Who is Stealing My Voice : Voice Recognition for Access Controls
Voice recognition technology is reshaping access controls in the digital landscape, offering enhanced security through personalized biometric profiles. Unique voiceprints provide robust authentication, while also delivering a seamless user experience and versatility across various applications. Despite challenges, continuous advancements in AI and machine learning make voice recognition a promising and viable option for advanced security measures.
Is my phone being hacked ???
In today’s digital age, smartphones are essential, but they can be vulnerable to hacking. Signs of a hacked iPhone include unusual battery drain, slow performance, unusual data usage, strange pop-ups, and unexpected account activities. To address this, monitor battery and data usage, remove suspicious apps, avoid suspicious pop-ups, and promptly address unauthorized account access. Regularly update software and consider installing reputable security apps for added protection. If the issue persists, seek assistance from Apple Support or cybersecurity professionals.
Is Your Child Safe Online?
Keeping children safe online is a top priority for parents and caregivers in the digital age. The internet offers numerous educational and entertainment opportunities, but it also comes with potential risks. Here are some practical tips to help ensure the online safety of children: By combining these strategies, you can create a safer online environment for children, allowing them to explore the internet while minimizing potential risks. Regularly revisit and update safety measures as your child grows and their online activities evolve.
What is Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity protects an organization’s ability to function, and it enables the safe operation of applications implemented on the organization’s IT systems.
Why a career in Cyber Security could be the right choice for you.
By Christopher Nelson MBA, CISSP, PMP, ITIL Expert CSPO. As cyber and data breaches continue to grow exponentially, corporations continue to depend on cybersecurity professionals to detect threats and protect sensitive data. Experts predict that the demand for cybersecurity specialist will continue to grow as the industry is opening many opportunities for beginners and professionals who want to enter this exciting field. Careers in cybersecurity may be demanding, but at the same time satisfying. The primary objective is to safeguard an organization’s critical data from being lost or damaged by an attack. Currently there are billions of devices connected to the internet that are changing the way we work and live. Gartner, the global research firm estimates that there are over 3.8 billion devices connected to the internet. These range from heart monitors, door locks, refrigerators to phones, computers, tablets and servers. Although the career paths in cybersecurity differ with each person, research indicates that there are key hard and soft skills which support this career choice. For positions in cybersecurity, candidates are required to have the following soft skills:• Attention to detail.• Creative and technical problem solving.• Peaceful disposition in times of trouble.• Ability to be a team player.• Desire for additional skills and information.• Be an enthusiastic listener.• Good verbal and written communication.• A curious and investigative mind. Hard skills required include the following:• Understand the basics of programing or scripting language.• Knowledge of computers.• The ability to discuss technical topics in plain words.• Learn a cybersecurity sub-category and become a specialist.• Be skilled in the tools used for attacks and security frameworks.• Investigative, regulatory and evidence gathering techniques. There are many career paths to explore, and the roles identified are some of the best career options: • Security Engineer• Consultant and Business Owner• Developer and Pentester• CISO/CISSP• Security Analyst• Cybersecurity Project Manager• Cybersecurity Lawyer• Security Architect• Cybersecurity Sales Many people who work in the industry have a job that is secure as compared to other industries. This is because employment opportunities for information security analysts will grow by an amazing 28 percent from 2016 to 2026 and experts believe that with threats increasing every day, there may be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs globally by 2021. The benefit of learning or switching to a career in cybersecurity is that people from similar fields who are already proficient in technology and those with a non-technical background can transition if they build on their hard or soft skills. The question is which cybersecurity certification and path is best for you? There is no clear choice when selecting a career path or certification and everyone’s journey will be different, but three factors should be taken into consideration: • Which skills and qualifications that you currently hold can be transitioned to cyber security? • At what level are you in your current career? Is it Entry, Mid – Senior or Executive? • What are you enthusiastic about or hoping to accomplish? This means that if you have skills that can be transitioned such as investigative, analytical, project management or regulatory, then the change could be easier. Those with no technical or cybersecurity experience could explore Security+ or Network+ which will provide a more in-depth view of cybersecurity. Before an individual makes that final decision to get into the industry, it is important to note that whereas most organizations have identified information security as an important risk to the success of their business, it also does not guarantee that it is their primary focus. It is a competitive industry with incredibly talented people who demonstrate new ways to protect organizations. At the end of the day, your experience is the number one quality that organizations are looking for and this does not mean you must have 5 to 10 years of cybersecurity experience. It means bringing 100% effort to work every day, doing it well and getting the challenging work done.
I always feel like somebody is watching me!
Many people believe that our conversations are being recorded and analyzed while at the same time being used for marketing purposes. On the extreme end of the privacy spectrum, hackers can access cameras and microphones on your devices and record your actions and conversations without being detected.
You never get a second chance for a first impression!
