What is the weakest human part?
Best Practices for Data Analysis of Confidential Data
While secure storage media will protect data when it is not being analyzed, it is also important to follow practices that keep data secure while it is being analyzed. Secure storage is important, but it is only one aspect of a larger set of behaviors and habits that are important when handling research data that must be kept confidential. Ultimately, the researcher is responsible for appropriate use and storage of their research data.
- STORE PAPER FORMS SECURELY: Much like electronic data, paper documents such as consent forms, printouts, or case tracking sheets that contain personal identifying information (PII) must be stored securely in locked file cabinets when not in use and must be handled only by trained staff members when actively used during research. With consent forms in particular, it is important to remember that physical separation of the form from the subject’s data is not sufficient. The researcher’s assurance of confidentiality extends to the consent form which documents participation in the study must and be treated as a confidential document.
- USE SECURE STORAGE FOR DETACHABLE MEDIA: Confidential data stored on transportable media such as CDs, DVDs, flash memory devices, or portable external drives must be stored securely in a safe or locked file cabinet and handled only by authorized staff members.
- PROTECT PASSWORDS: Secure data storage depends on the creation and use of passwords that are needed to gain access to data records. The best storage and encryption technologies can be easily undone by poor password practices. Passwords should be difficult to determine and be protected as carefully as confidential data. They should never be shared or left on slips of paper at work stations or desks. Princeton University’s OIT is an excellent resource for information on creating and managing passwords.
- TRAIN AND MONITOR RESEARCH ASSISTANTS: Research assistants who work with confidential data should understand and follow all of the basic data security practices outlined in this section. This begins with human subject research training which may be completed on line at: Human Research/training. Research assistants and other project staff must be acquainted with procedures and practices described in these guidelines. Principal investigators are directly responsible for training and monitoring project staff, and researchers who work with confidential data. Researchers are encouraged to contact the Office of Research Integrity and Assurance should they have questions about training.
- RESTRICTED USE SHARED ACCOUNTS OR GROUP LOGIN IDs: Anyone who works with confidential electronic data should identify themselves when they log on to the PC or laptop computer that gives them access to the data. Use of group login IDs violates this principle. Project managers must make certain that everyone working with confidential data has a unique password that personally identifies them before they can access the data. For any student or employee working on a Princeton computer, this will be the LDAP login ID and password that person was assigned at matriculation or initial employment. For information on requesting LDAP login IDs and passwords for temporary employees or consultants, click here.
- KEEP USER GROUP LISTS UP-TO-DATE: User groups are a convenient way to grant access to project files stored on a remote server. The use of user groups simplifies the granting and revoking of access to a research project’s electronic data resources. By granting access privileges to each of the research project’s electronic folders to the group as a whole, newly authorized members of the project team can obtain access to all related electronic data resources by just being added to the group. When an individual is no longer a part of the project team, the removal of his or her ID revokes access to all resources. But remember that group members can access resources on any Princeton computer to which the group has access, not just the computers used in your work area. Group membership lists should be reviewed regularly and, when project staff complete their work or leave the project, the user group administrator should update the user group list so that persons no longer working on the project cannot access any shared resources.
- AVOID USING NON-DESC PCs OR LAPTOPS FOR COLLECTION OR STORAGE OF CONFIDENTIAL RESEARCH DATA: The Desktop Systems Council (DeSC) oversees the use and maintenance of computers participating in the managed environments that make up the DeSC Program. The scope of the Council’s activities is to advise the university on standards for the managed computing platforms for institutionally owned computers. Computers outside of the DESC system may lack adequate firewalls, virus protection, and encryption that help protect confidential research data from being stolen. Computers that are part of the University’s DeSC system maintain up-to-date systems that are designed to keep PCs, laptops and their contents securely protected from theft or unauthorized use.
- ACTIVATE LOCK OUT FUNCTIONS FOR SCREEN SAVERS: Computers used for data analysis should be configured to «lock out» after 20 minutes of inactivity. This reduces the risk of theft or unauthorized use of data in situations where a user working with confidential data leaves his or her desk and forgets to logoff the PC. OIT provides instructions on how to configure the automatic lock out feature for Windows PCs.
