MGM Cyber Attack cost 110 Million

In September the hospitality and entertainment company #MGM Resorts was hit by a #ransomware attack that shut down its systems at MGM Hotels and Casinos.

The incident affected #hotel reservation systems in the United States and other IT systems that run the casino floors.

The company now revealed that the costs from the #ransomware attack have exceeded $110 million. The company paid third-party experts $10 million to clean up its systems.

Allegedly, a criminal gang made up of U.S. and U.K.-based individuals that cybersecurity experts call #Scattered Spider (aka Roasted 0ktapus, UNC3944 or Storm-0875) initiated a social engineering attack that led to the near shutdown of #MGM Resorts International.

Scattered Spider #encrypted several hundred of their #ESXi servers, which hosted thousands of VMs supporting hundreds of systems widely used in the hospitality industry. This caused cascading chaos. As the #ESXi hosts became encrypted one after another, the applications running on them crashed … one after another … after another. Hotel room keys no longer worked. Dinner reservation systems were down. Point-of-sale systems were unable to take payments. Guests were unable to check in or out. Slot machines were completely unavailable. At this point, MGM was hemorrhaging money – and potentially its credibility.

A nice deep technical Analysis by cyber #security company #CyberArk whic details the #attack based on the information currently available, analyze its root causes and discuss key takeaways to help organizations strengthen their security posture.

#cyber #databreach #socialengineering #ransomware #okta #security 

https://www.cyberark.com/resources/blog/the-mgm-resorts-attack-initial-anaysis

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Developing and implementing security controls for Azure Active Directory (Azure AD)

Today we will share the list of things you need to consider for Developing and implementing security controls for Azure Active Directory (Azure AD):

1. Identify Azure AD Assets:

   - Create an inventory of all Azure AD assets, including user accounts, groups, applications, service principals, and Azure AD resources.

   - Document the purpose and sensitivity level of each asset.

   - Classify assets based on their importance and criticality to the organization, considering factors such as the data they provide access to or the applications they authenticate.

2. Perform a Risk Assessment:

   - Identify potential threats to your Azure AD environment, such as unauthorized access, identity theft, insider threats, or data breaches.

   - Assess vulnerabilities that could be exploited by conducting a comprehensive assessment of your Azure AD configuration and associated resources.

   - Evaluate the potential impact of each threat and vulnerability on the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your Azure AD assets.

   - Determine the likelihood of each risk occurring based on historical data, industry trends, and the organization's threat landscape.

   - Prioritize risks based on their potential impact and likelihood, focusing on those with the highest potential risk to your Azure AD environment.

3. Define Security Objectives:

   - Review your organization's overall security strategy and compliance requirements, including any specific Azure AD security requirements.

   - Identify specific security objectives that align with these requirements and the risk assessment findings. Ensure these objectives are measurable and relevant to your organization's needs.

   - Examples of security objectives for Azure AD may include enforcing strong authentication policies, implementing conditional access controls, and protecting privileged accounts.

4. Select Security Controls:

   - Research and review Azure AD security best practices, Azure Security Center recommendations, and Azure AD-specific security frameworks.

   - Identify security controls available in Azure AD that address the identified risks and align with your security objectives.

   - Examples of security controls for Azure AD include enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA), implementing conditional access policies, using Azure AD Privileged Identity Management (PIM), and leveraging Azure AD Identity Protection.

   - Consider using Azure AD security features such as Azure AD Conditional Access, Azure AD Identity Governance, and Azure AD Privileged Identity Management to enhance your security posture.

5. Design Azure AD Security Architecture:

   - Plan the structure of your Azure AD tenant, considering factors such as the number of Azure AD directories, users, groups, and applications required.

   - Define the authentication and access models to be used, such as cloud-only identities, hybrid identities with Azure AD Connect, or federation with external identity providers.

   - Determine the appropriate Azure AD license level and edition based on your organization's needs for advanced security features.

   - Design RBAC roles and assignments for Azure AD resources, ensuring least privilege principles are followed.

   - Establish Azure AD security policies, including password policies, sign-in risk policies, and device compliance policies.

6. Implement Security Controls:

   - Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for Azure AD accounts, especially for privileged accounts and accounts with access to sensitive resources.

   - Implement conditional access policies to enforce granular access controls based on user, device, location, and risk factors.

