Port Haven Cyber

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.

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.

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.

Picture this: a hacker infiltrates your small company's network, and before you know it, they hold your data hostage or exploit it for malicious purposes.  The ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats may seem like an insurmountable challenge, but fear not – there are ways to improve your defenses and navigate the intricate world of cybersecurity. In an era where hackers and ransomware run rampant in the digital environment, the vulnerability of small businesses is more pressing than just a few years ago.  As a small business owner, the topic of cyber threats might seem overwhelming , often compounded by the cryptic language of the cybersecurity industry. I sometimes feel the cybersecurity community has done a poor job marketing and, in part, confusing the consumer with acronyms and scary technical terms.  Acronyms like EDR, SOC, and NextGen AV mean little to most people. They leave folks with more questions than answers.  I believe the simpler cybersecurity can be ...