Hackers and cybercrime prevention

Singapore remains hotbed for cyber threats

Singapore was a victim of advanced persistent threats, phishing and website defacements in 2017, according to the latest threat landscape report by the Cyber Security Agency Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, Informa TechTarget

Surface web used in private data sales

The surface web plays an integral role in the selling of personal information, a report on identify fraud has revealed Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

How white hat hackers can tell you more than threat intelligence

White hat hackers can play a key role in assessing threats lurking on the dark web. Discover what traditional threat intelligence isn't telling you and how white hats can help. Continue Reading

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• David Geer, Geer Communications

MPs see risk to critical infrastructure as top threat

A majority of MPs are concerned about the cyber threat to critical national infrastructure, a survey has revealed Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Singapore faced cyber attacks during Trump-Kim summit

Russian attackers allegedly scanned IP phones in the city-state for vulnerabilities, although it was unclear what they were after or whether they were successful Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, Informa TechTarget

Encryption is under attack, says Venafi CEO Jeff Hudson

Encryption is one of the fundamental principles on which the internet is built, but this vital technology is under threat from criminals and ill-advised government policies, says Venafi CEO Jeff Hudson Continue Reading

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• Peter Ray Allison

Cyber attack warnings highlight need to be prepared

Fresh warnings about the vulnerability of national infrastructure to cyber attacks show the need for securing and monitoring associated control systems connected to the internet Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

NCSC urges action after Dixons Carphone breach

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is urging UK business to improve data protection capabilities after Dixons Carphone revealed that millions of payment card and personal data records may have been compromised in a cyber breach Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Dixons Carphone admits 'falling short' on data protection

Dixons Carphone has warned that millions of credit card and personal data records may have been compromised in a cyber breach Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Insurer Beazley meets global challenge to secure mobile workforce

Beazley has stolen a march on other London-market insurers by implementing a versatile global digital workspace with improved security Continue Reading

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• Christian Annesley

Security Think Tank: GDPR requires unprecedented view of data flows

Why is it important to know where data flows, with whom it's shared and where it lives at rest, and what is the best way of achieving this? Continue Reading

By

• Yves Le Roux, (ISC)2

Investigators close Nokia extortion probe without finding a motive or making an arrest

New details of €2m blackmail of Nokia in 2007 emerge as Finland’s NBI calls a halt to its investigation Continue Reading

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• Gerard O'Dwyer

BT announces “unhackable” quantum-secured network

In the face of the threat that quantum computers could crack many of the encryption methods used to protect highly sensitive data, BT has developed a “quantum-secured” network Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Email-based cyber attacks gathering momentum

Email-based cyber attacks are gathering momentum and the cost of these attacks are rising, with several hidden costs, a survey of IT professionals in Europe, Middle East and Africa reveals Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Singapore career website hit by PageUp malware scare

A Singapore government career website was among others affected by a malware attack on an Australian recruitment technology supplier Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, Informa TechTarget

Industry must do more to open up cyber security profession

Talented and successful cyber security researcher and passionate advocate for the profession, James Lyne reveals that he fell into security more by accident than design, and says training and recruitment must change to find and develop talented individuals Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

How Australia is keeping pace with ICS threats

Besides bridging the security gap between IT and operational technology teams, Australia is driving efforts to bolster the security of IoT devices Continue Reading

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• Beverley Head

Security Think Tank: Data flow visibility is essential to security

Why is it important to know where data flows, with whom it is shared and where it lives at rest, and what is the best way of achieving this? Continue Reading

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• Elisabetta Zaccaria, Secure Chorus

Coinrail cyber heist highlights need for exchange security

A cyber heist at South Korea’s Coinrail has prompted fresh calls for industry regulations to drive better cyber security at cryptocurrency exchanges Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

APAC remains a hotbed for software piracy

The Asia-Pacific region is still seeing the highest use of unlicensed software installations globally, making enterprises more susceptible to cyber attacks from malware Continue Reading

