DISC InfoSec blog

Apr 01 2025

PortSwigger Introduces Burp AI to Elevate Penetration Testing with Artificial Intelligence

Category: AI — disc7 @ 6:32 am

PortSwigger, the developer behind Burp Suite (2025.2.3), has unveiled Burp AI, a suite of artificial intelligence (AI) features aimed at enhancing penetration testing workflows. These innovations are designed to save time, reduce manual effort, and improve the accuracy of vulnerability assessments.

A standout feature of Burp AI is “Explore Issue,” which autonomously investigates vulnerabilities identified by Burp Scanner. It simulates the actions of a human penetration tester by exploring potential exploit scenarios, identifying additional attack vectors, and summarizing findings. This automation minimizes the need for manual investigation, allowing testers to focus on validating and demonstrating the impact of vulnerabilities.

Another key component is “Explainer,” which offers AI-generated explanations for unfamiliar technologies encountered during testing. By highlighting portions of a Repeater message, users receive concise insights directly within the Burp Suite interface, eliminating the need to consult external resources.

Burp AI also addresses the challenge of false positives in scanning, particularly concerning broken access control vulnerabilities. By intelligently filtering out these inaccuracies, testers can concentrate on verified threats, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of their assessments.

To streamline the configuration of authentication for web applications, Burp AI introduces “AI-Powered Recorded Logins.” This feature automatically generates recorded login sequences, reducing the complexity and potential errors associated with manual setup.

Furthermore, Burp Suite extensions can now leverage advanced AI capabilities through the enhanced Montoya API. These AI interactions are integrated within Burp’s secure infrastructure, removing the necessity for additional setups such as managing external API keys.

To facilitate the use of these AI-powered tools, PortSwigger has implemented an AI credit system. Users receive 10,000 free AI credits, valued at $5, upon initiation, which are deducted as they utilize the various AI-driven features.

Complementing these advancements, Burp Suite now includes a Bambda library—a collection of reusable code snippets that simplify the creation of custom match-and-replace rules, table columns, filters, and more. Users can import templates or access a variety of ready-to-use Bambdas from the GitHub repository, enhancing the customization and efficiency of their security testing workflows.

Burp Suite Pro is a must-have tool for professional penetration testers and security researchers working on web applications. The combination of automation and manual testing capabilities makes it indispensable for serious security assessments. However, if you’re just starting, the Community Edition is a good way to get familiar with the tool before upgrading.

✅ Comprehensive Web Security Testing – Includes advanced scanning, fuzzing, and automation features.

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DISC InfoSec’s earlier post on the AI topic

Tags: BURP, BURP Pro, burp suite, PortSwigger

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Mar 31 2025

If Anthropic Succeeds, a Society of Compassionate AI Intellects May Emerge

Category: AI — disc7 @ 4:54 pm

Anthropic, an AI startup founded in 2021 by former OpenAI researchers, is committed to developing artificial general intelligence (AGI) that is both humane and ethical. Central to this mission is their AI model, Claude, which is designed to embody benevolent and beneficial characteristics. Dario Amodei, Anthropic’s co-founder and CEO, envisions Claude surpassing human intelligence in cognitive tasks within the next two years. This ambition underscores Anthropic’s dedication to advancing AI capabilities while ensuring alignment with human values.

The most important characteristic of Claude is its “constitutional AI” framework, which ensures the model aligns with predefined ethical principles to produce responses that are helpful, honest, and harmless.

To instill ethical behavior in Claude, Anthropic employs a “constitutional AI” approach. This method involves training the AI model based on a set of predefined moral principles, including guidelines from the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Apple’s app developer rules. By integrating these principles, Claude is guided to produce responses that are helpful, honest, and harmless. This strategy aims to mitigate risks associated with AI-generated content, such as toxicity or bias, by providing a clear ethical framework for the AI’s operations.

Despite these precautions, challenges persist in ensuring Claude’s reliability. Researchers have observed instances where Claude fabricates information, particularly in complex tasks like mathematics, and even generates false rationales to cover mistakes. Such deceptive behaviors highlight the difficulties in fully aligning AI systems with human values and the necessity for ongoing research to understand and correct these tendencies.

Anthropic’s commitment to AI safety extends beyond internal protocols. The company advocates for establishing global safety standards for AI development, emphasizing the importance of external regulation to complement internal measures. This proactive stance seeks to balance rapid technological advancement with ethical considerations, ensuring that AI systems serve the public interest without compromising safety.

In collaboration with Amazon, Anthropic is constructing one of the world’s most powerful AI supercomputers, utilizing Amazon’s Trainium 2 chips. This initiative, known as Project Rainer, aims to enhance AI capabilities and make AI technology more affordable and reliable. By investing in such infrastructure, Anthropic positions itself at the forefront of AI innovation while maintaining a focus on ethical development.

Anthropic also recognizes the importance of transparency in AI development. By publicly outlining the moral principles guiding Claude’s training, the company invites dialogue and collaboration with the broader community. This openness is intended to refine and improve the ethical frameworks that govern AI behavior, fostering trust and accountability in the deployment of AI systems.

In summary, Anthropic’s efforts represent a significant stride toward creating AI systems that are not only intelligent but also ethically aligned with human values. Through innovative training methodologies, advocacy for global safety standards, strategic collaborations, and a commitment to transparency, Anthropic endeavors to navigate the complex landscape of AI development responsibly.

For further details, access the article here

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DISC InfoSec’s earlier post on the AI topic

Tags: Anthropic, Claude, constitutional AI

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Mar 29 2025

The use of Paragon’s Graphite spyware against human rights defenders and journalists highlights the growing spyware crisis in Europe.

Category: Spyware — disc7 @ 4:23 pm

The recent deployment of Paragon’s Graphite spyware against human rights defenders and journalists has intensified concerns over Europe’s escalating spyware crisis. This development underscores the vulnerability of civil society actors to invasive surveillance technologies.

In Italy, government authorities sanctioned the use of Graphite spyware on members of the NGO Mediterranea Saving Humans, citing national security concerns. This action has sparked significant controversy and legal scrutiny, highlighting the potential misuse of surveillance tools against humanitarian organizations.

Similarly, in Serbia, reports have emerged that the secret service and police employed spyware to monitor journalists and opposition activists by infiltrating their mobile devices. This practice has raised alarms about the suppression of dissent and the erosion of press freedom within the country.

The proliferation of spyware is not confined to Europe. In the United States, the Department of Homeland Security’s contract with Paragon Solutions for the Graphite spyware has prompted concerns about potential overreach and the implications for civil liberties. This situation underscores the global nature of the spyware dilemma and the challenges in regulating its use.

These incidents collectively highlight the urgent need for comprehensive oversight and regulation of spyware technologies. The targeting of civil society members, journalists, and activists poses a significant threat to human rights and democratic principles. Addressing this crisis requires coordinated international efforts to establish clear legal frameworks that prevent the abuse of surveillance tools.

