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Apr222024

How Penetration Testing protects against Cyber Threats

How Penetration Testing protects against Cyber Threats

Understanding penetration testing

Penetration testing, often referred to as ethical hacking, involves simulating cyberattacks on your systems to identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited by malicious actors. This practice is crucial in a world where digital threats are not just prevalent but are constantly evolving. Penetration tests can be categorized into three types: black box, white box, and grey box, each offering varying levels of access to the system’s details. The process unfolds in phases—planning, scanning, gaining access, maintaining access, and analysis—which together help secure your systems comprehensively.

Navigating the shifting sands of cybersecurity

The digital frontier is ever-expanding, and with each advancement, the complexity and cunning of cybercriminals escalate. Not confined to mere opportunistic attacks, today’s cyber threats are orchestrated with precision, often mirroring the sophistication of legitimate IT operations. From exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities to harnessing the power of artificial intelligence for malicious intent, these threats don’t just challenge existing security measures but also dictate the future direction of cybersecurity strategies. By delving into the specifics of recent cyber incidents, we uncover a pattern: the only predictable aspect of cyber threats is their unpredictability. This constant evolution demands vigilance and a dynamic approach to security—a forte of penetration testing.

Techniques and tools of the trade

Penetration testing employs a range of methods and tools designed to push your system’s defenses to their limits. Common techniques include social engineering, where testers use deceptive tactics to gain access permissions, and vulnerability scanning, which seeks out exploitable weaknesses in your system. It’s important that a pentest is conducted by technically knowledgeable and experience ethical hackers. They use many tools such as Nmap, Nessus, Nuclei, BurpSuite Pro and many others, but the individual skills of our team are central to penetration testing. By using these tools, penetration testers can provide an in-depth assessment of how secure a system really is.

The organisational benefits

The proactive nature of penetration testing offers several benefits. Primarily, it identifies vulnerabilities and allows IT teams to remediate them before attackers can take advantage. This proactive approach not only fortifies security but also enhances the organisation’s understanding of its own networks, leading to improved governance and control. Moreover, by exposing potential security breaches, penetration testing can help avert financially and reputationally costly data breaches.

It's an essential component of a holistic security strategy.

Compliance and penetration testing

In addition to bolstering security, penetration testing is increasingly seen as a compliance safeguard. Regulations such as GDPR in Europe and HIPAA in the United States impose stringent requirements on data security, where non-compliance can result in severe penalties. Regular penetration testing ensures that an organisation not only meets these regulatory requirements but also addresses any compliance-related vulnerabilities discovered during testing.

Implementing effective penetration testing

For penetration testing to be effective, it should be conducted regularly—as technology and threats evolve, so must defensive strategies. Organizations should either develop an in-house team equipped with the necessary skills or outsource to reputable cybersecurity firms. The key is consistency and expertise to ensure that testing provides real value.

Real-world success story: Sony Pictures Entertainment

A notable instance where penetration testing proved invaluable occurred at Sony Pictures Entertainment. After suffering a devastating cyberattack in 2014, which led to significant data leaks and financial losses, Sony took substantial steps to overhaul its cybersecurity measures. Recognizing the need to fortify their defenses, the company initiated a rigorous penetration testing program.

The penetration testing team, comprised of top cybersecurity experts, was tasked with identifying any remaining vulnerabilities that could be exploited. During one of these tests, the team discovered a critical flaw in the network that could potentially allow hackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.

The vulnerability was linked to an outdated application that was not compliant with current security standards. The penetration testers simulated an attack that exploited this weakness, demonstrating how a hacker could infiltrate the system. This hands-on demonstration was a wake-up call for Sony Pictures, highlighting the need for immediate remediation.

Sony acted swiftly on the findings, updating and securing the vulnerable application and reinforcing their overall network security. This proactive approach not only patched a critical security gap but also helped Sony build a more resilient IT infrastructure.

This example underscores the tangible benefits of penetration testing—by revealing and addressing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, organizations can avoid the severe consequences of a cyber breach and enhance their security posture significantly.

Conclusion

Regular penetration testing is more than just a cybersecurity measure; it’s an essential component of a holistic security strategy. With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated, the need for robust testing has never been more apparent. Organisations must remain vigilant and proactive, utilizing penetration testing to stay several steps ahead of potential attackers.

Interested in ensuring that your organisation is protected? Consider setting up a consultation with our cybersecurity team. Remember, in the realm of cybersecurity, prevention is always better than cure.

Apr152024

Shift to Proactive Cybersecurity and Assurance

Shift to Proactive Cybersecurity and Assurance

Envision a future where cybersecurity breaches are as archaic as floppy disks. In this envisioned digital landscape, enterprises are not merely reactive; they preemptively anticipate and neutralize threats with exacting precision. This proactive approach to cybersecurity is not merely aspirational—it’s a transformative strategy that is redefining the protocols of digital protection. This post delves into why adopting this forward-looking approach is imperative for contemporary businesses intent on safeguarding their digital frontiers.