By

• Kimberly Chua

Parliamentary computers at risk after staff targeted by phone phishing

Police are investigating phone phishing attacks targeted against Parliament. Staff warned not to disclose details of their computers to fraudulent callers. Continue Reading

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• Bill Goodwin, Investigations Editor

BYOD for mobile ‘a year away’ for Williams F1

Companies in the Williams Group – the Formula One racing operation Williams Grand Prix Engineering and its high-growth sister operation Williams Advanced Engineering – are investing with mobile security front-of-mind to enable more agile working practices within 12 months Continue Reading

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• Christian Annesley

Security Think Tank: Focus on data protection, but do not rely on DLP alone

Why is it important to know where data flows, with whom it's shared and where it lives at rest – and what is the best way of achieving this? Continue Reading

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• Emma Bickerstaffe, Information Security Forum (ISF)

Businesses must report cyber crime, panel urges

By reporting cyber crimes, private enterprise can help improve national and international cyber defences and bring criminals to justice, according to an expert panel Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Cyber security focus too much on tech, says Domino’s CISO

Many organisations are still focusing only on technology and compliance, which means their cyber defences are not as solid as they think, according to Domino’s Pizza chief information security officer Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

IT spending reaches 10-year high as CIOs struggle with digital technology strategy

IT leaders have seen their budgets and headcounts rise for the first time in 10 years, but face challenges implementing their digital strategies Continue Reading

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• Bill Goodwin, Investigations Editor

Nation state cyber attacks affect all, says former GCHQ boss

Cyber attacks by nation states used to be a small part of the problem for state authorities to address, but now all organisations are potential targets of nation state attacks, according to former GCHQ head Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Business not learning from past cyber security incidents

Businesses are still not getting the basics right and they are not learning from past security incidents, according to world-renowned security blogger and trainer Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Security Think Tank: Understand data for risk-based protection

Why is it important to know where data flows, with whom it is shared and where it lives at rest, and what is the best way of achieving this? Continue Reading

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• Simon Persin, Turnkey Consulting

Understanding is key to security awareness, says specialist

Only if people understand why cyber security matters will they change their behaviours as a result of awareness training, according to a human behaviour specialist and cyber security consultant Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Security Think Tank: Ignorance about data is tantamount to negligence

Why is it important to know where data flows, with whom it's shared and where it lives at rest, and what is the best way of achieving this? Continue Reading

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• Tim Holman, 2-sec

Cyber attacks not sophisticated, says Just Eat CISO

The chief information security officer of Just Eat has challenged the perception that all cyber attacks are sophisticated and that it is impossible to fill cyber security jobs Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Boards not asking right security questions, says Dido Harding

Former TalkTalk CEO says boards are still not asking the right cyber security questions, do not understand that they should be making cyber risk decisions, and are not communicating with engineers Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Application security more important than ever

Applications have an increasingly crucial role in our lives, yet they are also a real security threat, with hackers always finding new ways to bypass security defences. Computer Weekly looks at how organisations are responding to the challenge Continue Reading

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• Nicholas Fearn

Security Think Tank: Use data flow information to protect systems

Why is it important to know where data flows, with whom it's shared and where it lives at rest, and what is the best way of achieving this? Continue Reading

By

• Paddy Francis

Technology key to new UK counter-terrorism strategy

Technologies such as machine learning and data analytics are key to the UK government’s updated counter-terrorism strategy Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

One-third of firms would pay ransoms rather than invest in security

Report says businesses are still making the same mistakes, failing to make any progress in crucial areas such as cyber security awareness and preparedness Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Security Think Tank: Data governance is essential to data security

Why is it important to know where data flows, with whom it's shared and where it lives at rest – and what is the best way of achieving this? Continue Reading

By

• Raef Meeuwisse

Offensive AI unlikely in the near future, says Mikko Hypponen

Cyber criminals are not close to being able to use AI for attack purposes, according to industry veteran Mikko Hypponen, who has been at the forefront of AI use in cyber defence for several years Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Huge rise in TSB-themed mobile phishing attacks after IT meltdown

