Cybersecurity Archives

Tag Archive for: Cybersecurity

When Encryption Isn’t Enough: How Human Error Undermines Even the Best Security Tools

In the realm of cybersecurity, we often focus intensely on technical solutions—better encryption, stronger firewalls, and more sophisticated intrusion detection. Yet, time and again, the most significant security breaches don’t come from technical failures but from something far more difficult to patch: human behavior.

The Signal Incident: A Case Study in Human Error

The Trump administration recently provided a perfect example. Top officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, used Signal—an encrypted messaging app widely considered highly secure—to discuss detailed plans for airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi militants. Then, they accidentally added a journalist from The Atlantic to the chat.

These weren’t junior staff discussing lunch plans. These were high-ranking officials planning military operations using an app on their personal devices—compromising that information through a simple mistake. President Trump later acknowledged the issue, stating, “Generally speaking, I think we probably won’t be using it very much.” An understatement, to say the least.

Encryption ≠ Security

Signal was doing exactly what it was designed to do—providing end-to-end encryption that ensures messages are scrambled on one device and can only be unscrambled by the recipient. However, as this incident highlights, encryption alone does not equal security.

National security experts pointed out that discussing classified information on consumer apps is a major security breach, regardless of how secure the app is. Conversations about military operations should take place in Secure Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs), where cell phones are banned. The government’s secure communication tools have strict access controls, preventing unauthorized users from being added to conversations.

The Convenience vs. Security Tradeoff

Why would top officials bypass these secure systems in favor of a consumer app? The answer lies in a challenge familiar to every security professional: secure solutions are often less convenient. Government-approved communication tools are likely clunkier and more restrictive than sleek consumer apps like Signal. However, that inconvenience is often the price of true security.

Shadow IT: A Persistent Risk

The Signal incident highlights a broader problem in organizations: shadow IT. Employees often turn to unauthorized tools because official solutions feel cumbersome. This creates significant security vulnerabilities, regardless of how secure these shadow tools claim to be.

Building a Culture of Security

Technical solutions alone won’t fix human error. Organizations must:

Make security personal—showing employees how breaches affect them directly.
Design for human behavior—implementing user-friendly security measures.
Train on real scenarios—using case studies and hands-on exercises.
Make security visible—rewarding security-conscious behavior.
Lead by example—ensuring executives follow security protocols.

At the end of the day, even the best encryption can’t protect against human mistakes. True security requires a cultural shift—one where individuals take personal responsibility for safeguarding sensitive information.

With two decades of experience helping organizations build security-focused cultures, John Sileo is passionate about empowering people to take ownership of data security, both personally and professionally. His approach bridges the gap between technical controls and human behavior to create security systems that actually work in the real world. Call 303.777.3222 or contact us to inquire about booking John for your next meeting or event.

Dear Daughter, Here’s Why I Can Crack Your Passcode (And How to Avoid Her Mistake)

There are two things I’ve learned from live-hacking an audience member’s smartphone during my keynotes:

1️⃣ Most of our passwords are terrible.
2️⃣ One simple change can make hacking your phone as hard as scoring Taylor Swift tickets.

The Sleepover That Changed Everything

I didn’t set out to become that dad—you know, the one who freaks out teenagers by hacking their phones at sleepovers. But one night, when my daughter and her friends were busy scrolling and texting, I pulled out a little party trick that I spent hundreds of hours developing: cracking one of their smartphone passcodes.

Cue the gasps. The wide eyes. The sudden clutching of phones like they were life support.

Why? Because I showed them in real-time that once I was in, I could do everything—bank as them, text as them, be them. And that hit different.

The same thing happens during my keynote when I “hack” an audience member’s smartphone. It’s one thing to hear about security threats; it’s another to feel how vulnerable you really are. But here’s the good news: fixing this is easier than you think.

Upgrade Your Passcode to a Passphrase

Instead of a weak four-digit PIN (which, let’s be honest, is probably your birth year backwards), switch to a passphrase—something longer, easy to remember, and way harder to crack.