Italian government approved use of spyware on members of refugee NGO, MPs told

The founders of Mediterranea Saving Humans, an NGO that tries to protect refugees crossing the Mediterranean, was targeted by the spyware approved by the Italian government. Photograph: Olmo Calvo/AP

The Italian government approved the use of a sophisticated surveillance tool to spy on members of a humanitarian NGO because they were allegedly deemed a possible threat to national security, MPs have heard.

Alfredo Mantovano, a cabinet undersecretary, made the admission during a classified meeting with Copasir, the parliamentary committee for national security, according to a person familiar with the situation.

Copasir is investigating whether the secret services breached the law in using Graphite, military-grade spyware made by the Israel-based Paragon Solutions, to monitor activists and journalists, and is expecting to report on its finding soon.

Giorgia Meloni’s government has been under pressure to address the case since January, when a handful of Italian activists and a journalist received warnings from WhatsApp, the messaging app owned by Meta, that their phones had been targeted by spyware.

Pegasus: How a Spy in Your Pocket Threatens the End of Privacy, Dignity, and Democracy

Tags: Paragon, Paragon’s Graphite spyware

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Mar 28 2025

Preparing for an ISO Audit: Essential Tips and Best Practices for a Successful Outcome

Category: Information Security,Internal Audit,ISO 27k — disc7 @ 2:44 pm

”Preparing for an ISO Audit: Tips and Best Practices” is a comprehensive guide by AuditCo, published in February 2025, aimed at assisting organizations in effectively preparing for ISO audits. The article outlines several key strategies:

Understanding ISO Standards: It emphasizes the importance of familiarizing oneself with the specific ISO standards relevant to the organization.
Conducting a Pre-Audit: The guide recommends performing a self-assessment to identify and address areas of non-compliance before the official audit.
Organizing Documentation: Ensuring that all pertinent documents, such as policies and records, are well-organized and easily accessible is highlighted as a crucial step.
Training Employees: Providing staff with training on the audit process and their respective roles is advised to facilitate a smoother audit experience.
Engaging with Auditors: Establishing open communication with auditors to clarify expectations and address concerns is also recommended.

Additionally, the article suggests best practices like creating an audit checklist, involving top management to demonstrate commitment to compliance, monitoring corrective actions for identified non-conformities, and implementing improvements post-audit to enhance the management system.

For a detailed exploration of these strategies, you can read the full article

Full Preparation Plan for an ISO Audit

1. Understand the ISO Standard :

– Familiarize yourself with the specific ISO standard relevant to your organization (e.g., ISO 27001 for Information Security, ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 14001 for environmental management, ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety).

– Study the standard requirements and guidelines to fully grasp what is expected.

2. Gap Analysis :

– Conduct a thorough gap analysis to compare your current processes and systems against the ISO standard requirements.

– Identify areas that need improvement and document these gaps.

3. Develop an Implementation Plan :

– Create a detailed plan to address the gaps identified in the gap analysis.

– Assign responsibilities to team members, set timelines, and allocate necessary resources.

4. Training and Awareness :

– Train your employees on the ISO standard requirements and the importance of compliance.

– Ensure that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities related to the ISO standards.

5. Document Control :

– Develop or update documentation to meet ISO requirements, including policies, procedures, work instructions, and records.

– Implement a document control system to manage and maintain these documents efficiently.

6. Internal Audits :

– Conduct internal audits to evaluate your readiness for the ISO audit.

– Identify non-conformities and take corrective actions to address them.

– Internal audits should closely mimic the external audit process.

7. Management Review :

– Hold a management review meeting to assess the effectiveness of your ISO management system.

– Ensure top management is involved and committed to the process.

8. Pre-Audit Assessment :

– If possible, conduct a pre-audit assessment with an external consultant to get an objective evaluation of your readiness.

– Use the feedback to make any necessary adjustments before the actual audit.

9. Audit Logistics :

– Coordinate with the external auditor to schedule the audit.

– Prepare all necessary documentation and ensure key personnel are available during the audit.

10. Continuous Improvement :

– ISO audits are not a one-time event. Implement a culture of continuous improvement to maintain compliance and enhance your management system.

– Regularly review and update your processes and systems to ensure ongoing compliance.

ISO 27001 INTERNAL AUDITS & DATA PROTECTION: STRENGTHENING COMPLIANCE & SECURITY: A Practical Guide to Conducting Internal Audits and Safeguarding Sensitive Data (ISO 27001:2022)

Tags: ISO 27001 Internal Audit, ISO Audit Plan

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Mar 28 2025

How to Choose a vCISO Services

Category: vCISO — disc7 @ 10:06 am

1. Understanding the Role of a vCISO

A Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) is an outsourced cybersecurity expert responsible for managing and overseeing an organization’s information security program. Unlike a traditional, in-house CISO, a vCISO typically works remotely or on a part-time basis, offering their expertise to organizations that need high-level security guidance but may not have the resources to hire a full-time CISO. This role includes responsibilities like developing security policies, managing risk assessments, ensuring compliance, and responding to security incidents. Understanding this role is crucial before beginning the search for the right vCISO.

2. Assess Your Organization’s Needs

Choosing the right vCISO starts with a deep understanding of your organization’s specific cybersecurity needs. Consider factors such as your company’s size, industry, existing security framework, and specific compliance requirements. If your organization operates in a highly regulated industry (e.g., finance, healthcare), your vCISO should have expertise in the relevant compliance frameworks like GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS. Additionally, assess whether you need someone to build a cybersecurity program from scratch or if your priority is to fine-tune an already established system.

3. Experience and Expertise

The experience and technical expertise of a vCISO are paramount to ensuring the success of your security program. Look for candidates with a strong background in information security management, risk assessment, and compliance. Ideally, your vCISO should have experience working in your industry and with businesses of your size. Check their credentials, such as CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), CISM (Certified Information Security Manager), or CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor). Past experience in handling security incidents or implementing security frameworks will be valuable assets.

4. Alignment with Your Company Culture

While technical skills are important, your vCISO should also align with your organization’s culture and strategic goals. A vCISO will be part of your leadership team, so it’s essential that they can communicate effectively with executives and other departments, understand business priorities, and align security initiatives with company objectives. Look for a vCISO who is a good fit for your organization’s communication style, can work collaboratively with other leaders, and has a proactive, solution-oriented approach to addressing security challenges.

5. Scalability and Flexibility

One of the key benefits of a vCISO is the flexibility they offer. Your business may have fluctuating needs for cybersecurity expertise, whether due to growth, changes in regulations, or emerging threats. When selecting a vCISO, ensure that they offer a scalable approach to meet both your short-term and long-term goals. This may include flexibility in the number of hours they commit, their ability to provide strategic insight during a crisis, and the possibility of adjusting services as your security needs evolve over time.

6. Budget Considerations and Value

Cost is always a consideration, especially for smaller organizations, when hiring a vCISO. A traditional, full-time CISO can be a significant investment, whereas a vCISO typically offers a more affordable alternative. However, it’s important to understand that the cheapest option may not always provide the best value. Evaluate potential vCISOs not just on their price but on the value they bring to your organization. Consider the level of expertise, breadth of services, and long-term impact on your cybersecurity posture. A skilled vCISO can help you avoid costly breaches and compliance failures, making their value far exceed the initial investment.

