Network Security News | Ingalls Information Security

Articles of interest from the week of September 28, 2020

Written by John Frasier | Sep 28, 2020 4:00:00 AM

Why Cybercrime Spikes Around Major Events And Unrest

Health pandemics, weather catastrophes, civil unrest, war — these are all unfortunate realities our global society faces at various times. During these major events, our collective sense of routine and normalcy is often replaced with fear and uncertainty. For most of us, our best selves can emerge and even shine during these trying times as we look for ways to help others and seek to provide some measure of comfort. (By: Arthur Wong, Forbes) Ingalls: With a major election about a month away, it's important for users to remain vigilant for malicious cyber activity targeting potential donors. Ingalls helps businesses large and small manage security risks and defend against cyberattacks. If you’d like to learn more, contact us here.  One of our cybersecurity experts will be more than happy to assist you and answer any questions you may have.


The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Has Released the Telework Essentials Toolkit

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released the Telework Essentials Toolkit, a comprehensive resource of telework best practices. The Toolkit provides three personalized modules for executive leaders, IT professionals, and teleworkers. Each module outlines distinctive security considerations appropriate for their role:

  • Actions for executive leaders that drive cybersecurity strategy, investment and culture
  • Actions for IT professionals that develop security awareness and vigilance
  • Actions for teleworkers to develop their home network security awareness and vigilance

CISA encourages users and administrators to review the Telework Essentials Toolkit and the CISA Telework page for more information. (By: CISA) Ingalls: Can We Work From Home (WFH) Securely? Our blog covers some basic ground rules so that we can all help protect our information while working from home.


Lessons From the Ransomware Death: Prioritize Cyber Emergency Preparedness

The death of a woman at least in part because of a ransomware attack has placed security teams on high alert: put in place adequate training for the workforce and ensure network redundancy, or else risk similar tragedy and even potential liability. (By: Bradley Barth, SC Media) Ingalls:  If your organization is just beginning to develop a risk management strategy for cybersecurity, the first step is to plan for the worst-case scenario: a Data Security Breach. Ingalls has responded to some of the largest breaches in history, and today we handle multiple breach response engagements on a weekly basis. Our expertise in this area sets us apart from other cybersecurity services companies, and we provide our clients with expert consulting on how to identify and respond to a breach. We can sit down with you during a free consultation and scope out an Incident Response Planning engagement that will include documentation of a plan as well as testing it through tabletop exercises that are based on real-world breach scenarios that we've successfully navigated.


October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM)

NCSAM is a collaborative effort between the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and its public and private partners—including the National Cyber Security Alliance—to ensure every American has the resources they need to stay safe and secure online. This year’s theme, “Do your Part. #BeCyberSmart.,” encourages individuals and organizations to take proactive steps to enhance cybersecurity and protect their part of cyberspace. CISA encourages individuals and organizations to review the NCSAM 2020 page for ways to participate in and promote NCSAM. (By: CISA) Ingalls: We support NCSAM and want to continue to help them raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity across our Nation, ensuring that all Americans have the resources they need to be safer and more secure online. 



Major Hospital System Hit With Cyberattack, Potentially Largest in U.S. History

A major hospital chain has been hit by what appears to be one of the largest medical cyberattacks in United States history. Computer systems for Universal Health Services, which has more than 400 locations, primarily in the U.S., began to fail over the weekend, and some hospitals have had to resort to filing patient information with pen and paper, according to multiple people familiar with the situation. ( By   Kevin Collier, NBC News Ingalls: If your organization experiences a data security breach, the most important thing you can do is react appropriately. Ignoring it will most certainly not make it go away. Poorly coordinated, knee-jerk responses with no planning or strategy are almost as bad as ignoring the situation. However, a well-planned response by a team of people who have trained together and who follow an Incident Response Plan, along with the necessary technical and crisis management assistance, can significantly reduce the overall impact that your organization will suffer as a result of the breach. Read our blog, How To Respond When You’ve Been Breached , learn more.