Example:
🚫 1234 → 10,000 possible combinations (AI can crack this in seconds)
✅ ! L0v3 D@d → Over 60 quadrillion combinations (Good luck, hackers!)

How to Set It Up

🔹 iPhone Users: Here’s how to create a stronger passcode
🔹 Android Users: Check with your phone manufacturer for instructions

And don’t forget: Make sure someone you trust knows your passphrase in case of an emergency—store it securely in your password manager so you don’t forget it either!

Bonus: Lock Down Your Online Accounts

Your phone’s passphrase is just the start. For online accounts, ditch passwords entirely and switch to passkeys—they’re easier and more secure. Check out our video on passkeys here.

Because keeping your data safe shouldn’t be harder than getting into a Taylor Swift concert. 😉

Sleep tight, and stay secure! 🔐

Quantum Computing Is Cybercrimes’ New Best Friend: How to Proactively Defend Your Organization

Quantum computing is like an army of super librarians—capable of reading millions of books at once thanks to a mind-bending property called superposition. But when you add quantum entanglement—where one librarian in Seattle instantly knows what her counterpart in Shanghai is thinking—you get a technology that will transform everything.

From optimizing supply chains to revolutionizing AI and medical diagnostics, quantum computing is poised to change the world. It can even create unbreakable cryptographic passcodes—but here’s the catch: only for those who can afford it.

The Quantum Divide: Who Gets the Power?

For the foreseeable future, quantum computing will be a luxury of the wealthiest nations and corporations. That means nation-state hackers—like those backed by Russia and China—will get their hands on quantum tech long before most businesses and individuals do.

And that’s where things get scary.

Quantum computers can obliterate today’s encryption methods. The security systems we rely on—passwords, encrypted files, and digital signatures—are like fragile locks and alarms in the face of this new power. Quantum-enabled hackers could crack stolen passwords in seconds or unlock encrypted data they stole years ago.

Imagine a future where every financial website, every sensitive government document, and every personal message could be decrypted effortlessly.

We Can’t Afford to Play Catch-Up

If history has taught us anything, it’s that most organizations only invest in cybersecurity after an attack. But this time, we cannot afford to be reactive. The only way to stay ahead is to fund defensive research now—before quantum hackers start their assault.

Post-quantum encryption is already being developed, but it won’t matter unless organizations start adopting it before the quantum revolution takes hold.

The quantum leap is coming. Are we ready?

Now is the time to educate ourselves, rethink cybersecurity strategies, and redirect budgets toward post-quantum tools that won’t be obsolete in just a few years. This isn’t about hype—it’s about survival in a rapidly changing digital battlefield.

For an introduction to Quantum Computing and why we need to prepare for it now, CLICK HERE.

Deconstructing DeepSeek: AI, Censorship, and State Control

In recent weeks, the launch of DeepSeek—a new AI chatbot developed in China—has sparked concerns about its potential role in spreading state-backed disinformation. While it’s marketed as a tool for curiosity and assistance, a closer look suggests it may be more aligned with the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) official narrative than users might expect.

Unpacking DeepSeek’s Responses

Researchers analyzing DeepSeek have found that it frequently echoes CCP propaganda. Here are just a few documented examples:

Twisting Quotes: DeepSeek reportedly misrepresented statements made by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, making them appear more favorable to China’s stance on Taiwan.
Selective Praise: When asked about Xinjiang’s policies, the chatbot claimed they have received “widespread recognition”—a stark contrast to reports from international human rights organizations detailing serious abuses.
Dodging Sensitive Topics: Ask DeepSeek about Xi Jinping or major historical events like the Tiananmen Square protests, and it evades the question faster than a cat avoiding a bath.

Like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, DeepSeek relies on large language models to generate responses. However, unlike its counterparts, this AI seems to be following a playbook designed to reinforce CCP-approved narratives rather than provide an objective perspective.

Why This Matters

As more people rely on AI for information, it’s crucial to recognize the biases baked into these tools—especially when they’re backed by governments with strong authoritarian leanings. If AI is being used as a mechanism for state control, it raises serious ethical and societal concerns.

