* Report helps in addressing current threats and factors to keep away future threats.
Security doesn’t get any less complex. Not only are new threats constantly emerging, but the same old threats are still hanging around. For instance, the widely-publicized attack the brought Twitter to its knees a couple of weeks ago was nothing more than a simple, old-fashioned TCP/SYN distributed denial of service (DDOS) attack.
Security doesn’t get any less complex. Not only are new threats constantly emerging, but the same old threats are still hanging around. For instance, the widely-publicized attack the brought Twitter to its knees a couple of weeks ago was nothing more than a simple, old-fashioned TCP/SYN distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack.
There are a couple of reports, however, that we’ve recently found to be quite helpful in addressing both the current threats and some factors that can help mitigate some of these threats.
The first of these reports is Cisco’s Cisco 2009 Midyear Security Report. As stated in the introduction to the report, “Attacks are becoming more sophisticated and targeted as we move through the global recession. Thanks to increased collaboration, however, the rise of cybercrime may taper off as new security policies make it more difficult for attacks to infiltrate and spread, and also help bring criminals to justice. The report highlights include:
“Criminals are exploiting traditional vulnerabilities because they believe security experts and individual users are paying little attention to these types of threats.
“Compromising legitimate Web sites for the purpose of propagating malware remains a highly effective technique for criminals.
“Web 2.0 applications, prized for their ease of use and flexibility, have become lures for criminals.
“Criminals are now targeting online banking customers using well-designed, localized text message scams that leave virtually no trail in their wake.
“The Obama administration has made strengthening U.S. cybersecurity a high priority, and plans to meet threats by using technological innovations and partnering with the private sector. Other countries are similarly increasing efforts to enhance cybersecurity and prevent cybercrime.
“Compared to 2008, the number of vulnerabilities and discrete threats has not risen as quickly. According to research by Cisco, this is a clear sign that the security community is succeeding in making it more difficult for attacks to take root and grow.”
The second report that we’ve found to be quite insightful is more targeted. In particular, Alcatel Lucent discusses “Top Threats to Mobile Networks – and What to Do About Them.”
The focus of this report is “The growing power of handheld devices, faster Internet connections, and the increasing deployment of wireless networks are bringing a new range of services to mobile phone users. But at the same time, this enhanced mobility brings with it numerous security risks. If these vulnerabilities are not addressed, operators may experience having their networks compromised, customer relations damaged, and the possibility of increased churn and decreased revenues.
“By understanding the risks associated with mobile networks, operators can put in place a variety of countermeasures that are both simple and effective. This knowledge also allows operators to take appropriate steps to counter the new threats that are bound to emerge in the future.”
