Security operations and management
Cybersecurity operations and management are vital to protect enterprises against cyber threats. Learn how to create and manage infosec programs and SOCs, perform incident response and automate security processes. Also read up on security laws and regulations, best practices for CISOs and more.
Top Stories
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News
15 Aug 2025
News brief: Rising OT threats put critical infrastructure at risk
Check out the latest security news from the Informa TechTarget team. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Aug 2025
How to write a data classification policy, with template
Data classification policies help organizations categorize, secure and manage sensitive information while maintaining regulatory compliance and reducing breach risks. Continue Reading
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News
13 Aug 2025
Black Hat NOC expands AI implementation across security operations
Corelight's James Pope gives Dark Reading an inside look at this year's Black Hat Network Operations Center, detailing security challenges and rising trends -- many related to increased AI use. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Aug 2025
How to use Nmap to scan ports: A complete tutorial
Nmap is a versatile open source security tool that scans ports to identify vulnerabilities, test firewall rules, inventory networks and troubleshoot connectivity issues. Continue Reading
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News
11 Aug 2025
CISA's relationship with industry needs work to reestablish trust, experts say
Critics say budget cuts, job losses have hurt the agency's ability to coordinate with private industry. Continue Reading
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News
11 Aug 2025
CISA officials say agency is moving ahead despite workforce purge
Two senior officials defended the agency’s progress amid concerns about the effects of mass layoffs and budget cuts. Continue Reading
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News
11 Aug 2025
Prime Security wins Black Hat's Startup Spotlight Competition
Security startups of all stripes submitted applications for Black Hat USA's Startup Spotlight. Prime Security won with its AI security architect platform. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Aug 2025
Experts weigh in on securing AI effectively
Using AI comes with security risks. Learn what the top attack vectors and privacy threats are, then discover how to mitigate them through proper strategy, monitoring and more. Continue Reading
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News
08 Aug 2025
NSA partnering with cyber firms to support under-resourced defense contractors
The spy agency has sought out creative ways to help protect small companies supplying the U.S. military. Continue Reading
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News
06 Aug 2025
To raise or not to raise: Bootstrapped founders share their views
A trio of startup founders -- GreyNoise's Andrew Morris, Thinkst Canary's Haroon Meer, and runZero's HD Moore -- agree that raising venture capital funding can be beneficial, but a company's success depends on how well the product fits customer needs. Continue Reading
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News
06 Aug 2025
CISA's relationship with industry needs work to reestablish trust, experts say
Critics say budget cuts, job losses have hurt the agency’s ability to coordinate with private industry. Continue Reading
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Video
05 Aug 2025
AI security: Top experts weigh in on the why and how
AI is everywhere, so security focus on this new technology is essential. In this podcast episode, three top security experts review the risks and discuss ways to mitigate them. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Aug 2025
How to prepare for post-quantum computing security
One of the biggest fears about quantum computing is its ability to easily break current encryption algorithms. Learn why and how to start making quantum security preparations. Continue Reading
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News
04 Aug 2025
Dark Reading News Desk turns 10, back at Black Hat USA for 2025
Dark Reading's 2025 News Desk marks a decade of Black Hat USA memories. We're making our return with a slate of interviews that help you stay up on the latest research from Black Hat — no trip to Las Vegas required. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Aug 2025
How to recover from a ransomware attack: A complete guide
With a ransomware recovery plan, organizations can act quickly to prevent data loss without descending into chaos. Learn the crucial steps to incorporate into your plan. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
01 Aug 2025
How to use the John the Ripper password cracker
Password crackers are essential tools in any pen tester's toolbox. This step-by-step tutorial explains how to use John the Ripper, an open source offline password-cracking tool. Continue Reading
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Video
01 Aug 2025
An explanation of purple teaming
Purple teaming unites offensive red teams and defensive blue teams to share knowledge, find vulnerabilities and strengthen security through structured frameworks and playbooks. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Jul 2025
How to implement security control rationalization
Security control rationalization helps CISOs reduce cybersecurity tool sprawl, cut spending and improve efficiency -- all without compromising protection. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Jul 2025
