In today’s digital landscape, cyber security is crucial to protect sensitive data, prevent financial losses, maintain your privacy, and safeguard yourself against cyber threats and attacks. The methods used by hackers and cyber criminals, however, are constantly evolving, and it can be hard keeping up with them. This is why businesses are increasingly turning to Security Operations Centres (SOCs) and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, which, when used simultaneously, are a powerful way to detect cyber threats in real time, respond to attacks, and significantly enhance your cyber security posture.

One of the most effective ways of monitoring your network for possible threats is by using a SOC. In fact, 40% of IT professionals classed their SOC as very important to their organisation’s overall cyber security strategy. In a previous blog, we outlined the biggest benefits of investing in a SOC for your business. In simple terms, SOCs are responsible for monitoring and analysing security events, detecting and responding to cyber threats, conducting incident investigations, implementing security measures, performing vulnerability assessments, managing security incidents, and ensuring the overall security of an organisation’s systems – and its data. Within SOCs, SOC analysts play a crucial role. Their knowledge of the latest attack techniques and tools, as well as potential vulnerabilities, help them detect threats that automated systems may miss. They use this knowledge to make informed decisions and neutralise threats before they can cause damage, making them essential in any organisation’s cyber defence strategy.

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems are one of the most powerful tools when it comes to cyber security, helping organisations to aggregate and analyse security event data. More and more organisations are using SIEMs – according to the 2022 SIEM Report from Cybersecurity Insiders, 90% of those surveyed said they either used SIEM or were planning to. They provide a centralised platform, collecting logs from various sources including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and servers, giving security professionals comprehensive visibility. The core capabilities of SIEMs include log management, event correlation, and real-time monitoring, giving security teams the ability to identify patterns, detect anomalies, and respond swiftly to potential threats. These systems enhance threat detection by correlating events across different sources and generating actionable alerts. They also aid in incident response, providing contextual information and facilitating forensic investigations. SIEMs can help organisations manage compliance, and aid in regulatory adherence. Some of the most popular SIEM solutions on the market today include Splunk, AT&T Cybersecurity, and Elastic SIEM.

Using SOCs and SIEMs together is pivotal for any organisation looking for a robust cyber security system. SIEMs can act as a centralised data source for SOCs, giving SOC analysts all the logs and event data they’d need for threat detection and incident response. SOCs, meanwhile, can leverage the technical capabilities of SIEMs to help them tackle cyber threats, using analytics and real-time monitoring. SOC analysts can use SIEM tools to hunt for potential threats, investigate incidents, and respond quickly and efficiently. Integrating SIEM data with SOC workflows helps streamline your business, giving you the ability to improve your threat visibility, detect incidents far more quickly, and enhance your cyber security framework.

Despite the benefits of using both SOCs and SIEM technologies, there can be challenges – the biggest of which are allocating resources and training staff. Only the largest organisations, for example, are able to afford fully-staffed SOC and a robust SIEM. While many organisations would have a SIEM in place before setting up a SOC, the SOC analysts may have difficulty keeping up with the number of cyber threat alerts generated by the SIEM – and some may even be false alerts. On the other hand, SIEM solutions may miss some threats. While they can automatically detect attacks, these abilities are based on rules and existing patterns, so they could fail to detect new threats or ones that don’t match the predefined rules.

SOC analysts might also have difficulty managing the number of alerts generated by the SIEM. Some may be false alerts, making it even more difficult for the SOC team to respond to cyber security incidents effectively. In Sumo Logic’s 2020 State of SecOps and Automation Report, they reported 56% of large companies received more than 1,000 security alerts each day, with 93% of them unable to address every alert. The best way for organisations to overcome these challenges is by aligning processes and establishing clear communication channels, as well as regularly evaluating their SOC-SIEM integration to optimise its benefits.

Costs shouldn’t stand in the way of organisations making use of SOCs and SIEMs, too, as businesses like ourselves at Infosec K2K offer Managed SOC services. By outsourcing your SOC needs, you can be sure of 24/7 protection – our team of experts based in the UK and India can monitor your network and respond to any threats around the clock, with our Fully Managed SOC. With our Hybrid or Co-Managed SOC services, on the other hand, we can work closely with your existing IT team and infrastructure to offer 24/7 support. Whatever your needs are, we can find the right SOC for you – and if the above solutions don’t meet your needs, we’ll work with you to create a Customised SOC to suit your budget and business. We also provide services powered by our cyber security partners, such as AT&T Cybersecurity. Their SIEM solution, USM Anywhere, centralises the monitoring of networks and devices whether they’re in the cloud, on premises, or in remote locations. USM Anywhere automatically collects data and analyses your network, with automated threat detection powered by AT&T Alien Labs. This gives businesses new security capabilities, and is more cost-effective than other solutions, with comprehensive features including user activity monitoring, vulnerability scanning, and log storage.

Integrating SOCs and SIEMs is vital for businesses who are looking to safeguard their cyber security. While both are valuable tools, they have drawbacks, but these can be prevented if they’re both used together. By adopting a more integrated approach, organisations can effectively detect and respond to evolving cyber threats.

Whatever solution you’re looking for, we can help. The experts at Infosec K2K can offer you specialist guidance, and help you find the product that’s the best fit for you.

Get in touch with us to find out more about how we can help you.

In the ever-changing world of cyber threats, Identity and Access Management (IAM) has become a vital concern for organisations. IAM plays a crucial role in securing networks and controlling user access, as cyber attackers often exploit compromised credentials. At Infosec K2K, we specialise in cyber security and IAM and recognise the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the field, particularly in enhancing IAM capabilities.

