https://www.channelfutures.com/wp-content/themes/channelfutures_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2021 MSP 501 Application
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2021 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
Channel Futures
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2021 MSP 501 Application
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2021 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
    • Newsletter
  • REGISTER
  • MSPs
  • VARs / SIs
  • Digital Service Providers
  • Cloud Service Providers
  • CHANNEL PARTNERS ONLINE
 Channel Futures

Security


Security Central: RSA Cybersecurity Conference Reveals Inconvenient Truths, Organizations Lack Proper Technology to Thwart Attacks

  • Written by Allison Francis
  • February 16, 2017
This year’s annual RSA cybersecurity conference was brought to attendees by the color red. Cybersecurity threats have reached a whole new level, described as having earned “Code Red” status by Avivah Litan, a security analyst with Gartner. The weight of this new reality was palpable among attendees at show.

This year’s annual RSA cybersecurity conference was brought to attendees by the color red. Cybersecurity threats have reached a whole new level, described as having earned “Code Red” status by Avivah Litan, a security analyst with Gartner. The weight of this new reality was palpable among attendees at the show. 

Attacks and hackings, particularly those carried out by groups backed by foreign governments, are not exactly new, but they have become much, much more severe in the last year. Not only that, but new advanced, even more intricate cyber horrors have cropped up – think DDoS attacks. So long, Internet. These high-profile attacks and attempts “have opened the public’s, and the government’s, eyes that the problem is bigger than they thought it was,” said Gus Coldebella, an attorney with the law firm Fish & Richardson and former acting General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under the Bush administration.

Usually, the discussions at the RSA conference center around threat vectors, hacking and the overall state of security. But this year, the air was different. More tense and apprehensive. According to an article by USA Today, the concern felt and shared by the approximately 40,000 attendees at this year’s show is unprecedented. Between Russian involvement in the presidential election and their continued presence in U.S. affairs, the DDoS attack that took out several large sites for an entire day back in October, the rise of ransomware attacks and a rapidly-growing list of rather huge companies (*cough* Yahoo) falling prey to devastating hacks, it’s no wonder the mood was a bit subdued. 

“We are in a fundamentally different environment,” said Bruce McConnell, a global vice president at the EastWest Institute where he heads the cooperation in cyberspace initiative.

The aforementioned topics – countries like Russia meddling in U.S. affairs, botnet wipeouts and ransomware – were the three most discussed topics at the conference, according to USA Today. In terms of the channel, these new, scary types of threats present both big opportunities and challenges for VARs and MSPs. There are several key things to remember and implement. “Security can be a competitive factor for the channel,” said Ron Culler, the CTO at Secure Designs, Inc. in a statement to our own Charles Cooper last week. “A lot of VARs and MSPs are already doing things like managing patches and updates on their customers’ equipment. Instead of a company putting something out there and hoping that everything’s OK, you have someone sitting there who is monitoring the system, keeping it up to date and reporting on what’s going on so as to be able to handle issues when things change.”

Our second story take a look at a recent Tripwire study which highlights the unfortunate fact that a mere three percent (yes, three) of organizations have the technology and only 10 percent have the skills in place to properly address and have any hope of thwarting today’s top attack types. These stats lay bare the gaping holes in organizations’ cyber-defenses and systems, and are likely the reason VARs and MSPs lose sleep at night. According to the study, as reported by Security Magazine, ransomware has the potential to do the most devastating damage to organizations in 2017, yet not even half of those surveyed have the skills or the technology to effectively address it. Still? Even after everything that went down in 2016, the percentages are still that low?

“The results of this study highlight that there are very few organizations equipped to deal with all of today’s major attack types. Most organizations can reasonably handle one or two key threats, but the reality is they need to be able to defend against them all,” said Tim Erlin, senior director of IT security and risk strategy for Tripwire. “As part of the study, we asked respondents which attack types have the potential to do the greatest amount of damage to their organization. While ransomware was cited as the top threat, all organizations were extremely concerned about phishing, insider threats, vulnerability exploitation and DDoS attacks.”

Here are some of the other key takeaways from the report:

  • The enforcement of foundational security controls is challenging, with 65 percent of respondents indicating they lack the ability to effectively enforce them.
  • Sixty-four percent of respondents believe financial services will be hit hardest by cybercriminals in 2017.
  • While U.S. respondents were more concerned about the health care sector (46 percent), European respondents were more concerned about telecommunications companies (59 percent).

More good things to keep in mind as we enter further into what has already been a challenging 2017. We wrap up the week by examining some recent research conducted by Mimecast and Forrester Research regarding the significant risk organizations face from insider threats that leverage email. Whether it’s a malicious insider looking to exploit systems or an employee who breaks IT policy and accidentally exposes data, insider threats are a growing concern. In fact, every firm surveyed has experienced some form of insider incident in the past 24 months.
 