Top DevSecOps certifications and trainings for 2025
DevOps Institute, Practical DevSecOps, EXIN and EC-Council are among the organizations that offer DevSecOps certifications and trainings for cybersecurity professionals. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Jul 2025
CISO role in ASM could add runtime security, tokenization
Runtime security and tokenization stand to play a bigger role in attack surface management, a development that could influence security leaders' responsibilities. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jul 2025
How to build a cybersecurity team to maximize business impact
How CISOs design and build their security teams is as important as the technology they select to safeguard their organizations' digital assets. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jul 2025
How to calculate cybersecurity ROI for CEOs and boards
Calculating and communicating cybersecurity ROI can help persuade top management to invest. Here's how to use meaningful, concrete metrics that resonate with business leaders. Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2025
Knostic wins 2024 Black Hat Startup Spotlight Competition
During a 'Shark Tank'-like final, each startup's representative spent five minutes detailing their company and product, with an additional five minutes to take questions from eight judges from Omdia, investment firms, and top companies in cyber. Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2025
We've all been wrong: Phishing training doesn't work
Teaching employees to detect malicious emails isn't really having an impact. What other options do organizations have? Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2025
CISA director: Cybersecurity is ‘not an impossible problem’
In Jen Easterly’s view, the solution to the industry’s pains lies in secure by design. “We got ourselves into this, we have to get ourselves out,” she said during a media briefing at Black Hat. Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2025
Black Hat USA 2024 Highlights
Check out all the highlights from Black Hat USA 2024 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Jul 2025
What is cybersecurity mesh? Key applications and benefits
Is it time to consider a different approach to security architecture? Cybersecurity mesh might be an effective way to address complex, distributed environments. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Jul 2025
What is cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks and data from digital threats. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Jul 2025
How to build a cybersecurity culture across your business
As a company's cyber-risks evolve, so must its culture. Follow these tips to create a strong cybersecurity culture that helps protect your organization from cyberthreats. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Jul 2025
CISO's guide to creating a cybersecurity board report
An effective cybersecurity board report influences executive decision-making at the highest levels. Learn how to write a report that resonates with corporate directors. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 Jul 2025
What CISOs need to know about AI governance frameworks
AI offers business benefits but poses legal, ethical and reputational risks. Governance programs manage these risks while ensuring responsible use and regulatory compliance. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jul 2025
Security log management tips and best practices
Learn how to conduct security log management that provides visibility into IT infrastructure activities and traffic, improves troubleshooting and prevents service disruptions. Continue Reading
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Definition
09 Jul 2025
What is a CISO as a service (CISOaaS)?
CISO as a service, or CISOaaS, is the outsourcing of CISO (chief information security officer) and information security leadership responsibilities to a third-party provider. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Jul 2025
Incident response tabletop exercises: Guide and template
Have an incident response plan but aren't running incident response tabletop exercises? These simulations are key to knowing if your plan will work during an actual security event. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Jul 2025
How to implement zero trust: 7 expert steps
Zero trust means a lot more than determining how users access resources. Successful implementation takes time, commitment and ongoing support. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Jul 2025
What is the future of cybersecurity?
As cyberthreats grow more sophisticated, enterprises face mounting challenges. What does the future of cybersecurity hold, and how can organizations stay ahead? Continue Reading
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Definition
02 Jul 2025
What is SIEM (security information and event management)?
SIEM (security information and event management) is software that helps organizations detect, analyze, and respond to security threats by collecting and correlating security event data from across the IT environment in real time. Continue Reading
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Definition
02 Jul 2025
What is the principle of least privilege (POLP)?
The principle of least privilege (POLP) is a concept in computer security that limits users' access rights to only what is strictly required to do their jobs. Continue Reading
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Definition
02 Jul 2025
What is business continuity software?
