The 3 Why, What and When of SOC 2

by blackbottledev | Apr 23, 2024 | Cybersecurity

Implementing strong password policies is crucial for protecting business systems. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

Require complex passwords:
- Set minimum length requirements (e.g., at least 12 characters)
- Mandate a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters
- Prohibit common words, phrases, or easily guessable information (like birthdates)
- Consider using passphrases instead of single words
Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA):
- Require a second form of verification beyond passwords
- Options include:
  - SMS codes (though less secure than other methods)
  - Authenticator apps (like Google Authenticator or Authy)
  - Hardware tokens (such as YubiKeys)
  - Biometric verification (fingerprints, facial recognition)
- Apply MFA to all critical systems and accounts, especially those with administrative access
Use password managers:
- Encourage or require employees to use reputable password management tools
- These tools generate and store strong, unique passwords for each account
- Reduces the risk of password reuse across multiple accounts
- Some options include LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden
Implement password rotation policies:
- Require password changes at regular intervals (e.g., every 90 days)
- Prevent the reuse of recent passwords
Monitor for compromised credentials:
- Use services that check if employee email addresses or passwords have been exposed in known data breaches
- Require immediate password changes if compromised credentials are detected
Implement account lockout policies:
- Lock accounts after a certain number of failed login attempts
- This helps prevent brute-force attacks
Use single sign-on (SSO) for multiple applications:
- Reduces the number of passwords employees need to remember
- Allows for centralized control and monitoring of access

By implementing these robust password policies, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access to their systems, making it much harder for hackers to intrude.

Going Beyond Boundaries. The Need to Define Access Controls

by blackbottledev | Mar 26, 2024 | Cybersecurity

It is about that time of year when employees submit for their vacation. Will you allow them to take their work computer on vacation? There are two obvious reasons not to allow their workbag to travel with them. Vacations are a time for rest, relaxation, and spending time with friends and families. Second, a work computer undoubtedly contains sensitive information. A leak of any sensitive information in or out could be catastrophic to your organization.

What are Access Controls?

Access controls are security measures or ‘boundaries’ that regulate who can access specific resources, such as data, systems, or physical locations, what actions they can perform when they have access, and where they can access. “Good access control rules around your tenant” specifically means that your organization must limit “who can access the account, from where, and from what device.”

As in the illustration, access controls can limit where systems can be accessed by specific machines and even by allowed business hours. So, if a bad actor is trying to access critical systems from outside the normal geography of business (e.g., outside the U.S.), during odd times of the day (e.g., 2:00 a.m.), access would be blocked. This type of control protects sensitive data if credentials are compromised.

It is important to define where company employees access systems, from what machines, and during what times of the day. If employees are doing work outside of these controls, develop a process for requesting temporary access, for example, working from the beach, and set the beginning and ending timeframes to remove access from these temporary situations.

Why Access Controls?

Reducing the attack surface: Limiting access to systems and data reduces the potential attack surface for cybercriminals. Even if a malicious actor gains access to login credentials, part of access controls can prevent them from compromising systems.

There is a lot at stake in addition to protecting sensitive data. Access controls ensure that only authorized users have access to sensitive information. While the experts at Black Bottle IT are focused on cybersecurity and limiting the potential for a cyber incident, when you limit geography, machine, and time systems can be accessed, you also reduce the risk of human errors that cause lost data.

Three Reasons Why Access Controls Are Fundamental

Compliance requirements: Many industries have strict regulations governing the protection of sensitive data, such as HIPAA in healthcare or GDPR in the European Union. Implementing access controls helps organizations comply with these regulations by demonstrating that they have measures to safeguard data.

Detecting and responding to security incidents: Access controls can also help detect and respond to security incidents. Organizations can identify suspicious activity and respond promptly to potential threats by logging access attempts and monitoring user behavior.

Maintaining business continuity: Cybersecurity incidents can disrupt business operations and lead to significant financial losses. Access controls help maintain business continuity by minimizing the impact of security breaches and ensuring that critical systems and data remain protected.

What Your Organization Must Do to Protect Company Data

Heighten Cybersecurity Awareness & Phishing Training
Enforce Access Controls around all cloud-based tools, i.e., AWS, Google Workspace, QuickBooks Online, Microsoft Office 365
Lock down the Administrative Account to a specific IP address
Monitor Tenants 24×7 — multiple organizations or individuals, referred to as “tenants,” share the same computing infrastructure, resources, and services
Continuous monitoring is crucial for promptly detecting and responding to security threats and incidents as they occur, minimizing the potential impact on tenants’ data and systems.

Remember: Heightening cybersecurity controls, like access controls, does not indefinitely prevent a cybercriminal from gaining access but makes it more difficult.

Everyone deserves a vacation. We have you covered. Contact us today for more information and how to get started with access controls. blackbottleit.com/contact-us.

Payroll Companies are a Lucrative Business for Hackers

by blackbottledev | Mar 2, 2024 | Risk Management

Payroll professionals, CPAs, and tax preparers need high-level planning and third-party execution expertise to develop company-wide cybersecurity programs that identify new and existing risks and vulnerabilities, prioritize them, and create a plan to fix, enhance, and train staff.

A WISP, outlined in the FTC Safeguards Rule, may be required, but remember, cybersecurity is only effective with the continued execution of the best cybersecurity implementation!

Questions only you can answer about Your WISP Plan

Your WISP can’t just sit on a shelf!

