
MediaPRO News Coverage
Check out what our subject matter experts are saying in news coverage across the cybersecurity and data privacy landscape
#ValentinesDay: Staying Safe from Romance Scams - Infosecurity Magazine
Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast shares some tips for steering clear of romance scams for Valentine’s Day in this Infosecurity Magazine article.
The state of the cybersecurity job field: 5 key factors you need to know - Tech Beacon
There’s a lot of room on the human side of cybersecurity training and awareness space for people who write and communicate well, who can distill complex policies into clear directives, and who can help people appreciate and connect with their cybersecurity teams, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells Tech Beacon.
What to prioritize this Data Privacy Day - Security Magazine
The essence of Data Privacy Day is the realization that data privacy is everyone’s responsibility, meaning a focused and useful approach to privacy training and awareness is an important part of any Data Privacy Day effort, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells Security Magazine.
BEC attack techniques exploit Microsoft 365 messages - SC Magazine
A recently discovered email scam technique using a built-in Microsoft feature is further proof a skeptical eye is needed to combat emerging phishing attacks, Chief Strategist Tom Pendergast tells SC Magazine.
How Phishing Attacks Continue to Shift As WFH Persists In 2021 - Dice Insights
The sense of heightened risk and urgency is now gone from remote work, so people’s diligence may drop, especially where remote workers may not see the consequences of their actions, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells Dice Insights, making reminding employees of persistent threats all the more important.
With all eyes on the inauguration, lessons in the convergence of physical and digital security emerge - SC Magazine
As both physical and information security teams learned from the insurrection at the Capitol building, anticipation of high-risk events should spur proactive measures that assume the worst, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells SC Magazine
FBI warns of voice phishing attacks targeting employees at large companies - TechRepublic
Anyone who suspects that they have received a vishing scam attempt over the phone should report it to their IT teams immediately, especially if they might have accidentally given up sensitive information, Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier tells TechRepublic.
Aliens and UFOs: A Final Frontier for Social Engineers - Threatpost
Thanks to the impending release of a U.S. government report on UFO activity mandated by a COVID-19 relief bill, social engineers could have more fodder to build tantalizing phishing emails taking advantage of our curiosity and fear, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells Threatpost.
Experts Weigh In on Cybersecurity Risks of Capitol-Like Attacks - SecurityWeek
Chief Strategist Tom Pendergast joins a variety of cybersecurity experts sharing thoughts on what prevention and response strategies and policies they would implement if they were in charge of cybersecurity at an organization the size and scale of the U.S. Capitol in this SecurityWeek article.
The Cyber Risk Management Challenges After Capitol Riot - Data Breach Today
The cybersecurity risk and threats caused by the Jan. 6 Capitol Hill riot should be taken as seriously by security officials as the recent SolarWinds breach, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells Data Breach Today.
Phishing Emails Spoof Australia's Cyber Security Center - BankInfo Security
Scammers posing as the Australian Cyber Security Centre provides a great opportunity to remind everyone that government agencies never email or call people and ask them to download software, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells BankInfo Security.
10 must-have cybersecurity skills for career success - Tech Target
Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier shares her thoughts as one of six InfoSec experts providing input on the 10 must-have cybersecurity skills for 2021 in this Tech Target article.
Officials use language of war, deterrence to discuss US response to suspected Russian hack - KOMO News
The amount of personal data that was likely compromised as part of the SolarWinds hack sets up lasting challenges for government employees and companies, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells KOMO News.
Christmas: It’s the Most Vulnerable Time of the Year - Infosecurity Magazine
Any virtual meetings held for the holidays among coworkers and employees should follow the same security standards and protocols as any other corporate communication, including being extra careful with meeting invite links, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells Infosecurity Magazine.
Hackers accessed systems at the National Nuclear Security Administration - Security Magazine
The fact that nation state actors as part of the SolarWinds hack had months of gathering inside information that they could use to extort or manipulate employees within the breached companies should ignite planning right now to prepare employees to fend off social engineering attempts that utilize this information, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells Security Magazine.
Latest SolarWinds victims reportedly include nuclear weapons agency and Microsoft - SiliconANGLE
Organizations impacted by the massive SolarWinds hack should take steps now to prepare for the possibility of social engineering attacks based on any information compromised in the hack, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells SiliconANGLE.
Cybersecurity Skills: Which Ones Are Needed For 2021? - Dice Insights
Among cybersecurity professionals, empathy and flexibility are two soft skills that will be in demand for the coming year, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells Dice Insights.
Global phishing campaign targeting the COVID-19 vaccine cold chain - Security Magazine
Skeptical, vigilant humans are key to stopping an emerging spear-phishing campaign related to the COVID-19 vaccine, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells Security Magazine.
