Not having a solid strategy to address your organization’s cybersecurity threat potential is the kiss of death for any company. Buying a solution that isn’t the best fit to meet your specific data protection and employee awareness training requirements is even worse. What you need is a business strategy that makes sense and will ensure that both are accomplished.

So, you want to buy a Cybersecurity solution. What is the problem you are trying to solve? Is it a point problem or a more significant issue? How did you decide this “problem” is the priority? Most organizations remain mired in tactical warfare – reactively managing tools, putting out fires, and this is their Cybersecurity program. They decide what “problem” to budget for when a tool loses utility or an expert tells them they need something to fix a problem. But if you don’t adopt and implement a Framework to support your Cybersecurity strategy, then all you have is a mission statement. You will remain stuck in tactical warfare, reacting to the latest industry and internal noise, buying more tools to solve problems when what you need is a strategy.

Organizations of all sizes continue to get breached. Millions of dollars get paid in ransomware per incident, nation-states keep the upper hand, and organized crime gets away with cash and a laugh. What can we really learn? That we need to adopt a mindset of resiliency. A resilient enterprise accepts the reality of a breach and builds “solutions” to rapidly detect, respond to, eradicate, and recover from a compromise. Containment is key. Detection is the lynchpin. If you stay down in the weeds, managing the firewalls and other security infrastructure, chasing vulnerabilities, and patching, then you are going to remain in reactive mode, missing the real Threat Actors.

Let’s get out of the weeds and get serious. The real problems to solve are a lack of time and a lack of focus. Frameworks deliver both. Be proactive and choose a Framework carefully, ensuring it matches the context and culture of the organization. CIS Security Controls, SANS Top 20, NIST, ISO, and others are excellent choices, but for the right environment! Choose wisely, start simple, establish the basics, and then you have a baseline to measure from and build upon. Implement a continuous improvement mindset, and the Cybersecurity program becomes a resilient, dynamic, adaptive ecosystem to keep pace with the evolving threat landscape. Exceptional brainpower is required to select a Framework and deploy the right “solutions” to build this capability. This is the right use of your team’s time, not managing security tools.

Stop paying organized crime and instead pay the good guys, increase security budgets, and invest in your own army to defend and defeat the bad actors. Be realistic that you and your teams can’t do it alone. It’s not practical, feasible, or even attainable. Leverage Service Providers to get scale and efficiency and act as your force multiplier. For a fraction of the cost of more security staff, you’re getting consistent, SLA-bound performance and a dependable function from a 24×7 operation of dedicated experts. Of course, you must choose a vendor carefully, but when you do – what you’re buying is Time – precious time for your team.

The best use of a Cybersecurity professional’s talents are deep-thinking projects on business and IT initiatives, not managing tools. These include Cloud adoption, Data protection, advanced Threat Hunting, establishing reference architectures, evaluating emerging technologies, design reviews, and improving the Cybersecurity program. This is how you shift the organization into a proactive, resilient mode. Hold the Service Providers accountable for routine cybersecurity functions traditionally delivered by tools but now consumed as a service. The output of those services is refined feedback for your Security experts to make more informed decisions about the Cybersecurity program.

Buying Cybersecurity the right way means you start with a risk analysis. Ideally, this includes current, informed, and mature Threat modeling. This is only the beginning, as it ought to be an iterative process. Risks change over time, so should the analysis. This defines the strategy, and then a Framework should be chosen, championed, and deployed, which puts the strategy in motion. Choose carefully! It will be the foundation for your Cybersecurity program, and early success is vital to adoption and continued support. Being overly ambitious, draconian, or failing to consider the culture of the enterprise is the perfect recipe for failure. But establishing a proactive, adaptive program built upon a Framework delivers resilience to the 21st-century enterprise.

The recent FireEye and SolarWinds storylines give all of us a serious wake-up call to the reality of 21st-century cyber warfare, as it is much more than a “yet another breach” story. Your enterprise depends on IT to deliver services, orders, goods, obtain revenue, and you are connected to the Internet. Accept that you are a breach soon to happen because this is the new reality. Adopt a Framework to deliver a risk-informed, adaptive Cybersecurity posture.

