Cyber Security

Ensuring Comprehensive Visibility Across All Teams is Key

Published

10 months ago

May 27, 2024

Bilal Baig, Regional Director, Technical, MMEA at Trend Micro, says companies should have a robust incident response plan in place

How is the threat landscape evolving? Are there any emerging threats we should be particularly concerned about?
The threat landscape is constantly evolving, and there are two key aspects to consider. Firstly, traditional cybersecurity threats, such as ransomware and phishing, remain a significant concern. While established security measures are in place to combat these well-known threats, they continue to evolve and adapt, posing an ongoing challenge.

Secondly, the introduction of advanced technologies, like Artificial Intelligence (AI), has led threat actors to leverage these capabilities to enhance their attack tactics, making them more sophisticated. As attacks become more complex, defenders are also employing AI-based defence mechanisms to counteract these advanced threats. This creates a continuous cycle of escalation, where both attackers and defenders leverage new technologies to outpace each other. Hence, the biggest current threat, both regionally and globally, is the extensive use of AI by cybercriminals.

This trend is not limited to phishing but extends across all types of cyber threats, making them more evasive and difficult to detect. From our side, Trend Micro is actively integrating advanced technologies, including AI, to ensure that these sophisticated attacks can be effectively thwarted.

What does “cybersecurity resilience” mean to you?
For us, the key to cybersecurity resilience is to stay one step ahead by conducting predictive analysis of potential security threats and attacks. This involves assessing the risk factors across various environments, whether it’s your mobile device, laptop, servers, or any system using AI. By analysing the risk matrix, we can forecast the likelihood of attacks and take proactive countermeasures. This anticipatory approach embodies cyber resilience, ensuring we can effectively respond to emerging attack surfaces as they arise.

How can organisations balance the need for security with operational efficiency?
A different approach is certainly required. The main global trend we observe, including in the UAE, is consolidation. The market is experiencing numerous mergers and acquisitions, leading to the consolidation of security tools. This means integrating security measures across endpoints, mobile devices, clouds, and other areas.

Previously, each of these security aspects operated in silos, but the focus has now shifted to breaking down these silos and consolidating security tools. This consolidation allows for a more comprehensive and unified view of security, enabling the creation of a real attack matrix and making it easier to identify threats, much like finding a needle in a haystack. This integrated approach is undoubtedly the way forward for organizations seeking to balance security and operational efficiency.

What are some best practices for incident response planning and recovery?
Most organizations focus on proactive measures to address potential threats. When we step in, we emphasize the importance of having a comprehensive incident response plan. This is crucial because a well-planned approach is far more effective than a reactive one where everyone is scrambling in different directions.

Our goal is to ensure clients have a robust incident response plan in place. If a breach occurs, this plan provides a clear, step-by-step process to follow. This includes isolating affected machines, responding to the threat, and containing the situation. This approach not only addresses the technical aspects but also helps manage the organization’s reputation. Therefore, we are committed to supporting our clients in both preventing breaches and effectively managing them if they do occur.

What role do emerging technologies like AI and machine learning play in both cyber threats and defences?
With the advent of emerging technologies like AI, phishing emails have become remarkably sophisticated. The grammar is perfect, and the links are well-defined, making these emails appear completely legitimate. Attackers can even translate these emails into multiple languages, such as Arabic or French, making them more convincing and far-reaching. From the attacker’s perspective, AI provides powerful tools to craft these deceptive messages.

They can use social media data and advanced AI to tailor phishing attempts precisely, increasing their chances of success. On the defender’s side, advanced AI modules are also being deployed. Just like a fingerprint, everyone has a unique writing style, which includes sentence structure, tone, and emotion. AI helps analyze these elements to identify potential threats.

For instance, AI can detect if an email was generated by another AI tool by examining writing style DNA and other nuanced features. Thus, while attackers are leveraging AI to enhance their tactics, defenders are equally using AI to bolster their defences. It’s a continuous battle where both sides are utilizing advanced tools.

What are some of the biggest challenges organizations face when implementing cybersecurity resilience strategies?
The biggest challenge within organizations is the existence of multiple silos. Application teams, cloud teams, network teams, and endpoint teams all operate independently, each focusing only on their specific areas. This lack of integration and visibility can hinder effective decision-making and security management.

