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Cyber TRUST™ Index

157

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52 Week

166

135

Index at 100 on January 1, 2020

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Cybersecurity’s Reach From TikTok to FIFA [Weekly Cybersecurity Brief]

If you needed a reminder of just how widespread cybersecurity’s role is, then look no further than this week’s roundup of some of the latest news to come out around the topic. From TikTok and the government to the World Cup and sports fans to cloud technologies and a company that helps to build them, cybersecurity concerns continue to emerge as a major throughline.

Earlier this week, Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland announced that he was issuing an emergency cybersecurity directive that prohibits TikTok on devices that are connected to the state’s networks. The reason behind this is the risk that such a platform poses due to its Chinese and Russian influence, its potential usage as surveillance tool on government activity, and collection of personal information among other reasons, according to a release put out by the office.

From Maryland to Quatar, cybersecurity also appeared as an issue during the FIFA World Cup. Cybersecurity researchers have “identified as many as 90 potentially compromised Hayya accounts, which is the mandatory system established so World Cup attendees can enter Qatar and access tickets and other services such as transportation,” as reported by AJ Vicens at CyberScoop. Other uncovered scams have included fake ticketing and merchandise websites and apps created to steal money and banking information as well as a case in which bad actors impersonated a leading Qatari company in order to collect personal information.

Back in the States, San Antonio-based company Rackspace Technology revealed that it was impacted by a ransomware attack, which has trickle down effects to the customers it works with to create and operate cloud environments. The incident has not only caused disruptions but could also lead to revenue loss, Rackspace explained. In response, the firm has hired a cybersecurity specialist, has taken other steps to contain the breach and is putting together resources designed for the organizations it serves.

Key Takeaways:

“Gov. Hogan issues ban for TikTok on state devices” – Blair Young, WBALTV
https://www.wbaltv.com/article/gov-hogan-issues-ban-tiktok-state-devices/42167751

  • Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland announced that he was issuing an emergency cybersecurity directive that prohibits TikTok on devices that are connected to the state’s networks.
  • The directive states that platforms like TikTok pose a cybersecurity risk.
  • Risks include usage as surveillance tool on government activity and collection of personal information according to the press release.

“FIFA World Cup fans” – AJ Vicens, CyberScoop
https://www.cyberscoop.com/fifa-world-cup-cyber-scam-phishing-malware/

  • Cybersecurity also appeared as an issue during the FIFA World Cup.
  • Cybersecurity researchers have discovered around 90 potentially compromised Hayya accounts, a system responsible for permitting World Cup attendees to enter Qatar.
  • Other uncovered scams have included fake ticketing and merchandise websites and apps created to steal money and banking information.

“Rackspace says ransomware disrupted its Hosted Exchange business” – David Jones, Cybersecurity Dive
https://www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/rackspace-technology-ransomware/638086/

  • San Antonio-based company Rackspace Technology revealed that it was impacted by a ransomware attack.
  • The incident has not only caused disruptions for customers but could also lead to revenue loss.
  • In response, the firm has hired a cybersecurity specialist, has taken other steps to contain the breach and is putting together resources designed for the organizations that it works with.

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