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Quantum-resistant cryptography

Quantum-resistant cryptography refers to the study and development of cryptographic methods that can resist attacks by quantum computers. These computers use the principles of quantum mechanics to perform certain types of calculations much faster than classical computers, which poses a significant threat to current encryption methods.

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Most of the widely used encryption algorithms, such as RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography, rely on the difficulty of factoring large numbers or computing discrete logarithms. These problems are known to be solvable in polynomial time on a quantum computer, which means that these algorithms could be easily broken by a sufficiently powerful quantum computer. Quantum-resistant cryptography, on the other hand, relies on mathematical problems that are believed to be hard even for quantum computers.

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It is important to note that quantum-resistant cryptography is not quantum-proof, and it is still an active area of research. The security of these algorithms may change as the development of quantum computers progresses, and new types of attacks may emerge. Therefore, it is crucial for the cryptographic community to continually evaluate and improve existing quantum-resistant algorithms and to develop new ones as necessary.

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To download the full whitepaper please fill in the below form at the end of which the white paper will be available for download.

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Department of Education – Cybersecurity and Privacy Support Services (CPSS) BPA

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Magnus Management Group, LLC, has been awarded a five-year, $300 million Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) by the U.S. Department of Education (DoED) to provide Cybersecurity and Privacy Support Services (CPSS) for Federal Student Aid (FSA) and the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO).
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The purpose of this multiple award Small Business set-aside Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) is to provide Cybersecurity and Privacy Support Services (CPSS) for the Department of Education (DoED) Federal Student Aid (FSA) and the DoED Office of Chief Information Officer (OCIO) to implement cybersecurity policies, protect organizational information technology enterprise infrastructure, and protect sensitive U.S. citizens’ data from unauthorized access. This BPA was awarded in accordance with the General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Special Item Number (SIN) 54151HACS (Formerly SIN 132-45) and related Information Technology (IT) Professional Services SIN 132-51.
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Areas of support include, but are not limited to, Cybersecurity Risk Management and Compliance; Information Systems Security Services; Cybersecurity Operations; Software Capability Operations and Maintenance; Security Architecture Support; Security Engineering; and Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation.

Quantum Computing and its Impact on Cybersecurity

Quantum computing’s ability to solve complex problems that are beyond the capabilities of the traditional computer renders it exceptional. While the quantum research community applauds the accelerated rate at which quantum computers are being developed; it is also a threat considering it can unravel the algorithms behind the encryption keys that protect the assets we hold most dear (like our data and the internet’s infrastructure).  It is estimated that within the next 3-5 years quantum computers will be able to break a 2048-bit number.  This remarkable breakthrough continues to erode the timeline, demonstrating the hastening approach of a new paradigm in security.

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To download the full whitepaper please fill in the below form at the end of which the white paper will be available for download.

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Digital Dominance – Using Data as a Tactical Advantage

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Digital dominance is all about using data as a tactical advantage in this new world of cyber actions and defense. Data, its management, analysis and reporting are the key towards maintaining the tactical edge in any organizational posture. Irrespective if the application is civilian or military in nature, digital dominance is at the core of a successful enterprise, homeland security and military force projection. In the case of homeland security and military the digital dominance can serve as a significant force multiplier in both defense and offensive measures.

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Data is being generated at an incredible pace from within and outside our firewalls and is building up in our large and sometimes unwieldy data lakes. Data is being generated in vast amounts through the proliferation of computing devices across our networks, “edge sensors” like unmanned aerial vehicles, IOT sensors, mobile device and other smart devices. As our edge sensors propagate more on the field, the data collected should not only be used for tactical decisions but also harvested for long term comparison and intelligence analysis. Another source of data is the internet where actors use this global network for everything from communication to staging nefarious cyber actions. This source of cyber data not only needs to be captured but also sorted and analyzed with advanced automation to ensure we can take near real time actions to detect and mitigate any vulnerabilities. Despite the large advances we have made in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), a large amount of our data continues to be unleveraged because they are not identified, tagged or prioritized.

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To download the full whitepaper please fill in the below form at the end of which the white paper will be available for download.

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Supply Chain Cybersecurity White Paper

Supply Chain Cybersecurity includes a complex of everyday operating issues affected by a network of known and unknown connections, services and components. This paper provides a strategic overview of the supply chain cyber     issues from the perspective of vendor operational security.

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We examine the accelerating escalation of supply chain risks, leading to 2021 executive orders and vendor cyber certification requirements. Concise recommendations and links to frameworks and self-assessment resources provide a starting point for the journey to healthier supply chain

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Co Authored By Maria Horton and Shivaji Sengupta who both serve on the AFCEA International Homeland Security Committee. This white paper is an output of the Innovation Technology Sub Committee under the Homeland Security Committee.

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Data Security

Data provides a critical foundation for every organization and is a necessity irrespective of whether your information is on premises or in hybrid cloud or in cloud environments. Protecting and using it securely is central to every organization zero trust strategy.

Unfortunately, cyber criminals also see the value of data and seek to exploit security vulnerabilities to put your information at risk.

Data Security vulnerabilities are constantly increasing within the complex, multi-faceted and multi-tenant infrastructure of many organizations. Magnus help your organization protect critical business data from undesired access and mishandling, and secure data from deletion, ransomware and theft. Magnus helps you gain greater visibility and insights to investigate and remediate threats and enforce real-time controls and compliance.

