Cybersecurity

The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a critical alert Dec. 3, warning users about SamSam ransomware and providing details on what system vulnerabilities permit the pernicious product to be deployed. According to the alert, which came from the DHS’s National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) along with the FBI,…

Although it should be common sense, employees need to understand password security and avoid the use of passwords that are easy for hackers to guess.

When developing cybersecurity programs, many businesses focus on protecting their infrastructure perimeter and device endpoints. After all, that’s where cybercriminals usually first gain access and wreak havoc on a company’s digital access. But it’s also important to consider what happens when a threat bypasses perimeter defenses and targets an employee—in the form of a malicious…

Phishing is just one of many tools in a hacker’s repertoire and happens to be one of their most effective.  Through phishing, hackers dangle their bait in front of preoccupied employees who would never dream that their PC could provide an open door for a hacker.  That’s why it is so important that employees understand…

Today, it’s almost impossible to say the word “malware” without talking about ransomware. It is one of the most common and destructive forms of malware online today. Thieves take over your computer systems and hold your files hostage until you pay the ransom. Even if you decide to pay up, there is no guarantee you’ll get your…

Data breaches reveal the personal information of millions of Americans each year. In healthcare, the trend causes even greater concern due to the nature of the data. The consequences of a data breach are costly to healthcare providers, and more importantly, damaging to the victims. Here is a sample of developments in this area during…

  Many cyber attacks that are attributed to “hacking” or “malware” first enter the organization through an old, reliable channel: email. Email is a door into the network. With a cleverly crafted message, hackers can convince employees to install malware, share access credentials, or perform any number of actions to open an entry point for…

It is a common misconception that small business or small medical practices are immune to cyber attacks. The thought being that since they pale in comparison to larger corporations, the appeal to steal sensitive information is low. However, this is not the case. Larger corporations have tighter security measures. Cyber thieves know they can easily…

Insiders are among the biggest threats to data security in healthcare. Research suggests the problem has reach epidemic proportions – with staff members snooping, stealing, or otherwise leaking sensitive data on a scale much broader than in other industries. The trend is consistent: Insiders caused 58% of the healthcare security incidents reviewed for the 2018…