IAM is essential for cyber security as it ensures that only authorised individuals can access an organisation’s sensitive systems and data. By implementing IAM, organisations can enforce strong authentication mechanisms, manage user privileges, monitor activities for suspicious behaviour, and respond promptly to security incidents. IAM mitigates the risk of insider threats and unauthorised access.

But, there are still challenges when it comes to implementing IAM. Due to the need to integrate IAM with your organisation’s existing systems and legacy infrastructure, it can be complex. IAM solutions also need to be scalable – able to accommodate new systems and users. Addressing these challenges requires careful planning, and at Infosec K2K, our flexible pay-as-you-go model helps organisations accommodate the growing complexity of IAM without straining their resources, saving costs and expanding IAM capabilities as and when they’re needed.

AI algorithms, like the ones that power large language models like ChatGPT, can analyse vast amounts of user behaviour and data, and detect potential threats. This enables organisations to respond to unusual behaviour or suspicious login attempts. At the same time, hackers and cyber criminals are using AI technologies – they can train algorithms on the data that cyber security teams are on the lookout for, thus avoiding detection. Research and development in AI is important if IT teams want to stay ahead of their adversaries. IAM could be enhanced with AI, giving networks more protection. Alongside our partner, CyberArk, we offer complete and flexible IAM solutions. By using their identity management tools, organisations can better control who can access their network, monitor user behaviour, and deal with online threats.

Enhanced Authentication

AI helps organisations improve user verification, with more accurate and reliable methods based on unique characteristics, including biometric data such as fingerprints and voice patterns. AI-powered systems continuously learn and adapt, improving their accuracy over time and effectively thwarting spoofing attempts by cyber criminals.

Behavioural Analytics

By analysing users’ behaviour, AI algorithms assign risk scores to users, indicating the likelihood of their actions posing a threat. Using these, organisations can make more informed decisions. Users with low scores, for example, could be granted extensive access rights, while users with high scores may have their access restricted. Insider threats are one of the most significant security concerns for any organisation, as they involve individuals who already have access to sensitive data.

Streamlined User Provisioning

AI can automate user provisioning processes, reducing human error. CyberArk’s IAM tools allow organisations to manage users’ privileges from any location. Manual processes are prone to human error, but AI tools can streamline user provisioning. This reduces the administrative burden on IT teams and ensures access privileges align with users’ needs, mitigating the risks of privilege creep. Although, it’s not just hackers that organisations are worrying about – an IT worker in the UK was recently convicted of gaining unauthorised access to his company’s computer systems. He accessed private emails and blackmailed the company into paying him a ransom.

Ethical Considerations

Responsible use of AI and IAM requires addressing ethical considerations. Privacy is a major concern due to the collection and analysis of user data for authentication purposes. Organisations using AI and IAM must establish clear data privacy policies, inform users about data usage, and implement security measures to protect sensitive information. Bias is another important concern since AI systems and algorithms learn from historical data, and could perpetuate biases.

Robust Security Measures

Organisations should ensure security measures are in place to protect AI models. Cyber attacks can manipulate input data, reducing the effectiveness of AI-powered IAM systems, and compromising their security. Continuous monitoring of new cyber threats is important, as is updating AI models so they’re aware of new threats – vulnerabilities might be uncovered over time.

New advances and developments in AI are constantly being made, and emerging technologies like machine learning and deep learning could further enhance IAM. Machine learning algorithms can analyse huge amounts of data to detect potential threats, and are continuously learning. With IAM, these algorithms can trigger alerts and verify users’ identities. Deep learning, a more specialised subset of machine learning, can create complex neural networks that are capable of sophisticated analysis. These neural networks could be used for more advanced user authentication, such as facial recognition or biometrics.

In the fight against cyber crime, IAM has become increasingly important, addressing the need to manage users’ identities. By integrating AI into IAM solutions, organisations can enhance IAM’s capabilities and strengthen their authentication processes. IT professionals looking to reinforce their organisation’s cyber security posture should embrace IAM and AI simultaneously. At Infosec K2K, our team of cyber security specialists work with one of the leading IAM providers, CyberArk, to offer a range of comprehensive IAM solutions – which can be tailored to suit your needs. We understand the importance of monitoring users’ access rights and can offer you the tools you need to manage their access privileges with complete confidence.

Whatever solution you’re looking for, we can help. The experts at Infosec K2K can offer you specialist guidance, and help you find the product that’s the best fit for you.

Get in touch with us to find out more about how we can help you.

In our increasingly interconnected world, operational technology (OT) plays a pivotal role in powering critical infrastructure systems – including energy, transportation, manufacturing and healthcare. OT refers to the hardware and software that monitors and manages this infrastructure, and its importance can’t be overstated. Emerging cyber threats have left OT networks vulnerable, where robust security measures are urgently needed. Remote access security is a crucial defence mechanism, empowering organisations to defend OT from malicious actors. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits and challenges of remote access security, and offer our insights.

Emerging cyber threats have left OT networks vulnerable, thanks to technologies like cloud computing and IoT. Historically, OT systems were isolated from external networks, creating an extra layer of security. The integration of new technologies, however, has created vulnerabilities and attracted cyber criminals. Cyber attacks on OT are on the rise – in 2021, 93% of OT organisations experienced at least one breach. On average, data breaches on critical infrastructure companies cost $1 million (​​£785,000) more than other companies – but the financial cost isn’t the only downside. Criminals could disrupt critical services, steal sensitive data, and even cause physical damage, highlighting the importance of protecting OT infrastructure.

