Tag: Cybersecurity

What is the importance of cybersecurity in generative AI? Explaining specific risks and how to manage them
The Importance of Cybersecurity in Generative AI
While generative AI is a highly convenient tool, it also brings increasing risks from a cybersecurity perspective that cannot be ignored. For example, issues such as data leakage through unauthorized access and the generation and spread of false information can have serious impacts on individuals, companies, and society as a whole.
In particular, phishing scams and deepfakes (technologies that convincingly forge people’s faces and voices) that misuse generative AI carry risks of diminishing corporate trustworthiness and causing social disruption. To address these risks, managing AI model training data and implementing access restrictions to prevent misuse are essential.
Additionally, users of generative AI themselves need to heighten their security awareness and handle suspicious information cautiously. Alongside legal frameworks and guideline development by governments and companies, raising awareness at the individual level will likely be key to safe AI utilization in the future.

What is Generative AI?
Generative AI refers to next-generation artificial intelligence with the capability to independently generate data and information. While traditional AI primarily focused on finding appropriate answers from pre-learned data, generative AI can create new data and content, with its distinctive characteristic being the ability to generate something from nothing.
Typical generative AI systems are designed to generate new data and content through iterative learning based on extensive training data. A famous example of generative AI is OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which can automatically generate new text based on textual data.
However, ChatGPT’s latest model, GPT-4o (officially named GPT-4 omni), is provided as a multimodal model. “Multimodal” refers to a mechanism that collects, integrates, and processes information from multiple different sources such as text, voice, and images. Google’s latest generative AI model “Gemini,” announced in December 2023, also supports this multimodal capability.
In recent years, numerous generative AIs specialized in images and videos have also emerged. Specific examples include Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and Runway Gen-2, which can easily generate high-quality images and videos without much effort.
Thus, there are AI systems capable of automatically generating not only text but also images and videos, and they are being utilized in various scenarios, from content creation for marketing activities to television commercials. Generative AI can be said to be a powerful tool for companies aiming to achieve operational efficiency, improve productivity, and connect these efforts to business growth.

Typical Risks of Generative AI
We have explained the importance of cybersecurity in generative AI, but what specific risks are lurking? This chapter introduces three typical risks of generative AI.
Information Leakage
Generative AI learns from vast amounts of data, but if this data includes confidential information, there is a risk that your organization’s sensitive data could be leaked. For example, if internal company information or personal data is exposed externally, it could lead to irreversible consequences. To avoid such risks, appropriate security measures such as proper anonymization of input data and access restrictions to AI models are essential.
Spread of Misinformation
A major advantage of generative AI is its ability to easily create high-quality text and images, but this can also be exploited to generate misinformation and fake news. When fake content spreads throughout society, users may become unable to distinguish truth from falsehood, potentially leading to loss of corporate credibility and social disruption. To address this, mechanisms to verify the reliability of information sources and careful identification and evaluation of AI-generated content are important.
Cyber Attacks
Generative AI carries risks of being misused to imitate cyber attack methods or generate sophisticated phishing emails and malware. This makes individuals and companies more likely targets of cyber attacks, potentially causing economic losses and social disruption. Therefore, security tools capable of detecting AI-generated attack patterns and security education are strongly demanded.
As shown, the risks lurking in generative AI are diverse. To safely utilize generative AI, it is essential to deepen understanding of these risks and implement appropriate countermeasures.

Cases Where Generative AI Use Escalated into Major Problems
There are numerous cases where the use of generative AI has led to significant problems. Let’s examine three specific examples to understand the concrete details.
Fraud Damage Caused by Deepfakes
A multinational company based in Hong Kong experienced large-scale fraud damage due to deepfakes. An employee received an email purportedly from the company’s CFO and joined a video conference via a link contained in the email, where the CFO appeared to be present.
Following the CFO’s instructions, the employee transferred approximately 3.8 billion yen to a specific account. However, this CFO was a fake created using deepfake technology, and by the time this was discovered, the funds had been transferred to overseas accounts and could not be recovered. This case illustrates the threat that sophisticated AI-based forgery technology poses to corporate decision-making processes.
External Leakage of Program Code
A major overseas electronic products manufacturer experienced an incident where its confidential program code was leaked externally. An employee instructed ChatGPT to modify code for a service under development, resulting in the code being exposed externally. This case suggests that when employees have insufficient awareness of cybersecurity and rules for AI utilization are not established, there is a risk that it could lead to information leakage.
Ransomware Creation
Cases where generative AI use has escalated into major problems have occurred not only overseas but also in Japan. In May 2024, an unemployed man in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, instructed multiple interactive generative AIs to design and create original ransomware (a type of virus that infects PCs and smartphones). It must not be forgotten that while generative AI is a convenient tool that enriches daily life and business, it is a double-edged sword that can also be misused depending on how it is used.

Risk Management Methods When Utilizing Generative AI
When using generative AI, it is necessary to prepare for various risks. This chapter explains risk management methods for utilizing generative AI.
Thorough Data Management
When utilizing generative AI, extreme care must be taken in handling input data. If data containing confidential information or personal information is used as-is, the information may be stored in the AI model, creating a risk of unauthorized output.
Data sanitization (methods that anonymize data and remove unnecessary information) is an effective option for avoiding this risk. Additionally, it is important to limit data access and use AI in a secure environment that meets security standards.
Monitoring and Verification of Generated Content
Content output by generative AI needs to be appropriately managed under human supervision. For example, it is important to establish processes for regularly verifying generated content to prevent the spread of misinformation or inappropriate material.
Furthermore, utilizing technologies to identify AI-generated information and filtering functions based on pre-established rules contributes to improving AI safety. Thus, establishing mechanisms for monitoring and verifying generated content is an important point in achieving appropriate risk management.
Security Education and System Reinforcement
To minimize the risks of generative AI, security education for users and stakeholders is essential. Deepen knowledge about potential risks and misuse possibilities of generative AI, and cultivate skills to recognize suspicious content and attack patterns.
It is also important to strengthen security systems within companies and organizations and prepare for rapid response to cyber attacks. If it is difficult to conduct security education or build systems internally, consulting external experts is also an effective option.
Government Initiatives Regarding Generative AI Cybersecurity
In recent years, cybersecurity in generative AI has become a societal issue. The Japanese government is also undertaking various initiatives toward creating an environment for safe generative AI utilization.
For example, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications aims to advance cyber attack countermeasures utilizing generative AI, striving to improve the collection and analysis of threat information and the accuracy of attack infrastructure detection. It is also promoting research and development related to AI safety through the formulation of guidelines for safe AI development and provision, as well as joint research with specialized US institutions.
Furthermore, the Digital Agency published the “Agreement on the Business Use of Generative AI such as ChatGPT (2nd Edition)” in September 2023, providing guidelines on risk management and appropriate usage methods for business use of generative AI. These initiatives aim to reduce risks associated with utilizing generative AI and realize a safe and reliable digital society.
Thus, the Japanese government is also actively promoting initiatives for the safe use of generative AI.
However, relying entirely on government and corporate initiatives is extremely dangerous. To safely use generative AI, it is essential for each user to heighten their awareness of generative AI cybersecurity and implement appropriate risk management.

