How to Avoid Black Friday Scams: What Everyone Must Know Before Shopping The holiday season is the busiest shopping period of the year — and also the busiest season for cybercriminals.Black Friday and Cyber Monday attract millions of shoppers looking for deals, which creates the perfect opportunity for scammers to deploy fake websites, fraudulent ads, phishing emails, and malicious apps designed to steal personal data, credit card information, or even identity. At Ascension Global Technology...

In today’s digital age, businesses heavily rely on technology to manage their operations, communicate with clients, and store critical data. Recent outages, such as the massive Azure outage caused by a DDoS attack and the Crowdstrike service interruption, emphasize the vulnerability of even the most robust systems. These events highlight the urgent need for comprehensive Business Continuity (BC) and Disaster Recovery (DR) plans. At Ascension Global Technology (AGT), we specialize in helping clients develop and...

It’s the middle of 2024 and the cybersecurity threats keep rising. Cybersecurity is not just an IT concern; it’s a critical aspect of business resilience and trust. At Ascension Global Technology (AGT), we understand the importance of a robust and holistic cybersecurity posture, and we recommend the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) as a powerful tool to achieve this goal. Here’s a deep dive into the five core principles of...

In the modern digital age, virtual communication platforms have become an essential tool for both personal and professional interactions. However, recent updates to Zoom’s service policy, particularly in section 10.4, have raised concerns about data privacy and security. This article aims to shed light on the potential risks associated with continuing to use Zoom and explores alternative platforms such as Google Meet and Microsoft Teams that offer enhanced security and privacy features. Zoom’s Updated Service...

The digital realm’s escalating threats call for heightened vigilance and robust countermeasures. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have recently issued a joint Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) titled “Enhanced Monitoring to Detect APT Activity Targeting Outlook Online.” The advisory provides invaluable guidance to enhance monitoring within Microsoft Exchange Online environments. Back in June 2023, a Federal Civilian Executive Branch (FCEB) agency noticed unexpected events within their Microsoft 365 (M365)...

In the dynamic universe of today’s digital operations, businesses grapple with the challenge of merging two seemingly different orbits – compliance and cybersecurity. Learning to synchronize these crucial elements is pivotal for not only mitigating risks but also for sustaining a vibrant and resilient business performance.Understanding how to integrate these two areas is critical to reduce risk and maintain robust business performance. Understanding the Regulatory Landscape Organizations should have a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory...

The paradigm of cybersecurity thrives on a proactive ethos, emphasizing the imperative role of tools like gap analysis in assessing the efficacy of an organization’s information security management system (ISMS). However, what exactly constitutes a gap analysis, and why is it a worthy investment for organizations? This piece delves into the essence of gap analysis and illustrates the compelling benefits it can contribute to an organization’s cybersecurity framework. Decoding Gap Analysis A gap analysis operates...

Cybersecurity is a top priority for businesses of all sizes in today’s interconnected world. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are particularly vulnerable to cyber threats, given their limited resources and expertise. This article outlines the key areas SMBs should focus on when building a cybersecurity program and discusses best practices for each. Additionally, we’ll explore how AGT can help SMBs implement these best practices. Risk Assessment and Prioritization: A comprehensive risk assessment should be the...

As technology advances and becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, the threat of cyber attacks has grown exponentially. Organizations of all sizes must prioritize cybersecurity to protect their data, reputation, and customers. One essential step in bolstering your organization’s cybersecurity is conducting a cybersecurity risk assessment. In this article, we will explore the importance of cybersecurity risk assessments and discuss how they can help you identify and mitigate potential threats. Understanding Cybersecurity Risk Assessments...

What is an Incident Response Plan and Why is it Important? An incident response plan (IRP) is a documented plan that outlines the steps to be taken in the event of a cybersecurity incident. With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated, it’s essential for businesses to have an IRP in place to minimize the damage and respond effectively to an attack. An IRP provides a clear framework for responding to a security incident, including incident identification, containment,...