IBM X-Force: 1 billion records of personally identifiable information leaked in 2014

IBM’s X-Force Research and Development team just released its IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Quarterly, which found at least 1 billion records of personally identifiable information (PII) were leaked in 2014. The 2015 report, which highlights findings from the last quarter of 2014, cataloged more than 9,200 new security vulnerabilities affecting over 2,600 unique vendors, which represents a 9.8% increase over 2013 and is the highest single year total in the 18-year history of X-Force reporting.   

Click to read more ...

BlackBerry introduces security-geared tablet

BlackBerry might not have had much luck with the PlayBook tablet. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t going to stop trying. The brand has teamed up with Samsung and IBM to introduce the SecuTABLET. It’s a modified Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 with high-grade security features from SecuSMART, a company acquired by BlackBerry last year.

This is obviously an enterprise-geared device with the features it has. Users are assured security of corporate or even government data, while being able to use it for personal apps and the like. But it comes at a rather high cost though. The tablet will cost around US$2,360. But for corporate use, that high cost might seem like a sound investment, security-wise.

Source: Mashable + GSMArena

IBM opens new SoftLayer cloud centre in Québec

Hoping to service Canadian customers with local SoftLayer cloud services, IBM has opened its second cloud centre in the country. Located in Drummondville, just outside of Montréal, Québec, it helps keep data in country, which clients prefer. This centre allows clients to store, compute, and back up data locally. The centre offers a full-range of SoftLayer and IBM Cloud infrastructure services such as bare matel servers, storage, virtual servers, networking, and security services. These can be deployed on-demand with full remote access and control through the client’s Web portal or API, leaving you to create your ideal public, private, or hybrid cloud environment. The first cloud facility in Canada was opened in Toronto in August 2014.

Source: IBM

Tips for keeping safe on dating apps

Valentine’s is just around the corner and if you’ve turned online to find a date, you best keep your guard up. You don’t just have to worry about physical safety when it comes to dating apps. You have to be wary about your personal data, too. According to a recent IBM study, over 60 percent of popular dating apps are potentially vulnerable to different cyberattacks. These can be used to download malware, track your movements via GPS, get your credit card number stolen, etc.

Click to read more ...