New and Rapidly Advancing Threats One of the biggest threats to network security in 2014 is the end of support for the Windows XP operating system (OS). On April 8th 2014, Microsoft will discontinue support for the aging OS. What this means for users of Windows XP is that as new vulnerabilities and exploits are discovered, they will not be fixed – the vulnerabilities will only continue to grow. For any business environment that is still using Windows XP beyond April 8th, the machines running the OS will become the organization’s biggest security flaw. It is highly likely that hackers are holding back on using known zero-day exploits for Windows XP until after April 8th because they know that beyond that date, the exploit will not be …show more content…
An exploit kit such as Blackhole can pose a threat to ASDI in two ways. The first threat is to the one hundred workstations. These workstations could potentially fall victim to a driveby download if they are used to visit a compromised website. The other way ASDI could be harmed by an exploit kit is if one or both of its web servers become compromised, and an exploit kit is installed, the servers would then install malicious software on the company’s customer’s computers when they visit the site.
Countermeasures and Prevention In order to ensure that ASDI’s network is as secure as it can be, it is important to ensure that the logical structure is appropriate to facilitate a secure network. The company’s two web servers need to be sectioned off from the internal subnets. This is best accomplished through the use of a demilitarized zone (DMZ), which places a firewall between the web servers and the intranet, and another firewall between the web servers and the Internet. If the outer firewall is breached, the web servers may become compromised, but the intranet would still be protected by an additional firewall. The student workstations should reside on a student subnet which has no connectivity to the employee subnet. The employee and student subnets will each have a file server connected, and the company’s email server will be connected to the employee subnet. There are already two WiFi access points (AP) at ASDI – one will be
Despite the presence of network security devices such as firewalls and other security appliances, today's corporate networks are still vulnerable to both internal and external attacks by hackers intent on creating havoc. By proactively
Secure: Our current system is secure. We use SSL authentications for all inbound data requests, VPN tunneling between sites and from outside the facilities, WPA encryption with MAC filtering
The best network design to ensure the security of Corporation Techs internal access while retaining public Web site availability consists of several layers of defense in order to protect the corporation’s data and provide accessibility to employees and the public.
When businesses provide computers for public use, several challenges are presented. In addition to allowing the general public this service, and ultimately growing their market share, a business must define the line between appropriate use and securing the network.
Since University of Maryland University College in Adelphi, Maryland is a growing academic entity in a modernized world, has a need to install a new network designed for both administration and student access to the internet anywhere within the building . A recent expansion that includes a library, office space, computer labs and classrooms will provide this capability and enhance students learning potential. The network must maintain consistent connectivity throughout the whole building and maintain security by segregating its data between the faculty staff and students. In addition, this is an important security requirement; the building’s network will have to operate on
Computers have become part of our daily complex lives; we depend heavily on computers to help break our complicated lives down. Most people now prefer to do things the digital way and so does companies. Most of trading (buying and selling) is now online which requires computers. In order to satisfy our hunger for digital living, there is a need for technology called the operating system to carry out the activities we require our computers to do. Computers and technology come in different forms and sizes and due to the capitalistic nature of our economy everyone is allowed to come up with their own form of computer and even the technology to run it. In recent years’ companies have gained interest doing business digitally and since software have become easier to write or code, it is also vulnerable- easy for programmers to access and exploit called hacking. Hackers are unapproved clients who break into a technological framework, change or decimate data, frequently by introducing hazardous malware without the insight and assent of the host company. Companies are now at risk of losing much more than money by doing business the digital way. It is in this view that the Security Exchange
Zero day exploits are one of the leading ways cyber wars are conducted. Zero day exploits are vulnerabilities in software that can be exploited to seize control of the targeted software. Zero day exploits are, more specifically, previously unknown vulnerabilities and are impossible to detect since signatures for them have not been developed. Thus these exploits will be the instrumental in future use against enemy nations or organizations for the purposes of information gathering and system compromise. The U.S government along with other nations developed zero day exploits to be utilized for attacking adversary systems. Interestingly, the systems targeted can be either military in function or can be a part of adversaries economy.