Scammers have used bank’s IT problems as an opportunity to target its customers with mobile phishing attacks Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Ethical hacker, 86, rises to Santander’s challenge

Elderly hacker with little computing experience was able to hack WiFi and create phishing attack Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Cyber resilience key to securing industrial control systems

Operators of industrial control systems can build greater cyber resilience by getting IT and operational technology teams to work more closely together and improving the visibility of their infrastructure, among other security measures Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, Informa TechTarget

Security Think Tank: Data controllers are essential in modern business environment

Why is it important to know where data flows, with whom it's shared and where it lives at rest, and what is the best way of achieving this? Continue Reading

By

• Petra Wenham

Security suppliers need to interact with community, says researcher

Security suppliers need to interact with the community to get feedback on their products before launch to ensure they have not missed any vulnerabilities, a security researchers advises Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

VPN hacks can be lethal, warns security expert

Organisations should not overlook the need to secure VPN connections because failure to do so could be fatal, but 2FA alone is not enough, warns a security expert Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Security Think Tank: Data governance is good for business and security

Why is it important to know where data flows, with whom it's shared and where it lives at rest, and what is the best way of achieving this? Continue Reading

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• Maxine Holt, Omdia

Security Think Tank: Information management means better security

Why is it important to know where data flows, with whom it's shared and where it lives at rest – and what is the best way of achieving this? Continue Reading

By

• Mike Gillespie

Security community urged to prepare for quantum computing

A top European chief information security officer is urging the security community to prepare for quantum computing to ensure their encryption processes are ready in time Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

US issues warning about North Korean malware

US government has identified more than 85 networks compromised by two malware families believed to be North Korean in origin Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

US jails Canadian resident who helped Russia hack Yahoo emails

A US court has jailed a hacker on charges of computer fraud for hacking Yahoo email accounts on behalf of the Russian government Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Business still not addressing insider threat

Businesses are still not addressing inside threats when it comes to cyber security, leaving themselves wide open to data breaches as a result, according to a security analyst Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

UK security spend low despite breaches

The UK is the most breached country in Europe, but IT security spend remains low compared with other countries in the region, a report reveals Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Tech's role in tackling humanitarian crises

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we learn about how mobile connectivity is a lifeline for Syrian refugees in Turkey, thanks to the mobile network operators in that country. Our latest buyer’s guide examines how modern network security enables digital transformation at a range of companies. And we find out about the technology strategy of logistics firm Hermes from its CIO, and about British Airways’ use of Salesforce to globalise its B2B sales. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Former Macedonian PM convicted in corruption case exposed by illegal government surveillance

Information exposed by leaked recordings that were part an illegal mass surveillance campaign orchestrated under the government of former prime minster Nikola Gruevski have led to his conviction for corruption. He was found guilty of rigging a tender and receiving a luxury Mercedes as a bribe. He may still appeal the ruling Continue Reading

By

• Tena Prelec

Commitment is the watchword on GDPR D-Day

New rules for protecting European citizens’ personal data are now enforceable by law, and organisations are being advised to focus broadly on commitment rather than narrowly on compliance Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Grab outlines its approach to cyber security

Singapore-based ride-hailing company prefers detective controls rather than preventive ones to deter cyber threats – an approach it claims is less intrusive and costly to implement Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, Informa TechTarget

CW Nordics: Finland delays e-voting plan

Security concerns have re-emerged to further frustrate the Finnish government’s plans to launch a national e-voting system. Also read about a study by the Stockholm School of Economics that looks at the likely impact of AI, machine learning and robotics on people’s lives. And find out why Norway has accelerated plans to scale up its national cyber security infrastructure. Continue Reading

EU cyber security agencies pledge to up cooperation

Four European cyber security agencies have agreed to increase collaboration in five key areas Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Mobile fraud up 680% since 2015, RSA reports

Fake profiles and throw-away devices are transforming social media into a cyber criminal marketplace, a fraud report reveals Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Application and device security under the spotlight

