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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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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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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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
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Opinion
25 Apr 2025
RSAC 2025 to center on agentic AI, GenAI in security
If AI continues to become more accurate and secure, automation and self-healing systems that strengthen security programs could be the future. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Apr 2025
How to incorporate smishing into security awareness training
Smishing is a major threat on enterprise smartphones, but users might not know how it compares to traditional email phishing. IT can help block attacks with training and testing. Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Apr 2025
What is ransomware? Definition and complete guide
Ransomware is malware that locks and encrypts a victim's data, files, devices or systems, rendering them inaccessible and unusable until the attacker receives a ransom payment. Continue Reading
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Opinion
22 Apr 2025
3 EUC security topics I'll be looking for at RSAC 2025
There will be a ton of security topics that RSA Conference-goers can check out, but IT admins should be aware of three common themes surrounding email and endpoints. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Apr 2025
How to create a CBOM for quantum readiness
Quantum is on the horizon -- is your organization ready to migrate to post-quantum cryptographic algorithms? Make a CBOM to understand where risky encryption algorithms are used. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Apr 2025
Building mobile security awareness training for end users
Do concerns of malware, social engineering and unpatched software on employee mobile devices have you up at night? One good place to start is mobile security awareness training. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Apr 2025
Tips to find cyber insurance coverage in 2025
Most businesses have a form of cyber insurance, either through cyber liability and data breach endorsements in traditional business policies or through standalone cyber policies. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Apr 2025
How to conduct ransomware awareness training for employees
As your organization's first line of defense, hold regular employee training on how to prevent, detect and respond to ransomware attacks. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
14 Apr 2025
How to create custom sudo configuration files in /etc/sudoers
Sudo offers administrators a lot of flexibility. Creating custom sudo configurations can go a long way toward easing management and service upgrade challenges. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Apr 2025
Ransomware payments: Considerations before paying
To pay or not to pay -- that's the question after a ransomware attack. Law enforcement recommends against it, but that doesn't stop some companies from paying up. Continue Reading
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Definition
08 Apr 2025
What is a side-channel attack?
A side-channel attack is a cybersecurity exploit that aims to gather information from or influence a system's program execution. It does this by measuring or exploiting indirect effects of the system or its hardware rather than directly targeting the program or its code. Continue Reading
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Video
07 Apr 2025
An explanation of cybercrime
Cybercrime refers to criminal activity that uses a computer, networked device or network. Its many forms, from extortion to identity theft, can cause real damage to organizations. Continue Reading
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News
07 Apr 2025
RSAC unveils keynote speaker slate for RSAC 2025 Conference
RSAC, the company behind the world's largest and most influential cybersecurity conference, today announced its current lineup of keynote speakers for its upcoming RSAC 2025 Conference, taking place at the Moscone Center in San Francisco from April 28 – May 1. Continue Reading
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News
04 Apr 2025
Trends at the 2024 RSAC startup competition
Startups at Innovation Sandbox 2024 brought clarity to artificial intelligence, protecting data from AI and accomplishing novel security solutions with new models. Continue Reading
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News
04 Apr 2025
RSAC Conference 2025 Innovation Sandbox contest celebrates 20th anniversary
Starting in 2025, the RSAC Innovation Sandbox Top 10 Finalists will each receive a $5 million investment to drive cybersecurity innovation. Continue Reading
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Opinion
31 Mar 2025
Security could be the use case AI PCs need
AI PCs have struggled to find a perfect use case, but the need for stronger security systems on local desktops, along with agentic AI might end that struggle. Continue Reading
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Opinion
26 Mar 2025
Making a case for the cybersecurity data fabric
When it comes to data, context is everything. Learn how a cybersecurity data fabric can supercharge a security team's ability to see the big picture. Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Mar 2025
10 biggest data breaches in history, and how to prevent them
Did you know the biggest data breach in history exposed a whopping 3 billion user records? Don't make the same mistakes these companies did in the largest data breaches in history. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Mar 2025
How to build an application security program
A well-defined application security program that includes multilayer software testing, SBOMs, and documentation and standards is vital to protect apps from threat actors. Continue Reading
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Definition
11 Mar 2025
What is a copyright?
