By Dave Cartwright, CISSP  A week is a long time in most business sectors. In the intertwined world of banking and startups, it feels like an eternity as both sides deal with the fallout from the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB); the financial crisis impacting a myriad of startups suffering cashflow loss and disruption, with other banks now seemingly in poor shape after experiencing runs. For the technology and cybersecurity startups, not just those in California, that used SVB as their banker or lender (or both), its failure could delay or derail at least part of the next wave of startup-led innovation due to an ability to access finance and cash on deposit, as well as use that money

Cybercriminals pounce on SVB collapse, privacy concerns around ChatGPT and the FBI warns of a rise in crypto scams. Here are the latest threats and advisories for the week of March 17, 2023.    By John Weiler  Threat Advisories and Alerts  FBI Warning: Cryptocurrency Investment Schemes on the Rise  The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning internet users of an increase in cryptocurrency investment scam schemes, which defrauded victims of over $2 billion in 2022. Cybercriminals (usually located overseas) use social media platforms, dating apps, professional networking apps and other online means to connect with targets. The criminals then lure victims on to fraudulent cryptocurrency websites or apps to invest with the promise of financial success. However, once money

By John E. Dunn  Two arrests for alleged ransomware crimes and some useful intel. But will the latest Europol action make any difference?  Following an international operation encompassing law enforcement agencies in Germany, Ukraine, the Netherlands and the U.S., Europol announced the arrests in Germany and Ukraine of what it believes are two of the five core “masterminds” of the DoppelPaymer ransomware group.  The first suspect was described as a German national, the second as a Ukrainian, in raids that also involved searching properties in Kiev and Kharkiv.   Beyond that, details are scarce although Europol said the German suspect was “believed to have played a major role,” in the group’s activities. In addition to the suspects in custody, the authorities

You spoke, and we listened – you want more opportunities to be involved and contribute to the decision-making process at (ISC)². Let’s get started.   The (ISC)² Board of Directors Bylaws Committee will host the first in a series of webinars March 21 to introduce members to this year’s bylaws review and amendment process. Join us to learn how you can share your ideas to help build a better (ISC)² as we look to the future.   The new Bylaws Committee, chaired by Board of Directors member Lisa Young, CISSP, consists of Directors and members-at-large. Join the webinar to hear directly from the committee on:   What’s different this year  What the committee is doing  What members can expect  How members can help  

The U.K. Online Safety Bill triggers a security rebuke from WhatsApp, the Czech Republic concerned about TikTok, an international law enforcement effort shuts down the NetWire RAT infrastructure, while a study suggests workforce malaise towards reporting security incidents.   By Joe Fay  WhatsApp Would Leave U.K. Rather Than Break Encryption  WhatsApp would pull its end-to-end encrypted messaging service in the U.K., rather than submit to any requirement to weaken its privacy stance to comply with the U.K. government’s Online Safety Bill. WhatsApp chief Will Cathcart said that 98 per cent of its users were outside the U.K., and ALL users wanted privacy, the BBC reported. Lowering its security in the U.K. would have implications for all its users, he continued, and