As the digital landscape continues to evolve, so do the threats that accompany it. Ransomware, once a peripheral concern, has now emerged as a formidable adversary, infiltrating networks and wreaking havoc on businesses and governments alike. However, the foresight of some agencies has allowed them to anticipate and prepare for such threats long before they reached their zenith. In this discussion, we explore the value of scenario planning in predicting and mitigating cyber risks.
Here is the verbatim discussion: But even back in 2013, it started getting big. 2014, 2015, 20 19 I think it was, for me, it was the top story in state and local governments in the USA. 2020, they say it doubled last year, 100%, and now it's going to even be worse in 2021. So my point is this, that whole exercise, we, you know, homeland security thought of that seven years before ransomware even became very big and then even 15 years before. It's like the number one story. So my message to the people listening and to people watching us is you can learn a lot in these scenarios. You can think through things and even think through what might come next. And who knows? You may even be predicting what's going to happen five years from now in cybersecurity because the bad guys are always looking for new ways to get into our networks, new ways to make money, new ways to extort money. And so we saw that way before ransomware became popular.
Highlights:
Early Recognition: The rise of ransomware didn't happen overnight. As far back as 2013, agencies like homeland security were recognizing its potential impact. By 2019, it had become a top concern for state and local governments in the USA. This early awareness allowed for proactive measures to be taken.
Learning from Exercises: Participating in scenario exercises provides invaluable insights into potential threats and their implications. By simulating various scenarios, organizations can brainstorm strategies and anticipate future challenges. This proactive approach empowers them to stay ahead of emerging threats.
Predictive Thinking: Scenario planning isn't just about preparing for current threats; it's also about forecasting future ones. By analyzing trends and patterns, organizations can extrapolate potential cyber threats and develop preemptive strategies. This forward-thinking mindset is essential in an ever-changing cyber landscape.
The prevalence of ransomware serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present cyber risks facing organizations. However, by engaging in scenario planning and learning from past experiences, agencies can proactively mitigate these threats. By staying vigilant and adopting a predictive mindset, they can better protect themselves against emerging cyber threats, ensuring the safety and security of their networks for years to come.
Speakers:
Dan Lohrmann is an esteemed cybersecurity expert and Field Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for Presidio, celebrated for his impactful career across both public and private sectors. With beginnings at the National Security Agency and roles at Lockheed Martin and ManTech, he has been recognized as CSO of the Year among other accolades. Dan is also a prolific author and speaker, sharing insights on cybersecurity and technology modernization through his award-winning blog and publications.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danlohrmann/
Bikash Barai is credited for several innovations in the domain of Network Security and Anti-Spam Technologies and has multiple patents in USPTO. Fortune recognized Bikash among India’s Top 40 Business Leaders under the age of 40 (Fortune 40-under-40).Bikash is also an active speaker and has spoken at various forums like TiE, RSA Conference USA, TEDx etc.
Earlier he founded iViZ an IDG Ventures-backed company that was later acquired by Cigital and now Synopsys. iViZ was the first company in the world to take Ethical Hacking (or Penetration Testing) to the cloud.
https://twitter.com/bikashbarai1
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bikashbarai/
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