Malware through Word, hacked robots and cloud disasters? No wonder we have anxiety. These are the top security headlines for the week of August 21, 2017: Clippy never warned us about this! Attackers are exploiting a Microsoft Word feature that auto-updates links to install malware.   The financial impact of a breach is always being reported on, but what about the mental and emotional cost? What’s its mission? Collaborative and industrial robots are under the “hacker microscope” according to Dark Reading and could be vulnerable. Cloud causing more damage than a hurricane? It’s possible. Further proving the “it’s not if, but when” adage, 55% of organizations have suffered a cyberattack. Maybe this is why? Most sysadmins (86%) are using basic

Attention (ISC)² members: We want to know, what’s your favorite member benefit? Here are some of the great benefits that we offer our members: Member pricing for (ISC)² local Secure Events and (ISC)² Security Congress taking place September 25-27, 2017 in Austin, TX Free subscription to our award-winning InfoSecurity Professional magazine Deep discounts on industry conferences The ability to join or start a local (ISC)² Chapter Volunteering opportunities such as the Center for Cyber Safety and Education’s Safe and Secure Online program to help keep kids cyber safe Professional recognition through (ISC)² awards programs Expert-led webinars on the latest security issues Digital badges to promote your expertise on LinkedIn and other professional networks In addition to the already vast member

Name: Mark A. SingerTitle: Principal Software EngineerEmployer: DoD Sub-ContractorLocation: Indianapolis, INEducation: Business ManagementYears in IT: 19Years in cybersecurity: 12Cybersecurity certifications: CISSP   How did you decide upon a career in cybersecurity? Evolution. I stumbled into computers when I served in the U.S. Navy from 1985 to 1989 when PCs with 8086 processors were common. When I got out of the service, I was able to get a job working for Naval Avionics in Indianapolis and was placed in a role where I was doing local computer support on tempest computers (386, 486, & 486DX processors). When Naval Avionics was identified on the Base Closure list, I accepted a position in the Security Department as ISSM in 1997 with Hughes which

Gartner recently released its global information security spending forecast and concluded that security products and services investment will reach $83.4 billion by the end of 2017 (a 7% increase over 2016). The firm also is predicting spending to reach $93 billion in 2018, a 12% increase over this year’s record investment. According to Gartner: “Security services will continue to be the fastest growing segment, especially IT outsourcing, consulting and implementation services… hardware support services will see growth slowing, due to the adoption of virtual appliances, public cloud and software as a service (SaaS) editions of security solutions, which reduces the need for attached hardware support overall.” Gartner cites “rising awareness among CEOs and boards of directors about the business impact

Pseudo-ransomware and struggling security budgets. Here are the top security headlines for the week of August 14, 2017: Who would have thought we would long for the days when ransomware was ransomware. Now it’s all too complicated. Bitcoin is going mainstream, but does that mean it’s a bad investment? In a case of the cobbler’s children have no shoes, data brokers seem to be lacking basic security. Raise the roof! It looks like cybersecurity might be hitting a ceiling when it comes to spending. No spoilers, but HBO has been hacked again and OurMine is taking over their social accounts.   LG is the latest victim of WannaCry-like Ransomware