The security of internet-connected devices and associated applications has become a significant concern, prompting suggestions legislation may be required, while the UK government’s recent Secure by Design review suggests several solutions, including legislative measures Continue Reading

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• Peter Ray Allison

Skills shortage a major cyber security risk

Skill shortages remain a major risk to long-term information security capability and business is still struggling to defend against cyber breaches – but it is getting better at dealing with them, an IISP survey shows Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Legit tools exploited in bank heists

Cyber criminals attacking the finance and other industry sector are continuing to exploit legitimate administration tools to hide their activities, highlighting the need for threat hunting, a report reveals Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Security researchers find fourth CPU flaw

Security researchers have reported another flaw in common microprocessor chips related to the Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

GDPR is here – are you ready?

The EU’s new data protection regulation, GDPR, comes into force this week. In this edition of Computer Weekly, we ask if companies are ready for it and look at what happens if you’re not yet compliant. Our latest buyer’s guide examines digital transformation and the role of the CIO. And we find out how technology is changing the traditional sport of cricket. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Finland government examines centralised cyber defence

The Finnish government is attempting to centralise its fight against increasing cyber threats to its infrastructure Continue Reading

By

• Gerard O'Dwyer

Pen testers find weaknesses in banks’ cyber security

Humans are the biggest weakness in banks’ cyber defences, but there are several others that also need attention, penetration testers have revealed Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

UK government promises laws to police 'Wild West Internet'

UK government plans laws to make online activity safer after green paper reveals more needs to be done to protect citizens Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

APAC organisations could lose $1.75tn from cyber attacks

A study by Frost and Sullivan has found that losses from cyber security incidents could account for 7% of the region’s GDP in 2017 Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, Informa TechTarget

NCSC calls for greater interaction with UK business

The UK’s cyber security agency has called for greater interaction with business, particularly when it comes to cyber security incidents Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

BYOD in UK SMEs linked to security incidents

Bring your own device practices have been identified as a cyber security risk for six in 10 SMEs in research published a week ahead of the GDPR compliance deadline Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

E-commerce in APAC is thriving, but so is online fraud

E-commerce in Asia-Pacific is booming, with 71% of consumers in the region already shopping online. But so is the risk of fraud, with one in five consumers falling victim, according to new report ... Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, Informa TechTarget

Report highlights security risk of open source code to business

Increased adoption of open source code is introducing vulnerabilities into commercial software, with many audited codebases containing the Apache Struts flaw that enabled the Equifax breach, a report shows Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

GDPR impact on Whois data raising concern

The negative impact of the GDPR on internet domain registration information is raising concern in cyber security circles because the data is key to cyber crime fighting operations Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

European cyber attacks up nearly a third in first quarter 2018

The volume of cyber attacks hitting digital transactions in Europe was up by almost a third in the first quarter of 2018 compared with same period a year ago, a report reveals Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

US considers UK-style cyber defence model

The US is considering adopting a similar cyber defence model to the UK’s in recognition of the growing threat to all levels of society Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

SMEs more worried about GDPR’s threat to reputation than fines

SMEs are more worried about the damage GDPR non compliance will do to their reputations than their wallets Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Credential theft a top priority, Rapid 7 report shows

Credential theft is still a top priority for organisations to address in terms of making it more difficult for cyber attackers to gain unauthorised access to their networks, report reveals Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Cross-site scripting a top vulnerability, hackers find

Despite the much-publicised advances in cyber attack techniques, a well-known, well-documented and avoidable vulnerability is still the most popular for attackers to exploit – along with others like it that are often overlooked, white hat hackers reveal Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Cage director Rabbani heads for Supreme Court after appeals court rules password demands lawful

Muhammad Rabbani, director of campaigning group Cage, will appeal to the Supreme Court after Court of Appeal rules that police did not act unlawfully by demanding his computer and mobile phone passwords under Section 7 of the Terrorism Act Continue Reading

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• Bill Goodwin, Investigations Editor

Enterprise cyber threat remediation ineffective, study shows

Enterprise cyber threat remediation needs to improve in several key areas, according to an analysis of common remediation strategies Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

BSI launches kitemark for internet of things devices

The British Standards Institution has launched a new kitemark for IoT devices, designed to improve consumer trust in the technology Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Will government IT be ready for Brexit?

