Author: Kenny Natiss

We all protect our homes, family, jewelry, important paperwork, and most private processions. But how do we protect our digital life? These days, some of our most valuable assets exist fully online, so cyber security is critical for keeping our wealth and personal safety protected.

Kenny Natiss explores methods of cyber hygiene with these simple steps to improve one’s personal online security. 

Change Passwords Frequently and Use Different Logins

Passwords are the key to one’s personal accounts online. While it’s tempting to use something that is easy to remember, especially since they have to be entered so frequently, it’s much safer to use something highly complex and unique. And never use the same password for each login – that way, if one password is stolen, the thief can’t easily use the same email and password combination to access all of your other accounts.  

A password manager is the best way to track and generate complex and unique passwords. With it, the only password you will need to remember is the one to unlock the program itself.  

Use Two-Factor Authentication

Many websites and apps will prompt users to employ two-factor authentication. Whenever this option is available, be sure to opt-in. This means that in addition to entering your password, the site will also send a code to your email, phone, or an authenticator app that will have to be entered as well. It reduces the risks if someone is trying to break in – they would need to already have access to several of your devices and accounts in order to get past the multi-factor authentication process. 

Always Use Passcodes

Always use a passcode to secure a personal device, even when they are optional. There is a reason your iPhone keeps prompting you to set up a passcode, even long after it has already been set up. This is because many people have a vast amount of their private data stored on their phone, and phones are easily lost or stolen. Set up that 4-digit passcode and instantly decrease the risk of credit card or identity theft. 

Use More than One Email Address

Just as using one password for everything can be tempting, so can relying on one personal email address to conduct all of an individual’s business online. This is rather unsafe. Consider setting up a few “dummy” email addresses to use at various stores or websites – there is also the option to switch over to a main email address later once the site feels more trustworthy. Not only does this protect your data, but it’s also a great way to reduce spam emails to your main account, since many stores will email offers multiple times a day.  

Don’t Click Untrustworthy Links

Nowadays we are constantly bombarded with phishing scams trying to steal our personal data. NEVER click a link in an email that looks suspicious. Even if it says it’s from a reputable website like Amazon or Netflix, check the email address in the “from” bar and you’ll likely see that it’s not actually “from” that URL at all. These businesses will never send you a link via text message to click and enter your password. This is phishing 101 – once you’ve given your email address and password to the scammers, you’ve opened yourself up to a myriad of problems. 

In Conclusion

Stay smart online to maintain cyber hygiene and improve your personal security by employing unique passwords, multi-factor authentication, device passcodes, and more. And never click those suspicious links! 

Zero Trust is a security concept in the computer world that requires all users to be authenticated before being granted access to apps and data, even if they were authenticated earlier. It is a strategic approach to cybersecurity that eliminates implicit trust and continuously validates every stage of a user’s access request.

The Zero Trust model assumes that individuals, devices, and services that are attempting to access company resources, even those inside the network, cannot automatically be trusted. This approach enhances security by verifying users every time they request access, regardless of their location or device.

Zero Trust differs from traditional security models in that it verifies a user’s identity each and every time they need specific system access, regardless of their location or device.

In contrast, traditional security models rely on a castle-and-moat cybersecurity model, in which anyone outside the corporate network perimeter is suspect and anyone inside gets the benefit of the doubt. The traditional model assumes that internal users are inherently trustworthy, known as implicit trust, which has resulted in many data breaches.  Zero Trust, on the other hand, eliminates implicit trust and continuously validates every stage of a user’s access request. While traditional security models focus on blocking, the Zero Trust model focuses on thorough and continuous verification.

According to Kenny Natiss the core principles of Zero Trust policy are based on the principle of least privilege, which permits access to various resources based on a strict set of standards to only allow authorized users. The Zero Trust model assumes that every user, device, and service that attempts to connect to a network is hostile until proven otherwise.. The fundamental principle of Zero Trust is to secure an organization’s data wherever it might live, while allowing only legitimate users and devices to access it. Zero Trust is designed to protect modern environments and enable fine-grained access control.  Security policy is applied based on context established through least-privileged access controls and strict verification. The Zero Trust model eliminates implicit trust and continuously validates every stage of a digital interaction.