Most ‘Goliath’ firms have disparate legacy systems, applications, processes and data sources. These legacy systems may have vulnerabilities such as unpatched software, default passwords, application vulnerabilities like SQL injection, buffer overflows, insecure frameworks and libraries, outdated security mechanisms etc. Unfortunately such vulnerabilities are not just limited to desktops and laptops, hidden legacy systems are also hidden inside network devices (routers, modems etc.), printers and scanners. The highest risk situation arises when the oldest technology is suddenly exposed to the latest, most cutting-edge channels. Legacy systems are also
One of the largest manufacturing and design companies was breached when its antivirus failed and allowed hackers to gain access to 600+ endpoints. With Cb Response, the organization gained complete visibility and quickly remediated the attack.
Zero- day attacks are cyber attacks against software flaws that are unknown and have no patch or fix. Fireeye has discovered 18 zero-day attacks in the past two years, many more than the top ten security companies combined. It’s extremely difficult to detect zero-day attacks, especially with traditional cyber defense. Traditional security measures focus on malware signatures and URL reputation. However, with zero-day attacks, this information is, by definition, unknown. Cyber attackers are extraordinarily skilled, and their malware can go undetected on systems for months, and even years, giving them plenty of time to cause irreparable harm. Based on recently discovered types of zero-day attacks, it has become apparent that operating system
networks are also being targeted by malicious activity” [Overall statistics for 2014]. Many of the technologies used within these systems are now being exploited by criminals trying to access information and perform other criminal activities. The main reason for this is because most of the infrastructure in place is controlled by IT systems and the security systems in place
The best defense against security breaches within an organizations network is prevention and awareness. In recent years, organizations are starting to understand that network security is critical, due to the fact that breaches are becoming more frequent with data and information being compromised, stolen, or altered. In 2014, about 71% of organizations were affected by cyberattacks, and around 52% are expecting to be victim again in 2015 (Shephard, 2015.). A study recently conducted regarding cybercrime to the global economy, has estimated the cost at $1 trillion, with malware being introduced at 55,000 pieces per day (Bidgoli, 2015.). To help in prevention, organizations should keep their employees informed of new developing threats that could affect their technology that is being used, by creating awareness through forms security training.
The number of significant computer security breaches around the globe is continuously growing. Typically, at least once a month. a major news story is published about an extensive data breach or a company being hacked. Many organizations are being compromised by means of software vulnerabilities, distributed denial of service attacks, and in many cases their own employees. By the end of 2015 over 4.9 billion devices will be connected to the internet and any one of them could be susceptible to an unknown number of exploits allowing an attacker access into the device (Gartner, Inc.). There are several factors contributing to the recent increase in cyber crimes and even though numerous companies have already fallen victim to them, there are sure to be more.
The average compromise dwells in the network for 229 days before it is discovered . While not all compromises translate into breach, the longer the compromise goes undetected, the greater the potential of a breach. As a result, many organizations are beginning to look at dwell time as a barometer of healthy enterprise security. Today’s advanced attackers gravitate to “low signal” incursions that bypass perimeter defense and are difficult to detect. They frequently employ multiple attack vectors hidden within, or alongside, legitimate activity, then move laterally to more critical systems. The attacker will escalate his/her privileges, leverage built-in tools that
The current HACKD, LLC. Windows XP workstations are a critical security vulnerability for the company because of the fact that Microsoft abandoned support for the aging operating system over a year ago hence security patches are no longer available. In addition, patches designed to fix flaws in the operating system as they are discovered, and hardware manufacturer driver support for Windows XP has also been discontinued with few exceptions, adding additional, costly IT administrative burden in order to source older hardware for maintenance and keep the Windows XP systems running effectively. Taking these facts into consideration, it is readily apparent that the company must migrate from Windows XP to a current and supported