Benny's Hub About Cyber Security

Sunday, March 2, 2014

[net-security] Two of every five CryptoLocker victims pay the ransom

Ransomware is one of the most effective means for cyber crooks to "earn" themselves huge sums of money with practically no effort, which explains its popularity with that particular crowd.

The US Council on Cyber Security (USCC) has launched the 2014 US Cyber Challenge, calling on the industry and government to “get serious” about the workforce problem. The initiative aims to find 10,000 bright students and turn them into cybersecurity professionals.

The BBC reported yesterday that energy companies "are being refused insurance cover for cyber-attacks because their defenses are perceived as weak." Before cover is offered, applicants must undergo a security audit by the insurance companies, but "the majority of applicants were turned away because their cyber-defenses were lacking."

A cybersecurity pioneer has been recognized with one of the industry’s top honors: F. Lynn McNulty, who passed away in June 2012, has been given the RSA Lifetime Achievement Award.

[defensesystems] Early successes pave way for more mobile in DOD’s future, CIO says

Mobile computing has done a lot to support warfighters, and the Defense Department’s efforts are just getting started, according to DOD CIO Teri Takai. But the department still needs to improve its vetting network access processes.

[defensesystems] GAO to DOD, VA on electronic health records: Prove it

The Defense and Veterans Affairs departments need to prove that their separate quests to develop interoperable electronic health records are more cost-effective than a combined approach, or at least show why a more expensive approach will be more effective, according to a Government Accountability Office review of the programs.

[securelist] The Future of Bitcoin After the Mt. Gox Incident

No doubt it’s been a crazy week for anyone even remotely interested in Bitcoin. Mt. Gox, once the largest Bitcoin marketplace out there, has shut down, putting a bitter end to an almost month-long situation in which all withdrawals were halted because of “technical issues”.