E-Business
Sophos Launches Next Gen Anti-Exploit & Anti-Ransomware Technology
Sophos, a global leader in network and endpoint security, today announced Sophos Intercept X, a next-generation endpoint security product that stops zero-day malware, unknown exploit variants and stealth attacks, and includes an advanced anti-ransomware feature that can detect previously unknown ransomware within seconds.
Sophos Intercept Xinstalls alongside existing endpoint security software from any vendor, immediately boosting endpoint protection by stopping malicious code before it executes.
Sophos Intercept X combines four critical security components that IT administrators should expect from next-generation endpoint protection.
Signatureless Threat and Exploit Detection: Anti-malware and anti-hacker defense that blocks zero-day, unknown and memory resident attacks and threat variants without the need for file scanning;
CryptoGuard: Anti-ransomware innovation that identifies and intercepts malicious encryption activity, blocks ransomware before it can lock and cripple systems and can roll back maliciously encrypted files to their pre-attack state;
Root Cause Analytics: A 360 degree visual analysis of attack events that shows where the attack came in, what it affected, where it may have stopped and recommended actions to prevent a similar attack in the future;
Sophos Clean: Powerful utility that hunts for and removes any trace of spyware and deeply embedded, lingering malware
“Sophos is a next-generation security company that has stayed at the forefront of the industry by understanding the threat landscape, changing business needs and customer challenges. Using big data analytics along with our deep understanding of threat patterns, attack vectors and criminal motivations, we designed Intercept X from the ground up to recognize malicious behaviors and stop potential attacks much sooner in the kill-chain, without the need for updates or signatures,” said Dan Schiappa, senior vice president of the Enduser Security Group at Sophos.
“IT professionals know that there is no single equation that stops all attacks, so we developed Intercept X to combine several techniques for faster identification and response that are coordinated to better support IT professionals without the need for specialized security staff.”
Developed as a Core Component of Sophos’ Synchronized Security Strategy
Developed as a core component of Sophos’ synchronized security strategy, Sophos Intercept X is enabled with the Security Heartbeat to share threat intelligence with Sophos’ next generationXG Firewall and SafeGuard Encryption solutions for a coordinated and automated response to attack.
The product can be installed and managed remotely through the Sophos Central cloud-based management console that allows administrators to control and configure settings, distribute licenses, add new endpoints and track all activity.
Allows All Sophos Central Services
In addition, the single pane of glass dashboard designed for Sophos partners shows all Sophos Central services available to provide higher levels of customer protection while offering partners additional recurring revenue opportunities.
Tony Palmer, senior Lab analyst at ESG commented, “According to ESG research, many organizations have extensively adopted advanced prevention products, such as next-gen antivirus and even more are planning to ease their way into advanced detection and response.
Unfortunately, many enterprises simply lack the right level of security analytics skills or staff to perform these tasks effectually, thanks to a global, problematic shortage of cybersecurity skills. With Intercept X Sophos looks to provide a fast-track to achieving advanced protection and response capabilities while minimizing the need for specialized security consultants to administer it. In ESG Lab’s opinion, Sophos Intercept X has made excellent progress closing many of the endpoint security gaps that still exist for organizations worldwide.”
Customers and partners who participated in the public beta program experienced the next-generation protection capabilities of Sophos Intercept X, including the ability to help to eliminate the impact of ransomware by almost immediately recognizing and stopping malicious encryption activity and preventing the attack from spreading across the network.
Once the threat is neutralized, affected files can be rolled back to the pre-attack state, saving considerable time, resources and money.
“Installing Sophos Intercept X alongside existing endpoint protection is a no-brainer. Under the beta program we deployed Intercept X to more than 2,000 endpoints spanning more than 70 customer networks. To date we see that Intercept has stopped more than 18 new ransomware attacks and since deploying we’ve had zero ransomware infections on our clients’ networks. We can’t imagine the mess these attacks could have caused for our clients. Sophos Intercept X is a must have for any business challenged by different ransomware variants and other threats on a daily basis,” said Emily Adams, IT security analyst at Flexible Systems, a Sophos Partner based in Hauppauge, New York.
Bob Appleby of PA Computer Connections, a US-based Sophos Partner, commented, “Installing Sophos Intercept X alongside existing endpoint protection is simple and effective. Having tested the product during the beta program we have found that it blocks threats faster and provides comprehensive and straightforward analysis of an attack, accelerating the time from first infection to remediation. This product significantly advances protection for customers with any flavor of endpoint protection currently in place.”