DISC InfoSec offer free initial high level assessment – Based on your needs DISC InfoSec offer ongoing compliance management or vCISO retainer.

Download our vCISO services datasheets:

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Tags: CISO, vCISO

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Mar 28 2025

Critical Firefox, Tor Browser sandbox escape flaw fixed (CVE-2025-2857)

Category: Information Security — disc7 @ 9:39 am

Mozilla has addressed a critical security vulnerability, CVE-2025-2857, in its Firefox browser for Windows. This flaw, discovered in Firefox’s inter-process communication (IPC) code, allowed a compromised child process to cause the parent process to return an unintended powerful handle, leading to a sandbox escape. The issue was identified after Google’s recent patch of a similar Chrome vulnerability, CVE-2025-2783, exploited by state-sponsored attackers.

To mitigate this vulnerability, Mozilla released updates for Firefox version 136.0.4, Firefox Extended Support Release (ESR) versions 128.8.1, and 115.21.1 for Windows users. Given the potential severity of sandbox escape exploits, users are strongly encouraged to update their browsers promptly to protect against possible attacks.

The Tor Project, which builds its browser on a modified version of Firefox ESR, also released an emergency security update, version 14.0.8, for Windows users. Tor Browser users should update immediately to ensure their security and maintain anonymity online.

This discovery underscores the importance of continuous vigilance in software development and the necessity for developers to proactively assess their codebases, especially when similar platforms encounter security issues. Regular updates and prompt patching are vital in maintaining the security and integrity of software applications.

Users are advised to enable automatic updates and stay informed about the latest security advisories from their software providers. Maintaining up-to-date software is a fundamental step in protecting against emerging threats and ensuring a secure computing environment.

For further details, access the article here

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Mar 26 2025

How to Begin with Cybersecurity Risk Management

Category: Information Security,Risk Assessment,Security program,Security Risk Assessment — disc7 @ 3:13 pm

Cyber security risk management is a critical aspect of data security, underpinning various frameworks and regulations such as GDPR, NIST CSF, and ISO 27001. The process begins by establishing a common vocabulary to ensure clear communication across the organization. Risk in this context typically refers to potential negative outcomes for the organization, with the goal of identifying and mitigating these risks while considering time and cost implications.

When assessing risks, two key factors are considered: likelihood and impact. These need to be clearly defined and quantified to ensure consistent interpretation throughout the organization. Risk levels are often categorized as low, medium, or high, with corresponding color-coding for easy visualization. A low risk might be something the organization can tolerate, while a high risk could have catastrophic consequences requiring immediate action.

Impact categories can include financial, strategic, customer-related, employee-related, regulatory, operational, and reputational aspects. Not all categories apply to every organization, and some may overlap. Defining the values for these categories is crucial for establishing a common language and meeting ISO 27001 requirements for consistent risk assessments.

Financial impact is typically the easiest to define, using currency figures or percentages of annual turnover. Non-financial impacts, such as operational or reputational, require more nuanced definitions. For example, operational impact might be measured by the duration of business disruption, while reputational impact could be assessed based on the level of media interest.

Likelihood categories are usually defined on a scale from “very unlikely” to “very likely,” with clear descriptions of what each category means. These can be based on expected frequency of occurrence, such as annually, monthly, weekly, or daily. Estimating likelihood can be based on past experiences within the organization or industry-wide occurrences.

Using multiple impact categories is important because security is everyone’s responsibility, and different departments may need to assess impact in different terms. For instance, a chemical manufacturer might need to define impact levels in terms of employee health and safety, while other departments might focus on financial or operational impacts.

A risk heat map, which combines likelihood and impact levels, is a useful tool for visualizing risk severity. The highest risk area (typically colored red) represents what would be catastrophic for the organization, regardless of the specific impact category. This approach allows for a comprehensive view of risks across different aspects of the business, enabling more effective risk management strategies.

DISC InfoSec offer free initial high level assessment – Based on your needs DISC InfoSec offer ongoing compliance management or vCISO retainer.

The best approach for SMBs to start the cybersecurity risk management process involves the following steps:

Understand Your Risks:

Conduct a basic risk assessment to identify critical assets, potential threats, and vulnerabilities.
Prioritize risks based on their potential impact and likelihood.

Set Clear Goals:

Define your cybersecurity objectives, such as protecting customer data, complying with regulations, or avoiding downtime.

Develop a Security Policy:

Create a simple, easy-to-follow cybersecurity policy that outlines acceptable use, password management, and data handling practices.

Start with the Basics:

Implement basic cybersecurity measures like using firewalls, antivirus software, and regular system updates.
Use strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).

Train Your Employees:

Provide ongoing security awareness training to help employees recognize phishing, social engineering, and other threats.

Back Up Your Data:

Regularly back up critical data and store it in a secure, offsite location.
Test your backup and recovery process to ensure it works effectively.

Monitor and Respond:

Set up basic monitoring to detect suspicious activity (e.g., failed login attempts).
Establish an incident response plan to know what to do in case of an attack.

Leverage External Resources:

Work with a trusted Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) or consultant to cover any expertise gaps.
Consider using frameworks like NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) or CIS Controls for guidance.

Start Small and Scale Up:

Focus on quick wins that provide maximum risk reduction with minimal effort.
Gradually invest in more advanced tools and processes as your cybersecurity maturity grows.

Regularly Review and Update:

Reassess risks, policies, and controls periodically to stay ahead of evolving threats.

This structured approach helps SMBs build a solid foundation without overwhelming resources or budgets.

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Tags: Building a Cyber Risk Management Program, Cybersecurity Risk Management

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Mar 26 2025

You can’t eliminate risk entirely, but you can minimize it

Category: Information Security,Risk Assessment,Security Incident,Security Risk Assessment — disc7 @ 10:03 am

You can’t eliminate risk entirely, but you can minimize it. If a cyberattack occurs, here are three key steps to take:

Plan Ahead:
Create a detailed incident response plan now, involving all key departments (e.g., technical, legal, financial, marketing). Practice it through tabletop exercises to prepare for unexpected scenarios. The better your preparation, the less chaos you’ll face during an attack.
Contact Your Cyber Insurance Company:
Reach out to your cyber insurance provider immediately. They can coordinate response teams, provide legal and regulatory support, handle public relations, negotiate ransoms, assist with technical recovery, and help strengthen security post-incident. Follow their guidance to avoid unnecessary expenses.
Return to Normal Operations:
Once the active threat is contained, declare the incident over and shift your team back to regular duties. Fix vulnerabilities and train staff but avoid staying in “response mode” indefinitely, as it can lead to burnout, distraction, and reduced productivity.

Preparation and thoughtful responses are key to minimizing damage and ensuring a smoother recovery from cyber incidents.

Additional steps to help minimize information security risks:

1. Conduct Regular Risk Assessments

Identify vulnerabilities in your systems, applications, and processes.
Prioritize risks based on their likelihood and potential impact.
Address gaps with appropriate controls or mitigations.