   - Utilize Azure AD Identity Protection to detect and respond to suspicious sign-in activities and risky user behaviors.

   - Leverage Azure AD Privileged Identity Management (PIM) to manage and monitor privileged access to Azure AD and other Azure resources.

   - Regularly review and remediate risky sign-in events, risky users, and vulnerable configurations identified by Azure AD security features.

7. Provide User Training and Awareness:

   - Develop training materials and conduct sessions to educate users about Azure AD security best practices.

   - Train users on the importance of strong passwords, avoiding password reuse, and using MFA for enhanced security.

   - Educate users about recognizing and reporting phishing attempts, suspicious sign-in activities, and other potential security risks.

   - Raise awareness about the importance of safeguarding Azure AD credentials, avoiding sharing of accounts, and promptly reporting any unusual activities or potential security breaches.

8. Establish Incident Response Procedures:

   - Develop an incident response plan specifically for Azure AD security incidents.

   - Define roles and responsibilities for incident response team members, including those responsible for handling Azure AD security incidents.

   - Establish communication protocols and reporting mechanisms to ensure prompt detection, response, and resolution of Azure AD security incidents.

   - Document step-by-step procedures for isolating affected accounts, investigating potential breaches, resetting compromised credentials, and implementing necessary security measures to prevent future incidents.

   - Conduct regular drills and exercises to test the effectiveness of the incident response procedures and identify areas for improvement.

9. Implement Monitoring and Auditing:

   - Enable Azure AD auditing to track and monitor activities such as user sign-ins, application registrations, role assignments, and directory changes.

   - Utilize Azure AD logs and Azure Monitor to collect and analyze security-related events and alerts.

   - Configure alerts and notifications for suspicious activities, such as multiple failed sign-in attempts or privilege escalations.

   - Integrate Azure AD with a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system for centralized log management, analysis, and correlation.

   - Regularly review and analyze Azure AD logs and security reports to identify anomalies, detect security incidents, and take appropriate actions to mitigate risks.

10. Regular Assessment and Improvement:

   - Continuously assess the effectiveness of your Azure AD security controls.

   - Stay informed about Azure AD security updates, new security features, and best practices provided by Microsoft.

   - Conduct periodic security assessments and penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in your Azure AD environment.

   - Monitor Azure Security Center recommendations and implement necessary security improvements.

   - Regularly review and update your Azure AD security controls, policies, and procedures to adapt to emerging threats, industry standards, and regulatory requirements.

Certainly! Here's an expanded and elaborated checklist for developing and implementing security controls in Azure AD and AWS:

Checklist for Azure AD Security:

------------------------------------

| Step                                      | Status 

1 Identify Azure AD Assets                  

  - List all Azure AD resources and services being used, such as users, groups, applications, and roles.      

2 Perform a Risk Assessment                

   - Identify potential threats and vulnerabilities specific to Azure AD.                                     

   - Assess the impact and likelihood of each risk.                                                        

3 Define Security Objectives               

  - Clearly define and document the desired security objectives for Azure AD.                             

  - Ensure objectives align with organizational requirements and compliance standards.                      

4 Select Security Controls                  

   - Research and identify Azure AD-specific security controls provided by Microsoft.                        

  - Choose controls that address identified risks and align with security objectives.                        

5 Design Azure AD Security Architecture    

   - Plan the structure of Azure AD, including directory structure and role assignments.                    

   - Define secure connectivity options and network configurations.                                          

  - Establish data encryption strategies for Azure AD.                                                     

6 Implement Security Controls               

   - Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for Azure AD users.                                          

   - Configure strong password policies and password rotation requirements.                                

   - Implement Azure AD Privileged Identity Management (PIM) for access management.                        

   - Enable auditing and logging for Azure AD activities.                                                          

7 Provide User Training and Awareness              

   - Educate users about Azure AD security best practices and potential threats.                            

   - Train users on recognizing and reporting security incidents or suspicious activities.                          

7 Establish Incident Response Procedures    

  - Develop an incident response plan specific to Azure AD security incidents.                                    

  - Define roles and responsibilities for incident response team members.                                          

  - Establish communication protocols and reporting mechanisms for incidents.                                    

9 Implement Monitoring and Auditing                  

  - Enable Azure AD auditing and configure logs for monitoring and analysis.                                       

   - Set up alerts and notifications for suspicious activities or policy violations.                                

