Cybersecurity 101

A patch is a set of software changes that fixes a bug or security vulnerability in a software already currently in use by the organization.

The Payouts King ransomware group is a newly identified threat actor and forms part of the ongoing influx of fresh ransomware brands. Limited public reporting suggests the group is likely in an early phase of operations or running a short-term campaign rather than maintaining a long-standing presence. Payouts King’s activity points to a pragmatic, [...]

The PEAR ransomware group is a newly surfaced actor  adding to the growing list of emerging ransomware brands. With only limited public reporting available, PEAR appears to be in a formative stage, potentially testing operations or building a reputation through early attacks. Observed activity suggests PEAR favors a low-noise, high-pressure approach, gaining access quietly [...]

Penetration testing, also known as a pen test or ethical hacking, is an authorized simulated cyberattack used to identify, test and highlight vulnerabilities in an organization's security posture.

Personally identifiable information (PII) is any data that when used alone, or with other relevant data, could identify a specific individual. Examples include (but are not limited to): name, address, contact number, email address, driver's license number, SSN, D.O.B, passport number, fingerprint.

Phishing is defined as a form of social engineering in which a cyber threat actor poses as a trustworthy colleague or acquaintance of an organization to lure a victim into providing sensitive information or network access.

The Play ransomware group (also known as PlayCrypt) is a well-established and active ransomware operation that emerged in mid-2022. Unlike many newer groups, Play has demonstrated consistency and operational maturity, targeting medium to large organizations across sectors such as healthcare, government, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure. Play is known for its hands-on-keyboard intrusion style, often [...]

Profiling refers to the practice of creating detailed and data-driven representations (or profiles) of typical system behavior, user actions, network traffic, or threat actor characteristics to identify anomalies or detect potential security risks. In essence, profiling is the process of analyzing patterns and behaviors within a system to create baselines of what is considered [...]

The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI) is South Africa's regulation governing data privacy for citizens of South Africa.