Maged Youssef

💠Database Security💠Aligned with #ISO27001:2022 This Roadmap organizes essential database security practices within the Plan-Do-Check-Act (#PDCA) cycle of an ISMS and maps them to specific controls in ISO 27001:2022 Annex A and Clauses. ✅#Plan: Establishing the ISMS Context & Leadership ✅#Do: Implementing & Operating Controls ✅#Check:Monitoring & Reviewing Performance ✅#Act:Maintaining and Improving the ISMS Key Annex A Controls for Database Security: 👉🏻A.8.2 Information Classification: The foundation. You cannot protect data if you don't know its sensitivity. 👉🏻A.8.3 Acceptable Use of Information & Assets: Policies governing how databases are accessed and used. 👉🏻A.8.4 Access Control: The core of database security (user accounts, privileges, roles). 👉🏻A.8.24 #Cryptography: Essential for protecting data at rest and in transit. 👉🏻A.8.15 Logging: Critical for detective controls and forensic analysis. 👉🏻A.8.6 Technical #Vulnerability Management: The process for patching database software. 👉🏻A.8.16 Monitoring Activities: The proactive review of logs and use of monitoring tools. 👉🏻A.8.23 Secure Authentication: Enforcing strong passwords and #MFA for database access. 👉🏻A.8.31 Separation of Development, Test, and Production Environments: Prevents accidental data leaks or changes. #isms #iso27000 #iso27001 #iso27002 #informationsecurity #database #sql #oracle #standard

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Dreaming of becoming a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) but find the concepts too complex? I’ve created a practical guide that turns theory into clear, real-life examples you can easily understand and apply. This is Part 1 of a complete series that will cover all CISA domains step-by-step. Follow along and you’ll build your knowledge piece by piece until you’re fully prepared for the exam. In this first part, you’ll learn how to: --> Understand and apply standards, policies, and procedures in IT auditing. --> Plan and execute a risk-based audit effectively. --> Identify and test preventive, detective, and corrective controls. --> Gather reliable evidence using the right tools. --> Present your findings effectively to both teams and executives. My goal: make CISA learning accessible to everyone with simple scenarios, real-world case studies, and clear language. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional switching careers, this guide will give you the tools to pass the exam and become a confident IT auditor in the field.

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The days of overwhelming business leadership and boards with 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘀 are over. They are no longer swayed by dashboards full of security metrics. The focus needs to change. What boards want now is 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲. Here’s how to shift the conversation as a CISO: - 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆: Focus on how fast critical systems can recover, not just attack counts. - 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘀: Show how security efforts reduce potential losses and improve continuity. - 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: Demonstrate how you’re building long-term resilience with practices like business continuity. - 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Put technical risks in financial terms to help the board make informed decisions. It’s time to speak the board’s language and lead with impact.

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🎯SOC 2 vs ISO 27001 vs GDPR SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR are all frameworks or regulations focused on information security and data protection, but they serve different purposes and apply in different contexts. SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is a U.S.-based auditing standard developed by the AICPA, primarily used by service providers to demonstrate controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. It’s most relevant to companies handling customer data in the cloud. ISO 27001 is an international standard for managing information security, providing a comprehensive framework for implementing an Information Security Management System (ISMS). It focuses on continuous risk assessment and mitigation. GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), on the other hand, is a European Union regulation that governs how organizations collect, process, and store personal data of EU residents. Unlike SOC 2 and ISO 27001, which are voluntary frameworks used to build trust or certify best practices, GDPR is a legal requirement with strict penalties for non-compliance. In essence, SOC 2 and ISO 27001 help demonstrate strong security practices, while GDPR mandates specific legal responsibilities for protecting personal data. 🔔 Stay connected for industry’s latest content – Follow Dr. Anil Lamba, CISSP #linkedin #teamamex #JPMorganChase #cybersecurity #technologycontrols #infosec #informationsecurity #GenAi #linkedintopvoices #cybersecurityawareness #innovation #techindustry #cyber #birminghamtech #cybersecurity #fintech #careerintech #handsworth #communitysupport #womenintech #technology #security #cloud #infosec #riskassessment #informationsecurity #auditmanagement #informationprotection #securityaudit #cyberrisks #cybersecurity #security #cloudsecurity #trends #grc #leadership #socialmedia #digitization #cyberrisk #education #Hacking #privacy #datasecurity #passwordmanagement #identitytheft #phishingemails #holidayseason #bankfraud #personalinformation #creditfraud

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🚀 Exciting times for audit and security professionals exploring AI! For a long time, I was searching for solid AI certifications—not just theoretical, but deeply practical. While AIGP was available,a gap existed in AI-specific audit and security management certifications. 📢 ISACA has now filled that gap with two powerful certifications: ✅ AAIA – Advanced in AI Audit (Launched) ✅ AAISM – Advanced in AI Security Management (Currently in beta) I reviewed the content—and it’s far from shallow. It covers not only core AI concepts but also their real-world application in audit and security management. A complete package for professionals wanting to integrate AI into their domain. 🔍 AAIA – Advanced in AI Audit 📌 Covers AI risk, governance, assurance, and audit techniques 📌 Designed for CISA, CIA, CPA holders and audit professionals 📌 Great for those assessing AI systems and ensuring compliance 🔐 AAISM – Advanced in AI Security Management (Beta) 📌 Covers AI security, threat modelling, and governance 📌 Meant for CISM, CISSP, and security/GRC professionals 📌 Ideal for those managing AI-related risks and controls 💡 If you're in IT audit or security leadership, these certs are worth exploring. AI is reshaping the future—and so should we. #AI #ISACA #AAIA #AAISM #CyberSecurity #ITAudit #AIinAudit #AIinSecurity #CISA #CISM #CISSP #AIcertification #GRC #AIGovernance #AIassurance

