Every organization should invest in cyber security, it’s the job of the CISO to present a convincing business case. A case should give insight in why an investment is necessary, but also why it’s beneficial. By adopting a “security first” perspective, compliance is often automatically covered. To properly complete this business case and help CISOs get started, we’ve set out the following steps:

1. Conduct a full audit

First, it’s important to conduct a full audit of the current security measures, the policy and any gaps or areas that need improvement. Look at where confidential and sensitive data is stored and who has access to it. Not all data have the same impact or level of risk. It’s wise to investigate this properly so you can use the available budgets as efficiently as possible. Internal threats are common and the risks of possible data leaks that are caused by it through malicious or even careless employees are often underestimated. The process of an audit is time-consuming but necessary to get a full view of the safety measures that already exist.

Want to know more about how to approach this? Our experts are ready to answer your questions.

A large proportion of the working people have been working from home for the past two years. This means a large part of the business conversations and activities took place online. While this way of working had positive effects, it also opened the door for data leaks and cybercrime. In this article we’ll tell you everything about ransomware, what it is, how it works and what you can do against it.

What is malware?

Malware is an umbrella term for software like viruses, spyware, and Trojan horses. Malware usually ends up on a computer or network when employees click on a link or document that contains this software. Because many organizations’ work traffic has been from home in recent years, we are seeing an increase in malware attacks.

What is ransomware?

Ransomware is a form of malware. This form of malware ensures that people within the organization can no longer access important documents or processes that are essential to keep the organization running. Often a large ransom is demanded from the organization to regain access, hence the name. Here are some more types of ransomware that hackers can use:

• Screen locker ransomware: A form of ransomware that blocks the access to your screen.
• PIN locker ransomware: This one changes the pin code of your device, so you can no longer log in.
• Disk coding ransomware: This form of ransomware encrypts the Master Boot Record and other (file) system structures. As a result, you no longer have access to the operating system. As a result, you no longer have access to the operating system.
• Crypto ransomware: This is a pesky type of ransomware because it encrypts all user files on the disk.

How to protect your organization from ransomware?

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to completely rule out a ransomware attack. The right security software and security measurements, however, go a long way. The most important aspect on how to survive a ransomware attack is timing. The earlier you intervene, the better. The above tips help detect and combat an attack early. We’d like to emphasise it once more: regular backups will significantly reduce the impact of a ransomware attack!

Want to know more about the impact of ransomware attacks on your company or how you can better protect important data against cybercriminals? Please contact one of our experts. We are happy to help!

What is a DDoS-aanval? Perhaps one of the most asked cyber security related questions of the year. To get straight to the point: DDoS is the short hand for ‘Distributed Denial of Service’. This is an attack hackers use to temporarily take systems or applications offline. In this article we’ll take a deep dive into the world of DDoS attacks and tell you exactly how to protect your organization against such an attack.

What is a DDoS attack?

When a big amount of traffic gets send towards a network or server it hinders its operation. In the worst case the network or server stops working altogether. This is why the term ‘Distributed Denial of Service’ is used, a network or server is unable to deliver services. That’s exactly what the perpetrator wants. Unfortunately, an online DDoS attack can be staged by anyone. Whether that is to outsmart a competitor, prevent access to specific data or information or simply to nag someone out of revenge. When professional cyber criminals perform a DDoS attack it’s usually with the goal of getting money. DDoS ‘attacks’ can also be caused when too many people try to get access to a website at the same time. This often happens with concert tickets and limited offers. This does not necessarily qualify as an attack but can have the same effect.

The tips above are just a few examples that showcase how you can protect your organization against DDoS attacks. There are countless other measures you can take. Take a look at our tips to protect your business. Want to know more? Contact one of the OpenSight experts.

Cybercrime is becoming an increasingly important topic in the business world. However, companies are only partially aware of the consequences. With the necessary risks involved. At OpenSight, we understand better than anyone that keeping up with cyber threats can be a complex task. But ignoring the risks puts the business at risk. Avoiding risk requires a combination of technology, strong policies, and employee training. In this article, read how integrating AI can help better protect your business.

Prevent cyberattacks with AI

In the last two years over 70% of Dutch organizations have had to deal with cyberattacks. Many of these organizations rely only on standard solutions and software to protect their networks and data. Fortunately, opportunities to better protect ourselves are growing. AI and machine learning are great examples of this. There is a big difference between the traditional, conventional solutions, and AI. With traditional solutions, for example, you can only detect malware that the software already knows. New malware? That’s a problem. It is, of course, possible to update the software, but there is a downside: the software must be constantly up-to-date. If you forget this once, you’re still at risk to becoming a victim of a cyber-attack.

With AI and machine learning things are different. These self-learning algorithms keep improving and developing constantly. This allows the software to recognize malware by the way it behaves, without depending on an update. When something unnatural happens on a device, this change is immediately noticed.

