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cybersecurity champions

Cybersecurity champions could be your secret weapon in raising employee cyber-awareness

  • Leadership
  • min read
    • Cyber incidents continue to rank as the top risk for Financial Services companies. With 57 percent of banking executives saying their primary cybersecurity concern is phishing attacks targeting employees,  cybersecurity needs to be everyone's business – not just the IT department's problem. A cyber-secure work culture will make businesses more resilient to threats. According to Forbes, business-reported cyberattacks keep rising each quarter. Meanwhile, "The cyber skills gap continues to widen, with 3.4 million vacancies for cyber pros globally this year, up from 2.7 million in 2021." Employee behavior is one of the biggest factors behind cybersecurity incidents. Change how your employees understand cybersecurity with a cyber-aware work culture, and you'll substantially reduce the risk of compromise. One way of raising cybersecurity awareness at work is through a cybersecurity champions program. Forbes reports phishing, malware-spiked emails, social engineering and compromised credentials account for nearly 30 percent of cyberattacks. As all these are linked with lack of employee cyber awareness, everyone getting up-to-speed on today's cyberattacks could prevent many attacks. Why cybersecurity champions change business culture Lena Smart, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for MongoDB, calls cybersecurity champions the "cheerleaders and supporters of security" across an organization. MongoDB is a database platform to build web and mobile applications. It powers everything from popular online game Fortnite to dating site eHarmony's real-time communication system. The company is headquartered in the US and has 2,000 employees globally. "We need to assure customers we're keeping our applications secure and we want to show our internal customers they're working in a secure environment," says Smart. MongoDB's cybersecurity champions program was one of Smart's first initiatives when she joined the company last year. A 20-year industry veteran, she implemented two similar programs in previous CISO roles at international electronic trading platform Tradeweb and another at New York Power Authority. Smart says security experts inside an organization may have a limited perspective because they're looking through a tight lens. Weaving security through software development Security champions schemes are adopted most in software development, particularly with the trend toward DevOps. DevOps means combining software development and IT operations teams and processes to speed up development. As the need grew to scale DevOps projects faster while minimizing software vulnerabilities, organizations looked for ways to embed security into the development process. They called the approach DevSecOps. "Security champions programs aim to build a better security culture and get DevOps to create secure software more reliably," says Dan Cornell, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) with US application security company Denim Group. Cornell is a big proponent of cybersecurity champions and has helped many organizations launch programs. He says their aims vary depending on the industry, regulatory environment and company culture. For DevOps, he says, champions make security knowledge more accessible to the development team. Having run successful security champions programs outside of software development, Smart says the rules are transferable. "There's no difference in how you set it up from one company to the next." The champions are colleagues from different roles, teams and departments. Smart particularly wants participants who don't have "security" in their job title or responsibility. "The champions want to learn and understand security and how they can help the company to be more secure," she says. At MongoDB, the program is voluntary and relatively informal. Champions are encouraged to attend monthly meetings with ideas for training and other things they want to do. Building cybersecurity culture from the bottom up While the C-Suite's involvement is crucial in setting the tone and providing resources, the real strength of a cybersecurity culture is in the entire workforce's commitment and enthusiasm. Robust protection against cyber threats means building a cybersecurity culture from the ground up. Within a good security culture, people engage with cybersecurity, leading to growing awareness which reduces business vulnerability to attack. When staff feel invested in the organization's security, they become its first line of defense. When you foster a sense of joint initiative, employees at all levels help build the culture and security becomes ingrained in their daily practices. UCL Department of Security and Crime Science lecturer, Ingolf Becker, says a security champions program works because it's a two-way street. "It promotes security at all levels, but it's also an opportunity for management to get feedback about what's happening on the ground." Smart says sometimes the best ideas for improving security comes from people who "don't live under the scrutiny of the CISO every day. It gives you, as the CISO, a view you wouldn't otherwise have." Champions making cybersecurity communication clearer Smart measures the success of a champions program by how much feedback she gets on initiatives and efforts. For example, a new data-retention policy for a communication app the company was using: "Data-retention policies can be disruptive. We wanted to make sure we were asking the right questions and giving the right information to those affected," she explains. She put the champions to work. They met as a group and reviewed the draft memo. The champions took it apart, discussing what could be improved, what needed more information, and so on. That input, she says, saved her security team a lot of angst. "We finessed what was going to be a disruptive piece of communication," she says. She knew it worked because emails came in thanking them for the clarity of the message. People appreciated the efforts put in by those outside the CISO's core team. How to implement a cybersecurity champion program Becker says security champions must not be security people. "They're employees who are 'one of us,'" he says. "I think most organizations could benefit from having this local expertise about what security means to an organization." He says at organizations he's worked with, the program was often organic – started by people or teams who took it upon themselves to promote security. In those instances, formalizing the program helps to provide training and resources to develop it. To start a program, Smart recommends CISOs get executive support. At MongoDB, she started by pitching the idea to her manager, the company's CTO. "He loved the idea," she says. "Support from the top is fundamental, or it won't be a success." You must also work out what kind of commitment participants need, based on how often the champions meet and other tasks they do. The next phase is to promote the program and recruit volunteers – an online survey is a good way. After pitching her idea to the CTO, Smart enrolled the company's communication experts to raise awareness, including the benefits of the program to the organization. When employees stepped forward, their supervisors had to sign off. Smart had conversations with the managers who were uncertain and explained how volunteering could fit around the employee's day-to-day role. "Because it's voluntary, some months you may have five people in the room and some months 20," Smart says. "Don't be disheartened if the numbers go down. They'll come up again." To grow the program, look for ways to promote the champions' work and impact. MongoDB includes "day in the life" stories about the champions in the company's security newsletter. Championing security helps develop careers Gartner says cybersecurity champions programs are a zero- or low-cost way to accelerate your security message. Some organizations may offer incentives, and in DevOps scenarios, being a champion may become a full-time role. At MongoDB, the champions aren't there for perks, but there are benefits. They learn things and serve as leaders to their peers. Smart, too, found an unexpected benefit: Two of the champions later joined her team. "They're now a bridge between the old and new ways of security," she says. Becker believes just about any organization could implement a cybersecurity champions program. But there's one caveat. "You must be willing to listen and change based on the input of champions," he says. Smart notes the champions share a common goal. "We're all trying to solve the same problem: Keeping the data safe and the bad actors out," she says. The program lets her talk to people she rarely speaks to about ways to improve security. "It's a linking of the groups and a linking of the minds," she says. If you want to improve your security culture – and are willing to listen to employees with diverse perspectives – a security champions program is a great way to bring about long-lasting change.
behind the screens

