GhostWatch Named Winner of the Coveted Global InfoSec Awards during RSA Conference 2022

GhostWatch Named Winner of the Coveted Global InfoSec Awards during RSA Conference 2022

 

GhostWatch Wins “Editor’s Choice in Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP)”IN 10th Annual Global InfoSec Awards at #RSAC 2022

SAN FRANCISCO (BUSINESSWIRE) JUNE 6, 2022 – GhostWatch is proud to announce we have won the following award from Cyber Defense Magazine (CDM), the industry’s leading electronic information security magazine:

“Editor’s Choice in Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP)”

“We’re thrilled to receive one of the most prestigious and coveted cybersecurity awards in the world from Cyber Defense Magazine, during their 10th anniversary as an independent cybersecurity news and information provider.  We knew the competition would be tough and with top judges who are leading infosec experts from around the globe, we couldn’t be more pleased,” said Trevor Horwitz CISO of GhostWatch.

 

We scoured the globe looking for cybersecurity innovators that could make a huge difference and potentially help turn the tide against the exponential growth in cyber crime.  GhostWatch is absolutely worthy of this coveted award and consideration for deployment in your environment,” said Yan Ross, Editor of Cyber Defense Magazine.

 

About GhostWatch

GhostWatch, a TrustNet Company, has helped clients secure their information systems for almost two decades. As a leading provider of managed security, GhostWatch serves clients across multiple industries, in the United States, and around the world.

 

About CDM InfoSec Awards

This is Cyber Defense Magazine’s tenth year of honoring InfoSec innovators from around the Globe. Our submission requirements are for any startup, early stage, later stage, or public companies in the INFORMATION SECURITY (INFOSEC) space who believe they have a unique and compelling value proposition for their product or service. Learn more at www.cyberdefenseawards.com

 

About the Judging

The judges are CISSP, FMDHS, CEH, certified security professionals who voted based on their independent review of the company submitted materials on the website of each submission including but not limited to data sheets, white papers, product literature and other market variables. CDM has a flexible philosophy to find more innovative players with new and unique technologies, than the one with the most customers or money in the bank. CDM is always asking “What’s Next?” so we are looking for best of breed, next-generation InfoSec solutions.

 

About Cyber Defense Magazine

Cyber Defense Magazine is the premier source of cyber security news and information for InfoSec professions in business and government. We are managed and published by and for ethical, honest, passionate information security professionals. Our mission is to share cutting-edge knowledge, real-world stories and awards on the best ideas, products and services in the information technology industry.  We deliver electronic magazines every month online for free, and special editions exclusively for the RSA Conferences. CDM is a proud member of the Cyber Defense Media Group. Learn more about us at https://www.cyberdefensemagazine.com and visit https://www.cyberdefensetv.com and https://www.cyberdefenseradio.com to see and hear some of the most informative interviews of many of these winning company executives.  Join a webinar at https://www.cyberdefensewebinars.com and realize that infosec knowledge is power. 

The importance of cyber security solutions for your growing enterprise

The importance of cyber security solutions for your growing enterprise

According to the latest research, even though 77% of cyber assaults target small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), almost half of small and medium-sized businesses don’t perceive cybercrime as a threat. It’s critical to safeguard your developing business against Internet risks, but taking time and resources away from expansion initiatives takes time and resources.

Luckily, several affordable and effective cyber security solutions are available for SMEs. The key is to find a solution that fits the specific needs of your business.


Fortify your cyber defenses

Cybercrimes can include a wide range of actions, from phishing scams that trick employees into revealing confidential information to malware that encrypts your data and holds it for ransom. The damage caused by these attacks can be significant, resulting in lost productivity, revenue, and customers. In fact, SMEs that experience a data breach can expect to lose an average of $120,000.