That’s the essence of Cyber resilience. Focus on better Threat Hunting, data protection, Incident Response, and continuous improvement. Make informed decisions from the output of tools and buy it as a service, which is a much more effective use of time than managing tools. Let experts manage the tools, thereby enabling your experts to focus on the tools’ information to see the bigger threat picture.

Think holistically across the enterprise and silos. Establish a reference architecture built upon a Framework. Increase budgets to shift from a reactive to proactive posture using the scale and expertise of Service Providers for all the basics. Focus your team’s efforts towards more advanced, sorely needed areas where you can best use their excellent brainpower.

Buy time for your team. That’s the solution to your Cybersecurity problem.

Business owners looking to protect their companies against online threats should take a hard look at upgrading their passwords and adding a second protective layer of authentication. This is called Multi-factor authentication or MFA.

These extra layers of protection should not be overlooked to guard your most sensitive data. In fact it has become one of the most effective security measures available. It involves using two or more steps of verification when logging into an account.

The first of line of verification is usually the password. After the correct password has been entered, a second step is initiated. This usually comes in the form of a passcode that can be sent to a filed phone number or email address. This ensures the person entering the password is the same one in control of the account.

In many cases the second, or even third level of authentication, takes the form of a biometric. This can include fingerprints or face ID scans, many now commonly used as part of security on mobile devices.

These added steps can keep hackers at bay. They may guess one’s password but the added protection makes it extremely difficult to penetrate your system.

Many hackers and cyber thieves have sophisticated means to breach the security systems of large corporations. Yet the easiest way for a cyber-criminal to penetrate a data base is through human error.

An unsuspecting employee can click the wrong link on an email. Suddenly the cyber thieves have the person’s log in details. This is a common occurrence and points to the importance of employee education with regards to cyber security.

Despite the employee’s mistake, it will not be harmful if MFA is in place. The hacker may be able to obtain log-in details, yet they won’t be able to gain access without further steps of verification.

Passcodes sent to particular phone numbers and email addresses, or biometric verification steps, can send the intruder packing and to search for cyber prey elsewhere.

Many employees are of course working from home due to the pandemic. This produces greater risk due to the lack of onsite supervision and the array of personal devices used for work processes.

Hackers are increasingly attempting and succeeding at targeting businesses who have failed to upgrade their protection for remote use. This is where MFA can provide a viable solution.

Implementing MFA is very simple. Setup does not include any external hardware. A managed IT service provider can assist a company in properly originating and implementing the process. It can be easier than most business owners would consider and offers a tested solution with solid results.

Even companies such as Microsoft have made it clear that more businesses should make use of MFA. They believe that 99.9% of security breaches can be halted with this one simple change. It’s a low risk for the business owner and can result in potentially huge long-term savings, especially if it helps to avert a security breach.

In all, Multi-factor authentication is definitely a tried and tested approach and is applicable to all devices. A professional managed service provider can provide technical advice and support for MFA adoption. It can help businesses stop cyber thieves dead in their tracks.

Computer security authentication means verifying the identity of a user logging onto a network. Passwords, digital certificates, smart cards and biometrics can be used to prove the identity of the user to the network. Computer security authentication includes verifying message integrity, e-mail authentication and MAC (Message Authentication Code), checking the integrity of a transmitted message. There are human authentication, challenge-response authentication, password, digital signature, IP spoofing and biometrics.

Human authentication is the verification that a person initiated the transaction, not the computer. Challenge-response authentication is an authentication method used to prove the identity of a user logging onto the network. When a user logs on, the network access server (NAS), wireless access point or authentication server creates a challenge, typically a random number sent to the client machine. The client software uses its password to encrypt the challenge through an encryption algorithm or a one-way hash function and sends the result back to the network. This is the response.

Two- factor authentication requires two independent ways to establish identity and privileges. The method of using more than one factor of authentication is also called strong authentication. This contrasts with traditional password authentication, requiring only one factor in order to gain access to a system. Password is a secret word or code used to serve as a security measure against unauthorized access to data. It is normally managed by the operating system or DBMS. However, a computer can only verify the legality of the password, not the legality of the user.

The two major applications of digital signatures are for setting up a secure connection to a website and verifying the integrity of files transmitted. IP spoofing refers to inserting the IP address of an authorized user into the transmission of an unauthorized user in order to gain illegal access to a computer system.

