Enter Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats—a parallel thinking tool used globally by Fortune 500 companies to solve complex problems. Applied to malware analysis, this method provides the C-suite with a powerful framework to examine threats from all angles—factually, creatively, emotionally, critically, optimistically, and from a control-centric view.
In July 2024, a significant security incident involving CrowdStrike, a global leader in cybersecurity, caught the attention of businesses worldwide. Known for its advanced endpoint protection, CrowdStrike’s Falcon software is deployed across numerous organisations, many of which belong to the Fortune 500. However, a seemingly routine software update led to widespread disruptions, with millions of devices crashing, particularly those running Windows 10 and 11. This post aims to explore the CrowdStrike security incident in-depth, examining its impact, root causes, and the lessons that C-suite executives must take away to enhance their cybersecurity risk management strategies.
In the context of cybersecurity, the growing trend of exploiting digital calendar platforms is part of a broader shift towards social engineering and phishing attacks. Traditionally, phishing emails were the go-to vector for spreading malware, but attackers have adapted to newer, more subtle methods of infiltration. By exploiting tools like Google Calendar, which are integral to the workflow of millions of users, attackers are finding ways to bypass conventional email filters and reach their targets with greater ease.
At its core, **security misconfiguration** occurs when the security settings of an API or its supporting systems are improperly configured or left at their default settings. APIs often rely on a wide range of underlying infrastructure, including web servers, databases, cloud services, and identity management systems. Each of these elements needs to be configured in line with security best practices to ensure the overall security posture of the API.
Misconfigurations can arise at any stage in the API lifecycle, from development to deployment, and they are not limited to a single type of vulnerability. They may involve poorly configured authentication mechanisms, incorrect access control settings, or vulnerabilities in third-party services integrated into the API ecosystem.
Security logging involves the systematic recording of events within a system, application, or network. Monitoring, on the other hand, refers to actively reviewing and analysing these logs to detect anomalies or malicious activities.