Conclusion
This article has explained the importance of cybersecurity in generative AI, specific risk management methods, and government initiatives.
While generative AI is a highly convenient tool, it is also true that it involves various risks such as information leakage and the spread of misinformation. Please reread this article to understand the content of typical risks and risk management methods.

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February 28, 2026
What is security literacy? Why is it important and how can you educate your employees?
In today’s society, where cyber attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, it is essential for companies and individuals to improve their “security literacy” in order to protect their own information. Having security literacy gives you the ability to protect yourself from cyber threats. However, many people may know the term but not know what it actually means.
In this article, we will explain the basic knowledge of security literacy, its importance, and specific ways to improve it.

What is security literacy?
Security literacy is knowledge about information security and the ability to utilize it. It requires the ability to understand information security risks and countermeasures, and to utilize them appropriately in daily work and life. Low security literacy increases the risk of phishing scams and malware infections, which can lead to a loss of credibility and economic losses for the company.
There is also a similar term, “IT literacy.” For more information on IT literacy, please see the page ” What problems do you have if your IT literacy is low? How to improve it? “

The Importance of Security Literacy
As cyber threats evolve and become more complex every day, the importance of security literacy is increasing. In recent years, there have been many cases of ransomware attacks targeting companies and personal information leaks. In order to combat these threats, it is important for all employees to have basic security knowledge and to raise their awareness of protecting information with their own hands.
Security-literate employees can identify suspicious emails and links and take appropriate action to reduce the risk to the entire company. In addition, if a security incident occurs, they can respond quickly and appropriately to prevent the damage from spreading.
Improving the security literacy of each employee is therefore an effective security measure for the entire company.

Employee education to improve security literacy
Possible employee education methods to improve security literacy include the following:
Implementing education and training programs
Regular education and training are essential to improving security literacy. It is necessary to implement a security training program to educate employees about the latest threats and countermeasures.
Regular education and training equips employees with practical skills and improves their security awareness, helping them stay up to date with the latest information, especially as new threats emerge.
Use of literacy tests
In order to improve security literacy, it is important to understand the current level of each employee. Therefore, it is a good idea to actively consider using literacy tests to periodically measure the knowledge level of employees.
By conducting literacy tests, you can understand the current security literacy level of each employee and identify areas where they are lacking. This makes it possible to design educational programs that meet the needs of each employee and efficiently improve their security literacy.

Creating a mechanism to improve security literacy
In addition to the employee education mentioned above, creating the following system can be expected to effectively improve security literacy.
Security-related rules
Another effective way to improve security literacy is to formulate clear security rules for the entire company and ensure that employees follow them. For example, by setting specific guidelines for how to handle confidential information, manage devices, set passwords, etc., employees can clearly see what they need to be careful about and gain practical knowledge. It is also important to regularly review and update the rules and prepare a system that can always respond to the latest threats.
Creating a secure environment
To improve security literacy, it is also important to create a secure environment both physically and digitally. For example, by introducing strong network security measures and the latest antivirus software, you can provide an environment where employees can carry out their work with peace of mind. In such a secure environment, employees will also be psychologically aware of security, and you can expect to see an improvement in their security awareness.
Furthermore, in the unlikely event that an employee has low security literacy, it is important to have a multi-layered defense system in place to maintain the overall security level. Even if a “human” mistake is made, a “technical (systematic)” response can be provided, and creating an environment in which both can cover each other leads to stronger security and literacy.
Improving security literacy is an essential element for protecting the information assets of companies and individuals. In today’s world where cyber threats are evolving on a daily basis, it is necessary for all employees to have basic security knowledge and to raise their awareness of protecting information with their own hands. Let’s strive to improve security literacy by implementing education and training programs, utilizing literacy tests, and establishing security-related rules and creating a secure environment.

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July 22, 2024
What is information security education? Explaining how to implement it and points to note
In recent years, information security education has become one of the major factors that determine the survival of a company. As the risk of information leaks and cyber attacks increases, raising the security awareness of each employee is the key to ensuring the safety of the entire company. However, even if people understand the importance of this, many of them may not know what specific measures to take.
In this article, we will explain the importance of information security education, as well as points to note when introducing it and effective ways to implement it.

The value of information security education to companies
It is important to implement information security from three perspectives: “technical,” “physical,” and “human.” Information security education in companies brings various values as a “human” measure.
The first thing that can be mentioned is reducing the risk of information leaks. Information leaks not only significantly damage a company’s credibility, but can also result in legal liability and large amounts of compensation. By having employees knowledgeable about security and taking appropriate measures, such risks can be prevented in advance.
Secondly, information security education can strengthen defense against cyber attacks. Phishing attacks and malware infections often occur due to employee ignorance and carelessness. By developing the ability to recognize these threats and take appropriate measures through education, a company’s defense against cyber attacks can be improved.
Additionally, you will gain a deeper understanding of regulations. Many countries and regions have laws and regulations that require companies to take measures for information security. By implementing education programs and providing ongoing training to employees, you can meet these regulations and maintain compliance.