Phishing is a type of cybercrime where an attacker poses as a trustworthy entity or person in electronic communication to obtain sensitive information such as login credentials, credit card information, and more. Attackers often use phishing emails to distribute malicious links or attachments that can extract personal information from victims.

To prevent phishing, it is important to never provide personal information in response to unsolicited requests. If you believe the contact may be legitimate, contact the financial institution or company directly to verify the request.

Additionally, it is recommended to use multi-factor authentication and to keep software up to date to protect against phishing attacks.

There are several common signs of a phishing email that can help you identify a potential attack. One of the most common indicators is a request for personal information.  Other signs include generic greetings or lack of greetings, misspellings, unofficial “from” addresses, and poor grammar and spelling.

Additionally, phishing emails may be sent from a public email domain or include suspicious attachments or links.  Unusually-worded subject lines can also be a sign of a phishing email.  It is important to be cautious when receiving emails from unknown senders and to verify the authenticity of any requests for personal information before providing any sensitive data.

With hackers becoming increasingly more sophisticated and determined, businesses that rely on software-as-a-service (SaaS) technologies must take extra steps to protect their customers and data. Though SaaS is often considered more secure than other types of software due to its cloud-based nature, there are still plenty of risks involved with the technology. 

Fortunately, by taking proactive steps to secure their SaaS environments and data, businesses can thrive in the modern digital landscape. Kenny Natiss explains below a few of the ways that cybersecurity can help SaaS companies stay ahead of cyber threats and protect their customers’ data:

Strong Authentication and Access Controls

One of the most important aspects of cybersecurity for SaaS companies is ensuring that only authorized users have access to sensitive data and systems. Whether this means requiring two-factor authentication for all user logins, implementing robust password policies and controls, or using other tools like biometrics and behavioral analytics, businesses can help safeguard their customers’ data by instituting strong authentication and access controls.

Encryption of Data at Rest and in Transit 

Another key element of cybersecurity for SaaS companies is the encryption of data both at rest – i.e., when it’s stored on a device or server – and in transit, i.e., when it’s being sent between devices and servers. With encryption, even if a hacker manages to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or systems, they won’t be able to use or read the information.

Monitoring and Patching of Vulnerabilities 

In addition to securing user credentials and encrypting data, SaaS companies should implement robust monitoring and patching solutions to keep their systems and data safe from vulnerabilities. By identifying and addressing issues as soon as they arise, businesses can prevent hackers from exploiting software bugs or other weaknesses.

Regular Risk Assessments 

To stay ahead of cyber threats, SaaS companies must also perform regular risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities and assess their overall security posture. This allows businesses to proactively address any issues that arise and ensure that they are always one step ahead of hackers and cyber threats. Companies may wish to work with a third-party security expert to help conduct these assessments for added peace of mind.

User Education and Awareness Training 

In addition to implementing the above cybersecurity best practices, businesses should also focus on educating their employees about cybersecurity risks and best practices. Whether this means providing regular training sessions or developing employee awareness materials, well-informed users can help improve data security for SaaS companies by being vigilant about suspicious activity and taking steps to prevent and report malicious or unauthorized activity.

Final Thoughts

Overall, by implementing these key cybersecurity practices and strategies, SaaS companies can stay ahead of cyber threats and protect their customers’ data from hackers and other malicious actors. With the stakes higher than ever before in today’s digital world, it is essential for businesses to take a proactive approach to secure their environments and data as much as possible.

The recent Twitter hack has brought to light the importance of protecting our accounts and data from cybercriminals. In early January 2023, it was confirmed that a hacker managed to expose over 235 million email addresses connected to Twitter accounts, leaving users vulnerable to fraud and identity theft. 

This attack was not only limited to email addresses; it also included passwords, phone numbers, tweets and even direct messages. Kenny Natiss explains below the implications of this hack and how users can protect themselves with cybersecurity in the future. 

Behind the Hack

At the present time, the culprit is unknown. Early reports suggested that it was likely a group of hackers that managed to gain access to Twitter’s internal system, but no official statement or investigation results from Twitter have been released yet.

In addition to this, there are speculations that the hack could have taken place in early 2021, well before Elon Musk purchased the platform.

Implications

The implications of the recent hack are far-reaching, from exposing personal and confidential data to allowing scammers to send targeted phishing emails. 