Remote access allows users to securely connect to local networks from anywhere in the world. In the case of OT, it allows users to monitor and manage OT systems from external locations, which is both more efficient and allows for improved maintenance processes. However this connectivity also creates potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited – remote access security ensures that only authorised individuals can access critical OT systems. According to Cyolo, 72% of organisations said the top reason for securing remote access was to enable third-party access. By ensuring these people are authorised, organisations can reduce the number of entry points into their systems.

By implementing remote access security solutions, organisations can defend their OT systems with stronger authentication and encrypted connections. Remote access security provides users with a range of tools and features, including multi-factor authentication, role-based access controls, and advanced encryption protocols. These ensure users have real-time monitoring and logging abilities, to detect cyber threats more efficiently – and deal with them before they can become an issue.

More and more businesses are turning to remote access security solutions – 96% of business leaders have recognised the need to invest in OT cyber security. Before implementing measures like these, however, organisations should conduct a thorough risk assessment of their OT systems. This way, they can identify vulnerabilities, evaluate potential cyber threats, and determine their specific remote access security requirements. Selecting the appropriate solution is crucial to ensure compatibility with existing legacy systems – other factors to consider include scalability and ease of integration.

Organisations should follow cyber security best practices, like those outlined in the Fortinet 2023 State of OT and Cybersecurity Report, such as configuring firewalls, applying security patches promptly, and implementing secure encryption protocols. They should also establish clear remote access policies and protocols, covering everything from acceptable use and authentication requirements to incident response procedures. Employees should receive regular training on remote access security policies, so they understand the risks of a cyber attack as well as how to maintain a secure OT environment.

Implementing remote access security solutions in OT environments can present a number of challenges. When it comes to existing OT infrastructure, organisations should consider network segmentation and the compatibility of remote access security policies with existing control policies. It’s also vital that organisations with OT systems should prepare for the possibility of cyber attacks, developing incident response plans that outline users’ roles and responsibilities, and recovery procedures. Regular testing – and further refinement – of these plans is essential to ensure organisations can deal successfully with cyber threats.

At Infosec K2K, we offer robust remote access security solutions, and support organisations looking to protect their OT systems. We offer clients bespoke identity and access management (IAM) solutions, which can be tailored to each organisations’ specific needs, and ensure they have secure remote access to their OT systems as and when it’s needed. Our partners at Cyolo are a world-leading provider of remote access and identity-based security solutions, which can be easily integrated with existing OT infrastructure. With our help, we can ensure organisations have strong authentication mechanisms in place, reducing the risk of unauthorised access and preventing cyber attacks or breaches.

Defending OT from cyber threats is of paramount importance when it comes to safeguarding critical infrastructure systems, and remote access security can provide organisations with the tools they need to protect their OT systems and access them safely and securely. Organisations can significantly reduce the number of vulnerabilities in their OT infrastructure, and by investing in remote access security solutions, can ensure the uninterrupted operation of vital infrastructure.

Whatever solution you’re looking for, we can help. The experts at Infosec K2K can offer specialist guidance, and help you find the product that’s the best fit for you.

Get in touch with us to find out more about how we can help you.

Cyber threats have become increasingly sophisticated in today’s ever-evolving cyber security landscape, with new threats constantly being uncovered. One of the most recent threats to hit the headlines has been a zero-day vulnerability in VMware ESXi, which has been exploited by a Chinese state-sponsored hacking group. The cyber criminals have been able to take advantage of this weakness and backdoor Windows and Linux virtual machines (VM) hosted on compromised ESXi hosts, enabling them to steal critical data. This attack underscores the importance of robust internet security, and why businesses and individuals alike should consider turning to Identity and Access Management (IAM) services.

Earlier this month, the cyber security firm Mandiant revealed that a Chinese hacking group known as UNC3886 had escalated their online actions, and begun exploiting the vulnerability in VMware ESXi. They were able to deploy VirtualPita and VirtualPie backdoors, bypass authentication, and gain command of both Windows and Linux VMs. By exploiting this vulnerability, which has a ‘low severity’ rating according to VMware, the hacking group has shown that no platform is immune to their activities. Even the seemingly impenetrable Windows and Linux VMs can be compromised. Once they were able to gain access to VMS, they could give unauthorised users remote access, leading to loss of control and data breaches.

Identity security has always been a key component when it comes to cyber security, but recent threats like the VMware ESXi vulnerability have highlighted its significance. At its core, identity security is all about protecting the access rights and credentials of all users within a network or system, and ensuring they can access the correct files and networks that they’ve been authorised to use. If these access rights and credentials were to fall into the wrong hands, then it would have serious consequences. Protecting your identity online – and the security of your network – has become paramount. In fact, in the case of the VMware ESXi vulnerability, the hackers were able to exploit the systems precisely because they had access to the user identities. Robust security measures, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), encryption, and even biometric verification, can ensure only the right people can access sensitive information. Preventing unauthorised access helps to instil trust and confidence in online interactions, strengthening your cyber security framework and preserving your organisation’s integrity – which is why we at Infosec K2K offer these services and more.

We’ve seen the damage that cyber criminals can do at many organisations around the globe, and understand the importance of securing Identity & Access Management (IAM) at your organisation. We provide comprehensive IAM solutions, which are tailored to protect our clients against emerging cyber threats. Our solutions are designed not only to manage and protect user identities, but also ensure that all of the proper access controls, authentications, and authorisations are in place – and that your framework meets all the correct regulatory requirements.