Points to note when introducing information security training
When implementing information security education, you can ensure its effectiveness by paying attention to the following points:
Regular updates to information security education programs
Information security threats are evolving on a daily basis. Therefore, information security education should not be conducted once and then terminated; the content must be updated regularly. It is necessary to keep security knowledge up to date by informing employees about the latest threats and countermeasures. Companies should regularly review their education programs and make an effort to add new information.
The effectiveness of education for management and its responsibilities
It is important that information security education is provided not only to all employees, but also to management. If management understands the importance of security and demonstrates appropriate leadership, it is expected that security awareness will improve throughout the company. If management themselves demonstrates their commitment to fulfilling their responsibilities regarding information security, it will be easier for them to convey its importance to employees.

How to implement information security training
From here, we will explain in detail how to implement information security education.
Creating information security education programs
When creating an information security training program, it is necessary to customize it based on the company’s industry, size, and unique risks. First, perform a current risk assessment to identify the threats that employees may face. Then, design training content to teach countermeasures against these threats. Specific topics include how to identify phishing emails, secure password management, and the importance of data encryption.
Key points for implementing information security education
To effectively implement information security education, it is important to incorporate practical training in addition to classroom learning. For example, by conducting mock phishing attacks and providing employees with the opportunity to actually respond, they can acquire practical skills. It is also effective to conduct tests after the training to check the level of understanding and evaluate the proficiency of each employee.
Additionally, it is also effective to diversify the content of education. For example, by providing educational materials in a variety of formats, such as video materials, online courses, and workshops, employees can learn in a way that suits them. Ongoing follow-up is also important, and regular reminders and additional training will ensure long-term security awareness.
Information security education is an essential element for modern companies. In order to protect your company from information leaks and cyber attacks, it is necessary for all employees to be security conscious and take appropriate measures. Using the precautions and implementation methods explained in this article as a reference, why not try incorporating information security education into your company?

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July 21, 2024
Cybercrime Fraud, hacks and financial attacks
The internet age undoubtedly has many positive effects on our world. This ever-expanding digital environment has given us remarkable connectivity and collaboration. Entire industries and organizations were never as accessible as they are today, bringing benefits to both individual consumers and companies. The benefits of connected and open digital ecosystems are clear – but with openness comes vulnerability. The threat of cybercrime is ever-present in the online world as criminals seek to exploit and exploit businesses, governments and individuals alike. Brand reputation, sales, savings and intellectual property are just some of the targets at risk from a range of scams and digital attacks. With the advent of blockchain technology, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), this problem becomes even more complex as they not only create solutions but also potential problems for these illegal activities. Below we examine the world of cybercrime and explore how you can protect yourself online and avoid threats or attacks.
- What is cybercrime?
- Cybercrime and Cryptocurrency
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Protect yourself from cybercrime.
What is cybercrime?
Cybercrime is any criminal activity that uses or targets a computer, network, or electronic device connected to a network. Generally, cybercrime is a profit-making activity carried out by individuals or organizations with the primary objective of stealing money. However, some hackers also try to gain access to personal and private data or intellectual property. In some cases, cybercrime aims to intentionally damage computers, disrupt networks for political reasons, or damage reputations.
Some prominent recent examples of cybercrime include the PlayStation Network hack in 2011 and the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack in 2021, which resulted in a massive disruption of gasoline supplies to 17 US states.

Cybercrime and Cryptocurrency
Bitcoin and most other cryptocurrencies are based on decentralized blockchain technology, meaning there is no central authority or owner behind it. The networks are typically peer-to-peer (P2P), giving users the flexibility to transact directly with each other without the need for an intermediary or payment processor. These networks also ensure transparency as all transactions are documented in the blockchain. The efficiency and freedom of this system is further emphasized by the speed of transactions and the borderless nature of cryptocurrencies, as the physical distance between seller and buyer becomes irrelevant.
These positive aspects of cryptocurrencies are why they are so popular among the general public. Unfortunately, these are also the reasons why cryptocurrencies are widely used in the world of cybercrime. Although overall crypto regulation has increased recently, criminals still want to take advantage of the anonymous and decentralized systems of cryptocurrencies to hide transactions and avoid detection.

