Erik from Secure Systems 
Shared Responsibility Model: What Your Cloud Provider Does and Doesn’t Secure Bottom Line Up Front The shared responsibility model defines which security controls your cloud provider manages versus which ones you’re responsible for implementing. Understanding this division is critical for compliance frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and NIST CSF — all of which … Read more
Azure Security Best Practices: Comprehensive Configuration Guide Bottom Line Up Front Azure security best practices form the foundation of your cloud security posture, protecting workloads through identity management, network controls, data protection, and continuous monitoring. These configurations directly support compliance requirements across SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, NIST CSF, CMMC, and PCI DSS by implementing … Read more
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): How It Works and Why You Need It Bottom Line Up Front Two-factor authentication (2FA) transforms your authentication process from a single point of failure into a layered defense, requiring users to provide something they know (password) and something they have (authenticator app, SMS, hardware token). This control is mandatory across virtually … Read more
AWS Security Best Practices: Hardening Your Cloud Environment Bottom Line Up Front AWS security best practices form the foundation of your cloud security posture, implementing defense-in-depth controls across identity management, network security, data protection, and logging. These practices directly address requirements across SOC 2 (CC6.1, CC6.6, CC6.7), ISO 27001 (A.13.1, A.9.1, A.12.6), HIPAA Security Rule … Read more
Dark Web Monitoring: Detecting Leaked Credentials and Data Bottom Line Up Front Dark web monitoring continuously scans hidden marketplaces, forums, and databases where cybercriminals trade stolen data to detect if your organization’s credentials, customer information, or intellectual property has been compromised. This proactive threat intelligence capability helps you respond to breaches before attackers exploit leaked … Read more
Penetration Testing Tools: Essential Toolkit for Security Professionals Bottom Line Up Front Penetration testing tools simulate real-world attacks to find vulnerabilities before threat actors do. If you’re manually running `nmap` scans and hoping for the best, you’ve likely outgrown basic security assessments and need a structured toolkit that can handle both external and internal testing … Read more
Cyber Kill Chain: Understanding and Disrupting Attack Progression Bottom Line Up Front The cyber kill chain provides a strategic framework for understanding how attackers progress through your environment — from initial reconnaissance to achieving their objectives. By mapping your security controls to each stage of the kill chain, you can identify gaps in your defense-in-depth … Read more
SOX Compliance: IT Controls for Sarbanes-Oxley SOX compliance has evolved far beyond its financial origins — if you’re a technology company supporting public companies or preparing for your own IPO, you’re likely facing IT control requirements that go deeper than traditional financial audits. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act demands rigorous internal controls over financial reporting, and in … Read more
IoT Security: Protecting Connected Devices in Your Organization Bottom Line Up Front IoT security protects connected devices, sensors, and embedded systems from cyber threats while maintaining visibility into your organization’s expanding attack surface. As organizations deploy everything from security cameras and smart thermostats to industrial sensors and medical devices, IoT security controls become critical for … Read more
Zero-Day Vulnerabilities: What They Are and How to Defend Against Them Zero-day vulnerabilities represent one of the most challenging threats in cybersecurity — security flaws that attackers discover and exploit before vendors can develop patches. Your defense strategy must focus on detection, response, and mitigation since you can’t patch what you don’t know exists. While … Read more