We understand each organisation has unique needs, and therefore requires a bespoke approach when it comes to IAM. We have a team of experts working closely with our clients to understand their needs and design and implement IAM solutions that are perfectly suited to them – and with teams in both the UK and India, we can offer round-the-clock support. To further emphasise our commitment to your cyber security, Infosec K2K is currently offering a free health check for any organisation’s cyber security framework. Our experts will carry out an extensive audit, alerting you to any potential vulnerabilities you may have – and recommending measures to fortify your defences. At Infosec K2K, we believe in proactive prevention rather than reacting to cyber attacks. With this health check, we can identify weaknesses before they can be exploited, and safeguard you from potential breaches and attacks.

The rise of sophisticated cyber threats – like UNC3886 exploiting the VMware ESXi vulnerability recently – has emphasised the importance of IAM solutions. At Infosec K2K, we stand ready to help protect your network, offering a free cyber security health check and comprehensive IAM solutions. It’s time to take a step towards a more secure digital identity

Get in touch with us to find out more about how we can help you.

The global cyber security sector has grown rapidly over the past few years. Thanks to the new technological innovations, our increased reliance on digital systems, and the ever-evolving tactics and tools of cyber criminals, cyber security has become essential in protecting our sensitive information and preventing cyber attacks. However, despite this, the field is facing a significant challenge that could pose a threat to our cyber security.

The cyber security industry is currently facing a talent shortage crisis. In the US alone, there are currently over 700,000 unfilled positions in the cyber security field. This shortage is due to several factors, including an increase in technological advancement and reliance, a lack of formal cyber security education and training programs, and a lack of diversity in the talent pool.

One of the main factors contributing to the talent shortage in cyber security is the increasing demand for cyber security professionals. The rapid rate of technological advancement and the increasing reliance on technology means that there is an ever-growing demand for cyber security professionals. More businesses and individuals require cyber security services to protect their digital assets from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. This demand is only likely to increase as technology becomes more integrated into daily life, creating further cyber security risks.

Another contributing factor is the lack of formal cyber security education and training programs leading to a limited pool of qualified candidates. While there are many cyber security certifications available, there are few formal education programs that provide comprehensive training. This makes it difficult for individuals to gain the desired skills needed to enter the industry and for businesses to find qualified candidates.

Finally, the industry’s reputation for being male-dominated and lacking diversity may be turning away potential candidates. Women and people of colour are underrepresented in the cyber security industry, making up only a small percentage of the workforce. This not only limits the number of qualified candidates but also contributes to a lack of innovative thinking and problem-solving within the industry.

To combat the talent shortage crisis, cyber security recruiters must focus on recruitment and retention strategies. One way to do this is by offering competitive salaries and benefits packages. This can help to attract qualified candidates and retain existing employees. Businesses should also consider offering flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options, to help make the industry more accessible. Another way businesses can retain existing employees is to offer upskilling programmes. This is a great way to offer professional growth and development while also ensuring that the current workforce is kept up to date with the dynamic landscape of technological innovation. Access to upskilling programmes is also a great way to attract new talent who may have less experience in the field and can benefit from on the job training.

Another approach to addressing the talent shortage is to create a more diverse and inclusive industry. This can be achieved by actively recruiting women and people of colour, as well as creating mentorship and networking opportunities for underrepresented groups. Businesses should also work to create a culture of inclusivity and diversity within the workplace to attract a wider range of candidates. Employee resource groups are a great way to foster a spirit of inclusivity in the workplace as well as participating in cyber professional networking events for women and people of colour.

In addition to these strategies, the cyber security industry as a whole must take responsibility for nurturing and encouraging new talent. This can be achieved by partnering with educational institutions to create formal cyber security education and training programs. Businesses can also offer internships and mentorship programs to help students and new graduates gain the skills and experience needed to enter the industry. As a step to start implementing these measures, Infosec K2K are currently developing a university program for selected universities in India. The program will provide cyber security training to students as a formal course for university credit.

Made up of an experienced team of cyber security consultants, technicians and engineers specialising in identity and access management and general cyber security consulting, our understanding of the cyber security market is unparalleled.

Our vast range of consulting services is designed to ensure optimal protection for your systems, and for your teams. From vulnerability management, pen testing, breach mitigation and attack simulations all the way up to large-scale security operations centres, we tailor our solution to your business’s unique security needs.

Get in touch with us to find out more about how we can help you.

The Privileged Access Management (PAM) market has grown a lot in recent years. According to Statista, the global PAM market was worth $1.4 billion (£1.1 billion) dollars in 2018, and it’s forecast to be worth around $2.9 billion (£2.4 billion) by 2024.

Verizon’s 2021 Data Breach Investigations Report showed that 61% of data leaks involved privileged credentials and information, so it’s no surprise that more and more businesses are choosing to address cybersecurity risks and integrate PAM technologies into their cyber defences. The PAM market’s continuing to evolve, though, and two years after their last report, KuppingerCole has given us a snapshot of today’s PAM market. Read on for our two cents on the latest changes.

As we’ve already mentioned, the PAM market is growing fast. It’s attracting new players, and there are now more PAM and PAM-capable vendors (there are 25 in total) than ever before. New companies are entering the market, but many have launched with highly-focused PAM apps instead of suits, and are often cloud-native. The number of PAM solutions is growing despite the consolidations that have been happening recently – one of the current leaders in the market, for example, is Delinea, which was formed through the merger of Thycotic and Centrify.

