WELCOME TO THE DECEMBER 2024 NEWSLETTER

Cyber Scoop is KeyStone Solutions monthly newsletter about the latest trends, topics, and articles relating to cybersecurity. As a Managed Service Security Provider (MSSP), KeyStone’s expert team helps small to medium sized businesses with IT services including virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO), cybersecurity, help desk support, Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), cloud solutions, and KeyStone’s signature service, IT Team as a Service (ITTaaS) which is an all-encompass solution.

From The Desk of the CISO

Essential Elements of Security Awareness Training

By Rob Ashcraft, CISO at KeyStone Solutions

Security awareness training is crucial for small and medium businesses (SMBs) to protect against cyber threats. The training should begin with basic cybersecurity principles, such as understanding common threats like phishing, malware, and ransomware. Employees should learn how to recognize suspicious emails, avoid clicking on unknown links, and report potential security incidents. This training is important but not the only essential element that SMB’s need to ensure are covered in their security awareness training program.

SEO Poisoning Attacks Demand More Scrutiny from Search Engine Users

Commentary by KeyStone’s Rob Ashcraft

This is a great blog article in coalitioninc.com about a newer evolving threat in the cybersecurity landscape, SEO poisoning attacks.  These attacks target search engine results attempting to direct users to malicious websites and exploit the trust that users place in search engines. By manipulating search engine algorithms, attackers can rank their malicious sites higher, increasing the likelihood of unsuspecting users clicking on them. This new deceptive tactic underscores how crucial it is for businesses to exercise due diligence by staying informed of growing threats and cyber-attacks, new countermeasures, as well as user awareness and training to protect your organization’s systems and data.

My Key Takeaways:

• SEO poisoning involves manipulating search engine results to lead users to malicious websites.
• Attackers use keyword stuffing, link farms, and other SEO tactics to boost the ranking of their malicious sites.
• Users can be exposed to malware, phishing attacks, and other cyber threats by visiting these compromised sites.
• Prevention requires regularly updating security software, using reliable search engines, and being cautious of unfamiliar links can mitigate risks.
• Awareness is a key preventative measure. Educating users about the dangers of SEO poisoning is essential for maintaining cybersecurity.
• Businesses should monitor their search engine rankings, looking out for any suspicious activity that could indicate an SEO poisoning attack.

Click on the link below to read the article in Coalition.

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