We are well past a decade now living with the Sarbanes Oxley Act. As one might expect, corporations, employees and auditors alike have become acclimated to the requirements so much so that the process is routine. The upside to this is that people supporting a SOX audit are pretty comfortable with the expectations and requirements.… Read More
In Harm’s Way: The CISO’s Dangerous Tour of Duty
I’ve been in the corporate chief information security officer’s (CISO) executive chair long enough to realize that the traditional hierarchical model of information security reporting up through the technology department has a fatal flaw. This hazard is directly associated with the inherent conflict of duties that exists by the very nature of the position. For… Read More
Buyer Beware
Fact: Companies are being breached seemingly at-will by hackers, malicious insiders, competing company entities, and nation states. Companies and consumers seem to be losing the battle. Sources of this problem are: 83 percent of organizations have no formal cyber security plan. (Source: National Cyber Security Alliance, 2012) Thousands of breaches have occurred over the last… Read More
Dichotomy
As we approach retail’s favorite season, I have the unique perspective of being concerned about information security as both the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for a commerce software company and as a customer to a plethora of retailers — some who are clients and others who are not. In effect, I’m wearing two… Read More
My comments about Virtuport and MENA ISC 2012.
Several exceptional facets of MENA ISC 2012 became quite apparent to me during my attendance and participation in the Middle East North Africa Information Security Conference. First, what a truly impressive assembly of international security experts and delegates. People attending were engaged, inquisitive, and very collaborative which is a vital component in mastering the global… Read More
What’s in a name?
Prior to April Fools’ Day, 2011, you probably had never heard of Epsilon Data Management, right? I’d wager, however, that this email marketing firm has heard of you. In excess of 250 million email account names were pirated from the marketing services firm, vaulting this to what may be the largest breach of personal information… Read More
Juris Doctor 120 of 161 – AKA Beer Breach
I have a natural passion for keeping people safe and secure as many of you know. I also have a real passion for technology law which might be evidenced by the doctoral pursuit in law. I also follow the news looking for cases that have been adjudicated and what the verdict or in most cases,… Read More
Domestic Terrorism
According to a recent analysis conducted by Akamai, out of the all the cyber-attacks observed originating from the 209 unique countries around the world identified, the United States was the top attack traffic source, accounting for 12% of observed attack traffic in total. Russia and China held the second and third place spots respectively, accounting… Read More
How E-Commerce Apps Are Putting Your Site at Risk
Article Reprint: http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/How-E-Commerce-Apps-Are-Putting-Your-Site-at-Risk-70964.html?wlc=1286281687&wlc=1286300892 Many developers do not overlook security on purpose; it’s just that the focus is usually on feature and functionality, not the nuts and bolts of building a secure software application. These technical oversights can leave a relatively easy opening for attackers to leverage. Cross-site scripting or data source injection are the most… Read More
Gearing Up for the Holidays? So Are Cyber-Criminals
Article Reprint: http://risnews.edgl.com/retail-best-practices/Gearing-Up-for-the-Holidays–So-Are-Cyber-Criminals40304 The holidays typically are the peak season for merchants. Yet at such a critical time of year many retailers still leave themselves vulnerable to significant e-commerce fraud – and the corresponding lost revenue and damaged brand reputation — because they don’t enforce or implement information security best practices throughout the year. While… Read More
Juris Doctor 85 of 215
So I’ve been spending a bit of time with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and I of course look for connections to the activities I’m involved in such as my day job as Chief Information Security Officer. A trend that I’ve commentated upon heavily over the past two years concentrates on what is being… Read More
ISSA Senior Member Nomination
I was humbled and honored to be nominated by the Board of Directors of the Kentuckiana ISSA chapter in Louisville Kentucky for ISSA Senior Member. I’ve been out of the Kentuckiana territory for a number of years to be the Chief Information Security Officer for Colonial Bank (Now BB&T Bank). I’ve been a member of… Read More
Like a rocket
A good business colleague and friend once told me, “Dude, you just took off like a rocket!” This comment was made just a few years following my departure from the same company he remained in employment with. In just a few short years I went from being a peer with a similar resume and similar… Read More
Juris Doctor 59 of 215
I’m clearly behind in my blogging activity in general. It has been a whirlwind two weeks getting settled, comfortably I might add, into my new position as Chief Security Officer for Fifth Third Processing Solutions. An interesting and fortuitous event occurred during my first week on the job. Execurtive leadership added physical security to my job… Read More
Changes are Coming: Electronically Stored Information
I’ve been doing a bit of research into the subpoena, search, custody, and disposal of electronically stored information (ESI). Part of this comes in the normal course of doing business as a Chief Information Security Officer, while part comes from my natural passions for information security and the law. The reality that casting a wide… Read More
Laws of Power – 27
Play on people’s need to believe to create a cult-like following: people have an overwhelming desire to believe in something. Become the focal point of such desire by offering them a cause, a new faith to follow. Keep your words vague but full of promise; emphasize enthusiasm over rationality and clear thinking. Give your new… Read More
Juris Doctor 21 of 215
I’ve gone into week 21 now. I still have a three day lead on classes across the board much to my satisfaction. I actually am beginning to feel like this stuff is beginning to make sense. Hooray for the home team. The only complaint from my family members has been the extra effort I needed… Read More