Different types of cybercrimes
The approach, execution and impact of cybercrime can vary depending on the focus of the attack. For example, hackers looking for sensitive data may use malware or phishing tactics, while others may launch distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks trying to disrupt the operational capacity of a network. are
Let’s take a closer look at the most common types of cybercrime:
Fish
Phishing attempts are probably one of the most common cases on our list. Probably everyone has received a spam email and experienced phishing first hand. Basically, phishing is a way for hackers to obtain data or infect systems with malware through fake emails, social media direct messages, phone calls, or SMS messages. Typically, criminals trick users into clicking a link, opening an email, or downloading an app under false pretenses. For example, a hacker may send you an email posing as your CEO or boss and ask you to provide your login information, or they may collect your personal information or may pose as a representative of your bank using the password to authorize transactions necessary to approve your personal information or password; However, once these hackers gain access to a system or account, they can cause massive damage, identity theft and/or significant financial loss.
Vishing (Voice Phishing)
Scammers are now also using phones and social media apps that have voice calling functionality in a scheme known as phishing or voice phishing. Fraudsters contact their victims through phone, WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord etc. and try to get them to disclose sensitive personal data. Fraudsters will often pretend to be a company or service you have an account with and try to steal information like your name, address, or password.
This is how fraudsters want to get your login details to gain access to your accounts. So beware of unsolicited calls, even if the caller ID is displayed, and don’t give out sensitive information over the phone if you’re not sure of the caller’s identity.
Email Scam
The intentions behind email scams can vary: some emails contain phishing links to fake websites designed to steal your login credentials, and other scam emails contain malicious attachments or malware. May be. In any case, it’s worth being wary of suspicious-looking emails. Always check the sender’s name and email address, even if you know the name – it’s easy to create fake accounts, and even legitimate accounts can be hacked and used for malicious purposes. Also, before clicking on a link, be sure to hover over it, or better yet, access the website yourself through your browser.
Malware
Malware is an umbrella term for any malicious software designed specifically to infiltrate, manipulate, or damage computers, devices, networks, and servers. One of the most common types of malware is the Trojan horse, which is disguised as a legitimate link or app and, once clicked or installed, allows attackers to steal data and gain full system access. allows Keylogger malware is another stealth tactic that can collect sensitive information by recording keystrokes, potentially giving cybercriminals access to passwords and PIN codes.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files, data, and operating systems and locks down victims’ devices and networks until a ransom is paid. In the past, criminals demanded ransom payments in the form of electronic money, but recently cryptocurrency has become the preferred means of payment. For example, the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attackers demanded about 75 Bitcoin ($5 million) for the decryption key to unlock the system.
Ransomware attackers typically use extortion tactics, such as threatening to reveal sensitive data, to pressure victims into complying with their demands. However, when cybercriminals target large organizations, it can have a domino effect as accepting these risks can cause lasting damage to a company’s reputation.
Identity theft and account takeovers
In identity theft, a criminal steals confidential data such as name, address and other personal information to impersonate a victim and use the victim’s identity to obtain loans, credit cards, etc.
Account takeover (ATO) is a form of identity theft in which cybercriminals use stolen information such as login credentials to gain access to accounts and misuse them to make multiple purchases, for example. Additionally, once these attackers gain access to an account, they can perform a variety of fraudulent activities, such as stealing sensitive data, writing phishing emails in the victim’s name, or Accessing additional accounts within the organization. Account takeovers are usually caused by users using the same password for different websites. Criminals can exploit this vulnerability and perform fraud on multiple accounts.
Ponzi schemes
A Ponzi scheme is considered one of the hallmarks of financial fraud, in which an individual fraudster or fraudulent organization solicits victims for financial investment in their business, promising low risk and high returns. Basically, scammers generate returns for existing investors by using money from new investors. While fraudsters traditionally demand payments in fiat currencies, cybercriminals are now focusing on cryptocurrency scams, sending “investors” cryptocurrency to wallet addresses as an initial investment. are asking for Crypto payments are particularly sought after by criminals because they are anonymous and transactions cannot be reversed.
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)
In a DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack, cybercriminals focus on exploiting the capacity of a server, service, or network by overloading the target system and its infrastructure with excessive traffic. DDoS attacks typically involve sending multiple requests to overload the system so that legitimate traffic cannot access a website or service. For companies like Google (2017) and Amazon (2020), both of which have been hit by spectacular DDoS attacks in recent years, this disruption can have a significant impact not only on the user experience, but also on profits as a result. There can be significant losses, like every moment a user can’t access a website or app, which costs the company money.
Initial Coin Offering Fraud
An initial coin offering (ICO) is a way for companies to raise money to develop a new coin, app or service. Coins issued to investors in an ICO can also be used for a future service or product. Although they are a new and exciting form of crowdsourcing, ICOs are also prone to abuse. ICO scams are a common way to exploit potential investors. In these scams, a company or individual creates a new cryptocurrency and offers it to the public for purchase. False claims about the potential of a cryptocurrency are made on websites or in a white paper and the founders then disappear with the money they raised.
,we do rigorous research and due diligence before adding a new coin to our platform. New assets are constantly popping up in the investment world, but that doesn’t mean they are all legitimate investment opportunities. To ensure the safety of our users, our asset listing committee takes the time to carefully review and verify the legality of each digital asset
Cryptojacking
In cryptojacking, a cybercriminal secretly uses a victim’s computer to provide computing power for cryptocurrency mining. This usually happens when victims click on malware that gives attackers access to their computers, who then install mining software and mine cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Monero. The main symptoms of a company or person being a victim of cryptojacking are reduced device performance, loss of processing power, overheating of the battery, and increased power consumption.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
While recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) technology (such as ChatGPT) have opened up new revenue opportunities for companies, they have also opened the door for hackers to exploit and target existing systems, processes and people. are Currently, hackers use email phishing techniques to spy on victims, sending thousands of generic emails impersonating a company or high-ranking individual in hopes that users will give up their information. Unfortunately, AI can make this process even easier and more effective for hackers because the technology can target people in a smarter and more personal way. This is especially dangerous when hackers use AI for so-called “spear phishing,” which targets executives at companies or organizations with ubiquitous access to valuable information.
On the other hand, many companies use machine learning to prevent cyber attacks, especially phishing attacks. Machine learning is a branch of AI that deals with the development of computer systems that use algorithms and statistical models to learn, adapt, analyze, and draw conclusions about patterns and anomalies in data. Essentially, machine learning can improve an organization’s cybersecurity by predicting and mitigating the latest cybercrime threats based on a collection of indicators of past attacks, such as malicious links. Detect, analyze email headers, highlight unusual calls to action, etc. Although AI and machine learning may cause problems in the future, it may also be one of the solutions to prevent cybercrime.
Protect yourself from cybercrime.
Here are some simple precautions you can take to protect yourself from potential cyber threats:
Be wary of emails that ask you to take action or provide personal information.
- Use strong, long passwords that are hard to guess and use a password manager so you don’t forget them.
- Whenever possible, enable two-factor authentication, which requires a form of authentication other than your password.
- Don’t give out sensitive information over the phone, and be wary of unsolicited calls from people whose identity you can’t verify.
- Before clicking a link, hover over it and make sure you know the domain you’re being redirected to.
- Pay attention to spelling and grammar errors in suspicious emails or text messages, as these may indicate a scam attempt.
- Whether by email, phone or text message, do not share sensitive information or login details if you cannot verify the identity of the person making the request.
- Look for the lock symbol or “https” in the URL to ensure a secure connection.
- Check your bank statements and credit score for irregularities.
- Use official websites for payments and transfers.
- Do your own research and take the time to read all available information about a new coin, project or exchange before deciding to invest.
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June 1, 2024
Cybercrime Fraud, hacks and financial attacks
The internet age undoubtedly has many positive effects on our world. This ever-expanding digital environment has given us remarkable connectivity and collaboration. Entire industries and organizations were never as accessible as they are today, bringing benefits to both individual consumers and companies. The benefits of connected and open digital ecosystems are clear – but with openness comes vulnerability. The threat of cybercrime is ever-present in the online world as criminals seek to exploit and exploit businesses, governments and individuals alike. Brand reputation, sales, savings and intellectual property are just some of the targets at risk from a range of scams and digital attacks. With the advent of blockchain technology, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), this problem becomes even more complex as they not only create solutions but also potential problems for these illegal activities. Below we examine the world of cybercrime and explore how you can protect yourself online and avoid threats or attacks.
- What is cybercrime?
- Cybercrime and Cryptocurrency
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Protect yourself from cybercrime.
What is cybercrime?
Cybercrime is any criminal activity that uses or targets a computer, network, or electronic device connected to a network. Generally, cybercrime is a profit-making activity carried out by individuals or organizations with the primary objective of stealing money. However, some hackers also try to gain access to personal and private data or intellectual property. In some cases, cybercrime aims to intentionally damage computers, disrupt networks for political reasons, or damage reputations.
Some prominent recent examples of cybercrime include the PlayStation Network hack in 2011 and the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack in 2021, which resulted in a massive disruption of gasoline supplies to 17 US states.