That’s why it’s so important to fortify your cyber defenses. And there are a number of steps you can take to do so, including:

  1. Educate your employees. Make sure your employees are aware of the dangers of cybercrime and how to avoid it. This includes being cautious about clicking on links or opening attachments from unknown senders, not responding to phishing emails, and using strong passwords.
  2. Implement security solutions. There are a number of security solutions available that can help protect your business.
  3. Backup your data. If your data is lost or stolen, having a backup can help minimize the damage. Make sure to back up your data regularly and store the backups.


Effective defense against targeted attacks

The most significant feature of targeted assaults is specifically designed for your business. The intruder understands your weak spots, recognizes your critical assets, and devises a strategy to achieve their objectives.


Accelerates response with actionable intelligence

In many cases, the first step in an effective response is identifying that an incident has occurred. This can be difficult, as attackers will go to great lengths to conceal their activities.

However, effective detection requires more than just technology—it also requires analysts who understand how to interpret the data and take appropriate action.

GhostWatch managed security is an ideal platform for those looking for 24/7 cybersecurity for their small business. Managed security services for small companies and even start-ups are a simple, affordable way to protect your business against the growing threat of cybercrime.

Why cybersecurity is important for small businesses

As a small business owner, you might think that cybercrime is something that only affects big businesses. After all, you’re not as high-profile as a Fortune 500 company, so why would hackers be interested in targeting your business?

However, those small businesses are actually at a higher risk of being targeted by hackers. This is because small businesses often don’t have the same level of cybersecurity as larger businesses, making them an easy target.

In addition, small businesses are often targeted by hackers because they can be used as a stepping stone to larger businesses. Hackers will target small businesses to gain access to the larger businesses they’re doing business with.

How managed security services work

How managed security services work

Managed security services are essential for organizations to ensure that their network infrastructure stays secure. The functions of managed security services include daily vulnerability scans, full-system configuration audits, and network testing.

For example, managed security service providers may scan all internet-facing systems on an organization’s network to identify vulnerabilities so they can be addressed. These services typically include regular vulnerability scanning, corrective patching, and security hardening. When vulnerabilities are identified, the managed security service provider works with their customers to develop a plan of action to resolve them.


Is a managed security service provider necessary for your business?

The most immediate benefit of moving to a managed security environment is that you save money by no longer needing internal IT staff responsible for security. These employees can now be redeployed into your organization’s core business functions. Downtime associated with security incidents is reduced significantly since external resources are brought in to resolve issues quickly, minimizing or avoiding loss in productivity.

Your organization’s security landscape will probably change significantly over the course of two to three years. With an internal staff, you could potentially find yourself managing multiple support teams for different types of devices and operating systems. Historically, it has been difficult to monitor the security posture of diverse computing infrastructures actively. With a managed security service, your organization can now be more proactive in identifying vulnerabilities and mitigating risks.


What is a managed security service provider?

A managed security service provider is a business entity that provides information technology services to other organizations for a fee. The term will typically apply to a company that focuses exclusively on providing these services instead of a computer or Internet access provider who may offer them as part of their overall service offering. These companies often focus on one particular area, such as vulnerability management, intrusion detection, networking security, or cloud-based security.

To summarize the above paragraph in layman terms, Managed Security Service Provider is a company that provides security services to other companies for a fee.

Usually, they focus on one particular security area, such as vulnerability management, intrusion detection, networking security, or cloud-based security.

The core services provided by managed service providers are in general three types:

  • Monitoring services for IT infrastructure availability and performance related to the information system. It is done frequently with automated tools but can also be done manually with security experts who check the network and workstations.
  • Remediation services, where the managed service provider is called when IT infrastructure availability or performance related to information systems have been compromised. That can be done in several different ways. Most commonly, it involves providing a contact person for a customer with a predefined incident response plan, or it is done by the security experts of the MSP stepping in themselves.
  • Consulting services are performed when a customer is reluctant to have their staff working on information security issues or lacks the skill set required for effective information security management. This service often includes developing a Security Operations Centre (SOC) where the MSP takes care of all security matters, or it may simply include advising on what needs to be done. That can be either an ad-hoc service, where the customer has specific questions that require answers, or they may have a cooperative agreement with the MSP where consulting services are provided as needed.

