Business Continuity Challenges in 2015

According to the experts, cybersecurity will be one of the top threats to business continuity in 2015, with cyber criminals deploying new tools to create havoc in our business lives. After you look through this week's articles, perhaps it would be a good idea to sit down with your BC team and think about possible new risks to your organization this year - and brainstorm about how to mitigate them.

McAfee Labs' predictions for cybersecurity threats are sobering. (Item #1)     The BCI reveals that IT-related threats are a major concern. (Item #2)     As hackers become more proficient, security threats grow in complexity and scope. Watch this video discussion or read the information at the included link. (Item #3)    

The relationship of IT to business objectives is critical to successful business continuity. (Item #4)     There are some small steps you can take to make your business more secure. (Item #5)     Take a look at these key risk areas for 2015 and think about how they might affect your organization. (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. McAfee Labs Predicts Top Cybersecurity Threats for 2015

In 2015, cybercriminals will increasingly be non-state actors who monitor and collect data through extended, targeted attack campaigns, McAfee Labs predicts. In the group's 2015 Threats Predictions, Intel Security identified internet trust exploits, mobile, internet of things and cyber espionage as the key vulnerabilities on next year's threat landscape.
http://www.riskmanagementmonitor.com/mcafee-labs-predicts-top-cybersecurity-threats-for-2015/

2. BCI reveals top 10 threats to business continuity

IT-related threats continue to provide the greatest concern for organizations, according to a new report published by the Business Continuity Institute (BCI), in association with the British Standards Institution (BSI). The annual BCI Horizon Scan has pitted such threats above other threats like natural disasters, security incidents and industrial disputes.
http://www.information-age.com/technology/security/123457778/bci-reveals-top-10-threats-business-continuity

3. Security Threat Predictions for 2015: Video

Network World's Keith Shaw chats with Fortinet's Derek Manky about the company's security threat predictions for 2015. Included: The rise of Blastware, hackers framing the innocent, Internet of Threats and expanded data breaches.
http://www.csoonline.com/video/45965/security-threat-predictions-for-2015.html
To read the press release:
Cyber Threats to Increase in Scope and Complexity in the New Year as Black Hat Hackers Become More Sophisticated, According to Fortinet 2015 Threat Predictions
http://www.fortinet.com/press_releases/2014/cyber-threats-black-hat-hacker-increase-2015.html

4. Maintaining ICT availability and resiliency in 2015 and beyond

There'll always be some level of disconnect between maintaining IT and maintaining business productivity; both have very different deliverables. However the two must be interlinked as there are key areas where IT and business objectives overlap. Understanding the ICT environment in depth is important to improving business resilience and the efficiency of the ICT infrastructure. In this article Patrick Hubbard highlights emerging areas where greater understanding is required to enable organizations to maintain current levels of ICT availability and resiliency.
http://continuitycentral.com/feature1254.html

5. Countdown to 2015: Tech Resolutions to Make this Year

Now is the perfect time to start fresh and change those bad habits or start some good ones. No matter what your vices or goals, there is always room for improvement. As technology continues to dominate our professional and personal lives, it's only fair to ourselves and our businesses that we take the necessary steps to make the most out of the year ahead and keep everything operating as efficiently as possible. Here are some important tips and best practices for a healthy new year for you, your devices and your business!
http://www.broadviewnet.com/blog/2014/12/countdown-to-2015-tech-resolutions-to-make-this-year/

6. 2015 risk predictions

Political instability caused by low oil prices, increased shareholder activism and the business threat posed by a potential UK exit from the EU, are among chief concerns voiced by some of the UK's leading risk experts for 2015. As the year comes to a close, members of the Institute of Risk Management (IRM), were asked to identify key risk areas for 2015. A broad range of oil and gas, political, healthcare, regulatory and insurance risks were highlighted as potential flashpoints.
http://www.continuitycentral.com/feature1260.html