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Privacy Framework β€” A Modern, Data-Centric Approach for 2025

Privacy Framework β€” A Modern, Data-Centric Approach for 2025
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Privacy Framework β€” A Modern, Data-Centric Approach for 2025

Data-centric privacy readiness, ISMS alignment, regulatory coverage, consent, DPIA/PIA, incident response β€” with real-world governance lessons.

Introduction

In 2025, privacy is no longer just a compliance obligationβ€”it has become a strategic differentiator, a board-level priority, and a resilience factor that impacts trust, brand value, and long-term sustainability. With expanding digital ecosystems, multi-jurisdictional regulations, AI-powered decision systems, and unprecedented levels of data movement across borders, enterprises today face a privacy landscape that is more complex and fast-shifting than ever before.

Action:

Start a privacy inventory project this quarter β€” list your top 3 data sources and assign owners for each.

A Privacy Framework offers structured guidance, governance, methodologies, and operational mechanisms to ensure that personal information is collected, used, stored, processed, and shared in ways that are lawful, ethical, secure, and aligned with customer expectations. In recent years, global eventsβ€”including the major flight disruption at IndiGo in December 2025β€”have demonstrated how operational failures, weak governance, unclear communication, and gaps in risk planning can severely impact trust. Even though the IndiGo incident was not a data breach, it highlighted how misalignment between regulation, internal capability, and operational readiness can trigger nationwide chaos. A strong privacy and governance framework would mitigate similar chaos in environments where personal data is involved.

Action:

Map one major operational process to privacy impact β€” e.g., customer refunds, cancellations β€” and identify data points used.

Why Organizations Need a Privacy Framework in 2025

Digital transformation, cloud technologies, AI-driven analytics, mobile adoption, and outsourcing have created a massive influx of structured and unstructured personal data. Business expansion across countries brings multi-jurisdictional privacy obligations. Meanwhile, customers are increasingly conscious about how their data is used, monitored, shared, monetized, or profiled. Market perception is now directly tied to privacy posture.

Action:

Run a rapid stakeholder survey (customers, partners) to capture top 3 privacy concerns within 30 days.

A Privacy Framework helps organizations operationalize data protection principles, embed privacy in business processes, implement technical and organizational safeguards, and ensure accountability through structured roles, auditability, and governance. It ensures that privacy is not a one-time project but a living, evolving capability.

Action:

Document a privacy governance RACI: who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed for your top 5 data flows.

Key Service Areas

Below table converts the main service activities into a quick-reference tabular layout.

Action:

Choose one service area to pilot with a small cross-functional team for 60 days.

Service Area Key Activities Regulations Coverage Product Partners
Privacy Readiness
  • Privacy-by-Design
  • Privacy Maturity Assessment
  • Procedure Blueprinting
  • PIA / DPIA
  • Breach Response & Management
GDPR, CCPA, LGPD, PDPA, PIPEDA, APP OneTrust BigID
PI Modelling & Mapping
  • Data Inventory
  • Data Flow Mapping
  • Data Modelling & Relationship
GDPR, Sectoral Laws BigID
Data Subject Rights
  • DSAR Portal
  • Identity Validation
  • Individual Request Fulfilment
  • Records & Reporting
GDPR, CCPA, PDPA, PIPEDA OneTrust
Consent & Cookie
  • Consent Categorisation
  • Consent Tracking & Revocation
  • Cookie Assessment & Scanning
GDPR, CCPA, ePrivacy (where applicable) CookieScan
Platform Solutions
  • Platform Architecture & Blueprinting
  • Implementation & Integration
  • Monitoring Dashboards
  • AI Regulatory Analysis
Depends on deployment region OneTrust Custom

Data-Centric View & Risk Landscape

Modern privacy management begins by understanding the data journeyβ€”collection, transformation, usage, storage, and archiving. This requires knowing data sources, processing activities, recipients, retention, and deletion flows.

Action:

Create a simple data-flow diagram for a single customer-facing process and keep it under 3 layers.

Typical data sources include CRM, customer services, retail systems, partner ecosystems, employee systems, and outsourcing providers. Each source adds complexity, and each requires controls mapped to legal and business obligations.

Action:

List top 5 external data partners and capture the legal basis or contract clause for data sharing with each.

Threats

Key ThreatsImpact
External & Internal AttacksData breach, reputational loss
Identity theftLegal, financial liabilities
RansomwareOperational paralysis

Drivers

DriverKey Factor
Regulatory ComplexityMulti-jurisdictional obligations
Market DemandPrivacy as competitive advantage
TechnologyAI, Cloud, IoT

SVG Infographic β€” Data-Centric Privacy

Data Sources Controls & Safeguards Governance Process β€’ Policy β€’ People Consumers Partners
Action:

Export this infographic as a PNG for stakeholder review and include it in your privacy charter deck.

Governance, Compliance & Case Study

A Privacy Framework must ensure governance, roles, monitoring, and auditability. It should include documented policies, periodic reviews, vendor oversight, and operational playbooks. Regulatory compliance alone is insufficient without implementation and continuous improvement.

Action:

Create a policy review calendar for the next 12 months and assign owners.

Real-world disruptions, like the IndiGo outage in December 2025, teach that failure modes are broader than cyberattacks. Operational or regulatory changes, poor communication, and lack of contingency planning can rapidly erode trust. The privacy parallel: a poorly handled data incidentβ€”slow notifications, confusing remediation, or no clear ownershipβ€”can cause similar reputational damage and regulatory exposure.

Action:

Draft a short incident communication template: what to say, whom to notify, and timelines for initial acknowledgement.

Issues & Challenges

Enterprises face practical hurdles that slow down privacy adoption. The table below summarises the most common challenges and suggested mitigation approaches.

Action:

Pick one challenge from the table and identify a low-cost pilot to address it within 45 days.

IssueWhy it mattersMitigation
Low awarenessEmployees and customers unaware of rights/risksTargeted training; short micro-modules
Growth vs PrivacyRevenue goals may override privacy controlsPrivacy risk scoring in product roadmap
Forced consentLegal & reputational riskDesign clear, granular consent flows
Data complexityHigh volumes, multiple formatsAutomated discovery & classification
Budget constraintsLimits tool adoption & peoplePhased tooling; focus on high-risk areas

The Way Forward

Adopt a data-centric and risk-based privacy strategy that combines strong governance, automated privacy operations, AI-enhanced compliance management, integrated incident response, transparent customer communication, comprehensive vendor oversight, scalable platform adoption, and continuous education.

Action:

Build a 90-day roadmap with milestones for governance, inventory, DSAR readiness, and one pilot automation.

The Privacy Framework must evolve with technology, regulation, and threats. It should be continuously measured, reviewed, and improved, and must be considered a strategic asset that enables business trust and sustainable growth.

Action:

Set up a monthly privacy KPI dashboard β€” include metrics like DSAR turnaround, PIA completion rate, and third-party control score.

Frequently Asked Questions (20)

Quick answers and guidance for executive and operational teams. The grid uses a 10x2 layout for clarity.

Action:

Select 5 FAQs relevant to your org and prepare short internal answers for stakeholder review.

1. What is a Privacy Framework?

A structured set of policies, processes, and controls to protect personal information across its lifecycle.

2. How does Privacy differ from Security?

Privacy focuses on lawful & ethical use of personal data; security provides the technical and operational safeguards.

3. What is PIA / DPIA?

Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) or Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) identifies privacy risks for projects/processes.

4. Which laws should global companies watch?

GDPR, CCPA, LGPD, PDPA, PIPEDA, APP and sectoral laws like HIPAA or GLBA.