Zero-day: Birth of a new threat

  • Enterprise cybersecurity
  • min read
    • They're inside your system but no one knows how they got there – or how to stop them. These destructive attacks are called zero-day threats, because your security team will have zero days to prepare. Zero-day attacks involve cybercriminals using vulnerabilities no one knows about. They're hard to detect and can go on for years. Zero-day: Birth of a New Threat is Tomorrow Unlocked's latest film in the hacker:HUNTER Behind the Screens series. Michael Gregg, CEO of Managed Service Provider Catalyst Network Solutions, discusses these attacks and his clever way to trick cybercriminals into giving up their secrets. He also shares ways to spot these sometimes-subtle attacks. Understanding zero-day attacks While you may not have heard of zero-day attacks, some of the most well-known cyberattacks fall into this category, such as WannaCry and BlueKeep. But what does it mean? Software developers are always looking out for vulnerabilities hackers could use to gain access to systems through their software. When you receive software updates, these often include 'patches' for recently discovered security holes. "It's called zero-day because that's exactly how long you've had to prepare for it," says Gregg. Zero-day attacks might include reaching a vulnerable system using phishing – manipulative emails to users aiming to convince them to open a file or visit a malicious site. That action downloads the attacker's malware, which infiltrates user files. It can take time for developers to find the vulnerability that allowed the attack. In recent years, hackers have become faster at exploiting vulnerabilities soon after discovery. Zero-day attacks are especially dangerous because only attackers know about them. Once they have access through a zero-day vulnerability, criminals can attack immediately or wait for the best time. What is a Managed Service Provider (MSP?) Gregg's company, Catalyst Network Solutions, is a Kaspersky partner Managed Service Provider (MSP.) MSPs offer cybersecurity-as-a-service. Rather than or as well as an inhouse cybersecurity team, businesses hire MSPs to take care of their cybersecurity. Using MSPs makes it easier for businesses to have a range of cybersecurity expertise on-hand in a market where hiring cyber experts can be challenging. MSPs typically provide services to multiple companies and organizations, giving them broad-based knowledge of cyberthreats and cyber solutions. With the wide range of business tech that needs securing today – from light switches to security cameras to fridges – the value of wide-ranging experience is rising by the day. Tricking cybercriminals with their own tricks The data tricks cybercriminals into using, and so revealing, their zero-day methods. This has allowed Gregg's team to prevent and stop attacks faster. Preventing zero-day attacks As soon as a zero-day threat is understood, software developers will release updates to patch it, so your business should ensure it always installs updates promptly. If you can't stop a zero-day attack happening, there are ways to ensure it's caught early. Gregg advises "There's never a call that's not worth making," when it comes to cybersecurity. Signs of zero-day attacks can be subtle. "If your mouse is moving in a weird way, you're getting out-of-place keystrokes or your computer's running slowly," let the cyber professionals know – whether you have an internal team or a Managed Service Provider.
chatGPT cybersecurity regulation