If you want to stand out, your resume with your profile gives you the best opportunity to be noticed. Whether it is in a functional or chronological format, you should try to have your resume tailored towards the job you want to get. This will demonstrate to the prospective employer that you are the right candidate. A last-minute job application without a proper review of an old resume is the fastest way to ruin your chance of success. The new resume shows your profile and increases your chances of being noticed. Generic resumes are no longer being used, successful candidates create a tailor-made resume with a focus on the job they are applying for. Work history A strong work history demonstrates your abilities even if they do not compliment your career path. For example, working at a fast-food restaurant shows your ability to offer customer service, manage cash and be part of a team. A job as a babysitter shows that the person is mature, has patience, and a good work ethic. No work history makes a potential employer wonder if you are ready for the real world. You should add accomplishments, even if they appear strange. For example, winning a singing competition may open a conversation about your interest in the arts; while winning an athletic medal, on the other hand, may get recruiters talking about your interest in healthy foods. Use catchphrases. Employers receive hundreds of resumes every day. It is therefore a good idea to do some research on the organization you are applying to and include words that could get the employer’s attention. If you are applying to a bank, for example, you could use words like cash, credit cards, balance and reconcile. If you worked in a fast-food restaurant and operated the cash register, you would have handled all the above. Also, the website of the company you hope to work for is a good source of information. Get important points noticed. Most recruiters look at the top half of your resume first and usually view it in 20 seconds so highlight your achievements and experience first and then include other information. After listing, your contact information, add a summary of your qualifications and work experience that may be relevant to the job you are applying for.Your education, honors and awards should follow along with any volunteer work you may be doing. Keep the same font. Unless you are applying for a position in Arts, Advertising or Marketing, you should always keep the same font. This makes your presentation look organized and will assist with the flow of the presentation. The most widely accepted fonts are Tahoma, Ariel, and Georgia but Times New Roman in 10- to 12- point size is the font most recommended. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Your resume speaks for you. Keep this in mind and double check the final document for spelling and grammatical errors. Recruiters will send your resume to the trash bin once errors are detected. This ensures that you do not end up in their organization and make the same errors. Make your resume appealing and keep it to one page, two pages if you have more than 5 years’ experience. Be professional but show that you are fun and personable and demonstrate that you have some knowledge about the position you are applying for. What to Avoid Do not try to be funny? Inappropriate comments or jokes may not go down well with your recruiter. Whenever possible you should avoid commenting on matters of race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion. These comments may reflect poorly on a recruiter and breach ethical grounds as the recruiter may be questioned in the future about the reasons why you were employed. Use plain paper or professional resume paper. Your presentation on a bright blue paper will not go across well with recruiters. Trying to look pretty may look unprofessional. It says you are not ready for the world of work. Share your feedback and comments with the author. Christopher Nelson CISSP Christopher Nelson, MBA, CISSP, PMP, CSPO, ITIL Expert, is a Cybersecurity and Project Management professional who has worked for several organizations as a Senior Executive to develop strategies which improve operational efficiencies and deploy cyber security infrastructures.
Protecting our Kids Online
By Christopher Nelson CISSP There is a lot to consider when you allow your children access to the internet. It is increasingly difficult for parents when their kids are online more often than they should be. It is hard to find the time to monitor our children, especially when we are working from home and occupied with our own online meetings. Almost half of kids aged 8 to 16 are always online and laser focused on games for entertainment and social media apps. Many kids lie about their age online and 40% reveal private information online such as their home address. These activities increase the dangers from inappropriate content, bullying and predators. So how do we help our children stay safe online? The first step is to educate and encourage our children to be vigilant while exposed to the digital world. These are some tips to keep your kids safe: To protect our children, we must first understand the risk of being online. The dangers may come from friends, strangers, and the sensitive information that they might share. Friends: On social media, messaging apps and online games, kids may encounter bullies who provoke them. Be aware that other children may share your child’s private information and if it has sexual content, it will be considered a criminal offense. Strangers: On social media and online games, these predators hide in the dark pretending to be children but target children or adults with poor security and then trick them into divulging passwords and sensitive information. Parents or caregivers should always keep an eye on kids when they are online because they may attempt to download dangerous software or share private information. Predators may attempt to gain your child’s trust and take advantage of them, so we need to protect them from these threats. I can never say enough about installing strong antivirus software with family friendly features and sharing these tips with family and friends about cybersecurity. Put in place internet rules. Stay safe with rules about internet usage such as: No access without an adult’s permission Limit the screen time to an agreed amount of time per day. Restrict access to safe and specific apps. Review access and content controls on applications such as language, age, restricting comments and communication capabilities such as messaging, picture sharing and voice. This will prevent the sharing of private information or intimate pictures. No new applications should be installed without adult approval. Talk to an adult if someone is trying to get me to do something I do not want to. Encourage your kids. Empower your kids to protect themselves online by following a checklist: I know what to do if someone makes me feel uncomfortable. I know what information I can share. A friend online could also be a stranger. Not all websites are good. There are no secrets on the internet. Only parents can make online purchases. Parents must lead by example and demonstrate that their own online behavior is safe and responsible. Tools that aid cyber protection Anti-virus: Not all anti-virus solutions are created equally. Check the reviews and capabilities to protect your environment from viruses, ransomware, and malicious programs. Anti-phishing: This prevents access to bogus links. Webcam protection: Turn off and cover your webcam when your meeting is finished. Content blocker: Install content blockers to prevent access to the more dangerous parts of the internet. Password protector: Use a password protector to keep passwords safe until kids’ login again. There is no tool that can guarantee your child’s online safety but by changing our behaviors and making them aware, we can create a safer environment for children to meet, entertain and play.