09 Jan: 16th Canadian Technical Security Conference – 2024 CTSC

16th Canadian Technical Security Conference – CTSC 2024 The Canadian Technical Security Conference (CTSC)TM has gained the distinction of being the longest running professional development event for Technical Security practitioners in Canada. Conference Dates April 23 – 25, 2024 Conference Venue University of Calgary, Downtown Campus CTSC 2024 | Conference Theme Technical Security Countermeasures in a World of Technological Discontinuities and Disruptive Innovations Traditional threat models are fast becoming obsolete in the face of technological advances for three main reasons: It is impossible to avoid using or employing such technological advances because the Internet of Things is really the Internet of Everything; Threat operators can and will find new and innovative ways to leverage the capabilities embedded into these everyday objects and exploit them for their own purposes. Often, users of such objects will be completely oblivious to the risks; and, To make matters…

23 Apr: Steve Whitehead, May You Rest in Peace

Steve Whitehead, May You Rest in Peace April 23, 2019 It is with great sorrow that The Espionage Research Institute International (ERII) reports today on the passing of our esteemed colleague, ERII Advisory Board Member Steve Whitehead of South Africa. Steve’s contributions in the fields of TSCM, Cyber TSCM, counterespionage and counterintelligence in South Africa were both significant and outstanding. As well, his contributions as a longtime member of ERII and trusted ERII Advisory Board Member had both a remarkable and substantially positive impact on the global TSCM community. Steve’s knowledge and commitment to his craft, and the betterment of the TSCM community as a whole, were evident. Steve was the “consummate professional,” a respected leader in the TSCM/CYBER TSCM community, and a man of honor and integrity. Steve will be truly missed, and fondly remembered, by his family, friends and colleagues. So…

11 Feb: JOHN C. PLATT III. Rest in Peace Cowboy

JOHN C. PLATT III. REST IN PEACE COWBOY Potomac Falls, VA - John Cheney Platt III (Jack), aged 80, died unexpectedly on January 4, 2017 of advanced esophageal cancer. Jack, also known as "Cowboy," served proudly as an officer in the United States Marine Corps followed by 25 years of service in the Central Intelligence Agency. He led a life full of intrigue, mystery and adventure serving his country abroad in Austria, Laos and France. He was a natural leader, a mentor to many, and did not suffer fools lightly.  After retiring from the CIA, he formed the Hamilton Trading Group partnership that allowed him to continue training others on security awareness measures to protect themselves in a dangerous new world. He spent his last few years traveling widely with his wife and friends.  Mr. Platt, who was known as Jack, was a gruff former...

22 Jan: Hackers Could Secretly Tap Into Corporate Meetings

Hackers Could Secretly Tap Into Corporate Meetings Lots of companies -- and even the White House -- use a conference calling system that could possibly be tapped by hackers, according to new research. On Thursday, cybersecurity experts at SEC Consult revealed a secret doorway that's built into a popular conference calling product built by a company called AMX. AMX makes tablet panels used to control conference calls for businesses, government agencies and universities. The company hard-coded backdoor access into its system. AMX created a "secret account" with a permanent username and password, which means a hacker who already sneaked into a computer network could tap into actual meetings, if the hacker knew the backdoor access code. It's a glaring security hole. Read More Here.  

09 Feb: Hackers Access Records for Millions of Anthem Customers

Hackers Access Records For Millions of Anthem Customers INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Hackers broke into a health insurance database storing information for about 80 million people in an attack bound to stoke fears many Americans have about the privacy of their most sensitive information. The attack on Blue Cross Blue Shield insurer Anthem could be a sign that hackers have shifted their focus away from retailers and toward other targets, cybersecurity experts say. The nation's second-largest insurer said it has yet to find any evidence that medical information like insurance claims or test results was targeted or taken in a "very sophisticated" cyberattack that it discovered last week. It also said credit card information wasn't compromised, either. But the hackers did gain access to names, birthdates, email address, employment details, Social Security numbers, incomes and street addresses of people who are currently covered or...