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Do you specialise in Employee Security Awareness? We want to hear from you!

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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Each month on IT Security Briefing we’re shining the spotlight on a different part of the cyber security market – and in October we’re focussing on Employee Security Awareness solutions.

It’s all part of our ‘Recommended’ editorial feature, designed to help IT security buyers find the best products and services available today.

So, if you’re a Employee Security Awareness solutions specialist and would like to be included as part of this exciting new shop window, we’d love to hear from you – for more info, contact Jenny Lane on j.lane@forumevents.co.uk.

Here’s our full features list:

Oct – Employee Security Awareness
Nov – Malware
Dec – Network Security Management
Jan 2024 – Anti Virus
Feb 2024 – Access Control
Mar 2024 – Intrusion Detection & Prevention
Apr 2024 – Phishing Detection
May 2024 – Advanced Threat Dashboard
Jun 2024 – Browser/Web Security
July 2024 – Authentication
Aug 2024 – Penetration Testing
Sep 2024 – Vulnerability Management

Image by Markus Spiske from Pixabay

North East cyber and tech talent showcased to US investment delegation

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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A delegation of international trade and investment experts are headed home to the US ready to spread the word about the North East and the investment opportunities in the technology sector that the region has to offer.

The Technology Sector Director for North America from the Department of Business and Trade (DBT) was in the region for two days to learn more about the strengths of the North East’s tech sector and the inward investment opportunities available. Also visiting North East England for an exclusive event in Newcastle, hosted by local robotics company Wootzano, were colleagues from Fresno County Economic Development Corporation based in California.

The visit included trips to some of the region’s science and technology parks and innovative digital assets, as well as meeting the region’s collaborative tech networks and specialists.

The itinerary began with a visit to NET Park where a roundtable discussion with local businesses and specialists for delegates learn first-hand why the region is a unique location for tech, science and space businesses. They were also given a tour of CPI’s formulation centre, which supports business and academics to develop innovative formulation technologies and products, as well as Orbit, a new business accommodation space hosted by Durham University.

The delegation also heard more about the phase 3 of the park, a £61m investment which will generate around £650m of GVA for the area.

Day two included a visit to Newcastle Helix, the 24-acre innovation district which hosts three National innovation Centres, including the National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD) and National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA).  Meetings were held with Newcastle University, Dynamo North East and companies such as Arctic Wolf, a US Cyber Security specialist. Delegates also attended a lunch networking session hosted by Womble Bond Dickinson at its new office on Helix, with local tech experts discussing threats and opportunities in the trade and investment space.

Rachel Burdis, Inward Investment Manager at Invest North East England, said: ”It’s been great to be able to showcase the region and its finest. We have some real technology strengths and assets here, so we welcome the opportunity to promote them to our US colleagues and to equip them with a clear understanding that the region is a key location for this sector in the UK. We’re confident this will result in new inward investment activity and more quality jobs for our region.”

Sara Williams, NETPark Manager, said: “We were delighted to welcome the international delegation to NETPark, where we showcased our cutting-edge facilities, collaborative networks, and industry-leading support. This visit underlines our vision and growing reputation as a global hub for science, engineering, and technology firms, highlighting companies that integrate materials into high-impact, innovative products.”

Dawn Dunn, Digital and Tech Sector Lead at Invest Newcastle, part of NewcastleGateshead Initiative said: “Tech companies are increasingly aware that Newcastle has the people, place and purpose to accelerate their growth. The demand for data and computer scientists is unprecedented, and our ability to provide ‘skills for industry’ puts the region in a position of strength. Our links with the USA are integral to economic success, and we’re delighted to have hosted this visit.”

The North East is positioning itself as one of the most innovative and exciting technology clusters outside London for specific support networks and unique opportunities for the digital sector including unique semiconductors, data, AI, advanced instrumentation, and software development.

