Tag Archive for: Enhance

Cyber security systems can enhance routine operational safety

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Advanced cyber security solutions that protect onboard operational technology can go beyond protection and actually enhance a ship’s safety systems, argues Julian Clark from Ince.

It no longer takes a nation state to bring down a company; it can be done easily enough by a teenager with an internet connection. Coding software is increasingly efficient and accessible, and as in the 2008 recession, people with coding skills are turning to hacking for income.

The threat level and sophistication of hackers increases every day, and according to a Naval Dome report, the number of cyber-attacks has increased by 400% since February 2020. The number of attacks on operational technology (OT) has increased by 900% in recent years.

OT monitors events, processes and devices. This creates an opportunity for a hacker to “take active control” over vital processes with potential life threatening consequences. See for example the Colonial Pipe Line and Florida Water Treatment Plant attack, Such attacks underline the need to combine essential cyber security with increased vessel safety as a matter of routine management, not just to prevent or mitigate an attack.

OT cyber security technology monitors the values displayed on a ship’s safety systems and the vessel equipment itself. It then automatically identifies anomalies in these values caused by an intentional cyber-attack, but the system can also highlight discrepancies caused by equipment, computer or user error. If safety system or equipment values do not align with expected trends, or there are inconsistencies between data feeds supposedly conveying the same information, the cyber security software can alert crew or automatically restore devices to the proper configuration if required.

Safety systems themselves are also highly vulnerable to cyber-attack. In this instance, cyber security solutions can act as the ‘safety system for the safety system’. For example, a cyber-attack could result in the incorrect ballast tank fluid level being shown by the safety system. This would lead to dangerous instability when loading or unloading cargo. An advanced OT cyber security system would mitigate this risk by…

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Omnispace partners with Microsoft to enhance the performance and reach of mobile wireless networks

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Omnispace announced that it is collaborating with Microsoft to deliver its global, hybrid 5G non-terrestrial network (5G NTN) to under-served regions.

Omnispace Microsoft

The two companies will work together to architect a Microsoft Azure-centric 5G hybrid network to empower consumer, enterprise, government and IoT users with ubiquitous mobile connectivity.

Omnispace will collaborate with Microsoft to architect, develop and demonstrate an Azure-enabled 5G NTN network to enhance the performance and reach of mobile wireless networks. The global hybrid network will integrate terrestrial and satellite networks into one seamless communications experience. It will leverage Azure Orbital, Microsoft’s Ground-Station-as-a-Service offering with Microsoft’s Azure Operator 5G Core to route voice and data traffic direct from mobile devices via an Omnispace proliferated low-earth orbit (LEO) constellation.

The Omnispace global non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) space network will utilize the company’s 2 GHz mobile satellite spectrum allocation and operate in the 3GPP band n256. As the world’s first 3GPP-compliant 5G NTN network, it will deliver the power of 5G directly to billions of devices everywhere, enabling people and assets to communicate in real-time through a single, seamless global service. Through integration with Omnispace network, mobile network operators will be able to cost effectively enhance and expand their service area(s), while improving resiliency, enabled by Azure services.

“Omnispace is committed to redefining the way the world thinks about mobile communications, and we believe it should be as seamless no matter where you are,” said Ram Viswanathan, president and CEO, Omnispace. “That’s why we are thrilled to collaborate with Microsoft on a solution that will make it possible for anyone requiring global real-time communications to connect to their devices directly from our 5G satellites.”

“Through our partnership, users of Omnispace’s 5G NTN will be able to access the power of the Microsoft Cloud anytime and anywhere even in remote environments enabling ubiquitous real-time communications,” said Steve Kitay, Director, Azure Space.

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Ecommerce Cybersecurity: How to Enhance Protection in 2022

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Ecommerce is facing threats from all directions on the internet. Any business looking forward to ensuring the safety of their data and customer digital footprints should beware of some methods to enhance cybersecurity.  

They have to put in extra effort in making their information stores, sites, and data more secure. This is the most important thing that e-commerce sites that handle customer transaction information should be doing.

Once an e-commerce store goes live, creating a secure shopping experience is not a one-off.  Ensuring that your website is on and running involves regular inspection of any security loopholes and maintenance.

Addressing the critical security issues is one of the simplest ways to mitigate cybersecurity risk, protect customer data, and reduce potential losses that result from cybercrime.

In enhancing protection from cyber attacks and keeping customer data safe, here is what any ecommerce company should aim to do.

Photo by Jefferson Santos on Unsplash

1 – Monitor your passwords

One simple way of hackers getting into your accounts and stealing crucial data is when they gauze your passwords and log in easily.

In a survey by Harris Interactive, it has been established that at least 59% of brands admit to using a single password because it is not easy to remember all of them. Additionally, 54% of Americans admit that they have poor password habits and should change.

You should avoid using the same password across all the internal systems, especially on administrative accounts and public-facing logins. Make it a habit to generate a unique password for each system and regularly set up a schedule for updating your passwords.

You should use a password manager to generate passwords from an encrypted vault. Your website will only be accessed locally and by visitors having a master password. This will ensure that a unique password is generated for every site, every visitor to your e-commerce.

2 – Encrypt your website 

Using SSL encryption for the checkout process is still the oldest approach to securing your site. A lot of changes are being made to enhance cyber security on sites. For example, a recent update by Google Chrome seeks to make the…

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CACI partners with Yubico to enhance trusted mobile platforms

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CACI announced that it has entered into a partnership with Yubico through a memorandum of understanding that establishes Yubico as the exclusive provider of multi-factor authentication (MFA) solutions in support of CACI’s trusted mobile platforms.

CACI Yubico

Yubico will provide YubiKey 5 FIPS Series products for enhanced security and authentication protocols for CACI’s software-defined key loading devices that enable more capable, secure, and resilient communications for U.S. government missions.

Yubico’s YubiKey 5 FIPS Series are multi-protocol security keys that eliminate account takeovers from phishing attacks with strong two-factor, multi-factor and passwordless authentication. These security keys support applications and services using a range of protocols such as OTP, FIDO U2F and FIDO2/WebAuthn and a Personal Identity Verification-compatible (PIV) Smart Card.

The YubiKey 5 FIPS series is NSA-approved for the Department of Defense (DoD) to provide the highest level of user authentication and supports the ability to remove the tool following authentication in accordance with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) usability guidelines for multi-factor cryptographic devices.

“The U.S. military and government agencies have a critical need for more secure, modern communications technology to help counter current and future threats,” said Todd Probert, President of National Security and Innovative Solutions at CACI. “CACI and our partners are bringing this state-of-the-art multi-factor authentication tool, combined with the most-advanced mobile hand-held device for trusted mobile platforms to the market. This capability is streamlined, proven and tested, and ready to deliver today in support of national security missions.”

“With data breaches continuing to rise, it has become increasingly critical for companies and government agencies to embrace a move toward modern, phishing-resistant, multi-factor authentication,” said Stina Ehrensvärd, CEO and co-founder, Yubico. “In the past several months, we’ve seen the US government release its Draft Zero Trust Strategy, as well as a number of other actions, including a cybersecurity executive order,…

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