Tips

Tips

• How to create a problem management process flow to minimize incidents

  Most organizations have an incident response team, but how many have a problem management team? Michael Cobb explains how problem management can prevent incidents.  Continue Reading

• Best practices for enterprise database compliance

  Successful enterprise database compliance means, for starters, access must be tightly controlled and monitored. Get an understanding of key database compliance essentials.  Continue Reading

• Securing Android devices with a mobile device security policy

  Secure employee-liable Android devices with workable security policies that discover, enroll, protect and monitor all Android endpoints.  Continue Reading

• Zero-day vulnerabilities and the patch management process: To test or not to test?

  Learn whether it’s better to risk exposure and take time to test zero-day patches, or risk business disruption and patch without testing.  Continue Reading

• Using standardized enterprise security practices to secure and defend your network

  PCI DSS, HIPAA, ISO and other enterprise compliance guidelines offer a foundation to build repeatable information security processes and procedures. Marcos Christodonte II explains how.  Continue Reading

• Remediating IT vulnerabilities: Quick hits for risk prioritization

  There's no way to eradicate all IT vulnerabilities, but spotting the most critical ones is essential. Read these quick hits for risk prioritization.  Continue Reading

• How to prevent phishing attacks: User awareness and training

  In this expert tip, David Sherry describes how a combination of technical controls and user awareness training can help put a dent in phishers’ attempts at spear phishing.  Continue Reading

• How to know if you need file activity monitoring to track file access

  Is file activity monitoring, a new product meant to integrate with DLP to provide more granular file access tracking, right for your enterprise?  Continue Reading

• Role-based access control for effective security management

  Effective role-based access control is vital for properly managing user access rights and enforcing access policies, but avoiding role sprawl can be challenging.  Continue Reading

• XACML tutorial: Using XACML as a foundation for entitlement management

  Learn how to use XACML to externalize fine-grained authorization from application logic and support cloud-based IAM initiatives.  Continue Reading

• Spear phishing examples: How to stop phishing from compromising users

  Spear phishing targets the weakest link in most security programs: users. These spear phishing examples can help your enterprise thwart attacks.  Continue Reading

• SOX compliance checklist: Five ways to refine a SOX compliance program

  SOX compliance is still too burdensome for many enterprises. Here are five ways to streamline a lagging SOX compliance program.  Continue Reading

• How to use OWASP Broken Web Apps to prevent vulnerabilities

  OWASP Broken Web Apps allows pen testers to attack applications that are intentionally insecure to hone their skills at securing their own apps.  Continue Reading

• COBIT 5: A first look at the recent updates

  In this tip, learn how to integrate the new management practices from COBIT 5 into current IT security framework implementations.  Continue Reading

• Proactive security measures: How to prevent malware attacks

  Security teams don't always need to be on the reactive. Learn how to implement proactive security strategies that prevent malware infections.  Continue Reading

• Mitigating security risks of mobile location-based services technology

  What can enterprises do to mitigate the security risk of mobile location-based services technology and the like? Start by limiting smartphone apps.  Continue Reading

• Secure tokens: Preventing two-factor token authentication exploits

  What are the most common attacks against two-factor authentication, and how can you protect against them? Expert Nick Lewis weighs in.  Continue Reading

• An inside look into OWASP’s Mantra tool

  OWASP’s Mantra tool is being praised by security pro’s for its abundance of options and ease of use. In this screencast, Mike McLaughlin takes a look at what Mantra has to offer.  Continue Reading

• How to collect Windows Event logs to detect a targeted attack

  Targeted attacks are growing, and eventually your enterprise will be a target. Expert Richard Bejtlich covers how to collect Windows Event logs to detect an intrusion.  Continue Reading

• Understanding iPad security concerns for better iPad enterprise management

  Are iPad security concerns burdening your company’s adoption of the technology? Expert Michael Cobb discusses common security concerns and iPad enterprise management issues.  Continue Reading

• Business partner security: Managing business risk

  Allowing outside business partner access to your systems and data always comes with some level of risk. Nick Lewis examines what those risks are and strategies for managing business risk.  Continue Reading

• WebScarab tutorial: Demonstration of WebScarab proxy functionalities

  In this WebScarab tutorial video, get step-by-step advice on how to install and use this free tool, including the WebScarab proxy features, among others.  Continue Reading