- USE SECURE METHODS OF FILE TRANSFER: Transfer of confidential data files between users or between institutions has the potential to result in unintended disclosure. File transfers are often the weakest part of any plan for keeping research data secure. The method used to transfer files should reflect the sensitivity level of the data. Research files with PII or other confidential information should always be compressed and encrypted before they are transferred from one location to another. This is especially important when transferring files as attachments to email or as files on physical media such as CDs or flash memory drives. File compression minimizes the chances of your file transfer failing because your file is too large. Encryption will ensure that your compressed file cannot be read by anyone who does not have the password that was created when the file was compressed and encrypted. Other secure and convenient methods of file transfer include SharePoint and University-supported Google Drive
- USE EFFECTIVE METHODS OF DATA DESTRUCTION: When requesting IRB review for their planned studies, researchers must create a plan for the ultimate disposition of their research data. This plan specifies what will be done with the data once the objectives of the project are completed. In many cases, researchers will produce various types of reports or papers for publication, as well as a de-identified data file for use by other researchers or the general public. If your research plan calls for destruction of documents or electronic files after the project has been completed, all paper files or CDs with PII should be shredded and any electronic files on memory drives, PCs, laptops and file serves should be permanently deleted. In general, regulation requires that all raw data be kept for a minimum of 3-years after study completion. If the research plan includes long term retention of PII (in paper or electronic form), then all data files should be stored securely in a safe or locked file cabinets in a secure building. Undergraduate students should typically store their research data in the office of their faculty advisor.
Human Factor in Cybersecurity: The Weakest Link?
Cybercriminals often exploit our human vulnerabilities and psychological elements to steal credentials and gain unauthorized access. Since phishing and social engineering attacks are primarily targeted at people, the human factor continues to be an important element CISOs need to consider in order to protect their organizations from cyber-attacks. Most data breaches are caused by human error, negligence, or lack of awareness, for example, by simply clicking the wrong link. So, it is common for employees to increase their digital footprint without being aware of the risks involved.
We hear this repeatedly: “Humans are the weakest link in cybersecurity.” This negative characterization of human nature is deeply ingrained in the cybersecurity industry. As a result, it prevents us from talking about how to better involve people in cybersecurity processes. In contrast to technology and technical processes, however, people are inconsistent and unpredictable. The human factor problem is complex because, by its nature, it involves a serious sociological, psychological, and philosophical discussion. Unfortunately, this conversation is beyond the scope of this post.
Fostering a cybersecurity culture
In the fight against cyberattacks, human intuition and creativity will always be crucial. During times of geopolitical tensions, for instance, security analysts can predict human behavior, anticipate criminal activities, and understand why threat actors target specific organizations. However, cybersecurity cannot and should not be the responsibility of a single team or department. It must be a shared responsibility across the entire organization, as well as its extended ecosystem of partners, suppliers, and customers.
As organizations embrace hybrid work models and accelerate cloud adoption, they have become more susceptible to account takeovers and other types of fraud. Therefore, it is important for employees to understand how cyberattacks can impact their businesses and how to protect themselves from day one. New employees should receive cybersecurity awareness training as part of their recruitment and onboarding process. In addition, security awareness training should be an ongoing process that must cover a wide variety of topics and examples of phishing, ransomware, and social engineering attacks.
Although security training is useful and imperative, employees do not always use this knowledge without an incentive to do so. Some see gamification as a potential mean to promote active participation in cybersecurity activities, but that alone won’t be effective if there are no actual tools in place that will enable it. The modern cybersecurity landscape has become too broad and complex to be understood by individuals alone, so employing a defense-in-depth strategy may prove essential. By modernizing and automating IT processes, perhaps we can reduce and improve the human factor impact on cybersecurity.
Modernizing and automating IT processes
Instead of teaching people not to click on unsafe links, you might consider installing a mail security gateway that will block unsafe links. Instead of worrying about data loss when working from home – deploy a zero-trust access solution that will make those losses impossible. Instead of trying to prevent rogue administrators from destroying your infrastructure – use solutions that don’t need an administrator. Let users do what they are best trained for – earn profit for your business.
Nevertheless, this does not imply that security training and awareness programs should be abandoned, since awareness already stops a number of attack vectors and lowers the need for expensive tools. Thus, implementing automated solutions and cultivating a cybersecurity culture simultaneously can help your organization stay safe from cyberattacks. While the human factor continues to be a major problem in cybersecurity, it is essential to implement the right tools. It is much easier to blame the end user for a data breach than to address the bigger and more challenging problem of modernizing and automating IT processes.