   - Integrate Azure AD logs with a centralized logging and monitoring system.                                     

10 Regular Assessment and Improvement             

   - Conduct regular security assessments and vulnerability scans for Azure AD.                                    

  - Stay informed about Azure AD security updates and best practices.                                            

  - Continuously review and update Azure AD security controls and policies.                                     

Remember that security is an ongoing process, and it's important to regularly evaluate and improve the security posture of your Azure AD environment to stay ahead of potential threats and ensure the protection of your organization's identity and access management infrastructure.

Finally here is an excellent blogpost by Mandiant for cloud platform compromise with multiple components that would require investigation

https://www.mandiant.com/resources/blog/cloud-bad-log-configurations

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Explore Microsoft Bing Chat

 

Explore Microsoft Bing Chat is a new feature that allows business users to interact with Microsoft Bing in a conversational way. You can ask Microsoft Bing questions, get insights, create content, and more in natural language. Microsoft Bing responds with informative, intuitive, logical, and actionable responses to help you get things done faster and easier.   In this blog post, we'll show you how to use Discover chat on Microsoft Bing and how it can benefit your work.

 

 Here are some steps to get started: 

• Go to https://www.bing.com and click  the chat icon in the lower right corner of the screen. 

•  Select your preferred language and mode from the options.You can switch between Balanced, Creative, and Precision modes according to your needs and preferences. 

• Type or speak your request or message to Microsoft Bing. 

• You can use voice input by clicking  the microphone icon next to the text box. 

• Microsoft Bing will respond with  relevant and engaging feedback, which can include web results, images, tables, lists, code blocks, LaTex expressions, and more. You can also see suggestions for the next user  at the bottom of the chat box.  

• You can continue the conversation by following the suggestions or by typing or speaking your own request or message. You can also click on the link or reference in the Microsoft Bing response to explore more information.
  

 

 

 

 

 

Chat on Microsoft Bing is a feature that allows you to interact with Bing in a conversational way. You can ask questions, get information, and even generate content using natural language. Chat on Microsoft Bing has three main components:

- Chat: This is where you can type your messages and see Bing's responses. You can also switch between different modes, such as Balanced, Creative, and Precise, to get different types of responses from Bing.

- Compose: This is where you can use Bing's creativity and intelligence to help you write or improve your own content. You can ask Bing to generate poems, stories, code, summaries, lyrics, and more. You can also ask Bing to rewrite, optimize, or enhance your content.

- Insights: This is where you can see additional information and details related to your chat messages. You can see web search results, question answering results, advertisements, and suggestions for the next user turn.

Microsoft Bing chat discovery is designed to help you find answers, create content, and complete tasks naturally and intuitively. Whether you need to research a topic, write a report, create a presentation, or just have  fun, you can use the Explore chat on Microsoft Bing to boost your productivity and creativity. Try it  today and let us know what you think.

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Recommendations for Mitigating BianLian Ransomware Group attack

To enhance your organization's cybersecurity posture and counter the activities of the BianLian Ransomware Group, we advise implementing the following mitigations. These measures align with the Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPGs) developed by CISA and NIST (the National Institute of Standards and Technology). The CPGs outline a minimum set of practices and protections recommended for all organizations, based on existing cybersecurity frameworks and guidance that target common and impactful threats and tactics.

1. Reduce the risk of malicious actors using remote access tools by taking the following actions:

   - Conduct an audit of remote access tools on your network to identify authorized and currently used software.

   - Review logs to detect abnormal use of portable executable programs running remote access software.

   - Utilize security software capable of detecting instances where remote access software is loaded only in memory.

   - Allow authorized remote access solutions strictly from within your network, using approved methods like virtual private networks (VPNs) or virtual desktop interfaces (VDIs).

   - Block inbound and outbound connections on common remote access software ports and protocols at the network perimeter.

   - Implement application controls to manage and control the execution of software, including allowing only approved remote access programs.

   - Employ application allowlisting to prevent the installation and execution of unauthorized remote access software, including portable versions that evade traditional antivirus solutions.

For additional guidance, refer to the NSA Cybersecurity Information Sheet on enforcing signed software execution policies.

2. Strictly limit the use of Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and other remote desktop services. If RDP is necessary, adhere to best practices such as:

   - Conduct network audits to identify systems using RDP.