Biometrics is a more secure form of authentication than typing passwords or even using smart cards that can be stolen. However, some ways have relatively high failure rates. For example, fingerprints can be captured from a water glass and fool scanners.

Cyber security is a means to protect the automated and interconnected system from any unauthenticated access. With the advent of a techno graphic world

And the world becoming totally dependent on applications and technical courses the demand for cyber security stands the stake. These escalating threats are making the organization vigilant in combating attackers and protecting information assets. These it specialists owe an in-depth knowledge about such threats and counter wares and offer a efficient way to retaliate.

IT enthusiasts are very Covent to make a carrier in ethical hacking. With the advent and buildup of cyber bullying, the pace of increase of the ethical hackers and cyber security professionals are also increasing at a tremendous pace. Cyber security and ethical hacking not only stands the need of the hour but also provide with a lucrative future in terms of scope and remuneration. Moreover it is a courier full of innovations and exciting experiences.it includes a proper certification and process and moreover people are becoming very aware about the security threats, so the exigency of the ethical hackers is increasing day by day.

The annual income packages of the information security certified professional gamut a very good extent.

ISCP HONORAIUM 2018

Becoming an ISCP requires an undergraduate degree from a computer related and network related branch and after that one can gain a specialized certification from cyber security and ethical hacking institutes.One of the top academy that offer such certification is https://kratikalacademy.com/

They offer an extensive certification course that is recognized by corporate groups and offers expert supervision and video lectures classes. A certification from such academies can help a great deal in fetching good jobs and salaries from reputed companies.

The cyber security and ethical hacking courses offers a good amount of salaries to the ISCP people. Some of the pay scale of ISCP are listed below:

–SECURITY ARCHITECT: RS1960000

–SENIOR SECURITY CONSULTANT: RS 1200000

–INFORMATION SECURITY SPECIALIST: RS1373000

–INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANT: RS1168000

Information Security Analyst Salary by Certification

• Certified Authorization Professional (CAP): $102,292

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): $103,297

• Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC): $122,954

• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM): $122,291

• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA): $113,320

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): $121,923

• Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP): $129,859

• Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA): $99,783

• CISSP: Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (CISSP-ISSAP): $132,960

• CompTIA Security+: $81,467

• Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) v8: $103,783

• F5 Certified Technology Specialist: $104,556

• Other IT Security Certifications: $111,122

• Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP): $104,025

The international exposure to cyber security stream is extremely good and high.highest international paying cities for ISCP are:

1. New York City and Northern New Jersey: $117,900

2. San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, CA: $115,700

3. Bethesda-Rockville-Frederick, MD: $111,000

4. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA: $110,100

5. Framingham, Massachusetts: $109,600

6. Long Island, NY (Nassau & Suffolk): $104,300

7. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV: $103,380

8. Oakland-Fremont-Hayward, CA: $102,570

9. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA: $99,600

10. Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH: $98,800

The exposure for the cyber security stream is extremely high and is advancing at a very good pace.

To gain more information related to cyber security and ethical hacking courses click here.

If you are struggling to pursue PCCSA certification for the advancement of your career, you are on the right page. In this article, we will discuss a couple of convincing reasons to go for this certification. In other words, we are going to prove that it is worth the investment. Read on to find out more.

1. Lots of Opportunities

If you want to enjoy a lot of growth opportunities down the road, PCCSA certification can be an ideal choice. For example, as a security professional, you can get a lot of opportunities to work with the system and technology of your choice.

2. Almost Infinite Growth

Cyber security allows for infinite growth. The reason is that there is a lot of scope for you if you have PCCSA certification. It is important for all other IT skills and set of expertise.

If you want to become a good cyber security professional, you may want to have a strong understanding of the functions of this technology and organizations. However, you will continue to learn in this department. If you want to get PCCSA certification, you can stay committed and resolute.

3. PCCSA Certification and Skills

Organisations have to deal with a lot of workload. Therefore, they are forced to scale up as soon as possible. Therefore, companies and organisations are in need of more professionals to handle the workload. So, this field has a lot of opportunities for talented individuals.

4. Lucrative Career

Cyber security organizations play a great role in our life. They help organizations and companies fight against cyber attacks. Despite the fact that there are a lot of cyber security companies, cyber crimes are still on the rise. Every day millions of people become victims of scams, spyware, DDoS attacks, and ransomware. The demand for cyber security professionals is on the rise for the same reason.