Cybercrime and Cryptocurrency
Bitcoin and most other cryptocurrencies are based on decentralized blockchain technology, meaning there is no central authority or owner behind it. The networks are typically peer-to-peer (P2P), giving users the flexibility to transact directly with each other without the need for an intermediary or payment processor. These networks also ensure transparency as all transactions are documented in the blockchain. The efficiency and freedom of this system is further emphasized by the speed of transactions and the borderless nature of cryptocurrencies, as the physical distance between seller and buyer becomes irrelevant.
These positive aspects of cryptocurrencies are why they are so popular among the general public. Unfortunately, these are also the reasons why cryptocurrencies are widely used in the world of cybercrime. Although overall crypto regulation has increased recently, criminals still want to take advantage of the anonymous and decentralized systems of cryptocurrencies to hide transactions and avoid detection.

Different types of cybercrimes
The approach, execution and impact of cybercrime can vary depending on the focus of the attack. For example, hackers looking for sensitive data may use malware or phishing tactics, while others may launch distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks trying to disrupt the operational capacity of a network. are
Let’s take a closer look at the most common types of cybercrime:
Fish
Phishing attempts are probably one of the most common cases on our list. Probably everyone has received a spam email and experienced phishing first hand. Basically, phishing is a way for hackers to obtain data or infect systems with malware through fake emails, social media direct messages, phone calls, or SMS messages. Typically, criminals trick users into clicking a link, opening an email, or downloading an app under false pretenses. For example, a hacker may send you an email posing as your CEO or boss and ask you to provide your login information, or they may collect your personal information or may pose as a representative of your bank using the password to authorize transactions necessary to approve your personal information or password; However, once these hackers gain access to a system or account, they can cause massive damage, identity theft and/or significant financial loss.
Vishing (Voice Phishing)
Scammers are now also using phones and social media apps that have voice calling functionality in a scheme known as phishing or voice phishing. Fraudsters contact their victims through phone, WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord etc. and try to get them to disclose sensitive personal data. Fraudsters will often pretend to be a company or service you have an account with and try to steal information like your name, address, or password.
This is how fraudsters want to get your login details to gain access to your accounts. So beware of unsolicited calls, even if the caller ID is displayed, and don’t give out sensitive information over the phone if you’re not sure of the caller’s identity.
Email Scam
The intentions behind email scams can vary: some emails contain phishing links to fake websites designed to steal your login credentials, and other scam emails contain malicious attachments or malware. May be. In any case, it’s worth being wary of suspicious-looking emails. Always check the sender’s name and email address, even if you know the name – it’s easy to create fake accounts, and even legitimate accounts can be hacked and used for malicious purposes. Also, before clicking on a link, be sure to hover over it, or better yet, access the website yourself through your browser.
Malware
Malware is an umbrella term for any malicious software designed specifically to infiltrate, manipulate, or damage computers, devices, networks, and servers. One of the most common types of malware is the Trojan horse, which is disguised as a legitimate link or app and, once clicked or installed, allows attackers to steal data and gain full system access. allows Keylogger malware is another stealth tactic that can collect sensitive information by recording keystrokes, potentially giving cybercriminals access to passwords and PIN codes.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files, data, and operating systems and locks down victims’ devices and networks until a ransom is paid. In the past, criminals demanded ransom payments in the form of electronic money, but recently cryptocurrency has become the preferred means of payment. For example, the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attackers demanded about 75 Bitcoin ($5 million) for the decryption key to unlock the system.
Ransomware attackers typically use extortion tactics, such as threatening to reveal sensitive data, to pressure victims into complying with their demands. However, when cybercriminals target large organizations, it can have a domino effect as accepting these risks can cause lasting damage to a company’s reputation.
Identity theft and account takeovers
In identity theft, a criminal steals confidential data such as name, address and other personal information to impersonate a victim and use the victim’s identity to obtain loans, credit cards, etc.
Account takeover (ATO) is a form of identity theft in which cybercriminals use stolen information such as login credentials to gain access to accounts and misuse them to make multiple purchases, for example. Additionally, once these attackers gain access to an account, they can perform a variety of fraudulent activities, such as stealing sensitive data, writing phishing emails in the victim’s name, or Accessing additional accounts within the organization. Account takeovers are usually caused by users using the same password for different websites. Criminals can exploit this vulnerability and perform fraud on multiple accounts.
Ponzi schemes
A Ponzi scheme is considered one of the hallmarks of financial fraud, in which an individual fraudster or fraudulent organization solicits victims for financial investment in their business, promising low risk and high returns. Basically, scammers generate returns for existing investors by using money from new investors. While fraudsters traditionally demand payments in fiat currencies, cybercriminals are now focusing on cryptocurrency scams, sending “investors” cryptocurrency to wallet addresses as an initial investment. are asking for Crypto payments are particularly sought after by criminals because they are anonymous and transactions cannot be reversed.
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)
In a DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack, cybercriminals focus on exploiting the capacity of a server, service, or network by overloading the target system and its infrastructure with excessive traffic. DDoS attacks typically involve sending multiple requests to overload the system so that legitimate traffic cannot access a website or service. For companies like Google (2017) and Amazon (2020), both of which have been hit by spectacular DDoS attacks in recent years, this disruption can have a significant impact not only on the user experience, but also on profits as a result. There can be significant losses, like every moment a user can’t access a website or app, which costs the company money.
Initial Coin Offering Fraud
An initial coin offering (ICO) is a way for companies to raise money to develop a new coin, app or service. Coins issued to investors in an ICO can also be used for a future service or product. Although they are a new and exciting form of crowdsourcing, ICOs are also prone to abuse. ICO scams are a common way to exploit potential investors. In these scams, a company or individual creates a new cryptocurrency and offers it to the public for purchase. False claims about the potential of a cryptocurrency are made on websites or in a white paper and the founders then disappear with the money they raised.
,we do rigorous research and due diligence before adding a new coin to our platform. New assets are constantly popping up in the investment world, but that doesn’t mean they are all legitimate investment opportunities. To ensure the safety of our users, our asset listing committee takes the time to carefully review and verify the legality of each digital asset
Cryptojacking
In cryptojacking, a cybercriminal secretly uses a victim’s computer to provide computing power for cryptocurrency mining. This usually happens when victims click on malware that gives attackers access to their computers, who then install mining software and mine cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Monero. The main symptoms of a company or person being a victim of cryptojacking are reduced device performance, loss of processing power, overheating of the battery, and increased power consumption.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
While recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) technology (such as ChatGPT) have opened up new revenue opportunities for companies, they have also opened the door for hackers to exploit and target existing systems, processes and people. are Currently, hackers use email phishing techniques to spy on victims, sending thousands of generic emails impersonating a company or high-ranking individual in hopes that users will give up their information. Unfortunately, AI can make this process even easier and more effective for hackers because the technology can target people in a smarter and more personal way. This is especially dangerous when hackers use AI for so-called “spear phishing,” which targets executives at companies or organizations with ubiquitous access to valuable information.
On the other hand, many companies use machine learning to prevent cyber attacks, especially phishing attacks. Machine learning is a branch of AI that deals with the development of computer systems that use algorithms and statistical models to learn, adapt, analyze, and draw conclusions about patterns and anomalies in data. Essentially, machine learning can improve an organization’s cybersecurity by predicting and mitigating the latest cybercrime threats based on a collection of indicators of past attacks, such as malicious links. Detect, analyze email headers, highlight unusual calls to action, etc. Although AI and machine learning may cause problems in the future, it may also be one of the solutions to prevent cybercrime.
Protect yourself from cybercrime.
Here are some simple precautions you can take to protect yourself from potential cyber threats:
Be wary of emails that ask you to take action or provide personal information.
- Use strong, long passwords that are hard to guess and use a password manager so you don’t forget them.
- Whenever possible, enable two-factor authentication, which requires a form of authentication other than your password.
- Don’t give out sensitive information over the phone, and be wary of unsolicited calls from people whose identity you can’t verify.
- Before clicking a link, hover over it and make sure you know the domain you’re being redirected to.
- Pay attention to spelling and grammar errors in suspicious emails or text messages, as these may indicate a scam attempt.
- Whether by email, phone or text message, do not share sensitive information or login details if you cannot verify the identity of the person making the request.
- Look for the lock symbol or “https” in the URL to ensure a secure connection.
- Check your bank statements and credit score for irregularities.
- Use official websites for payments and transfers.
- Do your own research and take the time to read all available information about a new coin, project or exchange before deciding to invest.
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June 1, 2024