Cybersecurity Leadership Summit 2022
The agenda of the Cybersecurity Leadership Summit includes keynote presentations and panel discussions on a variety of topics including Building Resilience after a major Incident which will explore resilience measures to be taken immediately after a major incident; Lessons Learned: Responding to Ransomware Attacks which will discuss how managing ransomware attacks requires significant patience and foresight; Human Factors in Cybersecurity which will dive deep into the role of humans at the center of cybersecurity; Overcoming vulnerabilities around Human Factors which will focus on the vulnerabilities around human factors and the importance of security initiatives; and Rethinking cybersecurity from the human element point of view which will present a comprehensive view of what happens when humans are at the center of cybersecurity.
Alejandro Leal
KuppingerCole Analysts AG
Background and Education Bachelor of International Relations and Security from Jagiellonian University in Poland and a Master of Technology Governance and Digital Transformation from Tallinn.
Top 9 weakest parts in the human body
The human body is a fascinating wonder But apart from the numerous and interesting things you can, it also makes us vulnerable. Definitely, unlike Achilles, the body of a normal person has more than just one sensitive point.
Here, i’ve decided to make a pressure point view of the human body that you can look back to in case of an unexpected situation like an attack.
These 9 Self-Defense weak Points That Can Save Your Life sooner or later.
The power to stand up for yourself is important for everyone. If you aren’t engaged in martial skills like karate and the rest, then you’ll find this article useful.
Imagine a situation that you were being rough handled and your health and even your life were threatened. You will need to rescue yourself. The first thing, aim at the most vulnerable parts of the body like the eyes, jaw, and groin.
But there are other open spaces where nerve endings and internal organs are not safe guarded by bones. Always Keep in mind that these blows can lead to critical damage and even to the death of the enemy. Use this guide only if you’re in serious danger like a robbery attack or so.
1. The Sciatic nerve
This Sciatic nerve is found between the groin and the knee on the midline of the inner thigh. A devastating knee hit will cause serious pain, even shock, dizziness and temporary movement of the foot.
2. The Jaw
Blow the enemy jaw with the back of your hand. After inflicting a blow to the jaw, a person can lose consciousness. With such an impact, the head rotates so quickly that the brain literally shakes.
3. The Biceps
A blow to the biceps brings serious pain and temporary immobility of the arm. Also in some cases, there is an involuntary relaxation of the fingers, which can release the attacker’s grip.
4. The Brachial plexus
A devastating blow to this part can cause serious pain and a numb feeling in the hand. A strong hard hit inflicting just below can definitely break the collarbone. A typical negative effect of a broken clavicle is a rupture of the nerves of the brachial plexus. This leads to immediate immobility of the hand, shock, and nausea.
5. The Groin
There are plenty of nerves in this segment, and just above it, you will find the genitals and the bladder. A feint blow to this part will result to a very severe reaction. A hard hit can break the bladder and cause shock.
6. The Eyes
A blow to the eye or a strong clip on both eyes can permanently cause the blindness of a person. It’s enough to clip slightly on the eyes, causing to a lot of tears. Then you will have an opportunity to escape until the attacker regains his sight. Use this method only as a last option.
7. The Hands
The human hands are covered with numerous of nerve endings. If you tightly press the part between your opponent’s fingers, they will most likely lose their composure and weaken their hold.
8. The Tibialis anterior muscle
A hard strike to the tibial may result to breakage. As a result of such a blow, they will feel pain that causes nausea and will be unable to step on the limb. If the fracture is very severe, splinters of bone can burst the blood vessels. Shock, nausea, and complete immobilization are almost unavoidable.
9. The Parotid lymph node
In this aspect you have 2 options
Quickly press a finger or a second phalange of the bent finger behind the earlobe into the pit between the jaw and neck, or a bit higher on the mastoid process.
Or you can take the strong hold of the ear in a fist — it may be important to scratch the entire ear with the palm of your hand. Dash the lobe from the bottom up, twisting the ear up and toward yourself.
Remember: If you have the option to run away, do it!
If you have some free break, why not take boxing or self-defense classes. It’s never too late to master how to fight.
Have you ever been in a point in life where you had to stand up for yourself? Maybe you know other useful weakest points? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
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Thank you.