5. Higher Earning Potential

News of cyberattacks is published in newspapers almost every week. Therefore, the world has come to realize the importance of cybersecurity. This is the reason businesses, government agencies and small businesses are on the lookout for professionals who can help secure their systems. Therefore, they are more than willing to offer higher salaries to talented professionals.

6. Keep yourself Updated

Regardless of your expertise, make sure you keep yourself updated with the latest trends in your department. The same applies to PCCSA professionals. As time goes by, the number of cybersecurity threats are on the rise. Therefore, as a professional, you have to know about the latest technologies to fight cyber threats.

Conclusion

Long story short, these are just some of the most convincing reasons to pursue PCCSA certification. If you want to have a successful career down the road, we suggest that you go ahead and pursue this certification. We bet that you won’t regret your decision.

Much has been written about proper cybersecurity safeguards for those working from remote locations.

While remote workers need to be aware and educated regarding precautions to guard against a data breach to their corporate business network, the same holds true for those using their devices for mostly leisure activities.

Taking some necessary precautions need not be complicated. In fact there are many simple measures anyone can utilize at home to prevent themselves from becoming a victim of a cybercrime. These include…

1. Utilizing longer passwords.

Most individuals utilize short, easy to remember passwords. While seemingly harmless, simple and insecure passwords are one of the most common ways you can leave yourself susceptible to a cyberattack.

Passwords that are easy to remember are also easy to hack.

A basic rule is to use passwords that always contain a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, as well as numbers. A symbol or two can be added for extra security. Also avoid the temptation to write all your passwords down on paper.

2. Creating different passwords for different accounts.

Many of us are guilty of using the same password on multiple accounts. Utilization of different passwords adds a high degree of difficulty for any cyber thief attempting to penetrate one or more of your accounts.

Passwords should also be changed regularly. This again helps to mitigate the damage if a password is stolen, because the hacker won’t have access to all of your other accounts.

3. Avoiding the placement of sensitive information on social media.

Many individuals unknowingly reveal private or sensitive information on their public social channels.

Something as simple as posting a photo that you are on vacation could provide the impetus for someone to break into your home.

Social media accounts should be kept private so only trusted friends and family can view your posts.

Never accept friend requests from people you don’t know, and be wary of those with duplicate accounts.

Also be wary of friends direct-messaging with strange links or requests for money. If their behavior seems out of the ordinary, or their manner of communicating seems different, a hacker could have obtained access to their account.

4. Becoming more deliberate about accepting app privileges.

When a new app is installed on your phone, it often requests access to certain privileges like your location.

This collection of data may be necessary for the app to function, but some apps could be less trustworthy. Take special care with smaller, less common apps.

Before automatically granting privileges, consider if the request makes sense. If it doesn’t, don’t grant access. Location-sharing privileges are especially risky, as they can reveal where you are to anyone online.

5. Taking a proactive approach with antivirus software.

Trusted antivirus software should be installed on all devices. Viruses can reach your computer in a variety of ways, and good antivirus software will guard against them. The goal is to keep them from wreaking havoc on your system as they remain undetected.

Software should be kept up-to-date to guard against all the latest digital threats. This includes the avoidance of leaving devices on standby for long periods of time.

Instead computers should be restarted and updated on a regular basis. This enables software providers to upgrade any potential flaw in their system and add the highest level of protection to maintain the optimal cybersecurity available.

Creating a number of cybersecurity precautions will protect you and your family, as well as your coworkers, and your employer. Cyberattacks can come at any time, and all it takes is one unknowing error to be in serious trouble.

The Internet serves as an incredible tool for educators and students to communicate, research information, and learn. The widespread availability of computers and connections to the Internet provides everyone around-the-clock access to information, credit and financial services, and shopping.

Unfortunately, there exist individuals who exploit the Internet through their criminal activities and other harmful acts. Cybercriminals use creative measures to gain unauthorized access to your computer and then use that access to steal your identity, commit fraud, or even launch cyber attacks against others.

