IFSECGlobal.com focuses on 10 key security and cyber-security stories to have emerged this week. Check out the articles and let us know your opinions.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ survey of FTSE 350 companies shows that only 14% are regularly considering cyber threats, with a significant number not receiving any intelligence about cyber criminals.
However, 62% of companies think their Board members are taking the cyber risk very seriously, while 60% understand their key information and data assets.
Science minister David Willetts commented: “We’re working with businesses to encourage them to make cyber security a Board-level responsibility.”
The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee has announced a list of 19 security suppliers who have been invited to tender for a range of Games-specific security contracts.
Among the 19 companies invited to tender are 8 who are members of the British Security Industry Association, among them Showsec and Wilson James.
Games organisers plan to include a security mix of police officers, private security officers, stewards, and military personnel.
City Security and Resilience Networks (CSARN) has produced a valuable commentary on CryptoLocker, the latest sophisticated strain of ransomware.
Having infected a computer, the malware generates a 2,048 bit RSA cryptographic key (sufficiently complex to deter any attempt to crack it) to encrypt the victim’s files.
The program then demands a ransom. If payment isn’t forthcoming before the expiration of a 96-hour countdown timer, the victim’s files are permanently locked.
IBM is adding nine schools to supplement more than 200 partnerships already established with universities around the globe, focusing on collaboration that will bring cyber-security skills to the classroom.
As part of IBM’s Academic Initiative, the company is launching new curriculum and programs focusing on cyber-security with institutions including Fordham University, Germany’s Technische Universitat Darmstadt, and Wroclaw University of Economics in Poland.
Mike Bluestone MA CSyP FSyI is this year’s winner of The Security Institute’s George van Schalkwyk Award.
Bluestone joined The Security Institute in 1999, spending several years on the Validation Board before becoming chairperson in March 2009.
During his four years at the helm, Mike supported the introduction of student membership, CPD and the Institute’s mentoring programme. He was instrumental in the development and launch of the Register of Chartered Security Professionals.
Under the new regulatory regime, the focus of regulation will shift towards the mandatory licensing of private security businesses which will work alongside individual licensing and the Approved Contractor Scheme.
From April 6, 2015, it will be a criminal offence for a regulated security business to provide licensable individuals under a contract to supply a security industry service unless that company holds a business licence issued by the Security Industry Authority.
In an annual survey conducted by the BSIA, members of the Association’s Export Council comment on their experiences of exporting in the past 12 months and their expectations for the coming year.
In this year’s survey, respondents revealed that exporting has become even more important to them in 2013 than it was in 2012, with 80% of those questioned claiming that exporting has increased in importance during the current economic climate.
Research by The Ponemon Institute reveals that over half of small and mid-size businesses (SMBs) globally do not see cyber-attacks as a significant risk.
Many SMBs are potentially putting their organisations at risk because of uncertainty about the state of their security and threats they face from cyber-attacks.
According to the “Risk of an Uncertain Security Strategy” study conducted by The Ponemon Institute, senior management is failing to prioritise cyber-security, which is preventing the establishment of a strong IT security posture.
On November 25 at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court, Armstrong Security Guards Limited and its director were convicted of offences under the Private Security Industry Act 2001.
The security company was convicted for falsely claiming to be part of the Security Industry Authority’s (SIA) Approved Contractor Scheme.
The company’s director Ahsan Manzoor (of College Road, Birmingham) was convicted of the same offence, and for deploying security officers without holding the necessary SIA licence.
The managed security services (MSS) market in the EMEA region is experiencing rapid growth as the proliferation of targeted cyber-attacks compel organisations to turn to MSS providers for their security needs.
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Wow! The bad guys are really getting creative in the 21st century! I couldn’t imagine having this happen, especially to a business or individual with very important files in their system. Depending on the amount of the ransom, I am sure there are a lot of victims unable to meet the demands, just to lose it all. Horrible.
Forging certificates for ACS!!!!
it sad but it real… simular thing do happens everywhere… including North America/Canada…
“Forging certificates for ACS!!!!” it scary… but what else we do not know or will came under the light at the later date…
@ holmesd
“Forging certificates for ACS!!!!”
Scary indeed!!!!!
@ batye
I am sure you are right about it happening in the US and Canada…so may users to chose from to hold data hostage!
@STACEY ESTEY sad reality of global interconnected world and economy… pro and con of globalization where data security non-existed… as everyone cares about savings… but when you try to save you could pay twice…