Emile Belcourt of Globelink, a UK-based Sophos partner said, “Intercept Xrepresents the next generation of all-in-one protection for the endpoints of tomorrow. It has been one of the most seamless deployments and transitions that I have experienced, and the visibility it gives me into what my click-happy users are doing and how they keep getting infected has been without equal.
“I’m really excited at being able to share Intercept X with the over-worked IT managers I encounter in businesses today. It will make their lives easier and free up their valuable time to do the really important jobs without constantly worrying about the need to monitor what is happening. I’m also looking forward to seeing how Intercept X will continue to develop to keep us in step with the incredibly smart malware out there, but at a price that’s accessible to everyone.”
James Miller, managing director of Foursys, a UK-based Sophos partner said, “Our technical team trialed Intercept X the day it was available in beta. Everyone is worried about ransomware, so Intercept X will be additional defense for our customers who use Sophos Central and are keen to bullet proof their protection by adding an extra layer of next-generation threat and exploit detection.
With signatureless threat and exploit detection, Sophos’ innovative anti-ransomware solution and Root Cause Analysis all in one product, Sophos is again simplifying what has previously been a complex and difficult process – and that’s what makes Intercept X really unique.”
Sophos Intercept X is available to order today and a free trial is available through the Sophos Intercept Xwebpage.
Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), in partnership with Bill Gates and Melinda Foundation and KPMG are developing open banking frameworks in a move to deepen financial inclusion.
L-r:; Anna Wallace, Senior Programme Officer for Regulatory and Consumer Protection Technologies at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,; Dr. Vincent Olatunji , national commissioner of the NDPC; and John Anyanwu, KPMG Head of Cybersecurity and Privacy,
This was the focus of discussion when Dr. Vincent Olatunji , national commissioner of the NDPC, received Anna Wallace, Senior Programme Officer for Regulatory and Consumer Protection Technologies at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and John Anyanwu, KPMG Head of Cybersecurity and Privacy, in Abuja.
The commission revealed in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss open banking frameworks for Nigeria, a project coordinated by the Gates Foundation.
Open banking refers to the practice of providing third-party financial service providers with access to bank account information, transaction data, and other financial data through the use of application programming interfaces.
The meeting served as a pivotal step in recognising NDPC’s crucial role in the project, formalising engagement to ensure robust input in the areas of data protection and privacy.
NDPC emphasised the crucial role of digital identity in the financial sector as well as open banking, stressing the importance of implementing measures to safeguard digital identities to foster trust and confidence
Dr. Olatunji also addressed challenges posed by digital lending companies regarding transparency in data processing activities.
The NDPC Boss noted that the Commission was already working with other stakeholders to tackle the challenges.
He highlighted the misconception among some banks regarding the roles of a Chief Information Security Officer and a Data Protection Officer, emphasising the legal requirement for all data controllers to have a Data Protection Officer.
Passwords serve as the foundation of our digital lives, but they also serve as the gateway for cybercriminals to hack into sensitive personal information. Considering their essential function, passwords remain a prime target for increasingly sophisticated cybercriminal attacks.
Therefore, taking proactive measures to safeguard accounts and personal information is imperative.
To mark World Password Day on May 2nd – highlighting the essential role passwords play in protecting our lives online – Kaspersky experts are providing essential tips to enhance password security, ensuring that users data stays out of the hands of attackers.
Weak and simple passwords have always been an attractive target for scammers as cracking them gives criminals access to multiple types of data – personal data, financial information, medical records etc.
Kaspersky telemetry indicates more than 32 million attempts to attack users with password stealers took place in 2023, this followed more than 40 million incursions in 2022.
These alarming statistics highlight the need for users to create strong, unique and varied passwords for different accounts. This way they can mitigate the risks of cyber threats and maintain personal security online.
To enhance password security, Kaspersky experts recommend the following steps and practices:
The ‘association method’ helps create strong and memorable passwords
The association approach involves creating a password from a sequence of words or ideas that have personal significance but are not easily guessable by others. A password can be based on a favourite quote, a memorable song lyric, or a unique combination of objects. This technique generates strong passwords without requiring complex memorisation, helping to maintain security while reducing the risk of forgetting. For example, a phrase “I first visited Paris in 2008” could be transformed into a password “IfvPin2o:o8”.
Are regular passwords too boring? How about emoji?
If using the same password everywhere becomes too much and you lack the imagination to make up something new, emoji-passwords could be a non-standard and safe option. Since they are a part of the Unicode standard, it is potentially possible to use them as passwords.
One of the most significant pros is that scammers cannot brute-force emoji-passwords, since various tools and dictionaries can’t crack combinations like these. More detailed information on how to set up an emoji password and the necessary requirements is available here.
