Why are data breaches escalating? Could it be that this problem threatening business and consumers alike is directly related to service auditors and security assessors are still using the same audit and assessment tools again this year? Data breaches are escalating and the technology your service provider is using and the way they conduct assessments… Read More
Why Excel is so Old-School and how to be Cool-School
We get it. We completely understand why you still use Excel as an assessment and audit tool. We suffered through it just the same but we believe that working smarter and not harder which is why we invented ITAM. The IT Audit Machine (ITAM) is the patent pending, industry changing assessment questionnaire creation tool designed… Read More
What the Biggest Data Breaches in Retail Have Taught Us about Cybersecurity
2014 Data Breaches by Industry With the holiday season upon us, much attention turns to the retail sector, which is expected to see unprecedented activity as shoppers in a strengthening economy take advantage of seasonal deals and yet-further-expanded shopping hours. However, overshadowing the energy of the holiday shopping season, the specter of data breaches past… Read More
Secure in 60 Seconds
Secure in 60 Seconds While you slip into that Thanksgiving Day coma, take 6o seconds to beat holiday crime and stay secure. Nearly half of holiday shopping this year will be done through online merchants; about 46 percent according to the National Retail Federation. That is up slightly from last year and is another sign… Read More
Why In a Former Life I was a Cadaver Dog!
My career has been and adventure along the scenic route speaking conservatively which I rarely do. My number one goal is to be the best example for what I choose to focus my attention on. I rose in the corporate ranks pretty quickly and helped define what it really means to be a Chief Information… Read More
CIO, CISO, Eee Eye, Eee Eye Oh Crap a Data Breach!
How do you quantify the true cost of a data breach? How do you measure the costs against the benefits of eliminating risks, mitigating risks or accepting risks to your business effectively? The Lazarus Alliance executive leadership team has been the proverbial tip of the spear within the proactive cyber security realm well before there… Read More
Cyber Attack: United Airlines, WSJ, NYSE … Oh My!!
While United Airlines grounded their entire fleet and the Wall Street Journal was off-line and the New York Stock Exchange could not conduct trading yesterday for an extended period of time, they all have stated that they were not under a cyber attack. I do not believe in coincidences! Apparently I am not alone with this sentiment.… Read More
The Proverbial Identity Theft Bus Will Run You Over!
The Proverbial Identity Theft Bus Will Run You Over! Think about a time when you had a single credit card lost or stolen and how much of a pain that experience was. Now imagine if your entire wallet was lost or stolen and the exponential magnitude of pain in the patootie that would be for… Read More
Cyber War Waged on the United States with Massive Security Breach
Federal cyber security breach has left millions of American citizens as casualties. Lazarus Alliance responds with proactive cyber-crime prevention. Lazarus Alliance ups the ante with proactive cyber security weapons in the corporate arsenal to fight cybercrime, corporate fraud, espionage and criminal cyber-misconduct. The egregious revelations following this security breach is that the Office of Personnel… Read More
2015 State-by-State Data Breach Charts
2015 State-by-State Data Breach Charts The following standard definitions of Personal Information and Breach of Security (based on the definition commonly used by most states) are used for ease of reference, and any variations from the common definition are noted: Personal Information: An individual’s first name or first initial and last name plus one or… Read More
Embrace Adversity
“I’ve always believed that adversity can be a friend to embrace. Just don’t turn your back on it.” – Michael Peters
TakeDownCon 2015 Keynote Address
I’m honored to be invited to EC-Council’s TakeDownCon keynote speaker for the 2015 event. TakeDownCon brings together information security researchers and technical experts from corporate to underground industries, to a unique “Ethical Hacking” conference. In two days, they will present and debate the latest security threats, disclose current vulnerabilities, and share information crucial to the… Read More
Now Playing: Charlotte Plott’s Biz Stories Shared Podcast
It was a pleasure visiting with Charlotte Plott as we discussed the entrepreneurial spirit, business development and a plethora of related topics during Charlotte’s Biz Stories Shared podcast. If you find a nugget of truth or derive value from Charlotte’s podcast, please let her know in social media! The podcast may be accessed here: .
Proactive vs Reactive Cyber Security on Money Radio
Recently Michael Peters, CEO of Lazarus Alliance, spent time with David Cogan of Money Radio and eLiances discussing the differences between proactive cyber security and reactive cyber security. You can replay the broadcast as heard on money radio. An overview of the discussion was when you think cyber security, what comes to your mind first? I’ve… Read More
Is Anyone Exempt From Cyber-Crime Anymore?
With a show of those virtual hands, who has been notified by their credit card company about their personal information being exposed to cyber-crime? Now, with a show of those virtual hands; who has never been notified? If you think the problem is that cyber criminals are too good; you are mistaken. The problem is… Read More
Resistance is NOT Futile for Cyber Insurance Casualty Insurers.
If you think that the business general liability or even purpose built cyber insurance policies will cover you in the event of a cyber-security breach, it’s highly likely you are mistaken. In fact, it is in your carriers best business interest to deny your claim. Chances are the exemptions in your policy exclude coverage for… Read More
CIO Review: Lazarus Alliance has been shortlisted for 20 Most Promising Capital Market Technology Solution Providers
It’s always rewarding when your work and accomplishments are recognized especially when it comes without warning. Like I tell people, “You never know when you are auditioning!” The message from CIO Review included: CIO Review : Lazarus Alliance has been shortlisted for 20 Most Promising Capital Market Technology Solution Providers In the last few months… Read More
Low-Hanging Fruit Anyone? Why cyber-criminals are looking for you.
Cyber-crime is largely a crime of opportunity. Just like a burglar cases the neighborhood looking for easy pickings. Cyber-criminals case the Internet looking for victims who make it easier to steal from them, the companies they lead or belong to. By adhering to the Security Trifecta® and implementing a proactive cyber security strategy based in… Read More
Did you know that there are only four types of cyber security incidents?
My career has been devoted to both the art and the science behind information security. When I speak of the science, I am referring to the technology and the process we immerse ourselves into as we set about securing our organizations we are charged with protecting. When I speak about the art, I am referring… Read More
Do Cyber Security Breaches Determine Your Fate?
Over the past year we have seen corporate cyber security breaches decimating business value, killing companies and ending careers. Even at the highest levels within the largest corporations, no one is exempt from the damage a cyber security breach causes. Outside of traditional global war, never before have we experiences technological war quite like the… Read More
The Fallacy of Despair: Why your security breach is not inevitable!
There is a growing sentiment within the business community that a security breach affecting their company is inevitable. This is perpetuated by security professionals and providers or services and products who reinforce this mythos with statements resembling: “It’s not if your company is going to be breached but when your company is going to be… Read More
Cyber Security in the Rearview Mirror
Here are some interesting facts we have discovered after analyzing the 2014 security breach statistics. The number of U.S. data breaches tracked in 2014 hit a record high of 783 in 2014. This represents a substantial hike of 27.5 percent over the number of breaches reported in 2013 and a significant increase of 18.3 percent over the… Read More
Vicariously Leeching: beware of third-party crashers
A disturbing trend is emerging within the service provider space of cloud services in the form of deceptive spin doctoring and outright deceptions in plain site. If you are a consumer of any of the plethora of services available and seeking to potentially enlist the services of the myriad of contending vendors, it behooves you to… Read More
Demise of the Mighty Merchant: rampant credit card fraud and what to do about it.
In the aftermath of a payment card breach, as fraudsters race to exploit the stolen information, card issuers and affected customers take steps to mitigate risks and card processing merchants brace for impact as litigation costs increase and stock values decrease. We have even seen top executives lose their jobs over cyber breaches. Card issuers… Read More