriate parties in the organization to mitigate risks. Common fixes include:

◉ Operating system updates

◉ Code changes

◉ Hardware updates for the network

Validate Outcomes

After addressing risks, the analyst verifies that the solutions work. They perform another evaluation of the system to confirm the results.

Threat Modeling Tools

Manual threat modeling is generally too time consuming for threat intelligence analysts. Instead, they rely on cyber threat modeling tools to speed up the process. These tools make the process more efficient and create accurate documentation of the outcome. Analysts have a variety of options for tools to help with this process.

Cairns

Cairns is a web-based tool that enables users to create attacker personas. The persona includes information such as attack goals, resources the hacker may use, and possible attack paths. The tool automatically spots attack patterns and recommends mitigation strategies.

IriusRisk

IriusRisk is a questionnaire-based system that asks analysts a set of questions to collect data about the system. IriusRisk uses the information from the questionnaire to create a list of potential threats, including suggested mitigation strategies for each threat. IriusRisk integrates with issue trackers such as Jira as well as Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery tools to run as a part of a DevOps pipeline.

Threagile

Threagile is an integrated developer environment (IDE) tool. It focuses on threat modeling at the coding level. Developers input infrastructure information and risk rules into the tool. Threagile generates models that identify potential weak points. That way, developers can address these weak points before releasing code.

Start Your Threat Modeling Career

From 2020 to 2021, deployment of security technologies rose from 15% to 84% in response to the rise in security threats (Gartner, 2021). This increased investment signals the strong demand for trained threat intelligence professionals equipped to address cyberthreats.

Investing in cybersecurity training is important for success in this field. EC-Council’s Certified Threat Intelligence Analyst (C|TIA) certification is an excellent step in your cybersecurity career journey. The C|TIA program equips learners with skills in threat intelligence data collection, complete threat analysis process methodologies, understandings of various cyberthreats and attack types, and more.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Digital Threats and Cyberattacks at the Network Level

An enterprise network helps ensure that business workflow is efficient and easy to maintain. However, owing to the complexity and large size of such networks, security threats can enter through interconnected endpoints (Geeks for Geeks, 2021). Once malicious parties gain entry into an organization’s network and internal systems, they can cause serious harm and steal sensitive data.

Types of Network Attacks

Network-level attacks can be either passive or active. In a passive attack, malicious agents gain unauthorized network access and steal sensitive data without altering it. They simply want to use their theft to profit by accessing client accounts or selling information to other bad actors.

An active network attack, in contrast, is a bit more like vandalizing a building. In an active network attack, the attacker gains access to a network and modifies or damages the data stored there—for example, by deleting or encrypting it.

Network-level attacks differ from other types of software- and hardware-related attacks. Malicious hackers executing network attacks often aim to gain access to an organization’s network perimeter and thereby its internal systems.

Once they have this access, they can launch other types of attacks. These digital threats include:

◉ Malware attacks. These attacks use malware to infect an organization’s IT resources. The attacker can then compromise the network and systems and damage vital information.

◉ Advanced persistent threats (APTs). An APT is a sustained, intricate cyberattack that leaves an undetectable presence in a computer network, allowing cybercriminals to steal information and affect computer operations over a long period of time (CrowdStrike, 2021).

◉ Vulnerability exploits. These attacks take advantage of vulnerabilities within an organization’s software to gain unauthorized access, which is then used to compromise business systems.

◉ Endpoint attacks. These are attacks in which hackers obtain unauthorized access to endpoints within a network. These endpoints may include servers or user devices, which can then be attacked with malware.

Common Forms of Network Attacks

Unauthorized Access

Attackers gain network access without permission from the concerned parties thanks to compromised accounts, weak passwords, and insider threats.

Malware

Perpetrators can corrupt network data and system files via malicious software known as malware (Geeks for Geeks, 2021). Several common types of malware include:

◉ Computer viruses. This malware spreads quickly between computer devices. Computer viruses can be brought into a network system via email downloads or website downloads. Once inside, the malware quickly moves to steal vital data or harm the network.

◉ Computer worms. This malicious software moves from computer to computer in a network, quickly replicating as infected files are shared.

◉ Ransomware. Ransomware is malware that infects a network and prevents users from accessing files until a ransom is paid to the hackers.

Phishing

Phishing is an email method used to trick internet users into revealing personal and financial data (Federal Trade Commission, 2019). These phishing emails usually claim to come from a legitimate source and ask for private information. Unwary users may provide their social security numbers, bank account numbers, and other sensitive information.

OnPath Attacks

In an OnPath network attack (also known as a “man-in-the-middle” attack), a malicious party attempts to intercept a private dialogue to direct the theft of sensitive information (National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2020). These tactics allow hackers to gain access to important files.