How to Stay One Step Ahead

If you’re using AI chatbots like DeepSeek, here are some ways to safeguard yourself against potential misinformation:

Fact-Check Everything: Don’t take chatbot responses at face value. Cross-reference claims with reputable sources.
Spot the Red Flags: If an AI avoids answering certain questions or downplays controversial topics, that’s a strong indication of censorship.
Think Critically: Approach AI-generated content with a healthy dose of skepticism. Just because it sounds polished doesn’t mean it’s true.

By staying vigilant, you can better navigate the intersection of AI and state-controlled narratives—ensuring you’re informed rather than manipulated.

Need to educate your team on the latest AI-related vulnerabilities? Let’s talk: https://sileo.com/contact-us/

Quantum Computing: Attack of the Super-Librarians

Quantum computing isn’t just faster; it’s a fundamental shift in how we process and solve problems. If you’ve ever struggled to wrap your head around what makes this technology so groundbreaking, let’s break it down with a metaphor. Because who doesn’t love a good metaphor?

Traditional Computing: The Book-by-Book Hunt

Picture yourself in a massive library filled with millions of books. Your mission: find a specific quote hidden in one of them.

Here’s how a traditional computer approaches this task:

Pulls one book off the shelf at a time.
Flips through every single page.
Moves on to the next book if it doesn’t find the quote.

The result?

A slow, linear process.
Time-consuming and frustrating.
If you’re like most people, you’d probably give up and Google it—which is still just a traditional search.

Quantum Computing: The Super-Librarian Squad

Now, imagine you’ve got a squad of magical librarians. These wizards don’t play by the same rules:

They spread out across the library.
Open every single book simultaneously.
Hand you the exact quote in seconds, bookmarked and highlighted.

The result?

Instantaneous answers.
Efficiency on a whole new level.

This is the magic of quantum computing. Instead of relying on traditional binary bits (0s and 1s), it uses qubits, which can represent both 0 and 1 at the same time.

The Power of Superposition

Superposition is what makes quantum computing so revolutionary. Imagine a spinning coin: While it’s spinning, it’s both heads and tails. Qubits, like that coin, explore multiple possibilities simultaneously, solving problems in ways classical computers simply can’t. By working in parallel, quantum computers can perform calculations at speeds that make traditional computing look like snail mail.

Why Should You Care?

Quantum computing isn’t just about speed—it’s about unlocking the impossible. Imagine having the power to:

Conduct trillions of searches or calculations at the same time.
Solve complex problems that are currently out of reach.
Optimize operations faster and more efficiently than ever.

But with great power comes great responsibility. Cybercriminals are already eyeing quantum computing as a way to break encryption and exploit vulnerabilities. Businesses need to act now to stay ahead.

How to Prepare for the Quantum Era

Organizations that educate themselves on quantum computing today will have the tools to:

Defend against quantum-enabled cyber threats.
Leverage quantum technology to innovate and stay competitive.
Future-proof their operations in an evolving digital landscape.

Quantum computing is like your personal squad of super-librarians, ready to tackle problems and find solutions at unimaginable speeds. The question is: Will they be working for you—or against you?

Let’s talk about how to make quantum work for your team. Contact us to explore in-person and virtual options tailored to your needs!

Is That QR Code Safe? What You Need to Know About the Cyberthreat Quishing

In our fast-paced, tech-driven world, QR codes have become second nature. We scan them to check out restaurant menus, access Wi-Fi networks, or join virtual events. But beneath their convenience lies a potential cyber threat that’s catching many off guard: Quishing.

Quishing—short for QR code phishing—is a sneaky variant of the classic phishing scam. Picture this: you’re at a cozy café, scanning a QR code to browse the menu. It feels harmless, even mundane. But hidden within that innocent-looking grid could be a link to a malicious website, ready to steal your personal information or unleash malware onto your device.

