Connection’s Cybersecurity Assessment and Testing services help organizations identify and document security flaws, from individual devices to organization-wide security policies. With experience in healthcare, retail, manufacturing, education, and government, Connection is ready to assess risk in even the most highly-attacked industries.
These services are designed to help organizations:
Map vulnerabilities, from top to bottom.
Detect security flaws and out-of-date data security policies before hackers do, preventing malicious network activity.
Choose the cybersecurity services that will be most effective with the organization’s existing IT structure and budget.
Ready to schedule your Cybersecurity Assessment and Testing?
Call a Connection cybersecurity expert today:1.800.800.0014 Or send us a message and we’ll reach out to you.
Cybersecurity Specialists with Decades of Field Experience
Connection’s cybersecurity specialists have spent years protecting organizations’ data availability and privacy across a range of industries. Each specialist arrives to your organization equipped with the skills and certifications to make each project a success. Connection’s cybersecurity specialists work as trusted advisors with our clients, creating custom solutions to meet your organization’s specific needs.With Connection’s Security Assessment and Testing Services, organizations will receive expert guidance for protecting their most critical assets and data from threats.
Research from Willis Towers Watson shows that 90 percent of all cyber breaches stemmed from some type of human error or behavior. And with hackers attempting an attack every 39 seconds, your organization shouldn’t put off security and vulnerability assessments.
Right-fit Security Infrastructure, at the Right Time
Taking care of an organization’s cybersecurity assessments before a data breach means the IT team has time to plan and execute infrastructure adjustments that best align with organizational goals. Don’t wait until a breach happens to update your infrastructure—doing so leads to an end result that is expensive and hard to scale.Like all of Connection’s services, the Cybersecurity Assessment and Testing solutions are offered à-la-carte. Choose the scope of the service you need today and rest assured that Connection has the expertise to execute on additional projects as your IT operations evolve.
Cybersecurity Assessment and Testing Services
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Zero Trust Architecture ConsultingSeasoned cybersecurity expert consultants help you determine what Zero Trust means to your organization, how a Zero Trust strategy can enhance your current cybersecurity plan and program, and what gaps must be addressed. Through a series of workshops, we follow a structured methodology roadmap to evaluate your existing technology, processes, and policies to define your best path forward so your organization is better prepared for the future. |
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Internal and External Penetration TestingTest your network security with Connection’s Internal and External Penetration Testing. Connection performs black hat and grey hat-style testing as part of the standard service. |
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Security Landscape OptimizationGet a security review of key technology and process areas, cybersecurity consulting support, and a prioritized security risk reduction roadmap. |
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Vulnerability ScanningDiscover whether the devices on your external or internal network have known security weaknesses or flaws that make them easily exploitable. With the Vulnerability Scanning solution, Connection helps you manage your organization’s critical risks. This solution includes an assessment of system configurations. This solution is also ideal for organizations that need to remain PCI compliant. |
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Security Health CheckThis flexible service typically includes internal and external penetration testing, firewall switch and router configuration analysis, Microsoft Active Directory and Exchange security analysis, specific application security analysis, wireless security testing, social engineering testing (including phishing and vishing), and policy review. Connection customizes this service to examine your organization’s existing tools, systems, and policies for vulnerabilities, flaws, and potential exploits. This service does not include secure code analysis or deepdive application security testing to find application-based attack techniques. |
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Data Security AssessmentMake sure your data security execution aligns with your organizational policies with Connection’s Data Security Assessment. Connection first assesses your organization’s current data security management strategy. Connection then uses data loss prevention technology to scan and identify data issues on the network and at the edge. Connection then helps you create a strategy on how to best handle and execute data security, considering your existing policies, your operational goals, and your SLAs or regulatory constraints. This service is ideal for organizations with comprehensive unstructured data. |
Evolving Trends in Malware Analysis
By John Chirillo
The landscape of malware analysis has significantly evolved, driven by the increasing sophistication of cyberthreats and the advanced techniques being developed to combat them. Malware attacks on U.S. businesses this year have increased by 30% in the last year with many organizations experiencing data theft from such attacks.3 In Q3 of 2024, the average weekly cyber-attacks per organization increased to an all-time high of 1,876—a 75% increase from the same period in 2023, and a 15% increase from the previous quarter. 4 This article explores the key trends shaping the field of malware analysis, highlighting the challenges and innovations for business and cybersecurity leaders.