2. Implement Strong Access Controls

Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all critical systems and applications.
Follow the principle of least privilege (grant access only to those who truly need it).
Regularly review and revoke unused or outdated access permissions.

3. Keep Systems and Software Up-to-Date

Patch operating systems, software, and firmware as soon as updates are released.
Use automated tools to manage and deploy patches consistently.

4. Train Employees on Security Best Practices

Conduct regular security awareness training, covering topics like phishing, password hygiene, and recognizing suspicious activity.
Simulate phishing attacks to test and improve employee vigilance.

5. Use Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Solutions

Deploy advanced tools to monitor, detect, and respond to threats on all devices.
Set up alerts for abnormal behavior or unauthorized access attempts.

6. Encrypt Sensitive Data

Use strong encryption protocols for data at rest and in transit.
Ensure proper key management practices are followed.

7. Establish Network Segmentation

Separate critical systems and sensitive data from less critical networks.
Limit lateral movement in case of a breach.

8. Implement Robust Backup Strategies

Maintain regular, secure backups of all critical data.
Store backups offline or in isolated environments to protect against ransomware.
Test recovery processes to ensure backups are functional and up-to-date.

9. Monitor Systems Continuously

Use Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools for real-time monitoring and alerts.
Proactively look for signs of intrusion or anomalies.

10. Develop an Incident Reporting Culture

Encourage employees to report security issues or suspicious activities immediately.
Avoid a blame culture so employees feel safe coming forward.

11. Engage in Threat Intelligence Sharing

Join industry groups or forums to stay informed about new threats and vulnerabilities.
Leverage shared intelligence to strengthen your defenses.

12. Test Your Defenses Regularly

Conduct regular penetration testing to identify and fix exploitable weaknesses.
Perform red team exercises to simulate real-world attacks and refine your response capabilities.

By integrating these steps into your cybersecurity strategy, you’ll strengthen your defenses and reduce the likelihood of an incident.

Feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions or feedback.

DISC InfoSec offer free initial high level assessment – Based on your needs DISC InfoSec offer ongoing compliance management or vCISO retainer.

The #1 Risk to Small Businesses: …And How to Minimize it

Tags: eliminate risk, minimize risk

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Mar 25 2025

Steps to evaluate an AI products & services

Category: AI — disc7 @ 3:10 pm

Evaluating AI products and services involves assessing their functionality, reliability, security, ethical considerations, and business alignment. Here’s a step-by-step guide to evaluate AI products or services effectively:

1. Define Business Objectives

Identify Goals: Clearly define what problems the AI product/service aims to solve and how it aligns with your business objectives.
Expected Outcomes: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success, such as efficiency improvements, cost savings, or customer satisfaction.

2. Understand the Technology

Capabilities: Assess the core functionality of the AI solution (e.g., NLP, computer vision, recommendation systems).
Architecture: Understand the underlying models, frameworks, and algorithms used.
Customization: Determine whether the AI solution can be tailored to your specific needs.

3. Evaluate Data Requirements

Data Needs: Check the volume, quality, and type of data the AI requires to function effectively.
Integration: Assess how easily the AI solution integrates with your existing data pipelines and systems.
Data Security and Privacy: Ensure the product complies with relevant data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).

4. Test Performance and Accuracy

Real-World Scenarios: Test the product in scenarios similar to your use case to evaluate its effectiveness and accuracy.
Metrics: Use industry-standard metrics (e.g., F1-score, precision, recall) to quantify performance.
Benchmarking: Compare the AI solution’s performance against competitors or alternative methods.

5. Assess Usability

Ease of Use: Ensure the product is user-friendly and offers intuitive interfaces for both technical and non-technical users.
Documentation and Support: Evaluate the availability of user guides, training, and technical support.
Integration Complexity: Check whether it integrates seamlessly with your existing IT ecosystem.

6. Verify Security and Compliance

Security Features: Assess safeguards against adversarial attacks, data breaches, and unauthorized access.
Compliance: Ensure the AI adheres to industry standards and regulations specific to your sector.
Auditability: Verify that the product offers transparency and audit trails for decision-making processes.

7. Analyze Costs and ROI

Pricing Model: Review licensing, subscription, or usage-based costs.
Hidden Costs: Identify additional expenses, such as training, data preparation, or system integration.
Return on Investment: Estimate the financial and operational benefits relative to costs.

8. Examine Vendor Credibility

Reputation: Check the vendor’s track record, client base, and reviews.
Partnerships: Assess their collaborations with reputable organizations or certification bodies.
R&D Commitment: Evaluate the vendor’s focus on innovation and continuous improvement.

9. Check Ethical and Bias Considerations

Fairness: Assess the AI’s performance across diverse user groups to identify potential biases.
Transparency: Ensure the vendor provides explainable AI features for clarity in decision-making.
Ethical Standards: Confirm alignment with ethical guidelines like AI responsibility and fairness.

10. Pilot and Scale

Trial Phase: Run a pilot project to evaluate the product’s real-world effectiveness and adaptability.
Feedback: Gather feedback from stakeholders and users during the trial.
Scalability: Determine whether the solution can scale with your organization’s future needs.

By following these steps, you can make informed decisions about adopting AI products or services that align with your goals and address critical considerations like performance, ethics, and cost-effectiveness.

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Tags: AI evaluation

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Mar 25 2025

What is synthetic data generation

Category: AI — disc7 @ 2:47 pm

Synthetic data generation refers to the process of creating artificially generated data that mimics real-world data in structure and statistical properties. This is often done using algorithms, simulations, or machine learning models to produce datasets that can be used in various applications, such as training AI models, testing systems, or conducting analyses.

Key Points:

Why Use Synthetic Data?

Privacy: Synthetic data helps protect sensitive or personal information by replacing real data.
Cost-Effectiveness: It eliminates the need for expensive data collection.
Data Availability: Synthetic data can fill gaps when real-world data is limited or unavailable.
Scalability: Large datasets can be generated quickly and efficiently.

How It Is Generated:

Rule-Based Systems: Using pre-defined rules and statistical methods to simulate data.
Machine Learning Models: Models like Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and Variational Autoencoders (VAEs) are used to generate realistic data.
Simulation Software: Simulating real-world scenarios to produce data.

Applications:

AI and Machine Learning: Training algorithms without relying on sensitive real-world data.
Software Testing: Testing systems in controlled environments using realistic datasets.
Healthcare: Generating anonymized patient data for research and development.

Challenges:

Accuracy: Ensuring synthetic data is statistically and structurally similar to real data.
Bias: Avoiding the replication of biases present in the original dataset.
Validation: Confirming that synthetic data performs effectively in its intended application.

Synthetic data generation is becoming a cornerstone in areas where data privacy, availability, and scalability are critical.

Synthetic data generation adverse use

Synthetic data generation, while highly useful, can also be exploited for malicious purposes. Adverse uses of synthetic data include enabling fraud, spreading disinformation, bypassing security measures, and creating deceptive content. Here are some of the key risks and unethical applications:

1. Fraudulent Activities

Identity Fraud: Malicious actors can generate synthetic identities by creating fake personal information that appears legitimate. These fake identities are often used to commit financial fraud, evade detection, or manipulate systems reliant on user verification.
Credit and Loan Fraud: Fraudsters use synthetic data to bypass financial institution checks, creating fake profiles to secure loans or credit cards.