Conclusion

By maintaining a managed security services agreement with a managed security service provider, your organization can enjoy peace of mind and productivity from knowing that an experienced group is handling the day-to-day tasks of running a comprehensive security audit. The managed security service provides 24/7/365 monitoring, forensics, and maintenance to protect your systems.

What is Managed Security?

What is Managed Security?

Imagine that you are the owner of one of the finest jewelry stores in Beverly Hills. You would never allow your shop window displays to remain glittering with diamonds after your sales associates went home for the evening, would you? Nor would you leave your doors unlocked, with no guards or security cameras surveilling every inch of your property. 

If you are a decision-maker in an organization that stores, manages, or transmits data or possesses other important digital assets, be just as vigilant in safeguarding your precious information, systems, hardware, and software. Failure to do so can lead to customer abandonment, financial consequences, and a devastating blow to your brand and reputation.

 

The stakes are high for businesses like yours. Cybercriminals are engaged 24/7 in trying to figure out how to steal, sabotage, or otherwise compromise the information you collect, store, process, and transmit across devices and networks. Cybersecurity, particularly when it comes in the form of managed security, is one of the most effective ways your organization can protect its crucial assets from digital criminals.

With each passing day, the security threat landscape is becoming more complex and dangerous. The situation has gotten so severe that most companies elect to entrust their cybersecurity to a dedicated third-party company whose sole purpose is to protect systems and digital assets. 

Managed security service providers (MSSPs) accomplish this task by helping to create a comprehensive set of procedures, practices, and technological tools that work together to shield your systems and information from attack. This involves taking care of your Security Incident and Event Management (SIEM) tools, intrusion prevention and detection systems, firewalls, anti-virus software, compliance management, and more. 

On an ongoing basis, the company will provide comprehensive monitoring and threat management to detect potential breaches, prevent cyber intrusions, and mount a coordinated response if an incident occurs. 

If your company lacks the security expertise, resources, or time to monitor and manage the ongoing barrage of thwarted and actual attacks that criminals mount every day, investing in managed security services will be one of the wisest investments your organization can make. 

Just as you would never leave your diamonds unlocked and accessible to thieves, you cannot afford to allow criminals access to your precious data and systems. The stakes could not be higher. Your company’s reputation and success hinge upon top-shelf cybersecurity.

Cyberattacks Can Disrupt Your Small Business

Cyberattacks Can Disrupt Your Small Business

In recent years, major corporations have been the target of devastating cyberattacks. While each corporate cyberattack resulted in millions of dollars in losses, most news reports fail to mention the numerous data breaches that affect much smaller targets: small businesses. According to Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report, 43% of breaches affected SMBs.

While the damage caused by a cyberattack can be significant, many small businesses believe that they are not at risk. This mistaken belief is often due to a lack of understanding of the types of attacks and how they work.

With this in mind, we’ve created a primer on some of the most common types of cyberattacks. By understanding how these attacks work, you can take steps to protect your business.

 

1. Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks

A denial of service attack attempts to make a computer or network resource unavailable to its intended users. DoS attacks accomplish this by flooding the target with traffic or requests for data until the system is overwhelmed and can no longer respond to legitimate requests.

 

2. Phishing Attacks

Phishing is a type of social engineering attack in which the attacker attempts to trick the victim into revealing sensitive information or downloading malware. Phishing attacks are often carried out via email, with the attacker sending a message that appears to be from a trusted source. The message may contain a link that leads to a malicious website or an attachment that contains malware.

 

3. Malware Attacks

Malware is short for malicious software and refers to any software specifically designed to cause damage to a computer system. Malware can be installed on a system without the user’s knowledge and can be used to steal data, lock the user out of the system, or even take control of the system.

 

4. SQL Injection Attacks

SQL injection attacks are a type of attack that exploits vulnerabilities in SQL databases. By entering specially crafted text into a web form or URI, the attacker can execute arbitrary SQL commands on the database server. That can allow the attacker to access sensitive data, modify or delete data, or even take control of the server.