AI-powered Malware
One of the most notable trends in 2024 was the rise of AI-powered malware. These malicious programs leverage artificial intelligence to adapt and evade traditional security measures. AI-powered malware can learn from its environment, making it more difficult to detect and neutralize. This poses significant challenges for cybersecurity professionals, who must develop equally advanced techniques to counter these threats. The dynamic nature of AI-powered malware requires continuous monitoring and adaptation of security protocols to stay ahead of potential attacks.
Fileless Malware
Fileless malware is another growing concern in the cybersecurity landscape. Unlike traditional malware that relies on files stored on a disk, fileless malware operates entirely in memory. This makes it difficult to detect using conventional methods, as there are no files to scan. Instead, advanced memory forensics and behavioral analysis are required to identify and mitigate fileless malware. This type of malware often exploits legitimate system processes, further complicating detection efforts.
Quantum-Resistant Encryption
As quantum computing advances, so does the need for quantum-resistant encryption. Emerging malware strains are beginning to use quantum-resistant encryption to protect their communication channels. This presents a new challenge for malware analysts, who must develop techniques to decrypt and analyze these communications. The adoption of quantum-resistant encryption by malware underscores the importance of staying ahead of technological advancements in the field of cybersecurity.
IoT Malware
The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has created a proliferating attack surface for cybercriminals. IoT malware targets these devices, which often have diverse architectures and limited security measures. Effective analysis of IoT malware requires specialized tools and techniques tailored to the unique characteristics of IoT devices. As the number of connected devices continues to grow, so does the importance of securing them against malware attacks.
Supply Chain Attacks
Supply chain attacks have become increasingly prevalent, exploiting trusted software distribution networks to insert malware into legitimate applications. These attacks can have far-reaching consequences, as they compromise the integrity of widely used software. Analyzing supply chain attacks requires new techniques to scrutinize software supply chains and identify potential vulnerabilities. The complexity of these attacks highlights the need for comprehensive security measures throughout the software development lifecycle.
Polymorphic and Metamorphic Malware
Polymorphic and metamorphic malware are designed to constantly alter their code structure to evade detection. Polymorphic malware changes its appearance with each infection, while metamorphic malware rewrites its code entirely. These techniques make it challenging for traditional signature-based detection methods to identify the malware. Hybrid analysis methodologies that focus on invariant components of the malware are essential for effective detection and mitigation.
Cross-Platform Malware
Cross-platform malware is capable of infecting multiple operating systems, posing a significant threat to diverse computing environments. This type of malware requires analysts to have a deep understanding of various platforms and develop versatile analysis tools. The ability of cross-platform malware to spread across different systems underscores the need for comprehensive security strategies that encompass all potential targets.
Conclusion
The trends in malware analysis reflect the increasing complexity and sophistication of cyber threats. AI-powered malware, fileless malware, quantum-resistant encryption, IoT malware, supply chain attacks, polymorphic and metamorphic malware, and cross-platform malware all present unique challenges for cybersecurity professionals. To combat these threats, advanced techniques and continuous adaptation are essential. To this point, 7 out of 10 business executives will deploy Gen AI tools for cyber defense within the next 12 months to offset an ongoing worker shortage.5In the ever-evolving landscape of cyberthreats, threat intelligence plays a crucial role in understanding the broader context of attacks. By gathering and analyzing data on emerging threats, cybersecurity professionals can develop proactive defense measures and enhance their malware analysis capabilities. Threat intelligence enables organizations to stay ahead of potential attacks and respond effectively to new and evolving threats.
About the Author
John Chirillo is a Principal Security Architect at Connection in the Security Center of Excellence. He’s a seasoned ethical hacker, programmer, author of several books, and is specialized in forensics, malware analysis, and managed compliance using AIOps.
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1.800.800.0014
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1 https://chiefexecutive.net/almost-90-cyber-attacks-caused-human-error-behavior/
2 https://eng.umd.edu/news/story/study-hackers-attack-every-39-seconds
3 Check Point Research, 2024, Highest Increase of Global Cyber Attacks seen in last two years
4 Check Point Research, 2024, A Closer Look at Q3 2024: 75% Surge in Cyber Attacks Worldwide
5 PWC, 2024, PwC 2024 Global Digital Trust Insights
2 https://eng.umd.edu/news/story/study-hackers-attack-every-39-seconds
3 Check Point Research, 2024, Highest Increase of Global Cyber Attacks seen in last two years
4 Check Point Research, 2024, A Closer Look at Q3 2024: 75% Surge in Cyber Attacks Worldwide
5 PWC, 2024, PwC 2024 Global Digital Trust Insights
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