SQL Injection

Poorly designed websites are prone to SQL injection attacks. This tactic allows bad actors to change queries to a database. In this way, hackers can corrupt applications so that they harm a target network.

Denial of Service

Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks attempt to cause a website to crash due to a malicious and unwarranted overload of traffic, thereby denying access to legitimate users.

Other types of network attacks include browser-based attacks, such as cross-site scripting, and password-spraying attacks, which use brute-force techniques to gain account access (Ranjan, 2021).

How to Protect Your Network

◉ Always use strong passwords and change them often for additional security.

◉ Use internal IP addresses instead of those assigned to free public networks.

◉ Set up a firewall to block malicious attacks.

◉ Encrypt sensitive personal data into ciphertext readable only by authorized users.

◉ Install antivirus software on all network devices to protect against computer worms, viruses, and other digital threats.

◉ Mark all suspicious attachments and emails as spam. Don’t open these attachments if you’re at all unsure of their origins.

◉ Use an encrypted connection instead of vulnerable networks like Wi-Fi hotspots.

◉ Set up a virtual private network (VPN) to mask your internet activity.

◉ Ensure that employees are regularly trained on the various types of network attacks and what can be done to prevent them.

◉ Utilize deception technology to place decoys throughout your network. These decoys will provoke attacks and allow you to closely observe hackers’ techniques.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Potential Security Threats To Your Computer Systems

A computer system threat is anything that leads to loss or corruption of data or physical damage to the hardware and/or infrastructure. Knowing how to identify computer security threats is the first step in protecting computer systems. The threats could be intentional, accidental or caused by natural disasters.

More Info: 312-50: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

In this article, we will introduce you to the common computer system threats and how you can protect systems against them.

What is a Security Threat?

Security Threat is defined as a risk that which can potentially harm computer systems and organization. The cause could be physical such as someone stealing a computer that contains vital data. The cause could also be non-physical such as a virus attack. In these tutorial series, we will define a threat as a potential attack from a hacker that can allow them to gain unauthorized access to a computer system.

What are Physical Threats?

A physical threat is a potential cause of an incident that may result in loss or physical damage to the computer systems.

The following list classifies the physical threats into three (3) main categories;

◉ Internal: The threats include fire, unstable power supply, humidity in the rooms housing the hardware, etc.

◉ External: These threats include Lightning, floods, earthquakes, etc.

◉ Human: These threats include theft, vandalism of the infrastructure and/or hardware, disruption, accidental or intentional errors.

To protect computer systems from the above mentioned physical threats, an organization must have physical security control measures.

The following list shows some of the possible measures that can be taken:

◉ Internal: Fire threats could be prevented by the use of automatic fire detectors and extinguishers that do not use water to put out a fire. The unstable power supply can be prevented by the use of voltage controllers. An air conditioner can be used to control the humidity in the computer room.

◉ External: Lightning protection systems can be used to protect computer systems against such attacks. Lightning protection systems are not 100% perfect, but to a certain extent, they reduce the chances of Lightning causing damage. Housing computer systems in high lands are one of the possible ways of protecting systems against floods.

◉ Humans: Threats such as theft can be prevented by use of locked doors and restricted access to computer rooms.

What are Non-physical Threats?

A non-physical threat is a potential cause of an incident that may result in;

◉ Loss or corruption of system data

◉ Disrupt business operations that rely on computer systems

◉ Loss of sensitive information

◉ Illegal monitoring of activities on computer systems

◉ Cyber Security Breaches

◉ Others

The non-physical threats are also known as logical threats. The following list is the common types of non-physical threats;

◉ Virus

◉ Trojans

◉ Worms

◉ Spyware

◉ Key loggers

◉ Adware

◉ Denial of Service Attacks

◉ Distributed Denial of Service Attacks

◉ Unauthorized access to computer systems resources such as data

◉ Phishing

◉ Other Computer Security Risks

To protect computer systems from the above-mentioned threats, an organization must have logical security measures in place. The following list shows some of the possible measures that can be taken to protect cyber security threats

To protect against viruses, Trojans, worms, etc. an organization can use anti-virus software. In additional to the anti-virus software, an organization can also have control measures on the usage of external storage devices and visiting the website that is most likely to download unauthorized programs onto the user’s computer.

Unauthorized access to computer system resources can be prevented by the use of authentication methods. The authentication methods can be, in the form of user ids and strong passwords, smart cards or biometric, etc.

Intrusion-detection/prevention systems can be used to protect against denial of service attacks.There are other measures too that can be put in place to avoid denial of service attacks.

Source: guru99.com

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