Copyright is a legal term describing ownership or control of the rights to use and distribute certain works of creative expression, including books, video, motion pictures, musical compositions and computer programs. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Mar 2025
SEC cybersecurity disclosure rules, with checklist
Public companies must regularly share information about their cybersecurity practices and disclose details of material cyberincidents. Learn how to comply. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Mar 2025
Top 14 open source penetration testing tools
From Aircrack-ng to ZAP, these open source penetration testing tools are essential additions to any security pro's toolbox. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Mar 2025
How to create a data security policy, with template
When it comes to data security, the devil is in the details. One critical detail organizations shouldn't overlook is a succinct yet detailed data security policy. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Mar 2025
Types of DNS servers and how they work, plus security threats
DNS security is a critical component of system administration. Learn about five types of DNS servers, what each does and the security threats each server faces. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Feb 2025
What is a watering hole attack?
A watering hole attack is a security exploit in which the attacker seeks to compromise a specific group of end users by infecting websites that members of the group are known to visit. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Feb 2025
What is the NSA and how does it work?
The National Security Agency (NSA) is a federal government surveillance and intelligence agency that's part of the U.S. Department of Defense and is managed under the authority of the director of national intelligence (DNI). Continue Reading
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News
27 Feb 2025
CrowdStrike: China hacking has reached 'inflection point'
In its 2025 Global Threat Report, CrowdStrike observed an increase in China's cyber capabilities, with a focus on espionage and 'pre-positioning' itself in critical environments. Continue Reading
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Opinion
24 Feb 2025
Security, cost attention mark new era of storage modernization
According to recent research, enterprises are prioritizing cybersecurity and cost management. Storage vendors such as NetApp are making these elements a focal point of products. Continue Reading
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Definition
21 Feb 2025
What is application allowlisting?
Application allowlisting, previously known as 'application whitelisting,' is the practice of specifying an index of approved software applications or executable files that are permitted to be present and active on a computer system. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Feb 2025
9 tips for migrating between managed SOC providers
Switching between managed SOCs can be daunting, but with proper planning, organizations can successfully navigate it. One important tip: Document everything. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Feb 2025
What is challenge-response authentication?
In computer security, challenge-response authentication is a set of protocols used to protect digital assets and services from unauthorized users, programs and activities. Continue Reading
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Definition
11 Feb 2025
What is information security management system (ISMS)?
An information security management system (ISMS) is a set of policies and procedures for systematically managing an organization's sensitive data. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
11 Feb 2025
How to use pfSense: Use cases and initial configurations
Open source firewall and routing software pfSense offers a compelling mix of capabilities that can work for organizations large and small. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Feb 2025
What is ISO 27001?
ISO 27001, formally known as ISO/IEC 27001:2022, is an information security standard jointly created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Continue Reading
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Definition
07 Feb 2025
What is physical security and how does it work?
Physical security protects personnel, hardware, software, networks, facilities and data from physical actions and events that could cause serious loss or damage to an enterprise, agency or institution. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Feb 2025
How to build an effective purple team playbook
Enterprises across a wide variety of vertical industries can benefit from purple team exercises that harness red and blue teams toward a common goal: reducing vulnerabilities. Continue Reading
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News
29 Jan 2025
CISO enlists agentic AI reinforcements for SecOps
AI agents are already in the hands of adversaries. One aerospace CISO has begun to use them to augment his SecOps staff and even the score. Continue Reading
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News
28 Jan 2025
DeepSeek claims 'malicious attacks' disrupting AI service
DeepSeek, which gained popularity recently for its AI platform, did not specify the cause of 'large-scale malicious attacks,' which continue to disrupt new account registrations. Continue Reading
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News
27 Jan 2025
Former CSRB members largely silent on dismissal
The Cyber Safety Review Board was investigating recent attacks by Chinese state-sponsored threat actor Salt Typhoon when DHS terminated all advisory board memberships. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Jan 2025
What is SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language)?
Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) is an open standard for sharing security information about identity, authentication and authorization across different systems. Continue Reading
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Podcast
23 Jan 2025
Review and predictions for open source software in 2025
Sigstore creator, Chainguard CEO, OpenSSF TAC member and Season 1 guest Dan Lorenc returns to review 2024 and make predictions for 2025. Continue Reading
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Opinion
23 Jan 2025
Too many 'point'less tools: Platformization is better
Will 2025 be the year organizations ditch multiple point products and take a platform approach? Enterprise Strategy Group analyst Tyler Shields thinks it should be. Continue Reading
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Podcast
22 Jan 2025
Cybersecurity expertise gaps: More than meets the eye
An S&P Global analyst charts the past, present and future of SecOps, where demand continues to outpace the supply of advanced skills. Continue Reading
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News
22 Jan 2025
Cyber Safety Review Board axed in DHS cost-cutting move
Benjamine C. Huffman, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security under Trump, terminates the memberships for all DHS advisory committees, including the CSRB. Continue Reading
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Podcast
21 Jan 2025
Risk & Repeat: What is the future of CISA?