What is a security engineer? Is your work hard? Explains qualifications and future potential

Information security has become a particular focus in recent years. As a national qualification, attention is focused on training and securing security engineers who are involved in security-related work, such as “information processing security supporters”.
In this article, for those who want to become a security engineer, we will introduce in detail what kind of work a security engineer is, and also summarize useful information such as related qualifications and annual income, so please refer to it.

1. What is a security engineer? Easy-to-understand explanation
2. Skills and aptitude required for security engineers
3. Is the security engineer “stop”? Is your work hard?
4. Future potential and rewarding of security engineers
5. Recommended qualifications for those who want to become a security engineer
6. Annual income of security engineer
7. Security engineer recruitment
8. Summary

1. What is a security engineer? Easy-to-understand explanation

The various benefits of the spread of the Internet have made our lives more convenient and enriched. On the other hand, news such as leakage of personal information has come to be heard, and information security accidents are listed as an important issue that threatens the survival of a company’s business.

Each company holds a lot of computers and various data, and they are regarded as things to be protected from the outside. There are various means depending on the matters to be observed, such as issuing an IC card so that only specific people can enter the office, wire locking of PCs, installation of antivirus software, and thorough security training.

A security engineer is an engineer who carries out a wide range of tasks related to information security .

1.1 Security Engineer Definition

A security engineer is an IT engineer whose main business is to design, operate, and manage a network that takes information security into consideration.

The following are examples of specific operations.

• Network configuration resistant to external attacks
• Installation of security equipment
• Prevention of computer virus infection
• Control of unauthorized access, etc.

Servers owned by companies are exposed to various threats such as computer viruses, spyware, unauthorized access, and personal information leakage due to internal crimes every day. It is the role of security engineers to devise and implement measures to eliminate vulnerabilities in order to protect computer systems from these threats.

■ Differences between security engineers and network engineers

The differences between security engineers and network engineers are as follows.

Occupation	role
Security engineer	Knowledge about external threats and system vulnerabilities is required, and network configurations and anti-virus measures based on these are required.
Network engineer	Build and operate an optimal network environment by connecting computers and electronic devices used in the company

Security engineers are also required to have the same knowledge as network engineers. This is because not only anti-virus measures but also optimal network configurations are important for countermeasures against external threats.

■ Differences between security engineers and white hackers

The differences between security engineers and white hackers are as follows.

Occupation	role
Security engineer	Knowledge about external threats and system vulnerabilities is required, and network configurations and anti-virus measures based on these are required.
White hacker	Protect national and corporate information from the threat of crackers who gain unauthorized access to or intrude into your computer. Antonym of “black hacker” who launches cyber attacks

Hackers who launch cyber attacks are called black hackers (black hat hackers) and crackers, while those who use their knowledge and skills for good purposes are called white hackers.

