News

ChoicePoint settles class action suit for $10m
ChoicePoint settles class action suit for $10m
Data broker ChoicePoint has agreed to pay $10 million to settle a class-action lawsuit brought against it over the three-year old data breach which exposed 163 000 personal information records.
Feb. 1, 2008
PCI-DSS failure could hit brands, gaming firms told
PCI-DSS failure could hit brands, gaming firms told
The potential damage to a brand justifies the high cost of Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) security compliance work, a major payment card operator told a gambling conference.
Jan. 29, 2008
CIA claims hackers attack global power grid
CIA claims hackers attack global power grid
The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) says criminals hacked into the computer systems of utilities, cutting the power to several international cities.
Jan. 25, 2008
Many Oracle enterprises ignore its patches, says study
Many Oracle enterprises ignore its patches, says study
Most database administrators do not apply the Critical Patch Updates (CPUs) that Oracle issues on a quarterly basis, a new study finds.
Jan. 18, 2008
FAA Plays Down Boeing 787 Security Concerns
FAA Plays Down Boeing 787 Security Concerns
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) document warns that Boeing’s new 787 passenger jet flight control systems may result in security vulnerabilities as it connects the passenger network with the flight-safety, control and navigation network.
Jan. 10, 2008
TV presenter “wrong” after bank account scam
TV presenter “wrong” after bank account scam
The star of the popular BBC America show Top Gear has had his bank account hacked after publicly revealing his details in a newspaper article.
Jan. 8, 2008
Better job prospects for infosecurity staff, says SANS
Better job prospects for infosecurity staff, says SANS
Infosecurity professionals will see improved job opportunities in 2008, according to the SANS Institute. The US-based organisation believes that as senior executives in government realise that their systems have already been compromised, and that they do not control those systems, they will react by creating new jobs.
Jan. 2, 2008
Norwich Union Life fined £1.26m
Norwich Union Life fined £1.26m
The UK’s Financial Services Authority has fined life assurance company Norwich Union Life £1.26 million ($2.54m, €1.77m) for “not having effective systems and controls in place to protect customers' confidential information and manage its financial crime risks” (statement).
Dec. 17, 2007
SANS: crooks turn fire on users and custom software
SANS: crooks turn fire on users and custom software
Cyber criminals have shifted their aim from flaws in commonly-used software to problems with custom-built applications, and are also targeting easily-misled users, according to the SANS Institute’s revised top 20 internet security risks.
Dec. 7, 2007
Banks voice approval of phone biometrics
Banks voice approval of phone biometrics
Several banks are adopting voice biometric technology, while BT is preparing to offer an internal service commercially, according to exhibitors at the first European Voice Biometrics Conference, held in London on 28 and 29 November.
Dec. 6, 2007
UK government loses data on 25m Britons
UK government loses data on 25m Britons
The UK government has lost personal data on every child in the country, as well as national insurance numbers and bank account details of parents and carers claiming child benefit, on two password-protected CDs sent through an internal mail service.
Nov. 20, 2007
ICO asks UK to criminalise severe data breaches
ICO asks UK to criminalise severe data breaches
The UK information commissioner’s office (ICO) has asked the government to make serious breaches of the Data Protection Act a criminal offence, rather than attracting fines as at present.
Nov. 14, 2007