Business continuity software is an application or suite designed to make business continuity planning/business continuity management (BCP/BCM) processes, metrics and compliance more efficient and accurate. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Jul 2025
How to build a cybersecurity strategy and plan in 4 steps
A cybersecurity strategy isn't meant to be perfect, but this high-level plan must be proactive, effective, actively supported and evolving. Here are four key steps to get there. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Jul 2025
Cybersecurity career path: A strategic guide for professionals
There's no single path for everyone, but knowing what employers look for and following these best practices can help you move up the cybersecurity career ladder. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Jun 2025
What is cybersecurity transformation? Best practices for success
Under increasing regulatory pressure and rising cyber threats, executives must prioritize cybersecurity transformation to safeguard assets, enable growth and ensure resilience. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Jun 2025
CISO playbook for securing AI in the enterprise
CISOs must partner with executive leadership to adopt a business-aligned AI security strategy that protects the organization while enabling responsible AI adoption. Continue Reading
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Video
30 Jun 2025
Ransomware: Examples, prevention and mitigating the damage
Top cybersecurity experts gathered to discuss the latest threats from ransomware and how organizations, large and small, can prevent or, at least, mitigate an attack. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jun 2025
How CISOs can manage and reduce compliance fatigue
Compliance fatigue can undermine security when poorly managed. CISOs can combat it by starting conversations, automating processes and using compliance to drive security initiatives. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jun 2025
What is attack surface management? Guide for organizations
Attack surface management can help CISOs and other cybersecurity managers address the growth in the number of potential entry points threat actors might exploit. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jun 2025
Cybersecurity outsourcing: Strategies, benefits and risks
For companies battling data breaches and cyberattacks, MSSPs can offer lower costs, better reliability, broader experience and more -- if organizations define their needs well. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jun 2025
10 cybersecurity best practices for organizations in 2025
To improve your organization's cybersecurity program, follow these best practices to safeguard your infrastructure and ensure a quick recovery after a breach. Continue Reading
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Definition
30 Jun 2025
What is vulnerability management? Definition, process and strategy
Vulnerability management is the process of identifying, assessing, remediating and mitigating security vulnerabilities in software and computer systems. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Jun 2025
Enterprise cybersecurity: A strategic guide for CISOs
CISOs and others responsible for safeguarding an organization's systems, networks and data need to manage day-to-day threats while also planning strategically for what's ahead. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Jun 2025
Why effective cybersecurity is important for businesses
Cyberattacks can have serious financial and business consequences for companies, which makes implementing strong cybersecurity protections a critical step. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jun 2025
Cybersecurity in M&A due diligence: Best practices for executives
Companies wouldn't think of merging with another organization without performing financial or business due diligence. The same is true of cybersecurity. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jun 2025
SBOM formats explained: Guide for enterprises
SBOMs inventory software components to help enhance security by tracking vulnerabilities. Teams have three standard SBOM formats to choose from: CycloneDX, SPDX and SWID tags. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jun 2025
How to build a cybersecurity RFP
Crafting a cybersecurity RFP requires clear goals, precise questions and vendor vetting. Follow these guidelines to streamline the process and meet your company's security needs. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jun 2025
Cybersecurity budget justification: A guide for CISOs
The best way to get a security budget request denied? Present it like a jargon-filled shopping list. Instead, make the case by tying security spending to business outcomes. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Jun 2025
Cybersecurity skills gap: Why it exists and how to address it
The cybersecurity skills shortage is putting enterprises at risk. Worse, it shows no sign of abating. Here is why it's happening and what employers can do to mitigate the problem. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Jun 2025
Cyber insurance trends 2025: What executives need to know
Cyber insurance is essential for protecting an organization from the financial impact of a cyberattack and is a critical part of a risk management strategy. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Jun 2025
10 key cybersecurity metrics and KPIs your board wants tracked
Security leaders need cybersecurity metrics to track their programs and inform decision-makers. These 10 metrics and KPIs provide a good foundation for tracking essential activity. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Jun 2025
Ransomware threat actors today and how to thwart them
Top experts convened on BrightTALK's 'CISO Insights' to discuss 'Ransomware 3.0' -- the current threat and what organizations, large and small, must do to thwart these bad actors. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Jun 2025
6 edge monitoring best practices in the cloud
When it comes to application monitoring, edge workloads are outliers -- literally and metaphorically. Learn what sets them apart and how to implement monitoring best practices. Continue Reading
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Definition
25 Jun 2025
What is CCTV (closed-circuit television)?