White hackers are sometimes referred to as “security engineers” or “security consultants” by some companies. In other words, it is the role of white hackers to protect national and corporate information from the threat of crackers that illegally access or invade computers. The role is relatively close to that of a security engineer.

In some cases, white hackers refer to “security-related consultant-oriented positions.”

1.2 Job description of security engineer

Security engineers have a very wide range of tasks. Here are some of them.

business	Contents
Security consulting business	Consulting services to maintain and manage the information security level of customers
Design and construction of security infrastructure	Business that designs and builds security-conscious IT infrastructure using security devices such as firewalls and intrusion detection / prevention systems (IDS / IPS)
Operation, maintenance and monitoring of security infrastructure	Business that monitors logs from operating IT infrastructure and security equipment 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and responds immediately when unauthorized access is detected.
Security-conscious software design and implementation	Business to improve the security level of software and maintain security
System vulnerability diagnosis	Vulnerability diagnosis (test) business

■ Security consulting business

It is a consultant business that plans and proposes measures to prevent security-related troubles and respond promptly if an incident occurs.
We have a wide range of business scope, such as examining and proposing improvement measures from diagnosis and analysis of the IT environment, supporting the introduction of security products, and supporting measures for acquiring privacy marks.

■ Design and construction of security infrastructure

Business that designs and builds security-conscious IT infrastructure using security devices such as firewalls and intrusion detection / prevention systems (IDS / IPS). You are also required to have a background as an infrastructure engineer.

What is an infrastructure engineer? The actual work content, skills, career, qualifications, and future potential are all disclosed!

■ Operation, maintenance and monitoring of security infrastructure

It monitors logs from operating IT infrastructure and security equipment, and responds immediately when unauthorized access is detected. We may also create a report that summarizes log aggregation and response details as a report.

■ Security-conscious software design and implementation

It is a business to improve the security level of software and maintain security. Knowledge of secure programming is required.

■ System vulnerability diagnosis

It is a business to perform vulnerability diagnosis (test) for Web application diagnosis and platforms such as networks and OSs. The purpose is to discover potential vulnerabilities in the system and mitigate the damage by conducting pseudo-attacks.

2. Skills and aptitude required for security engineers

What is a security engineer? Is your work hard? Explanation of qualifications and future potential [Freelance engineer project information | Professional engineer]

2.1 Information security management

Security engineers need information security management skills. Information security management has the following procedures.

Management process decisions	Three major elements of security, three layers of security policy, PDCA cycle, etc.
Establishment of management system	Basic policy decision, risk assessment, etc.
Introduction and operation of management system	Response planning, education, etc.
Monitoring and review of management system	Review of effectiveness, internal audit, etc.
Maintenance and improvement of management system	Implementation of improvement measures, etc.
Document creation	Create documents such as basic policies, countermeasure standards, implementation procedures and regulations

Furthermore , the following skills are required as the “risk analysis” technology required for information security management .

• Determining risk assessment method
• Investigating and evaluating information assets
• Investigating threats and vulnerabilities
• Assessing risks
• Examining and organizing countermeasure systems

2.2 Unauthorized access method

Unauthorized access is the act of gaining access to a system that you do not originally have the authority to access, and then illegally invading the server or the inside of the system due to a security vulnerability.

For example, in the case that was discovered in August 2020, there was a problem that dozens of companies in Japan were illegally accessed by exploiting vulnerabilities in VPN devices, and the password for VPN connection was leaked.

There are various methods for such unauthorized access, and at the same time, it is important to acquire knowledge of countermeasures.

2.3 Secure programming techniques

In order to prevent unauthorized access by vulnerabilities, it is important to eliminate the vulnerabilities at the time of programming the system .

For example, if there is a system that registers the value entered in the form in the database, if a specific character string such as “1 == 1” is entered, the SQL statement for manipulating the data will be broken. It may happen. In order to prevent it in advance, it is necessary to program so that an error will occur if you try to enter the character string “1 == 1”.

Skills for secure programming are important to prevent such types of intentional malfunctions and other attacks.

3. Is the security engineer “stop”? Is your work hard?

What is a security engineer? Is your work hard? Explanation of qualifications and future potential [Freelance engineer project information | Professional engineer]

3.1 There are many cases of unauthorized access to companies, and “responsibility is serious”

In recent years, most of the unauthorized access that has occurred in Japan is targeted at companies.

According to the National Police Agency, the number of unauthorized access acts (recognition) in 2019 was 2960, of which 2855 (96.5%) were targeted at general businesses.

The main breakdown of acts performed by unauthorized access is as follows.

• Unauthorized remittance through Internet banking (61.1%)
• Unauthorized purchase through Internet shopping (12.7%)
• Unauthorized acquisition of information such as e-commerce (11.1%)
• Unauthorized operation of online games and community sites (2.0%)
• Internet auction tampering (1.6%)

Reference: Status of unauthorized access | Police Agency

The responsibility of security engineers to deal with these unauthorized accesses day and night is significant, and many people feel pressure. Unauthorized access techniques are becoming more sophisticated every day, which can put pressure on you to keep learning new things.

3.2 Heavy burden on urgent response

Furthermore, once a problem such as a cyber attack occurs, security engineers are required to respond promptly .

In addition to stopping further attacks, you must quickly identify the extent of the impact of the attack, consider countermeasures, and take further action.
In the case of an urgent problem, it may be that the work is kept in the field during these series of countermeasures.

Furthermore, even after the problem has been addressed, it is necessary to investigate the cause of the problem (such as the route of unauthorized access) and compile it in a report.

4. Future potential and rewarding of security engineers

What is a security engineer? Is your work hard? Explanation of qualifications and future potential [Freelance engineer project information | Professional engineer]

4.1 Information Security and CIA

Information security is a measure to protect corporate data (information assets) such as customer information and confidential information .

When taking information security, it is necessary to consider the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information assets, and they are called CIA by their acronyms.

element	Contents	Threat example
Confidentiality _	Only authorized people can see information assets	Leakage of personal information
Integrity _	The content of information assets is accurate (latest)	Falsification of information
Availability _	Information assets are always available to users	Service outage, obstruction

In other words, security engineers are required to consider and carry out their business with regard to corporate information assets so that the following three are always maintained.