Staying safe online is no longer a given, but a necessary extracurricular activity. Here are nine security measures you can employ immediate to protect yourself, your family, and your business. By following the recommended cyber security measures outlined here, you can limit the harm cyber criminals can do not only to your computer, but to everyone’s computer. However, keep in mind that there is no single cyber security measure or technological solution that will prevent their cybercrime. These recommended cyber security measures highlight that using a set of common-sense precautions that include Internet habits as well as technology solutions can make a difference.

The National Cyber Security Alliance recommends eight measures. To that, I have added an additional. They are practical steps, in no particular order, you can take to stay safe online and avoid becoming a victim of fraud, identity theft, or cyber crime.

1. Protect your children online. Implement parental control tools that are provided by some Internet Service Provider (ISPs) and available for purchase as separate software packages. Remember: No program is a substitute for parental supervision. Also check your browser to see if it would allow you to set some parental controls. (Internet Explorer allows you to restrict or allow certain web sites to be viewed on your computer, and you can protect these settings with a password. To find those options, click Tools on your menu bar, select Internet Options, choose the Content tab, and click the Enable button under Content Advisor.)

2. Back up important files regularly. No system is completely secure. If you have important files stored on your computer, copy them onto a removable disc, and store them in a secure place in a different building than your computer. If a different location isn’t practical, consider encryption software. Encryption software scrambles a message or a file in a way that can be reversed only with a specific password. Also, make sure you keep your original software start-up disks handy and accessible for use in the event of a system crash.

3. Protect your valuable personal and financial information. Don’t open unsolicited or unknown email messages. If you do get an email or pop-up message asking for personal information, don’t reply or click on the link in the message. To avoid opening such messages, you can turn off the “Preview Pane” functionality in email programs, and you can set your default options to view opened emails as plain text to avoid active links or pop-ups in the messages. Most importantly, do not respond to solicitations for your personal or financial information.

If you believe there may be a need for such information by a company with whom you have an account or placed an order, contact that company directly in a way you know to be genuine. Never send your personal information via email because email is not a secure transmission method.

4. Use strong passwords or strong authentication technology to help protect your personal information. To further increase the security of your online identity and to help protect you from account hi-jacking, take advantage of stronger authentication tools wherever available. This may take the form of two-factor authentication – the combination of a password or PIN number (something you know) with a token, smart card, or even a biometric device (something you have).

Stronger authentication can also come from a behind-the-scenes identity-verification process, which uses various data to establish whether or not a user is genuine. Ask your bank, your regular online retailers, and your Internet Service Provider (ISP) if they offer stronger authentication tools for more secure transactions.

5. Know who you’re dealing with online. Every day, millions of computer users share files online, either as email, documents, or photos. File-sharing can give people access to a wealth of information, including music, games, and software. You download special software that connects your computer to an informal network of other computers running the same software. Millions of users could be connected to each other through this software at one time. Often the software is free and easily accessible, but file-sharing can have a number of risks.

(a) If you don’t check the proper settings, you could allow access not just to the files you intend to share, but also to other information on your hard drive, like your tax returns, email messages, medical records, photos, or other personal documents.

(b)In addition, you may unwittingly download pornography labeled as something else. Or you may download material that is protected by the copyright laws, which would mean you could be breaking the law.

Therefore, downloading file-sharing software is not advisable and could place your personal information and computer at risk. If you do decide to use file-sharing software, set it up very carefully. Take the time to read the End User License Agreement to be sure that you’re sharing files legally and that you understand the potentially high risk of any free downloads. For example, some license agreements include an agreement to allow spyware to be installed on your machine.

Although the Internet basically provides a positive and productive experience, cyber-attacks against our personal privacy and security are reaching epidemic proportions. These attacks are occurring in our own homes and businesses. Our own computers are being used are being used as zombies to attack other people, businesses, and even our nation itself. As an average Internet user, you may not be aware of these threats nor have any idea about the dramatically increasing risks you face when connected to the Internet.

On a campaign for internet safety awareness and protection, my mission is to bring critical awareness to individuals, families, and small business owners, and to provide access to the necessary tools and ongoing expertise to secure your computer and help you stay protected.

I invite you to join the many thousands of others who have tested their computers, discovered these threats are real, and taken the necessary steps to protect themselves.