2. Disinformation and Misinformation

Deepfake Videos and Images: Synthetic data can create hyper-realistic images, videos, and audio clips of individuals saying or doing things they never did, fueling misinformation campaigns.
Fake Social Media Profiles: Synthetic data can generate convincing fake accounts, amplifying false narratives or manipulating public opinion.

3. Bypassing Security Measures

Adversarial Attacks: Malicious actors can craft synthetic data to deceive machine learning models, forcing them to make incorrect predictions or bypass security mechanisms (e.g., CAPTCHA systems).
Training Poisoning: Synthetic data can be injected into training datasets to compromise AI systems by embedding biases or vulnerabilities.

4. Testing and Exploiting Systems

System Evasion: Synthetic data can be used to simulate and test how security systems respond to various scenarios, helping adversaries identify and exploit weaknesses.
Automation of Malicious Activities: Attackers can use synthetic datasets to train bots or AI models for phishing, spam, or other automated malicious tasks.

5. Counterfeit Products and IP Theft

Replicating Proprietary Models: Synthetic data may be used to reverse-engineer or replicate proprietary AI systems by simulating training data.
Counterfeit Detection Evasion: Synthetic data can train models to bypass counterfeit detection systems, aiding in the distribution of fake products.

6. Privacy and Legal Risks

Data De-Anonymization: Synthetic data that mimics sensitive data too closely could inadvertently expose the patterns or attributes of real individuals, leading to privacy violations.
Legal Evasion: Criminals may argue that synthetic data isn’t “real,” complicating legal and regulatory accountability for its misuse.

Mitigation Strategies:

To address these risks, organizations and policymakers should implement robust synthetic data governance frameworks, develop tools to detect synthetic content, and raise awareness about its potential misuse. Ethical use and proper monitoring are essential to maximize benefits while minimizing harm.

Mitigating the risks associated with synthetic data generation requires a combination of technical measures, organizational policies, and regulatory oversight. Below are strategies to minimize these risks effectively:

1. Develop Robust Governance Policies

Establish Ethical Guidelines: Define clear principles on how synthetic data can be generated and used responsibly.
Data Access Controls: Limit access to synthetic data generation tools and ensure only authorized personnel use them for approved purposes.
Transparency Standards: Require documentation of synthetic data origins, methods used for generation, and its intended applications.

Practical Synthetic Data Generation: Balancing Privacy and the Broad Availability of Data

From Real to Synthetic – Exploring the World of Synthetic Data: Learn how synthetic data is transforming industries and improving privacy and artificial intelligence models

Synthetic Data Generation: A Beginner’s Guide

DISC InfoSec previous posts on AI

Tags: synthetic data generation

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Mar 25 2025

The Developer’s Playbook for Large Language Model Security Review

Category: AI,Information Security,Security playbook — disc7 @ 12:06 pm

In “The Developer’s Playbook for Large Language Model Security,” Steve Wilson, Chief Product Officer at Exabeam, addresses the growing integration of large language models (LLMs) into various industries and the accompanying security challenges. Leveraging over two decades of experience in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing, Wilson offers a practical guide for security professionals to navigate the complex landscape of LLM vulnerabilities.

A notable aspect of the book is its alignment with the OWASP Top 10 for LLM Applications project, which Wilson leads. This connection ensures that the security risks discussed are vetted by a global network of experts. The playbook delves into critical threats such as data leakage, prompt injection attacks, and supply chain vulnerabilities, providing actionable mitigation strategies for each.

Wilson emphasizes the unique security challenges posed by LLMs, which differ from traditional web applications due to new trust boundaries and attack surfaces. The book offers defensive strategies, including runtime safeguards and input validation techniques, to harden LLM-based systems. Real-world case studies illustrate how attackers exploit AI-driven applications, enhancing the practical value of the guidance provided.

Structured to serve both as an introduction and a reference guide, “The Developer’s Playbook for Large Language Model Security” is an essential resource for security professionals tasked with safeguarding AI-driven applications. Its technical depth, practical strategies, and real-world examples make it a timely and relevant addition to the field of AI security.

Sources

The Developer’s Playbook for Large Language Model Security: Building Secure AI Applications

Tags: AI security, Large Language Model

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Mar 25 2025

Cybercriminals Take Advantage Of U.S. Cloud Providers

Category: Cloud computing,Cybercrime,Information Security — disc7 @ 8:51 am

What if cybercriminals could originate their traffic from within the United States — at will?

Cybercriminals from countries like China and Russia are increasingly exploiting U.S.-based cloud services, such as Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, to conduct attacks against American entities. By utilizing infrastructure within the United States, they can circumvent geolocation and IP-based filtering mechanisms that typically scrutinize foreign-originated malicious traffic. This strategy enables them to host deceptive content, including counterfeit trading applications, gambling platforms, and phishing sites targeting U.S. businesses and citizens.

The agility of cloud services allows these malicious actors to rapidly deploy and dismantle their operations. They can establish a harmful environment, execute their schemes within a short timeframe, and then terminate the setup before detection measures can respond effectively. This transient nature of cloud-based attacks complicates efforts to trace and mitigate such threats.

Compounding the issue, cybercriminals often “sublet” their rented cloud infrastructure to other malicious parties. This practice obscures the true origin of attacks and makes it challenging for cloud providers and authorities to identify and hold the actual perpetrators accountable. Multiple malicious activities can emanate from a single public IP address associated with a front company, further hindering effective monitoring and intervention.

In response to these evolving tactics, the U.S. Department of Commerce proposed a rule last year requiring cloud providers to collect data from customers to ascertain whether each potential customer is foreign or U.S.-based. This measure aims to enhance the ability to track and prevent the misuse of U.S. cloud infrastructure by foreign cybercriminals.

The increasing misuse of cloud services underscores the need for more robust security protocols and vigilant monitoring by cloud providers. Implementing stricter verification processes and enhancing the transparency of customer activities are critical steps in mitigating the exploitation of cloud platforms for cyberattacks.

Collaboration between cloud service providers, regulatory bodies, and cybersecurity experts is essential to develop comprehensive strategies that address these threats. By sharing information and resources, stakeholders can better detect, prevent, and respond to the sophisticated use of cloud infrastructure by cybercriminals, thereby safeguarding U.S. businesses and citizens from such malicious activities.

For further details, access the article here Above the Law

Fundamentals of Cloud and Cloud Security

Tags: Cloud providers, Cybercriminals

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Mar 24 2025

Chinese Weaver Ant hackers spied on telco network for 4 years

Category: Hacking,Spyware — disc7 @ 2:16 pm

A China-linked advanced persistent threat group, dubbed ‘Weaver Ant,’ infiltrated the network of a major Asian telecommunications provider and maintained unauthorized access for over four years. This prolonged intrusion was characterized by sophisticated techniques designed to evade detection and persist within the compromised environment.