Have you performed an Annual Risk Assessment?
Do you have an Incident Response Plan, and have you TESTED IT?
Has your organization implemented Advanced Security Controls?
Do you have a Cybersecurity Awareness Training Program?
Who is your CISO; one must be identified in WISP!
Do you know what systems contain sensitive client data and how it’s protected?
What’s your process to communicate your plan?

There’s no time for sleeping. Failure to comply could subject your organization to legal liability, penalties, and fines.

Let’s Dive a Bit Deeper with AV & EDR: A Better Core Control

Traditional Anti-Virus or AV

Can only detect previously known threats
Minimal to no data collection
Minimal to no added features or benefits

Endpoint Detection & Response of EDR

Can detect previously known and UNKNOWN threats due to behavioral-based monitoring
Complex and detailed endpoint data collection
Added benefits include application monitoring threat-hunting capabilities and advanced reporting

Wouldn’t knowing at which bend in the road your business would encounter a breach be nice?

Your preparedness may then include:

An updated WISP or Incident Response Plan
Employees would be up-to-date on training
MFA on every device and application
24×7 monitoring of all systems and endpoints
A better Cyber Insurance policy

As a whole industry, we are getting better at training! Keep up your Cybersecurity Awareness Training! According to the Verizon Report, breaches caused by human errors are down 8% from last year! Bad actors are interested in your data but really interested in your MONEY!

Payroll Companies are a lucrative business for hackers. We will help your organization meet compliance and become cyber-resilient. To get started, contact Black Bottle IT today We have a bench of cyber analysts ready to fight!

The More Cybersecurity Changes The More it Remains the Same

by blackbottledev | Jan 15, 2024 | Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Awareness, Uncategorized

“The more things change, the more they stay the same” means that despite apparent changes or advancements, certain fundamental aspects or patterns remain unchanged over time. One could relate this to cybersecurity.

Cyberattacks cost impacted organizations thousands, if not millions, of dollars.
Cybersecurity is a critical element of homeland security after 9-11.
Ransomware and phishing have always been pervasive.
Since on-premise storage still exists for some businesses, despite the rise of cloud computing, monitoring and protecting data will remain an important part of any security execution plan.

Gartner reports that 85% of organizations will embrace a cloud-first principle by 2025 and will not be able to fully execute their digital strategies without the use of cloud-native architectures and technologies. (May 2023)

Three Key Cybersecurity Focal Points that Will Remain the Same for Foreseeable Future

Rise in Cybersecurity Regulations:

Governments and regulatory bodies were expected to enhance and introduce new cybersecurity regulations to address the evolving threat landscape and protect sensitive data.

Focus on Cloud Security:

With the increasing adoption of cloud services, there was a growing emphasis on securing cloud environments. This includes implementing robust identity and access management, encryption, and monitoring.

Enhanced Endpoint Security:

As remote work became more prevalent, securing endpoints (devices used by employees) gained importance. Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions were expected to evolve.

This year, we will learn more about AI and machine learning techniques to improve response efficiency.

Black Bottle IT is focused on keeping data secure, which, in turn, will keep your business operational and competitive. Please reach out if you want to outsource your organization’s cybersecurity function! Contact us today.

What Managed IT Solution is Best for Your Business?

by blackbottledev | May 24, 2023 | Cybersecurity

What Managed IT Solution is Best for Your Business?

When engaging Companies, our team here at Black Bottle IT receives many questions about what tools and services are right for their business. But, there is one question Black Bottle IT frequently gets, “what solutions would you recommend to us?” The answer isn’t simple. There is no “silver bullet” that cures all cybersecurity risks.

To simplify, when looking for a cybersecurity solution, typically companies fall into three categories:

1. Companies that recognize the need to upgrade security solutions and HAVE in-house technical talent:

In this scenario, Black Bottle IT will advise the Company on the right security solutions to fit its situation. Once the solutions are selected, Black Bottle IT will help implement and craft the correct policies and procedures to govern the new processes. This activity is typically done side by side with the in-house talent to hand off 100% of the operations back to the Company’s technical team. Post implementation, we strategically advise, when necessary, as the ever-changing security threat landscape changes with new solutions to keep pace.

2. Companies that recognize the need to upgrade security solutions and DO NOT HAVE in-house technical talent:

These businesses are our favorite Companies to consult with at Black Bottle IT. Business leadership is savvy enough to understand the risk a cyber attack poses and knows the Company doesn’t have enough in-house talent to find, implement and manage the necessary solutions. Cybersecurity talent is hard to find, and most SMB businesses do not have the budget for a dedicated security team. In these instances, Black Bottle IT will recommend, implement and manage a security solution that meets the Company’s needs and reduces their risk of a cyber attack. Going forward, Black Bottle IT will act as advisors and part of the technology team.

3. Companies that may not understand their cyber risk and need some education:

Part of our mission is to inform Companies of the risk a cyber attack can have on their business. In these conversations, we provide industry information, statistics, case studies relevant to the Companies industry. Our goal is to make sure leadership knows the risk. Ultimately, we want to help them and gain them as a client, but the reality is, most Companies that fall into this category need time to digest the information and then quickly realize they need to address the risk. Implementation of solutions will start with low-hanging fruit, as the Company plans and budgets for future improvements.

How can we help your business? There is always a go-forward plan that is right for you, your business, and your stakeholders.

Contact Black Bottle IT today to learn more.

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