Government responses to evolving security threats have, to more or less a degree, started to incorporate advanced mitigation postures that reflect a world of networked systems and complex digital supply chains. To address this changing landscape, the president issued Executive Order 14028, “Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity.” This 2021 order introduced a zero-trust… Read More
Assessments for both StateRAMP and FedRAMP rely on the 3PAO’s understanding of the systems and people that will interact with a specific government agency. With this knowledge, it’s easier to determine where particular requirements begin and where they end. Across both of these frameworks, this concept is known as the “authorization boundary.” The authorization boundary… Read More
On February 20th, the FedRAMP PMO announced the release of the newest design for the FedRAMP Marketplace. While this news doesn’t necessarily shake the foundations of government compliance, the Marketplace it is an essential resource for agencies looking for a trustworthy source of information regarding cloud providers. In this article, we’ll break down what kind… Read More
According to a recent report by IT Governance, there were over 70 data breaches in June 2023 alone–accounting for compromising over 14 million data records. Once these records are out in the open, they are often sold on the dark web. Following that, it’s just a matter of time before hackers can use this data… Read More
In June 2023, the US. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reached an agreement with Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital over a significant breach of privacy and security rules. Specifically, HHS found that several security guards had inappropriately accessed the private records of up to 419 patients. This settlement demonstrated administrative and internal security… Read More
In the world of industrial operations and automation, two acronyms often surface in conversations around process control and cybersecurity: Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Operational Technologies (OT). This article aims to demystify the differences between ICS and OT, examining their unique characteristics, roles, and the critical importance of each in our increasingly connected and automated… Read More
From the comfort of smart homes and the convenience of wearable devices to the intelligent operations of manufacturing systems and the functionality of smart cities, the Internet of Things (IoT) serves as the connective tissue of a digitally unified world. While a hallmark of modern innovation, this proliferation of interconnectivity also introduces a multifaceted set… Read More
Not all technology is created equal, even if it all seems to serve the same function. Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) are two particular strains of digital systems that, while seemingly similar, serve radically similar functions for an organization. That being said, IT and OT are merging due in no small part to… Read More
From time to time, new directives and requirements come up in the federal space that has ripple effects throughout the cybersecurity landscape. Recently, FedRAMP raised a note that a new Binding Operational Directive has shifted some requirements for agencies and contractors. While this doesn’t seem to directly impact the program, it is significant enough for… Read More
As we navigate through 2023, the digital frontier continues to expand, bringing forth numerous novel opportunities and, regrettably, a myriad of cybersecurity threats. These cyber threats are not simply an IT concern; they have profound implications for business continuity, customer trust, and national security. Understanding these risks and their evolution is the first step in… Read More
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is one of the strongest security and privacy frameworks in operation in the world. Of this regulation, Article 32 stands out among its numerous guidelines as it deals explicitly with the “security of processing” of personal data. This piece aims to demystify GDPR Article 32, breaking down its requirements… Read More
Man-in-the-Middle attacks, where a malicious actor secretly intercepts and possibly alters the communication between two unsuspecting parties, have significantly escalated with digital connectivity and remote work surge. While the attack method is not new, its implications have grown in magnitude in the era of widespread digital transformation. Modern businesses, from multinational corporations to small and… Read More
GDPR governs data privacy in the EU, and organizations on both sides of the Atlantic are grappling with its intricacies. However, understanding the ins and outs of GDPR, particularly its provisions around international data transfers, can take time and effort. To further complicate matters, the Schrems II decision invalidated the EU-US Privacy Shield Framework and… Read More
In the evolving world of international IT infrastructure and security, it’s critical that organizations and regulatory bodies have a standard to assess technology effectively. A key player in the United States that works to uphold these standards is the National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP). NIAP manages the Common Criteria Evaluation and Validation Scheme (CCEVS) in… Read More
The Common Criteria, recognized worldwide, provides a standardized framework for evaluating the security attributes of IT products and systems. From defining security requirements to testing and verifying products against these requirements, the Common Criteria assure that the evaluation process is rigorous, repeatable, and thorough. To ensure the success of the program on a national basis,… Read More
GDPR certification is quickly becoming a topic of concern for enterprise businesses worldwide. With news of Meta’s record-breaking $1.3B fine from the European Union, companies are learning that data privacy and compliance in the EU is no joke. This article will dig into GDPR to discuss how organizations can approach their security and privacy with best… Read More
The Service Organization Control 2 (SOC 2) report has become, for many organizations and industries, the gold standard in security and integrity. While SOC 2 can be relatively comprehensive, more than the basic SOC 2 may be needed as regulatory and industry landscapes evolve. Enter SOC 2+, also known as a SOC 2 report with… Read More
With the ever-increasing complexities of the IT and business environments, risk management has become crucially important for cybersecurity. Accordingly, risk management methodologies provide the blueprint for this anticipatory and strategic approach. They guide businesses in identifying potential threats, assessing their impact, devising effective responses, and monitoring progress. This article will introduce some basics of risk… Read More
As the Department of Defense (DoD) increasingly leverages cloud services, the need to classify and secure sensitive data has never been more important. To address that need, the DoD’s Cloud Computing Security Requirements Guide (SRG) provides a comprehensive framework for this, establishing different Impact Levels to classify the appropriateness of a system to handle specific… Read More
In the era of digitization, the security of cloud services, particularly those engaged with federal agencies, is paramount. The government uses the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP)–to ensure cloud services meet stringent security standards to protect federal data. This article will dig into the intricacies of the FedRAMP High Impact Level and its… Read More
Organizations are tasked with navigating many rules, regulations, and potential risks in an increasingly complex business landscape. As they do so, the importance of a robust Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) strategy becomes apparent. This trifecta acts as a guiding beacon, setting a course for businesses to follow, ensuring they operate within the bounds of… Read More
In the interconnected world of digital health information, safeguarding Protected Health Information is paramount. Healthcare providers must legally follow the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to protect patient privacy and maintain trust, and this compliance includes understanding what it means to identify and deal with security incidents. Among these, the concepts of security… Read More
With modern computing increasingly moving into a mobile paradigm of remote workers, laptops, and smart devices, the threat to security in various industries is only increasing. This is no more true than in healthcare, where HIPAA breaches related to mobile devices are becoming more common. This article will discuss the HIPAA security rule, how it… Read More
In response to changes in the medical industry due to COVID-19, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) have put forth a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to streamline how doctors can access mental health information. This article will discuss this rule change and why it… Read More