5. What is Privacy-by-Design?

Embedding privacy into systems and processes from inception rather than as an afterthought.

6. How to handle DSARs efficiently?

Use portals, automation, identity validation, and standardized fulfilment workflows.

7. When is consent required?

Consent is required when processing lacks another valid legal basis or where explicit opt-in is mandated by law.

8. How often to review privacy policies?

At least annually, and whenever there is a significant product, legal, or operational change.

9. What role does AI play in privacy?

AI amplifies data processing risks and requires additional governance, explainability, and model monitoring.

10. How to prioritise privacy risks?

Use impact-likelihood scoring and focus on high-impact, high-likelihood scenarios first.

11. Is compliance enough?

No β€” compliance is a baseline. Operational readiness and culture are required for real protection.

12. How to manage third-party risk?

Contractual clauses, regular audits, data flow mapping, and continuous monitoring are essential.

13. What metrics track privacy health?

DSAR turnaround, PIA completion rate, incidents resolved, third-party control score, and training completion.

14. How to respond to a breach?

Follow your incident response plan: contain, assess, notify regulators & data subjects as required, remediate, and learn.

15. What is Data Minimization?

Collect only what is necessary and retain it no longer than required for the purpose.

16. How to handle cross-border transfers?

Use approved transfer mechanisms, SCCs, or ensure adequacy decisions where applicable.

17. Which tools help scale privacy?

OneTrust, BigID, Consent Management Platforms, DLP, and specialized DSAR tools.

18. How to integrate privacy in product dev?

Use privacy checklists, threat modelling, and mandatory PIAs for high-risk features.

19. How to train employees on privacy?

Micro-learning, role-based training, simulated DSAR exercises, and phishing/incident drills.

20. What is the ROI of privacy?

Reduced incident cost, improved customer trust, brand differentiation, and regulatory fines avoidance.

Built for: Privacy Framework review β€’ Last updated: Dec 2025 β€’ Designed by Hermit Crab

Keeping Security & GRC at the Forefront: Practical Guide

Keeping Security & GRC at the Forefront: Practical Guide

Keeping Security & GRC at the Forefront: Practical Guide

In today’s dynamic threat landscape β€” where cloud adoption, remote work, AI-driven attacks and stringent regulations are the norm β€” organisations must embed Security and GRC (Governance-Risk-Compliance) into every layer of business operations. This guide offers a comprehensive yet practical roadmap to help you design, deploy and sustain a resilient security posture combining rigorous governance, risk-based controls, and audit readiness.

Governance Risk Management Compliance Security Controls Monitoring & IR Culture & Awareness Integrated GRC + Security Framework

1. Governance as the Foundation

Governance defines the strategic framework for security and compliance β€” ensuring that every initiative aligns with business objectives, regulatory commitments, and corporate policy. It sets the tone from leadership downward, determining how risk is accepted, mitigated, or transferred, what standards apply, and who owns what. Without robust governance, even the best security tools and audit processes remain fragmented and ineffective.

A well-structured governance model codifies responsibilities for risk owners, compliance owners, control owners, and audit managers. This clarity ensures accountability, standardizes decision-making, and enables measurable control performance across the organization.

2. Risk Management β€” Proactive & Dynamic

Risk management helps organisations anticipate and prioritize threats rather than react to incidents after they happen. Modern risk management frameworks consider evolving factors β€” cloud adoption, supply-chain dependencies, third-party vendors, and the rapid rise of AI-powered threats β€” to evaluate what could go wrong, how likely it is, and how severe the impact would be.

Risk Management Life Cycle

StageDescription
Risk IdentificationSpot possible threats: cyber attacks, data leaks, vendor failures, regulatory fines.
Risk AnalysisAssess likelihood + impact (qualitative or quantitative).
Risk EvaluationCompare risks against organisational tolerance or risk appetite.
Risk TreatmentMitigate, transfer, accept, or avoid the risk via controls or process changes.
Continuous MonitoringTrack Key Risk Indicators (KRIs), re-evaluate after major changes (cloud, AI, vendor changes).

Embedding risk management into everyday operations β€” from project planning to technology adoption β€” helps organisations stay resilient. As new threats emerge (like AI-driven ransomware or supply-chain risks), a living risk register becomes the strategic asset.

3. Compliance That Builds Trust & Enables Growth

Compliance used to be viewed as a checkbox for audits, but in modern businesses it’s a competitive differentiator. Achieving and maintaining standards such as ISO 27001, GDPR/DPDP, PCI-DSS or SOC 2 enhances customer trust and unlocks new markets β€” especially when dealing with global clients.

A compliance program acts as a documented guarantee: employees follow defined processes, controls are regularly tested, and evidence is available for internal and external audits. This ensures organisations stay audit-ready, avoid penalties, and maintain credibility with partners and regulators.

Core Benefits of a Strong Compliance Program

BenefitWhy It Matters
Customer & Partner TrustClients share sensitive data only if compliance standards are demonstrable.
Operational DisciplineStandardized controls reduce human error and enforce consistent practices.
Regulatory ReadinessHelps adapt quickly to changing laws and cross-border regulations.
Market AdvantageCertifications strengthen proposals during tenders and vendor evaluations.

4. Security Controls β€” The Active Defense Layer

Security controls are the real-world mechanisms that protect data, infrastructure, and users β€” from on-prem servers to cloud workloads and remote endpoints. They form the active defense layer that complements risk assessments and compliance policies.

Categories of Security Controls

TypeDescriptionExamples
PreventiveStop threats before they happen.Firewalls, MFA, patch management, least privilege access
DetectiveDetect suspicious or malicious events in real-time.SIEM, IDS/IPS, log monitoring, anomaly detection
Corrective / RecoverRespond and recover from incidents or control failures.Backups, disaster recovery, incident response plans

In 2025 and beyond, many organizations are integrating **AI-driven security tools**, behavioral analytics, and automated detection β€” combining human oversight with machine speed to defend against advanced threats. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

5. Continuous Monitoring & Incident Response β€” Always On

Threats evolve rapidly. Cloud misconfigurations, AI-powered malware, supply-chain compromises – these don’t wait for quarterly audits. Continuous monitoring ensures that you have real-time visibility into system health, deviations, or suspicious activities, enabling quick response and mitigation.

A well-defined Incident Response Plan (IRP) ensures clear roles, escalation paths, communication protocols and recovery procedures. Post-incident reviews feed back into risk management, compliance updates, and controls refinement β€” creating a feedback loop that improves cyber resilience over time.

6. People, Culture & Awareness β€” The Human Firewall

Even the most advanced tools and controls fail if users are unaware, untrained, or complacent. A strong security culture transforms security from a top-down mandate into a shared team responsibility.

Awareness programs, phishing simulations, regular training, and embedding security in everyday workflows makes compliance and risk-based controls part of the organizational DNA. This reduces human error, insider risks, and strengthens overall resilience.


Conclusion

Building a comprehensive GRC and security program isn’t just about ticking boxes β€” it’s about embedding resilience into your organization’s DNA. By combining strong governance, dynamic risk management, compliance, security controls, continuous monitoring, and a security-first culture, you build robust cyber resilience. In a world where cloud, remote operations, AI-driven threats, and evolving regulations define the landscape, this integrated approach becomes the backbone of sustainable business growth.

Start today: map your critical assets, classify risk levels, assign control owners, and define basic security & compliance processes. Even small steps taken consistently are better than large efforts done occasionally.