Security IT Summit: Time is running out to secure your delegate place

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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The Security IT Summit takes place in Manchester in just 6 weeks time – and there are only a handful of free delegate places remaining for qualifying industry professionals…

9th November 2023

Radisson Blu Hotel Manchester Airport

Top areas covered: The suppliers who attend can help you with your upcoming projects and cover: Access Control, Identity Access Management, UK Cyber Strategy, Incident Response, Penetration Testing, Risk Management, Artificial Intelligence , Employee Security Access, Password Management and much more…

Your complimentary guest pass includes:

– An itinerary, designed by you, of pre-qualified one-to-one meetings with solution providers

– A seat at the industry seminar sessions

– Lunch and refreshments throughout

– Networking breaks to optimise your opportunity to make new connections

Click here to secure your free place via our short booking form, or you can recommend a colleague to attend.

For more information, feel free to contact us.

Smart access: What if biometrics were the foolproof solution for infrastructure protection?

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By Céline Littré, Product Marketing Manager at Linxens

Biometrics are already well known and used in sectors such as identity and payments, but their use could also be relevant to access control for both IT and physical infrastructures?

Access to IT infrastructures

As the number of reported cyber-attacks has multiplied, companies, which until recently were largely unprepared for the risks, have had no choice but to equip themselves to protect their IT infrastructures.

Today’s companies understand an attack can be costly and damage their business (compromising data, blocking production systems, etc.). According to Cybersecurity Ventures, in 2021 the cost of cyber-attacks was 6,000 billion euros…

Various technologies already exist to strengthen the security of digital access, in particular multi-factor authentication (MFA). However, these systems often rely on the use of a smartphone, which poses two main problems: firstly, not all employees have a work phone and may be reluctant to use their personal device to identify themselves, and secondly, the use of these devices in industrial or sensitive sites may be prohibited for security reasons. There are also USB key identification systems, but again the risk of theft or loss does not provide a satisfactory solution.

In this context, the biometric card can be a welcome alternative: paired with the holder’s computer, it unlocks access to all or some applications. Identity is verified by a biometric sensor on which the cardholder has previously stored his or her fingerprint. If lost or stolen, it’s useless.

Access to physical infrastructure

In addition to protecting digital space, access to physical infrastructure is also a security issue for organisations. Although access cards are the most common form of identification used by organisations, they do not guarantee infallible security. Cards can be lost or stolen and used to gain free access to the building. In this case, the biometric card offers additional protection. Its personalised use guarantees that the user of the badge or card is indeed its owner, thanks to a fingerprint recognition system.

A promising market waiting to grow

The use of biometrics in access control represents a real opportunity to strengthen infrastructure security. Considering what is at stake, and even though it costs more than a traditional card, companies are ready to take the plunge and protect their assets.

Thanks to the work already done for payment applications, cards are already available and in the customer testing phase, with only a few months to go before the first mass-produced models are available. The challenge for the use of biometric cards for physical access remains compatibility with the wide range of existing devices (card readers). Manufacturers are working hard to adapt these systems for rapid, simplified integration and adoption by businesses. 

What are the FinTech innovations CISOs need to be aware of?

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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The financial landscape is undergoing a transformation, driven by innovative FinTech startups. From artificial intelligence (AI)-driven personalization to the rise of super apps, these startups are at the fore front of revolution how we interact with money, the security measures around it.

Kiran Raj, Practice Head of Disruptive Tech at GlobalData, said: “As the banking world pivots from age-old methods to a digital-first paradigm, FinTech startups emerge as the pivotal game-changers. With the might of advanced technologies like AI, blockchain, and cybersecurity in their arsenal, they are forging a future of cost savings, enriched customer dialogues, and amplified profit avenues. In their quest to redefine finance, these startups are charting the course for our next chapter in economic interaction.”

Vaibhav Gundre, Project Manager of Disruptive Tech at GlobalData, added: “From ledger to lifestyle, startups are reimagining finance, crafting bespoke solutions, enhancing user engagement, and championing the customer-first mantra. In this dawn of hyper-personalized finance, from AI-driven advice to gamified money management, these innovators are not just rising to the occasion but elevating the entire game.”

GlobalData’s latest Startup Series report “Branches to bots: how startups reimagine FinTech” explores the potential of the emerging FinTech trends and various startups focused on these trends.

Super apps

Super apps are becoming the one-stop solutions for a range of financial services. They are reshaping the way we interact with digital services, bringing together diverse offerings within a unified ecosystem to redefine convenience and personalization.

