Optiv has launched its AI Security Services that enables clients to securely harness the innovation and efficiency of generative AI - leading to expedited business outcomes.

Strategy is Part of Federal Government's Efforts to Safeguard Critical InfrastructureDENVER, Aug. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Optiv + ClearShark, the leading cybersecurity and IT solutions provider for the U.S. government, stands ready to help federal agencies adopt a Zero Trust architecture strategy by the Sept. 30, 2024, compliance deadline.The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) established the end of September as the deadline for federal agencies to implement the necessary move away from perimeter-based defenses. Originally announced in 2022, the OMB mandate followed an executive order issued by President Joe Biden the previous year.The goals outlined in the memorandum from OMB align with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's five Zero Trust pillars:Identity: Enterprise-managed accounts with phishing-resistant multifactor authenticationEnterprise-managed accounts with phishing-resistant multifactor authentication Devices: Consistent tracking, monitoring and inventorying of staff devicesConsistent tracking, monitoring and inventorying of staff devices Networks: Encrypted DNS requests and HTTP trafficEncrypted DNS requests and HTTP traffic Applications and Workloads: Enterprise applications tested internally and externallyEnterprise applications tested internally and externally Data: Enterprise-wide logging and information sharingOptiv + ClearShark has a history of successfully implementing Zero Trust-enabling technology and brings years of knowledge and experience helping organizations accelerate these efforts and achieve their goals.Learn more about Optiv + ClearShark's Zero Trust insights and best practices: https://www.optivclearshark.com/solutions/zero-trust"Adopting Zero Trust architectures significantly bolsters government agency security by requiring continuous verification and restricting lateral movement within networks," said Mark Modisette, senior director of Zero Trust strategy at Optiv + ClearShark. "This transition involves a comprehensive cultural and operational shift, potentially substantial investments in technology and updated training programs and documentation to meet new compliance standards."To help accomplish this, Optiv + ClearShark can help organizations:Conduct security capability reviews to look for security tool gaps and overlapDevelop vendor selection criteria where gaps may existLook for integration opportunities of current security capability investmentsEvaluate maturity and develop roadmaps to ensure capabilities are available for use case development and execution"By adopting these changes, agencies will see improvements in threat detection and response, increased automation of security processes and better resource management, leading to a more robust IT environment," Modisette added

Cyber Pros Focusing More on AI and Machine Learning to Thwart AttacksDENVER, July 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Optiv, the cyber advisory and solutions leader, has published its 2024 Threat and Risk Management Report, which examines how organizations' cybersecurity investments and governance priorities are keeping up with the evolving threat landscape.Based on an independent Ponemon Institute survey, the report reveals that 59% of respondents increased their cyber budgets year-over-year. Additionally, 63% of organizations with more than 5,000 employees had an average of $26 million allocated to cybersecurity investments in 2024.While organizations are investing in more technologies, 40% of respondents believe they have too many, hindering overall effectiveness. By contrast, only 29% feel that they have the right number of tools. This underscores the need for a strategic approach to cybersecurity investment, focusing on streamlining existing tools and ensuring a seamless technology stack integration. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) capabilities are another growing focal area for cybersecurity organizations looking for ways to accelerate their threat detection, prevention and process automation capabilities to keep up with threat actors who are also using these tools.The report shows a significant rise in data breaches and security incidents, with 61% of respondents experiencing a data breach or cybersecurity incident in the past two years, and 55% of respondents experiencing four or more incidents in that timeframe. These numbers highlight the urgent need for organizations to further prioritize cybersecurity investments and strategies.Download the full report: https://www.optiv.com/insights/discover/downloads/2024-cybersecurity-threat-and-risk-management-report"Cyber incidents are not slowing down, which means organizations must work at a speed above those of the threat actors attacking their environments