Ransomware

Ransomware and Supply Chain: How Vendors Create Victims

Ransomware and Supply Chain: How Vendors Create Victims Ransomware attacks are a growing menace, causing significant disruption and financial loss. In 2024, these attacks reportedly cost businesses an estimated $9.5 trillion globally. This escalating trend highlights the critical need for robust cyber security strategies. A particularly concerning aspect is the vulnerability introduced through Supply Chain product vendors, who, inadvertently or otherwise, can become a gateway for Ransomware. The Role of Supply Chain Vendors Supply Chain vendors are integral to modern business, providing essential software and hardware components. However, this reliance creates a potential weak link. These vendors often possess sensitive information about their client organisations, making them attractive targets for cyber criminals. A compromised vendor can provide attackers with a foothold into multiple organisations simultaneously. Vendor-Related Risks: Several factors can increase the risk of Ransomware attacks originating from Supply Chain vendors: Unpatched Vulnerabilities: Vendors failing to promptly patch security flaws in their

By |2025-02-20T13:21:02+00:00February 20th, 2025|Blog|0 Comments
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Telecom Namibia Data Breach – Predictable and Avoidable?

Was the Telecom Namibia Data Breach Predictable and Avoidable? A Supply Chain Risk Management Perspective Introduction One Tue 10th, December 2024 a notice was published by a Threat Actor ransomware group called Hunter International stating that Telecom Namibia Limited was allegedly hacked. The objective of this post is to examine this incident from a Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) perspective. To assist prospects and existing customers in setting up and maturing their SCRM programs, I always recommend reviewing past incidents to understand if any of the incidents were predictable and avoidable and what mitigating steps should have been taken by all parties. Telecom Namibia (TN) is a great case in point and all the evidence surrounding this incident is still fresh. At present the incident is still under investigation to determine the root cause. However, if I was a betting person, I would wager that the evidence below is part

By |2025-01-16T14:32:43+00:00December 19th, 2024|Blog|0 Comments
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Ransomware vs. Malware: Key Differences and Security Measures

Ransomware vs. Malware: Key Differences and Security Measures In today's digital age, cyber threats have become increasingly sophisticated and prevalent. Two of the most common cyberattacks are Ransomware and Malware. While both pose significant risks to individuals and organisations, they differ in their objectives and methods. Understanding the key differences between Ransomware and Malware is crucial for implementing effective security measures to protect your digital assets. What is Malware? Malware, short for malicious software, is a broad term encompassing various types of software designed to infiltrate computer systems without the user's knowledge or consent. Malware can be categorised into several types, including: Viruses: Self-replicating programs that attach themselves to other files and spread through networks. Worms: Self-propagating Malware that can spread independently without requiring user interaction. Trojan Horses: Malicious programs disguised as legitimate software, often used to steal data or grant unauthorised access. Spyware: Software that secretly monitors user activity

By |2024-12-05T12:04:45+00:00December 5th, 2024|Blog|0 Comments
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How to Uncover Your Susceptibility to a Ransomware Attack

How to Uncover Your Susceptibility to a Ransomware Attack Ransomware attacks continue to pose a significant threat to organisations worldwide. However, traditional security measures often prove ineffective against increasingly sophisticated attack vectors. In light of this, vulnerability assessment has become more crucial than ever for cyber security teams. A systematic review can greatly enhance teams' understanding of their exposure to Ransomware attacks by evaluating security controls and identifying potential weak points. To effectively identify these vulnerabilities, security professionals must thoroughly assess their organisation's defense capabilities. Elasticito's article “How to Uncover Your Susceptibility to a Ransomware Attack” offers a comprehensive evaluation encompassing several key areas. By conducting this security review, organisations can fortify their defenses against evolving Ransomware threats. Assess Your Current Security Posture The numbers are indeed alarming - businesses deal with Ransomware infections every 11 seconds, which adds up to a massive £15.71 billion annually worldwide. A complete assessment

By |2024-11-08T09:44:58+00:00November 7th, 2024|Blog|0 Comments
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Ransomware: How Susceptible Is Your Organisation? – Part 2

