Identity Crisis in Cybersecurity: A Growing Threat in the Middle East and Africa

IBM's 2024 X-Force Threat Intelligence Index reveals a global identity crisis as cybercriminals exploit user identities to breach enterprises. In the Middle East and Africa (MEA), valid local and cloud accounts are the primary targets, demanding robust user access strategies. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are top targets, with finance and insurance sectors most vulnerable. Cybercriminals are leveraging AI to optimize attacks, posing a significant security risk. Enterprises must reduce blast radius, stress-test environments, and adopt AI securely to combat evolving threats. Crash dump analysis is crucial for system recovery, with Kdump in Linux playing a vital role in capturing critical data during system panics. Understanding the mechanics of Kdump and setting up a stand for dump analysis is essential for cybersecurity resilience. Operating systems panic due to software or hardware issues, intentional triggers, or system hangs, necessitating the preservation of system state for analysis. Various methods exist for OS to create dumps, with Kdump enabling the capture of critical data for analysis. Setting up Kdump involves working with two kernels, one for regular operation and the other for dump capture, ensuring data preservation during system failures. Enterprises must prioritize centralized dump storage for efficient analysis and response to system failures. The process of setting up a stand for dump analysis involves installing the necessary OS, updates, crash utility, and kernel-debuginfo for accurate analysis. The analysis of dumps requires time, effort, and expertise, highlighting the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures. Organizations must stay ahead of cyber threats by investing in robust security measures and leveraging AI-powered solutions to fortify operations against evolving threats.