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who is President Donald Trump's nominee for DHS secretary, said during a recent confirmation hearing that CISA should be 'smaller.' Continue Reading
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News
17 Jan 2025
Biden order gives CISA software supply chain 'teeth'
The outgoing administration makes a Hail Mary attempt to salvage work it began in 2021 to require specific software supply chain security information from software suppliers. Continue Reading
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News
15 Jan 2025
Cisco AI cybersecurity launch touts shadow AI defense
Cisco wields the power of incumbency to weave AI security into existing cloud access management tools, including algorithmic validation testing on AI models. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Jan 2025
Enterprise cybersecurity hygiene checklist for 2025
Enterprise cybersecurity hygiene must be a shared responsibility between employees and employers. Learn how both can get the job done with this checklist. Continue Reading
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News
06 Jan 2025
Amit Yoran, Tenable CEO and cybersecurity advocate, dies at 54
Amit Yoran was a decades-long practitioner of cybersecurity and previously held key roles at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, RSA Security and NetWitness. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Jan 2025
Top 7 enterprise cybersecurity challenges in 2025
Security teams faced unprecedented challenges in 2024. The year ahead appears no less daunting. Here are the cybersecurity trends and safeguards to consider in 2025. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Dec 2024
Identity and access management tools and features for 2025
The IAM tool marketplace is complex and ever-changing. Learn about key features and how to discern what your organization needs before approaching potential providers. Continue Reading
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Guest Post
19 Dec 2024
Add gamification learning to your pen testing training playbook
Organizations that embrace gamification in their pen testing training are better positioned to build and maintain the skilled security teams needed to address evolving threats. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Dec 2024
The pros and cons of biometric authentication
Biometric authentication can be a solid supplement to passwords when securing data and systems. But understanding potential drawbacks, and planning to minimize them, is essential. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Dec 2024
9 identity and access management trends to watch in 2025
Identity threats continue to change and so, too, do the defenses developed to address those security challenges. Be ready for what's coming next in IAM. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Dec 2024
7 must-know IAM standards in 2025
Does your IAM program need OAuth or OpenID Connect? Or maybe both? Let's look at the various standards and protocols that make identity management function. Continue Reading
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Opinion
11 Dec 2024
3 cybersecurity predictions for 2025
Will service as software, agentic cybersecurity and automated remediation reach their potential in 2025? Read up on what analyst Tyler Shields has to say. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Dec 2024
What are Common Criteria (CC) for Information Technology Security Evaluation?
Common Criteria (CC) is an international standard (ISO/IEC 15408) for evaluating information technology security products. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Dec 2024
8 best practices for a bulletproof IAM strategy
IAM systems help to enable secure access to applications and resources. But to benefit from IAM -- and avoid a security failure -- teams must be ready to meet the challenges. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Nov 2024
4 types of access control
Access management is the gatekeeper, making sure a device or person can gain entry only to the systems or applications to which they have been granted permission. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Nov 2024
User provisioning and deprovisioning: Why it matters for IAM
Overprivileged and orphaned user identities pose risks. Cybersecurity teams should be sure user profiles grant only appropriate access -- and only for as long as necessary. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Nov 2024
What CISOs need to know to build an OT cybersecurity program
More companies are tasking CISOs with operational technology security. But this oversight means a new strategy for those unfamiliar with building an effective OT security program. Continue Reading
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Podcast
14 Nov 2024
CEO: GenAI changes multi-cloud security, network equation
Aviatrix CEO Doug Merritt sees generative AI apps forcing a more distributed approach to cloud infrastructure, but he believes it will also help SecOps catch up with threats. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Nov 2024
SIEM vs. SOAR vs. XDR: Evaluate the key differences
SIEM, SOAR and XDR each possess distinct capabilities and drawbacks. Learn the differences among the three, how they can work together and which your company needs. Continue Reading
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Podcast
12 Nov 2024
Lines blur between enterprise SecOps and cyberdefense
One expert predicts AI will ultimately benefit attackers more than defenders and, instead, urges businesses to take a page out of military and government cyberdefense handbooks. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Nov 2024
EDR vs. XDR vs. MDR: Key differences and benefits
One of the most important goals of cybersecurity professionals is to quickly identify potential or in-progress cyberattacks. These three approaches can help. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Nov 2024
How to create an enterprise cloud security budget
As companies migrate more sensitive data and resources into the cloud, it's important to deploy relevant security tools and processes, while staying within budget. Continue Reading
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News
06 Nov 2024
CISA on 2024 election security: 'Good news' for democracy
CISA Director Jen Easterly says that despite disruptions including bomb threats in multiple states, Election Day 2024 was a success story from a security standpoint. Continue Reading
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News
04 Nov 2024
CISA: U.S. election disinformation peddled at massive scale
CISA said the U.S. cybersecurity agency has seen small-scale election incidents 'resulting in no significant impacts to election infrastructure,' such as low-level DDoS attacks. Continue Reading
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Podcast
01 Nov 2024
Could SBOMs save lives? SecOps in critical infrastructure
'We live in glass houses,' said a seasoned cybersecurity expert of the U.S. water supply, healthcare and other lifeline services. 'And people are about to start throwing rocks.' Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Nov 2024
What is unified threat management (UTM)?