Magnus data security services include:

  • Data security strategy: Improve maturity across people, process and technology
  • Data discovery: Find your most critical data assets, who has access and how they are protected
  • Data loss prevention: Detect, prevent and enforce policy violations to avoid accidental data loss
  • Data security governance: Establish process, metrics and continuous steady-state data discovery and classification
  • Database security monitoring: Helps enforce data protection and compliance policies across multi-tenant environments

Information that could compromise your cyber security posture

The open government data movement began fully maturing in early 2009, at a time when government(s) and society began to truly realize the beneficial value of government data; and open standards were taking root as drivers of innovation. The thrust of this movement was to identify all valuable Government data sets, and to require agencies to make them available to the public, at no cost, and in open-standard formats that ordinary citizens and enterprises could easily access and leverage.  

These key principles were enshrined in the Data.gov initiative, established in May 2009, by, then-Federal Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the United States.  Ten years later, Data.gov still serves to provide public access to high value, machine readable datasets generated by the Executive Branch of the Federal Government, creating the first publicly available repository for federal, state, local, and tribal government information.  

In our attempt to be transparent and share information with all stakeholders; we sometimes inadvertently share sensitive information that could compromise the cyber security posture of the organization.

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Why is CMMI Level 3 Relevant for Cybersecurity?

Maturity models have been around for more than three decades, as early as the 1980s.  The original intent of the Capability Maturity Model (CMM) was to assess the United States Department of Defense (D.O.D.) contractors’ processes.  The success of the software projects was measured using the CMM measurements.  Higher maturity scores were equivalent to better processes.  Higher scores also meant that the contractors used established and reputable processes and best practices for software design, development and quality assurance.

The context in which the term ‘maturity’ was used had special significance.  It was used in reference to specific aspects of the assessment, where the level of organization and optimization of each operation could range from ad hoc to formal.  Because CMM’s initial focus was particularly aimed at improving the software development process, its scope and application was very limited. For this reason, the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) at Carnegie Mellon University revised it.  It then became known as the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI).  This new framework superseded the original CMM in scope.

The extended scope of CMMI now allows it to have a footprint in multiple disciplines.  These include Information and Communication Technology (ICT), business process management, service management, civil engineering, manufacturing and cybersecurity.

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Mobile Security

Magnus team has managed the Mobile Security posture of federal agencies both from a policy management / device management (Mobile Device Management) and mobile application vetting perspective. Magnus engineers have worked extensively with The Lookout and IBM MaaS 360 tool suites to deliver this service.

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In a recent case study, our Mobile Security engineering team is responsible with mobile secure communications and monitoring of security technologies of 10,000+ devices and have tested and vetted hundreds of applications both on the iPhone and Android platforms. This includes configuration management, application IT security, identity and access management, device management, log analysis, storage management, and remote access for all devices managed.

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In addition, Magnus Digital Forensic Engineers have the knowledge and subject matter expertise to provide detailed reports to management to reveal what occurred to bring a device under the umbrella of a forensic investigation. In cases where an Executive Summary is needed for VIP or senior level management, MAGNUS Forensic Engineers have ability to present the details in a manner that is easily digestible for senior management.  In the instance where a deep technical description is needed, MAGNUS Forensic Engineers have the knowledge and experience to present the findings in a detailed manner.  As forensic investigations and e-discovery becomes more important both in government, corporate, and the private sectors, MAGNUS Engineers continue to stay up to date with processes, challenges, new tools, and changes as they come about.

Cyber Management Services

MAGNUS emphasizes quality, service, and intellect while employing cutting-edge technologies to keep clients ahead of the curve. Its strong business values and tested best practices, coupled with a creative technological edge, ensure that it delivers expert consulting services in the areas of Information Security Management, Project Management, and Operation Management.

Cyber Project Management

MAGNUS Project Management provides expert consulting services in principles described by the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).

Hence, applying the five processes (Initiation, Planning, Execution, Controlling, Closing) and the nine knowledge areas (Project Integration Management , Project Scope Management , Project Time Management , Project Cost Management , Project Quality Management , Project Human Resource Management , Project Communications Management , Project Risk Management , Project Procurement Management) to all aspects of each clients needs.

Cyber Operations Management

MAGNUS Operations Management offers our clients the full range of consulting services. These services include the development of Operations Strategy concepts, Product and Service Management, Service Delivery & Support, Integration and IT Management.

Additionally by combining our functional Operations Management competencies with specific industry knowledge we are able to serve our clients with customized approaches responding best to their specific requirements and needs. A great deal of our focus is on efficiency and effectiveness of processes. Therefore, MAGNUS Operations Management consulting often includes substantial measurement and analysis of internal processes.

Security Management

MAGNUS Security Management offers our clients a full range of security consulting services tailored specific to their requirements.

MAGNUS Consultants are considered subject matter experts in the aforementioned functional areas and are actively involved with the design, development, procurement and implementation of Information Security solutions.

These services include:

  • Certification & Accreditation
  • Security Architecture
  • Risk Analysis and Assessments
  • Security Policy and Processes
  • System Auditing
  • Security Testing and Evaluation
  • Disaster Recovery Planning
  • Contingency Planning
  • Vulnerability Assessments
  • Penetration Testing
  • Physical Security Survey
  • Security Program Management