Nathan Ertel’s Post

Critical IAM Vulnerability: The CVE-2024-10905 vulnerability in SailPoint’s IdentityIQ highlights the severe risks tied to IAM systems, particularly outdated versions. Organizations face an urgent need to secure sensitive data and modernize IAM solutions, presenting key opportunities for firms with advanced cybersecurity capabilities to lead in this domain. CRG’s Strategic Opportunities, Advice & Differentiators   Opp – Proactive IAM Threat Detection: IAM vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-10905 demand immediate detection and mitigation strategies. § Advice: Deliver AI-powered anomaly detection for unauthorized file access and automate patch management to address emerging threats. § Differentiator: CRG equips clients with proven strategies to integrate advanced tools, ensuring compliance and rapid vulnerability resolution.   Opp – Zero-Trust IAM Architectures: This flaw underscores the need for IAM systems built on zero-trust principles. § Advice: Position IAM solutions with adaptive access controls, contextual authentication, and granular privilege management to secure data directories. § Differentiator: CRG’s expertise helps clients deliver zero-trust solutions that exceed cybersecurity benchmarks and drive customer trust.   Opp – Legacy System Modernization: Outdated IAM systems are a liability. Modernizing platforms is essential to reduce risk. § Advice: Offer scalable upgrades to IAM frameworks with minimal disruption to client operations, ensuring alignment with cutting-edge standards. § Differentiator: CRG ensures seamless transitions from legacy systems, positioning clients as leaders in delivering robust, future-ready IAM solutions.   Opp – Securing Integrated Supply Chains: IAM breaches extend risks across entire supply chains, necessitating comprehensive solutions. § Advice: Build secure, scalable IAM frameworks for third-party integrations and federated access points. § Differentiator: CRG’s ability to deliver cross-domain cybersecurity solutions positions clients as indispensable partners in safeguarding supply chains. Invitation - CRG helps clients dominate the IAM landscape with unparalleled expertise in winning and managing large-scale cybersecurity programs. Contact [email protected] or visit crgroupinc.com to position your organization at the forefront of IAM innovation. #CRG #Cybersecurity #IAM #ZeroTrust #FederalContracts #AI #ML #Cyber #CloudSecurity #NetworkSecurity #PatchManagement #ITArchitecture #TechStacks #Software #Hardware #Modernization

LogRhythm Axon enhancements improve data management and operational efficiency: Recent global research reveals 61% of organizations still rely on manual and time-intensive methods for sharing security status updates. In response, LogRhythm announced its 8th consecutive quarterly release. The latest innovations to LogRhythm Axon facilitate seamless dashboard and search import/export to community repositories, bridging the communication gap. Furthermore, LogRhythm Axon introduces key features to streamline auditing for compliance standards and enable greater efficiency with security analytics mapped to MITRE ATT&CK use cases. This quarter simplifies … More → The post LogRhythm Axon enhancements improve data management and operational efficiency appeared first on Help Net Security. #HelpNetSecurity #Cybersecurity

LogRhythm Axon enhancements improve data management and operational efficiency: Recent global research reveals 61% of organizations still rely on manual and time-intensive methods for sharing security status updates. In response, LogRhythm announced its 8th consecutive quarterly release. The latest innovations to LogRhythm Axon facilitate seamless dashboard and search import/export to community repositories, bridging the communication gap. Furthermore, LogRhythm Axon introduces key features to streamline auditing for compliance standards and enable greater efficiency with security analytics mapped to MITRE ATT&CK use cases. This quarter simplifies … More → The post LogRhythm Axon enhancements improve data management and operational efficiency appeared first on Help Net Security. @Poseidon-US #HelpNetSecurity #Cybersecurity