With ChatGPT’s vast innovative potential, regulators must take care

  • Safer business
  • min read
    • ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot applications are major technological milestones with far-reaching benefits for many industries. But with each advance comes unintended consequences. With ChatGPT in its fourth iteration, and its underlying technologies growing fast, it's time to take stock of the policy landscape to understand its implications. What is ChatGPT, and how are businesses using it? ChatGPT is an AI chatbot made by OpenAI. It uses natural language processing (NLP) to create human-like text responses. Users can ask ChatGPT almost anything and receive relatively natural-sounding responses. It can write outputs like programming code, social media posts, summarize complex topics or almost anything text. ChatGPT is an example of generative AI: Artificial intelligence that learns to generate original content like images, music and text by identifying underlying patterns in existing examples. "Its primary objective is to create interactive and realistic conversations with users, making it a powerful tool for chatbots, virtual assistants and customer support applications," says AWS Solutions Architect Ragu Kuppannan. Many top companies are using ChatGPT. For example, travel outlet Expedia wants customers to be able to book a holiday in a way that feels like having a chat with a travel agent. Microsoft, a major investor in OpenAI, says ChatGPT already powers its search engine, Bing, and plans to add it to Word and Excel. ChatGPT could be promising for any application where natural, conversational interaction between people and tech would be beneficial. Risks of ChatGPT Critiques of ChatGPT and other chatbot applications generally focus on its potential to disrupt human employment, produce incorrect information or poor practice in training algorithms to identify harmful content. The underlying cybersecurity risks get less attention. Kaspersky's specialist threat intelligence teams have identified three main risk areas. First, ChatGPT can provide advice, even detailed guides, to help prospective attackers plan and target victims. Second, it can develop code and even create entire coding projects for those with little knowledge of software development. While ChatGPT has restrictions and safeguards to avoid abuse, they're fairly easily bypassed. Third, ChatGPT produces convincing and accurate text that can be used in phishing or spearphishing. To some extent, these three areas represent theoretical risks or outlier scenarios that don't represent how people and businesses usually use ChatGPT. Policy perspective beyond risks Policy should aim to be technology-blind – taking a similar approach to all related technology that might emerge in the future, rather than creating a unique approach for one of today's concerns. It should build the best possible defenses against the worst human intentions and applications. Practically speaking, there may be no way to prevent or limit use of tech like ChatGPT. And to limit an emerging technology's potential means being left behind in a global digital economy. While policy discussions usually focus on outputs – the material ChatGPT produces – its inputs (the data it's trained with) may be a bigger threat. Data-driven tools like ChatGPT are only as good or accurate as their training datasets. As chatbot systems may become the most common way to use the internet, issues will have wide impact. Ensuring balance in training data is a growing challenge as disinformation expands. Bad actors can influence what users see and read in ways that have global consequences. Datasets, devices and systems must be secure and accurate. How nations are regulating AI In our public policy work, Kaspersky advocates public-private partnerships. We think partnerships combining global private-sector expertise with policymakers' local needs will be the best defense. It's a middle-ground approach that avoids too much or too little caution. These partnerships in cybersecurity maximize the advantages of emerging technologies like ChatGPT, while safeguarding against risks. United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a role model for inclusive public-private partnerships. They've taken a progressive and collaborative stance on partnerships with international tech firms. Initiatives and forums like the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy and the UAE Cybersecurity Council aim to safely and securely advance technological growth for short- and long-term benefit. In May 2023, Brazil was considering a Bill to regulate AI. It requires "systems [to] undergo a preliminary assessment carried out by the suppliers themselves, to determine whether they can be classified as being of high or excessive risk," according to OneTrust Data Guidance. It also restricts exploitative AI uses, like subliminal techniques that could cause harmful behavior or target vulnerabilities in older and disabled people. The Center for Strategic and International Studies says Japan looked at the European Union's sterner approach to AI regulation and had "concern that the burden of compliance and the ambiguity of regulatory contents may stifle innovation." Instead, Japan is adopting a "human-centered" approach based on seven principles – among them, privacy protection, security and innovation. They regulate AI through several laws. The Digital Platform Transparency Act, for example, requires fair and transparent practice from large online stores and digital advertising businesses, including disclosing how they decide search rankings. Values are the key to balanced regulation ChatGPT and other generative AI fit a model of technological development we've seen throughout history – it disrupts human lives and businesses with exciting potential but also serious risks that need policymakers' attention. UAE, Brazil and Japan have regulatory approaches that are values-led and aim for a middle ground: A balance between too much and too little caution. Alongside, partnerships between the public and private sector hold promise to let business embrace innovation while adequately managing risk.
STEM women are changing the world