Frequently Asked Questions – Security & GRC
1. What does β€œKeeping Security & GRC at the forefront” actually mean? It means designing every business process with security and governance controls embedded from Day 1 to reduce risks, improve compliance, and strengthen decision-making.
2. Why is GRC important for modern organizations? GRC ensures consistent governance, reduces compliance violations, aligns risk with business goals, and protects the brand reputation.
3. What is the role of continuous monitoring in GRC? It provides real-time visibility into threats, control failures, policy deviations, and compliance gaps for faster decisions.
4. How does automation help in GRC? Automation reduces manual audits, eliminates data entry errors, accelerates risk assessments, and improves control reporting accuracy.
5. What frameworks support strong GRC programs? ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 42001, NIST CSF, SOC 2, COBIT, and GDPR form the backbone of most corporate governance structures.
6. How does GRC support cyber-resilience? GRC integrates risk management, incident response, disaster recovery and ensures organizations remain operational during cyber events.
7. What is the difference between Governance and Compliance? Governance defines β€˜how decisions are made’; compliance ensures those decisions follow internal policies and external laws.
8. Why is risk assessment so important? Risk assessment identifies vulnerabilities, attack surfaces, and business impacts, enabling prioritization of controls and budget.
9. How does AI enhance GRC? AI improves anomaly detection, accelerates audits, automates documentation, and predicts risks using behavioural analytics.
10. What is the significance of internal audits? Internal audits validate control effectiveness, ensure policy adherence, and prepare organizations for external certification audits.
11. Why should security posture be continuously updated? Threats evolve daily, so updating controls, patching systems, and reviewing risks ensures organizations stay protected.
12. What final steps ensure long-term GRC maturity? Regular audits, policy refresh cycles, leadership reporting, business continuity planning, and culture training maintain maturity.

Data Privacy Services Powered by Privacy Ops: Achieving Global Compliance

Data Privacy Services Powered by Privacy Ops: Achieving Global Compliance

Data Privacy Services Powered by Privacy Ops

Achieving Global Compliance Through Automation and AI

Title & Introduction

The modern digital ecosystem demands more than mere compliance; it requires operationalized data privacy. The shift from ad-hoc responses to a systematic **Privacy Operations (Privacy Ops)** framework is essential for organizations dealing with vast amounts of personal information (PI). Privacy Ops integrates people, processes, and technology to manage privacy risks continuously and automatically, transforming the burden of compliance into a strategic asset. With the proliferation of regulations like GDPR, CCPA, and LGPD, manual systems are obsolete, making AI-driven, platform-enabled services the only sustainable path forward.

This article explores a comprehensive Privacy Ops solution, detailing its features, service offerings, and its ability to seamlessly manage global regulatory coverage through automation and integrated data management.

Core Service Features: The Power of Automation

A successful Privacy Ops framework is defined by its ability to reduce human error and scale quickly. The core features leverage technology to automate complex, high-volume tasks, significantly lowering **low people dependency**.

AI-Powered Regulatory Analysis

An **AI powered bot for regulatory obligations analysis** instantly scans changes in global laws. By partnering with **UCF (Unified Compliance Framework) for authority sources**, the platform ensures that compliance requirements are current and accurate, eliminating the manual effort required to track evolving privacy standards.

Unified Data Integration

Handling diverse data environments is crucial. The platform supports **50+ data stores integrated through API**, ensuring a holistic view of all personal information assets. This unified approach facilitates accurate Data Inventory and **Data flow mapping** for comprehensive PI Modelling.

Monitoring & Reporting

The system provides **Automated track and monitor status**, displayed via **Interactive and dynamic dashboards**. These dashboards offer real-time insights into compliance metrics, risk levels, and the status of **Data Subject Rights Management (DSRM)** requests, allowing for proactive intervention.

Beyond these, the offering includes **Customised templates**, website **scan**, full **consent management & reporting**, making the entire compliance lifecycle platform enabled and highly streamlined.

Holistic Service Offerings and Global Coverage

The service architecture addresses the entire privacy spectrum, from proactive readiness to reactive breach management, covering major global laws.

1. Privacy Readiness & Impact Assessment

This is the proactive phase. Services include establishing a culture of **Privacy by Design**, performing **Privacy Maturity Assessment & Procedure blueprinting**. Crucially, it manages **Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)** and **Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA)** processes, which are mandatory under regulations like GDPR. Finally, a robust **Breach Response & Management** protocol is established for rapid and compliant incident handling.

2. Data Subject Rights Management (DSRM)

Managing the rights of data subjects (like access, erasure, and portability) is a major operational challenge under regulations like CCPA and GDPR. The solution provides a dedicated **Data Subject Access rights portal for intake**, implements **Data subject identity validation**, ensures **Individual Request Fulfillment**, and maintains necessary **Records & Reporting** for audit purposes.

3. Consent & Cookie Compliance

Modern compliance requires granular control over user consent. This service handles **Consent categorization and status**, along with **Consent tracking and fulfilment**. It includes **Cookies Assessment & Implementation** and continuous **Consent & Website Scanning** to ensure ongoing legal adherence to cookie policies globally.

4. Global Regulatory Coverage

The complexity of compliance is minimized by covering a wide range of mandates, including:

  • EU-General Data Protection Regulation (**GDPR**)
  • California Consumer Privacy Act (**CCPA**), US
  • Lei Geral de ProteΓ§Γ£o de Dados (**LGPD**), Brazil
  • Australian Privacy Principles (**APP**)
  • Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (**PIPEDA**), Canada
  • Personal Data Protection Act (**PDPA**), Singapore

This wide coverage, supported by product partners like **OneTrust** and **BigID**, ensures a single, harmonized approach to multiple regulatory challenges.

Visual Diagram: Privacy Ops Flow

The successful implementation of Privacy Ops follows a continuous loop, driven by data ingestion and AI analysis, leading to automated controls and feedback.

Data Ingestion AI Regulatory Analysis & PI Mapping Automated DSRM & Consent Dashboards & Continuous Monitoring

Exam-Oriented Tips

For certification exams in privacy and data protection, focus on the operational aspects and key regulatory instruments:

Mastering Acronyms and Scope

  • **DPIA vs. PIA:** Understand the specific triggers for a Data Protection Impact Assessment (GDPR) and the broader Privacy Impact Assessment (general best practice).
  • **DSRM (Data Subject Rights Management):** Focus on the 7-step processβ€”from intake via portal to final fulfillment and record-keeping.
  • **Key Global Laws:** Memorize the scope and core rights provided by **GDPR, CCPA, and LGPD**, as they are frequently compared in scenario-based questions.
  • **Privacy by Design:** Know the 7 foundational principles, especially the proactive and preventative nature of the approach.

Practice questions involving data flow mapping and determining compliance requirements when data crosses international boundaries (e.g., EU data processed in Singapore).

FAQ (Markdown)

**Q1: What is the primary role of the AI-powered bot?**

A1: The AI bot analyzes regulatory updates and obligations from sources like UCF to ensure real-time compliance tracking.

**Q2: How does the platform handle global regulations?**

A2: It provides harmonized controls covering major laws including GDPR, CCPA, LGPD, PIPEDA, and PDPA, allowing for central management.

**Q3: What are the key steps in Data Subject Rights Management?**

A3: Intake via a dedicated portal, identity validation, fulfillment of the request (e.g., erasure), and maintaining audit records and reporting.

**Q4: What is the purpose of Data Flow Mapping?**

A4: To identify where personal data is collected, stored, processed, and shared (data inventory and relationship) across the 50+ integrated data stores.

**Q5: What is 'Privacy by Design'?**

A5: A proactive approach ensuring privacy and security are built into the system architecture and business processes from the start, not added later.
    

