The Zero Trust Program Manager is a critical new role in cybersecurity, created to lead the adoption and oversight of Zero Trust architecture across organizations. Unlike traditional roles, the ZTPM is responsible for managing technology and guiding a cultural shift where no user, device, or application is inherently trusted. Instead, every interaction within the organization … [Read more...] about The Emergence of the Zero Trust Program Manager: A New Role in Cybersecurity
What Is a SOC 2 Bridge Letter?
A SOC 2 Bridge Letter, or gap letter, bridges the compliance gap between SOC 2 audit reports, offering customers continued assurance of a service organization’s adherence to security standards. When an organization’s SOC 2 audit concludes, an interim period may occur before the next report. The bridge letter covers this gap—generally no longer than three months—indicating that … [Read more...] about What Is a SOC 2 Bridge Letter?
Navigating the jungle of cybersecurity regulations
The global cybersecurity regulatory landscape is complicated by multiple, often overlapping, layers of regulations, standards, and industry-specific requirements. National and international rules, such as the GDPR, NIS2, and DORA in the EU, are mandatory, and they form the legal backbone for data protection. These regulations establish high-level principles, demanding companies … [Read more...] about Navigating the jungle of cybersecurity regulations
IoT Cybersecurity: The Broadening Regulatory Landscape
As the digital ecosystem grows, securing IoT networks has become essential to prevent cyberattacks and protect user data, with standards like ISO 27001 and SOC 2 providing foundational frameworks. ISO 27001 focuses on information security management by encouraging organizations to assess and mitigate risks systematically. Meanwhile, SOC 2 is geared toward service providers, … [Read more...] about IoT Cybersecurity: The Broadening Regulatory Landscape
Rethinking Cybersecurity Governance: A Comprehensive Approach for CISOs
As digital transformation accelerates, cybersecurity governance has become a pressing responsibility for corporate boards. The rise of sophisticated cyber threats demands that boards move beyond traditional governance models, which often lack the depth to address cybersecurity risks effectively. Many directors face a significant cybersecurity knowledge gap, leaving boards … [Read more...] about Rethinking Cybersecurity Governance: A Comprehensive Approach for CISOs
Chevron Pattern Disrupted: The Impact on Cybersecurity Regulations
On June 28, 2024, the Supreme Court’s decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo overturned the long-standing Chevron doctrine, which allowed courts to defer to federal agencies’ interpretations of ambiguous laws. This shift grants courts the primary responsibility for interpreting unclear statutory language, ending a precedent that afforded agencies broad discretion in … [Read more...] about Chevron Pattern Disrupted: The Impact on Cybersecurity Regulations
SecOps integration: Bridging the divide between ISTM and IT security
SecOps is an approach that aligns IT security and IT operations by embedding security practices within ITSM processes. This integration is essential as cybersecurity risks escalate alongside digital innovations. IT security teams focus on maintaining data confidentiality, integrity, and availability, while ITOps teams prioritize service performance and efficiency. SecOps … [Read more...] about SecOps integration: Bridging the divide between ISTM and IT security
Building your ISMS: From legal compliance to risk maturity
Building an ISMS, or Information Security Management System, is often driven by legal obligations, client demands, or the need to improve organizational risk maturity. Many organizations, particularly SMEs, require an ISMS to secure contracts and comply with standards like ISO 27001. For larger companies, an ISMS strengthens their risk posture and demonstrates robust security … [Read more...] about Building your ISMS: From legal compliance to risk maturity
Identity management: What you need to know
Identity management (IDM) is an essential process for managing and protecting user identities and access privileges within an organization. By centralizing identity and access management (IAM), organizations can ensure that only verified users access critical resources. IDM systems handle identity creation, entitlement management, and access control, reducing unauthorized … [Read more...] about Identity management: What you need to know
AI-Powered Vulnerability Management: Identifying and Prioritizing Risks
AI in vulnerability management is revolutionizing cybersecurity by automating key tasks, such as vulnerability scanning, risk assessment, and prioritization of threat mitigation. Traditional vulnerability scanners rely on predefined patterns to detect known vulnerabilities. Still, AI-based systems can go further by learning from dynamic threat patterns and identifying risks … [Read more...] about AI-Powered Vulnerability Management: Identifying and Prioritizing Risks
State of Security 2024: The Race to Harness AI