How Quishing Works

Cybercriminals embed harmful links into QR codes and strategically place them in unsuspecting locations:

Public bulletin boards
Flyers
Transport hubs
Online ads
Even restaurant tables

These codes often redirect you to phishing sites that mimic legitimate websites. Once you’re there, you might unknowingly hand over sensitive information like passwords, credit card details, or even trigger malware downloads.

Spotting Suspicious QR Codes

Knowing how to recognize potential threats is key to staying safe. Watch out for these red flags:

Unknown Origin: If a QR code appears in an unexpected location or looks unprofessional, think twice before scanning it.
Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers: Scammers often lure victims with promises of amazing deals or exclusive gifts.
Requests for Personal Information: If a scanned code leads you to a page asking for sensitive details right away, it’s a major red flag.

Protect Yourself from Quishing

A few proactive measures can go a long way in keeping you safe:

Verify the Source: Only scan QR codes from trusted entities, such as well-known brands or official communications.
Use Secure QR Scanners: Many modern smartphones come with built-in security features to detect malicious links. Take advantage of these tools.
Close Suspicious Websites: If a scanned QR code leads to a dubious website, close it immediately. Avoid clicking on any links.
Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your device’s operating system and apps to ensure they’re equipped with the latest security patches.

Real-World Quishing Scams

Quishing isn’t just theoretical—it’s happening now. Here are two notable examples:

Public Transport Scam: In one major city, scammers replaced QR codes on transport kiosks with their own malicious codes. Commuters who scanned them were directed to phishing sites that stole credit card information.
Concert Fraud: Fake posters for a popular concert included QR codes leading fans to a bogus ticketing site. Attendees paid for tickets that never arrived, losing both money and trust.

Stay One Step Ahead

In this digital age, vigilance is your best defense. If a QR code seems suspicious or makes you hesitate, trust your gut. By learning to spot the signs of quishing and practicing safe scanning habits, you can outsmart cybercriminals and keep your personal information secure.

So the next time you’re tempted to scan a QR code, ask yourself: Is it worth the risk? A little caution today can save you a world of trouble tomorrow.

PS: In addition to freely scanning any QR code that pops up, make sure you’re not committing these Bad Cybersecurity Habits: https://sileo.com/bad-cybersecurity-habits/.

The Future of Online Security: How Passkeys Can Protect Your Loved Ones

When you cut through the technical jargon (which can sometimes feel a little intimidating or dull), cybersecurity boils down to one simple truth: it’s about safeguarding the people we care about most. That’s the heart of the advice I give to my two grown daughters—practical, no-nonsense tips to help them stay safe in an increasingly digital world. Today, I’m passing those same tips along to you so you can protect the ones you love, too.

Let’s talk about passkeys—the smarter, stronger, and safer alternative to traditional passwords. They’re designed for busy people who want top-notch security without the hassle.

Here’s everything you need to know about them and why they’re a game-changer for your digital safety:

Why Use Passkeys?

While passwords have served us well, they’re no longer enough to combat today’s sophisticated online threats. Passkeys offer a major leap forward in digital security by addressing the main flaws of traditional passwords:

Phishing-Proof
Phishing attacks—where scammers trick you into entering your password on fake websites—are among the most common online threats. Passkeys eliminate this risk entirely because:

- You don’t manually enter them.
- Only legitimate websites can validate passkeys.

In other words, a phishing site can’t steal what you never type.

Breaks Bad Habits
Many people reuse passwords across multiple sites or choose weak, easily guessable ones. Passkeys, however, are unique to each service, so:

- No two services share the same login credentials.
- There’s no temptation to reuse old, insecure passwords.

This automatic uniqueness ensures your accounts stay secure, even if one service is compromised.

Data-Breach-Proof
Even if a website is hacked, the public key stored on the site is useless to attackers without your private key. And because your private key never leaves your device, it can’t be exposed in a data breach.
Convenient and Safe
Passkeys offer the best of both worlds: they’re as secure as two-factor authentication (2FA) but without the extra hassle. With a passkey, you:

- Log in with just your fingerprint, face, or PIN.
- No longer need to manage complex passwords or remember dozens of logins.