The most obvious option is not the safest one
Using common passwords or default values such as “1234”, “password” or “admin” could make personal data and accounts vulnerable to scammers, since they use automated tools to guess the correct combinations.
It may take several seconds to find the right answer and gain access to personal data. A strong and complicated password includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols, while avoiding personal information such as names or birthdays.
Additionally, there are online public free services that allow everyone check how strong their passwords are to mitigate possible risks.
Old, but gold: one account – one password
This practice ensures that if one account is compromised, others remain secure. By creating a unique password for each account, you minimise the damage a hacker can do if they manage to steal one.
This approach isolates security breaches and helps protect sensitive data. According to a global survey, the average user has approximately 8 accounts. Remembering even 2-3 long and complicated passwords (containing up to 15 symbols) could be impossible for the majority of users.
In this case it is both safe and useful to shift the responsibility of remembering all the passwords to a security solution, such as Kaspersky Password Manager.
By Tamara Rajić, Director of Business Strategy EMEA at Infobip
World Innovation and Creativity Day fell on the 21st of April, reminding us of the boundless potential inherent in human ingenuity and technological advancement. Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands at the forefront of this celebration, reshaping the landscape of business operations and customer engagement.
The combination of advanced data analytics with cloud computing has propelled AI into the spotlight, making its integration more accessible across industries.
Unlocking AI’s potential – why companies can’t afford to miss out
What is remarkable is how AI adoption is growing its accessibility to the public. Platforms such as OpenAI, ChatGPT, and Dall-E have opened the doors to AI technologies, empowering individuals, and businesses alike to effortlessly explore and incorporate AI-driven solutions into their plans. This has sparked a culture of innovation and empowerment, enabling businesses to harness AI to expand their performance and efficiency.
Take AI-driven communication tools, like chatbots and virtual assistants for example. They are changing customer service experiences by delivering personalised, efficient, and proactive interactions. These solutions not only streamline support processes but also forge deeper connections with customers, fostering satisfaction, loyalty, and ultimately, business growth. Furthermore, AI empowers businesses to gather actionable insights from customer data, facilitating informed decision-making and targeted strategies.
Data quality plays a crucial role in the successful implementation of AI. Without complete and consistent data, implementing AI-powered technologies can lead to inaccurate results and hinder business decision-making. This is why it is important for businesses to invest in data quality assurance processes. And by analysing customer feedback across various channels, AI offers a deeper understanding of preferences and needs, enabling businesses to tailor their offerings and communication strategies accordingly. This level of personalisation increases the customer experience, promoting long-lasting relationships and brand loyalty.
Chatbots and virtual assistants are some of the most widely used AI-powered communication solutions out there, spanning across multiple industries and business types. They provide instant responses to inquiries, assist with product recommendations, and help with tasks like order tracking and appointment scheduling.
Navigating challenges in AI implementation
AI-driven automation streamlines processes, reduces manual workloads, and enhances operational efficiency, driving competitiveness and revenue growth. By leveraging AI-powered insights, businesses can identify high-value opportunities, estimate market trends, and improve resource allocation, thereby increasing ROI and market share.
This innovation is expected to catalyse significant transformations in traditional sectors such as banking and retail, leading to more personalised experiences and innovative consumer approaches. By understanding individual preferences, behaviours, and purchasing patterns, these sectors can offer tailored product recommendations, targeted promotions, and customised services.
With this being said, it is important to underline the critical function AI serves in customer support. By reducing wait times through AI-powered chatbots and providing assistance through the customer’s preferred communication channel, businesses can ensure a significant uptake in customer satisfaction.
Integrating AI into existing tools and systems does not come without its challenges. Businesses can encounter compatibility issues, data silos, and a shortage of skilled professionals with expertise in AI and machine learning within their talent pool. Demonstrating ROI in the early stages of AI technology adoption can also be challenging due to these obstacles. It is therefore important to identify high-potential use cases and the most impactful areas where AI can drive business growth and positive customer satisfaction and start from there.
Overcoming obstacles – to maximise AI’s potential
With its increasing accessibility and transformative potential, AI is fostering innovation, and amplifying creativity. By taking into consideration AI-driven insights and solutions, businesses can personalise interactions, streamline operations, and anticipate customer needs. However, this journey is not without trial and error. It demands careful navigation of data quality and integration complexities. Nonetheless, businesses should embrace AI as a catalyst for creativity and innovation, to unlock new possibilities, enriching the human experience and propelling organisations towards a future where the boundaries between humanity and technology seize to exist.
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