US-based Brex enables businesses to control their spending management elements such as corporate cards, reimbursements, expense management, and bill payments from a single unified platform.

Gamification

FinTech startups are leveraging gamification to make finance fun, encouraging savings, investments, and financial literacy. Businesses are focusing on gamification to foster greater consumer loyalty and engagement with financial products and services.

Zywa, a middle eastern Gen Z-focused financial services startup, provides a gamified savings goal tracker and transaction rewards to increase engagement with its target customers.

Biometric authentication

Startups are strengthening security by integrating multi-modal techniques such as facial, voice, and iris scanning, in addition to behavioral analytics. They are utilizing technologies such as 3D facial recognition, deep learning algorithms, speech recognition, and liveness detection to ensure security.

TypingDNA, a US-based startup, provides AI-centered authentication and fraud detection solution that analyzes typing micro patterns to authenticate users.

AI-powered Personalization

Harnessing AI, FinTech startups offer tailored financial advice, personalized investment strategies, risk assessment, targeted marketing, and predictive spending insights. These innovations empower businesses to efficiently tailor their services to individuals on a large scale.

Credolab, an alternative risk analysis startup from Singapore, provides digital scorecards that are built on mobile devices and web behavioral metadata. It offers risk and fraud detection along with personalized personality-based marketing campaigns utilizing granular-level behavioral insights.

Gundre concluded: “As technology reshapes finance, FinTech stands at the forefront of innovation. Startup-driven transformations redefine norms, though regulatory and security considerations persist. Balancing innovation with stability remains paramount as the financial landscape evolves.”

Image by Brian Penny from Pixabay

Everything you need to know about Vulnerability Management

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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UK businesses face an ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats. Vulnerability Management (VM) is crucial in ensuring a business’s digital assets remain safeguarded from potential threats. Implementing an effective VM strategy requires careful planning and consideration of several key factors…

  1. Understanding the Business Landscape: Begin by comprehensively understanding the technological framework and digital tools your business employs. Whether it’s proprietary software, third-party applications, or cloud-based services, identifying all potential areas of vulnerability is the foundation of a solid VM strategy.
  2. Regular Vulnerability Assessments: Proactive and regular vulnerability assessments can highlight potential weak spots in your cybersecurity framework. These assessments, which should be conducted by trained professionals, can provide a roadmap for prioritising and addressing vulnerabilities.
  3. Prioritisation: Not all vulnerabilities bear the same weight. Some might expose critical business data, while others might have minimal impact. Prioritise based on potential damage, exploitability, and business criticality.
  4. Patching and Remediation:
    • Scheduled Patching: Regularly update and patch software, applications, and systems to remedy known vulnerabilities.
    • Quick Response: In case of zero-day vulnerabilities, where threats exploit previously unknown vulnerabilities, swift action is crucial. Develop a protocol for rapid response patching.
  5. Regulatory Compliance: In the UK, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) imposes strict regulations regarding data protection. An effective VM strategy should align with GDPR requirements, ensuring businesses avoid legal complications and potential penalties.
  6. Employee Training: A significant number of cybersecurity breaches occur due to human error. Regularly training employees about safe online practices, phishing threats, and the importance of regular software updates can mitigate risks.
  7. Incorporate Threat Intelligence: Integrate threat intelligence into your VM. Being aware of current and emerging cyber threats allows businesses to preemptively strengthen their defenses.
  8. Regular Backups: Regular and secure backups of business data ensure that, in the event of a breach, businesses can restore their systems with minimal disruption.
  9. Engaging with External Experts: Cyber threats evolve continuously. Collaborating with cybersecurity experts or firms ensures you stay updated on the latest vulnerabilities and remediation techniques.
  10. Continuous Monitoring and Review: Adopt a dynamic approach to VM. Continuously monitor systems, review the effectiveness of current measures, and adapt to emerging threats.
  11. Stakeholder Communication: Ensure that all stakeholders, from board members to frontline employees, understand the importance of VM. Their buy-in and collaboration are crucial for an effective VM strategy.

An efficient Vulnerability Management strategy is not just about preventing cyber threats; it’s about safeguarding brand reputation, ensuring customer trust, and ensuring continuity of operations. As cyber threats continue to evolve, the emphasis should be on proactive measures, continuous learning, and adaptation.

