NEWS FROM THE EDGE

Since 2004, the President of the United States and Congress have declared the month of October to be Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a dedicated month for the public and private sectors, and tribal communities to work together to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA) partner to create resources and messaging for organizations to use when they talk with their employees, customers, and memberships about staying safe online.

2023 marks the 20th annual Cybersecurity Awareness Month and this year CISA is launching a new awareness program that encourages four simple steps every American can take to stay safe online. These simple actions are good advices not only during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, but also the rest of the year.
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Growing up in Michigan, I considered myself both a car and computer guy. In the sixth grade, I took my family’s Tandy 1000 computer apart to install a 300 baud modem. I vividly remember my older brother being certain the computer would no longer work after I had disassembled it to get to the motherboard. Much to his surprise, it did work and I was able to dial into a community bulletin board system (BBS) and connect to my friend’s computer so we could play chess. (Why anyone would want to do either of these things is a great mystery, but I did officially earn my Nerd Card.) On the car front, I subscribed to Car & Driver magazine and eagerly read about the newest automotive technology in each month’s issue.

Jumping forward to modern times, my father-in-law and mother-in-law each drive Hyundai Sonatas, 2015 and 2018 respectively. I should say “drove” because in October 2022, my mother-in-law’s was stolen from the parking structure of a Las Vegas casino. Then in January 2023, my father-in-law’s was stolen from their driveway! What a crazy coincidence!
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It’s everyone’s favorite time of the year – tax season! Jokes aside, cyber terrorists work hard to make April even worse with an increased volume of attacks and tricks designed to exploit a stressful time. This article describes why cyber terrorists love tax season, the most common forms of attack, and several practical recommendations to keep you and your employees safe.
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To ensure the safety of your business’s data, small business owners must stay apprised of the latest IT security trends and threats.  Cyber insurance offers both financial protection and peace of mind, as long as your business qualifies for coverage at a reasonable rate.  When applying for a new cyber insurance policy or for a renewal, it’s important to understand the topics most important to insurers. Below, please find the five most important security topics insurers use when determining your qualifications and rates.
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It’s the Passwords, Stupid

During Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, attempting to keep messages laser-focused on the recession, strategist James Carville famously quipped, “It’s the economy, stupid.” The focus worked and Clinton unseated George H.W. Bush to become the 42nd President of the United States. While much current cybersecurity talk discusses paradigm shifts such as Zero Trust and other important topics, organizations ignore the simplest protections at their peril. Password vulnerabilities still represent the most common attack vector for hackers. This article describes the scary situation regarding password vulnerabilities, defines the five most common password attack methods, and identifies best practices for protecting both individuals and businesses from these threats.
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As a challenging fiscal year comes to an end – and with an uncertain short-term economic future – it is imperative for small and medium-sized businesses to maximize their investment in technology. Major threats, including a looming recession, cyberattacks, and a tight labor market, apply significant pressure on large businesses. For small and mid-sized organizations, leveraging tech could be the difference between survival and extinction. This article identifies solutions by which small businesses can respond to each threat proactively and not only survive, but also prosper.
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