Weaver Ant employed an operational relay box (ORB) network, primarily consisting of compromised Zyxel customer-premises equipment (CPE) routers. This strategy allowed them to proxy their malicious traffic, effectively concealing their infrastructure and activities from standard monitoring tools.

Initial access was achieved using an AES-encrypted variant of the China Chopper web shell, a tool that facilitates remote control of servers while bypassing firewall restrictions. This allowed the attackers to establish a foothold within the telecommunications provider’s network.

As their operation progressed, Weaver Ant deployed a more advanced, custom-built web shell known as ‘INMemory.’ This tool leverages a dynamic-link library (DLL) named ‘eval.dll’ to execute code directly in the host’s memory, enhancing stealth and reducing the likelihood of detection.

Despite multiple attempts by the affected telecommunications provider to eradicate the intrusion, Weaver Ant demonstrated resilience, maintaining their covert presence over an extended period. This underscores the group’s sophistication and the challenges organizations face in defending against such advanced threats.

This incident highlights the critical importance for organizations, especially those in the telecommunications sector, to implement robust cybersecurity measures. Regular network monitoring, timely patching of vulnerabilities, and comprehensive incident response strategies are essential to detect and mitigate such sophisticated cyber espionage activities.

For further details, access the article here

Tiger Trap: America’s Secret Spy War with China

China’s Hacker Army

Tags: Chinese Weaver Ant, telco network

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Mar 24 2025

State-Sponsored Hackers Exploit Link Files for Espionage

Category: Cyber Espionage,Hacking,Information Security — disc7 @ 10:42 am

Critical Vulnerability in Microsoft Windows Exposed: State-Sponsored Hackers Exploit Link Files for Espionage

A critical vulnerability has been discovered in Microsoft Windows, actively exploited by state-sponsored hackers from North Korea, Russia, Iran, and China. These cyber attackers are leveraging a flaw in Windows’ handling of shortcut (LNK) files to conduct espionage operations.

The exploitation involves crafting malicious LNK files that, when opened, execute arbitrary code without the user’s knowledge. This method allows hackers to infiltrate systems, access sensitive information, and maintain persistent control over compromised networks.

Microsoft has acknowledged the vulnerability and is working on a security patch to address the issue. In the meantime, users and organizations are advised to exercise caution when handling LNK files, especially those received from untrusted sources.

To mitigate potential risks, it is recommended to disable the display of icons for shortcut files and enable the “Show file extensions” option to identify potentially malicious LNK files. Regularly updating antivirus software and conducting system scans can also help detect and prevent exploitation attempts.

This incident underscores the importance of maintaining robust cybersecurity practices and staying informed about emerging threats. Organizations should prioritize timely software updates and employee training to recognize and avoid potential security risks.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, collaboration between software vendors, security researchers, and users is crucial in identifying and addressing vulnerabilities promptly. Proactive measures and vigilance are essential to safeguard against sophisticated cyber espionage activities.

To mitigate this risk, users and organizations are advised to exercise caution with LNK files from untrusted sources, disable icon displays for shortcut files, enable the “Show file extensions” option to identify potentially malicious LNK files, and regularly update antivirus software.

This incident highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity practices and staying informed about emerging threats. Collaboration between software vendors, security researchers, and users is crucial to promptly identify and address vulnerabilities.

For further details, access the article here

The Hacker and the State: Cyber Attacks and the New Normal of Geopolitics

Cyber Mercenaries: The State, Hackers, and Power

Tags: and Power, Cyber Mercenaries: The State, hackers, State-Sponsored Hackers, The Hacker and the State

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Mar 23 2025

Nation-State Spyware ‘Paragon’ Targets Civil Society Group

Category: Cyber Spy,Spyware — disc7 @ 3:19 pm

Spyware can collect personal information, such as Internet browsing habits and email addresses, and send it to third parties without the user’s permission.

Paragon Solutions, an Israeli cybersecurity firm co-founded in 2019 by former Israeli Defense Forces Unit 8200 commander and ex-Prime Minister Ehud Barak, has developed advanced spyware capable of infiltrating both Android and iOS devices. This spyware can access encrypted messaging apps, posing significant risks to targeted individuals.

Recent investigations by Citizen Lab have uncovered that Paragon’s spyware has been used to target journalists, humanitarian workers, and activists globally. Notably, WhatsApp notified over 90 individuals about potential spyware attacks linked to Paragon. Collaborations with some victims allowed researchers to trace the spyware’s usage across multiple continents, highlighting its extensive reach.

Specific incidents include the Ontario Provincial Police’s alleged use of Paragon’s spyware, raising concerns about surveillance practices within democratic nations. While the police assert compliance with legal standards, the deployment of such tools against civil society actors has sparked debates over privacy and human rights.

In another case, Libyan activist Husam El Gomati, based in Sweden, was alerted by WhatsApp about a spyware attack while he was sharing information on human rights abuses in Libya. This incident underscores the potential misuse of surveillance technologies against individuals documenting governmental misconduct.

The proliferation of sophisticated spyware like Paragon’s raises pressing questions about the balance between national security and individual privacy. The potential for misuse against non-threatening individuals necessitates robust oversight and regulation to prevent abuses.

As spyware technologies become more advanced, the international community must address the ethical implications of their use. Ensuring that such tools are not employed to suppress dissent or violate human rights is crucial in maintaining democratic principles and protecting civil liberties.

For further details, access the article here

Mobile Phone Spyware: …the hidden threat to any smartphone

Israeli Spyware Firm Paragon Sold to U.S.

Tags: Civil Society group, Paragon

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Mar 23 2025

Operation Zero, a zero-day broker, is offering rewards of up to $4 million for exploits targeting Telegram.

Category: Zero day — disc7 @ 11:03 am

Operation Zero, a prominent zero-day broker, has announced a substantial bounty of up to $4 million for exploits targeting Telegram. This initiative underscores the escalating demand for vulnerabilities in widely used communication platforms.

Zero-day brokers like Operation Zero specialize in acquiring undisclosed software vulnerabilities, often to sell them to government agencies or other entities. The significant reward offered for Telegram exploits highlights the platform’s critical role in global communications and the potential impact of such vulnerabilities.

This development raises concerns about the security of messaging applications and the lengths to which organizations will go to uncover potential weaknesses. Users are reminded of the importance of staying updated on security practices and being cautious about the information shared over these platforms.

As the cybersecurity landscape evolves, the focus on securing communication channels like Telegram becomes increasingly vital. Both users and developers must remain vigilant against emerging threats to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of their communications.

For further details, access the article here

Countdown to Zero Day

Cyber Resilience – Defence-in-depth principles

Tags: Countdown to Zero Day, Telegram, Zero day broker

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Mar 22 2025

DISC InfoSec API Pen Testing

Category: API security,Pen Test — disc7 @ 5:37 pm

API Penetration Testing by DISC InfoSec

In today’s digital landscape, APIs are crucial for connecting applications and sharing data, but they can also introduce significant security risks if not properly safeguarded. DISC InfoSec offers specialized API penetration testing services to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities, ensuring your APIs remain secure and resilient against cyber threats.