Now that you have become aware of these issues, I encourage you to share this vital information with your families, friends and communities. Together, we can reach many millions of people and inform them about the threats to their privacy and security, and help them get the protection they desperately need.

Remember: When you say “No!” to hackers and spyware, everyone wins! When you don’t, we all lose!© MMVII, Etienne A. Gibbs, MSW, Internet Safety Advocate and Educator

Cyber security falls under the responsibility of everyone, not just information technology professionals. As with personal security, individuals must pay attention to their surroundings and their actions.

There are a number of areas that businesses and employees fail to pay attention to regarding cyber security. These are in no order of importance as all are critical.

Lack of training for staff

When we raise our children we make sure they know to look both ways before crossing the street, not to take candy from strangers, and never to get in a car with someone they don’t know. To all of us, this is common sense as we received this same education ourselves.

With cyber security, the same principles apply. Don’t open attachments from unknown sources. Don’t go to websites that appear suspicious. Don’t tell anyone your password(s).

Businesses must make sure they have education for all employees regarding these, and other, basic cyber security concepts. The training should occur at new hire orientation and it makes sense to have annual or semi-annual reviews.

Failure to limit/log access

Who has access to what data? What IT Administrator modified the directory structure? Who changed permissions? Do all employees have access to HR files? Does any unnecessary person have access to financial records? Are there logs showing who accessed what data?

Most of the answers to these questions will be “we don’t know” and that’s a problem to acknowledge and address. Companies need to utilize built in tools to log access, and, when necessary, purchase third party software for greater control and granularity. Not only can tracking access prevent a data breach, it enables organizations to find out what happened when data loss does occur.

Caring about corporate data

Most employees simply focus on their day to day job, they are not necessarily concerned with intellectual property at their company. Vast numbers of employees don’t even know what data is critical to the success of their business.

With a myopic focus on what’s in front of us, it’s extremely difficult to protect that which truly matters to an organization. Employees understand financial and human resource records deserve protection, that’s not enough.

Staff must also know about core data critical to the company so they can make sure and take proper action when dealing with that information and when dealing with others who have responsibility for protecting that data.

Understanding cyber threats

Phishing. Spoof. Worm. Trojan horse. Pharming. Hijack attack. All key terms in the cyber security world and, with few exceptions, most people do not know what these expressions mean.

Along with basic education, it makes sense for organizations to make sure staff knows what these attacks are and how to protect against them. There are a number of terms and threats that individuals are familiar with, it’s the responsibility of businesses to help employees understand additional dangers. Common sense goes a long way, and with adding simple communication, businesses can ensure employees know what to look for and how to act when issues arise.

Spending money in the wrong areas, or not at all

Too often businesses focus on revenue generation opportunities and ROI when spending money. Companies must take a defensive posture as well. This doesn’t mean only spending money on networking equipment and edge devices to protect their information assets, they must understand the extent of the threats and spend in numerous areas.

Firewalls, extranets, and intrusion detection systems are all well and good; however, they only protect companies from specific types of attacks. Businesses must take a holistic view of cyber security and invest as necessary. Cyber security is an investment and should be viewed as such through the budgeting process.

Everyone must take ownership for cyber security. In today’s world with major data breaches occurring seemingly weekly, impacting millions of people, it’s imperative to pay attention and share in the responsibility for data protection.

Through education, logging, understanding corporate data, knowledge of threats, and proper cyber security investments, companies will find greater security. When companies have data protection, investors, employees, and consumers receive peace of mind and clarity that they are as secure as possible.

Cyber security has been associated with the ever-growing complexities, threats and even costs which are popping up and growing unprecedentedly each passing day. Devices are getting interconnected and this has brought about the many perils in the cyber world. The interconnectivity has made it easier for hackers and criminals to compromise data both on the large scale and irrespective of where it is found. Security risk management has continued to be headache to many different groups of cyber users who happen to be the businesses as well as individuals. The need to proactively protect web applications, web processes and above all data has to be approached with a lot of seriousness and compliance to eliminate all types of threats both external and internal. Not only are cyber attacks the most feared threat but the sabotage of infrastructure is feared since incidences are growing in number each passing day.