Why reactive measures are falling short

The traditional reactive model of cybersecurity can be likened to patching leaks on a rapidly sinking vessel—it is both inefficient and belated. Such an approach often leaves enterprises in a precarious position, scrambling to manage crises reactively rather than preventing them proactively. The consequences are severe: substantial financial losses, diminished customer trust, and irreversible damage to brand reputation. In a landscape where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated, maintaining a purely reactive stance is a risk no prudent business can afford.

The proactive cybersecurity advantage

Proactive cybersecurity transcends mere threat mitigation; it redefines the entire cybersecurity battleground. It mandates a strategic, informed, and anticipatory response to digital threats, shifting the focus from mere survival to comprehensive resilience.

The benefits of a proactive cybersecurity mindset include:

  • Predict and mitigate: Utilizing state-of-the-art technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, enterprises can forecast potential threats and formulate strategic defenses with enhanced efficacy.
  • Cost efficiency: Preventative measures significantly reduce the financial burden associated with data breaches, not only in terms of direct costs but also in operational disruptions.
  • Reputation integrity: A proactive approach signals to customers that their data is not only secure but valued, thereby reinforcing trust and loyalty.
Een afbeelding met in het middelpunt een schaakbord en twee mensen waarvan je alleen handen ziet die spelen. Er staat een tekst met ''don't just respond, anticipate. Het laat zien dat proactive cybersecurity een strategische keuze is

Assurance services form the bedrock of a proactive cybersecurity strategy.

Assurance services: the proactive pillars

Risk Management and assurance equip businesses with the necessary intelligence and tools to transition from a passive defense to an active security force. The role of assurance services includes:

  • Comprehensive Risk Management: Through meticulous assessments, enterprises can identify and prioritize both existing and emergent vulnerabilities.
  • Strategic policy implementation: Policies and protocols are dynamically crafted and continuously refined in response to evolving threats.
  • Empowered human element: A focus on training and awareness empowers employees to act as proactive agents in recognizing and addressing threats.

Securance's distinctive approach

At Securance, our role in the cybersecurity industry extends beyond participation—we aim to lead it. Our integrated approach of assurance and advisory services with cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions offers a holistic, proactive security strategy. We prepare businesses to confront and conquer future challenges, ensuring that cybersecurity measures advance in alignment with their strategic objectives.

A reactive to proactive cybersecurity approach is critical

The evolution from a reactive to a proactive approach in cybersecurity represents a critical shift in the way businesses protect their digital ecosystems. This proactive approach has transcended luxury to become a necessity in a domain where cyber threats continuously evolve. Committed to leading this shift, Securance offers strategies that not only defend but also empower businesses to innovate and grow securely.

Through fostering a culture of anticipation and prevention, Securance is redefining the standards in the cybersecurity field, ensuring our clients are not merely survivors but pioneers in the digital age.

Apr52024

Integrating Assurance and Cybersecurity for Leaders

Integrating Assurance and Cybersecurity for Leaders

In an era defined by digital transformation, the strategic integration of Assurance and Cybersecurity emerges as a crucial foundation for organizational resilience. This integration represents not just a trend but a fundamental shift in how companies approach risk management in a digitally interconnected landscape.

Understanding the imperative of integration

At its core, the imperative for integrating Assurance and Cybersecurity stems from the evolving nature of digital threats. These threats are increasingly sophisticated, targeting not just the technological infrastructure but also exploiting procedural and operational vulnerabilities. This shift necessitates a holistic approach to risk management, where assurance and cybersecurity are not isolated functions but part of a unified strategy.

The synergy of Assurance and Cybersecurity

The synergy between Assurance and Cybersecurity offers several key benefits:

  • Unified Risk Management: By bringing together these two disciplines, organizations can achieve a more comprehensive understanding and management of risks, ensuring that both compliance and security considerations are addressed cohesively.
  • Efficiency and cost reduction: A coordinated approach allows for the streamlining of audits and assessments, reducing duplication of effort and enabling more efficient allocation of resources.
  • Enhanced stakeholder confidence: Demonstrating a commitment to integrated risk management can significantly boost the confidence of clients, investors, and regulatory bodies in the organization’s ability to protect against and respond to cyber threats.

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Challenges to integration

However, achieving this integration is not without challenges. Organizational silos, differing priorities between assurance and cybersecurity teams, and the complexity of coordinating across diverse regulatory standards are significant hurdles. Overcoming these challenges requires strong leadership, a clear vision for integration, and a culture that values collaboration and continuous improvement.

Strategies for effective integration

Leaders seeking to integrate Assurance and Cybersecurity can adopt several strategies:

  1. Establish a unified Governance Framework: This framework should clearly define roles, responsibilities, and processes for risk management across the organization, ensuring alignment between Assurance and Cybersecurity objectives.
  2. Leverage technology and automation: Utilizing advanced technologies can facilitate the integration of data and processes, enabling more effective risk assessment and monitoring.
  3. Foster a culture of collaboration: Encouraging open communication and collaboration between assurance and cybersecurity teams is critical. Regular cross-functional meetings, joint training sessions, and shared objectives can help bridge gaps and align efforts.

