Netizen Blog and News
The Netizen team sharing expertise, insights and useful information in cybersecurity, compliance, and software assurance.
Category: Business
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The expiration of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) disrupts the legal framework for threat intelligence sharing, leading organizations to reevaluate their collaboration strategies. Without CISA’s protections, companies face new privacy and liability challenges, prompting a shift toward privacy engineering, enhanced vendor scrutiny, and a need for stronger governance to maintain effective information exchange.
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Initial Access Brokers (IABs) facilitate cybercrime by breaking into networks and selling access to other criminals, particularly in the context of Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS). As access prices drop and targeting broadens, even small businesses are now at risk. Organizations need robust security measures to detect IAB-driven intrusions early and mitigate threats.
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The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is crucial for network monitoring but poses security risks, especially in its earlier versions. Older versions, SNMPv1 and SNMPv2c, transmit credentials in plain text, making them vulnerable to attacks. SNMPv3 offers improved security through authentication and encryption, necessitating careful configuration. Best practices must be followed to mitigate risks effectively.
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TikTok negotiations continue in the U.S. amid ongoing security concerns, regardless of ownership changes. Experts warn that risks remain due to data collection practices and algorithmic influences. Security teams are advised to treat TikTok as high-risk, implementing restrictions and monitoring to mitigate potential threats to enterprise data and operations.
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The PCI DSS v4.0 became mandatory on April 1, 2025, replacing version 3.2.1. Key updates include strengthened authentication, enhanced encryption, and automated monitoring. Compliance is essential to avoid penalties and reputational damage. Netizen offers guidance for businesses to align with these requirements and ensure successful audits and customer trust.
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The transition to Security-as-a-Service addresses inadequacies of traditional security models, offering scalable, automated monitoring and compliance solutions. This approach centralizes threat detection and response, leverages shared expertise, and enhances operational efficiency. Organizations benefit from reduced costs, improved detection times, and the ability to focus on strategic security tasks while maintaining compliance and visibility.
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Cybersecurity Awareness Month often focuses on posters, phishing tests, and all-hands emails reminding employees to “think before they click.” While these are useful starting points, the real goal is far more technical: to harden the human layer of defense while integrating people into the broader security architecture. A culture of cybersecurity is only meaningful if…
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CMMC 2.0 mandates that all defense supply chain businesses, including small and mid-sized companies, meet specific cybersecurity requirements to protect sensitive data. Compliance is crucial for retaining contracts and avoiding penalties. Implementing this framework involves addressing various cybersecurity aspects, and early compliance efforts may offer competitive advantages.
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Technology’s integral role in business makes cybersecurity essential. A Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) offers strategic cybersecurity guidance remotely, helping organizations enhance security, ensure compliance, and manage risks without the expense of a full-time hire. Demand for vCISOs has grown due to escalating cyber threats and operational flexibility.
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Access control is critical for IT security, with models like RBAC, ABAC, PBAC, ACL, and DAC providing varying degrees of user permission management. RBAC simplifies permission assignments via roles, while ABAC offers flexibility through user attributes. Choosing the right model depends on an organization’s structure and security needs, often benefiting from a hybrid approach.