Splunk's 2024 State of Security report highlights how cybersecurity is adapting to the rapidly advancing capabilities of AI, with security leaders pushing for AI integration despite policy gaps. Generative AI is now a critical element, with 93% of surveyed professionals actively using it to address threats and enhance response times. However, at least one-third of organizations … [Read more...] about State of Security 2024: The Race to Harness AI
Software Acquisition Guide for Government Enterprise Consumers: Software Assurance in Cyber-Supply Chain Risk Management
This Software Acquisition Guide by the ICT SCRM Task Force tackles the need for greater transparency and accountability in technology acquisitions, especially where cybersecurity is concerned. Traditional acquisition processes often leave consumers vulnerable, as they rely on suppliers’ limited disclosures about software development and third-party practices. With a focus on … [Read more...] about Software Acquisition Guide for Government Enterprise Consumers: Software Assurance in Cyber-Supply Chain Risk Management
GAO Cybersecurity Program Audit Guide
In its review of the FDIC’s cloud computing security controls, an independent audit by Sikich CPA LLC, commissioned by the FDIC Office of Inspector General, assessed nine key security control areas. While effective security practices were observed in four areas, five exhibited notable control weaknesses. Key vulnerabilities were associated with identity and access management, … [Read more...] about GAO Cybersecurity Program Audit Guide
How Audit Procedures and Internal Controls Improve Your Compliance Posture
Audit procedures and internal controls play a critical role in improving an organization's compliance posture and overall risk management effectiveness. Audit procedures help auditors evaluate whether an organization’s internal controls are designed and implemented effectively to address financial, operational, and compliance risks. By examining the functionality and … [Read more...] about How Audit Procedures and Internal Controls Improve Your Compliance Posture
A Data Protection Approach for Cloud-Native Applications
In this report, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) outlines a data protection strategy tailored for cloud-native applications. Recognizing the complexities of multi-cloud and hybrid network architectures, the document presents methods to safeguard data as it travels across various systems. A primary focus is on data in transit, a critical aspect of … [Read more...] about A Data Protection Approach for Cloud-Native Applications
An Overview of Artificial Intelligence Ethics
AI's widespread integration into society has significantly improved efficiency across healthcare, finance, and logistics sectors, yet it also raises complex ethical challenges. Privacy invasion, discrimination, and job displacement underscore the importance of AI ethics, which guides how AI should be designed and implemented responsibly. To address these ethical concerns, … [Read more...] about An Overview of Artificial Intelligence Ethics
How to Assess an Organizations’ Internal Control Using a Risk-Based Approach
Mazars highlights the importance of a well-defined internal control system in maintaining organizational objectives, financial integrity, and law compliance. Effective internal controls, which encompass financial and operational processes, provide reasonable assurance that an organization operates efficiently, produces accurate reports, and complies with regulations. The COSO … [Read more...] about How to Assess an Organizations’ Internal Control Using a Risk-Based Approach
Compliance, risk, audit, and the business
While this story is more from a financial/safety compliance/risk perspective, it still underscores the complexities of managing compliance, safety, and risk, especially in highly regulated industries. It discusses a recent example from Tesla’s Fremont facility illustrates the ongoing challenges: regulatory bodies ordered Tesla to address frequent toxic emissions, showing how … [Read more...] about Compliance, risk, audit, and the business
How To Address Risk in ISO 9001
In ISO 9001:2015, risk-based thinking has become central, urging companies to systematically identify and address risks and opportunities. The approach involves four key steps: identifying risks and opportunities, planning responses, integrating these plans into the Quality Management System (QMS), and evaluating effectiveness. Initially, companies assess both internal and … [Read more...] about How To Address Risk in ISO 9001
Enhancing Product Quality: Lessons from Implementing CAPA and NPDI in QMS
This case history describes a journey to improving product quality through a Quality Management System (QMS) which began with a proactive approach to persistent quality challenges. Initially, a reactive response led to recurring issues that eroded customer confidence. This experience highlighted the need for a structured approach, integrating CAPA (Corrective and Preventive … [Read more...] about Enhancing Product Quality: Lessons from Implementing CAPA and NPDI in QMS