Consolidation and breaking down these silos are crucial. Companies are now looking to merge their strategies to ensure comprehensive visibility across all teams. This holistic approach allows for better decision-making not just in cybersecurity but also in related areas such as legal, finance, and procurement.

When procuring a cybersecurity solution, it’s essential to consider how it will support all these departments. For instance, a robust cybersecurity solution should aid the legal team in compliance, assist the finance team in budgeting and cost management, and help the procurement team in selecting the best tools and services. This integrated strategy ensures that all parts of the organization are aligned and can respond effectively to security threats.

Cyber Security

Positive Technologies Discovery Leads D-Link to Recommend Router Replacements

Published

1 day ago

March 19, 2025

Priyan Sampath

Vladimir Razov, an expert from the PT SWARM team, has discovered a vulnerability in several models of D-Link routers. According to Mordor Intelligence, D-Link is one of the top three Wi-Fi router manufacturers in the world. The vendor has been notified of the threat in line with the responsible disclosure policy and recommends that users switch to more recent devices.

The vulnerability, which is registered as BDU:2024-06211 with a CVSS 3.0 score of 8.4, affects the following D-Link models: DIR-878, DIR-882, DIR-2640-US, DIR-1960-US, DIR-2660-US, DIR-3040-US, DIR-3060-US, DIR-867-US, DIR-882-US, DIR-882/RE, DIR-882-CA, and DIR-882-US/RE. At the time of the research, vulnerable routers could be discovered using search engines in the United States, Canada, Sweden, China, Indonesia, and Taiwan.

According to the manufacturer, these models are no longer supported. D-Link recommends retiring the outdated devices and replacing them with supported devices that receive firmware updates. “If this vulnerability is successfully exploited, a malicious user authorized in the router’s web interface can compromise the entire device and gain access to all traffic passing through it,” says Vladimir Razov, Web Application Security Analyst at PT SWARM, the offensive security department at Positive Technologies.

As a temporary measure to mitigate the threat, Vladimir Razov recommends using OpenWrt (an open-source embedded operating system based on the Linux kernel and designed specifically for routers) or changing the login credentials for accessing the router’s web interface. Previously, Positive Technologies helped address vulnerabilities in Zyxel routers and other Zyxel devices. Positive Technologies also enhanced its PT Industrial Security Incident Manager (PT ISIM) with an additional expertise pack, enabling cybersecurity teams to detect attempts to exploit vulnerabilities in MikroTik routers and Cisco switches.

Cyber Security

Sophos Study: MDR Users Claim 97.5% Less in Cyber Insurance

Published

2 days ago

March 18, 2025

Chris Fernando

Leading cybersecurity provider Sophos has released findings from a new study quantifying the financial impact of various cybersecurity controls on cyber insurance claims. The research compares the effect of endpoint solutions, EDR/XDR technologies, and MDR services on claim amounts, offering valuable insights for both insurers and organizations.

Sally Adam, Senior Director, Solution Marketing at Sophos, said, “Every year, organisations spend huge amounts of money on their cybersecurity. By quantifying the impact of controls on the outcome of cyberattacks, this study enables them to focus their investments on the most cost-effective options. At the same time, insurers have a major influence on cybersecurity spending through the controls they require of organisations wishing to be covered and the discounts they offer when a given scheme is in place. This study enables them to encourage investments that can make a real difference to incident outcomes and the resulting claim amounts.”

The Sophos study reveals a dramatic difference in cyber insurance claims: organizations using MDR services claim a median compensation of just $75,000, a staggering 97.5% less than the $3 million median claimed by organizations relying solely on endpoint solutions. This means that endpoint-only users typically claim 40 times more in the event of an attack. The study attributes this significant reduction to the rapid threat detection and blocking capabilities of MDR services, which can effectively prevent extensive damage.

The study also highlights a clear benefit to combining EDR or XDR with endpoint solutions, as the average insurance claim for users of these tools is just $500,000, which is one-sixth of the $3 million average claim for those using only endpoint solutions.