• Requirements for secure IPv6 deployments include better IPv6 tester tools

  More staff training, industry research and improved IPv6 tester tools are essential for secure IPv6 deployments in the enterprise. Expert Fernando Gont explains why.  Continue Reading

• Choosing the best security certifications for your career

  Whether starting your career or planning your next step as an IT security professional, this tip will guide you toward the best certifications for your interests and experience.  Continue Reading

• Using an IAM maturity model to hone identity and access management strategy

  Forrester Research’s Andras Cser discusses how to use an IAM maturity model to assess your identity and access management strategy.  Continue Reading

• Is private browsing really private? Identifying Web browser risk

  Private browsing may offer users a false sense of security when surfing the Web. In this expert tip, learn how private browsing really works, and how to mitigate its risks.  Continue Reading

• IPv6 myths: Debunking misconceptions regarding IPv6 security features

  Aggressive marketing has helped perpetuate a number of security-related IPv6 myths. Expert Fernando Gont helps separate myth from fact to ensure a secure IPv6 deployment.  Continue Reading

• How to detect content-type attacks in information security

  Malicious attackers have increasingly turned to exploiting vulnerabilities in client-side software. Learn how to detect and prevent these types of attacks in your environment.  Continue Reading

• Auditing virtualization: Security training for infosec pros

  This chapter discusses auditing virtualized environments, and begins with an overview of common virtualization technologies and key controls.  Continue Reading

• IPv6 security issues: IPv6 transition mechanisms

  Several IPv6 transition mechanisms have been created to ease the transition from IPv4, but Fernando Gont explains why they present IPv6 security concerns for enterprises.  Continue Reading

• Cybersecurity insurance: Choosing a cyber insurance policy

  A cybersecurity insurance policy can help defray the costs of a data breach, should one occur, but is it worth the cost? Expert Ernie Hayden weighs in.  Continue Reading

• Top 5 mobile data protection best practices

  In this tip, we highlight five essential best practices for protecting business data stored on mobile devices and tablets, and identify readily available technologies that can be used to implement them.  Continue Reading

• Internal controls checklist for corporate data protection, compliance

  Expert Eric Holmquist details four key governance items that should be on every enterprise’s internal controls checklist to ensure corporate data protection.  Continue Reading

• How to use the free eEye Retina scanner community edition

  In this screencast, learn how to use the free community edition of the eEye Retina scanner.  Continue Reading

• Botnet removal: Detect botnet infection and prevent re-infiltration

  Though botnet mitigation tactics continue to mature, so do the botnets themselves. In this tip, expert Nick Lewis gives best practices for detecting and removing cutting edge botnets.  Continue Reading

• Firewall deployment scenarios for new types of security threats

  Is the firewall still an effective defense against new types of security threats? Network security expert Anand Sastry offers up contemporary firewall deployment scenarios for improving security.  Continue Reading

• PCI DSS questions answered: Solutions to tough PCI problems

  Experts Diana Kelley and Ed Moyle answer your PCI DSS questions and give advice on how to solve your enterprise's toughest PCI problems.  Continue Reading

• Understanding SCAP NIST guidance and using SCAP tools to automate security

  The Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP) is intended to help automate vulnerability management, but is it really effective? Learn how NIST guidance can help you navigate an SCAP implementation.  Continue Reading

• Security sandbox program: Defense-in-depth or layered vulnerabilities?

  Recently, companies like Adobe and Google have been using sandboxes to aid measures in their applications, but how can sandboxes be useful in the enterprise, and do they just add more vulnerabilities than they're worth?  Continue Reading

• Database monitoring best practices: Using DAM tools

  To effectively use DAM tools, admins must prioritize which transactions are important, learn how to collect events, and write and implement database security policies.  Continue Reading

• Identity and access management concepts and predictions to watch in 2011

  Forrester's Andras Cser discusses the emerging identity and access management concepts and market predictions enterprises should be prepared for in 2011.  Continue Reading

• Log Parser examples: Using the free log analysis tool

  Log analysis is an essential security function for almost all enterprises, and, with Log Parser, much of it can be done for free. Learn how to use Microsoft's free Log Parser in this expert tip.  Continue Reading

• Security in virtualization: IDS/IPS implementation strategy

  Considering virtualization? Take into account that your IDS or IPS may not work the same way in a virtualized environment as it does in a physical one. Expert Dave Shackleford explains how to address this potential problem.  Continue Reading