FAQ: Visual Summary

Q1: Primary role of the AI-powered bot? A1: Analyzes regulatory updates from UCF for real-time tracking. Q2: How does the platform handle global regulations? A2: Harmonized controls covering GDPR, CCPA, LGPD, PIPEDA, and PDPA. Q3: Key steps in Data Subject Rights Management? A3: Intake via portal, identity validation, request fulfillment, and audit records. Q4: Purpose of Data Flow Mapping? A4: To identify where PI is collected, stored, processed, and shared (Data Inventory). Q5: What is 'Privacy by Design'? A5: Proactive approach: privacy and security are built into the architecture from the start.

Β© 2025 TheControlCheck. All rights reserved.

Audit Management: From Opening Meeting to Closure

Audit Management: From Opening Meeting to Closure

Audit Management: From Opening Meeting to Closure

Introduction to Auditing

Auditing is a systematic and independent examination of processes, systems, or organizations to ensure compliance with established standards. A structured audit helps organizations identify gaps, mitigate risks, and promote continual improvement.

Auditing Principles & Benefits

Ethical Conduct, Fair Presentation, Due Professional Care Verified conformity, increases awareness & understanding Independence & Evidence-Based Approach Reduces risks & identifies improvement opportunities Continuous Improvement Performed regularly ensures system effectiveness

Process Approach in Auditing

Auditors can apply the process approach by ensuring the auditee:

  • Defines objectives, inputs, outputs, activities, and resources for processes
  • Analyses, monitors, measures, and improves processes
  • Understands sequence and interaction of its processes
Individual Process Input/Output, PDCA, Resources Relationship with Other Processes Flow, Interaction, Evidence, Contracts

Managing an Audit Program

Effective audit programs include planning, scheduling, and resource allocation. A well-managed program ensures audits are systematic, consistent, and align with organizational objectives.

Audit Activities

  • Opening Meeting
  • Document Review
  • On-Site Audit / Observation
  • Interviews & Evidence Collection
  • Closing Meeting

Auditor Competence & Responsibilities

Auditors must possess:

  • Knowledge of standards & regulations
  • Analytical and communication skills
  • Objectivity and ethical conduct
  • Ability to report findings accurately

Key Take Aways

Audit management is often perceived merely as a regulatory necessity, but in reality, it is a cornerstone of organizational health and strategic growth. While compliance with standardsβ€”whether ISO 27001, ISO 9001, or internal policiesβ€”is the baseline, the true value of a robust audit management system lies in its ability to transform raw data into actionable business intelligence. A systematic approach to auditing does not just verify if rules are being followed; it evaluates whether those rules are actually helping the organization achieve its objectives.

The Strategic Value of Audit Management

Audit management is often perceived merely as a regulatory necessity, but in reality, it is a cornerstone of organizational health and strategic growth. While compliance with standardsβ€”whether ISO 27001, ISO 9001, or internal policiesβ€”is the baseline, the true value of a robust audit management system lies in its ability to transform raw data into actionable business intelligence.

The Lifecycle: From Opening to Closure

The journey from the opening meeting to the closing meeting is where the integrity of the audit is established. This structured lifecycle ensures that there are no surprises and that the audit concludes with a clear roadmap for the future.

Risk Mitigation and Proactive Defense

In today’s volatile digital landscape, waiting for a breach or a failure to occur is not an option. Audit management serves as an organization’s "early warning system." By systematically reviewing controls and processes, auditors identify vulnerabilities and latent risks that might otherwise go unnoticed until they cause significant damage.

Key Insight: Effective audit management shifts an organization’s posture from reactive to proactive. Instead of scrambling to fix issues after a regulatory fine, the audit process highlights weak control environments early.

Driving Continuous Improvement

Perhaps the most critical aspect of audit management is its contribution to Continuous Improvement (CI). An audit that ends with a report filing is a wasted opportunity. By identifying non-conformities and opportunities for improvement (OFIs), audits force organizations to analyze the root causes of their problems, moving away from temporary "band-aid" fixes toward sustainable solutions.

Audit Activities Checklist

  • Opening Meeting: Confirm scope, criteria, and plan.
  • Document Review: Verify documented information against standards.
  • On-Site Audit: Observe processes and interview staff.
  • Evidence Collection: Gather objective evidence (records, logs).
  • Closing Meeting: Present findings and agree on timeline.

FAQ: Visual Summary

Q1: What is Audit Management? A1: Systematic examination from opening meeting to closure ensuring compliance. Q2: What is Process Approach in Auditing? A2: Ensures objectives, inputs, outputs, and interactions are clearly defined. Q3: What are auditor responsibilities? A3: Knowledge, ethics, analytical skills, and accurate reporting of findings. Q4: What activities are included? A4: Opening meeting, document review, observation, interviews, closing meeting.

Β© 2025 TheControlCheck. All rights reserved.

Overview of ISO/IEC 27001:2013 vs 2022

Overview of ISO/IEC 27001:2013 vs 2022

Overview of ISO/IEC 27001:2013 vs 2022

Introduction

ISO/IEC 27001 is the global standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). The 2022 revision introduces updates aligning with evolving cybersecurity threats, risk management practices, and digital transformation requirements. Understanding the differences between the 2013 and 2022 versions is critical for professionals preparing for audits or certification exams.

Overview of ISO/IEC 27001:2013 vs 2022

The 2013 version focused on 14 control domains and 114 controls under Annex A. The 2022 version streamlined these into 4 categories with 93 updated controls, emphasizing a risk-based approach, organizational context, and alignment with modern technology practices.

  • 2013: 14 control domains, 114 controls
  • 2022: 4 control categories, 93 controls
  • New focus on cloud security, privacy, and remote work risk management
  • Integration with other management systems (ISO 22301, ISO 9001)

Core Clauses and Annex Controls

Both versions follow a high-level structure (Annex SL), but the 2022 update introduces:

  1. Context of the organization
  2. Leadership & commitment
  3. Planning and risk assessment
  4. Support & awareness
  5. Operation and performance evaluation
  6. Improvement

Annex controls are now grouped under 4 categories:

  • Organizational
  • People
  • Physical
  • Technological

ISMS Process: Step-by-Step

Implementing an ISMS involves several systematic steps:

  1. Define the scope of ISMS
  2. Establish an information security policy
  3. Perform risk assessment & treatment planning
  4. Implement controls
  5. Monitor, measure, and evaluate effectiveness
  6. Conduct internal audits and management review
  7. Continual improvement based on findings

Awareness & Training

Awareness programs and training sessions are essential to:

  • Ensure all employees understand security policies
  • Align roles & responsibilities
  • Promote a security-first culture
  • Prepare for internal & external audits

Exam-Oriented Tips

Key points for ISO/IEC 27001 exams:

  • Focus on differences between 2013 vs 2022
  • Memorize the 4 main control categories and 93 controls (2022)
  • Understand ISMS PDCA cycle steps
  • Prepare for scenario-based questions on risk treatment and audit findings
  • Be familiar with Annex SL high-level structure

Visual Diagram: ISMS Process Overview

ISMS Scope & Policy Risk Assessment & Treatment Implement Controls Monitor & Improve

FAQ: Visual Overview

Q1: Differences between ISO/IEC 27001:2013 & 2022? A1: 2022 reduces controls to 93 & groups into 4 categories. Q2: How many clauses in both versions? A2: Both follow Annex SL with 10 clauses (context, leadership, planning, etc.) Q3: What is the PDCA cycle? A3: Plan β†’ Do β†’ Check β†’ Act; ensures continuous improvement. Q4: How to prepare for ISO/IEC 27001 exam? A4: Focus on clauses, controls, ISMS process & scenario-based questions. Q5: Are 2013 controls still valid? A5: Mapped to 2022; transition based on risk assessment & updated controls.