Conclusion

For CEOs and managers navigating the complexities of the digital age, the integration of Assurance and Cybersecurity is not merely a strategic advantage—it is a necessity. By embracing this integral approach, leaders can ensure their organizations are better equipped to manage the dynamic risks of the digital landscape, securing not just their data and systems but also their reputation and future.

Apr12024

Cybersecurity Threats: Easter Supply Chain Attack

Cybersecurity threats averted: the easter supply chain attack

The IT Security community had an interesting Easter weekend. Somebody very smart almost hacked 20 million internet servers, but they were found out in the nick of time by one guy from San Francisco called Andres Freund. If it was a movie plot, you’d call it far-fetched.

The incident unfolds

The situation began to unfold on Good Friday with a concerning post on Mastodon by Andres Freund, a Microsoft engineer specialising in the PostgreSQL open-source database. Freund had noticed unusual timing behaviour on one of his test servers: the SSH service, used for remote login to Linux, was using far more resources than normal.

https://mastodon.social/@AndresFreundTec/112180083704606941

Being an expert on system performance, he wanted to know why, and he knew how to pin down such problems. He found that the culprit was a common software library called XZ. It is used by many programs for data compression.

The reason for the slowdown was that a backdoor had been added to XZ, specifically targeting SSH to allow an attacker to access systems with their own private login key, without the owner of the system knowing about it.

The potential impact

Scans of the internet show 20 million IP addresses with the SSH service listening for connections. Web servers, e-mail servers, infrastructure servers, database servers, all sorts of servers. If this software had spread to all of them, the attackers would have been able to remotely make these servers do whatever they want. Delete them, quietly steal information that they handle, change data, … anything. It would not be an exaggeration to say that they would have been able to control a large part of the internet, and to listen in on a lot of confidential communications.

Fortunately, Andres runs systems with much more recent software than 99% of us. So this had only just happened, and was not yet included in any mainstream Linux releases. Huge sigh of relief all around. Very lucky escape.

How could this happen?

The backdoor was very cleverly hidden. It can’t be found by looking at the source code for XZ. Somebody added it to a release script, a small program that builds the software, packs it up and sends it off “downstream” to be included in Linux operating system releases. Only after XZ is built from source code is the backdoor code injected into the files that are sent to be run on other systems.

Also, the backdoor is built so that it is not detectable from the network. If XZ is included in SSH, it acts only when a login request is received from someone who has a specific, secret key. Then, and only then, will the backdoor run a command for its owner. If you don’t have that secret key, there is no way to know that a server is vulnerable. Only the server owner could find it, provided, of course, (s)he knows about the issue and knows where to look.

If Andres hadn’t noticed the slight timing issue, this might have taken a very, very long time to be discovered.

Whodunnit

The XZ version with the backdoor was released by somebody calling themselves Jia Tan. It is now believed that this is not a real person.

Lasse Collin is the owner and inventor of XZ. He maintained the software for free, for many years. After being pressured to work harder on his project[1], and suffering from illness, he gave a very friendly new volunteer called Jia Tan access to edit the software and to make releases, and took some well-earned vacation. We now think that the pressure campaign, which started in 2022, was orchestrated so that “Jia Tan” could become the maintainer of XZ and thus be able to release malicious software into the larger internet ecosystem.

Getting control of a widely-used project, developing a complicated backdoor, and hiding it, must have taken serious investment. Some people are saying that some of the large criminal hacking groups can afford to build something like this, but the main suspect would be a national intelligence service. We can’t be sure, of course, but who else would spend years building this, and getting it included into an important piece of internet infrastructure by finding a widely-used project maintained by only one overworked person?

[1] Look at this e-mail exchange from 2022, for example: https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/msg00566.html – “Jigar Kumar” and “Dennis Ens” demanding that Lasse give control of his project to others; conveniently, “Jia Tan” then volunteers

What do I do?

We’re very lucky that this was caught in time. “Jia Tan” was busy just last week pushing Linux maintainers to quickly adopt the latest version of XZ into their main releases, but this had not happened yet. So, unless you are running “bleeding edge”, unstable testing releases of Linux, you are most probably fine. But, update just the same, to make extra sure: updates have now been released that roll back the latest, infected releases of XZ (5.6.0 and 5.6.1).

Also, a recommendation that we at Securance always give to our clients is not to expose services like SSH, that are meant to be used only by a few IT staff, to the open internet. Always limit access in the firewall to internal IP addresses, and perhaps a few home addresses of trusted staff. That way, if a new vulnerability in the service is discovered, attackers simply won’t be able to connect to your servers to exploit it.

Lessons for the future

Supply chain attacks are here to stay, because complicated supply chains will continue to exist. A well-known cartoon puts it like this:

We (internet users) need to support these “random persons” a little more, and be aware of their importance to our security. Lasse Collins was building and maintaining this critical piece of software for us in his spare time, for nothing. And there are many more Lasses out there.

We at Securance support some open source projects whose excellent software we use for free. We will look at supporting more of them with a monthly donation. No matter how small – these can really make a difference.