Tag: security
The Defence in Depth Security Model Explained
The Defence in Depth Security Model is one of those security concepts I often see incorrectly implemented or not used to its full potential to protect services or systems. There is way more to it than first meets the eye. In this article you will learn: What is the Defence in Depth Security Model? The Read more about The Defence in Depth Security Model Explained[…]
robots.txt Pen Test extension
Given that I’m seeing an increase in unauthorised, and essentially illegal, Pen Tests against business production instances, which only serve to: Test the firewalls around your production instance (rather than testing the application code directly), Put at serious risk the availability of the web service under ‘test’ by consuming resources that should be only used Read more about robots.txt Pen Test extension[…]
Continuous Pen Testing – Pros and Cons
It seems quite a few businesses are resorting to using 3rd parties to implement continuous pen testing for not only their own products but also for online services they also consume – this can be a very bad idea and lead to a false sense of security. In the face of it regularly scanning an Read more about Continuous Pen Testing – Pros and Cons[…]
Singapore’s TraceTogether Token
Singapore has developed a physical token to enable elderly and vulnerable people to easily be contact traced without the need of having the TraceTogether app. The device also overcomes some of the issues that are being faced with the mobile app, including battery drainage and issues when the app is running in the background or Read more about Singapore’s TraceTogether Token[…]
Security Event Logging, why it is so important
Every once in awhile I get asked why detailed event logging is so important when setting up cybersecurity controls at a business. In this article will attempt to explain why this is critically important. To log or not to log, that is question… When it comes to logging security events and being able to make Read more about Security Event Logging, why it is so important[…]
How much should you spend on an external PenTest?
External Penetration Tests today come in all shapes and sizes, from the rudimentary highly automated scanning to the more detailed and human-driven PenTests, with often widely ranging costs to boot (3 to 4 times difference is not unusual for essentially the same thing). Sometimes it’s difficult to work out what form of external PenTest is Read more about How much should you spend on an external PenTest?[…]
Encrypt Email addresses at Rest
It seems not a day goes by without some major data breach occurring on businesses systems. Anywhere from a few thousand records to many millions at a time, containing information ranging from names, addresses, telephones number, dates of birth and account details, etc. One thing I have noticed, that seems to be a constant throughout Read more about Encrypt Email addresses at Rest[…]
Latest print of book is out
This a quick post to say that I have just received the latest print of my book, now updated to cover off recent changes in legislation, plus some changes from feedback given by readers – much thanks! This makes the book even more useful to those looking to properly secure personal information in businesses and Read more about Latest print of book is out[…]
First book published
This a quick post to say that my first book has now been published on Amazon. In total its taken a good 9 months from the initial idea. The book focusses on Personal Information Security and how in business personal information needs to be secured and protected. The book is full of lots of practical Read more about First book published[…]
Personal Information Security
Securing Personal Information in a business is a critical undertaking. Failure to appropriately secure Personal Information can result in information breaches, heavy fines and a loss of business reputation which could impact the long viability of a business. In most countries, it is a requirement when handling Personal Information to abide by privacy regulations. This Read more about Personal Information Security[…]
Privacy and Security go hand in hand
In our modern world its difficult to comprehend how many systems hold various bits of information on you, it ranges from banks, credit score agencies, dentists, all the way to SaaS providers and your telco. Social networks also have mountains of information on you that they mine to work out your personal preferences, so they Read more about Privacy and Security go hand in hand[…]
API Security – Carefully does it!
API’s are a convenient and handy way to get different computers systems to talk to each other, but often they are also an easy way to get in by the backdoor deep into computer systems. In this article, we look at few of the most common mistakes made and what you can do about it. Read more about API Security – Carefully does it![…]
KRACK – Securing Your Wifi Network
Given the release of the KRACK vulnerability, it is becoming very clear you need to take additional steps to make your Wifi network more secure. You should take this as a wake up call to understanding the risks inherent with a Wifi network and just how easily it can be used to gain access into Read more about KRACK – Securing Your Wifi Network[…]
User Authentication, you must do it right!
I must admit, one of my all time pet peeves is when engineers do not implement their user authentication service in the right way to be defendable against an attack. Take for the instance the recent hack against Zomato in which they had 6.6m hashed user passwords stolen. The real problem here is not that the Read more about User Authentication, you must do it right![…]
Software Architect Security – what does defense by depth mean on the cloud?
According to a recent report – security looks to be a top concern among Software Architects. In this article I go into detail on one of the core ways in which you can achieve dependable security in evolving online systems – namely defense by depth. What is defense by depth? Simply put this is where one Read more about Software Architect Security – what does defense by depth mean on the cloud?[…]
Software Architect skills, the top 5
Software Architects need a combination of skills to be able to succeed and deliver designs that are long lived and able to provide strong commercial value to a business. Below I list what I consider to be the top 5 skills in order to be a good Software Architect. #1 Able to listen and confirm Read more about Software Architect skills, the top 5[…]
What is PII Really?
PII (Personally Identifiable Information) broadly speaking is information that relates directly to the individual (you) and allows you to be individually identified, plus it is often of a sensitive private nature. We explain in this article what it is and how to protect yourself against people trying to steal your identity through PII. Why is Read more about What is PII Really?[…]