One of the biggest players still standing is our partner, CyberArk, which KuppingerCole named once again as an Overall Privileged Access Management Leader in their latest report. Not only has it never been acquired or merged, but it’s publicly traded rather than owned by private equity. Kuppingercole noted in their report that CyberArk has one of the widest support levels for platforms and deployments, and has been investing heavily in R&D lately, adding new features and capabilities including Dynamic Privileged Access.

Despite the presence of bigger businesses like CyberArk and Delinea, which offer every kind of PAM solution, the market has seen a lot of innovation and diversification. The market is currently split between the end-to-end PAM offerings from the bigger players, and the newcomers, who are smaller and more specialised. These vendors focus on one specific area – like DevOps or database access, for example – and we’re seeing more and more of these coming into the market.

The growth of PAM is being fueled by more and more businesses turning to multi-factor authentication (MFA) to protect their privileged data from data breaches or attacks. MFA systems use a combination of passwords, PINs, security questions, one-time passcodes, and even biometrics to authenticate users, and PAM can be used to add an extra layer of protection for the most privileged account users.

Every business is different, and they all have different cybersecurity needs. With more and more businesses moving to the cloud, there’s a greater need for PAM, but there’s not a one-fits-all solution. The proliferation and diversity of new PAM solutions out there can help all businesses to protect their privileged credentials and their data.

Emerging technologies – as well as changing requirements in the identity and access landscape – are leading to new functionalities for PAM solutions. One that’s becoming particularly prevalent, for example, is Customer Identity Access Management (CIAM). A more specialised version of traditional Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions , CIAM helps businesses to gather information on their customers. The main purpose of it is to help businesses manage customer identities, provide them with stronger cybersecurity, offer them an enhanced experience, and protect their users’ data at the same time. Both the bigger players and the more specialist providers have already begun introducing CIAM into their offerings. CIAM can be integrated with PAM solutions, giving privileged accounts the ability to access their customer data as and when they need it.

Managing privileged accounts can be challenging, particularly in cloud environments, and Cloud Infrastructure Entitlements Management (CIEM) looks set to change that. The complexity of modern cloud infrastructure has meant that businesses that have moved (or are in the process of moving) to the cloud are looking to improve their cloud infrastructure. They’re looking to reduce costs, improve their productivity, and use data better – and CIEM can solve some of the problems that PAM can’t.

CIEM helps businesses to manage the rights, permissions, and privileges for user identities in a cloud environment, making it easier for them to avoid risks such as privileges being higher – or lower – than they should be. With CIEM, IT and cybersecurity teams can ensure their cyber defences keep up with infrastructure changes.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that PAM is on the way out just yet. As Paul Fisher, the Senior Analyst and author of the KuppingerCole Leadership Compass, explained, “Traditional PAM is being slightly shifted right into more static areas of the business but is still fundamentally an important thing to have.” Some PAM vendors have even started offering capabilities that are similar to CIEM, to keep up with customer demand.

The changes in the global PAM market have meant things are improving for IT and cybersecurity teams. Customers have more and more choices now when it comes to PAM solutions, meaning that businesses of all sizes can find the right solution to fit their unique requirements – or simply opt for an all-in-one solution from one of the industry’s leaders.

Whatever solution you’re looking for, we can help. The experts at Infosec K2K can offer you specialist guidance, and help you find the product that’s the best fit for you.

Get in touch with us to find out more about how we can help you.

In the cybersecurity field, zero trust has gained a lot of attention in recent years, and for good reason. Cyber attacks are changing all the time, and becoming ever more sophisticated – and more frequent.

The more traditional perimeter-based security measures are no longer enough to protect businesses and organisations from cyber threats. Zero trust, meanwhile, takes a different approach – and just like the cyber threats it’s designed to combat, it’s also evolving. We’ve taken a look at some of the ways that zero trust security is set to develop over the next few years.

What Is Zero Trust?

Before looking at the future of zero trust security, we wanted to look to the past to understand why it matters. Put simply, it assumes that all devices, users, and applications are potentially dangerous, and requires users to continuously verify their identity before they can be authorised to use a network.

When it comes to implementing a Zero Trust approach to cyber security, there is one simple rule to follow: never trust, always verify

This approach helps organisations to both reduce their risk exposure and improve their security posture. A zero trust model is built on three key principles. First, organisations should assume that at all times, there are malicious actors trying to get into their network and access their files. Second, organisations should verify users, devices, and networks instead of trusting them implicitly – any device could have been hacked. Finally, all users and devices should only be given the authorisation they need to access the networks and files they need, to minimise the impact of any potential breach.

Trust in businesses’ networks has never been more important – the number of cyber attacks has been increasing year on year. A recent study by Check Point Research revealed that the number of cyber attacks around the world had increased by 38% compared to 2021. It’s because of this that more and more organisations are turning to zero trust. In fact, the global zero trust security market was worth around $27.4 billion (£22.6 billion) last year, and is expected to grow to $60.7 billion (£50 billion) by 2027. As well as the rise in cyber attacks, one of the main contributors to the rise in zero trust adoption has been government initiatives. In 2021, for example, President Biden signed an Executive Order mandating that US federal agencies should adopt zero trust architecture, while in the UK, the National Cyber Security Centre has also offered guidance on zero trust security.

Zero trust is already playing a critical role in cybersecurity, and in the coming years, that’s likely to continue. In the future, you can expect zero trust frameworks to become even smarter, more secure, and more accessible. As Inderjeet Barara, a thought leader and notable speaker in the cybersecurity space, explains, “Zero Trust is not just a cybersecurity framework, it’s a mindset shift for enterprises. As cyber threats continue to evolve, Zero Trust will become the foundation for secure access management, enabling organizations to protect their data and networks from anywhere, at any time.”

