Tag Archive for: IoT

Healthcare sector saw largest increase in IoT malware attacks in 2021


A diagnostic imaging technologist analyzes magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography prints on Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. (Staff Sgt. BreeAnn Sachs/Air Force)

The healthcare sector saw the largest increase in target IoT malware attacks in 2021, according to the latest annual SonicWall Cyber Threat Report. Compiled from data collected from 1.1 million global sources, researchers saw a 71% increase in IoT malware against healthcare clients.

Healthcare also saw the lowest percentages of its customers targeted with IoT malware attacks, despite the large rate of these attacks against the entities. The distinction is likely caused by the manner in which IoT devices are networked: “Healthcare facilities tend to keep these devices on their own separate and highly secured network, largely inaccessible by other devices.”

Considering long-standing discussions on patch management challenges, the high rate of legacy device use, and network complexity, SonicWall’s data demonstrates that its healthcare clients have likely employed effective network segmentation strategies.

It’s a heartening stat considering recent Cynerio research detailing the rate of IoT and medical devices operating with a known vulnerability.

However, despite the continued decline in malware last year, the report shows the healthcare and government sectors faced the largest increase in malware last year. The education sector saw the highest percentage of target attacks, with nearly 23% of entities targeted in any given month. 

The stats highlight the continued impact of cybercrime on critical infrastructure entities.

The rate of attacks on healthcare were on par with the retail sector, with 16.3% and 16.4%, respectively. Researchers noted there were two peaks for these sectors, once in March and again in August.

Overall, malware saw a 4% decrease in volume in 2021, marking a third year in decline and reaching a seven-year low. SonicWall researchers noted this could indicate that the threat may be headed for a rebound.

The report also showed the healthcare sector also saw an “aggressive year-over-year growth” in cryptojacking volume. Previously, cryptojacking was primarily spread through fileless malware,…

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MPs to debate landmark IoT security law


The proposed Product Security and Telecoms Infrastructure Bill will receive its second reading in the House of Commons today in a debate to be opened by current digital secretary Nadine Dorries, as it takes a significant step forward towards becoming law.

The bill – which mandates improved cyber protections for smartphones and other smart or connected internet of things (IoT) devices – has been years in the making. Its scope has expanded over time to include new provisions that will supposedly spur the roll-out of full-fibre broadband services by making it easier for operators to upgrade and share infrastructure, and reform the process of how they go about negotiating with landowners to whose property they need access.

At its core it places strict new requirements on the manufacturers and retailers of connected consumer technology, banning easy-to-guess default passwords programmed onto devices, creating a vulnerability-reporting system, and forcing manufacturers to be upfront about how long their products will receive security updates.

Failure to comply could result in fines of up to £10m, or 4% of global turnover, and up to £20,000 for every day in the case of ongoing breaches.

“Whether it’s your phone, smart speaker or fitness tracker, it’s vital that these devices are kept secure from cyber criminals,” said Dorries.

“Every product on our shelves has to meet all sorts of minimum requirements, like being fire resistant or [noting if it’s] a choking hazard, and this is no different for the digital age where products can now carry a cyber security risk. 

“We are legislating to protect people across the UK and keep pace with technology as it transforms our everyday lives,” she said.

The bill will apply to any device that can access the internet, including smartphones and smart TVs, games consoles, security cameras and connected alarms, smart toys and baby monitoring kit, smart home hubs and voice activated assistants (such as Alexa) and connected appliances such as washing machines and fridges.

Also in scope will be products that, while they can connected to other devices, do not directly access the internet themselves – such as smart lightbulbs…

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Barracuda checklists for defending IoT against ransomware



Barracuda Networks

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SaaS, IoT, AI and Cloud will continue to accelerate Indian IT: ETILC Members


Housing a global IT powerhouse, India’s economy witnessed a temporary stagflation last year. The consecutive waves of COVID-19 and the rising streaks of infections lead the economy into attrition, forcing companies to adopt cost-cutting measures, even in the IT sector. The sector witnessed a high attrition rate of 8.03% during April to June this year.

However, despite slowing down the financial ecosystem, the statewise lockdowns also had an upside; the pandemic drove companies worldwide to expand their investments in their respective digital infrastructure. The IT sector accounted for 8% of India’s GDP in 2020, which is a substantial increase from its contribution of 1.2% in 1998. In 2019-20, India held the position of the largest sourcing destination in the IT-BPM industry globally.

Growing Demand

As per Gartner’s predictions, IT spending in India will amount upto $98.5 billion by 2021. With the imposition of home isolation due to the pandemic, more and more people started accessing digital services from home. To make ends meet, the IT sector has been constantly keeping up with these demands by providing online services to businesses.

“India is at the cusp of creating massive employment opportunities in the IT/BPM sector, owing to tech like citizen development, AI and cloud”

— Ram Singampalli, COO, Hexaware Tech

The consequent demand and trust in the sector has facilitated companies like Cognizant, Infosys, and Wipro, Tanla Solutions, and HCL Tech with digital expansion as well as increased revenue. Moreover, Tech Mahindra experienced a growth of 39.2% with its net profit at Rs 1,353.2 crore for Q1 FY 2021-2022. Wipro witnessed revenue growth of 22.3% with Tata Consultancy Services at 18.5% growth.

As per the latest Naukri JobSpeak report, the Indian job market witnessed 57 per cent Y-o-Y growth as of September. The IT/software sector in particular grew by 138 per cent (Y-o-Y). Additionally, with thickening technological intervention and the gradual post-covid reopening, retail and hospitality industries also saw an increase in hiring by 82 per cent and 70 per cent, respectively. As digital innovation expands, the scope of job creation and acquisition will also…

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