• PCI requirement 7: PCI compliance policy for access control procedures

  Though PCI DSS is generally prescriptive, when it comes to requirement 7, organizations have more leeway -- and, thus, more potential for error -- than other sections of the standard. Learn how to handle PCI DSS requirement 7 in this expert tip.  Continue Reading

• A step-by-step SMB IT security risk assessment process

  Assessing your organization's security threats and risks takes just five steps, says Robbie Higgins. Check out his quick guide to the SMB security risk assessment process.  Continue Reading

• Netcat tutorial: How to use the free Netcat command-line tool

  Helpful for penetration testers and network admins who need to debug infected systems, the netcat command-line tool boasts many free features for enterprise use.  Continue Reading

• Understanding the value of an enterprise application-aware firewall

  Today's enterprise application-aware firewall technology offers a host of features to manage application and Web 2.0 traffic. Expert Michael Cobb takes a look at the features and how to make the most of them.  Continue Reading

• Data sanitization policy: How to ensure thorough data scrubbing

  Could you be inadvertently leaking sensitive data via poorly sanitized devices? Learn techniques for thorough data scrubbing in this tip.  Continue Reading

• P0f: A free collection of passive OS fingerprinting tools

  In this screencast, learn how to use p0f, a collection of free passive OS fingerprinting tools.  Continue Reading

• How to plan a secure network by practicing defense-in-depth

  When designing an enterprise network that includes hosted infrastructure components, many different layers must work together to keep it secure. Learn how to build network security in by practicing defense in depth.  Continue Reading

• Linux security best practices for Linux server systems

  Linux servers are used throughout many enterprises, and their security posture shouldn't be overlooked. In this tip, King Ables discusses risk assessment pointers for Linux server systems.  Continue Reading

• ngrep: Learn how to find new malware with ngrep examples

  In this video, Peter Giannoulis of the AcademyPro.com uses several ngrep examples to show how to find new malware that antivirus or IPS might not pick up on with this free tool.  Continue Reading

• Three pen test tools for free penetration testing

  Nmap, Nessus and Nikto are penetration testing tools that security operators can use to conduct pentests on their networks and applications.  Continue Reading

• Why attackers exploit multiple zero-day attacks and how to respond

  A recent and disturbing malware trend involves attacks that attempt to compromise multiple zero-day flaws at once. Threats expert Nick Lewis explains what you can do to protect your enterprise.  Continue Reading

• IDS vs. IPS: How to know when you need the technology

  IDS and IPS are useful security technologies, but how do you know whether your enterprise can benefit from one? In this tip, infosec pro Jennifer Jabbusch offers a few specific use cases to help you know when to consider IDS/IPS.  Continue Reading

• Insider fraud detection and prevention

  Financial institutions need to monitor and recognize changes in employee behavior in order to detect potential insider fraud.  Continue Reading

• Honeypots for network security: How to track attackers' activity

  Honeypots have long been used to track attackers' activity and defend against coming threats. In this tip, network security expert Anand Sastry describes the different types of honeypots and which is best for your enterprise.  Continue Reading

• Smartphone security implications of Microsoft Exchange Activesync

  How can employees securely sync their smartphones to your company's Exchange email system? Greg Braunton details the features and products you need to keep data secure.  Continue Reading

• Security management plan reveals essential business security upgrades

  As companies create their security management plan for the coming year, they should look to upgrades in Linux and Windows operating systems, Adobe applications and Internet browsers to improve their overall security position.  Continue Reading

• User provisioning best practices: Access recertification

  User access recertification is the process of continually auditing users' permissions to make sure they have access only to what they need. Implementing recertification, however, can be challenging. Get best practices on creating a recertification ...  Continue Reading

• Android enterprise security: Mobile phone data protection advice

  Android devices are increasingly popular among enterprise users, but is Android enterprise security where it needs to be to ensure the safety of important enterprise documents? Expert Michael Cobb offers his take.  Continue Reading

• WPA security: Enabling the best Wi-Fi security for SMBs

  To choose the best Wi-Fi security for the small or midsized business, consider using WPA Enterprise or wireless access points with WPA-E authentication, or use a Windows hosted RADIUS service. Network security expert Mike Chapple explains how to ...  Continue Reading