According to the report, email is still a critical component of every day business activity, and a significant channel through which employees communicate and interact with each other and people around the globe. outside world. It should come as no shock, then, that email represents a significant, ongoing security vulnerability for many organizations. The report states that over a third of firms have experienced some information loss, theft, or attack via email within the past two years, (phishing attacks are reportedly the most common). 

A few other highlights from the report include:

  • 40% of respondents experienced business email compromise/impersonation leading to fraud, credential theft or data loss
  • 64% of respondents said that non-malicious insiders cause at least moderate financial damage
  • 64% of respondents said malicious insiders caused at least moderate financial issue and 57% said they had a moderate problem in terms of productivity loss

So, giant heads up for channel folks – email cannot be overlooked as a major source of security vulnerability for your customers. 

The views expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of Penton Media or The VAR Guy editorial staff.

Tags: Cloud Service Providers Digital Service Providers MSPs VARs/SIs Security

Related


  • VDI
    IGEL Integrates Amazon WorkSpaces DaaS with Its Virtual Endpoint OS
    Also, the new Arm-based Raspberry Pi, co-developed by Citrix, IGEL and NComputing, is generally available.
  • Job cuts
    Latest VMware Job Cuts Impact More Workers in California
    The layoffs will begin March 30.
  • Hottest Ticket in Town
    Channel Partners Virtual 2021 Is the Hottest Ticket in Town
    And that means any town, since it’s 100% online. Will you be there?
  • strong customer relationship
    Datto Partners with ThreatLocker for Secure MSP Business Operations
    MSPs have seen increased security risks for clients amid COVID-19.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your Channel Futures account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • Fortinet Vet Geoff Kreiling Departs for Deep Instinct
  • Over 6,000 VMware vCenter Devices Exposed by Critical Vulnerabilities
  • Three Ways MSPs Can Improve Supply Chain Security
  • Devo Technology Unveils First Partner Program for Resellers, MSSPs, SIs

Galleries

View all

International Women’s Day & Tech: Move Beyond the Conversation

March 8, 2021

Industry Perspectives

View all

What is FirstNet–and What Are the Benefits for Channel Partners?

March 8, 2021

5 Ways XDR Can Improve Operational Efficiency for MSPs

March 4, 2021

Multi-Cloud: Strategy or Inevitable Outcome? (or both?)

March 3, 2021

Webinars

View all

A Partner’s Perspective on Channel Success in 2021

March 23, 2021

XDR and Why it Matters to MSPs

March 24, 2021

Top Security Trends Impacting Technology Security Providers In 2021

March 25, 2021
  • 1

White Papers

View all

Why Fortinet for my MSSP?

March 2, 2021

Small and Mid-Size Business Security: 4 Steps to Success

March 2, 2021

How SMBs Can Secure Endpoints and Remote Workers for the Long Haul

March 2, 2021

Upcoming Events

View all

Channel Partners Conference & Expo

November 1, 2021 - November 4, 2021

Videos and Fastchats

View all

FASTCHAT: How SOAR Eliminates Security Challenges and Elevates Service Provider Revenues

January 6, 2021

Happy Holidays from Channel Partners & Channel Futures!

December 21, 2020

FASTCHAT: How Old, Unpatched Technologies Are Creating New Security Threats for MSPs and Their Customers

December 3, 2020

Twitter

ChannelFutures

We celebrate #InternationalWomensDay by highlighting the important conversations and key statistics. @channelsmart… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 9, 2021
ChannelFutures

A UK-based MSP got a lesson in grace when a post intended as a joke was mistaken for online bullying.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 9, 2021
ChannelFutures

Learn more about #FirstNet and partnering with @GetWirelessLLC. #LTE #firstresponders #connectivity #IoT… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 8, 2021
ChannelFutures

Have you heard? @McAfee is selling its enterprise security business. And 75-year-old founder #JohnMcAfee faces deca… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 8, 2021
ChannelFutures

Today we celebrate the achievements of women worldwide, and we are proud to give the rockstar women in the channel… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 8, 2021
ChannelFutures

The list of #Accellion FTA breach victims keeps growing. Another bank joined the list over the weekend.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 8, 2021
ChannelFutures

Happy #InternationalWomensDay! The Channel Futures / @Channel_Online team is proud to support @AllianceofCW and… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 8, 2021
ChannelFutures

#MSPs can help businesses deal with #cloudcomputing and #cybersecurity pain points, says @Dreamix_Ltd.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 8, 2021

MSSP Insider

Newsletters and Updates

Sign up for The Channel Report, Channel Futures Update, MSP 501 Newsletter and more.

Live Channel Events

Get the latest information on the next industry-leading Channel Partners event.

Channel Partners Online

Want more? Find more channel news and analysis on our sister site, Channel Partners.

Media Kit And Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • Channel Partners Online
  • Channel Partners Events
  • MSP 501
  • MSSP Insider
  • IoT World Today
  • Webhostingtalk

WORKING WITH US

  • Contact
  • About us
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter

FOLLOW Channel Futures ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2021 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X