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Showing posts with label cybersecurity solutions. Show all posts
zero trust technology
Biometric Security Cyber Security cybersecurity solutions dark web threats deepfake prevention Identity and Access Management Secure Authentication synthetic ID fraud zero trust technology

The Role of Biometrics in a Zero Trust Landscape

 

The illicit trade of biometric data, sourced from manipulated selfies, fraudulent passports, and cyberattacks on data repositories containing fingerprints to DNA information, has been thriving on the dark web. Despite their untraceability, these compromised biometrics empower attackers to access victims' most sensitive information, prompting criminals to refine their methods and produce synthetic IDs for more sophisticated attacks.

Efforts to safeguard biometric data have proven inadequate, with Gartner noting concerns about novel attacks and privacy issues hindering adoption. The rising threat of AI-enabled deepfake attacks undermining or rendering biometric authentication worthless is highlighted in Gartner's recent study.

VentureBeat reveals that deepfake and biometrics-based breach attempts against major cybersecurity firms have surged in the past year. Even the Department of Homeland Security has issued a guide, "Increasing Threats of Deepfake Identities," to counter these growing threats. All forms of biometric data are highly sought after on the dark web, and 2024 is expected to witness a surge in biometrics-based attacks targeting corporate leaders.

The focus on senior executives stems from their susceptibility to phishing scams, with C-level executives being four times more likely to fall victim than other employees, as reported by Ivanti's State of Security Preparedness 2023 Report. The prevalence of whale phishing, a targeted form of phishing, further exacerbates the threat landscape for executives.

Recognizing the shortcomings in current security measures, companies like Badge Inc. are taking innovative approaches to biometric authentication. Badge's technology aims to eliminate the need for passwords, device redirects, and knowledge-based authentication. By making individuals the "token" themselves, Badge's solution enhances security and privacy by deriving private keys on-the-fly using biometrics and chosen factors, without storing secrets or personally identifiable information. The company's approach aligns with the principles of zero trust, minimizing data access, and reinforcing least privilege access.

Badge's partnerships with Okta and Auth0 indicate its growing significance in identity and access management (IAM) platforms and technology stacks. With a cryptographically zero-knowledge basis and quantum resistance for future-proof security, Badge's technology is positioned as a valuable contributor to organizations' zero-trust architectures. Jeremy Grant, former senior executive advisor at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), recognizes Badge's compelling technology for addressing both consumer and enterprise use cases.
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Session Hijacking Defense
Authentication Cookies cybersecurity solutions Data Protection Measures Infostealer Malware malware Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Passkey Security Prevention Session Hijacking Defense

Overcoming the Escalating Challenge Posed by Session Hijacking

 

Businesses are increasingly adopting security measures, from passkeys to multifactor authentication (MFA), to safeguard sensitive information and bolster their cybersecurity. However, it's crucial for security teams to acknowledge that these measures may not provide comprehensive protection for user data.

As enterprises implement new defenses to secure their networks, cybercriminals are simultaneously evolving their tactics to bypass these barriers. They are employing techniques like session hijacking and account takeover to circumvent passkeys and MFA, gaining unauthorized access to corporate systems. This is exacerbated by the fact that these tactics are largely facilitated by malware, which poses a significant challenge to security efforts.

Malware operates swiftly and discreetly, pilfering substantial amounts of accurate authentication data, including personally identifiable information (PII) such as login credentials, financial details, and authentication cookies. Some malware is even beginning to target local key vaults, like those managed by password managers, many of which have implemented passkey solutions. Last year, there were over 4 billion attempted malware attacks, making it the preferred method for cyberattacks. Moreover, SpyCloud's "2023 Annual Identity Exposure Report" revealed that more than 22 million unique devices fell victim to malware, with the stolen data finding its way to criminal networks for use in various attacks.

While malware-exfiltrated data, encompassing business application logins and cookies for crucial systems, is becoming increasingly valuable to criminals, security teams lack the necessary visibility to effectively counter these exposures. Those who comprehend how malware operates and how cybercriminals employ stolen data are better equipped to confront this threat.

Session hijacking commences when infostealer malware, often distributed through phishing emails or malicious websites, exfiltrates device and identity data. When a user logs into a site or application, a temporary authentication token (cookie) is stored in the browser. 