   - Close unused RDP ports.

   - Enforce account lockouts after a specified number of failed login attempts.

   - Implement phishing-resistant multifactor authentication (MFA).

   - Log RDP login attempts.

   - Disable command-line and scripting activities and permissions.

   - Restrict the use of PowerShell to specific users who manage the network or Windows operating systems.

   - Keep PowerShell updated to the latest version and uninstall older versions.

   - Enable enhanced PowerShell logging to capture valuable data for monitoring and incident response.

3. Review domain controllers, servers, workstations, and active directories to identify any new or unrecognized accounts. Audit user accounts with administrative privileges and configure access controls based on the principle of least privilege.

4. Reduce the risk of credential compromise by implementing the following measures:

   - Place domain admin accounts in the protected users' group to prevent local caching of password hashes.

   - Implement Credential Guard for Windows 10 and Server 2016, or enable Protected Process Light for Local Security Authority (LSA) on Windows Server 2012R2.

   - Avoid storing plaintext credentials in scripts.

   - Implement time-based access for admin-level accounts using methods like Just-in-Time (JIT) access provisioning.

In addition to the above recommendations, the FBI, CISA, and ACSC suggest the following mitigations to limit the adversarial use of system and network discovery techniques and reduce the impact and risk of ransomware or data extortion:

1. Develop and maintain a recovery plan that includes multiple copies of sensitive data and servers stored in physically separate, segmented, and secure locations. Maintain offline backups of data, following the 3-2-1 backup strategy (three copies, two media types, one off-site).

2. Ensure that all accounts with password logins comply with NIST standards for password policies. Use longer passwords, store passwords in hashed format using recognized password managers, add password user "salts" to shared login credentials, avoid password reuse, implement multiple failed login attempt account lockouts, disable password hints, and limit

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Are you ready to break into the exciting and dynamic world of cybersecurity?

Are you ready to break into the exciting and dynamic world of cybersecurity? It's not just a job, it's a lifestyle that attracts a passionate and innovative community of professionals. If you're eager to join their ranks, follow these 10 steps to cheat your way to success!

1.Build a Strong Foundation - turbocharge your career with a comprehensive education in cybersecurity, available through a variety of programs like bootcamps, online courses, degrees, or certifications.

2. Master Technical Skills - impress potential employers by developing a wide range of technical proficiencies, including hardware, software, Windows/Linux, networking, vulnerability scanners, packet sniffers, Nmap, and other cutting-edge professional tools.

3.Network Like a Pro - build relationships with cybersecurity experts by joining local or online groups, meeting like-minded individuals, finding mentors, and learning from the best.

4.Gain Real-World Experience - demonstrate your value by volunteering your skills to help your community and participating in Capture the Flag events to gain hands-on experience.

5.Choose Your Specialty - customize your career path by specializing in a specific area of cybersecurity, such as offense, defense, GRC, sales, or other specialties.

6.Stay Ahead of the Curve - stay up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity trends, techniques, and tools by attending security conferences, reading blogs, and constantly improving your skillset.

7.Build Your Reputation - establish your professional presence online through social media, websites, blogs, podcasts, and other outlets. Give back to the cybersecurity community by sharing your knowledge and expertise.

8.Get Involved - gain exposure by participating in cybersecurity events and workshops, and volunteering to speak or teach whenever possible.

9.Stay Ethical - maintain a sterling reputation by always adhering to industry standards and best practices, and never attempting to breach security systems without permission.

10.Hone Your Soft Skills - sharpen your communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, which are essential to your success in the fast-paced world of cybersecurity.

By following these 10 steps, you'll be well on your way to building a successful and rewarding career in cybersecurity. Don't just dream about it – cheat your way to the top with these powerful tips and tricks!

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Ransomware Response Plan

Here are the key steps for an effective response plan: 

 1. Don't Panic: 

- Stay calm and act purposefully when targeted by ransomware. 

- Seek help from security vendors or report the incident to your insurance company. 

 2. Isolate Your Systems and Stop the Spread:

 - Identify the range of the attack and implement network-level blocks or device-level isolation.

 - Utilize endpoint detection and response (EDR) technology to block the attack at the process level.

 3. Identify the Ransomware Variant: 

- Determine the specific strain of ransomware to understand its behavior and possible decryption options. 