The ever-changing cyber security landscape has people, organizations and businesses on their toes in identifying risks and vulnerabilities in their resources and systems. Threats as earlier mentioned have been on the rise due to the communication networks expanding and being in a position to gather humongous amounts of data. Yet another form of threat has been the rise of digital and cyber weapons which have been designed and deployed to target specific control systems or targeted at data stored in them with the intention of bringing each of these down. It should be remembered that the threats to infrastructure arises from the increase in access points within the network. Other threats have been the theft of data especially from governments, the theft of intellectual data property, the theft of financial information and cyber attacks aimed at the mobile devices.

The cyber security landscape this year has seen the problems and challenges which have been presented by mobile devices and applications. The use of the mobile devices has continued to grow and this growth has been matched in the growth of cyber attacks aimed at these devices. The growth of the mobile app niche has also seen an increase in the threats hidden and associated with many apps now found either free or at a small fee. The apps which are location based will have the risk of threat is when the applications are packaged with malicious code and malware such that they are then sold or availed to unsuspecting users. Other applications have been made in such a way that they will download malware and such programs like keyloggers and others that will record phone calls and the text messages.

The social engineering threat has been also on the rise with the intention being people will click on malicious links through the use of rogue antivirus and other many rogue and fake software like fake backup software mimicking the cloud computing services.

Hactivism has also been on the rise with different people or groups of people registering their displeasure and their non compliance with political decisions and opinions and other social factors through the staging of cyber protests. Their biggest tool has the denial of service attacks that are intended to bring down websites and systems. The DoS attacks will limit or totally disrupt the access of data on various websites and across a network. The other form of attacks has seen the posting of sensitive information such as the email information and credit card information which have been stolen or hacked.

The advanced persistent threat is another form of attack which takes the shape of a longterm hacking which is often targeted through subversive and stealthy means at intellectual property. Espionage is one form and the other is capturing network by working on vulnerable points. A network once captured will be used to store data and information and for other people a relay point. The spear phishing attacks are aimed at businesses and the top echelons of organizations with the aim of obtaining some confidential data or gaining access to networks and the businesses.

With so many threats faced in the cyber world, sound security practices need to be used both by individuals and businesses. The practices and measures taken are those that guard against attacks and cyber challenges and ally the impact of an attack.

Would you like to see a nifty example of the way in which the world of mathematics can have unexpected ramifications on the world?

You may be aware of the role that the special numbers e=2.718… , pi=3.14… , and the golden ratio Phi=1.618… , have in our world. It turns out that the prime numbers – numbers that cannot be divided or reduced into small numbers – also have a special property: they are ideally suited for helping craft a secure banking system.

You see – the security systems that allow you to securely use the ATM, or online banking, and allow you to send information securely over public networks – use a form of cryptography, or coding, that is based in the prime numbers.

Amazingly, most of the algorithms – in other words, methods – for encoding your information are based in a 300-year-old discovery about the prime numbers, Fermat’s Little Theorem.

The French mathematician Fermat discovered a relatively simple property about the way prime numbers behave when they are multiplied together, and was able to explain why this simple property is true. At the time though, his discovery had no obvious application – it was simply an interesting fact about the prime numbers.

Then, in the mid 20th century, a team of cryptographers – people whose job is to help encode information – found a way to use Fermat’s Little Theorem, this discovery about prime numbers – to safely and securely send information. They used Fermat’s Little Theorem as part of a “recipe” for encoding numbers, the RSA Algorithm.

Without going into too much detail, what happens when a system uses the RSA Algorithm or a similar algorithm – say, when you access the ATM: the ATM stores your debit card information and PIN number as an actual number – a string of 0’s and 1’s. It then encodes this number using a “key” that only the ATM, and the bank, know.

Then the ATM sends the debit card information to the bank using this “key” – and if a spy, or criminal, or eavesdropper, observes the message – it is encoded. In order to decode the message, they would have to know the “key”, and in order to determine the key, they would have to factor a number that is several hundred digits in length. This is very difficult, nearly impossible, even for the fastest and most advanced computers, so your information is safe.

What’s remarkable about this is – it’s all based in the 300-year-old discovery of the mathematician Fermat. At the time, Fermat had no clue that what he discovered would eventually hold the key for keeping information secure in the 21st century.

This is one of the many remarkable properties of the world of mathematics – it has many unexpected links with the physical universe, many unexpected applications that are sometimes not apparent for even centuries.