• Outsourcing data center services: SMB security best practices

  Learn best practices for outsourcing data center services and about the security and compliance considerations that influence whether an SMB should outsource data center services.  Continue Reading

• SSL vulnerabilities: Trusted SSL certificate generation for enterprises

  Presentations at both Black Hat and Defcon 2010 demonstrated serious vulnerabilities in the SSL protocol, which, considering how widely used SSL is, could mean security problems for many enterprises. In this tip, Nick Lewis examines the researchers'...  Continue Reading

• Firewall logging: Telling valid traffic from network 'allows' threats

  While tracking firewall "deny" actions is a good way to identify threats, logging the "allow" actions can give greater insight into malicious traffic that could be both more subtle and more dangerous.  Continue Reading

• Value and limitations of Windows Data Execution Prevention

  When attackers inject malicious code into an application, Microsoft's Data Execution Prevention (DEP) technique can thwart the attack and save the day. But expert Tom Chmielarski says DEP does have some limitations.  Continue Reading

• Holistic fraud reduction through customer security management

  Monitoring customer behavior across multiple channels would help banks fight fraud, but today's fraud detection technology isn't there yet. In this tip, financial services expert Jerry Silva explains how banks could benefit from the concept of "...  Continue Reading

• PDF document security: A look inside Google Chrome PDF viewer

  You don't have to rely on Adobe's Acrobat Reader as your only PDF viewer; Google Chrome provides a secure PDF viewer that cuts down on your chances of falling victim to a PDF exploit.  Continue Reading

• How to install an OSSEC server on Linux and an OSSEC Windows agent

  Learn how to install the free, host-based intrusion detection system OSSEC, with step-by-step instructions on setting up an OSSEC Linux server with an OSSEC Windows agent.  Continue Reading

• Resist credit card data compromise threats due to memory-scraping malware

  PCI DSS does a good job of making sure credit card data in persistent storage is secure, however, such data in non-persistent storage -- such as files stored temporarily in memory -- can still be vulnerable to compromise, particularly via ...  Continue Reading

• Database security best practices: Tuning database audit tools

  Database auditing requires more than just the right tools: Those tools also have to be properly configured to offer the information that's needed and database performance that's required. Learn more about tuning database audit tools in this tip.  Continue Reading

• Microsoft IIS 7 security best practices

  Are you up to date with Microsoft IIS security best practices? Don't allow your enterprise to become vulnerable.  Continue Reading

• Data classification best practices in financial services

  Data classification is critical in the highly regulated financial industry. Learn key steps for data classification.  Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of deploying OpenLDAP: Windows and Unix

  Randall Gamby discusses how OpenLDAP should (or shouldn't) be used in conjunction with enterprise directory implementations.  Continue Reading

• Cisco MARS: What third-party lockout means for SIEM products

  Now that Cisco's MARS SIEM product no longer supports third-party product integration, should enterprises migrate away from the product? In this tip, network security expert Anand Sastry discusses how MARS works and whether the technology is still ...  Continue Reading

• XSSer demo: How to use open source penetration testing tools

  In this video demo, learn how to use XSSer, open source penetration testing tools for detecting various Web application flaws and exploiting cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities against applications.  Continue Reading

• How to refine an enterprise database security policy

  Noel Yuhanna of Forrester Research outlines what should be covered in a successful enterprise database security policy, including foundational security, preventative measures and intrusion detection.  Continue Reading

• Self-service user identity management: Pitfalls and processes

  While it might seem that self-service user identity management can save time and money, as well as keep information more current, there are a number of potential pitfalls. In this expert tip, Randall Gamby explains how to avoid these issues.  Continue Reading

• A PCI compliance network testing checklist to limit PCI DSS scope

  Network security pros may not realize it, but they may inadvertently be on the hook regarding PCI DSS compliance if card data is inadvertently spread across the network. Ed Moyle discusses how this happens and how to make sure the network falls out ...  Continue Reading

• Identity management federation best practices

  Outsourcing is necessary in the financial industry, but establishing secure partner communications can be difficult. Learn some best practices for implementing identity management federation.  Continue Reading

• How to use NeXpose: Free enterprise vulnerability management tools

  Learn how to use NeXpose Community Edition, a free collection of vulnerability management tools that offers pre-defined scan templates, and the ability to scan networks, OSes, desktops and databases.  Continue Reading