How to Start Using Passkeys

Setting up passkeys is easier than you think. Follow these steps to integrate them into your digital life:

Set up a passkey with major retailers like Amazon
Set up a passkey with all of your banks (Wells Fargo)
Set up a passkey for your Microsoft & Apple accounts

Use Your Passkey Across Devices
Switching between devices is easier than ever. Sync your passkeys using cloud services like iCloud Keychain or Google Password Manager. This ensures you always have access to your accounts, no matter where you are.

Why Passkeys Are a Smart Choice
In today’s fast-paced world, security should be simple. Passkeys make online security easier by:
• Reducing the need to remember complex passwords
• Eliminating worries about phishing and data breaches
• Minimizing the risks associated with weak or reused passwords

For me, passkeys are an easy “yes.” They offer peace of mind while keeping my loved ones safe online. That’s why I’ve already encouraged my daughters to adopt this technology—and now, I’m encouraging you to do the same.

What’s Next? Start Protecting Your Loved Ones
Cybersecurity doesn’t need to be complicated or intimidating. By switching to passkeys, you’re taking a major step toward safeguarding yourself and your family from online threats.

Whether you’re helping your kids set up their first email account, securing your partner’s online banking, or simplifying your own digital life, passkeys are the key to a safer, smarter, and more convenient future.

Ready to get started? Next time you log into a service, look for the passkey option—it might be the best decision you make for your family’s online safety.

Ps. In case you missed it, make sure you’re also aware of the One Smartphone Security Tool You Might Be Missing

Cybersecurity Alert: UnitedHealth’s Billion Dollar Data Breach

One in three Americans recently had their healthcare data hacked from UnitedHealth – TWICE. The stolen data likely includes medical and dental records, insurance details, Social Security numbers, email addresses and patient payment information.

UnitedHealth Group’s subsidiary, Change Healthcare (which processes an estimated 50% of all health insurance transactions in the U.S.), fell victim to a ransomware attack that thrust the U.S. healthcare system into chaos as pharmacies, doctor’s offices, hospitals and other medical facilities were forced to move some operations to pen and paper.

Behind the scenes, UnitedHealth Group chose to pay the BlackCat ransomware gang (aka ALPHV) an estimated $22 million in blackmail ransom to restore system functionality and minimize any further leakage of patient data.

Problem (expensively) solved, right? Not even close. After UnitedHealth paid the initial ransom, the company (or quite possibly BlackCat itself being hacked by hackers) reportedly experienced a second attack at the hands of RansomHub, which allegedly stole 4TB of related information, including financial data and healthcare data on active-duty U.S. military personnel.

To take the breach and ransom to an entirely new level, RansomHub is now blackmailing individual companies who have worked with Change Healthcare to keep their portion of the breached data from being exposed publicly. For many small providers, the ransom is far beyond what they can afford, threatening the viability of their business. Some of the larger individual providers being blackmailed are CVS Caremark, MetLife, Davis Vision, Health Net, and Teachers Health Trust.

As of today, even with millions of dollars collected by the hackers, all systems are not up and running.

There are three critical business lessons to take from the UnitedHealth breach:

Ransom payments do not equal the cost of breach. The ransom amount companies pay is a fraction of the total cost of breach. In UnitedHealth’s case, they paid a first ransom of $22 million, but only months into the breach have reported more than $872 million in losses. Operational downtime, stock depreciation, reputational damage, systems disinfection, customer identity monitoring, class action lawsuits, and legal fees will move the needle well beyond $1 billion within the fiscal quarter. Risk instruments like cyber liability insurance can balance the losses, but prevention is far more cost-effective.
There is no honor among thieves. Even when organizations pay the ransom demanded, (and in the rare case that they get their data back fully intact), there is no guarantee that the cybercriminals won’t subsequently expose samples of the data to extort a second ransom. In this case of Double-Dip Ransomware (as I call it), a dispute among partnering ransomware gangs meant that multiple crime rings possessed the same patient data, leaving UnitedHealth open to multiple cases of extortion. Paying the ransom instead of having preventative recovery tools places a larger target on your back for future attacks. If you haven’t implemented AND tested a 3-2-1 data backup plan and a Ransomware Response Plan, do so immediately.