 4. Identify Initial Access:

 - Determine the entry point of the attack to close security holes

. - Consult digital forensics teams and incident response experts if needed.

 5. Identify All Infected Systems and Accounts (Scope): - 

Identify active malware and persistent elements in systems communicating with the command-and-control server.

 6. Determine if Data Was Exfiltrated: 

- Look for signs of data exfiltration, such as large data transfers or unusual communications. 

 7. Locate Your Backups and Determine Integrity: -

 Ensure backup technology was not affected and scan backups for integrity.

 8. Sanitize Systems or Create New Builds: 

- Remove malware and incidents of persistence, or consider creating new, clean systems

. - Implement appropriate security controls to prevent reinfection.

 9. Report the Incident: 

- Report the incident and determine if law enforcement should be involved. Consider legal obligations regarding regulated data.

 10. Paying the Ransom? 

- Law enforcement advises against paying the ransom

. 11. Conduct a Post-Incident Review: 

- Evaluate the ransomware response and identify areas for improvement. 

- Simulate attack scenarios and consider proactive playbook building. 

- Consider external services if IT or security team staffing is limited.

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Chat GPT Alternatives

OpenAI’s Chat GPT offers the reality of high-performing AI chatbots. The purpose of these chatbots is to communicate with users in a conversational manner. And being open source, users can suggest any improvements. 

As a result, this technology has taken the internet by storm. Millions of users are using it, but there have been some issues with this chatbot. Particularly when Chat GPT is at capacity and users cannot access it.

Therefore it’s good to know about some quality Chat GPT alternatives. Here are some options that can help you to level up with AI more easily if Chat GPT is not working for you. Some are more complex, and others far more accessible, while some are free and others have pricing structures too.

Chat GPT Alternatives – examples

Bloom

Blo Bloom om is an open-source multi-language model. This Chat GPT alternative added 384 graphic cards with a total of 80 GB of memory to 176 billion parameters to train – 1 billion more than the GPT 3 model.

Chinchilla

DeepMind researchers developed a project named Chinchilla, which is more intimately known as the GPT3 killer.

It’s an optimal computing model that has 70 billion protocols. It has four times more data than Gopher, also developed by DeepMind. Chinchilla is reportedly one of the best options for downstream evaluation tasks (also known as the task a user wants to solve).

It’s a top-notch AI-based writing tool and has educational data on history. Therefore, it can create articles with proper style and structure minus grammatical errors. Without human help, it can produce a useful and readable article in less than an hour.

Megatron-Turing Natural Language Generation

Microsoft and Nvidia made a language model with 530 billion parameters, making it bigger and better than others available. Called Megatron-Turing Natural Language Generation, it is one of the best English language models – trained on SuperPOD by the Selene supercomputer.

Jasper

Jasper AI is a writing model previously known as Jarvis. Jasper has bought other writing tools, such as Shortly AI and Headline, and these will be integrated into Jasper in the coming years.

You can select a topic and fill out the relevant form, and Jasper will create the article for you according to the instructions you have entered. Jasper has a 5-day free trial, with its ‘starter’ plan starting at $24 per month.

Replika

Replika is pretty close to Chat GPT in conversational uses, and you can have similar conversations here, too. It can talk and give text replies at any time without delay. It is primarily an AI chatbot you can use to discuss general topics like love and life, just like you do with friends.

ELSA

ELSA stands for English Language Speech Assistant, a language learning app. It is available on Android and iOS platforms to download. The app analyzes users’ speech and helps them learn and understand the language.

There are more Chat GPT alternatives too, some with more specific applications than others. Here’s a list of a few, including those mentioned above.

ELSA has free and Pro options and Pro costs $11.99 for one month, $8.66p/m for three months, and $6.25p/m for one-year access.

Final thoughts

We have discussed some of the top alternatives of Chat GPT above. You can perform a wide range of functions using these alternatives, and there are others too – including Rytr, Socratic and Faceapp – which uses AI modeling on imagery.

So, when Chat GPT is not working, you’re not sure about the price or if you require another specific application that is more easily served by an alternative, you can use one of these instead.