The increased complexity of enterprise infrastructure and the adoption of hybrid and multi-cloud forced organizations to adopt Zero Trust-based approaches, making identity the new security perimeter. Gartner defines Identity Fabric as an evolution of an organization’s IAM infrastructure that is architected to enable identity-first security. Identity Fabric is more than just the organization's existing IAM infrastructure: it takes the access context into account to provide and support adaptive, continuous risk-aware and resilient access controls. The main benefits of adopting identity fabric include reduced complexity through focusing on IAM functions instead of tools, cost-effectiveness and improved insights and recommendations through analytics. #cybersecurity #identityprotection #identityandaccessmanagement #identityfabric

While IAM solutions introduce security risks, the benefits of improved data security, compliance, efficiency, and user experience far outweigh the risks. By implementing IAM solutions with security in mind and following best practices, organizations can mitigate these risks and reap the significant benefits of strong identity and access management.

🛡️ **Breaking News in the Cybersecurity Realm** 🚨🔒 🔥 Hold onto your keyboards, tech pros! A jaw-dropping security vulnerability has been unveiled in SailPoint's IdentityIQ IAM software, rocking the cyber world with its potent threat level. 😱 🔒 **What You Need to Know:** - The flaw, named CVE-2024-10905, packs a punch with a colossal CVSS score of 10.0 – that's the big leagues, folks! 🔥💥 - Brace yourselves: versions 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, and previous cozy editions of IdentityIQ are all in the danger zone. 🚫❌ ⚠️ **Why This Matters:** - IdentityIQ's security stumble throws the spotlight on the imperative need for robust IAM systems in today's cyber battleground. 💡🔒 - As cyber threats evolve, organizations must fortify their defenses with layers of security to stay a step ahead of the digital conundrum. 🛡️🔐 🔮 **Future Predictions:** - Will this vulnerability ignite a digital security arms race among top tech giants to secure their fortress? 🚀🔒 - Stay vigilant, cyber warriors, as the tech terrain continues to morph and challenge our digital resilience. 💪💻 Let's dive into the digital fray, dissect the tech twists, and armor up for the battles ahead! 💼💻 #ainews #automatorsolutions What are your thoughts on this gripping revelation, fellow tech aficionados? Share your insights below! 🗨️💬 #CyberSecurityAINews ----- Original Publish Date: 2024-12-03 22:45

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has updated its password security recommendations, focusing on usability and enhanced security. These guidelines, found in NIST Special Publication 800-63B, represent a shift from previous practices. Here are the key highlights of the new recommendations: 1. Eliminate Periodic Password Changes Old Approach: Many organizations enforced mandatory password changes every 60–90 days. New Recommendation: NIST suggests no longer requiring periodic password changes, as they often result in weaker passwords (like adding simple suffixes or reusing similar patterns). Passwords should only be changed if there is evidence of compromise. 2. Avoid Composition Requirements Old Approach: Users were often required to include a mix of uppercase, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. New Recommendation: NIST discourages complex password composition rules, as they lead to predictable patterns and poor usability. Instead, users should be allowed to create longer, easy-to-remember passwords, like passphrases. 3. Encourage Longer Passwords New Recommendation: Passwords should be at least 8 characters long but should allow and encourage users to create passwords up to 64 characters. The idea is that longer passwords or passphrases are more secure, especially if they are easy to remember and not restricted by unnecessary complexity rules. 4. Screen Passwords Against Common Password Lists NIST recommends checking new passwords against lists of commonly used, compromised, or easily guessable passwords (e.g., “password123” or “qwerty”). This helps prevent weak passwords from being used. 5. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) While not a password-specific recommendation, NIST emphasizes the importance of multi-factor authentication (MFA). Using MFA adds an extra layer of security beyond just a password, such as a security token or biometric verification. 6. Limit Password Hints and Knowledge-Based Authentication Security questions (like “What’s your mother’s maiden name?”) are discouraged due to their predictability and vulnerability. NIST advises against password hints and instead encourages more secure recovery methods. 7. Use Secure Password Storage Passwords should be stored securely, using techniques like hashing with salt (a random value added to the password before hashing). This ensures that if the password database is compromised, the passwords are still difficult to reverse-engineer.