The Human Hypothesis on the Source of Breach. There has been no disclosure to date on exactly how the hackers got into Choice Health’s systems, but my highly educated guess (from seeing so many similar breaches) is that an employee of, or third-party vendor to, UnitedHealth was socially engineered (scammed) to share access into one of their business IT systems. The company will generally report this human oversight and poor training as “compromised credentials” which tries to make it look like a technological failure rather than a human decision. From there, the hackers “island hopped” laterally to increasingly critical servers on the network. It’s likely that the cyber criminals are still inside of key systems, hiding behind sophisticated invisibility cloaks.

The solution here is to make sure that the heroes in your organization, the human employees who are your first and best line of defense, are properly trained on how to detect and repeal the latest social engineering attacks. Over 90% of all successful attacks we see are due to a human decision that leads to malicious access.

All organizations and leadership teams must ensure your Security Awareness Training addresses all the changes that artificial intelligence brings to the cyberthreat sphere. To ignore the alarm bells set off by UnitedHealth Group’s disastrous breach is to risk your organization falling ill to a similar fate.

Anyone in your organization can be the unfortunate catalyst that triggers a disastrous data breach similar to UnitedHealth’s. My latest keynote, Savvy Cybersecurity in a World of Weaponized A.I., teaches the root cause of successful social engineering scams and necessary technological preparation for ransomware attacks. REACH OUT TO MY TEAM TODAY to discuss this vital topic at your next meeting or event.

If you are a patient of UnitedHealth, Change Healthcare, OptumRx or any of their subsidiaries, take the following steps immediately:
Visit the Cyberattack Support Website that UnitedHealth Group established for affected customers.
Make sure that you have a Credit Freeze on your Social Security Number.
If you are an OptumRX customer, call them directly (1-800-356-3477) to make sure that your prescriptions haven’t been affected and that they will ship on time.
Monitor all of your health and financial accounts closely for any changes or transactions. Create automatic account alerts to make this easier.

John Sileo is a privacy keynote speaker, award-winning author and media personality as seen all over TV. He keynotes conferences virtually and in person around the world. John is the CEO of The Sileo Group, a business think tank based in Colorado.

Why Is Cybersecurity Awareness Training Important?

Why is cybersecurity awareness training important? Just as ships rely on lighthouses to steer clear of dangerous rocks, organizations need cybersecurity awareness training to protect their digital assets. By illuminating threats lurking in the dark, awareness training equips employees with the knowledge they need.

As a lighthouse provides illumination for navigation, trainings light the way for employees, executives and boards alike to make informed decisions about cyber defense and identify potential risks. Let’s take a closer look at why cybersecurity awareness training makes all the difference.

7 Sources of Light That Cybersecurity Awareness Training Provides
Cyber Threats	Equips employees with the tools to identify, avoid, and stop cyber threats, from malware to ransomware, hackers to fraudsters.
Social Engineering	Enables employees to recognize the suspicious, manipulative and malicious behavior of bad actors and respond appropriately.
Sensitive Data	Educates employees about the importance of protecting sensitive data and adopting data security best practices as well as the stakes of failing to do so.
Insider Threats	Sends a strong message to any potential malicious insiders that the organization is watching, thereby reducing the likelihood and impact of insider threats.
Compliance	Ensures employees and executives are aware of their obligations and responsibilities under cybersecurity regulations and standards.
Incident Response	Enables employees to respond promptly and appropriately to security incidents to minimize and contain damage.
Human Error	Drastically reduces the 60%+ chance that a breach is due to unwitting human error rather than intentionally malicious behavior.

Protection against cyber threats: Cybersecurity awareness training is important because it helps employees understand the various types of cyber threats, such as phishing attacks, malware infections, ransomware, zero-day exploits and social engineering. By educating employees about what may be lurking at sea, they are better equipped to identify and avoid risks, reducing the chances of falling victim to cyber-attacks and identity theft of customer information.