Are you researching Vulnerability Management solutions for you organisation? The Security IT Summit can help!

Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay

5 ways artificial intelligence is powering the creation of next-generation data centres

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Data has become the lifeblood of organisations all over the world. The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool for data manipulation and management has transformed how we live, work, and interact with technology. 

Just about every industry is seeing exciting applications of artificial intelligence technology in the real-time analysis of large data sets to inform operational decisions. Businesses in the resources sector, retail, agriculture, healthcare, and financial services are rushing to take advantage of enormous business opportunities, but they’ll need specialist AI data centres to accomplish that.

And, with AI increasingly integrating into data centres, data analytics and management demand has reached unprecedented levels. Steve Hollingsworth,  Director at Covenco with over 30 years’ experience in data centre design explores five ways that AI is revolutionising the creation of new data centres and shaping the future of AI-powered solutions in 2023 and beyond…

Enhancing Efficiency and Scalability

The exponential growth of data generated by AI-enabled applications calls for more efficient and scalable data centres. AI is now employed to help analyse historical and real-time data patterns to optimise energy consumption, cooling mechanisms, and server allocation within data centres. By leveraging AI-enabled tools, project managers in charge of data centre design and development can achieve enhanced power efficiency, reduce operating costs, and improve the overall sustainability of their infrastructure. Additionally, AI-driven predictive analytics can enable proactive maintenance, optimised hardware deployment, and reduced system failures, leading to greater uptime and availability.

Streamlining Data Management and Analysis

The rapid adoption of AI has created a significant need for robust data management and analysis. Data centres powered by AI are increasingly adopting machine learning tools to streamline data ingestion, classification, and storage processes. AI can also help to optimise data classification, making it easier for organisations to leverage their digital assets far more effectively. Furthermore, AI-enabled tools are already performing complex analytics tasks like data clustering and anomaly detection, enabling data managers to identify patterns, spot security threats and extract actionable insights much more efficiently.

Intelligent Resource Allocation

The dynamic nature of AI workloads demands intelligent resource allocation within data centres. By leveraging AI-driven solutions, data managers can optimise workload distribution across different servers, GPUs, and storage units, ensuring efficient utilisation of resources. AI tools analyse real-time workload patterns and make intelligent decisions on load balancing, resource provisioning, and task prioritisation. This enables data managers to achieve higher performance, reduced latency, and improved scalability, which is crucial for supporting AI-driven applications with demanding computational requirements.

Security and Privacy Measures

As the reliance on AI-driven analytics grows, ensuring robust security and privacy measures becomes paramount. AI-enabled systems can be pivotal in detecting and mitigating potential security threats within data centres. Using machine learning tools, data centres can identify patterns indicative of cyberattacks, false encryption, anomalous behaviour, or unauthorised access attempts – enabling proactive threat detection and prevention. Moreover, these same AI tools can enhance data privacy by anonymising sensitive information and implementing advanced encryption techniques based on blockchain technologies, safeguarding the confidentiality of valuable data.

Predictive Analytics for Infrastructure Planning

Data managers increasingly try to anticipate and accommodate future demands on the data they manage. AI tools can help data managers analyse historical data usage patterns and trends to provide predictive insights for capacity planning and infrastructure design. By leveraging AI, data managers can also make informed decisions server deployment, storage allocation, and network bandwidth provisioning. This predictive approach ensures that all available servers, storage and networking remain available and capable of meeting the evolving demands of AI applications.

Tomorrow’s digital landscape

The explosive growth of AI-driven applications has given rise to a surge in data demands, requiring data centre managers to adapt and innovate. By harnessing the power of AI at the infrastructure and design level, data owners can significantly enhance efficiency, streamline data management, optimise resource allocation, fortify security, and plan for future growth. As AI continues to permeate every aspect of our lives, the collaboration between AI and data centres will play a pivotal role in driving innovation, powering advanced analytics, and shaping tomorrow’s digital landscape. The synergy between AI and data centres holds immense potential to unlock new opportunities and transform industries in 2023 and beyond.

