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4 lessons from Microsoft’s IT outage

Whether it’s Microsoft’s IT outage or CrowdStrike’s recent update fiasco, the vulnerability of even tech titans to seemingly basic threats like DDoS attacks are a stark reality. These incidents have sent shockwaves through the industry, underscoring the critical importance of robust cybersecurity for organizations of all sizes. Proactive measures are imperative to safeguard against catastrophic losses and maintain customer confidence. Microsoft IT Outage: An Overview The incident on July 30 lasted nearly 10 hours and disrupted critical services worldwide. This incident impacted essential Microsoft platforms like Office 365, Teams, and Azure. As a result, numerous government agencies, including the Social Security Administration, were forced to close. Flight operations were grounded, business payment systems stalled, and major financial institutions like Barclays and Halifax experienced disruptions. Microsoft attributed the outage to a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack that o...

Cybersecurity Best Practices For Businesses

With growing complexity and sophistication of cyber attacks and broadening surface attacks, safeguarding organizations systems is becoming increasingly difficult. The recent Microsoft outage serves as a stark reminder of how a seemingly straightforward attack, such as a DDoS, can disrupt a tech giant.  Strengthening cybersecurity posture is no longer optional especially in today’s interconnected environment where cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. From employees to end users, everyone with access to an organization’s systems and data plays a crucial role in preventing and mitigating cyber attacks. The following are key best practices that businesses should adopt to protect themselves from malicious threats.  Cybersecurity Best Practices For Business  1.    Regularly Update Security Policies  Review and update your organization’s security policies regularly to ensure they align with evolving threats, business objectives, and regulatory requirem...

The Growing Threats of Mobile Banking App & Essential Counter Measures

Mr. Abhishek Srinivasan Online banking has revolutionized the way we manage our finances. It offers unparalleled convenience compared to traditional banking, with features like one-click payments, instant transactions, and potentially higher interest rates. Mobile apps have further revolutionized online banking, making it even faster, more accessible, and personalized, often with attractive features and a user-friendly experience. The adoption of online banking is especially high among the new generation, who are tech-savvy and prefer the convenience of online banking over traditional methods. However, cybersecurity threats remain a concern for any digital platform. According to Forrester’s Consumer Asia Pacific Survey 2023, 87% of Indians prefer to do all their banking on a smartphone. This statistic highlights the growing importance of mobile banking apps, but it also emphasizes the need to stay vigilant, protect financial data, and ensure safe online transactions.[1]  Is Onli...

Everything you need to know about API security

The modern enterprise landscape thrives on interconnectedness. The evolution of a digital-first ecosystem relies on applications that exchange data seamlessly, powering everything from customer experiences to core business operations. API is the core component that facilitates this exchange of information between various kinds of software and applications. Whether it’s IoT devices communicating with mobile devices, transmitting real-time updates, or e-commerce websites communicating client orders to back-end CMS, APIs facilitate this seamless information transaction. However, due to these capabilities, APIs also open up a world of possibilities and innovation across industries, introducing a new security frontier: API security . APIs are exposed to vulnerabilities and substantially increase the attack surface. Broken authentication, authorization flaws, and a lack of robust security measures can expose sensitive data and leave organizations vulnerable to attacks. Recent studies show th...

Supply chain cyber security: Steps for mitigation and best practices

The digital age has brought about a double-edged sword for supply chains. On one hand, it has fostered greater interconnectedness and efficiency. On the other hand, it has opened new avenues for cyberattacks. New-age threats like cyber-ransom are emerging alongside more traditional threats like supplier risks, targeting the supply chain’s digital and physical aspects. Globalization and interconnectedness have further contributed to the significant increase in the attack surface of supply chains, and this vast number of touchpoints creates more opportunities for vulnerabilities and breaches. A supply chain crisis can devastate a business, leading to weeks of downtime, operational shutdowns, reputational damage, and financial losses. Potential vulnerabilities include unauthorized access to enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, backdoor exploitation, open-source vulnerabilities, and malware injection within proprietary systems. However, a purely IT-centric approach to securing suppl...

Cryptocurrency Security: Risks and Best Practices

 By Mr. Abhishek Srinivasan Cryptocurrencies gained momentum in 2009 with the onset of Bitcoin, rapidly gaining popularity as an investment option due to their unique characteristics: decentralization, digital format, and secure token-based transactions. This combination offered an unprecedented level of convenience and control for investors. However, the world of cryptocurrency is not without its dangers. While generally secure, there are inherent threats that can leave users wary. For instance, recent research shows that 2022 noted 199 crypto thefts, and 2023 noted a sharp rise with 283 incidents recorded, resulting in millions of dollars in loss.  Therefore, understanding potential pitfalls and implementing preventative measures will equip users with the knowledge to make informed decisions and navigate cryptocurrency investment’s promising yet volatile landscape.  Cryptocurrency Risks   While cryptocurrency offers strong cryptographic security, its lack of wides...