Top Security Threats CYBR650 Week 1

My name is Bickram Mark Singh. I am a Systems Engineer Manager; working for Verizon for the past 25 years. Much of my daily functions include trouble-shooting and problem solving; it is a fast-paced, hands-on, non-stop work environment with deadlines to meet and emergencies occurring constantly. My major is Cyber Security, and this is my final Masters class with Bellevue University.

Each week I will post information on some of the top security threats we face, both personally and in the corporation. I will also share recommended ideas and steps to help mitigate some of these threats. In today's rapid pace technological environment, we all can use as much information as possible to stay safe.

The MIT Technology Review website https://www.technologyreview.com/s/609641/six-cyber-threats-to-really-worry-about-in-2018/ gives an interesting take on the top cyber threats to look out for during 2018. The author, Martin Giles describes some worrying scenarios; threats that can cause a magnitude of problems and with some serious, worrying consequences. Two that were particularly worrying to me are:

* Increasing data breaches like the one on Equifax. You'd think that with such top security, a company like Equifax could never be hacked successfully. That data breach showed us all that there is never really anything like 100% security, and that we are as strong as our weakest link. And just when you think you’ve heard it all, the bad news continue to grow. CNN wrote a good article last month describing how more information, including tax IDs and driver's license details were probably obtained in the Equifax data breach http://money.cnn.com/2018/02/09/pf/equifax-hack-senate-disclosure/index.html. As more information on the data breach is made public, you can’t help but wonder if Equifax is withholding any vital information from us, in their quest to reduce the damage done to their brand.

* Hacking elections. Although the debate rages on as to whether or not Russia really hacked the 2016 elections or to what extent their activities influenced our elections, the fact is that cyber attacks on our voting process is a clear and present danger. As much as we try to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in our voting systems, it seems these hackers are way ahead of the game. NBC News published an interview with Jeanette Manfra, the head of cybersecurity at the Department of Homeland Security, where Jeanette stated that Russian successfully penetrated the voter registration rolls of several U.S. states preceding to the 2016 presidential elections https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/russians-penetrated-u-s-voter-systems-says-top-u-s-n845721. It seems the same technology that has provided mobility, flexibility, and comfort has reared its ugly head to bite us.

Stay tuned!