We’ve rounded up some of the key trends we can expect to see, and how we expect zero trust security to develop.

For as long as the concept of zero trust security has been around, it’s traditionally just been focused on securing the perimeter of the organisation’s network. However, in recent years, more and more organisations have been moving to cloud-based environments – and with the pandemic largely over, companies have embraced remote and hybrid working models. This has meant that the network perimeter is becoming less and less defined. Zero trust will need to evolve and expand to include new environments and devices, so that users can be verified and authenticated regardless of where they’re connecting to your network.

In order to combat the growing volume and complexity of cyber threats, organisations will need to rely more on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technology. Both of these will make cybersecurity far more efficient, by assessing and evaluating new users, and even responding to potential security incidents. AI tools could be used to automate the verification of users, reducing the risk of human error, and freeing up employees to deal with other tasks.

Zero trust is not a standalone solution. To be as effective as possible, it needs to be used with other cybersecurity solutions, like identity and access management, endpoint security, and threat intelligence. With organisations looking to streamline their security operations, we can expect to see more interoperability between these different solutions, and greater integration – especially as more businesses move to zero trust infrastructure.

One of the most common criticisms of zero trust security is that it can be frustrating for some users, especially when they need to constantly verify their identity and re-authenticate themselves, and provide more information to access resources. While all this is necessary to keep networks secure and protect sensitive data, it can cause some friction with users. In the future, we expect more zero trust solutions to have a greater focus on improving the users’ experience, while still keeping the network secure. This could be through more seamless authentication and authorisation processes, or giving users a way to verify themselves, perhaps through biometric data, like fingerprints or voice recognition.

Zero trust security is a rapidly evolving field, and it’s set to become increasingly important in the years ahead.

Organisations will need to take a more proactive approach to cybersecurity. With zero trust security can help to achieve that, we can expect to see more innovation and evolution over the next few years. If you’re looking for support implementing your own zero trust solution, or you just want to find out more, then you’re in the right place!

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Thanks to the ever-evolving nature of our industry, it can be incredibly difficult to stay on top of the latest cyber security trends and avoid falling victim to an attack. The last 12 months in particular carried a great deal of change for the world of cyber security and the pace of change isn’t set to slow anytime soon. We are likely to see an uptick in cybercrime as malicious actors come up with new ways to attack businesses both large and small. To help our fellow cyber security professionals with their strategies for the year ahead, we’ve highlighted some of the key threats we believe you should be keeping an eye on over the next 12 months…

The number of phishing attacks is growing, and the methods that criminals use are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Thanks to the accessibility of artificial intelligence, these attacks are also becoming easier to launch on a much wider scale, making phishing scams more accessible to even the least educated cyber criminal. Last year, the cyber security company SlashNext revealed they’d been tracking phishing attacks for six months and had found more than 255 million attacks – a 61% increase when compared to the same six months in 2021. What’s more, phishing attacks no longer solely rely on targeting emails – they’ve also been carried out over SMS messages, WhatsApp, and even platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams. A report by Acronis found that phishing attacks accounted for 76% of all cyber attacks in 2022 – and they estimated that the average cost of a data breach could reach $5 million (£4.1 million) this year.

At Infosec K2K, we can work with you and your business and help you to adopt cyber security best practices that can actively prevent phishing attacks. We take a proactive approach, and offer cyber consultancy services to our customers. From policy development and incident response, all the way to the creating and implementing a tailored cyber security management framework, our team of consultants can help you either remotely or face-to-face. They’re trained to meet the varying needs of our global customers, so no matter what industry you’re in, or the size of your business, we’ll do everything we can to keep you and your organisation secure.

Despite the decline in malware attacks we saw back in 2020, this classic method of cyber attack is on the rise once again. The cyber security company Acronis expects global ransomware damages to exceed $30 billion this year (that’s around £​​24.9 billion). This rise in popularity is largely down to the success of the MaaS industry, which makes it easier than ever for malicious actors to get their hands on these kinds of tools. Leasing out MaaS has become a lucrative source of income for many cybercrime organisations, allowing practically anyone to launch a malware-based attack. In fact, it was revealed by the Atlas VPN research team that some of the most damaging ransomware tools can be bought on the dark web for as little as $66 (£54). Plus, with AI tools becoming more and more popular, ransomware attacks can now be entirely automated, taking out all of the legwork and making MaaS far more attractive to anyone looking to make a quick buck.

With our managed cyber security services, we can keep your network safe from even the most sophisticated malware-based threats. The experts at our Security Operations Centre (SOC) can monitor your network 24/7, and identify and eliminate any threats before they can do any damage. Running and managing a SOC alongside your business can be challenging, but by outsourcing your managed cyber security services to us, we can save you time and money – and ensure no cyber threat goes unnoticed by alerting you of any incidents.

Business email compromise (BEC) attacks are on the rise – and they are expensive. These attacks alone resulted in over $43 billion (£35 billion) in losses between June 2016 and December 2021. They’re targeting businesses of all sizes, too – one of the biggest BEC scams targeted Facebook and Google between 2013 and 2015, in which they lost over $121 million (£98 million). BEC attacks target companies by using fake domains or impersonating trusted email addresses, and while in the past these scams typically targeted high-level executives, they’re increasingly being sent to mid-level employees instead.