Defense against social engineering attacks: Social engineering attacks involve manipulating individuals to gain unauthorized access to systems or sensitive information. Cybersecurity training raises awareness about standard social engineering techniques, such as pretexting, baiting, or impersonation. This knowledge enables employees to recognize suspicious behavior and respond appropriately, minimizing the chances of falling prey to such attacks.

Protection of sensitive information: Organizations handle a significant amount of sensitive data, including personal, financial, and proprietary information. Cybersecurity awareness training emphasizes the importance of protecting this information and educates employees on best practices such as strong password management, data encryption, secure file sharing, and data classification. Implementing these best practices reduces the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.

Mitigation of insider threats: Insider threats can be unintentional or malicious, where employees inadvertently or intentionally compromise security. Cybersecurity training helps create a security culture within organizations, promoting responsible behavior and ensuring employees understand their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding sensitive information. It also sends a strong signal that the organization is mindful of insider threats, and is watching closely. By increasing awareness, organizations can reduce the likelihood of insider incidents and their potential impact.

Compliance with regulations and standards: Many industries are subject to specific cybersecurity regulations and standards, such as the General Data Protection Regulation, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. Cybersecurity awareness training ensures that employees know their obligations and responsibilities under these regulations, reducing the risk of non-compliance and associated penalties.

Incident response and reporting: In a cybersecurity incident, employees who have received cybersecurity training are more likely to respond promptly and appropriately. They will know how to report incidents, whom to contact, and how to limit the damage. This quick response can significantly reduce the impact of a cyber-attack and help in the recovery process.

Minimizing human error: Human error is a primary driver behind a massive number of successful cyber attacks. There is no malicious intent in these cases, just a lack of knowledge and proper training. This is one of the easiest, least expensive types of light an organization can shine on their data security.

Practical skills such as recognizing phishing attempts, creating strong passwords, and identifying malicious websites act as a lighthouse, allowing employees to steer clear of danger and make informed choices. Training programs enable them to protect sensitive information and contribute to a safer online environment.

Best Cybersecurity Awareness Training

The best cybersecurity awareness training can vary depending on an organization’s needs and goals. However, an effective cybersecurity awareness training program includes the following elements:

Comprehensive coverage: Training should cover a wide range of cybersecurity topics, including password security, phishing attacks, social engineering, malware prevention, safe browsing practices, and data protection. That’s why lighthouses are more effective than, say, a flashlight haphazardly duck taped to a pole. Range matters.
Engaging content: The training should be exciting and interactive to keep participants interested and motivated. This can include videos, quizzes, real-life scenarios, and gamification elements.
Regular updates: Cybersecurity threats and best practices evolve rapidly, so the training program should be up-to-date to reflect the latest trends and vulnerabilities. Training programs must regularly update their content to ensure participants have the latest knowledge and techniques to recognize and counter emerging threats.
Customization: The training should be tailored to the specific needs and roles of the participants. Different departments may have varying cybersecurity risks and responsibilities, so the training should address these differences.
Ongoing reinforcement: Like the beacon on a lighthouse, cybersecurity awareness is not a one-time event but an ongoing, constantly evolving process. The training program should incorporate regular, bite-sized reminders, newsletters, and follow-up sessions to reinforce key concepts and ensure participants retain the knowledge over time.

To help you navigate the turbulent digital seas, award-winning main-stage speaker John Sileo offers comprehensive cybersecurity awareness training that is engaging, cutting-edge, and customized for your needs and goals. With a humorous live-hacking demonstration and powerful lessons learned from losing his business to cybercrime, he connects with your employees and drives home security awareness training that sticks.

John Sileo is an award-winning cybersecurity keynote speaker who has entertained and informed audiences for two decades. He is proud to have spoken at the Pentagon and Amazon, written four books on cybersecurity, and been inducted into the National Speakers Hall of Fame. He has appeared on 60 Minutes, NBC, ABC, Fox, CNN, Rachael Ray, and Anderson Cooper. John’s work has been quoted and published in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, USA Today, and Kiplinger’s.