Β© 2025 TheControlCheck. All rights reserved.

What Is GRC, and How AI Governance Is Transforming It in 2026


What Is GRC and How AI Governance Is Transforming It in 2026

The world of Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) is evolving faster than ever. With enterprises adopting AI-powered tools across all departments, organisations are realising that effective AI governance is no longer optional. It is now a core pillar of modern GRC.

This article explains what GRC means today, how AI governance fits inside GRC, the global frameworks shaping AI adoption, the maturity models, the Responsible AI skills companies expect, and why mastering AI governance creates a competitive advantage for professionals entering or growing in GRC.


1. What Is GRC? (Simple Definition)

GRC stands for Governance, Risk, and Compliance. It is a structured approach that ensures an organization:

  • Governance: Makes decisions responsibly and ethically
  • Risk Management: Identifies, assesses, and reduces risks
  • Compliance: Meets laws, standards, and regulatory requirements

In 2026, GRC is no longer just about audits or documentation. It is a strategic capability that helps companies scale, respond to cyber threats, maintain trust, and prevent legal problems.

Traditional GRC Pillars

  • Policies & Governance Models
  • Risk Management Frameworks
  • Compliance Requirements
  • Internal Controls & Testing
  • Audit Management
  • Reporting & Continuous Monitoring

2. Why AI Governance Is Becoming the Heart of GRC

AI systems now influence major business decisions across finance, HR, cybersecurity, fraud detection, privacy, and more. Because AI models can make mistakes, show bias, or act unpredictably, companies need clear processes to govern them.

AI Governance means:

  • Ensuring AI is used ethically and responsibly
  • Managing AI-specific risks (bias, drift, transparency)
  • Protecting privacy and sensitive data
  • Building explainable and trustworthy AI models
  • Implementing continuous monitoring and audits

In simple words: AI Governance adds a new risk category β†’ β€œAI Risk”.


3. Global AI Governance Standards and Frameworks

AI governance is becoming increasingly standardized. These are the most influential frameworks globally:

1. ISO/IEC 42001:2023 – AI Management System (AIMS)

The world’s first certifiable AI governance standard. It focuses on:

  • AI risk management
  • AI lifecycle controls
  • Transparency and accountability
  • Model and data governance
  • Ethical requirements

2. NIST AI Risk Management Framework

Includes four core functions:

  • Govern
  • Map
  • Measure
  • Manage

3. EU AI Act

The strongest AI regulation, classifying AI into:

  • Unacceptable risk
  • High risk
  • Limited risk
  • Minimal risk

4. OECD AI Principles

Focus on fairness, human-centered design, transparency, and accountability.

5. India’s Emerging AI Governance Approach

India is steadily moving toward Responsible AI policies aligned with global frameworks.


4. AI Governance Adoption Approach

Organizations follow a structured approach when integrating AI governance:

  1. Establish governance structure: AI committees, ethics boards
  2. Identify AI use cases: especially high-risk systems
  3. Perform AI risk assessments: data, model, fairness, privacy
  4. Implement Responsible AI controls: explainability, bias checks
  5. Continuous monitoring: real-time model behavior tracking
  6. Compliance alignment: ISO 42001, NIST, EU AI Act, DPDP

5. Responsible AI Training – A Mandatory Skill

Companies now require employees to complete:

  • Responsible AI training
  • Bias detection & prevention courses
  • AI risk assessment workshops
  • Privacy & data protection training

This makes AI safer, fair, and accountableβ€”and increases the value of GRC professionals.


6. AI Governance Maturity Assessment

Organizations measure their AI readiness through the following levels:

  • Level 1 – Initial: No structure; ad-hoc AI use
  • Level 2 – Repeatable: Basic AI policies
  • Level 3 – Defined: Governance framework established
  • Level 4 – Managed: Formal monitoring and AI audits
  • Level 5 – Optimized: Fully integrated AI governance

Most organizations in 2026 fall between Level 2 and 3.


7. Why AI Governance Matters for Your GRC Career

AI governance is the fastest-growing discipline within GRC. Here’s why:

  • New AI regulations require expert interpreters
  • AI introduces new risk categories
  • AI audits are becoming mandatory
  • There is a huge skill gap in the industry
  • AI governance intersects with all GRC functions

Learning AI governance immediately boosts long-term career value.


8. Key Takeaways

  • AI governance is transforming modern GRC
  • ISO 42001 and NIST are leading global frameworks
  • Responsible AI is now a requirement
  • AI maturity models help organizations evolve
  • Professionals with AI governance knowledge are in high demand

FAQs

## FAQsΒ 

### **Q1. What is the main purpose of AI governance?**
To ensure AI systems are safe, ethical, transparent, and compliant across their lifecycle.

### **Q2. Is AI governance part of GRC?**
Yes. It introduces a new category called β€œAI Risk” under governance, risk management, compliance, and audit.

### **Q3. Which global AI standard is considered the most important?**
ISO/IEC 42001:2023 is the most robust, globally recognized AI governance standard.

### **Q4. Does AI governance require coding skills?**
No. Not necessary. Most GRC professionals focus on documentation, risks, controls, assessments, and audits.

### **Q5. Why is AI governance important for GRC careers?**
Because regulatory pressure is increasing and organizations need professionals who understand AI risks, compliance, and ethical standards.

### **Q6. Which industries require AI governance experts?**
Banking, telecom, healthcare, e-commerce, manufacturing, consulting, and government sectors.

Before yesterdayMain stream

NeatLabs - Fused Analysis Report Sample

19 December 2024 at 08:01

Β 

OSINT Fusion Analysis Report

Word Cloud



Entity Relationship Network

Sentiment Analysis




Geospatial Analysis


Topic Modeling


Fused Text Report

OSINT Fusion Analysis Report

Input Sources:
Source 1: https://insiderpaper.com/us-european-chinese-firms-seek-to-draw-vietnam-arms-deals-from-russia/

Fused OSINT Analysis (including all sources and image analysis if provided):
# Fused Intelligence Report: Analysis of Vietnam's Arms Procurement Shift

## Executive Summary
Vietnam's recent arms fair in Hanoi marks a significant shift in its defense procurement strategy, moving from a long-standing reliance on Russian arms to exploring partnerships with US, European, and Chinese defense firms. This pivot reflects broader geopolitical trends and a reassessment of defense dependencies influenced by global conflicts, particularly the Ukraine crisis. The implications of this arms diversification are profound, potentially altering regional security dynamics while raising concerns about military cooperation, arms proliferation, and cybersecurity risks. 

## Integrated Analysis of Identified Entities
### Key Entities:
- **Vietnamese Government**: Actively seeking diversified arms suppliers, indicating a strategic shift in national security policy.
- **US Firms (Boeing, Lockheed Martin)**: Their involvement underscores a push for greater US influence in Southeast Asia and a commitment to security partnerships.
- **European Firms (Airbus)**: Participation highlights EU interests in expanding defense ties with Vietnam, reflecting a collective Western approach to countering Russian influence.
- **Chinese Firms (Norinco)**: Their engagement suggests China's desire to maintain and strengthen its foothold in Vietnam amidst rising tensions in the South China Sea.
- **Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)**: Provides critical data on arms imports and trends, reinforcing the analysis of Vietnam's evolving military partnerships.

## Synthesis of Relationships and Connections
The arms fair serves as a confluence of interests among multiple nations, with Vietnam leveraging its position to attract diverse partners while reducing dependency on Russia. The historical context of Vietnam's arms procurement, which has been over 80% reliant on Russian sources until 2023, highlights a significant shift in strategy. The event not only showcases new military technologies but also signifies a potential realignment of alliances in the region. 