• Information assets must not be leaked … Confidentiality
• Content cannot be tampered with … Integrity
• Always available … Availability

In this way, the work of security engineers is highly public and social, and their responsibilities are also important . But that’s why it’s a rewarding job.

■ Information Security 10 Major Threats 2021

Now that the Internet has become widespread and has become a living infrastructure, there are many dangers behind its convenience.

According to the ” 10 Major Threats to Information Security 2021 ” announced by the Information-technology Promotion Agency (IPA) , “attacks aimed at new normal working styles such as telework” are ranked as threats in the information secu

Source: Information Security 10 Major Threats 2021 ｜ IPA

Even from the results that attacks targeting new normal working styles such as “telework” are regarded as “threats” in the rankings that list specific threats, the threats that companies are exposed to are always You can see that it is changing and becoming more sophisticated.
In addition, it can be said that the role of cyber security personnel who can respond to increasingly sophisticated cyber attack methods continues to grow.

As a security expert, the demand for security engineers is expected to continue to grow.

4.2 Lack of information security personnel

According to the document “Current Situation of Cyber Security Human Resources in Japan” released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in 2018, it is said that there was a shortage of 132,060 information security human resources in Japan as of 2016. In addition, the shortage is projected to reach 193,010 in 2020.

It is often thought that information security personnel are needed only by IT companies, but in reality, companies on the user side of IT systems also need information security personnel. The reason for this is the lack of resources, such as the inability to allocate manpower because the main business is busy. However, as its importance becomes more widespread in the future, it is expected that the employment of human resources specializing in it will increase.

Source: Current status of cyber security human resources in Japan | Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

5. Recommended qualifications for those who want to become a security engineer

What is a security engineer? Is your work hard? Explanation of qualifications and future potential [Freelance engineer project information | Professional engineer]

Since threats and technologies in the information security field are changing rapidly, it is essential to study to improve your skills in order to become a security engineer. In order to study systematically from the basics, why not take qualification acquisition into consideration?

If your qualification has an expiration date, you can think of it as an opportunity to keep studying the latest technology.

5.1 Information processing security supporter

In the Information-Technology Engineers Examination sponsored by IPA, he is the only national qualification in the advanced classification level 4 of the security field, and is an information processing security supporter . Based on the former Information Security Specialist Examination, it started in the spring of 2017. After passing the exam, it is a name-exclusive qualification that allows you to use the name “Information Processing Security Supporter” by registering .

Please refer to this article for details on the Information Processing Security Supporter Examination.

The first IT professional! ?? Information processing security supporter examination registration system outline and difficulty level

5.2 Information Security Management Examination

The pass rate of information processing security supporters is about 11%, and the difficulty level is high.
Therefore, if you are aiming to become a security engineer for the first time, it is recommended that you take the Information Security Management Exam, which is also sponsored by IPA.

The Information Security Management Exam is Level 2, which is the same level as the Basic Information Technology Engineer Exam, which is also known as a programmer or SE qualification, and the pass rate is relatively high.

The details of the Information Security Management Exam are introduced in this article, so please take a look.

How difficult is the Information Security Management Exam? Introducing qualification evaluation and examination fees

5.3 CCNA / CCNP (Security)

The CCNA / CCNP Security track, which is a Cisco technician qualification and is often cited as an infrastructure engineer qualification, has a three-year qualification expiration date.

It is necessary to take the CCENT (or CCNA Routing & Switching) → CCNA (Security) → CCNP (Security) from the lower qualification, but it is a proof of technology specialized in the network security field, so for those who aim to be a security engineer It can be said that it is recommended.

For more information on CCNA and CCNP, please see this article.

What kind of qualification is CCNA? We have summarized from the difficulty level to the examination fee you care about

What kind of qualification is CCNP? Difficulty level, study method and reference book for new exam

6. Annual income of security engineer

What is a security engineer? Is your work hard? Explanation of qualifications and future potential [Freelance engineer project information | Professional engineer]

According to Average Annual Income.jp, the average annual income of security engineers is as follows (as of August 2021).

Average annual income: 6 million yen

Source: Learn more about the annual salary and salary of security engineers! ｜ Average annual income.jp

In addition, looking at the annual income of freelance security engineers from the job information of this site ” Professional Engineer “, as of February 2022, the number of jobs per month is about 1 million.

Source: February 2021 survey * Calculated from some of the projects owned by professional engineers | Professional engineers

In addition to security technologies such as encryption and authentication, IT-related laws such as the Personal Information Protection Law, system development flow, knowledge of infrastructure, etc., the skills of human resources required for security engineers are extremely wide.

Therefore, as a security engineer, you can build your strengths by specializing in what you are good at, and the higher the market value, the easier it will be to increase your annual income.

Since security engineers are considered to be engineers in relatively new fields, the range of annual income may fluctuate depending on future supply and demand.

7. Security engineer recruitment

What is a security engineer? Is your work hard? Explanation of qualifications and future potential [Freelance engineer project information | Professional engineer]

What are some security engineer jobs available?

Generally, recruitment is done in the job category of ” security engineer ” or ” security consultant “.
In addition, even if you are looking for other occupations such as system engineers, if you look at the business content, you may be looking for human resources (security engineers) who specialize in security.

When searching for a job, search not only for the word “security engineer” but also for a wide range of keywords such as “infrastructure engineer”, “network engineer”, “server engineer”, “system engineer”, “IT consultant”, etc. We recommend that you apply through .

8. Summary

The potential for a significant security incident can happen to anyone.
It can be said that the first step in information security is to take it as ourselves tomorrow and keep in mind each and every one of us regarding information security on a daily basis.
I hope this column will give you an opportunity to think again about the importance of the job category of security engineer.

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June 4, 2023

What is a security engineer? Is your work hard? Explains qualifications and future potential

1. What is a security engineer? Easy-to-understand explanation
2. Skills and aptitude required for security engineers
3. Is the security engineer “stop”? Is your work hard?
4. Future potential and rewarding of security engineers
5. Recommended qualifications for those who want to become a security engineer
6. Annual income of security engineer
7. Security engineer recruitment
8. Summary