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What is Phishing and key points to remember

What is phishing

Phishing is a type of online scam in which attackers send fraudulent emails or create fake websites with the intention of tricking individuals into divulging sensitive information such as login credentials, credit card numbers, and other financial information. The attackers often pose as trusted organizations or individuals and use various tactics to persuade the victim to click on a link or download an attachment. The link or attachment may contain malware that can infect the victim's device or redirect the victim to a fake website where they are prompted to enter their personal information.

Phishing attacks can be difficult to recognize because the attackers go to great lengths to make their emails and websites look legitimate. To protect against phishing attacks, it is important to be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments in emails, and to verify the authenticity of the sender and the website before entering any personal information. It is also a good idea to use a secure web browser and to keep your antivirus software up to date.

What is smishing

Smishing is a type of social engineering attack that involves the use of SMS text messages to trick individuals into divulging sensitive information or clicking on malicious links. Smishing attacks often target mobile phone users and can be used to steal personal information such as login credentials, credit card numbers, and other financial information. Smishers use a variety of tactics to lure victims into falling for their scams, including posing as trusted organizations or individuals, creating a sense of urgency or fear, and offering incentives or rewards. To protect against smishing attacks, it is important to be cautious when receiving text messages from unknown numbers and to verify the authenticity of the message before clicking on any links or providing personal information.

Different type of phishing and their defination

There are several different types of phishing attacks, including:

Spear phishing: This type of phishing attack is targeted at a specific individual or organization and often involves the attacker posing as someone the victim knows or trusts.

Whaling: Similar to spear phishing, but the target is a high-level executive or someone with significant influence within an organization.

Clone phishing: This type of attack involves the attacker sending a legitimate email or creating a fake website that is a copy of a legitimate one, but with a malicious link or attachment.

Vishing: This type of attack involves the use of voice calls or voicemails to trick victims into divulging sensitive information.

Impersonation attacks: These attacks involve the attacker pretending to be someone else, such as a colleague or a customer service representative, in order to obtain sensitive information.

CEO fraud: Also known as "business email compromise," this type of attack involves the attacker pretending to be the CEO or another high-level executive and requesting sensitive information or money from an employee.

Some key points to remember about phishing:

1. Be wary of unexpected or suspicious emails, especially those that contain links or attachments.
2. Do not click on links or download attachments from unfamiliar or untrusted sources.
3. Be cautious when providing personal or financial information online, especially in response to an email or unsolicited request.
4. Pay attention to the website's address, or URL, before entering sensitive information. Make sure it begins with "https" and has a lock icon, indicating that it is a secure site.
5. Use anti-virus and anti-malware software and keep it up-to-date.
6. Use strong and unique passwords for all of your accounts, and enable two-factor authentication if it is available.
7. Keep your operating system and other software up-to-date with the latest security patches.
8. Be aware of phishing attacks that use phone calls or text messages as well as email. Do not provide personal or financial information in response to unsolicited phone calls or text messages.

Remember, if something seems too good to be true or seems suspicious, it is always better to err on the side of caution and not click on links or download attachments from unfamiliar or untrusted sources.

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How to become a successfull cyber security engineer from cyber security analyst

Here are some steps you can take to become a successful cyber security engineer from a cyber security analyst:

Build your technical skills: As a cyber security analyst, you may already have a strong foundation in cyber security technologies and practices. However, to become a cyber security engineer, you should aim to expand your technical skillset and knowledge in areas such as network security, security architecture, and system design.

Gain practical experience: Hands-on experience is crucial in the field of cyber security. Consider volunteering for security-related projects or internships to gain practical experience and build your portfolio.

Pursue additional certifications: Earning industry-recognized certifications such as the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) can demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the field.

Develop your leadership skills: Cyber security engineering roles often involve leading and managing teams of analysts. To prepare for these responsibilities, consider taking courses or seeking opportunities to develop your leadership and management skills.

Stay up-to-date: The field of cyber security is constantly evolving, so it's important to stay current with the latest technologies, trends, and best practices. Consider joining professional organizations or attending conferences to stay informed and connected to the industry.

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What are the key tools to know for cyber security engineering role

Here are some key tools that are commonly used in cyber security engineering roles:

Network monitoring tools: These tools allow security engineers to monitor network traffic and identify unusual activity or potential threats. Examples include Wireshark, Splunk, and SolarWinds.

Vulnerability scanners: These tools scan systems and networks for known vulnerabilities and provide recommendations for remediation. Examples include Nessus, Qualys, and Rapid7.

