Voltage Security Comments on Hacker Charges and Sentencing

Voltage Security Comments on Hacker Charges and Sentencing

Voltage Security has issued the following statements from security expert and VP Mark Bower in light of recent hacking news, including charges against Reuters’ Matthew Keys and yesterday’s sentencing of AT&T hacker Andrew Auernheimer. 

Mark Bower of Voltage Security today said, ”Vulnerable systems exploited by attackers can have serious consequences beyond ‘hacktivists’ claiming their break-in trophies. The impact of the Keys’ situation was manipulation of the media and potentially, access to sensitive data. That could have a costly impact, depending on how readers or even industry groups might respond to a manipulated story, as well as the fallout from potential sensitive data theft. If the system used to communicate with the public can be manipulated, then there will be consequential costs and harm.”

“Over the years we've witnessed repeated successful attacks to critical infrastructure, hospitals, patient data, banks, credit card processors and government - the stakes are high. Courts can't take any attacks to any critical infrastructure lightly when establishing the extent of punishment,” he added.

Bower, who was featured in a live interview with The Huffington Post on Monday about the Keys’ case, further commented that “for every attacker who’s caught and penalized, there are probably 50 or more who aren't. Firms can't rely on the courts and punitive sentences to deter attackers as a strategy to defend their valuable data assets. Many attacks originate outside the jurisdiction of law enforcement, and law enforcement's ability to trace attacks might also be very limited. By then however it’s too late. The damage is done and the data is long gone or the system is manipulated. This, once again, points back to the need to take pro-active steps to mitigate the fallout from the inevitable system compromise and breach.”

“The good news is that today it’s not hard to do. There are new, powerful techniques available, such as data-centric security technologies which make attacks to data benign events, without disrupting business. Leading firms all around the world who saw the writing on the wall for traditional IT defenses are already using the approach successfully today. The outcome is that the business can get on with growth, and the attackers will move on to easier targets. As history proves, there's plenty of those for Anonymous and the like to pursue,” said Bower.

Featured

  • Making the Grade with Locks and Door Hardware

    Managing and maintaining locks and door hardware across a school district or university campus is a big responsibility. A building’s security needs to change over time as occupancy and use demands evolve, which can make it even more challenging. Knowing the basics of common door hardware, including locks, panic devices and door closers, can make a difference in daily operations and emergency situations. Read Now

  • Choosing the Right Solution

    Today, there is a strong shift from on-prem installations to cloud or hybrid-cloud deployments. As reported in the 2024 Genetec State of Physical Security report, 66% of end users said they will move to managing or storing more physical security in the cloud over the next two years. Read Now

  • New Report Reveals Top Security Risks for U.S. Retail Chains

    Interface Systems, a provider of security, actionable insights, and purpose-built networks for multi-location businesses, has released its 2024 State of Remote Video Monitoring in Retail Chains report. The detailed study analyzed over 2 million monitoring requests across 4,156 retail locations in the United States from September 2023 to August 2024. Read Now

  • Gaining a Competitive Edge

    Ask most companies about their future technology plans and the answers will most likely include AI. Then ask how they plan to deploy it, and that is where the responses may start to vary. Every company has unique surveillance requirements that are based on market focus, scale, scope, risk tolerance, geographic area and, of course, budget. Those factors all play a role in deciding how to configure a surveillance system, and how to effectively implement technologies like AI. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame. 3

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction. 3

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge. 3