• Unmasking data masking techniques in the enterprise

  Patch-testing and development environments can't use live data and keep it secure. That's where data masking comes in. Michael Cobb examines the principles behind data masking and why security pros should endorse its use in order to keep production ...  Continue Reading

• How to find a keylogger on your computers

  If a hardware or software keylogger made it on to one of your organization's machines, it would be a security pro's worst nightmare. Learn how to detect and defend against the malware.  Continue Reading

• Monitoring strategies for insider threat detection

  Insider threat detection is a vital part of the security of any enterprise organization. In this tip, part of the SearchSecurity.com Insider Threats Security School lesson, learn about the best insider threat detection strategies.  Continue Reading

• Mobile banking risks and mitigation measures

  Mobile banking is taking off, but can financial firms keep up with the risks? Learn about steps Wells Fargo and Bank of America are taking to ensure mobile banking security.  Continue Reading

• Fake antivirus pop-up scams: Forming a security awareness training plan

  Rogue antimalware programs have been around for a while, and, according to a recent Google report, are more prominent and more difficult to detect than ever before. In this expert tip, Michael Cobb explains how to train employees to deal with these ...  Continue Reading

• Role-based access control: Pros of an open source RBAC implementation

  There are many advantages to an open source RBAC implementation. However, it's important to know the context in which such a product will work best. In this tip, expert Randall Gamby discusses how to determine if open source RBAC is right for you.  Continue Reading

• Email, website and IP spoofing: How to prevent a spoofing attack

  Find out how to prevent spoofing attacks, including IP spoofing, email and website spoofing.  Continue Reading

• Operating system comparison: The Windows OS security debate

  The security debate between Linux, Mac OS X and Windows got even more heated when Google ended its internal use of Windows. Tom Chmielarski explains when an organization may (or may not) be ready for a change in operating systems.  Continue Reading

• Data masking best practices for protecting sensitive information

  Protection of customer data is critical for financial services firms but encryption isn't the only option. Learn key considerations for data masking.  Continue Reading

• FTP security best practices for the enterprise

  FTP is easy and commonly used in the enterprise, but is it secure? Anand Sastry discusses its security shortcomings, best practices for securing FTP in the enterprise and FTP alternatives that may be even more secure.  Continue Reading

• Database application security: Balancing encryption, access control

  Database applications are often the epicenter of a company's sensitive data, so security is paramount, but maintaining a balance between security and business use can be tricky. In this tip, Andreas Antonopoulos discusses encryption strategies for ...  Continue Reading

• How to avoid attacks that exploit a Web browser vulnerability

  Beyond patching, Tom Chmielarski explains what you'll need to do to avoid application exploits caused by Web browser vulnerabilities.  Continue Reading

• Log management best practices: Five tips for success

  The right log management tool can quickly seem like the wrong one without advance planning on how to make the most of it. Diana Kelley offers six log management best practices to help do just that.  Continue Reading

• How to use Windows Group Policy to secure and restrict USB devices

  Learn how to use Windows GPOs take control of USB devices in your organization.  Continue Reading

• How to use a PDF redaction tool with a redacted document policy

  It may seem rudimentary, but sensitive data commonly leaks out of corporate networks in plain sight in the form of un-redacted documents. Such files -- those still containing hidden data or Microsoft "Track Changes" data -- can potentially lead to ...  Continue Reading

• Alternatives to password-reset questions tackle social networking cons

  With so much personal information available on the Internet, finding the answers to someone's password-reset questions can be quite easy. In this tip, learn about alternatives to the password-reset question option that can lead to more secure ...  Continue Reading

• Web 2.0 widgets: Enterprise protection for Web add-ons

  Web 2.0 widgets represent a threat vector that should not be overlooked at any enterprise organization. In this tip, Nick Lewis explains what a Web 2.0 widget is, and how companies can protect against them.  Continue Reading

• HIPAA covered entity and business associate agreement requirements

  Under HITECH, both "covered entities" and "business associates" must comply with HIPAA data protection mandates, but, as a covered entity, what's the best way both to maintain compliance for your organization, and make sure all your BAs are ...  Continue Reading

• Free port scan: How to use Angry IP scanner

  Scanning IP ports is a critical part of maintaining enterprise information security. In this screencast, Peter Giannoulis explains how to use the free tool Angry IP scanner for these port scans.  Continue Reading