Top tips for choosing a Penetration Testing partner

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As cyber threats evolve, so must your business’s defence strategies. One essential tool in the cybersecurity arsenal is penetration testing, an exercise to identify vulnerabilities before malicious actors do. But choosing the right partner for this mission-critical task can be daunting. In this article, we’ll guide you through key considerations to make an informed decision…

Credentials and Expertise: Ensure that potential partners have recognised certifications such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) or Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP). These credentials not only validate skills but also ensure that tests will be conducted ethically and responsibly.

Specialisation and Experience: Cybersecurity is vast. Does the potential partner specialise in the specific type of penetration testing you require (e.g., web applications, network security)? An experienced firm that has handled challenges similar to yours is preferable.

Customisation and Scalability: Your business is unique, and so are its vulnerabilities. Opt for partners who offer tailored testing strategies rather than one-size-fits-all packages. Moreover, as your business grows, your testing needs will change. Ensure the partner can scale services accordingly.

Comprehensive Reporting: Penetration testing’s value isn’t just in identifying weaknesses but in comprehending them. Your partner should provide detailed reports that outline vulnerabilities, potential impacts, and recommended remediation measures in a manner that’s both technical and accessible.

Communication and Collaboration: During the testing phase, seamless communication is pivotal. Your partner should be ready to collaborate closely, keeping you informed of progress and any immediate risks discovered.

Ethical Considerations: A good penetration testing firm will always operate within defined boundaries, ensuring no unintentional damage or data breaches. They should be clear about their testing methods and get your consent for all activities.

Pricing and Transparency: While cost shouldn’t be the sole factor, it’s a significant consideration. Obtain clear quotes, ensuring there are no hidden charges. Remember, the cheapest option might not always be the best for your business.

References and Reviews: A reputable firm will have a list of satisfied clients. Ask for references to gauge their success stories. Additionally, online reviews and case studies can shed light on their expertise and efficiency.

Penetration testing is a proactive step towards safeguarding your business assets from cyber threats. By considering the factors above, you can form a partnership that not only identifies vulnerabilities but also empowers your business to build robust defence mechanisms. Remember, in the cyber realm, the right ally can make all the difference.

Are you looking for cyber allies for your organisation? The Security IT Summit can help!

Image by StartupStockPhotos from Pixabay

Security IT Summit – November 2023: Everything you need to know

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
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We’ve got all your organisation’s needs covered at the Security IT Summit, so join us in Manchester for the most productive days you’ll spend away from you desk all year.

9th November 2023

Radisson Blu Hotel Manchester Airport

Top areas covered: The suppliers who attend can help you with your upcoming projects and cover: Access Control, Identity Access Management, UK Cyber Strategy, Incident Response, Penetration Testing, Risk Management, Artificial Intelligence , Employee Security Access, Password Management and much more…

Your complimentary guest pass includes:

– An itinerary, designed by you, of pre-qualified one-to-one meetings with solution providers

– A seat at the industry seminar sessions

– Lunch and refreshments throughout

– Networking breaks to optimise your opportunity to make new connections

Click here to secure your free place via our short booking form, or you can recommend a colleague to attend.

For more information, feel free to contact us.

Do you specialise in Vulnerability Management? We want to hear from you!

 960 640 Stuart O'Brien
By:
0
0

Each month on IT Security Briefing we’re shining the spotlight on a different part of the cyber security market – and in September we’re focussing on Vulnerability Management solutions.

It’s all part of our ‘Recommended’ editorial feature, designed to help IT security buyers find the best products and services available today.

So, if you’re a Vulnerability Management solutions specialist and would like to be included as part of this exciting new shop window, we’d love to hear from you – for more info, contact Jenny Lane on j.lane@forumevents.co.uk.

Here’s our full features list:

Sep – Vulnerability Management
Oct – Employee Security Awareness
Nov – Malware
Dec – Network Security Management
Jan 2024 – Anti Virus
Feb 2024 – Access Control
Mar 2024 – Intrusion Detection & Prevention
Apr 2024 – Phishing Detection
May 2024 – Advanced Threat Dashboard
Jun 2024 – Browser/Web Security
July 2024 – Authentication
Aug 2024 – Penetration Testing

Image by Markus Spiske from Pixabay