Trail Report: Get Back to Basics Before It's Too Late

Welcome IT dwellers, it’s September and I’m here to tell you what’s new in the IT sphere. 

Here’s what’s been on my mind lately:

• Cyber experts say it’s time to get back to basics
• Old-school email gateways can’t keep up with modern phishing attacks
• E-Rate cycles

Trail Report

In a recent Global Government Forum webinar, cybersecurity experts laid it out plain and simple: governments need to get back to basics if they want to keep ahead of the growing wave of cyber threats. Paul Selby, Deputy Chief Information Officer at the U.S. Department of Energy, didn’t sugarcoat it – despite years of focus, many organizations are still stumbling on the fundamentals, like multi-factor authentication and data encryption. His message was clear: before we get swept up in the allure of cutting-edge tech, we need to make sure the foundational defenses are solid. You don’t climb the mountain without the right gear in place first. 

Selby also reminded everyone that while AI and zero-trust architectures are the shiny new tools in the cybersecurity world, they only work well if the basics are locked down. Too many organizations are still leaving gaps in core protections, making them easy targets. In large, complex organizations like the Department of Energy, with its massive range of responsibilities, getting the basics right is critical. 

The global nature of these cyber threats was another big talking point. Yu Ping Chan from the United Nations Development Programme called attention to the fact that many developing countries are facing these risks without the right resources or infrastructure. It’s not just about protecting your own patch – cybersecurity is a global issue, and collaboration is key. 

Trail Mix

• 📧 Outdated secure email gateways (SEGs) aren’t keeping up with the latest phishing scams, which are using tricks like polymorphic subdomains and compromised accounts to sneak by. As cybercriminals evolve, 87% of businesses are ready to replace their SEGs. The new defense? AI-driven cloud email security that spots even the most advanced attacks.
• 🏭 It’s a mess out there in industrial networks – too many remote access tools, and not enough security. Hackers are having a field day with these weak spots, and it’s time to clean house. Start by taking inventory, ditching the risky tools, and setting up a solid perimeter of security.
• 🤝 As AI keeps getting smarter, Ghazi Ben Amor from Zama warns that cybersecurity regulations need to stay just as sharp. Right now, too many frameworks are stuck in the mud, and cybercriminals are finding the gaps. To keep up, we need flexible rules that grow with the tech—plus a lot more teamwork between the folks making the tech and those writing the rules.
• 🐈 The cyber cat-and-mouse game keeps getting tougher as attackers use real credentials and evolve their strategies, but the basics are still your best bet. Experts like Matt Olney and Mick Baccio emphasize that tools like MFA and patching are key to staying secure, while AI can help lighten the load for your team. Stay resilient, and remember—it’s not just about keeping up, it’s about outlasting the threat.
• 😥 When it comes to physical security systems, human error is one of the biggest openings hackers use to slip through, whether it’s weak passwords or falling for phishing scams. SIA Cybersecurity Advisory Board members say the solution starts with good cybersecurity training, tightening up basic defenses, and building security into the system from the start. Smart practices like multi-factor authentication and password management are essential to stop hackers in their tracks.

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