Content by Michael Novinson

Why Modernizing Defenses for OT Networks, Operations Is Tough

Michael Novinson  •  May 2, 2023

Critical infrastructure attacks during 2022 focused primarily on Eastern Europe and Ukraine given fears of reprisal from attacking the U.S., said Optiv CEO Kevin Lynch. The amount of OT security investment needed to defend against adversaries is bigger than what many organizations can handle today.

Moving Zero Trust Conversations Beyond the CISO to the Board

Michael Novinson  •  May 2, 2023

CISOs have gone from complaining that they don't get enough time and attention from the board of directors to presenting to the board every quarter, said Zscaler CEO Jay Chaudhry. Conversations with CIOs or boards tend to focus on what architectural changes can be made to reduce business risk.

The Most Pressing Security Needs of the SMB and Midmarket

Michael Novinson  •  May 2, 2023

Small and midsize businesses need proactive measures to ensure security just as much as any large organization. But challenges abound for SMBs as they struggle with a smaller staff and budget constraints, making them more vulnerable to cyberattacks, said SonicWall President and CEO Bob VanKirk.

How Early-Stage Startups Plan to Use AI for Decision-Making

Michael Novinson  •  May 2, 2023

Early-stage startups interested in the implementation of artificial intelligence are often concerned about the policies surrounding AI use. While some startups are looking at automating policies, others are building platforms to test the accuracy, integrity and robustness of AI models.

Changes to Midmarket Security Priorities in a Down Economy

Michael Novinson  •  May 2, 2023

Digital transformation has expanded the attack surface with cloud and SaaS applications and led to more users working outside the corporate network, said Arctic Wolf president and CEO Nick Schneider. Midmarket businesses have prioritized security spending around detection and response.

How to Eradicate Cybercriminal Access to the Data Gold Mine

Michael Novinson  •  May 1, 2023

A renaissance around data protection has taken advantage of artificial intelligence and machine learning to boost data classification and governance, said Forcepoint CEO Manny Rivelo. Advances in areas like generative AI allow hackers to form sophisticated attacks that evade defenses like sandboxes.

Check Point Product Sales Slump as Customers Delay Purchases

Michael Novinson  •  May 1, 2023

Check Point's product sales have taken their biggest nosedive since 2018 as customers extend sales cycles and postpone projects while prospects decline to buy new products. The company said businesses have increasingly delayed product refresh projects since November in an effort to tighten budgets.

Enterprise Browser Is More Than Just Security

Michael Novinson  •  April 28, 2023

Virtual desktop infrastructure has been around for years as an option to secure hardware and systems, but VDI often causes friction for the business and can be unpopular with users. Island is taking on those challenges with its Enterprise Browser by managing everything in the browser.

The Best Cybersecurity Defense Is a Good Offense

Michael Novinson  •  April 28, 2023

Offense is what paces innovation in cybersecurity since threat actors constantly look for new ways to compromise systems, said AllegisCyber Capital's Bob Ackerman. Many offensive cyber capabilities developed by the national intelligence community make their way into the wild and become exploitable.

Securing IT/OT Systems for Critical Infrastructure

Michael Novinson  •  April 28, 2023

Many infrastructures have both OT and IT systems, making data and device transfer between the two systems difficult. Also, some OT devices are outdated while IT systems use modern cloud devices. And the shortage of training is another important hurdle, said OPSWAT CEO Benny Czarny.

Why the Intelligence Community Now Embraces Open-Source Tech

Michael Novinson  •  April 28, 2023

The intelligence community long refrained from adopting open-source technology, but its value has become evident with the rise of cloud computing and machine learning. Practitioners also are shifting toward open-source intelligence to augment the information obtained through human intelligence.

Protecting CISOs From Taking the Blame

Michael Novinson  •  April 26, 2023

Much of the friction between CISOs and their general counsels, according to Ron Raether, partner at Troutman Pepper, is the result of ignorance. General counsels don't understand the full extent of IT and information security and often pin the blame on the CISOs, who become the scapegoats.

Secure Business Communications: Trends, Truths and Threats

Michael Novinson  •  April 26, 2023

Digital communication has fundamentally transformed how businesses operate today, with employees relying on email, instant messaging and other tools to collaborate and communicate effectively. This shift has also introduced new security risks, as humans are a primary target for attackers.

Artificial Intelligence May Change the SOC Forever

Michael Novinson  •  April 25, 2023

ChatGPT is "amazing" and "has reformed the way we interact with computing," says Nikesh Arora, chairman and CEO of Palo Alto Networks. But to get value from AI and to use it to make the SOC more proactive, we need to have a lot of data - and pay attention to what it's telling us, he says.

US Deputy AG: Aiding Victims Takes Precedence Over Arrests

Michael Novinson  •  April 25, 2023

The United States' second-highest-ranking prosecutor said the Department of Justice has pivoted its security strategy from pursuing courtroom victories to preventing and disrupting cybercrime. Lisa Monaco said Justice officials now put victims at the center of their cybercrime response.