Unified threat management (UTM) is an information security system that provides a single point of protection against cyberthreats, including viruses, worms, spyware and other malware, as well as network attacks. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Nov 2024
API security testing checklist: 7 key steps
APIs are a common attack vector for malicious actors. Use our API security testing checklist and best practices to protect your organization and its data. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Oct 2024
How to configure and customize Kali Linux settings
Learning how to use Kali Linux for ethical hacking and penetration testing? Read step by step how to configure and customize the distribution. Continue Reading
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News
28 Oct 2024
Delta sues CrowdStrike over IT outage fallout
Delta said it suffered $500 million in damages. CrowdStrike said the airline company's claims 'demonstrate a lack of understanding of how modern cybersecurity works.' Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Oct 2024
Types of cybersecurity controls and how to place them
A unilateral cybersecurity approach is ineffective in today's threat landscape. Learn why organizations should implement security controls based on the significance of each asset. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Oct 2024
What is authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA)?
Authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) is a security framework for controlling and tracking user access within a computer network. Continue Reading
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Podcast
25 Oct 2024
Relearning past lessons in assessing cloud risk
Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it -- even when that history is only about a decade or two old, according to one security analyst in this podcast episode. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Oct 2024
How to build an incident response plan, with examples, template
With cyberthreats and security incidents growing by the day, every organization needs a solid incident response plan. Learn how to create one for your company. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Oct 2024
How to define cyber-risk appetite as a security leader
In this excerpt from 'The CISO Evolution: Business Knowledge for Cybersecurity Executives,' learn how to define and communicate an enterprise's true cyber-risk appetite. Continue Reading
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Podcast
11 Oct 2024
SecOps from the IT infrastructure operations perspective
The CrowdStrike outage capped a decade of deepening divide between SecOps and the rest of IT ops -- and should bring about its end, according to one industry veteran. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Oct 2024
What is threat intelligence?
Threat intelligence, also known as cyberthreat intelligence, is information gathered from a range of sources about current or potential attacks against an organization. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Oct 2024
What is extended detection and response (XDR)?
Extended detection and response (XDR) is a technology-driven cybersecurity process designed to help organizations detect and remediate security threats across their entire IT environment. Continue Reading
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Podcast
08 Oct 2024
Risk & Repeat: Is Microsoft security back on track?
Microsoft has made significant changes to its cybersecurity practices and policies under the Secure Future Initiative. Are they enough to right the ship? Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Oct 2024
How to use security as code to achieve DevSecOps
Security as code helps organizations achieve DevSecOps and shift-left security. Learn about SaC's benefits, challenges and implementation best practices. Continue Reading
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News
03 Oct 2024
Microsoft SFI progress report elicits cautious optimism
Infosec experts say the Secure Future Initiative progress report shows Microsoft has made important changes to its policies, practices and accountability structures. Continue Reading
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Podcast
03 Oct 2024
Microsoft security overhaul offers blueprint for SecOps
Better late than never: Microsoft lags major cloud competitors in making security a top priority. But other enterprises might learn from how the company is catching up. Continue Reading
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News
01 Oct 2024
T-Mobile reaches $31.5M breach settlement with FCC
After suffering several breaches, T-Mobile agreed to pay a $15.75 million civil penalty and make a $15.75 million investment to bolster its security over the next two years. Continue Reading
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Podcast
30 Sep 2024
Risk & Repeat: Inside the Microsoft SFI progress report
The first Secure Future Initiative progress report highlighted improvements to Microsoft's security posture. But the company still faces major SecOps challenges. Continue Reading