Security information and event management (SIEM) systems: These systems collect and analyze security-related data from various sources to identify potential threats and provide alerts. Examples include Splunk, LogRhythm, and IBM QRadar.

Password managers: These tools help security engineers store and manage complex passwords securely. Examples include LastPass and 1Password.

Encryption tools: These tools are used to protect data by encoding it in a way that can only be accessed by those with the correct decryption key. Examples include BitLocker (for Windows) and FileVault (for Mac).

Firewalls: These tools act as a barrier between a network and the Internet, blocking unauthorized access and protecting against cyber threats. Examples include Palo Alto Networks and Check Point.

Risk assessment and management tools: These tools help security engineers identify and prioritize risks, and develop strategies for mitigating them. Examples include GRC platforms such as RSA Archer and MetricStream.

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Cyber incident in medibank

The Medibank Group detected unusual activity on its network.

In response to this event,  as per Medibank they took immediate steps to contain the incident, and engaged specialised cyber security firms.

At this stage there is no evidence that any sensitive data, including customer data, has been accessed.

As part of response to this incident, #Medibank will be isolating and removing access to some customer-facing systems to reduce the likelihood of damage to systems or data loss.

As Medibank continue to investigate this incident, their priorities are to ensure the ongoing security of customers, our employees, and stakeholder information, and the continued delivery of Medibank services.

Investigations are ongoing, and #Medibank will provide regular updates. Medibank's health services continue to be available to their customers, this includes ability to access customer health providers, as  Medibank work through this incident.

Medibank CEO David Koczkar said:

“I apologise and acknowledge that in the current environment this news may make people concerned.

"Our highest priority is resolving this matter as transparently and quickly as possible.

“We will continue to take decisive action to protect Medibank Group customers and our people.

“We recognise the significant responsibility we have to the people who rely on us to look after their health and wellbeing and whose data we hold.

"We are working around the clock to understand the full nature of the incident, and any additional impact this incident may have on our customers, our people and our broader ecosystem."

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Zero-day Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server.

Microsoft has released Customer Guidance for Reported #zeroday #Vulnerabilities in #Microsoft #Exchange Server. According to the blog post, “Microsoft is aware of limited targeted attacks using the two vulnerabilities to get into users’ systems.”

The two vulnerabilities are CVE-2022-41040 and CVE-2022-41082, affecting on-premises Microsoft #Exchange Server 2013, 2016, and 2019. Note: Microsoft Exchange Online is not affected. 

An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities to take control of an affected system.

The current Exchange Server #mitigation is to add a blocking rule in “IIS Manager -> Default Web Site -> URL Rewrite -> Actions” to block the known attack patterns how to do it is describe in the below microsoft  blogpost

https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2022/09/29/customer-guidance-for-reported-zero-day-vulnerabilities-in-microsoft-exchange-server/

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Optus data breach: what to do if you think you're at risk

On 22 September 2022, Optus published an article on its website, advising customers of a Cyberattack which may have resulted in unauthorised access to current and former customers’ information.

Optus has advised the information potentially exposed may include customers’ names, dates of  birth, phone numbers, email addresses, and, for a subset of customers, addresses, and ID document numbers such as driver license or passport numbers.
 
Payment detail and account  passwords have not been compromised.
 
Optus has advised that customers that had the most fields exposed would be contacted first over  the next few days. It is likely that if you are not contacted by Optus in the next few days, that you  are not in this cohort of individuals.

Please note that notification from Optus is occurring via email and Optus will not provide any links  in email or contact you via sms or phone call asking you to verify any personal details or billing  information. If you are contacted via SMS or phone, do not engage, contact Optus directly through  a verified point of contact.
 
If you have received an email, by Optus for data breach notification. By acting quickly, you can reduce your chance of experiencing harm.

how you can check exactly what data of yours might have been leaked. First log-in here: https://www.optus.com.au/ and then once logged-in, visit this link and you should see a JSON encoded response that contains your personal information. Check in particular the indentType [sic] field, which should tell you what kind of document has been exposed; and the indentValue [again, sic—who wrote this data schema?] which in my case tells me exactly which document I should get re-issued.

