CyberCrime

Data breaches, hacking and other types of cybercrime are becoming more prevalent, and the perpetrators are becoming more and more inventive. There are steps you can take to prevent your organization from becoming a victim of cybercrime or to lessen the impact of any attacks. This week's articles cover a range of topics that can help.

A new report identifies the specific cyber issues that are expected to cause the most issues in 2012. (Item #1)   Cybercrime costs businesses some $388 billion each year. (Item #2)   Here are some tips to help protect small businesses/organizations from cybercrime. (Item #3)  

This article tells you all you need to know about corporate account takeover. (Item #4)   Don't forget that staff training can help prevent some forms of cybercrime. (Item #5)   What does today's cyber criminal look like? (Item #6)  

As always, we look forward to hearing your comments & insights regarding business continuity. If you have a topic you'd like us to cover, email me at [email protected].

Bob Mellinger, President
Attainium Corp

1. Cyber threats forecast for 2012

2012 will feature new and increasingly sophisticated means to capture and exploit user data, as well as escalating battles over the control of online information that threatens to compromise content and erode public trust and privacy. Those were the findings in the Georgia Tech Emerging Cyber Threats Report for 2012 report, which identifies specific issues that are expected to cause the most problems to organizations in 2012.
http://www.continuitycentral.com/news05976.html

2. Cyber Crime Costs $114B Per Year, Mobile Attacks on the Rise

It should be no surprise that cyber crime is a real threat. But how much do these Web attacks actually cost? According to a new study from Symantec, it's $114 billion each year. If you count time lost by companies trying to recover from cyber attacks, meanwhile, you can add another $274 billion to that number, according to the company's Norton Cybercrime Report 2011.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2392570,00.asp

3. Six Tips for Protecting Small Business against Cybercrime

The threat of cybercrime is more prevalent today than ever before. Small to medium sized businesses are being targeted by a type of cybercrime know as "corporate account takeover." In corporate account takeover crimes, cyber-thieves gain access to a business' bank account(s) by stealing valid credentials, such as account names, numbers, and online banking passwords. Here are a few basic steps that small businesses can take to help minimize their risk.
http://www.minnesotabusiness.com/experts-forum/six-tips-protecting-small-business-against-cybercrime

4. Fraud Advisory for Businesses: Corporate Account Take Over

First identified in 2006, this fraud, known as "corporate account take over," has morphed in terms of the types of companies targeted and the technologies and techniques employed by cyber criminals. Where cyber criminals once attacked mostly large corporations, they have now begun to target municipalities, smaller businesses, and non-profit organizations. The tips and recommendations contained in this advisory may help reduce the likelihood of fraud, but they should not be expected to provide complete protection against these attacks.
http://www.ic3.gov/media/2010/CorporateAccountTakeOver.pdf

5. Basic Internet security training for your staff

Most businesses use the Internet and email for storing and archiving sensitive data, interacting with customers and even for co-coordinating banking, payroll or other services. Cyber crime has developed and advanced alongside these technological improvements, which means your business is at risk unless you train your staff and take steps to protect your information.
http://www.business.govt.nz/managing/using-technology-to-improve-performance/basic-internet-security-training-for-your-staff

6. Seven Types of Cyber Criminals

Remember when cyber criminals were computer geeks trying to crash computers from their mothers' basements? Well they've evolved. Malware has come a long way since the first virus 25 years ago, and so have the people who create it. Getting inside the mind of a cyber criminal can be tough these days, especially when the criminals are such a diverse group. So who are these bad guys? And what do they look like?
http://www.faronics.com/2011/7-types-of-cyber-criminals/