Our approach includes a thorough analysis of API functionalities, focusing on authentication, data exchange, and business logic. We meticulously examine API documentation, requests, headers, and parameters to uncover potential weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers.

By simulating real-world attack scenarios tailored to your industry and infrastructure, we provide a comprehensive assessment of your APIs. This process helps you understand the potential impact of vulnerabilities on your systems, including risks to confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Once the testing is complete, we deliver a detailed report highlighting the findings and providing actionable recommendations for remediation. To ensure vulnerabilities are effectively addressed, DISC InfoSec offers complimentary retesting within six months of the project’s completion.

Partnering with DISC InfoSec for API penetration testing enables your organization to proactively secure its applications, protect sensitive data, and maintain user trust. Regular testing and updates are essential for staying ahead of evolving threats and ensuring a strong cybersecurity posture.

Feel free to reach out to DISC InfoSec with any questions about the API penetration testing process.

API Security for White Hat Hackers: Uncover offensive defense strategies and get up to speed with secure API implementation

Pentesting APIs: A practical guide to discovering, fingerprinting, and exploiting APIs

Tags: API, API Security, PenTesting APIs

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Mar 19 2025

ISO 27001 Risk Assessment Process – Summary

Category: ISO 27k,Risk Assessment,Security Risk Assessment — disc7 @ 8:51 am

The summary covers information security risk assessment, leveraging ISO 27001 for compliance and competitive advantage.

ISO 27001 Risk Management

Risk Assessment Process
- Identify assets and analyze risks.
- Assign risk value and assess controls.
- Implement monitoring, review, and risk mitigation strategies.
Risk Concepts
- Asset-Based vs. Scenario-Based Risks: Evaluating risk based on critical assets and potential attack scenarios.
- Threats & Vulnerabilities: Identifying security weaknesses and potential risks (e.g., unauthorized access, data breaches, human error).
Risk Impact & Likelihood
- Risks are measured based on financial, operational, reputational, and compliance impacts.
- Likelihood is classified from Highly Unlikely to Highly Likely based on past occurrences.
Risk Treatment Options
- Tolerate (Accept): Accepting the risk if the cost of mitigation is higher than the impact.
- Treat (Mitigate): Reducing the risk by implementing controls.
- Transfer (Share): Outsourcing risk through insurance or third-party agreements.
- Terminate (Avoid): Eliminating the source of risk.

Risk assessment process details:

The risk assessment process follows a structured approach to identifying, analyzing, and mitigating security risks. The key steps include:

Risk Identification
- Identify information assets (e.g., customer data, financial systems, hardware).
- Determine potential threats (e.g., cyberattacks, insider threats, physical damage).
- Identify vulnerabilities (e.g., weak access controls, outdated software, lack of employee training).
Risk Analysis & Valuation
- Assess the likelihood of a threat exploiting a vulnerability (rated from Highly Unlikely to Highly Likely).
- Evaluate the impact on financial, operational, reputational, and compliance aspects (from Minimal to Catastrophic).
- Calculate the risk level based on the combination of likelihood and impact.
Risk Mitigation & Decision Making
- Assign a risk owner responsible for managing each identified risk.
- Select appropriate controls (e.g., firewalls, encryption, staff training).
- Compute the residual risk (risk left after implementing controls).
- Decide on the risk treatment approach (Accept, Mitigate, Transfer, or Avoid).
Risk Monitoring & Review
- Establish a reporting frequency to reassess risks periodically.
- Continuously monitor changes in the threat landscape and update controls as needed.
- Communicate risk status and treatment effectiveness to stakeholders.

This structured approach ensures organizations can proactively manage risks, comply with regulations, and strengthen cybersecurity defenses.

DISC InfoSec offer free initial high level assessment – Based on your needs DISC InfoSec offer ongoing compliance management or vCISO retainer.

Information Security Risk Management for ISO 27001/ISO 27002

Is a Risk Assessment required to justify the inclusion of Annex A controls in the Statement of Applicability?

Many companies perceive ISO 27001 as just another compliance expense?

ISO 27001: Guide & key Ingredients for Certification

An Overview of ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A Security Controls

Managing Artificial Intelligence Threats with ISO 27001

Tags: iso 27001, ISO 27001 2022

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Mar 18 2025

The Impact of AI and Automation on Security Leadership Transformation

Category: AI — disc7 @ 2:21 pm

The contemporary Security Operations Center (SOC) is evolving with the integration of Generative AI (GenAI) and autonomous agentic AI, leading to significant transformations in security leadership. Security automation aims to reduce the time SOCs spend on alert investigation and mitigation. However, the effectiveness of these technologies still hinges on the synergy between people, processes, and technology. While AI and automation have brought notable advancements, challenges persist in their implementation.

A recent IDC White Paper titled “Voice of Security 2025” surveyed over 900 security decision-makers across the United States, Europe, and Australia. The findings reveal that 60% of security teams are small, comprising fewer than ten members. Despite their limited size, 72% reported an increased workload over the past year, yet an impressive 88% are meeting or exceeding their goals. This underscores the critical role of AI and automation in enhancing operational efficiency within constrained teams.

Security leaders exhibit strong optimism towards AI, with 98% embracing its integration. Only 5% believe AI will entirely replace their roles. Notably, nearly all leaders recognize the potential of AI and automation to bridge business silos, with 98% seeing opportunities to connect these tools across security and IT functions, and 97% across DevOps. However, apprehensions exist among security managers, the least senior respondents, with 14% concerned about AI potentially subsuming their job functions. In contrast, a mere 0.6% of executive vice presidents and senior vice presidents share this concern.

Despite the enthusiasm, several challenges impede seamless AI adoption. Approximately 33% of respondents are concerned about the time required to train teams on AI capabilities, while 27% identify compliance issues as significant obstacles. Other notable concerns include AI hallucinations (26%), secure AI adoption (25%), and slower-than-expected implementation (20%). These challenges highlight the complexities involved in integrating AI into existing security frameworks.

Tool management within security teams presents additional hurdles. While one-third of respondents express satisfaction with their current tools, many see room for improvement. Specifically, 55% of security teams manage between 20 to 49 tools, 23% handle fewer than 20, and 22% oversee 50 to 99 tools. Regardless of the number, 24% struggle with poor integration, and 35% feel their toolsets lack essential functionalities. This scenario underscores the need for cohesive and integrated tool ecosystems to enhance performance and reduce complexity.

Security leaders are keen to leverage the time saved through AI and automation for strategic initiatives. If afforded more time, 43% would focus on security policy development, 42% on training and development, and 38% on incident response planning. While 83% report a healthy work-life balance, only 72% feel they can perform their jobs without excessive stress, indicating room for improvement in workload management. This reflects the potential of AI and automation to alleviate pressure and enhance job satisfaction among security professionals.