One of the best ways to avoid these kinds of attacks is by always checking the email address if an email seems suspicious. Criminals will do everything they can to make their email seem as legitimate as possible, such as using a ‘1’ or a lowercase ‘L’ in an email instead of an ‘I’. By enabling multi-factor Authentication (MFA), you can also ensure criminals can’t access your email. With our Identity and Access Management services, we can give you the tools and technologies you need to control access to your network, and track users’ activity. Once each user has a digital identity, we can make it easier for you and your IT team to change their role, grant or deny them access privileges, and enforce new security policies, giving you complete control of your network.

As one of the very few attacks that can be carried out entirely undetected right up until the damage is done, the number of zero-day attacks has risen in recent years. Last year it was revealed that 40% of the zero-day attacks from the last decade had taken place in 2021 alone. The most frequently targeted companies are Microsoft, Google, and Apple, but that doesn’t mean that the rest of us are safe. One of the most famous – and most damaging – examples of a zero-day attack is the Stuxnet worm, which has since been dubbed ‘the world’s first digital weapon.’ First uncovered in 2010, this attack was designed to target a vulnerability in Windows computers. It was so impactful that it completely disabled Iran’s nuclear program, infecting roughly 200,000 computers around the world. In many recent cases, threat actors have auctioned discovered vulnerabilities, selling some of them for millions of dollars.

At Infosec K2K, we can help you to stay one step ahead of zero-day threats by monitoring your network for any potential vulnerabilities. We’ll help you to identify any weaknesses or areas of concern before they become an issue, and with our​​ Penetration Testing, we’ll ensure your system is watertight. We’ll also conduct an internal assessment of your network and identify any weaknesses that a cyber attack could potentially breach. As well as identifying any cyber security issues, our team will recommend how to address them, so that your network isn’t left exposed in the future.

With the cyber security landscape constantly shifting, it can be hard to keep up, but we can help you stay cyber-safe and bolster your cyber defences.

Whether you’re looking for help assessing your organisation’s vulnerabilities, or the development and implementation of a full-blown cyber security strategy (with all the ongoing support you need to keep it going), we’ve got it all.

Get in touch with us to find out more or get started.

Ever since Facebook announced that it would be changing its name to ‘Meta’ and shifting its focus onto the wonderful world of the metaverse, it has become a hot topic in a wide variety of industries. Some have dubbed the metaverse “the future of the internet”, but what exactly is it?

Well, put simply, the metaverse is a 3D, immersive version of the world wide web that could be accessed via a VR headset or your browser. This is a world in which users can explore their surroundings via a digital avatar.

The metaverse has been around as an idea for a while now – the term was first coined by the science-fiction author Neal Stephenson, in his 1992 novel Snow Crash. The idea has regularly appeared in books and films since then, from The Matrix to Ready Player One, but in recent years, it’s become a reality. Last year saw over $120 billion (£97.7 billion) invested in the metaverse, and it’s set to keep growing. The metaverse has the potential to transform our daily lives, but all that investment is likely to attract cyber criminals, so anyone looking to join the metaverse needs to take a closer look at their cyber defences.

How Will The Metaverse Impact Cyber Security?

The metaverse promises to be the next iteration of the internet. It could soon be the place we all go to do everything from working and shopping to hanging out with friends – all without leaving the house. When Mark Zuckerberg first announced that his company would become metaverse-first, he said that he believed it “will be mainstream in the next 5 to 10 years.”

Device Hacking – To get the most out of the metaverse, users will need new technology, from VR headsets and haptic gloves to AR (augmented reality) glasses. This dependence on hardware could be bad news for the organisations behind the metaverse – and even worse news for its users. Each different piece of hardware is a potential entry point for hackers, giving them another way to access your network. Both AR and VR devices would also provide hackers with information on what users are doing and where they are in real time – far more than they’d get if they’d simply hacked into a social media account. Exploring the metaverse via company devices could put these devices, and the vital data they have access to, at significant risk. With many high-profile organisations already choosing to ban TikTok from company devices due to privacy concerns, it is extremely likely that metaverse activity will also be limited by many businesses in the near future.

Identity Theft – Identity theft is already a problem online, but the metaverse could take it to a whole new level. VR headsets could be integrated with facial recognition or biometric technology to help you log on quicker, and in the metaverse, everything you do online would likely be linked to your digital identity. Cyber criminals would be able to create a digital copy of anyone in the metaverse, then access everything from their finances to confidential files from their workplace. A scary thought for CISOs!

As well as biometric information, these wearable devices could also contain sensitive data that neither users nor their employers would want falling into the wrong hands – like detailed information on their health and wellbeing. Last year, a UAE-based healthcare company announced plans to launch the world’s first metaverse hospital , a hospital that users would be able to visit from anywhere in the world. Other virtual hospitals are likely to follow suit, and if they don’t strengthen their cyber defences, users’ medical records could be left vulnerable to attack.

Eavesdropping – One of the biggest dangers of the rising metaverse, and something that can be done relatively easily, is eavesdropping. As well as listening in on private calls and meetings through AR and VR headsets, attackers could also attempt invisible-avatar eavesdropping (also known as a ‘man in the room’ attack). By entering a meeting hosted on the metaverse with an invisible avatar, hackers can easily listen in to and even record the sharing of sensitive information without being detected by others in the virtual room. These kinds of attacks haven’t happened yet, but they could soon, as cyber criminals are known to be working on ways to remain undetectable in the metaverse. If they do, they’d be able to spy on workplace meetings metaverse-wide, opening up a whole new era of corporate espionage.

The metaverse is coming, so there’s no point in burying your head in the sand. Businesses and organisations need to start preparing their cybersecurity strategies for the metaverse now. Here are our top three tips to help you get started with your metaverse-first security strategy.

