Google at loggerheads over support for journalism
Google and the state of California have come to loggerheads over legislation designed to require Google to provide financial support for local journalism. Naturally, Google is fighting this with a PR and lobbying blitz. They and their allies may be missing the point. Whatever the outcome, it could have a profound impact on the democratic process. The legislation, The California Journalism Preservation Act (CJPA) has been wending its way through…
GDPR and the need for Cyber Insurance in Europe
GDPR, with its rigorous data protection standards and hefty fines for non-compliance, has heightened awareness about data privacy and reshaped the demand for cyber insurance.
Cyber insurance offers a financial safety net that can help organisations mitigate the potentially devastating financial impacts of cyber incidents, including data breaches, ransomware attacks, and other forms of cybercrime.
Organisations should consider cyber insurance as an integral component of their risk management strategy, particularly given the escalating landscape of cyber threats and regulatory requirements.
Book Review: AI Doctor, take the money and run
When we received an invitation to review AI Doctor we were quite excited to get a look inside what a serial entrepreneur, investor, and cardiologist thinks about dealing with those vulnerabilities.
Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) Explained
In 2022 Gartner (who else?) coined a new term: Data Security Posture Management (DSPM), a new, data-centric approach that gives security teams full visibility into cloud environments. Through DSPM, security teams can focus on securing the "crown jewels" of their data.
Social media hangs itself in TikTok legislation
The debate over the appropriateness of the Congressional action against TikTok can be debated for a long time and probably will until the Senate takes action—which could be weeks. What is less debatable is TikTok’s, and pretty much all of the social media industry’s contribution to the situation. In essence, social media has hung itself with its own lifeline.
The industry has long embraced Section 230, a section of Title 47 of the United States Code that classifies them as part of the telecommunications industry. That particular law immunizes social media platforms and users from legal liability for online information provided by third parties. The section also protects web hosts from liability for voluntarily and in good faith editing or restricting access to objectionable material, even if the material is constitutionally protected. These protections do not apply to what is traditionally known as “the media.” That is an important distinction.
The FCC also regulates related to the foreign ownership of telecommunications companies, broadcast, and cable companies, in that it is not allowed. If TikTok expects protection under Section 230, it has to abide by all the FCC regulations, including ownership. In that case, the legislation is consistent with US law.
News media or Telecom?
However, the CEO of TikTok has made the case that the legislation infringes on the First Amendment rights of the company, creators, and users because… wait for it … TikTok is a major source of news for users. In other words, it is a news medium. According to TikTok, 43 percent of users rely on the app for daily news. But that sets up an entirely different problem.
Print, broadcast, and cable media are bound by ethics and laws to print truth. If they knowingly publish defamatory and untrue information, they can be sued by the injured party. That was most recently and famously demonstrated in the lawsuits against Fox News and Rudy Guiliani for intentionally spreading lies about election technology related to the 2020 US election.
Those same lies were and still are spread on social media platforms, including TikTok, with impunity under the protection of Section 230. But if they are a news medium, the protections of Section 230 go away and TikTok and creators who spread disinformation can now be held accountable for libel and slander.
Social media companies can adjust algorithms limiting what kind of information can be distributed on their networks and they reluctantly apply those restrictions when they are pushed to. But they can’t be sued for disseminating that information under Section 230. If they
Sextortion is criminal, but may not be a crime
“Sextortion” is a popular theme in media and the news, but it may or may not be a big deal. It might not even be a crime depending on where you live. No one can really come up with a consensus about what it is and how widespread it is. It’s even difficult to pin down what constitutes the typical perpetrator of this crime.
Generative AI tools are a blessing and a curse, but cybersecurity may lead to reason
Generative AI is generating press describing it as a blessing or a curse, perhaps both. Cooler heads, however, are finding balance and benefit, especially in the cybersecurity field.
Bank collapse drives Phishing attacks
“We are seeing some phishing attempts offering loans, or pretending to be founders to financial teams,” said Grant Warnick, CEO of cybersecurity company Fletch. “We are expecting more fraud attempts this week as bad actors pretend to be companies impacted by this incident.”
A Trip to the Dark Side of ChatGPT
Artificial Intelligence might become a weapon in the hands of cyber criminals. We spoke with Sergey Shykevich from CheckPoint to see how concerned the cybersecurity worlds needs to be.
Data Protection Day 2023: A Priority Not An Option
Data Protection Day serves as a stark reminder to companies to review their data security systems and look for ways to evolve, become more resilient, and, ultimately, build trusting relationships with their customers.
Safeguarding Your Organizational Assets is a Continuous Journey
Securing your organizational ...
The State of SaaS Security - A CISO’s Perspective on SaaS Security for 2024
Understanding the state of ...
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Murky third-party agreements weaken healthcare privacy controls
The healthcare industry is a vulnerable target of cybercriminals, but not for the reasons most business sectors are. Between 80 and 90 percent of all cybercrime results from people not following basic cyber hygiene practices, but in healthcare criminals gain access to information through infrastructure weaknesses and the murky third-party agreements.
Biden data EO a step forward
President Joe Biden took a step forward in protecting American's data this week and issued an executive order (EO) to protect Americans’ personal information from hostile governments.
Bad month for Cybercrime
It has been a bad month for cybercrime. Yes, attacks are on the way up. Yes, they are still extorting money and causing infrastructure chaos. But there is a massive, shadow-busting spotlight on them right where they live. Defense technology…...
Navigating AI as a Double-Edged Sword
The landscape of cyber threats is poised to become more treacherous due to the advancing use of AI in code writing and the dissemination of malicious techniques. The race between cyber attackers and defenders will intensify, with AI at the centre of this escalating arms race.
Dissecting the Anatomy of Ransomware
Most people understand by now the impact that ransomware can have on their systems if infected. But what precedes this critical point? Is the deployment of ransomware a gradual process, or does it occur in a single, quick action? Ransomware…...
Biometrics and payment cards?
Biometric multi-factor authentication is all the rage in security. And yet it is also the cause of terror for security-minded folk. For every breakthrough we get a news story about how it has caused harm. But is it a good…...
How serious do companies take cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity in an organisation is primarily a proactive effort. Whilst it does have a reactive component as well, a response to a cyberattack may only be successful with proper planning and preparation. The hope with a crisis response plan is…...
Turning the corner on cyber insurance
It seems like the insurance industry is turning the corner on cyber insurance and making a decent profit in the process. But not every industry watcher is optimistic.
The Era of AI-Powered Cyberthreats?
From our predictions issue: AI is rapidly infiltrating the business world and our daily lives. While revolutionizing how – and how efficiently – work gets done, it also introduces a new set of cybersecurity challenges.
Breach affects half of France
French regulators recently warned that a January 2024 cyber-attack on two major healthcare sector companies caused over 33 million people’s data to be compromised. The data includes sensitive personal information, which threat actors could exploit in phishing campaigns and financial…...
Cyber Threats Impacting Enterprises in 2024
From our predictions issue: With the new year, CIOs must educate and prepare themselves for the upcoming obstacles they may face in the future and implement ways to stay ahead and double down to protect themselves and their clients from potential vulnerabilities.
How will AI change the cybersecurity industry?
From our predictions issue: AI dominated the news in 2023. For 2024, our experts predict that AI will mature further, resulting in more AI-driven solutions in the cybersecurity industry.