Geographically, Hanoi's selection as the venue is strategic, signaling Vietnam's central role in Southeast Asian security matters. The presence of firms from the US, Europe, and China underscores a competitive landscape where Vietnam can negotiate terms favorable to its security needs.

## Assessment of Potential Security Implications
1. **Increased Military Cooperation**: Enhanced ties with Western nations may lead to joint exercises and intelligence sharing, potentially altering the power balance in Southeast Asia.
2. **Arms Proliferation Risks**: The introduction of advanced military technologies from diverse sources increases the likelihood of technology leakage or misuse.
3. **Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities**: As Vietnam engages with various military technologies, the risk of cyber threats from adversarial nations could escalate, necessitating enhanced cybersecurity measures.

## Holistic View of General OSINT Context
The arms fair is indicative of a broader trend where nations reassess their defense strategies in light of geopolitical shifts and sanctions. Vietnam's pivot from Russian systems reflects an effort to modernize its military while navigating complex regional dynamics. This diversification can lead to increased resilience against potential aggressors but also brings challenges related to managing new technology integrations.

## Recommendations for Further Investigation
- **Social Media Monitoring**: Track discussions and sentiments regarding the arms fair to gauge public and governmental reactions.
- **Corporate Reports Review**: Analyze financial disclosures from participating firms to uncover strategic intentions and potential contracts.
- **Geolocation Analysis**: Utilize satellite imagery to assess military assets showcased at the fair.

## Overall Credibility Assessment
The information is credible due to sourcing from reputable news agencies and the presence of established defense firms. The involvement of government officials and the acknowledgment from research institutions like SIPRI further enhance reliability.

## Suggested OSINT Techniques for Additional Data Collection
- **Social Media Analysis**: Leverage tools like Brandwatch or Hootsuite to monitor sentiment and trends related to the arms fair.
- **Geospatial Analysis**: Apply GIS tools to visualize military capabilities and potential deployments resulting from new procurement deals.
- **Database Cross-Referencing**: Utilize arms trade databases to track historical import patterns and emerging trends in Vietnam's military acquisitions.

## Integrated Risk Assessment
The shift in arms procurement presents both opportunities and risks. While Vietnam may enhance its military capabilities and partnerships, it simultaneously risks escalating regional tensions, particularly with China and Russia. 

## Timeline of Key Events
1. **1995-2023**: Vietnam’s arms imports predominantly sourced from Russia.
2. **2022-Present**: Decline in Russian arms imports due to sanctions following the Ukraine conflict.
3. **December 19, 2024**: Arms fair in Hanoi marks a pivotal moment in Vietnam's defense strategy.

## Geographical Locations and Their Significance
- **Hanoi, Vietnam**: Central to Vietnam's defense strategy and the arms fair, highlighting its geopolitical importance.
- **Russia**: Historically the main arms supplier; current sanctions affect this long-standing relationship.
- **Countries of Participating Firms (US, China, Europe)**: Their involvement indicates shifting military alliances and increasing competition for influence in Vietnam.

## Technical Indicators Synthesis
No specific technical indicators were identified in the source, as the focus remains on diplomatic engagements rather than cyber or IT-specific details.

## Social Media Activity Patterns
Monitoring platforms for discussions surrounding the arms fair can reveal public sentiment and potential governmental narratives about diversification efforts. Analysis of engagement metrics will inform the impact of the fair on public perception.

## Financial Implications and Patterns
Further investigation into defense contracts and financial transactions involving participating firms will clarify potential impacts on Vietnam's military budget and foreign investments.

## Legal and Regulatory Landscape
Vietnam may need to develop new regulatory frameworks governing foreign military sales and compliance with international arms trade treaties, particularly regarding Russian sanctions.

## Historical Trends and Future Projections
Historically reliant on Russian arms, Vietnam's shift to a diverse procurement strategy is likely to enhance its military autonomy and capability. Future projections suggest increased collaboration with Western nations, potentially reshaping Southeast Asian security dynamics.

## Identification of Potential Intelligence Gaps
Further insights into the nature of the arms deals being negotiated at the fair and the specific technologies being considered would enhance understanding of Vietnam's military modernization efforts.

## Assessment of Potential Disinformation or Influence Campaigns
Monitoring for narratives from state-sponsored media, particularly from Russia and China, is essential to assess the impact of disinformation campaigns intended to undermine Vietnam's pivot away from Russian arms.

## Recommendations for Actionable Intelligence
- Conduct targeted analyses of emerging defense collaborations and their implications for regional security.
- Monitor geopolitical developments closely, particularly reactions from China and Russia regarding Vietnam’s arms procurement strategy.
- Evaluate the potential for new influence campaigns from adversarial states aimed at shaping the discourse surrounding Vietnam's defense decisions.

By synthesizing insights from all sources, this report provides a nuanced understanding of Vietnam's arms diversification strategy within the context of contemporary geopolitical challenges.

Governance of Risk and Compliance: Overview



Β 

Governance of Risk and Compliance


Governance of Risk and Compliance: Overview


In today's complex business landscape, organisations face a myriad of risks that can impact their operations, reputation, and bottom line. Effective governance of risk and compliance is crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure that organizations operate ethically and within the bounds of the law. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the governance of risk and compliance in a thousand words, highlighting its importance, key principles, and best practices.


1. Understanding Risk and Compliance:


Risk refers to the possibility of an event occurring that could have an adverse effect on the achievement of an organization's objectives. These risks can be categorized into various types, including financial, operational, strategic, and reputational. Compliance, on the other hand, involves adhering to laws, regulations, industry standards, and internal policies and procedures.


2. The Importance of Governance:


Governance in the context of risk and compliance refers to the processes, structures, and leadership in place to oversee and manage these aspects of business operations. Effective governance is crucial for several reasons:


a. Legal and Ethical Obligations: Organizations have a legal and ethical responsibility to operate within the boundaries of the law and to conduct business ethically. Failure to do so can result in legal penalties, fines, and damage to reputation.


b. Protecting Stakeholder Interests: Governance ensures that an organization's actions align with the interests of its stakeholders, including shareholders, employees, customers, and the broader community.


c. Risk Mitigation: Governance processes help identify, assess, and mitigate risks, reducing the likelihood and impact of adverse events.


d. Enhancing Decision-Making: Effective governance provides a framework for informed decision-making, considering risks and compliance requirements in strategic planning.


3. Key Principles of Governance of Risk and Compliance:


To establish robust governance of risk and compliance, organizations should adhere to the following key principles:


a. Leadership and Culture: Top leadership must set the tone for risk awareness and compliance. A culture of integrity and accountability should be fostered throughout the organization.


b. Risk Assessment: Regularly assess and prioritize risks to the organization. This involves identifying potential threats, evaluating their impact, and determining the likelihood of occurrence.


c. Policies and Procedures: Develop and implement clear policies and procedures that address compliance requirements and risk management strategies.


d. Training and Awareness: Ensure that employees are educated about compliance requirements and risk management practices. Ongoing training programs are essential.


e. Monitoring and Reporting: Establish mechanisms to monitor compliance with policies and procedures. Implement reporting systems that allow for the timely identification and resolution of compliance issues.


f. Continuous Improvement: Regularly review and update governance processes to adapt to changing risks and compliance requirements. Continuous improvement is key to staying ahead of emerging threats.