Users can now expect to see an increase in spam emails and fraudulent messages sent through social media platforms as well as a higher risk of identity theft, as the exposed information can be used to access and take over accounts.

The hack has also raised concerns about how vulnerable Twitter is to cyberattacks, as well as the security of data stored on other social media platforms.

Protecting Yourself in the Future 

To protect yourself from similar attacks in the future, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks and take measures to protect your data. Here are a few tips to improve your online security:

·         Choose Strong Passwords

Although we hear it all the time, one of the most important steps is to create strong passwords for all of your accounts and make sure that they are unique. It’s also a good idea to change them regularly, especially after a major data breach like this one.

·         Enable Two-Factor Authentication 

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to check their phone or email for a code sent to them after entering their password, which they must them punch into the website they are attempting to log into. This means that even if a hacker manages to gain access to your account, they won’t be able to use it without the additional code.

·         Be Wary of Phishing Attacks 

Phishing attacks are emails that appear legitimate but are actually malicious and designed to steal information. Be wary of any emails that ask for sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and financial details.

·         Stay Up to Date on Latest Security Threats 

Finally, it’s important to stay informed about the latest security threats so that you can be prepared in the event of a breach. Follow news outlet stories, social media posts, and information from cybersecurity organizations to keep up with the latest developments. 

Final Thoughts

By following these steps and taking measures to protect your data, you can help reduce the risk of becoming a victim of cybercrime. The recent Twitter hack has spotlighted the importance of online security and it is essential that we take precautions to protect our accounts and data.

At first glance, many people assume IT security and cybersecurity are the same, but that isn’t the case. While they both aim to protect people, data, and devices, they take vastly different approaches and consider distinct problems.

Kenny Natiss explains that in information technology (IT), professionals use computer networks, software, and hardware to share and store information. But cybersecurity focuses starkly on protecting digital devices, computer systems, and data from fraudulent access.

Those in either field will be responsible for protecting entities from electronic attacks that can result in data or identity theft, unauthorized access, malicious software, and more.

However, anyone looking to join either sector should be fully aware of the differences before deciding which path to take.

The 3 Major Differences Between IT Security and Cybersecurity

#1 Focuses and Subsets

Cybersecurity is all about protecting electronic information stored inside systems. It focuses on data and infrastructure, such as local area networks or internet connections that transmit and store information.

In other words, cybersecurity professionals prevent hackers from gaining virtual access to sensitive information on computers, networks, or programs. 

On the flip side, information technology focuses on the systems that hold the data that cybersecurity protects.

IT security is a subset of IT as a whole. Experts working in this discipline create plans to safeguard digital assets and monitor computer systems for threats. They also physically protect equipment from wrongdoings. 

But there is another subset of IT security — information security (InfoSec). Some information security professionals group this discipline into cybersecurity because some of the responsibilities overlap.

InfoSec focuses on preserving the security and integrity of data throughout transmission or storage. In essence, it encompasses all data forms, and experts employ a number of methods to protect it. 

#2 Approaches

The approaches taken by professionals in both files depend on the size of the organization. 

For instance, larger entities may employ IT and cybersecurity workers to perform security testing and educate executives on network or information threats.

However, smaller businesses typically focus cybersecurity efforts on defending their digital systems, asking specialists to take defensive and practice approaches. 

#3 Techniques

Analysts working in information security tend to craft disaster recovery plans, offering organizations guidelines to follow to mitigate business downtime during emergencies. Such plans include:

• Framework for maintaining and/or continuing IT operations following a natural or human-made disaster
• Copying and storing data in the cloud
• Actionable steps

On the other hand, cybersecurity techniques and responsibilities include verifying software updates, necessitating software updates, managing passwords, and using firewalls or anti-virus protection. 

Professionals in this field work tirelessly to design cybersecurity policies for businesses, such as enforcing two-factor authentication and limiting access. 

The Bottom Line

Knowing the differences between cybersecurity and IT security is a must for anybody looking to enter either field. 

That said, there are many overlapping goals, roles, and responsibilities. The disciplines just take different approaches and employ distinct techniques and strategies to achieve the same outcome — protection from human-made (i.e., hacking or scamming) and natural disasters.