1 – Do your research – The best way to prepare for the rise of the metaverse is simply to understand it. Business leaders and cybersecurity professionals alike need to read up on the metaverse and all the cyber risks it entails, so they know where their vulnerabilities lie, and what they need to do to protect themselves. Take a look at your competitors, too, and see what preparations they’ve already made (if any!).

2 – Educate your employees – You already know that one of the best ways to reduce your risk of a cybersecurity attack is to ensure your employees understand the threats they’re under. So, why not add metaverse-specific best practices to your next cybersecurity session or internal communication?

3 – Identify all possible vulnerabilities – Before you or your business dip your toes in the metaverse, we recommend creating a detailed list of any vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cyber criminals once you’re in. Think about the vulnerabilities we explored earlier in this blog, alongside more conventional risks like phishing or malware attacks. Once the list has been created, you can address these issues one by one through a thorough metaverse security strategy. Then, create a schedule to regularly revisit the list and check up on your identitified weaknesses.

The metaverse may be a few years from achieving its full potential, but today’s cybersecurity professionals can’t afford to wait around and see what happens. They need to prepare for the rise of the metaverse before it’s too late.

While it could change the way we live our lives for the better, the metaverse will also bring a whole host of new cyber risks that will need to be addressed.

Are you looking to take your first steps into the metaverse? Or just find out more about strengthening your cyber defences? You’re in luck! With a team of cyber security experts located across the globe and a range of services to suit any business, we can help you prepare for whatever the metaverse might throw at you.

Whether you’re looking for help assessing your organisation’s vulnerabilities, or the development and implementation of a full-blown cyber security strategy (with the ongoing support required to keep it going), we’ve got it all.

Get in touch, with us to find out more or get started.

A term that is surrounded by controversy, with some crowning it “the evolution of the internet” and others labelling it “a myth” and “a marketing buzzword”, there’s no doubt that the concept of Web3 has got people talking.

Since the world wide web was first invented by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989, its centralised approach has helped to build and maintain the stable infrastructure we have come to expect from it. However, this approach has also allowed a number of large technology companies to make the majority of the decisions surrounding the web, creating a monopoly that we are beginning to grow out of.

Rooted in the concept of decentralisation, Web3 is the answer to this monopoly. Built, operated and owned by its users, Web3 puts the power in the hands of the many, rather than the few.

What Is Web3?

Web3 is the all-encompassing term used to describe the next evolution of the internet. It comes as the third generation of the world wide web and follows Web1 and Web2:

• Web1 (1990-2004) was a version of the world wide web that was entirely read-only. Users could view static websites owned by companies but could rarely interact with or produce content themselves.

• Web2 (2004 onwards) is the version of the world wide web we are familiar with today. Alongside organisations sharing content online, users can also generate their own content and interact with content shared by companies and other users. This version of the web also allowed brands to advertise online, creating monetisation opportunities for website and content owners.

• Web3 (TBC) is a version of the world wide web that utilises blockchains, cryptocurrencies and NFTs to allow users more ownership over the web. According to etherium, there are four key principles that broadly define Web3: it is decentralised, permissionless, trustless, and uses native payments through cryptocurrency.

The Benefits of Web3

Web3 brings with it many potential benefits over the version of the web we’re all used to (Web2). Here are just a few of them:

• With no single central point of control, Web3 will make it far more difficult for threat actors to gain access to or control over data and devices connected to the web. This will allow for increased security.

• With fewer intermediaries required and more open access to technology and information, the advent of Web3 may also lead to reduced costs for both businesses and users.

• With encryption as the default for all communications, Web3 will likely mean increased privacy for its users.

• With fewer middlemen, users can benefit from greater control over the data and communications they share and receive with Web3.

• Decentralised, accessible and interoperable data will increase the amount and quality of data available to developers, allowing them to develop better models of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) – two hallmarks of today’s technological developments.

• Finally, the use of blockchain will allow the implementation of ‘smart contracts’, automated processes through which an action can be triggered automatically when a predetermined condition is met. This could reduce the need for manual labour in a variety of areas, from marketing and advertising to cyber security.

The Risks of Web3

Alongside the benefits proposed by Web3, there are also several potential risks associated with this new version of the web. These are highlighted below:

• With no central authority in control of the web, there is also no individual or organisation accountable for its maintenance. If not properly addressed, this lack of accountability could lead to poor user privacy, a lack of data protection and insufficient integrity of information.

• The lack of centralised data associated with Web3 may also make it difficult for organisations in particular to make properly informed decisions. With data spread out across various locations, there is no single “source of truth” upon which businesses can base their actions, making strategic analysis far more difficult.

• Although it is widely considered a much safer approach to storing and sharing data, there are some vulnerabilities associated with the use of blockchain. These vulnerabilities can lead to four key types of attack: 51% attacks, routing attacks, sybil attacks and the well-known phishing attacks.

Although web3 is not yet fully in operation, there is one thing for sure: it’s coming. And, with this knowledge in hand, the best thing we can do is prepare ourselves (and our cyber defences) for its arrival.

Are you interested in preparing your organisation’s cyber security strategy for the introduction of Web3? With a team of experienced cyber experts at hand, Infosec K2K can help your business in a variety of ways, from security assessments and strategic consultancy to ongoing managed service packages.

Whatever resources and/or capabilities you need, the Infosec K2K team are the perfect partner to bolster your ranks and ensure your organisation is as safe as can be in the advent of Web3.

Fill out the form here, or send us an email at [email protected] to find out more.