Criminals can import this along with additional details to replicate the user's device and location, gaining access to an authenticated session. This technique is highly effective, even against robust authentication methods, allowing criminals to bypass authentication entirely. This grants them undetected access to sensitive information, enabling further data theft or privilege escalation for targeted attacks like ransomware.

Criminals recognize the potential of session hijacking and have developed tools like EvilProxy and Emotet to target authentication cookies. In the face of a threat that undermines key defenses, corporations must consider innovative approaches to combat cybercrime.

Overcoming the challenge of session hijacking is formidable but not insurmountable. The primary hurdle in defending against infostealer malware-fueled attacks is the malware's ability to avoid detection. 

Newer forms of malware can swiftly siphon data and self-erase, making it challenging for security teams to even detect an attack. Furthermore, infostealer malware can infect personal and contractor devices beyond the usual scope of the security team's oversight, making it exceedingly difficult to identify all instances of exposure.

Fortunately, both of these concerns can be addressed through heightened threat awareness and visibility. Organizations must educate users on infostealers, how to avoid inadvertently downloading them onto devices accessing the corporate network or critical applications, and how to routinely clear cookies from their browsers.

In cases where malware manages to slip through defenses, understanding precisely what information was stolen is crucial. This allows teams to identify compromised user credentials and authentication cookies that require remediation. Simply wiping the infected device is insufficient, as stolen data can be exploited long after the initial infection is resolved. Organizations must pinpoint compromised data and take proactive steps, such as session invalidation and password resets, to sever potential entry points.

Ultimately, a comprehensive malware remediation process hinges on knowing what data was siphoned by infostealer malware. IT teams should prioritize solutions that offer enhanced visibility to address security gaps caused by malware. Armed with this knowledge, teams can take measures to safeguard all exposed assets, including authentication data, preserving the company's reputation and financial well-being.
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Training program
Cyber defense Cyber Security Cybersecurity awareness cybersecurity solutions FortiGuard Fortinet Training program

Cybersecurity Defense: Employee Cybersecurity Awareness Now a Priority


Fortinet’s FortiGuard Labs, in their recent reports, discovered that ransomware threats are still at the top of the list in terms of cyber threat, with the cases only growing on a global level. Likewise, Fortinet discovered that in 2022, 84% of firms faced one or more breaches.

The research by Fortinet reveals that more than 90% of the cybersecurity experts agree that the surging frequency of cyberattacks can be reduced if organizations focus on increasing their employees’ cybersecurity awareness.

The report emphasizes the critical role of employees in serving as an organization's first line of defense in defending their firm from cybercrime as it becomes more common for businesses to confront cyber threat incidents.

Lack of Cybersecurity Awareness Among Employees

The report further revealed that among all the organizations surveyed, 81% of them confirmed to have experienced at least one cyber incident, be it malware, phishing or password breach over the course of last year. Most of the attacks were primarily targeted at organization’s employees, who apparently has access to the firm’s systems. This emphasizes how a company's employees could either be its weakest link or one of its strongest defenses.

Nearly 85% of the organization leaders claims that their organization has adequate security awareness and training program provided to its employees. However, 50% believed that their employees, regardless of the training programs still lack a proper cybersecurity knowledge.

This variation shows that the existing training programs may not be as successful as they could be, leading to inconsistent use of appropriate cyber hygiene measures by staff, or that instruction may not be effectively reinforced.

Board of Directors Prioritizing Cybersecurity 

Given the fact that many of these cyber-attacks are targeted to users, it is likely that boards already recognize—or will do so soon—that employee cybersecurity awareness is an essential component of the "defense equation". 93% of businesses said their board of directors often questions them about their cyber security and strategy.

John Maddison, EVP of Products and CMO at Fortinet says, “Our 2023 Security Awareness and Training Global Research Brief underscores the crucial role employees play in preventing cyberattacks. It also highlights the critical need for organizations to prioritize security awareness and training services to ensure employees serve as the first line of defense.”

One of the best solutions to avoid cybersecurity incidents an organization can adopt is by conducting better training program, setting the groundwork for a culture of cybersecurity that is ready and strong. This way, employees would attain a better cyber-risk awareness and further encourage them to defend their organization whenever the situation calls.

Organizations are aware that they require sophisticated cybersecurity solutions and that technological certifications help their IT employees' cybersecurity skills. Employee awareness may not have gotten the full attention it deserves up to this point, but it may become crucial in the years to come in the fight against cybercrime.  

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