Security | Threat Detection | Cyberattacks | DevSecOps | Compliance

July 2023

Security Requires Speed

For as long as anyone can remember, organizations have had to balance 4 key areas when it comes to technology: security efficacy, cost, complexity, and user experience. The emergence of SASE and SSE brings new hope to be able to deliver fully in each of these areas, eliminating compromise; but not all architectures are truly up to the task. SASE represents the convergence of networking and security, with SSE being a stepping-stone to a complete single-vendor platform.

How to Be a Bold and Effective Security Leader

Security leaders today are facing a number of challenges, including a rise in the number of breaches, a need to accommodate remote work and networking requirements to replace MPLS networks. In this new blog post, we share insights about this new reality by David Holmes, Senior Analyst at Forrester, as well as an in-depth explanation about the security stack that can help. You can watch the webinar this blog post is based on here.

SASE is not SD-WAN + SSE

SASE = SD-WAN + SSE. This simple equation has become a staple of SASE marketing and thought leadership. It identifies two elements that underpin SASE, namely the network access technology (SD-WAN) and secure internet access (Security Service Edge (SSE)). The problem with this equation is that it is simply wrong. Here is why. What is missing from the equation? The answer is: a cloud network.

Bard or ChatGPT: Cybercriminals Give Their Perspectives

Six months ago, the question, “Which is your preferred AI?” would have sounded ridiculous. Today, a day doesn’t go by without hearing about “ChatGPT” or “Bard.” LLMs (Large Language Models) have been the main topic of discussions ever since the introduction of ChatGPT. So, which is the best LLM? The answer may be found in a surprising source – the dark web. Threat actors have been debating and arguing as to which LLM best fits their specific needs.

The Future of the Firewall is in the Cloud

I read with some surprise the interview with Zscaler’s CEO, Jay Chaudry, in CRN where he stated that the “network firewalls will go the way of the mainframe,” that “the network is just plumbing” and that Zscaler proxy overlay architecture will replace it with its “application switchboard.” Well, our joint history in network security teaches us a very different lesson. This is my take.

No Ethical Boundaries: WormGPT

In this week's episode, Bill and Robin discover the dangerous world of an AI tool without guardrails: WormGPT. This AI tool is allowing people with limited technical experience to create potential chaos. When coupled with the rise in popularity of tools like the Wi-Fi pineapple, and Flipper Zero, do you need to be more worried about the next generation of script kiddies? Learn all this and more on the latest episode of The Ring of Defense!

SASE Evaluation Tips: The Risk of Public Cloud's High Costs on SASE Delivery

David Heinemeier Hansson lays out the economic case for why application providers should leave the cloud in a recently published blog post. It’s a powerful argument that needs to be heard by IT vendors and IT buyers, whether they are purchasing cloud applications or SASE services. Hansson is the co-owner and CTO of 37Signals, which makes Basecamp, the project management software platform, and Hey, an email service.

Keeping your SLED Secure: Should you pay a ransom?

In this week's episode, Bill and Robin respond to a viewer request, and delive into the world of State, Local Government and Education, and how they can stay protected and secured with limited budgets. We cover documents issued by the FBI regarding how to stay safe, and also discuss how some OEM vendors are advocating that SLED organisations should just pay whatever ransom has been asked. Will this make the threat actors go away, or will they be here to extort another day?

LockBit hits TSMC: A $70M Ransom?

TSMC, the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturer, has been listed on LockBit’s dark web blog, with the gang demanding $70 million for the stolen data. TSMC states that it was due to their IT hardware suppliers; yet another reason to pay attention to the supply chain. So, who are LockBit, how do they operate, and how can you prevent this from happening to you? Learn all this and more on the latest episode of The Ring of Defense!

What is the Cato Management Application?

Are you looking to get started with Cato Networks, but you're unsure how to begin? Join Robin Johns as he provides you with a tour of the Cato Management Application, and shows you how easy it is to deploy sites, configure users, monitor your applications and performance, while securing your network; all in one place.

Cato's 5 Gbps SASE Speed Record is Good News for Multicloud and Hybrid Cloud Deployments

In the original Top Gun movie, Tom Cruise famously declared the words, “I feel the need! The need for speed!” At Cato Networks, we also feel the need for speed, and while we’re not breaking the sound barrier at 30,000 feet, we did just break the SASE speed barrier (again!).

SASE and CASB Functions: A Dynamic Duo for Cloud Security

Cloud adoption has exploded in recent years. Nearly all companies are using cloud solutions, and the vast majority having deployments spanning the platforms of multiple cloud service providers. These complex cloud infrastructures can create significant usability and security challenges for an organization. If security settings are misconfigured, an organization’s cloud infrastructure, services and applications could be potentially vulnerable to exploitation.