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Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is one of the most critical foundations of cybersecurity-and a key topic for CISSP certification. The document “Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) in CISSP Certification” from Cyvitrix breaks down essential concepts like: Core benefits of PKI (authenticity, confidentiality, integrity, non-repudiation) The roles of Certificate Authorities (CAs) and Registration Authorities (RAs) The PKI certificate lifecycle (enrollment, issuance, validation, renewal, revocation) Practical validation mechanisms such as CRL, OCSP, and certificate stapling Real-world use cases (e.g., banking websites) If you’re preparing for CISSP or strengthening enterprise security practices, this is a must-read. It provides both exam-oriented clarity and real-world application value. What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to managing digital certificates or PKI in your organization? #cybersecurity #PKI #CISSP #networksecurity #smenode #smenodelabs #smenodeacademy

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Stop Putting GRC in a Box..!!! We need to stop pretending that Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) neatly fits under one technology pillar. For years, orgs have buried GRC under Security or Audit. Feels logical on paper, right? Security teams know the controls, the frameworks, the regulations. But here’s the truth: Modern GRC isn’t checklists and binders anymore --> It’s engineering. It’s automation. It’s integration. If you don’t understand CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure-as-Code, and cross-platform automation, your governance model is already outdated. Policies that can’t adapt to the way infra is actually built today? Shelf-ware overnight. Risk that Actually Matters and risk isn’t just about security alerts or dashboards. Real risk management connects dots: What does this risk mean for the business outcome? How does it line up with regulatory appetite? How does it play out across Dev, Infra, Ops, Security, and beyond? If you shove all that under one pillar, you’ve already limited its impact. Different Muscles, Different Jobs Think of it like this: Security = enforces controls GRC = adjudicates risk One executes, the other calibrates. They’re complementary, but not interchangeable. The Big Shift The most mature orgs I’ve seen don’t hide GRC inside Security or IT. They put it next to Security, Dev, Infra, and Program Management. And when that happens, something cool shows up: Governance becomes adaptable Risk becomes actionable Compliance actually accelerates delivery instead of slowing it down Final Thought If you’re still treating GRC as a sub-function, you’re not just behind — you’re creating friction at every scale point. GRC is no longer a back-office checkbox. It’s a cross-cutting capability that should guide how we build, ship, and scale. So let me throw this out: Where does GRC live in your org today — under Security, or alongside everything else?

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If you’re interested in cybersecurity governance, risk, and compliance (GRC), there are some great free resources you can start with: Alison – Fundamentals of GRC A simple, free introduction to governance, risk, and compliance. https://lnkd.in/enAFazS4 BreakInCyber – Free GRC Training Videos https://lnkd.in/eFZmtnNF (ISC)² – Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) (includes free training + exam This one is a gem: free training and a free exam voucher for a globally recognized entry-level cert.voucher) https://lnkd.in/ebUkPQq5 Cybrary – Risk & Compliance Courses Short, practical lessons covering frameworks like NIST, ISO, PCI DSS, and SOC 2. https://www.cybrary.it/ CISA – Cybersecurity & Risk Training Free lessons on risk management frameworks, compliance requirements, and cyber hygiene. https://lnkd.in/e8SngKmJ These cover the fundamentals of risk management, compliance, and frameworks like NIST, ISO, and PCI DSS. A good place to start is the (ISC)² Certified in Cybersecurity to get a recognized credential, then expand with GRC-focused courses. #Cybersecurity #GRC #RiskManagement #Compliance #FreeLearning #Infosec

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🚀 How Dexter is Revolutionizing Threat Intelligence for Banks SOC in Pakistan In today’s high-stakes financial sector, speed and accuracy in responding to cyber threats are everything. Yet, in many SOCs, processing threat intelligence can eat up half of an analyst’s shift — leaving less time for proactive threat hunting. That’s where Dexter’s Threat Intel Agents Trio comes in. We’ve fully automated the threat intelligence life cycle for bank SOC teams: 🔹 Intel-Generator – Receives PKCERT Pakistan advisories (PDF or text) and converts them into machine-ready SOCByte format. 🔹 Intel-Inspector – Validates intel against your existing controls (e.g., Fortinet firewall, Trend Micro EDR or Cisco Email Security ) to spot outdated or missing signatures. 🔹 Intel-Responder – Instantly blocks and updates signatures across integrated security tools. All three agents work in sync — from advisory ingestion to mitigation — without human bottlenecks. The result? ✅ Real-time protection against evolving threats ✅ 50% time saved from analysts’ daily workload ✅ Faster, safer banking operations For Pakistan’s financial institutions, this isn’t just automation — it’s operational resilience at machine speed. Email at [email protected] to schedule a demo with us.

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