In this week’s Computer Weekly, as the UK government struggles to get new IT systems up and running before Brexit, we examine the challenges ahead and the departments with the biggest problems. We look at serverless computing and ask why this emerging cloud technology is so important for IT leaders. And we discuss the latest best practice in mobile strategy for SMEs. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

No need to panic about Efail attacks

Initial reports about vulnerabilities in email encryption technologies have urged organisations to disable encryption tools, but some security experts are taking a more balanced approach Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Technology continues to transform crime, warns NCA

The UK’s National Crime Agency warns that developments in technology will continue to transform the future crime landscape, in its latest report on serious and organised crime Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

IoT and personal devices pose huge security risk to enterprises

After years of speculation about the risk IoT and personal devices pose to enterprise security, research has revealed the threat is “immense” and probably greater than most firms realise Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

WannaCry’s EternalBlue exploit still a threat

A year after the global WannaCry attacks, the EternalBlue exploit that was a key enabler for the malware is still a threat to many organisations, and many UK firms have not taken action, security researchers warn Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Do ISPs need to do more to protect their users from scams?

Are Britain’s internet service providers (ISPs) coming up short when it comes to helping their less tech-savvy users protect themselves against the scourge of telephone scams and online fraud? In a ... Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Citrix touts digital workspace app in services play

Software supplier Citrix’s cloud-based workspace app is part of its efforts to deliver integrated services that support the modern workplace Continue Reading

By

• Beverley Head

Hacking the internet of things just got easier – it’s time to look at your security

Are you taking security for internet-connected devices seriously enough? Continue Reading

By

• Dan Mosca, PA Consulting

CW Benelux: Rotterdam charts course to become world’s smartest port

The Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands is using internet of things and artificial intelligence technology from IBM in a bid to become the world’s smartest port. Also read how companies in the Netherlands are only partly ready for the country’s version of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and why the European Central Bank thinks cash will remain in use in the Eurozone for a very long time. Continue Reading

CNI providers face hefty fines for cyber security failings

UK providers of critical national infrastructure face hefty fines for cyber security failings from 10 May 2018 Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Equifax breach lessons not learned

Businesses are still downloading vulnerable versions of the software that was at the heart of the Equifax data breach and failing to update to safe versions, a security firm has revealed Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Breach disclosure time still high, report shows

Companies are getting faster at disclosing breaches, but the average is still too high in the light of the GDPR and other breach disclosure regulations, a report shows Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Security Think Tank: Five tips for killing the campers on your network

Why is reducing cyber attacker dwell time important and how should this be tackled? Continue Reading

By

• Adrian Davis, (ISC)²

Nigerian cyber attackers up their game

Nigerian cyber attackers have modernised their approach to cyber crime, security researchers warn Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Financial sector cyber-related laws are a bellwether, says Deloitte

As the regulatory landscape becomes more complex, organisations should look to the financial sector to see what else is coming, as well as focus on three key areas of GDPR compliance, according to Deloitte Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Majority of security professionals favour shorter disclosure deadline

Google’s Project Zero unit’s 90-day deadline for software suppliers to disclose vulnerabilities has always been controversial, but a survey reveals that most security professionals feel even that is too long Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Security Think Tank: More time equals more opportunity for cyber attackers

Why is reducing cyber attacker dwell time important and how should this be tackled? Continue Reading

By

• Rory Alsop

Security pros must avoid hype, demonstrate value, says RBS CISO

Security professionals must avoid over-hyping cyber threats, and penetration testers need to reinvent themselves to demonstrate value to businesses to remain relevant, says RBS CISO Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Twitter password security bug underlines need for industry change

Twitter has revealed that a bug in its systems resulted in some passwords being stored in a log in clear text, underlining the need for alternative authentication methods, say industry commentators Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst