I recently presented at the Duke Law EDRM on Cybersecurity and Law Firm Understanding Legal and Ethical Obligations. Some questions […]
Data, a crucial asset for the modern business, is under attack. Data breaches, ransomware, employee theft, and mistakes can each […]
Data is the building block of the modern business. It is essential for daily operations and ongoing commercial operations, but more […]
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is set to go into effect on May 25, 2018, and yet many companies […]
The zombie apocalypse is frequently mentioned in literature and pop culture. Some have even taken steps to protect against this […]
The need for patch management has repeatedly been demonstrated in recent years as companies large and small suffered data breaches […]
It is healthy to take a step back from the technological changes of today to strategize on how the technology […]
Cyber attacks on hospitals and other healthcare institutions have increased over the last 18 months, in part because they make […]
There’s no doubt that cybercriminals are busy preparing more ransomware attacks for the remainder of 2018. And that ransomware code […]
Companies experienced a deluge of cyberattacks in 2017 and the first part of 2018 has proven no different. In 2016, […]
In a world where many are battling corruption, Hasbro is doing the opposite. The classic Monopoly game where players attempt […]
The recent Microsoft Office Modern Workplace episode “Ransomware – What you need to know” brought together two great minds, Theresa […]
2017 was called the year of ransomware, but ransomware is showing no signs of slowing down. Ransomware is expected to […]
While blockchain has earned its most significant claim to fame by making possible the rise of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, researchers […]
Katie Niemi and Eric Vanderburg While being diligent with your online shopping is important and necessary, there are a few […]
Many view the cybercriminal as an unknown. This is due, in part, to the difficulty inherent in tracking down individual […]
There are two ways to think about the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), set to go into effect in […]
This technological era is one that changes rapidly and so do defense strategies. In the ancient world, combat strategies might […]
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is set to go into effect on May 25, 2018, and yet many companies […]
As the size of the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to grow, so too do the potential security risks for […]
In recent years, there has been a fundamental change in both the scope and scale of cyber threats to critical […]
The wildfire that ripped through California in early October caused tremendous damage and the loss of over 30 lives. So […]
Cybercriminals use phishing emails with malicious links or attachments to distribute ransomware more than any other method. Their goal is […]
The WannaCry ransomware attack earlier this year infected more than 230,000 computers in 150 countries within one day of its release. It […]
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) clause 225.204-7012 was established in 2015 to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). CUI is […]
Ransomware, the malicious code that holds data hostage, is now a more common threat to businesses than data breaches. It […]
The costs associated with a ransomware attack are often viewed from two dimensions: On one side, there is the ransom […]
Some ransomware are strategically designed to cause as much damage as possible while producing large profits for cybercriminals. And the […]
Linux is an open-source operating system that is very versatile due to the large group of volunteers that maintain and […]
Cybersecurity challenges companies, countries, and individuals to continually improve protections against an enemy that wants our secrets, money, and identify. […]
An acquaintance from a younger generation said to me one day, “Don’t you know that privacy is dead?” I was […]
Most people will never have a fire in their home or office, but everyone can remember going through a fire […]
The process of making sure your business is prepared to protect its data from ransomware and other disasters depends largely on the […]
Virtual reality has received a lot of attention lately, but there is much to be said for Augmented Reality (AR) […]
A new ransomware do-it-yourself kit called Karmen is making it easy for wannabe cybercriminals to launch ransomware attacks. Security researchers […]
With the upcoming onset of the GDPR, many companies are seeking to leverage their cloud services for GDPR compliance. The […]
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the latest in a host of rules designed to protect privacy. It is […]
Apple Inc. has a reputation for building secure devices, but don’t become too complacent because ransomware threats to Mac users […]
Pavan Belagatti and Eric Vanderburg Early DevOps adopters have proven DevOps to be more than just a cultural shift or […]
For decades, the printer has been the intermediary between the digital and physical worlds. Through it, our creations become tangible […]
There are a variety of different ransomware variants that encrypt your data with no intention of ever decrypting it. There […]
When it comes to ransomware attacks, those who lose valuable data and have no viable backup tend to pay the […]
The repeal of the FCC Internet privacy rules has spurred on many discussions on privacy online and how companies collect […]
I recently did an interview with Karen Marcus for Careers in Cybersecurity on education, career development, and cybersecurity career success. […]
Spora is a relatively new ransomware, but there are signs which indicate that it could become a major player in […]
Bring your own device (BYOD) policies are commonplace in many organizations today. Employees bring in their personal cell phones, laptops, […]
Ransomware is infecting the computers of unsuspecting victims at an astronomical rate. The various methods that cybercriminals use to take […]
The insider is still one of the most vulnerable elements of cybersecurity and it was the discussion of the recent […]
I recently did an interview with JAX Magazine on DevOps and here is the transcript of the interview. Some people […]
Cybercriminals extorted about one billion dollars from ransomware victims last year, according to the FBI. And nearly all of those […]
If we have learned anything over the last few years about data breaches, it is that they are likely to […]
People charged with filling career positions at their companies need to be on the lookout for ransomware—especially GoldenEye ransomware. GoldenEye […]
PopcornTime is a newly-discovered form or ransomware that is still in the development stages but operates off a disturbing principle: […]
Two email accounts of a ransomware distributor were recently compromised. The analysis of these accounts gives an interesting “behind the […]
Cybercrime is very much a psychological game and ransomware is no exception. Psychology plays a major role in almost all […]
This past year, ransomware has extorted vast sums of money from enterprises. Ransomware is a form of malware that encrypts […]
Machine learning is a science that uses existing data on a subject to train a computer how to identify related […]
Ransomware continues to be a huge problem for companies and consumers—and a major source of income for cybercriminals. Malicious hackers […]
In the world of technology, paradigms shift quickly. Not long ago, we focused organizational security efforts on the perimeter of […]
The latest version of Cerber ransomware is targeting database applications and putting business’s most valuable data at risk, according to […]
Security software companies and research organizations are collaborating to break the encryption codes of ransomware variants and free those who […]
Ransomware computer viruses are becoming more sophisticated—and so are the attacks that make use of ransomware. In some cases, ransomware […]
Ransomware infections are becoming increasingly commonplace, and companies that put a plan together before an incident are much more effective […]
As if encrypting your individual files was not enough, a recently discovered ransomware called Mamba encrypts your entire hard drive. […]
The news is crowded with reports from noteworthy companies of cyber-attacks. Last year was the year of the data breach […]
People are the core of any incident response effort. You must have the right people to provide the right response. […]
We all know money is the motivating force behind cybercrimes like the creation and distribution of ransomware. The interesting twist […]
A Pokemon Go themed ransomware virus has appeared on Windows computers, tablets, and phones. The ransomware is the latest in […]
The average company today is a hybrid collection of traditional on-premise and cloud-based IT solutions. On-premise solutions may include identity […]
Ransomware creators are monetizing their software in creative new ways. Not only are they using ransomware to encrypt files and […]
The US presidential election is upon us and some political activists are out in the streets, and in convention halls. […]
Criminals are raising the bar in the fight for your money. It’s natural to expect that competition would follow success—and […]
It might surprise you to know that ransomware uses geolocation technology to customize payloads and target individuals. You probably already […]
Ransomware is the quickest way to turn your valuable data into garbage. Ransomware is a form of malicious software that […]
Businesses today can’t exist without data. They feed on it, breathe it, and those that understand how to most effectively […]
Storage solutions make or break the systems they support and yet these same systems are routinely seen as a cost […]
The concept of identity is core to the protection of data. Data and other computing resources exist to be used […]
We may not be using more of our brains but we can probably use more of our data. Did you […]
2016 is going to be a big year for security. News of data breaches and the major technological innovations of […]
Spoiler alert for all my regular cybersecurity readers: this is a post about audio, not security. Check back in a […]
You probably remember Microsoft’s announcement for their augmented reality or mixed reality hardware called HoloLens which occurred around the announcement […]
This is the start of the season. No, I am not talking about the Christmas season or the shopping season. […]
CDW asked me what my must-have products were for #Techsgiving sweeps and I have to say the choice was rather […]
This statement may be familiar to many who have considered cloud services and it was both the start and end […]
The maturation of the cloud is fascinating as it continues to adapt, providing more opportunities for companies and consumers to […]
I used to be agitated by the sound of the phone. My wife and I both have cell phones but […]
Shortcuts, as the name implies, are key combinations that you can press on your keyboard to perform semi-complex actions. These […]
Security is a growing field, and with its growth come many different career options. As you gain experience in different […]
I was recently asked the question, Can eDiscovery systems prove the integrity of the email that they discover? If so, […]
Information security is often described using the CIA Triad. The CIA stands for Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability and these are […]
Do you know why all the major online retailers offer a way for users to review products? It’s because people […]
Anonymity has been a longstanding hallmark of the Internet but you should no longer assume that your online activities are […]
New graduates are in a tough spot, especially those interested in cybersecurity. A majority of cybersecurity positions require one or […]
The Internet community grows larger everyday as more and more devices are attached to it. These devices increasingly include not […]
Microsoft officially launched its successor to Windows 8.1, Windows 10, on July 29, 2015, and millions have already downloaded this […]
In 2014, the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) tracked 783 data breaches with 85,611,528 confirmed records exposed. This year appears even more […]
Some breaches require notification such as those involving patient data or customer information, but sharing is optional. Of course, notification […]
We are getting closer and closer to virtual reality. Some companies such as Google and Oculus have already produced virtual […]
I was talking to Mark Schaefer and he said that SEO content today is about insight rather than quality. This […]
New and creative security threats may grab headlines, but smart security practitioners know that many attackers still rely on the […]
Last week I was walking down the street with a friend and a guy and a girl yelled over to […]
In 5 to 10 years, the cloud will be as ubiquitous as the Internet is today. It is predicted that […]
With the ease and prevalence of global expansion, security leaders must understand how to implement security across a global organization […]
Successful security leaders demonstrate their effectiveness through metrics. Metrics are used more and more as security executives emulate the way […]
As vigorously as many organizations are working to prevent them, data breaches are becoming more of a common occurrence, and the consequences […]
In childhood I dreamed of a world quite grand Where my name and face were far from mystery A life […]
It is easy to get down or even depressed with the focus on negatives in the news and in conversation. […]
Security spending could be compared to the stock market. It increases and decreases depending on intangibles such as how “at-risk” […]
I always figured that you would need to know what you have in order to protect it. However, I have […]
We’ve seen quite a variety of online threats recently. A simple email containing a convincing subject line can compromise a […]
The cloud has received a lot of negative press from security professionals and, I have to admit, we’ve come off […]
It seems like security practitioners are still saying the same things they said ten years ago. Use complex passwords. Change […]
Do you conduct debriefing sessions after completing a cybersecurity project? Quite often, our minds are moving on to the next […]
As an organization becomes more conscious and engaged in protecting information, it progresses along a path of security maturity. I […]
Join the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Business, Banking & Corporate Counsel Section on Thursday, December 11, 2014, for a panel […]
As hard as it is to believe, 2014 is almost at a close. While some think about Holiday gatherings and […]
I welcome you to join me on November 8 at Grace Baptist Church of Westlake for the Untangled Conference. I […]
An estimated 5% of annual corporate revenues are lost each year to fraud, represented in part by computer fraud. Protection […]
I was asked a question on Twitter today. The question was, “Is staying safe online possible?” This is a great […]
The Value of Big Data Accenture released the findings of their big data study on September 10, 2014, and it […]
The largest internet security breach in history has just been discovered. Hold Security, a small cybersecurity firm, first reported the […]
I was recently listed as the number 10 information security leader to follow on Twitter in Information Security Buzz’s 25 […]
Security breaches and identity theft are becoming an increasing concern for consumers as hackers continue to target large retailers. Target, […]
A botnet or zombie army is a group of computers – with their owners unaware of it – that is […]
The power supply and control panel for this Dell PowerVault 124T tape autoloader failed with a tape in the drive. […]
I want to thank Amber Newby for listing me as the number 11 person on Twitter aiding against identity theft. […]
I was recently the keynote speaker and the IT professional development event hosted by Cuyahoga Community College and the Helpdesk […]
Twas the night before the breach, when all through the place Not an alarm was ringing, nor even a trace […]
I appeared on the Sound of Ideas program on National Public Radio channel 90.3, WCPN on November 3. In the […]
I was talking with a client about multifactor authentication and they wanted a demo of what that looked like so […]
I was honored to be able to address the final graduating class at Remington College’s campus on the West side […]
Vanderburg was recently listed as the number 10 information security leader to follow on Twitter in Information Security Buzz’s 25 […]
Security remains a complex discipline. This ever-changing challenge grows in complexity daily as new threats emerge and compliance requirements increase. […]
I watched the XBOX One launch video today on my XBOX 360 console dashboard. It is impressive in some ways […]
Social networking is my thing this year and I just wanted to share my strategy with you in case you […]
There are so many ways to share on social media today and users, especially the younger generation, are sharing almost […]
On May 9, 2013, Federal prosecutors issued indictments against eight individuals for hacking and theft. The case revealed the methods […]
The Electronic Frontier Foundation issued a report on 18 web and technology companies that routinely handle data. The study looked […]
The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) had a mobile device containing 100,000 youth and employee records stolen on January […]
Salem State University in Massachusetts issued a data breach warning to faculty and students on March 11. The warning informed […]
I will be presenting at the ISACA CPE & Social Event – Cyber Forensics & Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat […]
On March 8, 2013, a contractor working for North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) billing department stored […]
A recent study by Deloitte, titled Blurring the lines: 2013 TMT global security study, shows that 59% of Technology, Media, […]
Some have emailed me asking why criminals would even care about Personal Health Information (PHI). Sure, it’s private information but what […]
The EU Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has stated with its recent fine for Sony of £250,000 that lack of knowledge […]
President Obama signed an executive order on February 12, 2013, that requires federal agencies to share information on cyber threats […]
Two weeks ago hackers took control of 14 servers and 20 workstations at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), obtaining […]
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the HIPAA Omnibus rule on January 17, 2013, designed to give […]
I had an awesome time with you all. Thanks for making it a great LAN party. Here are a few […]
Back in November, I blogged about the hack back initiative here in the United States. Well, similar debates are taking […]
Are you ready for some great PC gaming? Bring your computer to VandyLAN 8 where we will game all day […]
On January 2, 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) fined the Hospice of North Idaho $50,000 for […]
Security researchers have identified a new malware called Dexter that specifically targets Point of Sale (POS) systems such as cash […]
It is easy for miscommunication to happen after a data breach. There could be many people working on the incident […]
Here is a fact that many of us would like to forget. Most data theft occurs by insiders. This is […]
Recent research shows that hospitals are the highest risk for data breaches. The third annual benchmark study on patient privacy […]
Our Security Operations center keeps track of a lot of information. Here are two workspaces in the SOC. Let me […]
A recent finding by Gartner titled “Using SIEM for Targeted Attack Detection” is that 85% of breaches go undetected. Those […]
Government regulation, including the well-known HIPAA and GLBA, are quite clear on the notification requirements for businesses suffering a data […]
Like paparazzi on celebrities, hackers pound on our organizational doors almost every second of the day. It makes us want […]
Data breaches are occurring more frequently and companies are searching for a way to help prevent the breach by understanding […]
On October 10, the Secret Service’s electronic crimes task force discovered that the South Carolina Department of Revenue’s systems were […]
An organization’s security culture in relation to information security determines how receptive employees will be to security initiatives. Culture can […]
At the upcoming Information Security Summit, I will be presenting on the topic, “Eradicate the Bots in the Belfry.” Bots […]
A recent survey of small business owners showed that while 77 percent believe that security is important for their company’s […]
Last month, Senator John D. Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, sent the […]
Did you know that computers often become infected with virus-like programs called “bots” causing “denial of service” incidents on websites? […]
Many people have asked me how to reset their Windows password so I decided to write this blog about it. […]
Every once in a while, a website will try to convince you to change your security settings. I was looking […]
A few months ago I discussed the sale of zero-day exploits. The Zero-day exploit trade is a new market; increasingly […]
As we think of today, our Independence Day, consider also the information security and cyber security professionals who guard our […]
It seems no matter where you turn; someone is waiting to rip you off. Our inboxes drown in spam and […]
Data classification is a term that is not usually associated with the small business. It tends to invoke thoughts of […]
While many people think that a person’s social media posts, photos, and conversations are protected as private information, especially if […]
Social engineering is the art of manipulating people into giving up confidential information. The types of information social engineers seek varies, […]
Managing the security of an organization can be quite confusing. It can seem like an uphill battle when basic […]
Public clouds have been greatly promoted as an approach for organizations to reduce information technology (IT) costs and increase technology […]
If you had a breach of your most sensitive data tomorrow, how much would it cost you? There are quite […]
The phrase “Knowledge is power” has never before become so clear and scary. The knowledge that is kept secret can […]
Historically, ecological concerns have been significant drivers for change. Topics ranging from global warming to protecting various species carry a […]
For more than a decade, computer-generated digital certificates have made it possible to authenticate the identity of computer systems, data, […]
Gerald Wilde had a theory called risk homeostasis. This theory hypothesizes that people have a level of acceptable risk. When […]
The latest televisions and Blu-Ray players come equipped with more than HD video and audio. Internet access and a host of […]
Organizations are accumulating data at a pace that would cause a hoarder to blush. Just like that old bicycle seat […]
ISO 27000 is a set of security standards that organizations can implement to provide an industry-recognized minimum level of security. […]
The site is down! These are haunting words for most businesses, and today’s topic: the DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) attack. This […]
If you want to create an EXE, executable file, from a batch file or VBS file, these two programs will […]
Data breaches and security incidents are a significant risk for organizations and some are using cyber insurance to transfer the […]
Losing data can be tremendously devastating to a company. It could compromise security, information, and jobs. Today, we will look […]
As you laugh at my title, anticipating several paragraphs of satire, think about what I’ve just said because I’m serious…to […]
The use of SIEM, DLP, and IAM can significantly enhance the capabilities of information security departments. SIEM allows a company to […]
Imagine a boardroom a generation ago. Smoke fills the air, and sidebar discussions thrive while the board members wait for […]
Scams exist. That is a simple truth. There are honest people, and then there are others who try to cheat. […]
Previously, we have discussed the dangers of hacking and measures to take against an attack in the LulzSec blogs. Now […]
PCI applies to a wide range of corporations and companies that deal with credit card transactions, and it can be […]
HIPAA is regulation intended to help covered entities and their business associates protect Electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI). The U.S. […]
Information security is often feared as an amorphous issue that only the IT department has to deal with. The reality […]
“Thinner. Lighter. Faster. Facetime. ” That is the catchphrase from the Apple page dedicated to the iPad. While Apple is […]
Thank you for staying tuned into our third case study and final installment of our four-part series on the Lulz […]
This post is the third part of a four-part series on the LulzSec hackers. Our first entry titled “Awareness Pains: […]
As promised, here is the first case study regarding the events surrounding the Lulzsec group. If you are reading that […]
Bob set down the phone with a sigh. After six hours, five phone calls, countless emails, and two meetings, it […]
Social Networking is a godsend and concern, a help and a hindrance, an amazing feat and a terrible nuisance. While […]
We have worked hard to educate users of the need for computer hygiene, using anti-spyware, multiple browsers, data backups, and […]
Corporate espionage is not just a plot for action movies; it is a real threat to small and large businesses. […]
The average organization has numerous types of equipment from different vendors. Along with the equipment, businesses also utilize multiple software […]
Change management is a key information security component of maintaining high availability systems. Change management involves requesting, approving, validating, and […]
Hackers often bypass some of the best security technologies by exploiting one of the oldest tricks in the book, your […]
Briefcase chained to his wrist, the officer cautiously looks for anything out of the ordinary as he makes his way […]
Do you think there is a right way to crash? A system crash sounds like a bad thing all around, […]
Many organizations use Cisco devices to interconnect, protect, filter, and manage networks so it is important to understand ways to […]
Joy to the World the Lord has Come! As we approach the celebration of our Savior’s birth, our minds think […]
An information security risk assessment is the process of identifying vulnerabilities, threats, and risks associated with organizational assets and the […]
Information security policies and security awareness go hand in hand. Frankly, a policy is worthless if it sits on someone’s desk. […]
Since many organizations are rapidly virtualizing servers and even desktops, there needs to be direction and guidance from top management […]
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is one of those terms that is often mentioned but less often defined. The term can […]
Companies collect millions of gigabytes of information, all of which has to be stored, maintained, and secured. There is a […]
Virtualization has really become a mainstream technology and an effective way for organizations to reduce costs. Virtualization simplifies processes but […]
Virtualization is an excellent way to make better use of existing IT resources but utilizing them for multiple tasks. It […]
For those of you using Microsoft’s Data Protection Manager and Exchange Server 2007 SP1 x64, you will definitely want to […]
The biofilters from Star Trek may some day become reality. The Star Trek biofilter is a device that scans for […]
Snapshots are a valuable feature virtualization offers business continuity. Organizations can create point-in-time recovery points numerous times a day by creating […]
Aimee and I use my home theater a lot and so when my DVD player started skipping on disks I […]
Microsoft released one of the greatest gaming controllers with the Strategic Commander back in 2001. The controller fits perfectly in […]
Business continuity plans are designed to define the processes necessary to protect organizational assets and to keep the business running in […]
I have been struggling with some ASP AJAX code. I moved a .NET site from Server 2003 32-bit IIS6 to […]
There are many new threats on the Internet, but that doesn’t mean criminals don’t try the tried and true methods […]
I was honored to be selected as the commencement speaker for Vatterott College’s 2010 graduation on May 8. It was […]
Security policies and security awareness go hand in hand. Frankly, a policy is worthless if it sits in someone’s desk. […]
REJOICE! A Savior is Born! The last of the vibrant colors of fall are still clinging to the trees as […]
Despite the name, money mules are not good. Money mules are people who are duped into laundering money for criminal […]
I was explaining some computer forensics topics to a customer the other day and I was asked what MAC times […]
I wanted to remind you that this Saturday, July 25 from 12:00 Noon till 12:00 Midnight is VandyLAN 7. I […]
Do you want to hear something funny? I have been writing a lot lately and the words were just flowing […]
I have been working on a fantasy novel for the past few weeks. I haven’t exactly followed good writing principles […]
I will be joining Pei-Ying Lin at Cleveland State University today to present on Virtualization for Competitive Advantage. Virtualization can […]
The Patriot Act allows the government to classify unruly activity by passengers on airlines as acts of terrorism. Some individuals […]
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. It is hard to believe that a new year is on the horizon once […]
I read an article by Bruce Schneier called Security ROI in CSO magazine. Here is an excerpt from it: “Assume […]
Have you ever completely forgotten how to do something until you just started? As a cybersecurity professional, I find that […]
So I was working on a problem at work today. We can only copy 4000 files at a time and […]
In a 2008 blog entry by Steve Clayton at Microsoft, he mentions the five things he looks for in candidates when […]
At the incident response workshop I ran, we talked through a data breach caused when private data on an FTP […]
Full-text searching allows more complex searches such as word or phrase searching, inflection matching, proximity searching, and relevance matching to […]
Phishing schemes abound, but many use some form of the irresistible offer. In this type of phishing, this dream of […]
It has been a while since I posted anything about the arcade machine and for good reason. It has been […]
Last month my fish tank sprung a leak. I have a 775-gallon bow-front aquarium so it made quite a mess. […]
Phishing has finally gotten more interesting. I am tired of the Nigerian phishing schemes that continually enter into my mailbox. […]
I haven’t used a webcam for years but I have never been on to follow the trends. It might seem […]
There are quite a few upcoming things on the agenda. My article”Implementation to Instruction – Is teaching next in your […]
Even Macs age and eventually need to be replaced. If you are planning on giving your Mac away, it is […]
I am always on the lookout for new programs that can solve my problems for free. My copy of Nero […]
I wanted to comment on an odd form of communication. I looked at the writing inside the bathroom stall today […]
Should cybersecurity be a global strategy? This is an interesting question because cultures, environments, and regulatory environments differ around the world, […]
I have not posted in a while because things have been so busy. I think I will change the direction […]
My Brother and Friend Eulogy for Justin Vanderburg by Eric Vanderburg September 6, 2006 I could ask for no better […]
Cybersecurity benchmarking is an excellent way to make improvements in cybersecurity practices. Benchmarking is an activity that compares a business’s […]
Today is my last day teaching at Remington College. I was asked not to tell the students until today. It […]
This is the list I am starting of good Firefox extensions. Each of these is one I would highly recommend. 1. […]
As you likely know, China filters Internet traffic coming into their country. There is some content that they do not […]
I am happy to announce that I passed another certification test – actually two of them. I took the MCDBA […]
I looked at my Google search history today. Google tracks each search that you make when logged in with your […]
Tech Blog has compiled a list of the top 10 strangest Japanese gadgets and accessories. Check it out. It is […]
Ian gave me the latest Beta of Windows Vista. I have the 64-bit edition and I hope it will work […]
Ian got me the four Microsoft guys from the Source Force. I gave a few of them different names when […]
I found the issue with Aero Glass that I reported earlier. The reason why Aero Glass fails sometimes is that […]
I used to recommend Auditor for security testing through Linux. Auditor was similar to Knoppix, the bootable “live” version of […]
When I first tried Vista last week I wondered why MSN Messenger was not bundled with the operating system. I […]
I came across an interesting article the other day. It was on a new set of cell phone ringtones that […]
I always try to promote free programs if I can. When I have a need, I usually check online for […]
A while back I did a review on Microsoft Windows Vista. I am now running into an issue. I do […]
I posted a while back about possible improvements to the Gmail system. Here are some additions to that post. Nested […]
Thanks to Ian and a new laptop, I am now running a copy of Microsoft Windows Vista so I figured […]
I put SQL Server on a Windows Server 2003 virtual machine on my new 64-bit laptop but Enterprise Manager would […]
I bought a new laptop today. It is a Compaq v2000z. Here are the specs. AMD Turion 64 ML-28 (1.6GHz) […]
I haven’t blogged in a while because I was busy upgrading my MCSE and MCSA certifications. I took the tests […]
Bruce Schneier has created a block cypher cryptanalysis study guide that you can download for free from his web site. […]
I am back on eBay for a while to exchange my junk for someone else’s. I am selling my Mac G4 Cube, […]
Skype now allows you to make calls from your PC to phones located in the US and Canada for free. […]
In recent months I have submitted a variety of suggestions for improvement to the Gmail system. I figured I would […]
Rootkits, if you are not familiar with them, are programs that, when on a machine, place themselves in between the […]
Much of the SPAM I get uses misspelled words. This is probably so that the messages can pass through Bayesian […]
Physics in games has grown rapidly over the last few years. Characters are interacting with their virtual environments in many […]
Apple’s recent ads talk about how there are no viruses written for Mac. That statement is not entirely true. Viruses […]
MC Plus+ has created a rap about cryptography. It mentions encryption algorithms such as DES, AES, Blowfish, RSA, SHA-1, and […]
It is not out. Dlink and Netgear have some 802.11n wireless devices out. Wireless-N devices are capable of higher transmission […]
Alan Ralsky, the “SPAM King” and one of the largest spammers in the world, was jailed by the Department of […]
Apple recently patented a display that includes thousands of tiny image sensors that will allow the screen to act as […]
Seagate just announced the release of their 750 GB hard drive. They also state that I should see 1 TB […]
The battery on my digital camera does not last all that long. I really like the camera. I bought it […]
I got the latest Intel update for Mac OSX. It was about 150MB, but now I can see my NTFS […]
I am always trying to learn something. I really enjoyed learning about programming yesterday and now I want to shift […]
Ian and I left for Code Camp in Pittsburgh early this morning. We were on the road by 5:30 AM. […]
This is a quote from Penny-Arcade about Microsoft’s recent acquisition. “I would sooner acquire crabs, but Microsoft has decided to […]
If you read the Wall Street Journal, you will know that on Wednesday, Apple released software called Boot Camp that […]
I bought an Apple Mac Mini a few weeks ago. I have had my eyes on one for quite some time. […]
Last week I picked up an Adesso Handwriting. It is a tablet for my Mac. I did not have the […]
A while back I received a few old servers to use in my classroom. The oldest one was a Pentium […]
I was given a copy of Microsoft Office 12 Beta to try the other day. I plan to compare it to […]
It has been a while since I last tried Open Office. I have used it in the past on both […]
Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a set of technologies designed to restrict the use of digital files and media to […]
Today I presented on computer crime to my entire Associate Degree program. I think I did a better job of […]
Richard Hale and I took my classes on a field trip to the Microsoft offices here in Cleveland for a […]
I signed up for Southwest PA Code Camp on Saturday, April 8, 2006. I have taught a programming class but […]
I am happy about the new features added to MSN Spaces, but I am unhappy that I had to reset […]
We got some new equipment for the classroom. I am missing hard drives on the parts because they were taken […]
I installed the Beta 2 of Internet Explorer 7 yesterday. It is buggy as one might expect from a beta. […]
The Internet has its own set of norms and acceptable behaviors. We know these collectively as netiquette. Please take a […]
I found this on thenetworkadministrator.com. Q: My Etch-A-Sketch has funny little lines all over the screen. A: Pick it […]
I am busy writing things lately. I am working on a professional statement and on writing an article on emerging […]
I was admiring the new switch with my brother and I thought about the 802.11g router that is sitting on […]
I was made aware of this little creature on the CWNP forums and it seems quite cool. The Nabaztagtag WiFi […]
I am really cutting this close. The CWSP test changes on January 1 and I just scheduled the test for […]
For cybersecurity teams to achieve their goal of securing information and systems, they must motivate their staff. Motivation is what […]
Professor Hale was out last week so I was teaching his class in addition to my own. I actually enjoy […]
Kent State University is hosting me today to talk about penetration testing and what it can do for your company […]
I am studying to take the CWNA (Certified Wireless Network Administrator) exam. I plan on taking it in 3 weeks […]
I plan to take the next Cisco test soon. It will be nice to have the Cisco preparation over and […]
The problem of motivating employees to do the right thing in security is an increasingly hard one. Many companies have […]
As some of you know, I bought an Apple Cinema HD 23″ widescreen display about 6 months ago. I still […]
I was named Instructor of the Month for August. I am very happy for that. It has been a great […]
A new quarter is starting on Monday. I will be teaching Programming 1, Career Development and Packaged Applications. I was […]
On Friday I went to an event in Columbus called Teaching Technology in 2005. I learned a few things that […]
This week I am teaching on protocols in my networking class. I love the topic and I got excited when […]
Driving forces are the elements in an industry that cause major changes in an industry’s structure and competitive environment. Driving […]
I interviewed for a position as the Computer Networking Technology professor at Remington College on Monday. After the interview, I […]
The International market for personal and mobile robots is about $5 billion and could grow to $5.4 billion this year. […]
According to the Japanese patent office, the number of applications worldwide for robot technologies between 1990 and 1999 by Japanese […]
I gave a presentation on robotics today and it went very well. The presentation was supposed to be 45 minutes […]
A few years ago Dell started selling only machines with Intel processors. I have been a fan of AMD processors […]
Late in the summer, Microsoft released the second service pack for Windows XP. This service pack primarily included security fixes. […]
I visited the Matsushita (Panasonic) technology center in Osaka today with some friends. At Matsushita, I got to see a […]
Ian, Chris, and I have all been waiting for a game called Dungeon Siege 2 to be released. The game […]
I was using Gmail the other day and I noticed that the ads kicked in. I did not have ads […]
Robot pets are the latest thing in Japan. Take, for example, the Robosapien. This robot is making the average person […]
I see that Apple iPods are getting popular in Japan. It makes me wonder if iPods will eventually supplant the […]
This is the new Apple iMac. Everything is built into the monitor. It has a slot-loading DVD burner, a large […]
It is really interesting to see how many people have Apple computers here. Apple Macintosh computers are really popular among the […]
I am not going to buy a computer anytime soon but I still get excited about new things in the […]
For those of you using RSS aggregators, Smartbar XP, News Gator, and select browsers that support it, here is the […]
There are quite a few robotics companies or well-established companies that are heavily involved with robotics in Japan. I would […]
I talked to Kobata and he was able to get the NTT (Nihon Telephone and Telegraph) installers to come a […]
NTT will set up my Internet tomorrow at 2:00. I wish they could set it up today. It is going […]
Last night I tried the various wireless networks around my area but I could not get a decent connection all […]
Did I ever mention how expensive cell phones are here, or Keitai as the Japanese call them? I had this […]
I went to the Internet connection meeting last night. It was a long meeting. Here is what is going to […]
Four crucial generic strategic options for competing in foreign markets include export strategies, licensing strategies, franchising strategies, and strategic alliances. […]
Porter’s five-forces model of competition is useful for determining the nature and intensity of an industry’s competition. Competitive pressures exist […]
Takayasu Sakurai, a professor at the University of Tokyo’s Institute of Industrial Science and his team has developed artificial skin […]
Companies need to think strategically in order to survive and thrive in this highly-competitive world. There are five essential tasks […]
The SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, & Threats) analysis gives managers information on whether the company is strong or weak. As […]
Copyrights exist to protect creative works. This protection is given so that authors of these works can continue to create […]
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is an easy way to share files. For those of you with Windows 2000 or Windows […]
The Internet changes everything it touches and touches almost everything. Worldwide e-commerce revenues are expected to reach $2.7 trillion. $721 […]
Dave Roger created the Electronic Commerce Network (ECN.W) 18 months ago to solve the problem of internet transaction processing. Due […]
These four tools can help managers better do their job. In this blog, I want to briefly cover strategic group […]
Definition of RAM A computer is made up of many components. One of these components is RAM which is short […]
How to convert Binary to Decimal 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1 Total Value 1 1 1 1 […]
Desktop processor heavyweights, Intel and AMD are fighting battles across the laptop, desktop, and server markets. The desktop and server […]
A Virtual Operating System (VOS) is a multiprocessing operating system designed for critical online computing. VOS combines power, flexibility, and […]
DHCP is a networking protocol that provides safe, reliable, and simple TCP/IP network configuration and offers the dynamic configuration of […]
An editorial in eWeek covered the congressional hearings regarding a new tool developed by the FBI called the “Carnivore surveillance […]
Information security seems like more of a human problem than a technological one. Certainly, we spend a lot of time […]
As we have learned in our text, Recruiting is one of the activities of the human resource department and is […]
I was out for a birthday lunch today and a friend asked what a pixel is. After fumbling around for […]
Steve Jobs has been instrumental in the evolution of the computer as we know it today. Steve Jobs co-founded Apple […]
In considering art, you only know what you like according to what you know. The history of art is also […]
Microsoft Windows NT was first released in 1993. NT stands for New Technology. Windows NT was Microsoft’s platform of choice […]
The hum of my gray computer is a wonderful sound. Always working; always running. When the morning light streams through […]
What used to be just an audio compression format has become the heart of an enormous controversy. The Mp3 format […]
Heroes, legends, bizarre contraptions, and fantastic adventures await me within the pages of the books shelved on my dresser. These […]
Sophocles, a Greek poet in the fifth century B.C., told the tale of a woman named Antigone who disobeyed the […]
I recently presented at the Duke Law EDRM on Cybersecurity and Law Firm Understanding Legal and Ethical Obligations. Some questions […]
Data, a crucial asset for the modern business, is under attack. Data breaches, ransomware, employee theft, and mistakes can each […]
Data is the building block of the modern business. It is essential for daily operations and ongoing commercial operations, but more […]
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is set to go into effect on May 25, 2018, and yet many companies […]
The zombie apocalypse is frequently mentioned in literature and pop culture. Some have even taken steps to protect against this […]
The need for patch management has repeatedly been demonstrated in recent years as companies large and small suffered data breaches […]
It is healthy to take a step back from the technological changes of today to strategize on how the technology […]
Cyber attacks on hospitals and other healthcare institutions have increased over the last 18 months, in part because they make […]
There’s no doubt that cybercriminals are busy preparing more ransomware attacks for the remainder of 2018. And that ransomware code […]
Companies experienced a deluge of cyberattacks in 2017 and the first part of 2018 has proven no different. In 2016, […]
In a world where many are battling corruption, Hasbro is doing the opposite. The classic Monopoly game where players attempt […]
The recent Microsoft Office Modern Workplace episode “Ransomware – What you need to know” brought together two great minds, Theresa […]
2017 was called the year of ransomware, but ransomware is showing no signs of slowing down. Ransomware is expected to […]
While blockchain has earned its most significant claim to fame by making possible the rise of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, researchers […]
Katie Niemi and Eric Vanderburg While being diligent with your online shopping is important and necessary, there are a few […]
Many view the cybercriminal as an unknown. This is due, in part, to the difficulty inherent in tracking down individual […]
There are two ways to think about the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), set to go into effect in […]
This technological era is one that changes rapidly and so do defense strategies. In the ancient world, combat strategies might […]
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is set to go into effect on May 25, 2018, and yet many companies […]
As the size of the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to grow, so too do the potential security risks for […]
In recent years, there has been a fundamental change in both the scope and scale of cyber threats to critical […]
The wildfire that ripped through California in early October caused tremendous damage and the loss of over 30 lives. So […]
Cybercriminals use phishing emails with malicious links or attachments to distribute ransomware more than any other method. Their goal is […]
The WannaCry ransomware attack earlier this year infected more than 230,000 computers in 150 countries within one day of its release. It […]
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) clause 225.204-7012 was established in 2015 to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). CUI is […]
Ransomware, the malicious code that holds data hostage, is now a more common threat to businesses than data breaches. It […]
The costs associated with a ransomware attack are often viewed from two dimensions: On one side, there is the ransom […]
Some ransomware are strategically designed to cause as much damage as possible while producing large profits for cybercriminals. And the […]
Linux is an open-source operating system that is very versatile due to the large group of volunteers that maintain and […]
Cybersecurity challenges companies, countries, and individuals to continually improve protections against an enemy that wants our secrets, money, and identify. […]
An acquaintance from a younger generation said to me one day, “Don’t you know that privacy is dead?” I was […]
Most people will never have a fire in their home or office, but everyone can remember going through a fire […]
The process of making sure your business is prepared to protect its data from ransomware and other disasters depends largely on the […]
Virtual reality has received a lot of attention lately, but there is much to be said for Augmented Reality (AR) […]
A new ransomware do-it-yourself kit called Karmen is making it easy for wannabe cybercriminals to launch ransomware attacks. Security researchers […]
With the upcoming onset of the GDPR, many companies are seeking to leverage their cloud services for GDPR compliance. The […]
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the latest in a host of rules designed to protect privacy. It is […]
Apple Inc. has a reputation for building secure devices, but don’t become too complacent because ransomware threats to Mac users […]
Pavan Belagatti and Eric Vanderburg Early DevOps adopters have proven DevOps to be more than just a cultural shift or […]
For decades, the printer has been the intermediary between the digital and physical worlds. Through it, our creations become tangible […]
There are a variety of different ransomware variants that encrypt your data with no intention of ever decrypting it. There […]
When it comes to ransomware attacks, those who lose valuable data and have no viable backup tend to pay the […]
The repeal of the FCC Internet privacy rules has spurred on many discussions on privacy online and how companies collect […]
I recently did an interview with Karen Marcus for Careers in Cybersecurity on education, career development, and cybersecurity career success. […]
Spora is a relatively new ransomware, but there are signs which indicate that it could become a major player in […]
Bring your own device (BYOD) policies are commonplace in many organizations today. Employees bring in their personal cell phones, laptops, […]
Ransomware is infecting the computers of unsuspecting victims at an astronomical rate. The various methods that cybercriminals use to take […]
The insider is still one of the most vulnerable elements of cybersecurity and it was the discussion of the recent […]
I recently did an interview with JAX Magazine on DevOps and here is the transcript of the interview. Some people […]
Cybercriminals extorted about one billion dollars from ransomware victims last year, according to the FBI. And nearly all of those […]
If we have learned anything over the last few years about data breaches, it is that they are likely to […]
People charged with filling career positions at their companies need to be on the lookout for ransomware—especially GoldenEye ransomware. GoldenEye […]
PopcornTime is a newly-discovered form or ransomware that is still in the development stages but operates off a disturbing principle: […]
Two email accounts of a ransomware distributor were recently compromised. The analysis of these accounts gives an interesting “behind the […]
Cybercrime is very much a psychological game and ransomware is no exception. Psychology plays a major role in almost all […]
This past year, ransomware has extorted vast sums of money from enterprises. Ransomware is a form of malware that encrypts […]
Machine learning is a science that uses existing data on a subject to train a computer how to identify related […]
Ransomware continues to be a huge problem for companies and consumers—and a major source of income for cybercriminals. Malicious hackers […]
In the world of technology, paradigms shift quickly. Not long ago, we focused organizational security efforts on the perimeter of […]
The latest version of Cerber ransomware is targeting database applications and putting business’s most valuable data at risk, according to […]
Security software companies and research organizations are collaborating to break the encryption codes of ransomware variants and free those who […]
Ransomware computer viruses are becoming more sophisticated—and so are the attacks that make use of ransomware. In some cases, ransomware […]
Ransomware infections are becoming increasingly commonplace, and companies that put a plan together before an incident are much more effective […]
As if encrypting your individual files was not enough, a recently discovered ransomware called Mamba encrypts your entire hard drive. […]
The news is crowded with reports from noteworthy companies of cyber-attacks. Last year was the year of the data breach […]
People are the core of any incident response effort. You must have the right people to provide the right response. […]
We all know money is the motivating force behind cybercrimes like the creation and distribution of ransomware. The interesting twist […]
A Pokemon Go themed ransomware virus has appeared on Windows computers, tablets, and phones. The ransomware is the latest in […]
The average company today is a hybrid collection of traditional on-premise and cloud-based IT solutions. On-premise solutions may include identity […]
Ransomware creators are monetizing their software in creative new ways. Not only are they using ransomware to encrypt files and […]
The US presidential election is upon us and some political activists are out in the streets, and in convention halls. […]
Criminals are raising the bar in the fight for your money. It’s natural to expect that competition would follow success—and […]
It might surprise you to know that ransomware uses geolocation technology to customize payloads and target individuals. You probably already […]
Ransomware is the quickest way to turn your valuable data into garbage. Ransomware is a form of malicious software that […]
Businesses today can’t exist without data. They feed on it, breathe it, and those that understand how to most effectively […]
Storage solutions make or break the systems they support and yet these same systems are routinely seen as a cost […]
The concept of identity is core to the protection of data. Data and other computing resources exist to be used […]
We may not be using more of our brains but we can probably use more of our data. Did you […]
2016 is going to be a big year for security. News of data breaches and the major technological innovations of […]
Spoiler alert for all my regular cybersecurity readers: this is a post about audio, not security. Check back in a […]
You probably remember Microsoft’s announcement for their augmented reality or mixed reality hardware called HoloLens which occurred around the announcement […]
This is the start of the season. No, I am not talking about the Christmas season or the shopping season. […]
CDW asked me what my must-have products were for #Techsgiving sweeps and I have to say the choice was rather […]
This statement may be familiar to many who have considered cloud services and it was both the start and end […]
The maturation of the cloud is fascinating as it continues to adapt, providing more opportunities for companies and consumers to […]
I used to be agitated by the sound of the phone. My wife and I both have cell phones but […]
Shortcuts, as the name implies, are key combinations that you can press on your keyboard to perform semi-complex actions. These […]
Security is a growing field, and with its growth come many different career options. As you gain experience in different […]
I was recently asked the question, Can eDiscovery systems prove the integrity of the email that they discover? If so, […]
Information security is often described using the CIA Triad. The CIA stands for Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability and these are […]
Do you know why all the major online retailers offer a way for users to review products? It’s because people […]
Anonymity has been a longstanding hallmark of the Internet but you should no longer assume that your online activities are […]
New graduates are in a tough spot, especially those interested in cybersecurity. A majority of cybersecurity positions require one or […]
The Internet community grows larger everyday as more and more devices are attached to it. These devices increasingly include not […]
Microsoft officially launched its successor to Windows 8.1, Windows 10, on July 29, 2015, and millions have already downloaded this […]
In 2014, the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) tracked 783 data breaches with 85,611,528 confirmed records exposed. This year appears even more […]
Some breaches require notification such as those involving patient data or customer information, but sharing is optional. Of course, notification […]
We are getting closer and closer to virtual reality. Some companies such as Google and Oculus have already produced virtual […]
I was talking to Mark Schaefer and he said that SEO content today is about insight rather than quality. This […]
New and creative security threats may grab headlines, but smart security practitioners know that many attackers still rely on the […]
Last week I was walking down the street with a friend and a guy and a girl yelled over to […]
In 5 to 10 years, the cloud will be as ubiquitous as the Internet is today. It is predicted that […]
With the ease and prevalence of global expansion, security leaders must understand how to implement security across a global organization […]
Successful security leaders demonstrate their effectiveness through metrics. Metrics are used more and more as security executives emulate the way […]
As vigorously as many organizations are working to prevent them, data breaches are becoming more of a common occurrence, and the consequences […]
In childhood I dreamed of a world quite grand Where my name and face were far from mystery A life […]
It is easy to get down or even depressed with the focus on negatives in the news and in conversation. […]
Security spending could be compared to the stock market. It increases and decreases depending on intangibles such as how “at-risk” […]
I always figured that you would need to know what you have in order to protect it. However, I have […]
We’ve seen quite a variety of online threats recently. A simple email containing a convincing subject line can compromise a […]
The cloud has received a lot of negative press from security professionals and, I have to admit, we’ve come off […]
It seems like security practitioners are still saying the same things they said ten years ago. Use complex passwords. Change […]
Do you conduct debriefing sessions after completing a cybersecurity project? Quite often, our minds are moving on to the next […]
As an organization becomes more conscious and engaged in protecting information, it progresses along a path of security maturity. I […]
Join the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Business, Banking & Corporate Counsel Section on Thursday, December 11, 2014, for a panel […]
As hard as it is to believe, 2014 is almost at a close. While some think about Holiday gatherings and […]
I welcome you to join me on November 8 at Grace Baptist Church of Westlake for the Untangled Conference. I […]
An estimated 5% of annual corporate revenues are lost each year to fraud, represented in part by computer fraud. Protection […]
I was asked a question on Twitter today. The question was, “Is staying safe online possible?” This is a great […]
The Value of Big Data Accenture released the findings of their big data study on September 10, 2014, and it […]
The largest internet security breach in history has just been discovered. Hold Security, a small cybersecurity firm, first reported the […]
I was recently listed as the number 10 information security leader to follow on Twitter in Information Security Buzz’s 25 […]
Security breaches and identity theft are becoming an increasing concern for consumers as hackers continue to target large retailers. Target, […]
A botnet or zombie army is a group of computers – with their owners unaware of it – that is […]
The power supply and control panel for this Dell PowerVault 124T tape autoloader failed with a tape in the drive. […]
I want to thank Amber Newby for listing me as the number 11 person on Twitter aiding against identity theft. […]
I was recently the keynote speaker and the IT professional development event hosted by Cuyahoga Community College and the Helpdesk […]
Twas the night before the breach, when all through the place Not an alarm was ringing, nor even a trace […]
I appeared on the Sound of Ideas program on National Public Radio channel 90.3, WCPN on November 3. In the […]
I was talking with a client about multifactor authentication and they wanted a demo of what that looked like so […]
I was honored to be able to address the final graduating class at Remington College’s campus on the West side […]
Vanderburg was recently listed as the number 10 information security leader to follow on Twitter in Information Security Buzz’s 25 […]
Security remains a complex discipline. This ever-changing challenge grows in complexity daily as new threats emerge and compliance requirements increase. […]
I watched the XBOX One launch video today on my XBOX 360 console dashboard. It is impressive in some ways […]
Social networking is my thing this year and I just wanted to share my strategy with you in case you […]
There are so many ways to share on social media today and users, especially the younger generation, are sharing almost […]
On May 9, 2013, Federal prosecutors issued indictments against eight individuals for hacking and theft. The case revealed the methods […]
The Electronic Frontier Foundation issued a report on 18 web and technology companies that routinely handle data. The study looked […]
The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) had a mobile device containing 100,000 youth and employee records stolen on January […]
Salem State University in Massachusetts issued a data breach warning to faculty and students on March 11. The warning informed […]
I will be presenting at the ISACA CPE & Social Event – Cyber Forensics & Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat […]
On March 8, 2013, a contractor working for North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) billing department stored […]
A recent study by Deloitte, titled Blurring the lines: 2013 TMT global security study, shows that 59% of Technology, Media, […]
Some have emailed me asking why criminals would even care about Personal Health Information (PHI). Sure, it’s private information but what […]
The EU Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has stated with its recent fine for Sony of £250,000 that lack of knowledge […]
President Obama signed an executive order on February 12, 2013, that requires federal agencies to share information on cyber threats […]
Two weeks ago hackers took control of 14 servers and 20 workstations at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), obtaining […]
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the HIPAA Omnibus rule on January 17, 2013, designed to give […]
I had an awesome time with you all. Thanks for making it a great LAN party. Here are a few […]
Back in November, I blogged about the hack back initiative here in the United States. Well, similar debates are taking […]
Are you ready for some great PC gaming? Bring your computer to VandyLAN 8 where we will game all day […]
On January 2, 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) fined the Hospice of North Idaho $50,000 for […]
Security researchers have identified a new malware called Dexter that specifically targets Point of Sale (POS) systems such as cash […]
It is easy for miscommunication to happen after a data breach. There could be many people working on the incident […]
Here is a fact that many of us would like to forget. Most data theft occurs by insiders. This is […]
Recent research shows that hospitals are the highest risk for data breaches. The third annual benchmark study on patient privacy […]
Our Security Operations center keeps track of a lot of information. Here are two workspaces in the SOC. Let me […]
A recent finding by Gartner titled “Using SIEM for Targeted Attack Detection” is that 85% of breaches go undetected. Those […]
Government regulation, including the well-known HIPAA and GLBA, are quite clear on the notification requirements for businesses suffering a data […]
Like paparazzi on celebrities, hackers pound on our organizational doors almost every second of the day. It makes us want […]
Data breaches are occurring more frequently and companies are searching for a way to help prevent the breach by understanding […]
On October 10, the Secret Service’s electronic crimes task force discovered that the South Carolina Department of Revenue’s systems were […]
An organization’s security culture in relation to information security determines how receptive employees will be to security initiatives. Culture can […]
At the upcoming Information Security Summit, I will be presenting on the topic, “Eradicate the Bots in the Belfry.” Bots […]
A recent survey of small business owners showed that while 77 percent believe that security is important for their company’s […]
Last month, Senator John D. Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, sent the […]
Did you know that computers often become infected with virus-like programs called “bots” causing “denial of service” incidents on websites? […]
Many people have asked me how to reset their Windows password so I decided to write this blog about it. […]
Every once in a while, a website will try to convince you to change your security settings. I was looking […]
A few months ago I discussed the sale of zero-day exploits. The Zero-day exploit trade is a new market; increasingly […]
As we think of today, our Independence Day, consider also the information security and cyber security professionals who guard our […]
It seems no matter where you turn; someone is waiting to rip you off. Our inboxes drown in spam and […]
Data classification is a term that is not usually associated with the small business. It tends to invoke thoughts of […]
While many people think that a person’s social media posts, photos, and conversations are protected as private information, especially if […]
Social engineering is the art of manipulating people into giving up confidential information. The types of information social engineers seek varies, […]
Managing the security of an organization can be quite confusing. It can seem like an uphill battle when basic […]
Public clouds have been greatly promoted as an approach for organizations to reduce information technology (IT) costs and increase technology […]
If you had a breach of your most sensitive data tomorrow, how much would it cost you? There are quite […]
The phrase “Knowledge is power” has never before become so clear and scary. The knowledge that is kept secret can […]
Historically, ecological concerns have been significant drivers for change. Topics ranging from global warming to protecting various species carry a […]
For more than a decade, computer-generated digital certificates have made it possible to authenticate the identity of computer systems, data, […]
Gerald Wilde had a theory called risk homeostasis. This theory hypothesizes that people have a level of acceptable risk. When […]
The latest televisions and Blu-Ray players come equipped with more than HD video and audio. Internet access and a host of […]
Organizations are accumulating data at a pace that would cause a hoarder to blush. Just like that old bicycle seat […]
ISO 27000 is a set of security standards that organizations can implement to provide an industry-recognized minimum level of security. […]
The site is down! These are haunting words for most businesses, and today’s topic: the DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) attack. This […]
If you want to create an EXE, executable file, from a batch file or VBS file, these two programs will […]
Data breaches and security incidents are a significant risk for organizations and some are using cyber insurance to transfer the […]
Losing data can be tremendously devastating to a company. It could compromise security, information, and jobs. Today, we will look […]
As you laugh at my title, anticipating several paragraphs of satire, think about what I’ve just said because I’m serious…to […]
The use of SIEM, DLP, and IAM can significantly enhance the capabilities of information security departments. SIEM allows a company to […]
Imagine a boardroom a generation ago. Smoke fills the air, and sidebar discussions thrive while the board members wait for […]
Scams exist. That is a simple truth. There are honest people, and then there are others who try to cheat. […]
Previously, we have discussed the dangers of hacking and measures to take against an attack in the LulzSec blogs. Now […]
PCI applies to a wide range of corporations and companies that deal with credit card transactions, and it can be […]
HIPAA is regulation intended to help covered entities and their business associates protect Electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI). The U.S. […]
Information security is often feared as an amorphous issue that only the IT department has to deal with. The reality […]
“Thinner. Lighter. Faster. Facetime. ” That is the catchphrase from the Apple page dedicated to the iPad. While Apple is […]
Thank you for staying tuned into our third case study and final installment of our four-part series on the Lulz […]
This post is the third part of a four-part series on the LulzSec hackers. Our first entry titled “Awareness Pains: […]
As promised, here is the first case study regarding the events surrounding the Lulzsec group. If you are reading that […]
Bob set down the phone with a sigh. After six hours, five phone calls, countless emails, and two meetings, it […]
Social Networking is a godsend and concern, a help and a hindrance, an amazing feat and a terrible nuisance. While […]
We have worked hard to educate users of the need for computer hygiene, using anti-spyware, multiple browsers, data backups, and […]
Corporate espionage is not just a plot for action movies; it is a real threat to small and large businesses. […]
The average organization has numerous types of equipment from different vendors. Along with the equipment, businesses also utilize multiple software […]
Change management is a key information security component of maintaining high availability systems. Change management involves requesting, approving, validating, and […]
Hackers often bypass some of the best security technologies by exploiting one of the oldest tricks in the book, your […]
Briefcase chained to his wrist, the officer cautiously looks for anything out of the ordinary as he makes his way […]
Do you think there is a right way to crash? A system crash sounds like a bad thing all around, […]
Many organizations use Cisco devices to interconnect, protect, filter, and manage networks so it is important to understand ways to […]
Joy to the World the Lord has Come! As we approach the celebration of our Savior’s birth, our minds think […]
An information security risk assessment is the process of identifying vulnerabilities, threats, and risks associated with organizational assets and the […]
Information security policies and security awareness go hand in hand. Frankly, a policy is worthless if it sits on someone’s desk. […]
Since many organizations are rapidly virtualizing servers and even desktops, there needs to be direction and guidance from top management […]
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is one of those terms that is often mentioned but less often defined. The term can […]
Companies collect millions of gigabytes of information, all of which has to be stored, maintained, and secured. There is a […]
Virtualization has really become a mainstream technology and an effective way for organizations to reduce costs. Virtualization simplifies processes but […]
Virtualization is an excellent way to make better use of existing IT resources but utilizing them for multiple tasks. It […]
For those of you using Microsoft’s Data Protection Manager and Exchange Server 2007 SP1 x64, you will definitely want to […]
The biofilters from Star Trek may some day become reality. The Star Trek biofilter is a device that scans for […]
Snapshots are a valuable feature virtualization offers business continuity. Organizations can create point-in-time recovery points numerous times a day by creating […]
Aimee and I use my home theater a lot and so when my DVD player started skipping on disks I […]
Microsoft released one of the greatest gaming controllers with the Strategic Commander back in 2001. The controller fits perfectly in […]
Business continuity plans are designed to define the processes necessary to protect organizational assets and to keep the business running in […]
I have been struggling with some ASP AJAX code. I moved a .NET site from Server 2003 32-bit IIS6 to […]
There are many new threats on the Internet, but that doesn’t mean criminals don’t try the tried and true methods […]
I was honored to be selected as the commencement speaker for Vatterott College’s 2010 graduation on May 8. It was […]
Security policies and security awareness go hand in hand. Frankly, a policy is worthless if it sits in someone’s desk. […]
REJOICE! A Savior is Born! The last of the vibrant colors of fall are still clinging to the trees as […]
Despite the name, money mules are not good. Money mules are people who are duped into laundering money for criminal […]
I was explaining some computer forensics topics to a customer the other day and I was asked what MAC times […]
I wanted to remind you that this Saturday, July 25 from 12:00 Noon till 12:00 Midnight is VandyLAN 7. I […]
Do you want to hear something funny? I have been writing a lot lately and the words were just flowing […]
I have been working on a fantasy novel for the past few weeks. I haven’t exactly followed good writing principles […]
I will be joining Pei-Ying Lin at Cleveland State University today to present on Virtualization for Competitive Advantage. Virtualization can […]
The Patriot Act allows the government to classify unruly activity by passengers on airlines as acts of terrorism. Some individuals […]
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. It is hard to believe that a new year is on the horizon once […]
I read an article by Bruce Schneier called Security ROI in CSO magazine. Here is an excerpt from it: “Assume […]
Have you ever completely forgotten how to do something until you just started? As a cybersecurity professional, I find that […]
So I was working on a problem at work today. We can only copy 4000 files at a time and […]
In a 2008 blog entry by Steve Clayton at Microsoft, he mentions the five things he looks for in candidates when […]
At the incident response workshop I ran, we talked through a data breach caused when private data on an FTP […]
Full-text searching allows more complex searches such as word or phrase searching, inflection matching, proximity searching, and relevance matching to […]
Phishing schemes abound, but many use some form of the irresistible offer. In this type of phishing, this dream of […]
It has been a while since I posted anything about the arcade machine and for good reason. It has been […]
Last month my fish tank sprung a leak. I have a 775-gallon bow-front aquarium so it made quite a mess. […]
Phishing has finally gotten more interesting. I am tired of the Nigerian phishing schemes that continually enter into my mailbox. […]
I haven’t used a webcam for years but I have never been on to follow the trends. It might seem […]
There are quite a few upcoming things on the agenda. My article”Implementation to Instruction – Is teaching next in your […]
Even Macs age and eventually need to be replaced. If you are planning on giving your Mac away, it is […]
I am always on the lookout for new programs that can solve my problems for free. My copy of Nero […]
I wanted to comment on an odd form of communication. I looked at the writing inside the bathroom stall today […]
Should cybersecurity be a global strategy? This is an interesting question because cultures, environments, and regulatory environments differ around the world, […]
I have not posted in a while because things have been so busy. I think I will change the direction […]
My Brother and Friend Eulogy for Justin Vanderburg by Eric Vanderburg September 6, 2006 I could ask for no better […]
Cybersecurity benchmarking is an excellent way to make improvements in cybersecurity practices. Benchmarking is an activity that compares a business’s […]
Today is my last day teaching at Remington College. I was asked not to tell the students until today. It […]
This is the list I am starting of good Firefox extensions. Each of these is one I would highly recommend. 1. […]
As you likely know, China filters Internet traffic coming into their country. There is some content that they do not […]
I am happy to announce that I passed another certification test – actually two of them. I took the MCDBA […]
I looked at my Google search history today. Google tracks each search that you make when logged in with your […]
Tech Blog has compiled a list of the top 10 strangest Japanese gadgets and accessories. Check it out. It is […]
Ian gave me the latest Beta of Windows Vista. I have the 64-bit edition and I hope it will work […]
Ian got me the four Microsoft guys from the Source Force. I gave a few of them different names when […]
I found the issue with Aero Glass that I reported earlier. The reason why Aero Glass fails sometimes is that […]
I used to recommend Auditor for security testing through Linux. Auditor was similar to Knoppix, the bootable “live” version of […]
When I first tried Vista last week I wondered why MSN Messenger was not bundled with the operating system. I […]
I came across an interesting article the other day. It was on a new set of cell phone ringtones that […]
I always try to promote free programs if I can. When I have a need, I usually check online for […]
A while back I did a review on Microsoft Windows Vista. I am now running into an issue. I do […]
I posted a while back about possible improvements to the Gmail system. Here are some additions to that post. Nested […]
Thanks to Ian and a new laptop, I am now running a copy of Microsoft Windows Vista so I figured […]
I put SQL Server on a Windows Server 2003 virtual machine on my new 64-bit laptop but Enterprise Manager would […]
I bought a new laptop today. It is a Compaq v2000z. Here are the specs. AMD Turion 64 ML-28 (1.6GHz) […]
I haven’t blogged in a while because I was busy upgrading my MCSE and MCSA certifications. I took the tests […]
Bruce Schneier has created a block cypher cryptanalysis study guide that you can download for free from his web site. […]
I am back on eBay for a while to exchange my junk for someone else’s. I am selling my Mac G4 Cube, […]
Skype now allows you to make calls from your PC to phones located in the US and Canada for free. […]
In recent months I have submitted a variety of suggestions for improvement to the Gmail system. I figured I would […]
Rootkits, if you are not familiar with them, are programs that, when on a machine, place themselves in between the […]
Much of the SPAM I get uses misspelled words. This is probably so that the messages can pass through Bayesian […]
Physics in games has grown rapidly over the last few years. Characters are interacting with their virtual environments in many […]
Apple’s recent ads talk about how there are no viruses written for Mac. That statement is not entirely true. Viruses […]
MC Plus+ has created a rap about cryptography. It mentions encryption algorithms such as DES, AES, Blowfish, RSA, SHA-1, and […]
It is not out. Dlink and Netgear have some 802.11n wireless devices out. Wireless-N devices are capable of higher transmission […]
Alan Ralsky, the “SPAM King” and one of the largest spammers in the world, was jailed by the Department of […]
Apple recently patented a display that includes thousands of tiny image sensors that will allow the screen to act as […]
Seagate just announced the release of their 750 GB hard drive. They also state that I should see 1 TB […]
The battery on my digital camera does not last all that long. I really like the camera. I bought it […]
I got the latest Intel update for Mac OSX. It was about 150MB, but now I can see my NTFS […]
I am always trying to learn something. I really enjoyed learning about programming yesterday and now I want to shift […]
Ian and I left for Code Camp in Pittsburgh early this morning. We were on the road by 5:30 AM. […]
This is a quote from Penny-Arcade about Microsoft’s recent acquisition. “I would sooner acquire crabs, but Microsoft has decided to […]
If you read the Wall Street Journal, you will know that on Wednesday, Apple released software called Boot Camp that […]
I bought an Apple Mac Mini a few weeks ago. I have had my eyes on one for quite some time. […]
Last week I picked up an Adesso Handwriting. It is a tablet for my Mac. I did not have the […]
A while back I received a few old servers to use in my classroom. The oldest one was a Pentium […]
I was given a copy of Microsoft Office 12 Beta to try the other day. I plan to compare it to […]