 

5. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks

A distributed denial of service attack is similar to a regular DoS attack. Still, instead of using a single computer to generate the traffic, the attacker uses a network of computers, known as a botnet. Botnets can be huge, with some estimates suggesting that there are tens of millions of infected computers worldwide.

By understanding these common types of cyberattacks, you can take steps to protect your business. Implementing strong security measures and awareness training for your employees can go a long way in preventing your business from becoming a victim.

Why do cyberhackers go after small businesses?

According to the National Cyber Security Alliance, 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses. There are several reasons for this:

  1. Small businesses often have weaker security measures than larger businesses. That can make them an easier target.
  2. Small businesses may not have the resources to respond to a cyberattack appropriately.
  3. Small businesses are often seen as an easier target than large businesses and may be less likely to have cyber insurance.
  4. Small businesses are often more reliant on IT systems than larger businesses, making them more vulnerable to malware and other attacks.
  5. Small businesses may not have the same awareness about cyberattacks as larger businesses.

If you are a small business owner, it is essential to be aware of these risks and take steps to protect your business. Implementing strong security measures, training your employees, and having cyber insurance can help you reduce your risk of becoming a cyberattack victim.

Cybersecurity best practices

To protect against malware, small companies should implement a software-based solution. Small businesses should also use certain technological best practices and rules to fortify vulnerabilities.

  1. Use strong passwords and change them regularly.
  2. Install updates and patches for your operating system and software as soon as they become available.
  3. Use a firewall to protect your network from unauthorized access.
  4. Train your employees in cybersecurity best practices, such as not opening email attachments from unknown senders or clicking on links in suspicious emails.
  5. Back up your data regularly and store the backups securely.
  6. Practice your incident response plan, so you know what to do in the event of a cyberattack.
  7. Invest in cyber security services to help offset the costs of a breach.

By following these best practices, you can make it much more difficult for cybercriminals to target your business.

5 Reasons Why You Need Incident Response as a Service

5 Reasons Why You Need Incident Response as a Service

Incident Response as a Service (IRaaS) is an outsourced service provided by Security Operation Centers (SOCs). It provides expertise in executing specific security incident response tasks. That could be all the way from providing the first line of defense through detection, to sharing intelligence with other critical infrastructure providers and law enforcement agencies.

It may also include providing reports about the incident and assistance in the investigation.

In short, IRaaS is a service that can significantly help you fight against advanced targeted attacks (ATAs). Incident Response as a Service is an important tool to have in your security strategy. Here are 5 reasons  why you need this service for managing situations where malware or other security incidents are detected.

Reason #1: Benefits for the team


Incident Response is a Service that helps your team with the early detection of threats and provides guidance on how to respond to them efficiently. You can create playbooks with step-by-step instructions that are accessible 24/7 within your private cloud instance, enabling your team to address security incidents rapidly. 

There is no need for team members to spend valuable time researching solutions since ready-to-use guidance is readily available.


Reason #2: Actionable Intelligence


Your private cloud instance will have access to threat intelligence, including technical details about malware or other threats detected on your network and how they operate. That enables your Incident Response team to understand the incident better and decide on appropriate countermeasures.


Reason #3: Rapid Time of Containment & Response


Time is of the essence in security incidents, as fast containment can limit the impact and damage caused by intrusions and malware outbreaks. By using an automated and standardized process for incident response, you can contain threats faster and reduce the negative impact on your business.


Reason #4: Multi-Layered Protection


When you subscribe to Incident Response as a Service, you automatically gain access to a number of security layers designed to provide maximum protection for your organization from known and emerging threats. 

In addition to scanning for malware signatures, it enables automated investigation of suspicious files for indicators of compromise and provides detailed reporting on potential incidents.


Reason #5: Security Expertise


A security incident is always a team-based effort, which involves collaboration between IT personnel, security staff, and management. Incident Response as a Service enables you to tap into the expertise of your team members across different departments who are invested in protecting your organization’s data. 