4. Best Practices in Governance of Risk and Compliance:


To effectively implement the principles of governance, organizations can adopt best practices:


a. Board Oversight: The board of directors should provide oversight and guidance on risk and compliance matters. Establish risk and compliance committees to focus on these specific areas.


b. Risk Appetite: Define the organization's risk appetite – the level of risk it is willing to accept to achieve its objectives. This helps guide decision-making.


c. Risk Management Framework: Develop a comprehensive risk management framework that includes risk identification, assessment, mitigation, monitoring, and reporting.


d. Compliance Programs: Implement robust compliance programs that incorporate regulatory requirements, industry standards, and internal policies. Regularly audit and assess compliance.


e. Technology and Data Analytics: Leverage technology and data analytics tools to enhance risk assessment and compliance monitoring. These tools can provide real-time insights into potential issues.


f. Whistleblower Mechanism: Establish a confidential whistleblower mechanism that allows employees and stakeholders to report potential compliance violations without fear of retaliation.


g. External Partnerships: Collaborate with industry associations, regulatory bodies, and external experts to stay updated on evolving risks and compliance standards.


h. Crisis Management: Develop a crisis management plan to respond effectively to unexpected events, such as data breaches or regulatory investigations.


5. Case Studies:


Examining real-world examples of governance of risk and compliance can provide valuable insights. For instance, the Enron scandal in the early 2000s highlights the devastating consequences of poor governance, including financial fraud and bankruptcy. In contrast, companies like Johnson & Johnson are often praised for their proactive approach to product recalls, demonstrating a commitment to compliance and consumer safety.


6. Conclusion:


In conclusion, the governance of risk and compliance is an essential aspect of modern business operations. It ensures that organizations adhere to legal and ethical standards, manage risks effectively, and protect stakeholder interests. By following key principles and best practices, organizations can build a robust governance framework that enhances their resilience and sustainability in an ever-changing business environment. Ultimately, governance of risk and compliance is not just a regulatory requirement; it's a fundamental element of responsible and successful business management.


Governance of Risk and Compliance






How Internet affected Education

Β How Internet affected Education| Internet and Education

How Internet affected Education


The internet has had a profound impact on education, with the advent of the internet of education (IoE) further expanding this impact. IoE refers to the integration of various technologies, such as the internet, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, to improve education outcomes. Here are some of the impacts of IoE on education:


1. Access to educational resources: IoE has made it easier for students to access educational resources from anywhere and at any time. With online courses, e-books, and virtual learning environments, students can learn at their own pace and convenience.


2. Personalized learning: IoE technologies can be used to personalize learning experiences for individual students. Adaptive learning algorithms can tailor the curriculum to meet the needs of each student, resulting in better learning outcomes.


3. Collaboration: IoE technologies can facilitate collaboration between students, teachers, and peers across the globe. Students can engage in collaborative projects, share knowledge and ideas, and learn from each other.


4. Cost-effective: IoE can make education more affordable, especially for students who live in remote or underserved areas. Online courses and digital resources can be accessed at a fraction of the cost of traditional education.


5. Data-driven insights: IoE technologies can generate valuable data insights that can be used to improve teaching and learning outcomes. By analyzing student data, teachers can identify areas where students are struggling and provide personalized support.


Β 

The internet has revolutionized education, and online education is one of its most significant applications. Online education refers to learning experiences that are delivered over the internet, using various digital technologies. Here are some of the ways in which the internet is used for online education:

Β 

1. Online courses: The internet is used to deliver courses online, allowing students to learn at their own pace and from anywhere in the world. Online courses can include text-based lessons, videos, interactive quizzes, and assessments.

Β 

2. Virtual classrooms: The internet is used to create virtual classrooms where students can interact with teachers and peers in real-time. Virtual classrooms can include live lectures, discussions, and group projects.

Β 

3. E-books and digital resources: The internet is used to provide students with access to e-books, digital resources, and other educational materials. This makes it easier for students to access learning materials, regardless of their location.

Β 

4. Online collaboration: The internet is used to facilitate collaboration between students and teachers. Online collaboration tools such as discussion forums, messaging apps, and video conferencing make it easy for students to work together and learn from each other.

Β 

5. Gamification: The internet is used to gamify the learning experience, making it more engaging and interactive. Gamification uses game mechanics such as points, badges, and leader boards to motivate students and encourage them to learn.

Β 



How Internet affected Education



While the internet has had a significant impact on education, it also has some drawbacks. Here are some of the drawbacks of using the internet in education:

Β 

1. Lack of social interaction: One of the primary drawbacks of online education is the lack of social interaction. Students who learn online may miss out on the social aspect of traditional education, including face-to-face interactions with teachers and peers.

Β 

2. Limited engagement: Online learning can be less engaging than traditional learning. Students may be more likely to get distracted or lose focus while learning online, resulting in lower levels of engagement and retention.

Β 

3. Dependence on technology: Online education is dependent on technology, and technical difficulties can disrupt the learning process. Poor internet connectivity or software issues can cause frustration for both students and teachers.

Β 

4. Quality concerns: The internet has made it easier for anyone to create and distribute educational materials, but not all of this material is of high quality. There is a risk that students may be exposed to inaccurate or unreliable information, which could impact their learning outcomes.

Β 

5. Cheating and plagiarism: The internet has also made it easier for students to cheat and plagiarize. With online resources readily available, students may be tempted to cut corners or take shortcuts in their work.

Β 

Conclusion-

1. The internet has revolutionized education by providing access to online courses, virtual classrooms, digital resources, online collaboration, and gamification. These tools have made education more accessible, engaging, and effective, opening up new opportunities for learners all over the world.

2. The internet of education has revolutionized education by making it more accessible, affordable, and personalized. It has opened up new opportunities for students to learn, collaborate, and grow, while also enabling educators to provide a more effective and efficient learning experience.

Β 3. While the internet has many benefits for education, it also has some drawbacks. These drawbacks include a lack of social interaction, limited engagement, dependence on technology, quality concerns, and increased opportunities for cheating and plagiarism. It is important to be aware of these drawbacks and work to mitigate them to ensure that online education remains effective and beneficial for students.



OffensivePipeline - Allows You To Download And Build C# Tools, Applying Certain Modifications In Order To Improve Their Evasion For Red Team Exercises

By: Unknown
17 February 2023 at 06:30


OfensivePipeline allows you to download and build C# tools, applying certain modifications in order to improve their evasion for Red Team exercises.
A common use of OffensivePipeline is to download a tool from a Git repository, randomise certain values in the project, build it, obfuscate the resulting binary and generate a shellcode.


Features

  • Currently only supports C# (.Net Framework) projects
  • Allows to clone public and private (you will need credentials :D) git repositories
  • Allows to work with local folders
  • Randomizes project GUIDs
  • Randomizes application information contained in AssemblyInfo
  • Builds C# projects
  • Obfuscates generated binaries
  • Generates shellcodes from binaries
  • There are 79 tools parameterised in YML templates (not all of them may work :D)
  • New tools can be added using YML templates
  • It should be easy to add new plugins...

