Security | Threat Detection | Cyberattacks | DevSecOps | Compliance

2021 is only a month away, and given the turbulent landscape we had in 2020, we can’t help but wonder what the cybersecurity conditions will look like for companies and enterprises in the upcoming year. Year after year, the cybersecurity industry faces new challenges and obstacles, and 2021 will be no different. 2020 proved to be one of the most challenging years, cybersecurity-wise, especially for those companies whose employees suddenly had to switch to remote working.

Cloud technology is a powerful tool with unmeasurable potential. Across the globe, companies are harnessing the cloud to propel their business solutions. However, there are always some companies that cannot entirely shift their solutions to the cloud. Thanks to the hybrid cloud model, companies house some of their solutions on their on-premises servers and store the rest of them in the cloud. Most companies have adopted the hybrid cloud model, as it suits both conventional and new-age operations.

Today, I will be going over CIS Control 2 from version 8 of the top 18 CIS Controls – Inventory and Control of Software Assets. Version 7 of CIS Controls had 10 requirements, but in version 8, it’s simplified down to seven safeguards. I will go over those safeguards and offer my thoughts on what I’ve found.

Can you recall exactly how good or bad your vision was following your last eye exam? Most of us can’t. A casual poll around the office showed that many people focus only on whether our eye doctor says we need an updated prescription for glasses or contacts. Often, we walk away with a new script but without a clear understanding of our overall eye health, i.e., whether our eyesight got better or worse since the previous visit.

Cybersecurity specialists have noticed several troubling trends over the past year, ransomware being one of the most concerning. While this is far from a new issue, it’s now more common than ever before. Every month in Q2 2021 set a new record for ransomware attempts, contributing to a 151% year-over-year increase compared to 2020. Cybercrime has risen in the past year, but ransomware attacks are outpacing other forms.

Extended Detection and Response (XDR) is the latest buzz word in the security industry and garnering significant attention. Industry analysts each have their own definition. Meanwhile, security vendors are quickly jumping on the bandwagon, recasting their products as XDR solutions. And it’s safe to assume many more will unveil XDR products in the months ahead.