Looking for a customized speech to make your next event unforgettable? Call 303.777.3221 or fill out our CONTACT FORM to connect with Sue, our business manager extraordinaire. She’ll work with you to brainstorm ideas and explore how John can tailor his speech to fit your needs perfectly.

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Travel Phishing: If It Seems Fishy, It Might Actually Be Phishy

It is summertime which means that the beach is calling. Unfortunately, so are travel phishing scammers.

The change in season brings an influx of travel-based scams and unfortunately, our eagerness to book the next vacation is making us more vulnerable to fraud.

If there is one thing we know about humans, it is that we love bargains. Especially when it is masked as an all-inclusive buffet + wine tasting + ocean-view deal.

But booking with caution now will save you a lot of stress later. That way, you won’t be mid-margarita when your bank calls to inform you that your identity was stolen and your child’s college fund just bought a lifetime supply of steak and an alarming amount of inflatable pool flamingos. (Or in my ID theft case, an expensive house in Boca Raton.)

In this article we dive into the hottest scams and how to keep cool this season…

How Travel Phishing Scams Trick Us

Email Spoofing	Scammers are experts at making emails look genuine by mimicking the logos and formatting of real companies. So double check those emails from travel agencies, airlines, and hotel booking websites.
Social Media Lures	This includes fake promotions and contests, influencer impersonation, and malicious downloads disguised as links to exclusive deals or apps.
Vendor Compromise Attacks	Scammers may attack travel agencies, booking platforms, or tour operators to gain unauthorized access to sensitive customer information.
HR Department Impersonations and Credential-Harvesting Scams	Hackers gather personal info through these conversations to later sell this data to the dark web.
Chat GPT	AI is making phishing attempts more convincing and therefore harder to detect.
Urgency and Fear Tactics	By putting pressure on victims to take immediate action (“limited time only!”) scammers hope to bypass your critical thinking.
Social Engineering	By impersonating customer service representatives or travel agents, hackers may be using emotional and psychological manipulation tactics to request money and/or information.

What You Can Do About Travel Cyberattacks

Be skeptical of unsolicited promotions, contests, or giveaways. Trust your instinct. If it seems fishy, it’s likely phishing.
Stay informed about common travel phishing scams.
Double check website URLS. Make sure it is spelled properly, HTTPS encryption, and trust indicators like padlock symbols.
Enable two factor authentication to travel related accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by sending a code to your mobile device.
Verify account authenticity. Check for verification badges and signs of legitimacy on social media accounts. Cross-check by doing independent research.
Be careful where you click. Web-based threats are getting harder to detect. Take a few extra minutes to research the company before clicking on any links.
Be selective about who you share your personal information with. AI chatbots will steal valuable credentials if you are too quick to trust them.
Don’t use free public wifi or charging stations. Why? Because if something is convenient to you, it likely is convenient to hackers as well. So go ahead and pack that extra battery pack and buy the larger data plan.

So next time you might see a bargain and think “this is too good to be true”, it likely is. Sorry. However, there is hope! Cautious booking means carefree vacationing. By remaining vigilant, staying informed, verifying authenticity, and adopting secure practices, you can navigate the travel landscape confidently, ensuring that your vacations remain moments of joy rather than becoming tales of travel phishing woe.

Safe travels!

John Sileo is an award-winning cybersecurity keynote speaker who has entertained and informed audiences for two decades. He is proud to have spoken at the Pentagon and Amazon, written four books on cybersecurity, and been inducted into the National Speakers Hall of Fame. He has appeared on 60 Minutes, NBC, ABC, Fox, CNN, Rachael Ray, and Anderson Cooper. John’s work has been quoted and published in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, USA Today, and Kiplinger’s. John’s greatest joy is spending time in the mountains with his amazing wife and adventurous daughters.

Looking for a customized speech to make your next event unforgettable? Call 303.777.3221 or fill out our CONTACT FORM to connect with Sue, our business manager extraordinaire. She’ll work with you to brainstorm ideas and explore how John can tailor his speech to fit your needs perfectly.