CCTV (closed-circuit television) is a video surveillance system in which signals are transmitted to a specific set of monitors and are not publicly broadcast. It is primarily used for security and monitoring. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Jun 2025
10 remote work cybersecurity risks and how to prevent them
Larger attack surfaces, limited oversight of data use, AI-driven attacks and vulnerable enterprise technologies are among the security risks faced in remote work environments. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Jun 2025
CISO burnout: How to balance leadership, pressure and sanity
With CISO burnout comes increasing cyber incidents and costly leadership turnover. Organizations must invest in support to prevent this growing security risk. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Jun 2025
Cybersecurity governance: A guide for businesses to follow
Cybersecurity governance is now critical, with NIST CSF 2.0 recently adding it as a dedicated function. Learn why governance is core to an effective cyber strategy. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Jun 2025
What is risk avoidance?
Risk avoidance is the elimination of hazards, activities and exposures that can negatively affect an organization and its assets. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Jun 2025
22 free cybersecurity tools you should know about
Cybersecurity products can get pricy, but there are many excellent open source tools to help secure your systems and data. Here's a list of some of the most popular. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Jun 2025
What is pure risk?
Pure risk refers to risks that are beyond human control and result in a loss or no loss, with no possibility of financial gain. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Jun 2025
What is residual risk? How is it different from inherent risk?
Residual risk is the risk that remains after efforts to identify and eliminate some or all types of risk have been made. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Jun 2025
How to choose a cybersecurity vendor: 12 key criteria
Choosing a cybersecurity vendor entails a two-phase approach: shortlisting vendors using clear requirements, then conducting thorough evaluations based on key criteria. Here's how. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Jun 2025
What executives must know about nation-state threat actors
Nation-state threat actors like Russia, China, Iran and North Korea are targeting critical infrastructure and sensitive data, so executives must prepare to defend against them. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jun 2025
CISO's guide to implementing a cybersecurity maturity model
CISOs must both meet today's challenges and anticipate tomorrow's -- no easy feat. Cybersecurity maturity models help strategically navigate evolving threats, regulations and tech. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jun 2025
Shadow AI: How CISOs can regain control in 2025 and beyond
Shadow AI threatens enterprises as employees increasingly use unauthorized AI tools. Discover the risks, governance strategies, and outlook for managing AI in today's workplace. Continue Reading
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News
13 Jun 2025
News brief: Gartner Security and Risk Management Summit recap
Check out the latest security news from the Informa TechTarget team. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Jun 2025
What is cyber risk quantification (CRQ)? How to get it right
Cyber risk quantification translates security threats into financial terms, so executives can prioritize risks, justify investments and allocate resources to protect the business. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Jun 2025
CISO's guide to building a strong cyber-resilience strategy
Cyber-resilience strategies that integrate BCDR, incident response and cybersecurity enable CISOs to build frameworks that help their organizations effectively handle cyberattacks. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Jun 2025
What a smart contract audit is, and how to conduct one
Smart contracts ensure the integrity of transactions, such as those that initiate key services. A smart contract audit is one way to ensure the programs work as designed. Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Jun 2025
Cybersecurity risk management: Best practices and frameworks
This proactive approach protects business operations, ensures compliance and preserves reputation through comprehensive security practices. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Jun 2025
How to craft an effective AI security policy for enterprises
Enterprises unable to manage AI risks face data breaches, algorithmic bias and adversarial attacks, among other risks. Learn how to implement a comprehensive AI security policy. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Jun 2025
Should cybersecurity be part of your digital transformation strategy?
Digital transformation offers companies some tantalizing possibilities. But new technologies usher in new vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity needs to play a key role. Continue Reading
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Definition
11 Jun 2025
What is ransomware as a service (RaaS)?
Ransomware as a service (RaaS) is a subscription-based business model that enables threat actors, also called affiliates, to launch ransomware attacks by accessing and using predeveloped ransomware tools. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
10 Jun 2025
How to implement effective app and API security controls
Security leaders must implement multilayered strategies combining threat modeling, balanced controls, cloud-first approaches and more to protect apps and APIs from evolving threats. Continue Reading
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News
06 Jun 2025
News brief: CISA and partners face budget overhauls, cuts
Check out the latest security news from the Informa TechTarget team. Continue Reading
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News
03 Jun 2025
HashiCorp Terraform leads IBM, Red Hat integration roadmap
HashiCorp and IBM have begun to knit together products such as Terraform and Ansible and divulged some roadmap details, but a few potential product overlaps are still unresolved. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Jun 2025
The DOGE effect on cybersecurity: Efficiency vs. risk
The DOGE effect on security is a complex issue. Pursuit of efficiency might be a legitimate goal, but experts caution it can conflict with cybersecurity defenses. Continue Reading
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Video
02 Jun 2025
The DOGE effect on cyber: What's happened and what's next?