Ransomware: How Susceptible Is Your Organisation? - Part 2 Building upon our previous article, "Ransomware: How Susceptible Is Your Organization? - Part 1," we continue our exploration of this escalating cyber threat. Ransomware attacks have skyrocketed in recent years, causing significant disruption and financial losses to organisations worldwide. This malicious software encrypts valuable data, holding it hostage until a ransom is paid, leaving organisations in a vulnerable position. The increasing frequency and sophistication of these attacks highlight the urgent need for effective cyber security strategies. This article delves deeper into the devastating impact of Ransomware on organisations, identifying common attack vectors and high-value targets within organisations. We also examine essential defence-in-depth strategies, the importance of threat intelligence, and crisis management planning. By understanding these key areas, organisations can strengthen their Ransomware resilience and protect their critical assets. Leveraging Threat Intelligence for Ransomware Prevention Threat intelligence is a crucial tool in

By |2024-09-23T07:56:25+00:00September 23rd, 2024|Blog|0 Comments
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Ransomware: How Susceptible Is Your Organisation? – Part 1

Ransomware: How Susceptible Is Your Organisation? - Part 1   Ransomware has become a critical cyber security threat, causing significant disruption and financial losses to organisations worldwide. This malicious software encrypts valuable data, holding it hostage until a ransom is paid, often leaving businesses in a precarious position. The rise in Ransomware attacks has led to a growing need for robust defence strategies and increased awareness among organisations of all sizes and sectors. To tackle this evolving threat, organisations must understand their vulnerabilities and implement comprehensive protection measures as the weakest and most vulnerable will be targeted. This article explores the business impact of Ransomware, identifies high-value targets within organisations, and examines common attack vectors in the financial sector. It also delves into defence-in-depth strategies, the use of threat intelligence for prevention, crisis management, and the importance of cyber security governance. By addressing these key areas, organisations can enhance their

By |2024-09-23T07:57:26+00:00September 17th, 2024|Blog|0 Comments
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8 Surefire Shields Against Ransomware

8 Surefire Shields Against Ransomware In our increasingly digital world, data is the cornerstone of our lives. It stores everything from personal photos to financial records, and for organisations, it is the engine that keeps operations running. But with this dependence comes a growing threat: Ransomware. This malicious software acts like a digital kidnapper, encrypting your files and holding them hostage until a ransom is paid. Ransomware attacks can be devastating. By scrambling your data, they can grind organisations to a halt, leading to lost revenue and damaged reputations. For individuals, the impact can be just as severe, with cherished memories and important documents locked away. This can be a devastating blow to individuals and organisations alike, resulting in financial losses, operational disruptions, and reputational damage. Read our blog, “8 Surefire Shields Against Ransomware”, to help you keep your data safe. Understanding the Enemy: How Ransomware Operates Before diving into

By |2024-03-22T11:16:00+00:00March 22nd, 2024|Blog|0 Comments
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Mitigating a Ransomware Attack – Can Security Awareness Training Assist?

Mitigating a Ransomware Attack – Can Security Awareness Training Assist? As the frequency and cost of ransomware attacks continue to rise, solutions for ransomware mitigation and prevention must be at the top of every IT leader and department's list of priorities. Where most see crisis, cybercriminals see opportunity. In this article, learn how security leaders can meet the challenges of mitigating ransomware threats and phishing attacks. Is security awareness training the answer? Traditional ransomware tricks users into running it and then it replicates itself on various endpoints across the network. It then encrypts those systems and demands a ransom — usually some type of cryptocurrency — in exchange for a decryption key to rescue data and files. Since the start of the pandemic, there has been a global surge in ransomware attacks. 40% of organisations in the UK, US, Canada, and Germany have suffered from a ransomware attack in the last

By |2023-03-30T17:09:33+00:00June 16th, 2021|Blog|Comments Off on Mitigating a Ransomware Attack – Can Security Awareness Training Assist?
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Building the case for Security Validation

Building the case for Security Validation Image credit: USA Today Events of the last month have shown that, despite best efforts and assumptions on how well protected corporate networks are, damaging Ransomware attacks and other cyber threats, continue to wreak havoc on companies and organisations in all industry sectors. Just in the last month, we have seen crippling Ransomware attacks on Colonial Pipeline, the Irish Health Service, the University of Portsmouth, and many others.  In most, if not all, of these cases, the IT and information security teams will undoubtedly have told their management teams and oversight Boards, that they had invested in adequate security controls and that they conduct regular penetration testing. So, it begs the question: why are corporate networks still so vulnerable to these attacks?  The answers to this are probably wide ranging, but one consistent theme is an assumption that corporate networks are protected because certain

By |2023-03-30T17:09:33+00:00May 18th, 2021|Blog|Comments Off on Building the case for Security Validation
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