Security News

Experts say adoption of standards within the next few years is essential to help secure telco data and infrastructure from quantum-powered cyberattacks

By IBM Corporation

As part of the Post-Quantum Telco Network Taskforce, GSMA has published, with contributions from members IBM, Vodafone, and others, the Post Quantum Telco Network Impact Assessment: an in-depth analysis of the quantum security threats facing the telecommunications industry and a detailed, step by step list of potential solutions to prepare for these threats.

IBM Security today released its annual X-Force Threat Intelligence Index finding that although ransomware's share of incidents declined only slightly (4 percentage points) from 2021 to 2022, defenders were more successful detecting and preventing ransomware. Despite this, attackers continued to innovate with the report showing the average time to complete a ransomware attack dropped from 2 months down to less than 4 days.

By IBM Corporation

According to the 2023 report, the deployment of backdoors, which allow remote access to systems, emerged as the top action by attackers last year. About 67% of those backdoor cases related to ransomware attempts, where defenders were able to detect the backdoor before ransomware was deployed. The uptick in backdoor deployments can be partially attributed to their high market value. X-Force observed threat actors selling existing backdoor access for as much as $10,000, compared to stolen credit card data, which can sell for less than $10 today.

Grant recipients selected in Ireland, United Arab Emirates, and in California, Indiana, Michigan, New York, New Hampshire, and Virginia

As schools become more dependent on technology, ransomware attacks against schools are increasing. To help schools worldwide proactively prepare for and respond to cyberattacks, IBM today announced the first eight recipients of the 2022 IBM Education Security Preparedness Grants, totaling $5 million in in-kind services. Each grant will sponsor IBM Service Corps volunteers to address the selected school districts' cybersecurity resiliency.

Sense of duty to protect others cited amongst the top reasons 77% of respondents entered Incident Response (IR)

Ransomware has exacerbated the psychological demands of IR for 81% of respondents

Majority of respondents have sought out mental health assistance due to their experiences responding to cyberattacks

By IBM Corporation

IBM Security today announced the results of a global survey that examines the critical role of cybersecurity incident responders at a time when the physical and digital worlds are increasingly converging. The study, released during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, found that incident responders surveyed – the frontline responders to cyberattacks – are primarily driven by a strong sense of duty to protect others; a responsibility that's increasingly challenged by the surge of disruptive attacks, from the proliferation of ransomware attacks to the recent rise of wiper malware.

With the rise of 5G comes the rise of private networks. Private 5G networks allow companies to manage all of their devices, services, and assets in a more secure, private, and efficient way, having more control of their network. With enterprises facing the need for accelerated digitization and 5G designed to provide solutions for these obstacles, this could be the year of 5G.

Industry Challenges

Some of the most pressing industry needs are reliable coverage, higher bandwidth, speed and security. All of these challenges pose very real financial, regulatory and privacy risks, and at the same time, significant competitive advantage if they’re all met. Security, in particular, continues to rise in priority, with weekly corporate cybersecurity attacks were up 50% last year alone. Still, while cybersecurity concerns are up, more demand for operation efficiency has created a tightrope walk for enterprises. When investing in industrial IoT that connects and automates machines, 45% of manufacturing executives expect higher efficiency. One way to address these challenges is by adopting private 5G networks.

HBCUs will work with IBM to establish Cybersecurity Leadership Centers, giving students and faculty access to IBM training, software, and certifications at no cost.

By IBM Corporation

During the National HBCU Week Conference convened by the U.S. Department of Education and the White House, IBM announced its collaboration with 20 Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs) to help them establish Cybersecurity Leadership Centers.

With 500,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in the U.S., the need for expertise is critical: According to a recent IBM Security study, insufficiently staffed organizations average $550,000 more in breach costs than those that state they are sufficiently staffed.

60% of breached businesses raised product prices post-breach; vast majority of critical infrastructure lagging in zero trust adoption; $550,000 in extra costs for insufficiently staffed businesses.

By IBM Corporation

IBM Security today released the annual Cost of a Data Breach Report, revealing costlier and higher-impact data breaches than ever before, with the global average cost of a data breach reaching an all-time high of $4.35 million for studied organizations. With breach costs increasing nearly 13% over the last two years of the report, the findings suggest these incidents may also be contributing to rising costs of goods and services. In fact, 60% of studied organizations raised their product or services prices due to the breach, when the cost of goods is already soaring worldwide amid inflation and supply chain issues.

Thanks to IBM Service Corps volunteers, IBM will provide in-kind cybersecurity support to schools across the United States, as well as Brazil, Costa Rica, Ireland, and the United Arab Emirates.

The grants will focus on the need to establish programs that help address cybersecurity resiliency in schools, including against ransomware.

By IBM Corporation

IBM today announced it will provide in-kind grants valued at $5 million to help address cybersecurity resiliency in schools worldwide. For the second year in a row, six school districts in the United States will be awarded these grants. This year the program is also expanding overseas with four additional grants in Brazil, Costa Rica, Ireland, and the United Arab Emirates. As part of each grant, sponsor teams of IBMers will help schools proactively prepare for and respond to cyberattacks.