2018 witnessed an increase in cyber security awareness by the government, private organizations and the general public. People now care more about data security and hold organizations accountable when they fail to protect it. For this reason and many others, 2019 will be jam packed with cyber security conferences and events. The following is a list of upcoming cyber security events happening in 2019:
2018 was an eventful year for healthcare security. From the enforcement of new privacy laws to the amendment of existing ones, the international healthcare sector has experienced many changes. Telehealth is growing, new health record initiatives are being put in place and old ones are being updated. In spite of this, the industry still has a long way to go before it can be considered a secure place for data to be stored and managed. Below is a list of valuable lessons learned over the course of 2018:
In spite of breakthroughs in technology and cybersecurity, 2018 witnessed a significant number of high-profile breaches. In response, the cybersecurity industry is evolving, with both users and providers becoming more security conscious. The following are 4 cybersecurity predictions that are expected to continue into 2019:
In June of 2018, California passed the Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), a law with similar rules to the European GDPR, which is set to be enforced on January 1 of 2020. However, on September 23, the California government approved an amendment (labelled SB 1121) to modify important areas of the act and to improve consumer privacy and security rights. The CCPA and the upcoming changes are not only expected to affect Californian organizations, but also ones that conduct business in the state, meaning that the U.S. market will most likely be affected. Below is a list of changes that are expected to occur as a result of the amendments:
On October 29, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the opening of the new Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center (HC3) in Washington D.C. The Deputy Secretary of the HHS, Eric Hargan, headed the ceremony, which was an iconic way of concluding National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
October marks National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and like the new year, organizations usually try to re-center their operations and renew their security resolutions. Some take this opportunity to update employees on the current security climate.
Over the past decade, cloud computing has quickly become a necessary transition for healthcare providers. In this technological era, things have become fast paced and an on-premises healthcare system will undoubtedly cause the industry to lag behind. According to the 2016 HIMSS Analytics Cloud Survey, 84 percent of participating healthcare organizations utilize cloud computing in one way or another. Its uses range from data backups and recovery, business functions such as organizational finance and human resources. However, cloud computing is affected by some negative aspects that can cause serious damage if they obstruct a healthcare entity's systems. This is mainly because emergency situations do not withstand additional pressure. Healthcare providers still have some reservations about the following:
The evolution of ransomware, dating back as far as 1989, has snowballed along with the development of technology to become a very profitable business for hackers. It is easier than traditional hacking, more efficient and allows them to cash in quickly and with minimal complications. Attackers can breach a vulnerable system through a back door and encrypt its data, which effectively shuts out users and prevents them from accessing any records or documents. A message demanding money then appears on the screen, a time limit is set and a countdown begins. The element of time implants a sense of urgency in the victim, compelling him/her to pay the ransom as quickly as possible. All this can be done from the comfort of a hacker's lair far away and almost impossible to track.
The reason why attackers are so successful in breaching electronic devices is because of the perceived distance people put between themselves and the possibility of such a breach ever happening to them. The belief that a ransomware attack is far-fetched is the very reason why ransomware is so lucrative. Putting your guard down is the vulnerability that hackers are waiting for. Below is a list of best practices that can help you protect and secure yourself effectively:
Human error is inevitable, and that is exactly what hackers count on. One slip-up can result in the loss of large amounts of data and cause a company to lose its credibility in the eyes of its customers. Overspending on high tech systems while neglecting employee training in cyber security is a poor strategy that will prove ineffective. It is also the main reason why human error is a leading cause of cyber attacks. Although it is not possible to completely eliminate human error, seeking ways to minimize it as much as possible will help reduce the occurrences of security breaches. In order to be able to do that, it is important to know the main sources of human error and how to avoid them.
