On Data Protection Day, we must emphasize the critical importance of data protection as outlined in "Convention 108" and "Convention 108+." These conventions aim to establish a uniform legal framework for data protection among signatory states, leading to robust policies like the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
However, despite these frameworks, data security faces numerous threats. The Internet Storm Center and SANS Institute monitoring has revealed significant vulnerabilities and attack methods that jeopardize data security.
One such threat is the vulnerability in Ivanti's connect secure VPN solution, widely used to control personal data access. Recent severe vulnerabilities in this product have transformed it from a protective tool into a potential gateway for attackers, undermining organizational data controls. For detailed insights, refer to ISC’s coverage on this issue at Ivanti Vulnerability Scans.
Another prevalent threat is password spraying. A recent example includes a cyber-attack on Microsoft, leading to data exposure from its executives and cybersecurity team. Through our honeypot investigations, we have gathered data on the common passwords used in these attacks. This data can assist organizations in strengthening their internal password policies to prevent brute force or spraying attacks. Learn more about this at Password Usage in Attacks.
Data exfiltration is yet another critical issue. Attackers often use legitimate services like mailtrap.io for exfiltrating data from compromised organizations. Such 'living off the cloud' attacks are particularly challenging to detect as they exploit valid resources that are often whitelisted and not actively monitored. Our analysis of such a case can be found at Python Keylogger Using Mailtrap.io.
As we reflect on the importance of Data Protection Day, these examples highlight the ongoing and evolving challenges in safeguarding data against cyber threats. It underscores the need for continuous vigilance and adaptive security measures to protect personal and organizational data effectively.