In this webinar, part of 'CISO Insights' series, cybersecurity experts debate the pros and cons of the Department of Government Efficiency's actions and the impact on their field. Continue Reading
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News
21 May 2025
Red Hat, HashiCorp reveal Ansible, Terraform and Vault plans
Red Hat Ansible and HashiCorp reps filled in the blanks about how infrastructure automation tools will more deeply integrate, news welcomed by financial services customers. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 May 2025
Best practices for board-level cybersecurity oversight
Corporate boards must play an increasingly active role in overseeing cybersecurity strategies. Here's what they need to know, from SEC disclosure requirements to best practices. Continue Reading
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News
16 May 2025
RSAC 2025: AI everywhere, trust nowhere
We're at an inflection point. AI is changing the game, but the rules haven't caught up. Continue Reading
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Conference Coverage
16 May 2025
RSAC Conference 2025
Follow SearchSecurity's RSAC 2025 guide for insightful pre-conference insights and reports on notable presentations and breaking news at the world's biggest infosec event. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 May 2025
What is risk appetite?
Risk appetite is the amount of risk an organization or investor is willing to take in pursuit of objectives it deems have value. Continue Reading
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News
13 May 2025
Building effective security programs requires strategy, patience and clear vision
Capital One executives share insights on how organizations should design their security programs, implement passwordless technologies, and reduce their attack surface. Continue Reading
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News
13 May 2025
Cyber then & now: Inside a 2-decade industry evolution
On Dark Reading's 19-year anniversary, Editor-in-Chief Kelly Jackson Higgins stops by Informa TechTarget's RSAC 2025 Broadcast Alley studio to discuss how things have changed since the early days of breaking Windows and browsers, lingering challenges, and what's next beyond AI. Continue Reading
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Definition
09 May 2025
What is a security operations center (SOC)?
A security operations center (SOC) is a command center facility in which a team of information technology (IT) professionals with expertise in information security (infosec) monitors, analyzes and protects an organization from cyberattacks. Continue Reading
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News
06 May 2025
AI domination: RSAC 2025 social media roundup
Documented in a series of social media posts, cybersecurity experts shared with Dark Reading their insights on RSAC 2025 throughout the week. Continue Reading
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News
02 May 2025
IBM uses agentic AI for autonomous security operations: RSAC 2025
The launch of IBM’s Autonomous Threat Operations Machine and X-Force Predictive Threat Intelligence agent were announced at the event. Continue Reading
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News
02 May 2025
SANS top 5: Cyber has busted out of the SOC
This year's top cyber challenges include cloud authorization sprawl, ICS cyberattacks and ransomware, a lack of cloud logging and regulatory constraints keeping defenders from fully utilizing AI's capabilities. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 May 2025
RSAC 2025: The time for crypto-agility adoption is now
An RSAC 2025 speaker explained why companies should begin their quantum-safe journey now and how crypto-agility adoption helps prepare for post-quantum cryptography. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Apr 2025
RSAC Conference 2025 video reports
We chatted on camera with attendees and presenters at RSAC 2025. Check out this video collection to get highlights from one of the world's major cybersecurity conferences. Continue Reading
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News
29 Apr 2025
RSAC 2025: Cisco debuts latest AI cybersecurity innovations
In terms of innovation, Cisco says it's 'just getting warmed up.' Continue Reading
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News
29 Apr 2025
U.S. critical infrastructure still struggles with OT security
How does a company defend itself from cyberattacks by a foreign adversary? A collection of experts gathered at this year's RSAC Conference to explain how the U.S. can help. Continue Reading
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News
28 Apr 2025
Cisco AI Defense embeds with ServiceNow SecOps tools
Cisco AI Defense will feed in data and automate AI governance in ServiceNow SecOps products as enterprises seek a platform approach to cybersecurity. Continue Reading
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News
28 Apr 2025
Cisco, former Google, Meta experts train cybersecurity LLM
Cisco's new Foundation AI group, which includes engineers from multiple companies, has released a compact AI reasoning model based on Llama 3 for cybersecurity to open source. Continue Reading