Misconfigured servers accounted for 86 per cent of the record 8.5 billion records compromised around the world last year, according to an analysis by IBM Security released today.
That was one of the conclusions reached by the unit in its annual Threat Intelligence Index, which peers into customer sensor and other data. (Registration required)
What IBM calls the inadvertent insider, also know as misconfigured servers across a wide range of vectors including publicly accessible cloud storage, unsecured cloud databases, and improperly secured sync backups, or open internet-connected network area storage devices.
This is a stark departure from what we reported in 2018 when we observed a 52 per cent decrease from 2017 in records exposed due to misconfigurations, and these records made up less than half of total records, the report said.
Its not that the total number of misconfiguration incidents increased. Quite the contrary, the number of such incidents actually dropped 14 per cent year over year. The report says this implies that when a misconfiguration breach did occur, the number of records affected was significantly higher in 2019.
Nearly three-quarters of the breaches where there were more than 100 million records breached were misconfiguration incidents. Two of those misconfiguration incidents alone, which occurred in what IBM calls the professional services sector, accounted for billions of records for each incident.
IBM doesnt name the companies those incidents. But one might have been the discovery of an unsecured ElasticSearch server with data that appeared to come from a U.S. data processing company or one of its subscribers.
Misconfiguration errors will only decrease if companies take security more seriously, Ray Boisvert, an associate partner in IBM Canadas security services who used to be a special security adviser to the Ontario government, said in an interview.
It comes down to for all organizations that security needs to be woven into the fabric. The business processes, the launch of new services, the intranet for employees, web-facing content, needs to be linked to a philosophy that security is the enabler.
Tighter identity and access management including the addition of two-factor authentication is also imperative, he added.
The report also found:
Of the OT attacks, most were centred around using a combination of known vulnerabilities within SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) and ICS (industrial control system) hardware components, as well as password-spraying attacks using brute force login tactics against ICS targets.
The overlap between IT infrastructure and OT, such as Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and ICS, continued to present a risk to organizations that relied on such hybrid infrastructures in 2019, says the report.
Meanwhile the huge number of devices clumped under the Internet of Things internet-connected devices ranging from surveillance cameras to toys has been gradually shaping up to be one of the threat vectors that can affect both consumers and enterprise-level operations by using relatively simplistic malware and automated, often scripted, attacks, says the report.
The report urges organizations to take the following steps to better prepare for cyber threats this year:
View original post here:
Configuration mistakes blamed for bulk of stolen records last year: IBM - IT World Canada
- Setting up a Virtual Server on Ninefold - Video [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2012]
- ScaleXtreme Automates Cloud-Based Patch Management For Virtual, Physical Servers [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- Secure Cloud Computing Software manages IT resources. [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- Dell unveils new servers, says not a PC company [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- Wyse to Launch Client Infrastructure Management Software as a Service, Enabling Simple and Secure Management of Any ... [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- As the App Culture Builds, Dell Accelerates its Shift to Services with New Line of Servers, Flash Capabilities [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- Terraria - Cloud In A Ballon - Video [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- Ethernet Alliance Interoperability Demo Showcases High-Speed Cloud Connections [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- RSA and Zscaler Teaming Up to Deliver Trusted Access for Cloud Computing [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- [NEC Report from MWC2012] NEC-Cloud-Marketplace - Video [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- IBM SmartCloud Virtualized Server Recovery - Video [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2012]
- BeyondTrust Launches PowerBroker Servers Windows Edition [Last Updated On: February 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 29th, 2012]
- Ericsson joins OpenStack cloud infrastructure community [Last Updated On: February 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 29th, 2012]
- ScaleXtreme Cloud-Based Patch Management Open for New Customers [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2012]
- RootAxcess - Getting Started - Video [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2012]
- How to Create a Terraria Server 1.1.2 (All Links Provided) - Video [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2012]
- Dell #1 in Hyperscale Servers (Steve Cumings) - Video [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2012]
- Managing SAP on Power Systems with Cloud technologies delivers superior IT economics - Video [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2012]
- AMD Acquires Cloud Server Maker SeaMicro for $334M USD [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2012]
- Web Host 1&1 Provides More Flexibility with Dynamic Cloud Server [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2012]
- Leap Day brings down Microsoft's Azure cloud service [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2012]
- RightMobileApps White Label Program - Video [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2012]
- bzst server ban #2 - Video [Last Updated On: March 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 3rd, 2012]
- “Cloud storage served from an array would cost $2 a gigabyte” [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2012]
- More Flexibility with the 1&1 Dynamic Cloud Server [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2012]
- Hub’s future jobs may be in cloud [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2012]
- Cloud computing growing jobs, says Microsoft [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2012]