Multi-layered protection coupled with expert guidance ensures that your organization’s IT infrastructure continues to run smoothly without disruption.

Conclusion


The Incident Response as a Service enables organizations to have a private cloud instance for automated playbooks, actionable intelligence, rapid containment and response, multi-layered protection, and security expertise. All of this can be done without any additional cost or setup. For more information on how the Incident Response as a Service works, please get in touch with us to schedule a free demo.

3 Cloud Security Trends to Watch in 2022

3 Cloud Security Trends to Watch in 2022

Many organizations have cloud security on their minds going into 2022. In April 2021, Gartner predicted that global end-user spending on cloud management and security services would reach $18 million the following year. That’s a growth of 30% over the previous two years.

The report, based on a survey of over 550 global IT and security professionals, found that the “convergence of cloud and networking technologies is making it easier for attackers to infiltrate organizations” without detection. That prompted more than 70% of respondents to say their companies had increased spending on network security tools in the past year.

The security concept in the cloud is also growing more important, as greater concerns about data privacy and policies like GDPR come into play. In 2022 we expect to see a greater convergence between cloud computing systems and on-premises solutions. 

Organizations can benefit from all of those capabilities while still being able to continue operating under laws like GDPR that are designed to protect privacy. It’s clear that security in the cloud is an industry-wide concern. Fortunately, there are ways you can start protecting your organization today.

Trend #1: Cybersecurity Mesh


By 2022, Gartner predicts that “98% of security architecture will incorporate some type of on-demand or on-premises mesh infrastructure platform.” 

In other words, cloud cybersecurity will get a lot more complex in the coming years – and your organization will have a tougher time keeping up.

However, a mesh infrastructure platform will provide a solid foundation for managing your security tools and policies in the future.

Security and risk modeling platforms have been on the rise for quite some time now, and that’s not expected to change in 2022. According to some predictions, by 2022, 97% of security and risk modeling platforms will monitor multiple cloud services.

A security and risk modeling platform will allow you to monitor your organization’s cloud activity more closely in a cohesive manner. It’ll also provide greater visibility into the potential vulnerabilities within – and outside of – your cloud infrastructure.


Trend #2: Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Environments


Organizations are looking for ways to cut costs without sacrificing control, and one of the best ways to do that is with a multi-cloud strategy. By 2022, the average organization will utilize three different cloud providers simultaneously.

While this can help mitigate risk and streamline your organization’s cloud use, it also presents a challenge when it comes to security. By introducing multiple entry points, you’ll increase your organization’s risk of data breaches and system vulnerabilities.

However, the good news is there are ways to get around this issue — and maintain complete control over your data and processes at all times.

A security-as-a-service solution can help you effectively monitor and manage your organization’s cloud infrastructure from a single pane of glass. That will give you greater visibility into your cloud environment while also providing access to security and compliance policies that can be deployed across multiple clouds and on-premises systems.


Trend #3: New Cloud Security Approaches


While we’re on the topic of data privacy and protection, let’s talk about two new approaches to cloud security.

By 2022, most organizations will be incorporating app usage and behavior analytics into their cloud security and risk and compliance strategies. That will give you a more holistic view of your organization’s cloud activity and allow you to monitor and protect sensitive data more effectively.

For example, AI-driven threat hunting will enable organizations to identify threats within their cloud infrastructure by moving beyond basic indicators like IP addresses and access logs and instead focusing on behavioral patterns and anomalies.


Importance of Cloud Security in 2022


By 2022, more than half of security budgets for Cloud services will originate with the business units rather than being directed from a centralized IT department. That is a clear indication that organizations are starting to take cloud security into their own hands — and it’s one reason why security-as-a-service is becoming more popular every year.

Having complete visibility into your cloud infrastructure is essential to protecting your most valuable assets. That’s why proactive cloud security solutions are so important — and that’s why companies will continue to seek them out in droves in the years ahead.

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