The Sophos study indicates that the predictability of cyber insurance claims varies significantly depending on the security controls in place. Claims from organizations utilizing MDR services show the highest predictability, suggesting consistent and reliable threat mitigation. This is likely due to the 24/7 expert monitoring, investigation, and response that allows for swift action against threats at any time. Conversely, claims from users of EDR/XDR tools are the least predictable, implying that their effectiveness in preventing major damage heavily depends on the user’s expertise and speed of response.

The Sophos study also reveals significant differences in recovery times from ransomware attacks. Endpoint solution users average a 40-day recovery, while EDR/XDR users take the longest at 55 days. In stark contrast, organizations using MDR services recover the fastest, with an average downtime of just three days. These findings underscore MDR’s effectiveness in minimizing the impact of cyberattacks and highlight the less predictable recovery experiences associated with EDR/XDR tools, whose success is dependent on user expertise.

Adam concludes, “The research confirms what many people instinctively know: the type of security solution used has a significant impact on cyber insurance claims. Cyberattacks are inevitable, but defences are not. These results are a useful tool for organisations wishing to optimise their cyber defence and their return on investment in cybersecurity. They will also be useful for insurers looking to reduce their exposure and offer suitable policies to their customers.”

Cyber Security

Fortinet Strengthens OT Security for Critical Infrastructure

Published

2 days ago

March 18, 2025

Chris Fernando

Fortinet has enhanced its OT Security Platform to better protect critical infrastructure from modern cyberthreats. The upgraded platform offers more than basic OT visibility with the new FortiGuard OT Security Service, expanded hardened solutions for network segmentation and 5G in demanding environments, and an improved OT SecOps portfolio for automated threat response and compliance management.

“Fortinet has been building an industry-leading OT Security Platform for 20-plus years and remains at the forefront of OT security innovation,” said Nirav Shah, Senior Vice President, Products and Solutions at Fortinet. “As cyberthreats against critical infrastructure and across industries such as energy, transportation, and manufacturing continue to grow, Fortinet remains committed to delivering comprehensive security solutions tailored for operational technology environments. These latest enhancements give organizations the tools they need to improve their OT security posture and adhere to regulatory requirements—all managed through a single, unified platform.”

The latest Fortinet OT Security Platform enhances OT security with:

Advanced Threat Protection: New FortiGate Rugged NGFWs combined with the enhanced FortiGuard OT Security Service offer superior security enforcement, detecting threats using over 3,300 OT protocol rules, nearly 750 OT IPS rules, and 1,500 virtual patching rules. This protects against known exploited vulnerabilities and provides virtual patching for older OT systems. Secure remote access is also improved with updates to FortiSRA, including enhanced secrets and password management.
Secure Segmentation: The new FortiSwitch Rugged 108F and FortiSwitch Rugged 112F-POE industrial-grade switches enable precise security control at the port level, preventing unauthorized lateral movement within OT networks. Built on Fortinet’s unified FortiOS, these switches simplify network and security management.
Resilient Connectivity: Two new ruggedized 5G solutions are introduced: the IP67-rated FortiExtender Rugged 511G for secure, high-speed connectivity to remote OT sites, and the IP64-rated FortiExtender Vehicle 511G for fleet vehicles. Both feature embedded Wi-Fi 6 and new eSIM capabilities for easier carrier selection.
Enhanced OT SecOps: Fortinet’s AI-driven security operations capabilities are strengthened with updates to FortiAnalyzer 7.6 and FortiDeceptor 6.1, offering deeper threat insights and simplified compliance reporting for OT security teams. FortiNDR Cloud now includes OT protocol support for threat hunting, while FortiNDR (on-premises) adds features like a Purdue Model view and a device inventory covering OT and the Mitre ATT&CK ICS Matrix.

The Fortinet OT Security Platform delivers a unified view and comprehensive security tools to simplify the management of OT and remote site security. It empowers organizations to easily assess, secure, and report on risks, including meeting complex regulatory compliance. Fortinet uniquely offers seamless segmentation and a complete ruggedized portfolio of OT security solutions all managed by a single operating system, FortiOS. Its deep integration within the Fortinet Security Fabric makes it a leading platform in the industry, providing an effective, efficient, and holistic approach to OT security and compliance that surpasses standard offerings.