Tips for Secure Online Shopping this #BlackFriday - Infosecurity Magazine
During this online shopping season, there’s no better time to triple check things like shipping notification emails before clicking on any links, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells Infosecurity Magazine.
Changing Employee Security Behavior Takes More Than Simple Awareness - Threatpost
Training and awareness managers need to be empowered to decide how their own programs will be run to optimize employee engagement, Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier tells Threatpost.
'Tis the Season for Online Counterfeits - E-Commerce Times
Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast offers some quick tips for safe and secure holiday shopping in this E-Commerce Times article.
Why Security Awareness Training Should Be Backed by Security by Design - Dark Reading
Security teams need to be aware of how visible their training and awareness efforts are and use this visibility to work toward a security culture, Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier tells Dark Reading.
CISA warns public about online holiday shopping scams - Security Magazine
Cybercriminals are likely to prey on human vulnerabilities, like fear and stress, to scam people while shopping online this holiday season, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells Security Magazine.
Organizations Should Use Psychology to Promote Secure Behavior Among Staff - Infosecurity Magazine
Designing secure behavior into everyday activities is a good way to ensure those behaviors stick around, Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier says in this Infosecurity Magazine piece about the psychology of employee training.
GoDaddy Employees Tricked into Compromising Cryptocurrency Sites - Threatpost
No one is immune to phishing emails, making it all the more important to teach employees to have healthy skepticism, and making that culturally acceptable in your organization, Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier tells Threatpost in this story about a GoDaddy employee getting phished.
Iowa City hospital suffers phishing attack - Security Magazine
Mercy Iowa City hospital reported that an internal email compromise and phishing email incident led to the exposure of personal information of some 60,473 individuals. MediaPRO’s Lisa Plaggemier explains how training prepares employees on how to recognize phishing threats.
IRS Domain Spoofed in Fraud Campaign - Data Breach Today
Domain spoofing paired with well-written phishing emails, like are being used to send phishy IRS emails, is now standard practice for many fraudsters, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells Data Breach Today.
Engineering careers are hot. Here's how women can catapult into the male-dominated field - TechRepublic
Men in leadership roles can do their part by recognizing and encouraging women who excel in the traditionally-male-dominated world of IT and computer engineering, Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier tells TechRepublic.
Phishing scam costs Wisconsin GOP $2.3 million - Security Magazine
Making voting, email, and digital transactions and the internet safe for everyone should be an issue everyone can get behind, no matter their politics, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells Security Magazine in reference to a phishing scam that hooked the Wisconsin GOP.
When Women Lead in IT Security - SC Magazine
The ability of women to see all sides of an issue is a plus for relationships with customers as well as employees, Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier tells SC Magazine in this special piece of coverage recognizing Women in IT Security.
Malicious SharePoint and OneDrive links are a phishing scammer’s dream - SC Magazine
With the surge of document sharing technology use the pandemic has triggered, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast says scammers are moving in the same direction in this SC Magazine article.
What Skills Will Cybersecurity Leaders Want in 2021? - Dice Insights
Strong interpersonal skills will be key for cybersecurity teams to progress into 2021 and beyond, Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier tells Dice Insights.
Amazon Prime Day leads to spike in phishing attempts - Security Magazine
Research suggests Amazon Prime Day will be just another opportunity for scammers to take advantage of anyone looking for a good deal, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast warns in this piece from Security Magazine.
Global Privacy Control Launched to Offer Users Greater Internet Trust - Infosecurity Magazine
Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast lauds the establishment of a new Privacy Control Standard intended to give internet users greater control over how their personal data is used in this Infosecurity Magazine article.
More scoring, less boring: How companies can gamify security training - SC Magazine
Making security and privacy issues engaging and entertaining is a matter of finding the human drama or mystery in them through stories and real-life examples, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells SC Magazine.
2020 School Year Brings Cybersecurity Concerns Along With COVID-19 - Dice Insights
In the wake of many recent cyberattacks targeting the education sector, school districts and universities can benefit by focusing on the basics of security awareness for faculty and staff, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells Dice Insights.
65% of leaders say that security awareness training is not a top priority - Security Magazine
A comprehensive approach to security training and awareness should beyond traditional courses and include using articles in the company newsletter, infographics, and messaging on company social channels, Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier tells Security Magazine
Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Train employees to be first line of defense - Tech Republic
Humor, storytelling, and a positive attitude are all attributes of good security training to keep in mind, for Cyberseucrity Awareness Month and beyond, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells Tech Republic.
