Verizon's Data Breach Investigations Report 2020 highlights the leading causes of breaches last year, including credential theft, phishing, ransomware as well as issues linked to cloud implementations and web applications. In an interview, Verizon's Ashish Thapar offers an in-depth analysis.

A 15-year-old identity framework originally designed for narrow use by pharmaceutical companies is being revamped and updated for broader use in healthcare, says Kyle Neuman, managing director of SAFE Identity, an industry consortium and certification body that's coordinating the project.

The latest edition of the ISMG Security Report analyzes why cyberattacks against banks have surged in recent weeks. Plus: The increasingly ruthless tactics of ransomware gangs; cybersecurity strategies for small businesses.

As cyberthreats to medical research on COVID-19 - and other intellectual property - grow, organzations must take critical steps to prevent the theft of their "innovation capital," says Russell Koste, chief security officer of Alexion Pharmaceuticals.

The American Medical Association has issued a set of privacy principles for health data that it hopes Congress and regulators will keep in mind as they prepare legislation and regulations. In an interview, AMA Board Chair Jesse Ehrenfeld, M.D., describes the recommendations.

Healthcare organizations need to diligently assess whether a security incident involving patient information truly qualifies as a reportable breach under HIPAA to avoid needlessly reporting it to federal regulators, says regulatory attorney Helen Oscislawski.

The latest edition of the ISMG Security Report features Retired General Keith Alexander, former NSA director, discussing the long-term security implications of the shift to working from home. Also: an update on ransomware gangs leaking data and an analysis of using open source code for app development.

Kevin Schwarz of Zscaler discusses the security implications of the "new normal" of employees working from home, including the role of a "zero trust" strategy.

"Risk acceptance" was the operative term as organizations quickly deployed remote workforces in response to the global crisis. But now, as this deployment becomes a long-term option, enterprises need to take a future-focused view toward identity, cloud, and the attack surface. Forcepoint's Homayun Yaqub offers tips.

Besides hospitals and academic institutions, dozens of nonprofits, including nongovernmental organizations - or NGOs - around the world must protect their COVID-19 research and related activities from those seeking to steal data or disrupt their operations, says cyber risk management expert Stanley Mierzwa.