Newsletter | Volume 1

Ashley Madison is a dating site that markets itself to married people who want to have 'discreet' encounters on the side. Recently a hacker threatened to expose all of the members' identities unless the CEO shuts down the site.

This particular data breach could expose rather intimate personal information for 37 million users. A hacking group known as The Impact Team also stole data from Ashley Madison's sister sites and is threatening to release the entirely stolen database. For the 37 million users of the site, this is a real disturbing issue. Private, personal and businesses continuity
Therefore we all need to think about privacy and security issues on the Internet. Therefore, we need to address the IT media issues that are not limited to identity thefts or blackmail. The Internet is neither a secure nor an especially private place to hang out. IT and Cybersecurity are the key differentiators for the private, personal and businesses continuity, therefore, bear in mind some precautions;

Our digital footprints are bigger than we think. The latest social network or business information posted on the website is just one hack away from delivering your personal information to the highest bidder.
Any publicly posted information is a screen shot away from a total lack of privacy. Disgruntled employees can copy entire databases if IT security measures are not introduced, and databases can quickly wind up in the wrong hands.
There is both a consumer and a business side of the IT security equation. The business side is that security is becoming a differentiator across the organisation.
Many organizations are still scrambling to ensure iron-clad IT-Security. The issues are too many and discussed in several of our newsletters.

Broad impact on the entire organisation
Management is always overwhelmed when the news of yet another cyber-risk attack and the data disruption that follows reaches them. As the cybercriminals get more professional, there seems to be an urgent need for innovative solutions in the search for the current cyber and data risk controls. The alarming cost and consequences of any cyber-breach, big or small are increasing, as the continued business operation is at stake.

A cyber disruption or data breach has a rather broad impact on the entire organisation. In spite of that IT security and cyber risks and breaches involve more immaterial and theoretical components in the planning stages than many other risks, until the violation happens. It is wise to assess a variety of exposures and their potential business impact, and put cyber controls, assurances and protection in place.

The bottom line is that both consumers and businesses must beware. Any online activity is rarely (if ever) as private as you think. Moreover, businesses, security needs to be job one, no matter what your line of work or who your customers are. Ashley Madison is just the latest warning shot from a cybercrime industry that is already incredibly powerful and sophisticated.

For more information, attend the 9th annual European GRC Summit at The world Trade Center in Stockholm on the 22-23rd September 2015.

Source: http://live-forums.com/thread/1782451/The-aftermath-of-the-Ashley-Madison-HACK.html