STEM women are changing the world

  • min read
    • Diverse workplaces make better products, better decisions and are more resilient in the face of change. Yet despite much progress, some young women are still struggling to get into careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM.) What can we do? Series writer and presenter Ghislaine Boddington speaks to professionals committed to making STEM careers more welcoming to women and girls – Patricia Peck, CEO and founding partner of Peck Advogados, Professor of Digital Law and Brazil Data Protection Authority council member (São Paulo, Brazll) and equity and inclusion expert Dr. Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE (UK,) CEO of Stemettes and President of the British Science Association. You'll also hear directly from young women on the challenges they face and how they're overcoming them. When you're traveling to virtual worlds, your digital life matters. Protect it with the new Kaspersky. For a 30-day trial. Fast Forward is produced for global cybersecurity brand Kaspersky's cyberculture channel Tomorrow Unlocked. Listen to this episode on this website or wherever you get your audio: Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts If you like the series, click follow for new episodes and rate and review it.
Cyborg shifts: Embedding tech in our bodies

Cyborg shifts: Embedding tech in our bodies

  • min read
    • When researchers created a 'third thumb' prosthesis and taught people how to use it, they found changes in the brain. As we see advanced convergence of embedded body tech into non-medical uses, we must explore the potential for unintended consequences alongside benefits like productivity and convenience. Today, systems like passports and medical ethics struggle to accept people augmented for non-medical reasons. Will we need a bill of cyborg rights? Glimpse our evolving cyborg world with writer and presenter Ghislaine Boddington, speaking with Dani Clode, prosthetic, augmentation and product designer at Cambridge University's Alternative Limb Project, augmented artist Neil Harbisson, who sees himself as a 'Trans Species,' and David Emm, Principal Security Researcher at Kaspersky. When you're traveling to virtual worlds, your digital life matters. Protect it with the new Kaspersky. For a 30-day trial. Fast Forward is produced for global cybersecurity brand Kaspersky's cyberculture channel Tomorrow Unlocked. Listen to this episode on this website or wherever you get your audio: Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts If you like the series, click follow for new episodes and rate and review it.
extended self, future digital twins

The extended self: Our future digital twins

  • min read
    • In the future, will we each have a digital bio-twin beside us, ready to whisper in our ear when our biometric data shows we're at risk? Scientists say genes affect our lifespan by just 10 to 25 percent, making preventing illness key to extending our lives. Today, tech that quantifies our biophysical performance abounds, and more is on the way. But how should we protect our precious and private health information, while taking advantage of these powerful, possibly life-extending tools? And what can be done about the missing data of women, people of color and others historically ignored by medical research? Writer and presenter Ghislaine Boddington discusses the exciting and thorny topic of our extended selves in healthcare tech with Michael Geer, Co-founder of Humanity app, Marija Butkovic, world expert in women's health innovation and Founder of Women of Wearables and David Emm, Principal Security Researcher at Kaspersky. When you're traveling to virtual worlds, your digital life matters. Protect it with the new Kaspersky. For a 30-day trial. Fast Forward is produced for global cybersecurity brand Kaspersky's cyberculture channel Tomorrow Unlocked. Listen to this episode on this website or wherever you get your audio: Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts If you like the series, click follow for new episodes and rate and review it.
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About Secure Futures

Secure Futures magazine is your go-to business guide for opinions, trends and insight into the world of technology and cybersecurity. We help your business to bring on the future. Brought to you by Kaspersky, the global cybersecurity experts.

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