Corporates See Loan Fraud By Insiders As Growing Threat - PYMNTs.com
Nearly half of U.S. employees intend to spend 15 minutes or more per month on security training and awareness next year, but Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier warns the quality of the training matters if fighting fraud is the goal. Read more in this piece from PYMNTS.com.
Report Outlines Importance of Providing Engaging User Awareness Training - Infosecurity Magazine
Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier stresses the importance of security training that connects with employees based on the results of an original research report surveying 1,000 employees on training and security culture.
Defending Against Deepfakes: From Tells to Crypto - Dark Reading
“Sound-alike” voicemails claiming to be from your boss could be one new tactic for cybercriminals using deep fake technology, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells Dark Reading.
What’s really changed three years after Equifax breach? - SC Magazine
In addition to regular patching and network segmentation, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells SC Magazine that security training on incident reporting should be a key lesson of the Equifax Data Breach.
Norway's Parliament Investigates Email Hacks - Gov Info Security
The hacking of some public official email accounts among the Norwegian parliament is a reminder that any communication via electronic means is potentially vulnerable to attack and thus to public disclosure, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells Gov Info Security.
How, and when, to divvy consequences to employees for breaching security policy - SC Magazine
While sometimes needed, consequences for employees who do not follow their company’s security policies need to be handled carefully so as not to alienate those on the front lines of a company’s security posture, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells SC Magazine.
'Vishing’ emerges as new cyber threat: What is it? - Fox News
Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier lists some of the ways scammers can collect information about employees and their companies to launch voice phishing, or “vishing,” scams in this Fox News article.
Why the Cybersecurity Skills Gap Continues to Widen - Dice Insights
Providing more security knowledge to people in IT, such as a software developers and data architects, so that they can do their jobs more securely could reduce the burden on the already stretched security professionals, Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier tells Dice Insights.
SANS Institute breach proves anyone can fall victim to a ‘consent phishing’ scam - SC Magazine
In this SC Magazine article, Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier applauds the quick actions and clear communications of the SANS Institute in response to a data breach that started with an employee clicking on a phishing email.
SANS cybersecurity training firm suffers data breach due to phishing attack - TechRepublic
The SANS Institute data breach caused by a phishing attack shows that no one is immune and that awareness of phishing scams is more important than ever, Chief Strategist List Plaggemier tells TechRepublic.
Ransomware victim Travelex forced into bankruptcy - Security Magazine
It pays to be prepared for a ransomware attack, Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier tells Security Magazine, and this should include regular tabletop exercises, clear ransomware payment policies, and training and awareness for all employees.
Business must overcome privacy challenge for facial recognition to thrive - SC Magazine
In this SC Magazine article, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast advises caution for companies implementing facial recognition technology and suspects many often do not think about all that could possibly go wrong with such data collection.
Almost Half of Businesses Hit By COVID-Related “Business Impacting Cyber-Attack” in 2020
With increases in cyberattacks taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells Infosecurity Magazine the targets, humans, have not changed and are more vulnerable now than ever.
Phone spear phishing allowed hackers to gain Twitter employee credentials - Security Magazine
Spearphishing attacks, like the one that allowed hackers to compromise 130 high-profile Twitter accounts, rely in-part on publicly available personal information. Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier tells Security Magazine this should be a reminder to us all to stay vigilant.
Twitter hackers were caught after sending bitcoin to verified Coinbase accounts - SiliconANGLE
Phone scams, or “vishing,” continue to evolve right alongside email phishing scams, as evidenced by the phone-based social engineering scammers used to compromise high-profile Twitter accounts, Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier tells SiliconANGLE.
Twitter's Cyber Attack and Takeover: It Was Spear Phishing - SecureWorld
The Twitter hack that comprised 130 high-profile accounts illustrates the importance of keeping aware of how much information about yourself is out there, as such details can be used for spearphishing attacks, Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier tells SecureWorld.
North Korean hackers target defense and aerospace industry in ‘Operation North Star' - SiliconANGLE
Users at defense and aerospace companies must be especially skeptical of any email contact and have to take steps to verify the legitimacy of contacts in the wake of concerted North Korean attempts to access defense contractor information, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells SiliconANGLE.
Back to WFH: Lessons Learned to Improve Security - Security Boulevard
Working remotely can provide opportunities for one-on-one engagement and promotion of security training and awareness initiatives, Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast tells Security Boulevard.
Keys for a Safe Return to the Post-Quarantine Office - Dark Reading
For safe and secure return-to-work scenarios, employers will have to put data collection controls in place for any health-related data they collect from employees; and be ready to answer employee questions about them, says Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast in this Dark Reading article.
MGM Data Breach 14x Higher than Initially Thought - Hospitality Technology
Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast discusses why notifying potential victims of a data breach is as important as revealing how many were impacted and when in this Hospitality Technology piece about a large MGM data breach earlier this year.
