ADP Probes Security Incident

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Recently, Automatic Data Processing Inc. (ADP), well-known world-wide for payroll management services suffered security breach. The company also offers benefits administration services. A system intrusion incident occurred at Workscape, firm recently acquired by ADP. IT security professionals of the company are investigating the incident. ADP has around 570,000 clients. Large number of leading U.S corporations avail payroll services of ADP. However, preliminary investigations indicate that security incident affects only one of the company’s clients. The targeted system only includes data pertaining to benefits administration. The company has notified the affected client and counter crime agencies regarding the breach.

The security breach incident at ADP is the latest addition to attacks on financial companies, which include Citigroup and International Monetary Fund (IMF). Frequent security breach incidents impact the confidence of customers, and stakeholders. Banks, credit institutions, and companies offering financial services contain large databases containing sensitive personal and financial information related to existing and potential customers. As such, they become an attractive target for perpetrators of online crime. Successful intrusion attempts may provide attackers access to account details, credit card data, and information pertaining to loan accounts. Security breach incidents have severe implications on the confidentiality, and financial security of the affected individuals. Cybercrime has evolved as an organized activity. Cyber-fraudsters sell the extracted information on underground crime sites. They may also use the extracted financial data such as credit card information to manufacture counterfeit cards, and conduct unauthorized transactions on victim’s accounts.

Usually, individuals become aware of fraudulent activity on their accounts after a long period of time, when they get notifications from banks and financial institutions. Banks and financial companies must place high emphasis on security of information infrastructure. Professionals qualified in IT degree programs and information security certifications may help organizations in timely evaluation of threats and securing infrastructure to prevent infiltration by attackers.The IT security policy of companies must provide for regular scrutiny of the IT infrastructure through vulnerability analysis, penetration testing and security audits. They must regularly patch software and network devices, and replace obsolete devises. They must have appropriate intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) in place. Professionals must conduct further analysis of alerts provided by IDPS to detect real threats and false positives. The emerging security scenario makes it necessary for security professionals to upgrade their know-how through online IT courses, and training programs.

As attackers may try to breach security by collecting information through spear phishing, companies must place emphasis on creating cyber security awareness among employees. E-learning and online IT degree programs may enable employees to acquaint themselves of different forms of threats, and data security best practices.

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EC-Council
Website: http://www.eccuni.us
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 505-341-3228

EC-Council University is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico and offers Master of Security Science (MSS) degree to students from various backgrounds such as graduates, IT Professionals, and military students amongst several others. The MSS is offered as a 100% online degree program and allows EC-Council University to reach students from not only the United States, but from all around the world.

EC-Council is a member-based organization that certifies individuals in cybersecurity and e-commerce skills. It is the owner and developer of 16 security certifications, including Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator (CHFI) and EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA)/License Penetration Tester (LPT). Its certificate programs are offered in over 60 countries around the world.

EC-Council has trained over 80,000 individuals and certified more than 30,000 members, through more than 450 training partners globally. These certifications are recognized worldwide and have received endorsements from various government agencies including the U.S. federal government via the Montgomery GI Bill, Department of Defense via DoD 8570.01-M, National Security Agency (NSA) and the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS). EC-Council also operates the global series of Hacker Halted security conferences.

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