Using AI and machine learning

As you can see, AI and machine learning make it possible to tighten companies the security processes. Continuous improvement, faster detection of threats and overall better security. Curious about the possibilities? Contact one of our experts!

Phishing Mails and domain name fraud are becoming more common. Not only has the frequency of these cyber hacks increased enormously, but hackers are also becoming more agile. As a logical response, we see that companies and organizations want to take action. But where to start? Fortunately, useful tools are available to help prevent phishing and CEO fraud. Mail Spectator is one of those tools. We’ll tell you more.

About phishing

The word phishing is somewhat similar to the word fishing. With phishing we then also mean the act of fishing for personal information and data from other people. Although we are warned daily about phishing, such as through our bank or from the government, emails from hackers seem to get more realistic. The chance that employees fall into the trap of a phishing email is therefore quite high.

Better security with Mail Spectator

A safe environment to work in is essential for employees to do their job well. It’s crucial that risks such as phishing and domain fraud are kept to a minimum. Mail Spectator can help you with this. Curious about the possibilities? Contact one of our experts!

An error in a company’s software or hardware seems like small mistake. Unfortunately, The impact is a lot bigger. If there is a vulnerability in the system, it is exposed to various risks, which means that it can be exploited. With Vulnerability Management, you prevent unnecessary risks and protect both the company’s software and hardware. In this article we tell you more about the benefits and possibilities of Vulnerability Management.

Why Vulnerability Management?

With Vulnerability Management, you detect vulnerabilities in the network in a timely manner. By being there in time, a plan can be made to mitigate the vulnerability and you reduce the chances of a cyber attack. But there are other reasons why you should choose Vulnerability Management.

Get started with Vulnerability Management

If you get started with Vulnerability Management, you will get a grip on your business. Just keep in mind that many vulnerabilities are exposed in the beginning and that this can be quite confronting. It’s important to remain calm and to tackle the vulnerabilities step by step. Do you want to know more about how to do that exactly? Contact one of our experts! We’re happy to help!

Topics such as cybersecurity and governance play an increasingly important role in our society. Our daily life increasingly takes place online, whether business or personal. This means new risks and new challenges for organizations dealing with sensitive data and information from both employees and customers. Cyber attacks happen daily, whether it’s obtaining passwords or bank details or CEO/CFO fraud in which case a malicious individual poses as the CEO/CFO. Well-trained employees recognize these types of issues immediately and thus prevent damage. Is your organization well prepared for these risks?

Are you aware of the dangers?

Although more attention is paid to a safe digital workplace, cybercrime continues to increase. The number one cause? Human mistakes. Human employees are the organisation’s weak link when it comes to security. That’s why it’s important to make employees aware of the risks and dangers of cybercrime and make them aware of what they themselves can do to keep company data safe.

Want to know more or apply awareness training yourself?

Creating security awareness starts with good conversation and a few essential questions. OpenSight is happy to help you with this. Where is the organization at risk? What are the current priorities when it comes to cybersecurity? Together we look at which issues should be tackled first. Contact us and prevent your staff from falling victim to a cyberattack or hack.

Cybercrime is an increasing concern for organizations everywhere. A large part of the working population has worked from home in the past two years and is continuing to do so. Because of this, many business conversations and activities have taken and are taking place online. This opens a window for data breaches, leaking of sensitive data or worse: cybercrime. In this article you can read about the most common cybersecurity risks for organizations and how these risks can be minimized or even avoided.

Malware

Malware is an umbrella term for software like viruses, spyware, and Trojan horses. Malware usually ends up on a computer or network when employees click on a link or document that contains this software. Because the work traffic of many organizations has been from home in recent years, we have seen an increase in malware attacks. The name malware comes from the two words “malicious” and “software”.

Tips to prevent a cyber attack

As an organization, there’s multiple things that can help prevent a cyberattack. Below a few tips:

Make staff aware of the risks

One of the easiest but most important things you can do is making all employees aware of the security risks when they must handle sensitive data or log on to sensitive systems. Train employees and teach them the basic principles of cyber security. This includes creating strong passwords, raising awareness about various phishing techniques, and keeping important security software up to date.

Use safety tools

There are many different tools and programs that can help organizations improve their security. Two-step verification is an easy-to-implement tool that prevents hackers from gaining access to the system. It’s also advisable to use a firewall to keep snoopers out. Another simple tip: make sure the computers used by employees are always up to date. There are plenty of tools, so use them!

Invest in a cybersecurity expert

Our last tip: Hire a cybersecurity expert. These experts can train employees, look at the cybersecurity protocols and, where necessary, think along with the digital transformation of an organization. After all, a well-thought-out plan is the basis for rock-solid security.

Risk management in cybersecurity is an essential process for any organization seeking to protect its digital assets from threats. The world is getting increasingly dependent on technology, and the need for robust cyber security measurements is growing. In this blog we discuss the risk management approach in cyber security and how it can help organizations to protect themselves from cyber threats.

