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Cybersecurity experts warn it only takes one slip
By Suzanne Pollak and Carolyn Conte
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Baltimore Jewish Times October 23, 2020
Courtesy of Maryland Israel Development Center
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onprofits are being hacked more frequently than ever, and the global pandemic is only making matters worse. “We do see a steep increase,” in cybersecurity breaches, said Asaf Weisberg, founder and CEO of introSight and board director of ISACA, an international association that assists technology professionals and their companies around the world. “The intensity is higher than before.” Because of the increased local threats, the Cybersecurity Association of Maryland, the Maryland Israel Development Center, the Embassy of Israel and Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP had a webinar Oct. 22 for National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. A panel of experts discussed solutions, grant opportunities and emerging technology trends. Four Israeli cybersecurity companies shared their insights and techniques on how to stay ahead of hackers. Howard Feldman “Israel and Maryland are global hotspots of cybersecurity development and, too often, was not believed to be a hate crime. targets of cybersecurity attacks. Our panel of Weisberg said that was common. Hackers strive experts [discussed] emerging cyber threats and to get the most money from easy, vulnerable technological solutions they have developed on targets. Usually, an attack on a Jewish nonprofit is the front lines of cyber protection,” said webinar not an anti-Semitic incident. “If the intentions are moderator Howard Feldman, who is partner and criminal, they don’t care if you are Jewish or not. co-chair of Data Security and Privacy Practice, They are after the money,” he said. Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP, as well as a Taking money from an account or encrypting MIDC board member. files and then demanding money to restore the Hackers are taking advantage of the pandemic information, which is called ransomware, are the as more people work from home, often using two most common ways of hacking organizations, computers that do not have the latest antivirus and they are not new, he said. software. “People are working outside their comfort A third way, however, has arisen recently. zones, and the attackers are taking advantage of Hackers pretending to be IT professionals text that,” Weisberg said from his home in Israel. company employees to say they are eligible for Last month, The Jewish Federation of Greater a COVID-19 grant and then go on to ask for Washington announced hackers stole $7.5 sensitive information, something that should never million from the United Jewish Endowment be divulged to a stranger. Fund and diverted that money into international Local organizations are aware and cautious. accounts. The hackers went for the money and At the Baltimore Jewish Council, The Associated: did not steal donor information, according to the Jewish Federation of Baltimore maintains a robust Federation, which also noted that the incident system of security to prevent hackers and threats.