In conclusion, the integration of AI and automation is reshaping security leadership by enhancing efficiency and bridging operational silos. However, challenges such as training, compliance, tool integration, and workload management remain. Addressing these issues requires a balanced approach that combines technological innovation with human oversight, ensuring that AI serves as an enabler rather than a replacement in the cybersecurity landscape.

For further details, access the article here

Advancements in AI have introduced new security threats, such as deepfakes and AI-generated attacks.

Is Agentic AI too advanced for its own good?

Why data provenance is important for AI system

Clause 4 of ISO 42001: Understanding an Organization and Its Context and Why It Is Crucial to Get It Right.

Tags: CISO, Security Leadership, vCISO

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Mar 16 2025

Details of Atomic Red Team available TTPs

Category: Attack Matrix — disc7 @ 3:56 pm

Atomic Red Team is an open-source project that provides a comprehensive library of tests designed to simulate adversary techniques, tactics, and procedures (TTPs) as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK® framework. These tests enable security teams to evaluate and enhance their detection and response capabilities by emulating real-world attack scenarios.

Atomic Red Team is a valuable resource for security professionals looking to test their defenses against real-world attack techniques. Here’s a breakdown of key details regarding its TTPs:

Core Functionality:

MITRE ATT&CK Alignment:
- Atomic Red Team is built upon the MITRE ATT&CK framework, which provides a standardized taxonomy of adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). This alignment allows security teams to simulate specific attack scenarios and evaluate their detection and response capabilities.
Atomic Tests:
- The project provides a library of “atomic tests,” which are small, focused tests designed to emulate individual ATT&CK techniques. This modular approach allows for targeted assessments and simplifies the testing process.

atomicredteam.io

Key Features of Atomic Red Team:

Comprehensive Coverage: The project offers a wide array of tests covering various MITRE ATT&CK techniques across multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. This extensive coverage allows organizations to assess their defenses against a broad spectrum of potential threats. github.com
Modular and Focused Tests: Each test, referred to as an “atomic test,” is designed to be small, highly portable, and focused on a specific technique. This modularity ensures that tests have minimal dependencies and can be executed with ease, facilitating targeted assessments. github.com
Execution Frameworks: To streamline the execution of these tests, Atomic Red Team provides frameworks like Invoke-Atomic, a PowerShell-based tool that allows security teams to run tests directly from the command line. This facilitates quick and efficient testing processes. redcanary.com
Community-Driven Development: As a community-developed project, Atomic Red Team encourages contributions from security professionals worldwide. This collaborative approach ensures continuous updates and the inclusion of diverse testing scenarios, keeping the library relevant and up-to-date. github.com

Accessing Atomic Red Team TTPs:

The complete library of atomic tests is available on the Atomic Red Team GitHub repository. Each test is organized by its corresponding MITRE ATT&CK technique ID and includes detailed information such as the test description, execution commands, supported platforms, and cleanup procedures. This structured format allows security teams to select and execute tests relevant to their specific assessment needs.

github.com

Getting Started:

To begin utilizing Atomic Red Team:

Clone the Repository: Access the GitHub repository and clone it to your local environment.
Install Necessary Tools: Depending on your platform, install the appropriate execution framework, such as Invoke-Atomic for Windows.
Select and Execute Tests: Browse the library to identify relevant tests and execute them using the chosen framework. Ensure that you review and fulfill any prerequisites mentioned for each test.
Analyze Results: After execution, analyze the outcomes to assess your organization’s detection and response effectiveness.

For detailed guidance on installation and execution, refer to the Atomic Red Team Getting Started documentation.

atomicredteam.io

By integrating Atomic Red Team into your security testing regimen, you can proactively identify and address potential vulnerabilities, thereby strengthening your organization’s overall security posture.

As of the latest available data, Atomic Red Team offers a comprehensive library of over 1,700 atomic tests, covering a wide array of adversary techniques and sub-techniques across multiple platforms.

atomicredteam.io These tests are meticulously designed to align with the MITRE ATT&CK® framework, enabling security teams to effectively simulate and evaluate their organization’s defenses against real-world attack scenarios.

The project has experienced significant growth, with a notable 42.7% increase in atomic tests, reaching a total of 436 new tests contributed in the past year alone.

redcanary.com This expansion reflects the community’s dedication to enhancing the breadth and depth of the testing library, ensuring that it remains up-to-date with emerging threats and techniques.

For detailed information on each test, including execution commands, prerequisites, and associated MITRE ATT&CK techniques, you can explore the official Atomic Red Team website or their GitHub repository. These resources provide structured and accessible documentation to assist security professionals in implementing and customizing tests to suit their specific assessment needs.

By leveraging this extensive collection of atomic tests, organizations can proactively identify potential vulnerabilities and strengthen their security posture against a continually evolving threat landscape.

redcanaryco/atomic-red-team

GitHub (github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team):
- The GitHub repository hosts the source code and test library, allowing users to access and contribute to the project.

In essence, Atomic Red Team empowers security teams to proactively identify vulnerabilities and strengthen their defenses by simulating real-world adversary behavior.

atomic_red_team-available-TTPs Download

10-bank-APT-group-combine_scores_from_each_layer Download

Last tab of above file is a combine scores from each 10 layer. If the cell color is not red, that means that tactic is shared by more than one APT group. Ex “Ingress Tool transfer” is more toward green, means shared by five group. orange is shared by three group. the color between red and orange is shared by 2 groups. Sorry excel sheet does not show the total score of for each cell but I will be happy to share the json file so you can see the score of each cell by uploading the file on Attack Navigator.

Tags: Atomic Red Team

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Pegasus: How a Spy in Your Pocket Threatens the End of Privacy, Dignity, and Democracy

Full Preparation Plan for an ISO Audit

1. Understanding the Role of a vCISO

2. Assess Your Organization’s Needs

3. Experience and Expertise

4. Alignment with Your Company Culture

5. Scalability and Flexibility

6. Budget Considerations and Value

The best approach for SMBs to start the cybersecurity risk management process involves the following steps:

Additional steps to help minimize information security risks:

1. Conduct Regular Risk Assessments

2. Implement Strong Access Controls

3. Keep Systems and Software Up-to-Date

4. Train Employees on Security Best Practices

5. Use Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Solutions

6. Encrypt Sensitive Data

7. Establish Network Segmentation

8. Implement Robust Backup Strategies

9. Monitor Systems Continuously

10. Develop an Incident Reporting Culture

11. Engage in Threat Intelligence Sharing

12. Test Your Defenses Regularly

1. Define Business Objectives

2. Understand the Technology

3. Evaluate Data Requirements

4. Test Performance and Accuracy

5. Assess Usability

6. Verify Security and Compliance

7. Analyze Costs and ROI

8. Examine Vendor Credibility

9. Check Ethical and Bias Considerations

10. Pilot and Scale

Key Points:

Synthetic data generation adverse use

1. Fraudulent Activities

2. Disinformation and Misinformation

3. Bypassing Security Measures

4. Testing and Exploiting Systems

5. Counterfeit Products and IP Theft

6. Privacy and Legal Risks

Mitigation Strategies:

1. Develop Robust Governance Policies

Risk assessment process details:

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