- TurnKey Internet Launches WebMatrix, a New Application in Partnership with Microsoft [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2012]
- Cebit 2012: SAP Cloud Computing Strategy - Introduction - Video [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2012]
- Dome9 Security Launches Industry's First Free Cloud Security for Unlimited Number of Servers [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- Servers Are Refreshed With Intel's New E5 Chips [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- Samsung's AllShare Play pushes pictures from phone to cloud and TV [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- Google drops the price of Cloud Storage service [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- New Intel Server Technology: Powering the Cloud to Handle 15 Billion Connected Devices [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- Swisscom IT Services Launches Cloud Storage Services Powered by CTERA Networks [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- KineticD Releases Suite of Cloud Backup Offerings for SMBs [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- First Look: Samsung Allshare Play - Video [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- Bill The Server Guy Introduces the New Intel XEON e5-2600 (Romley) Server CPU's - Video [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2012]
- New Cisco servers have Intel Xeon E5 inside [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2012]
- Cisco rolls out UCS servers with Intel Xeon E5 chips [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2012]
- From scooters to servers: The best of Launch, Day One [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2012]
- Computer Basics: What is the Cloud? - Video [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2012]
- Could the digital 'cloud' crash? [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2012]
- Dome9 Security Launches Free Cloud Security For Unlimited Number Of Servers [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2012]
- Cloud computing 'made in Germany' stirs debate at CeBIT [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2012]
- New Key Technology Simplifies Data Encryption in the Cloud [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2012]
- Can a private cloud drive energy efficiency in datacentres? [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2012]
- Porticor's new key technology simplifies data encryption in the cloud [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2012]
- Borders + Gratehouse Adds Three New Clients in Cloud Sector [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2012]
- Dell to invest $700 mn in R&D, unveils 12G servers [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2012]
- Defiant Kaleidescape To Keep Shipping Movie Servers [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2012]
- Data Centre Transformation Master Class 3: Cloud Architecture - Video [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2012]
- DotNetNuke Tutorial - Great hosting tool - PowerDNN Control Suite - part 1/3 - Video #310 - Video [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2012]
- Cloud Computing - 28/02/12 - Video [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2012]
- SYS-CON.tv @ 9th Cloud Expo | Nand Mulchandani, CEO and Co-Founder of ScaleXtreme - Video [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2012]
- Oni Launches New Cloud Services for Enterprises Using CA Technologies Cloud Platform [Last Updated On: March 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 14th, 2012]
- SmartStyle Advanced Technology - Video [Last Updated On: March 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 14th, 2012]
- SmartStyle Infrastructure - Video [Last Updated On: March 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 14th, 2012]
- The Hidden Risk of a Meltdown in the Cloud [Last Updated On: March 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 14th, 2012]
- FireHost Launches Secure Cloud Data Center in Phoenix, Arizona [Last Updated On: March 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 14th, 2012]
- Panda Security Launches New Channel Partner Recruitment Campaign: "Security to the Power of the Cloud" [Last Updated On: March 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 14th, 2012]
- NetSTAR, Inc. Announces Safe and Secure Web Browsers for iPhones, iPads, and Android Devices [Last Updated On: March 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 14th, 2012]
- Amazon Cloud Powered by 'Almost 500,000 Servers' [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- NetSTAR Announces Secure Web Browsers For iPhones, iPads, And Android Devices [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Be Prepared For When the Cloud Really Fails [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Dr. Cloud explains dinCloud's hosted virtual server solution - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- New estimate pegs Amazon's cloud at nearly half a million servers [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Amazon’s Web Services Uses 450K Servers [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Saving File On Internet - Cloud Computing - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- DotNetNuke Tutorial - Great hosting tool - PowerDNN Control Suite - part 2/3 - Video #311 - Video [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Linux servers keep growing, Windows & Unix keep shrinking [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2012]
- Cloud Desktop from Compute Blocks - Video [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2012]
- Amazon EC2 cloud is made up of almost half-a-million Linux servers [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2012]
- HP trots out new line of “self-sufficient” servers [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2012]
- Cloud Web Hosting Reviews - Australian Cloud Hosting Providers - Video [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2012]
- Using Porticor to protect data in a snapshot scenario in AWS - Video [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2012]
- CDW - Charles Barkley - New Office - Video [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2012]
- Nearly a Half Million Servers May Power Amazon Cloud [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2012]
- Morphlabs CEO Winston Damarillo talks about their mCloud Rack - Video [Last Updated On: March 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 20th, 2012]
- AMD reaches for the cloud with new server chips [Last Updated On: March 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 20th, 2012]