published research

More Warnings on Security in Implantable Medical Devices

Researchers from universities in Belgium and the UK have published research showing that a wide range of implantable medical devices, including implantable defibrillators are still vulnerable to wireless snooping and denial of service attacks. The research, which mimicked the work of a naive (or “weak”) adversary, found that few security protections have been added to such devices, years after researchers first demonstrated that they are vulnerable to wireless attacks and other manipulation.  The discoveries apply to at least 10 types of implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) that are currently on the market, though the devices and manufacturers are not named. The researchers, from Katholieke Universiteit te Leuven in Belgium (KU Leuven) and the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom echoes the claims made by the firm MedSec earlier this year, which warned of security holes in ICD devices made by St. Jude in August. That research was the foundation of a call […]

Cybersecurity: the other Elephant on the Campaign Trail

In-brief: a survey of registered voters finds that concerns about hacking and cyber security loom large in voters’ minds. So why isn’t there more discussion of cyber security and policy on the campaign trail? In this podcast, Security Ledger editor Paul Roberts talks with Ari Schwartz, the Obama Administration’s former Senior Director for Cybersecurity and Israel Barak, the Chief Security Officer at the firm Cybereason about the other elephant on the campaign trail: cyber security policy and hacking.  With election day just two weeks away, the U.S. voting population is on pins and needles. While polls suggest that this election will not be as close as those in 2008 and 2012, uncertainty is in the air. One major party candidate is warning frequently of a “rigged” process, and the FBI and Obama Administration have pointed the finger of blame for hacks of major Democratic Party organizations at the government of Vladimir […]

Lightbulbs, Thermostats and Cameras Oh My! Smart Devices Undermining Corporate Security

In-brief: Smart, connected devices from closed circuit cameras to printers and thermostats are undermining the security of businesses, providing possible paths for hackers onto corporate networks, according to a study by the firm ForeScout. 

12 Years Later: Common Configuration Flaw + Internet of Things = Massive Attacks

In-brief: A common configuration flaw may be behind a massive network of IoT devices used in “credential stuffing” attacks, according to the security firm Akamai.

Tech Giants Team Up On Ethics for Artificial Intelligence | The New York Times

In-brief: Alphabet, IBM, Microsoft, Facebook and Amazon are teaming to pioneer ethical guidelines for artificial intelligence, the New York Times reported.