If you don’t mind jumping through a few hoops, you can also confirm what street address details might have been exposed. To do that, first write down the numeric contactId value from the JSON response you got above. Then take the following URL https://www.optus.com.au/mcssapi/rp-webapp-9-common/customer-management/contact-person/{contactId}?lo=en_US&sc=SS and copy and paste it into the address bar of your browser. Manually replace the part that says {contactId} with the numeric value you wrote down. It should return yet another JSON encoded response that includes street address information. This response for me also included the ID document information in the documentType and documentNumber fields, plus (worryingly) information that would seem to pertain to the expiration date of the document

 
It is vital to monitor for suspicious activity on your accounts and report any you see to the relevant provider. Be wary of any spam calls/texts/emails, even on social media, and never click on suspicious links.
 
Banks, government bodies, and other institutions make it a policy to never contact you over text, phone, or email asking for personal information. If you receive suspicious communications, do not hand out your details. You can contact the provider directly to follow up or check the ACCC's Scamwatch to see if similar frauds have occurred.
 
Optus has explicitly stated it will not be sending links in data breach emails, so if you receive an email from "Optus" with a "click here for more details" button, it's likely not from the telco. Although Optus advised the user password is not breached, As a precautionary measure there are proactive response actions we recommend that you may wish to consider:
 

1. Changing your Optus email and account passwords. Make sure you have strong passwords that you haven’t used for other accounts. (if you use same password as your Optus to the other accounts before make sure to change them).
2. When updating your internet banking passwords, go to the financial institution’s website directly by typing their web address into your web browser. Generally, a financial institution won’t ask you in an email to click on a link to update your password.
3.  Enable two-factor authentication on all your accounts, especially mobile banking or money management apps. This helps protect your data since hackers need more than just your password to access your account.
4.  You could also  make regular backups of your phone’s data to a secure hard drive.
5. Monitor your account transactions online or using paper account statements if you receive them. If you spot any purchases you didn’t make, report these immediately to your financial institution.
6. Place limits on your accounts or ask you bank how you can secure your money.
7.  If you suspect fraud you can request a ban on your credit report.
8. Change your Driver licence, Medicare and passport number if you received email from optus that your data is breached.

 
If you require more info you can follow the guides below
 
What to do if there is a data breach (oaic.gov.au)
Also consider the steps outlined in IDCARE Optus Data Breach Response Fact sheet.
 

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Optus Telecom company got hacked

 

Now our own #Optus  got hacked.
#optus is investigating the possible unauthorised access of current and former customers’ information.

Upon discovering this, Optus immediately shut down the attack. Optus is working with the Australian Cyber Security Centre to mitigate any risks to customers. Optus has also notified the Australian Federal Police, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and key regulators.

Up to 3 million users have had all their data stolen, including passport numbers and birth dates. Information which may have been exposed includes customers’ names, dates of birth, phone numbers, email addresses, and, for a subset of customers, addresses, ID document numbers such as driver's licence or passport numbers.  Payment detail and account passwords have not been compromised.

Optus #services, including #mobile and home #internet, are not affected, and messages and voice calls have not been compromised. Optus services remain safe to use and operate as per normal.

Customers whos data that got hacked optus is yet to inform individual person.

No technical details on how the hack occuer is not published yet.

#cybersecurity #police #hacking #acsc #databreach #cyberattack #customerdata

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Uber Got Hacked badly.

#Uber got hacked. The hack was successful because of  #socialengineering so be carefull when you receive #email or message check it out before clicking any link or giving away your login info etc.

Secondly change your Uber password, these are the two key takeway.

Now to the technical stuff,  The hacker claim they Social Engineered an employee then found admin credentials in a powershell script on a network share. As the hacker says

"One of the powershell scripts contained the username and password for a admin user in Thycotic (PAM) Using this i was able to extract secrets for all services, DA, DUO, Onelogin, AWS, GSuite"

Attacker basically got access to almost everything (allegedly)

- Slack
- Google Workspace Admin
- AWS Accounts
- HackerOne Admin
- SentinelOne EDR
- vSphere
- Financial Dashboards

Don’t point and laugh. It could be you next time. Focus on your IT security and employee training on Social Engineering.

** Also another key point if you capable speand and invest in people early not after the breach as we seen so many cases

Good Luck.

#hacked #hacker #password #credentials #user #powershell #aws #share #uber #vsphere #slack #gsuite #sentinelone

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