Port Haven Cyber

The Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog (KEV) might sound like tech jargon, but it's similar to a public service announcement for small businesses like yours.  Think of it as the Most Wanted List for bugs in popular software that hackers are actively exploiting due to weaknesses in the code.  The US government keeps this list updated to warn people about known vulnerabilities.  This list is often popular with IT Departments or people who just like to stay informed about cybersecurity and data care. Why should it be important for you?  These known vulnerabilities are like unlocked back doors that hackers currently use.  By checking the KEV and fixing weaknesses in their software and systems, the good guys are putting padlocks on those back doors, making it much harder for hackers to break in and harm your business. It's a simple step you can take to protect your valuable information and your customers' trust. Remember, you don't need to be a tech expert to us...

Small businesses face complex and expensive cybersecurity challenges, but AI is being used to simplify defenses, making cybersecurity protection more affordable for small companies.  Read on to discover how embracing AI can work to secure your digital assets and improve your data care. Cybersecurity can feel like a complex beast, especially for small businesses.  Between technical jargon and ever-evolving threats, it's tough to know where to start.  But there is good news: Artificial intelligence (AI) is entering the scene, offering powerful tools to simplify and strengthen your efforts. Think of AI as a super-smart security guard.  It's constantly scanning, analyzing, and learning, keeping you one step ahead of the bad guys. Here's how AI can be your cybersecurity hero:

When it comes to cybersecurity, most small business owners are familiar with basic defenses like antivirus software and firewalls.  But there's another layer of defense that often goes overlooked: Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR), a tool designed to learn behavior and respond to threats directly.   

It’s a sunny morning in the office, and you’re not thinking about cybersecurity. In fact, why would you? There are deals to close, emails to respond to, and projects to complete. The vibe of the office feels normal, but outside this calm, there’s a digital world looming, its shadows shaped by clouds of threats, risks, and—if you look close enough—opportunities. You’ve heard about cybersecurity, of course. The term is thrown around with the same limited understanding as “cloud” or “AI.” Until it lands on your doorstep. Maybe there was an email that looked a little off, or that strange message a client called about regarding an account issue, that no one in your office seemingly sent him. You’re not sure what to make of it all, but a knot of worry begins to tighten in the background. You grab the dusty compliance binder that’s been sitting on the shelf since you put it there two years ago, hoping to discover some quick knowledge, only to find pages of lists to equipment you replaced mon...

While routinely finding myself explaining the differences between the three basic tools of business data care ( Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Managed Detection and Response (MDR), and eXtended Detection and Response (XDR) ), I find I'm always looking for new ways to explain it to people. In this article, I'll talk about my top three favorite cyber tools for small businesses and how they serve as the foundation of a good security profile. I'll also touch on the role of larger, pricier tools in making cybersecurity more accessible for budget-conscious entrepreneurs. Farewell to Traditional Antivirus Solutions Traditional antivirus software is just not enough anymore. Not on a business network anyway. In today's fast-evolving cybersecurity landscape, the reliance on traditional antivirus solutions within business networks is proving inadequate. Assuming plain antivirus software is enough protection for your data care is like drafting a 90-year old grandfather as...

I recently watched the January 2024 House hearing entitled "The CCP Cyber Threat to the American Homeland and National Security". It highlighted the growing concern over China's aggressive cyber activities that have plagued our technical infrastructure for decades.   U.S. Cyber Command Commander General Paul Nakasone, FBI Director Christopher Wray, National Cyber Director Harry Coker, CISA Director Jen Easterly, and Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI). I was locked into what Jen Easterly, the Director for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) was saying throughout the hearing.  She emerged as a key voice, emphasizing the need for a shift in perspective against China and their active pursuit of cyber threats toward the U.S.

Since late last year, I've been reading about something called "authentication in the middle," and it's starting to get more attention. Cybercriminals have been intercepting login information in real time, even when a person uses multi-factor authentication (MFA) to log into a website. Is nothing sacred anymore?!  This MFA interception is different from other types of interception, like when somebody hacks the Wi-Fi at the coffee shop and grabs your banking information while you're trying to pay your online bill, sipping a cappuccino. Understanding Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Most people are familiar with multi-factor authentication (MFA). Many websites and applications now require MFA as a standard, which significantly increases the difficulty for hackers to breach a person's account. However, as security measures advance, so do the hackers who are constantly on the prowl for fresh methods to deceive us. This "authentication in the middle" or ...

In 2018, I experienced the shock of a cyber breach.  Logging into my Facebook account, I was met with a scene of utter confusion.  That confusion quickly turned into anger.  My Friend list had ballooned from a modest 22 to a staggering 600 contacts,  all seemingly from South America and most associated with the sex trade.  My original friends and family were nowhere to be found, and my personal history had vanished. Facebook had been breached and I was caught in that net.  This stark realization of my vulnerability in the digital world left a lasting impact. That incident, like many others before or since, exposed vulnerabilities and spurred the development of crucial industry standards and regulations that continue to shape how we navigate the digital world today.  This article dives into the world of cyber compliance, explaining the most common regulations for small businesses, right down to the mom-and-pop shops, and boutique firms.  I'll brea...

On February 21, 2024, Change Healthcare, a recently acquired subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, fell victim to a ransomware attack that accessed Change’s oldest system. It included an employee phishing incident, the lack of proper multi-factor authentication (MFA), and surprisingly enough, the building's HVAC portal system. It rendered their backups useless. Change Healthcare The attack on Change Healthcare forced the company to shut down its systems, affecting hundreds of industry services including critical benefits verification, claims submission, patient prescription and reimbursement fulfillment plans, and disrupting healthcare operations for millions of Americans.  Who was affected in the Change Healthcare Breach? The breach included highly sensitive information such as medical diagnoses, test results, personal identifiers, and Social Security numbers. According to data released by First Health Advisory, a digital health risk assurance firm, they described the breach as t...