In today's digital world, where digital threats loom large and data breaches are a constant concern, safeguarding your business network is vital. In the collection of cybersecurity tools at your disposal, hardware firewalls are a fundamental defense mechanism for organizations. This article delves into the pros and cons of hardware firewalls, examining their importance in network security, possible disadvantages, and factors to consider when implementing them.

Amid the disruption of the Hive ransomware group by law enforcement agencies, Hunters International emerged onto the cyber scene in Q3 of 2023, displaying notable technical similarities with Hive, hinting at an evolutionary progression or branch-off from the dismantled group. This transition underscores the adaptive nature of cybercriminal networks, persisting in their illicit activities despite law enforcement actions.

A Quick Response (QR) code is made up of black and white pixels, designed for someone to scan with their camera to access links, contact information and more. Some common QR code scams you should be aware of include QR codes on parking meters, unexpected package deliveries, phishing emails, restaurant menus or unsolicited text messages. One study in October 2023 found that 22% of worldwide phishing attacks used QR codes to spread malware.

Recently, a widespread cloud extortion operation—affecting 110,000 domains and involving significant financial demands—was uncovered. Unit 42, the cybersecurity research division of Palo Alto Networks, released a report this month detailing how threat actors exploited misconfigured.env files to gain unauthorized access, steal sensitive data, and demand ransoms after deleting cloud assets.

The shift towards a proactive cybersecurity mindset has been steadily gaining momentum. Industry experts have emphasized the importance of best practices for implementation and the role of security orchestration. By integrating modern threat intelligence solutions into vulnerability management platforms, forward-thinking enterprises can become more proactive in their fight against cyber threats.

In the second quarter of 2024, UK businesses faced cyber-attacks every 44 seconds, highlighting the persistent nature of cyber threats and the critical need for robust cybersecurity protocols. This frequency of attacks shines the spotlight on the ongoing challenge UK businesses face in protecting their digital assets. It also stresses the importance of implementing comprehensive security measures to protect against increasingly sophisticated and frequent cyber threats.

In Q2 2024, the Kroll Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) Team observed an increase in activity around a new ransomware group named FOG. FOG was initially observed in May 2024, and since then has been heavily targeting higher educational institutions in the U.S. by exploiting compromised VPN credentials. Kroll's review of a recent FOG binary (1.exe) found no exfiltration or persistence mechanisms directly integrated.

There's no one size fits all when it comes to setting up your organization’s first security program. Each organization has a unique set of business needs, guardrails to implement, and data it needs to protect, which is why it’s important to remember that every security program is going to look a bit different. ‍ If you’re in the process of setting up your first security program, here are some steps I recommend you take and apply to your organization's unique needs. ‍

On August 13th, 2024, the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) published the first three cryptographic standards designed to resist an attack from quantum computers: ML-KEM, ML-DSA, and SLH-DSA. This announcement marks a significant milestone for ensuring that today’s communications remain secure in a future world where large-scale quantum computers are a reality.

ThreatQ TDR Orchestrator serves as a bridge between human expertise and machine precision, optimizing workflows in security operations. By leveraging this dynamic solution, organizations can ensure that the tacit knowledge of security analysts is efficiently captured and combined with automated processes. This integration facilitates a more agile response to threats, as the human element of decision-making is supported by the speed and consistency of automation.