By taking a risk-based approach to data and systems security, companies can strike the right balance between risk and reward to achieve their goals. Effective cybersecurity risk management ensures that the organization’s technology, systems, and information are adequately secured, focusing resources on the most critical areas. By embedding a robust risk management approach throughout the organization, companies can effectively manage cyber security risks while complementing their overall risk management strategy.

What is risk management for cyber security?

Cyber security risk management is a process that revolves around identifying, assessing, and prioritizing cyber security risks, and the implementation of strategies to minimize these risks. The goal is to enable organizations to make informed decisions about the level of risk they are willing to accept and take appropriate measures to protect their digital assets.

Risk management is an ongoing process that involves identifying, assessing, and managing risks throughout the organization. This process is critical to ensuring that the organization’s cyber security strategy is aligned with overall business goals and objectives.

Benefits of a risk management approach in cyber security

A well-executed risk management process can have many benefits for an organization, for example:

• Improved security.
  By establishing and assessing potential risks, an organization can implement fitting controls and security measures to protect its assets and improve its overall security posture.
• Improved compliance with regulations
  A risk-based approach to cyber security can help organizations comply with various regulations and standards such as GDPR, PCI-DSS, ISO 27001 and others.
• Lower costs
  By focussing on the most critical risks and implementing appropriate controls, an organization can reduce the overall cost of cyber security while ensuring that resources are assigned in the most effective manner.
• Increased resilience
  Effective risk management can improve an organization’s ability to respond to and recover from cyber incidents and ensure that the organization can continue to function and deliver its services even in the face of cyber threats.
• Increased stakeholder confidence
  Effective risk management for cyber security can increase stakeholder confidence in an organization’s ability to protect its assets and maintain the confidentiality, integrity and availability of its information.

It’s important to take the broader context into account with managing cybersecurity risks. This means understanding your business priorities and goals and aligning cyber risk management with those goals. By thinking about the risks you’re willing to take with technology to achieve your goals, you can make informed decisions about cyber security risk management.

Effective management is essential for well-functioning risk management. This means that you understand how managing and communicating cyber risk fits within existing governance structures that manage other types of business risks. Your approach to cyber risk management must be effectively governed and tailored to the specific needs of your organization.

It’s also crucial to ensure that your organization has an adequate policy that outlines the risk management strategy for the organization, integrating cyber security considerations into other organizational policies where appropriate. The board must collectively understand the importance of cyber security in supporting the organization’s overall goals and have the necessary information to make informed and timely decisions.

Effective communication is a crucial aspect

• Articulate your approach
  To effectively communicate cyber risk and risk management, it’s crucial to clearly articulate your approach to staff and decision makers. This ensures that they understand how cyber security risks are managed and are better able to make informed decisions.
• Coordinated communication.
  It’s also important to ensure that your communication about cyber risks is aligned with how your organization communicates about other types of risks, such as legal or financial risks. This can help integrate cyber security risk management into the organization’s broader risk management strategy.
• Clear and sensible use of language.
  Clear and sensible use of language is important when communicating about cyber risks. Every label or score must be explained properly in order to avoid misinterpretations and misconceptions. For example, using an “average” risk label without clear criteria for what that means can lead to inconsistent interpretations within the organization. By communicating in a clear way and by using sensible language, you can ensure that everyone within your organization has a consistent understanding of cyber risk and risk management.

How to improve your Risk Management Framework.

• Continuous and iterative
  It’s important to remember that risk management is continuous and iterative. As technology and the business environment continue to evolve, threats and opportunities may change. Risk management approaches must adapt accordingly.
• Review risks regularly
  Regularly reviewing risks is important in order to ensure that the methods chosen to manage them remain effective and appropriate.. You should be especially vigilant in reviewing risk assessments when significant changes occur such as a shift in the threats an organization faces or changes in the technology used to deliver and manage a system or service.
• Regular evaluation of methods, frameworks and tools
  In addition to evaluating risks, it is also important to regularly review the methods, frameworks and tools used for risk management. These must remain effective within the business context and appropriate for the ever-changing landscape of cybersecurity and threats. By continuously improving their approach to risk management, organizations can ensure that they are better equipped to effectively manage cyber risks.

Conclusion

In short: risk management in terms of cyber security is vital for protecting organisations against cyber threats. A risk-based approach enables organizations to identify, assess and prioritize risks and apply strategies to mitigate or reduce these risks. By adopting a risk management approach to cyber security, organizations can make informed decisions about their cyber security strategy, improve their cyber security posture and reduce the likelihood of a successful cyber attack.

OpenSight Summer Series

During the OpenSight Summer Series, we publish weekly blogs that elaborate on the following topics:

1. Risk management
2. Engagement and training
3. Asset management
4. Architecture and configuration
5. Vulnerability management
6. Identity and access management
7. Information security
8. Logging and monitoring
9. Incident management
10. Supply chain security

By implementing the security measures outlined in these ten steps, organizations can reduce the likelihood of cyberattacks and lessen the impact of potential incidents.Learn more about the OpenSight Summer Series here!