🚨 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡! 🚨 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟔: 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 (𝐈𝐀𝐌)-𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟑 This is the final part of our discussion of the 𝑰𝑨𝑴 domain. Now, we turn our focus to those with privileged access. In an IAM system, 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝑨𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 (𝑷𝑨𝑴) is essential for securing accounts with elevated access, such as system administrators and database managers. These users have significant control over critical systems, so the entire organization could be at risk if their accounts are compromised. 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝑷𝑨𝑴? PAM focuses on managing and monitoring privileged accounts, which often have root-level access and require extra layers of security and verification. Common security controls within PAM include: -𝑴𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊-𝑭𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 (𝑴𝑭𝑨): It's important to ensure authorized users undergo multiple verification steps before accessing systems. -𝑺𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈: Keeping track of and documenting user activity when they log into critical systems to stop and monitor unauthorized alterations. -𝑷𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕: PAM ensures that passwords for privileged accounts are unique, complex, and regularly updated. A PAM system generates and manages passwords, making them inaccessible to users but available when needed. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐏𝐀𝐌 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 -𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒄𝒌-𝒐𝒖𝒕/𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒄𝒌-𝒊𝒏 𝑺𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒎: Privileged users log into a PAM system to "check out" temporary access to critical systems. Access is revoked once they've completed their tasks, and passwords are automatically reset. -𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈: The system records each session, allowing the organization to track actions, hold users accountable, and identify suspicious activities. -𝑨𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒕: Auditing is integrated, providing visibility into who accessed critical resources and what they did. In an organization, privileged accounts are often the primary targets for attackers. PAM ensures that even if attackers obtain one piece of information, such as a password, they won't be able to compromise the system without additional verification. Integrating PAM into the broader IAM architecture ensures that security is maintained at every level. In our next posts, we will explore the 𝑬𝒏𝒅𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚 Domain. Feel free to contribute to the discussion. #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth #CybersecurityArchitecture #DataProtection #

NIST Simplifies Password Guidelines: What You Need to Know The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has recently updated its password guidelines, marking a significant shift in how we approach password security. The latest draft of NIST’s guidelines (SP 800-63-4) eliminates the need for complex password requirements and frequent password changes, which were previously considered essential for strong security. Key Changes in the Guidelines Password Complexity: NIST no longer recommends using a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. This change comes after recognizing that complex passwords often lead to predictable patterns and poor password practices, such as writing them down or reusing them across multiple accounts. Password Length: The focus has shifted to password length. NIST now suggests that passwords should be at least 15 characters long, as longer passwords are harder to crack and easier for users to remember. Password Resets: Mandatory periodic password changes are no longer recommended. Instead, password resets should only occur in the event of a credential breach. Frequent changes often result in weaker passwords, as users tend to choose simpler, more predictable options. Knowledge-Based Authentication: NIST advises against using security questions for password recovery, as these can be easily guessed or found through social engineering. These updates aim to simplify password management while enhancing security. By focusing on password length rather than complexity, and reducing the frequency of mandatory changes, NIST hopes to encourage better password practices and reduce the risk of breaches. For organizations and users alike, these new guidelines offer a more practical approach to securing digital identities. https://lnkd.in/gMtQqyaQ

This publication is long overdue, while many organizations are investing in modernizing their systems to ensure that their minimum baselines authentication is AAL2. There are some that will require a total retool. As security threats grow, relying on reusable passwords, as defined by NIST’s AAL 1, is no longer enough. AAL 2’s phishing-resistant authentication should be the baseline for organizations serious about protecting their systems. Password resets aren’t routine but must happen immediately after a breach, requiring constant monitoring, which drives up costs. Moving to passwordless systems can reduce risks and lower these ongoing expenses. It’s time for organizations to invest in this change to strengthen security and safeguard their operations long-term. https://lnkd.in/eHM2arnE