Remote Work Is a Security Nightmare. How Do We Fix It? - Dice Insights
IT Help Desk staff can do their part for security awareness by offering tips for securely working from home while dealing with employee technical issues, says Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier in this article from Dice Insights.
What Will Cybersecurity's 'New Normal' Look Like? - Dark Reading
Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier predicts security will become even more of a selling point for hardware and software in the post-coronavirus “new normal” in this article from Dark Reading.
Rethinking Cybersecurity in a Post-Pandemic World - Dice Insights
IT staff should look for “teachable moments” as they work with employees to ensure they’re securely working from home, says Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier in this article from Dice Insights.
Two Years In, IT Thought Leaders Judge GDPR's Impact - eWeek
Check out a roundup of thoughts on the impact of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) two years in from a sampling of security and privacy professionals, including Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier.
COVID-19 Contact Tracing Apps Spotlight Privacy, Security Rights - Health IT Security
Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast shares some privacy concerns about the potential emergence of contact tracing apps as the world seeks a post-coronavirus “normal” in this Health IT Security piece.
Convenience Motivates Us, Not Security or Privacy: Lisa Plaggemier, MediaPRO - TechNadu
Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier discusses the privacy and security risks around us and how to educate on these issues in this Q&A interview with TechNadu.
Contact-Tracing Apps: Privacy Group Raises Concerns - Gov Info Security
Is contact-tracing technology part of the post-coronavirus return to “normal?” Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast comments in this Gov Info Security article.
Interview With Tom Pendergast, Chief Learning Officer at MediaPRO - AiThority
Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast talks data privacy, living in the digital area, and keeping people informed in this Q&A with AIThority Magazine.
A Remote Workforce Makes Security Training More Critical - Security Boulevard
Learn some tips for how best to send coronavirus-themed simulated phishing emails to educate employees from Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier in this Security Boulevard article.
Interview: Lisa Plaggemier, Chief Strategist, MediaPRO - InfoSecurity Magazine
InfoSecurity Magazine featured this interview with Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier on what makes good cybersecurity training and how to run an effective security awareness program.
IT pros air their opinions on phishing employees - IT Pro
In this IT Pro article, Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier shares advice and caution when it comes to using real-world topics to send simulated phishing emails to employees as part of training and awareness.
The Demand for Soft Skills - Cybersecurity Effectiveness Podcast
Hear about the importance of “soft skills,” such as creative problem-solving and communication, in modern security teams from Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier in this Verodin Cybersecurity Effectivness podcast episode.
15 Coronavirus Online Scams to Watch Out For - The Street
Check out some advice on how to spot coronavirus phishing scams and what steps you can take to avoid them from Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier in this piece from The Street.
Scams, Fraud and Misinformation: How Cybercriminals are Taking Advantage of Coronavirus - Security Magazine
Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast comments on the need to practice strong critical thinking skills in the age of coronavirus scams.
The other virus threat: Surge in COVID-themed cyberattacks - Yahoo News
Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast weighs in on the the cyber risks working from home brings.
CyberWire Daily Podcast -
3-12-2020
Learn some key results from our 2020 State of Privacy and Security Awareness Report from Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast on the CyberWire Daily Podcast with host Dave Bittner.
Cruise Operator Carnival Corporation Discloses Cyber Attack - Security Magazine
MediaPRO Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier talks about the importance of phishing awareness related to a cyber attack on a large cruise line.
Secrets from cybersecurity pros: How to create a successful employee training program - ZDNet
Learn some quick tips for security awareness training programs from MediaPRO Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier and other experts in this ZD Net article.
Cybercriminals Using Coronavirus to Carry Out Phishing Attacks - Security Magazine
Chief Strategist Lisa Plaggemier offers insight into coronavirus phishing attacks and how to protect yourself against them.
CCPA Draft Regulations v2.0 and the Uncertainties Continue - JD Supra
JD Supra cited our 2020 State of Privacy and Security Awareness Report in this article about changes to the California Consumer Privacy Act.
Employees aware of privacy risks, but unsure of how they affect the workplace - HelpNet Security
HelpNet Security featured the findings of our 2020 State of Privacy and Security Awareness Report.
Data breaches, privacy concerns and government pressure turn up the heat for cybersecurity experts - SiliconANGLE
Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast was quoted in this piece on Data Privacy Day 2020 on the importance of private data in our modern culture.
Home Safe: 20 Cybersecurity Tips for Your Remote Workers - Dark Reading
Check out some advice for staying cybersecure while working from home from Chief Learning Officer Tom Pendergast in this Dark Reading piece.