What's new in version 2.0

  • Almost complete code rewrite (new bugs?)
  • Cloning from private repositories possible (authentication via GitHub authToken)
  • Possibility to copy a local folder instead of cloning from a remote repository
  • New module to generate shellcodes with Donut
  • New module to randomize GUIDs of applications
  • New module to randomize the AssemblyInfo of each application
  • 60 new tools added

Examples

  • List all tools:
OffensivePipeline.exe list
  • Build all tools:
OffensivePipeline.exe all
  • Build a tool
OffensivePipeline.exe t toolName
  • Clean cloned and build tools
OffensivePipeline.exe 

Output example

PS C:\OffensivePipeline> .\OffensivePipeline.exe t rubeus

ooo
.osooooM M
___ __ __ _ ____ _ _ _ +y. M M
/ _ \ / _|/ _| ___ _ __ ___(_)_ _____| _ \(_)_ __ ___| (_)_ __ ___ :h .yoooMoM
| | | | |_| |_ / _ \ '_ \/ __| \ \ / / _ \ |_) | | '_ \ / _ \ | | '_ \ / _ \ oo oo
| |_| | _| _| __/ | | \__ \ |\ V / __/ __/| | |_) | __/ | | | | | __/ oo oo
\___/|_| |_| \___|_| |_|___/_| \_/ \___|_| |_| .__/ \___|_|_|_| |_|\___| oo oo
|_| MoMoooy. h:
M M .y+
M Mooooso.
ooo

@aetsu
v2.0.0


[+] Loading tool: Rubeus
Clonnig repository: Rubeus into C:\OffensivePipeline\Git\Rubeus
Repository Rubeus cloned into C:\OffensivePipeline\Git\Rubeus

[+] Load RandomGuid module
Searching GUIDs...
> C:\OffensivePipeline\Git\Rubeus\Rubeus.sln
> C:\OffensivePipeline\Git\Rubeus\Rubeus\Rubeus.csproj
> C:\OffensivePipeline\Git\Rubeus\Rubeus\Properties\AssemblyInfo.cs
Replacing GUIDs...
File C:\OffensivePipeline\Git\Rubeus\Rubeus.sln:
> Replacing GUID 658C8B7F-3664-4A95-9572-A3E5871DFC06 with 3bd82351-ac9a-4403-b1e7-9660e698d286
> Replacing GUID FAE04EC0-301F-11D3-BF4B-00C04F79EFBC with 619876c2-5a8b-4c48-93c3-f87ca520ac5e
> Replacing GUID 658c8b7f-3664-4a95-9572-a3e5871dfc06 with 11e0084e-937f-46d7-83b5-38a496bf278a
[+] No errors!
File C:\OffensivePipeline\Git\Rubeus\Rubeus\Rubeus.csproj:
> Replacing GUID 658C8B7F-3664-4A95-9572-A3E5871DFC06 with 3bd82351-ac9a-4403-b1e7-9660e698d286
> Replacing GUID FAE04EC0-301F-11D3-BF4B-00C04F79EFBC with 619876c2-5a8b-4c48-93c3-f87ca520ac5e
> Replacing GUID 658c8b7f-3664-4a95-9572-a3e5871dfc06 with 11e0084e-937f-46d7-83b5-38a496bf278a
[+] No errors!
File C:\OffensivePipeline\Git\Rubeus\Rubeus\Properties\AssemblyInfo.cs:
> Replacing GUID 658C8B7F-3664-4A95-9572-A3E5871DFC06 with 3bd82351-ac9a-4403-b1e7-9660e698d286
> Replacing GUID FAE04EC0-301F-11D3-BF4B-00C04F79EFBC with 619876c2-5a8b-4c48-93c3-f87ca520ac5e
> Replacing GUID 658c8b7f-3664-4a95-9572-a3e5871dfc06 with 11e0084e-937f-46d7-83b5-38a496bf278a
[+] No errors!


[+] Load RandomAssemblyInfo module
Replacing strings in C:\OffensivePipeline\Git\Rubeus\Rubeus\Properties\AssemblyInfo.cs
[assembly: AssemblyTitle("Rubeus")] -> [assembly: AssemblyTitle("g4ef3fvphre")]
[assembly: AssemblyDescription("")] -> [assembly: AssemblyDescription("")]
[assembly: AssemblyConfiguration("")] -> [assembly: AssemblyConfiguration("")]
[assembly: AssemblyCompany("")] -> [assembly: AssemblyCompany("")]
[assembly: AssemblyProduc t("Rubeus")] -> [assembly: AssemblyProduct("g4ef3fvphre")]
[assembly: AssemblyCopyright("Copyright Β© 2018")] -> [assembly: AssemblyCopyright("Copyright Β© 2018")]
[assembly: AssemblyTrademark("")] -> [assembly: AssemblyTrademark("")]
[assembly: AssemblyCulture("")] -> [assembly: AssemblyCulture("")]


[+] Load BuildCsharp module
[+] Checking requirements...
[*] Downloading nuget.exe from https://dist.nuget.org/win-x86-commandline/latest/nuget.exe
[+] Download OK - nuget.exe
[+] Path found - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\BuildTools\Common7\Tools\VsDevCmd.bat
Solving dependences with nuget...
Building solution...
[+] No errors!
[+] Output folder: C:\OffensivePipeline\Output\Rubeus_vh00nc50xud


[+] Load ConfuserEx module
[+] Checking requirements...
[+] Downloading ConfuserEx from https://github.com/mkaring/ConfuserEx/releases/download/v1.6.0/ConfuserEx-CLI.zip
[+] Download OK - ConfuserEx
Confusing...
[+] No errors!


[+] Load Donut module
Generating shellcode...

Payload options:
Domain: RMM6XFC3
Runtime:v4.0.30319

Raw Payload: C:\OffensivePipeline\Output\Rubeus_vh00nc50xud\ConfuserEx\Donut\Rubeus.bin
B64 Payload: C:\OffensivePipeline\Output\Rubeus_vh00nc50xud\ConfuserEx\Donut\Rubeus.bin.b64

[+] No errors!


[+] Generating Sha256 hashes
Output file: C:\OffensivePipeline\Output\Rubeus_vh00nc50xud


-----------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY

- Rubeus
- RandomGuid: OK
- RandomAssemblyInfo: OK
- BuildCsharp: OK
- ConfuserEx: OK
- Donut: OK

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Plugins

  • RandomGuid: randomise the GUID in .sln, .csproj and AssemblyInfo.cs files
  • RandomAssemblyInfo: randomise the values defined in AssemblyInfo.cs
  • BuildCsharp: build c# project
  • ConfuserEx: obfuscate c# tools
  • Donut: use Donut to generate shellcodes. The shellcode generated is without parameters, in future releases this may be changed.

Add a tool from a remote git

The scripts for downloading the tools are in the Tools folder in yml format. New tools can be added by creating new yml files with the following format:

  • Rubeus.yml file:
tool:
- name: Rubeus
description: Rubeus is a C# toolset for raw Kerberos interaction and abuses
gitLink: https://github.com/GhostPack/Rubeus
solutionPath: Rubeus\Rubeus.sln
language: c#
plugins: RandomGuid, RandomAssemblyInfo, BuildCsharp, ConfuserEx, Donut
authUser:
authToken:

Where:

  • Name: name of the tool
  • Description: tool description
  • GitLink: link from git to clone
  • SolutionPath: solution (sln file) path
  • Language: language used (currently only c# is supported)
  • Plugins: plugins to use on this tool build process
  • AuthUser: user name from github (not used for public repositories)
  • AuthToken: auth token from github (not used for public repositories)

Add a tool from a private git

tool:
- name: SharpHound3-Custom
description: C# Rewrite of the BloodHound Ingestor
gitLink: https://github.com/aaaaaaa/SharpHound3-Custom
solutionPath: SharpHound3-Custom\SharpHound3.sln
language: c#
plugins: RandomGuid, RandomAssemblyInfo, BuildCsharp, ConfuserEx, Donut
authUser: aaaaaaa
authToken: abcdefghijklmnopqrsthtnf

Where:

  • Name: name of the tool
  • Description: tool description
  • GitLink: link from git to clone
  • SolutionPath: solution (sln file) path
  • Language: language used (currently only c# is supported)
  • Plugins: plugins to user on this tool build process
  • AuthUser: user name from GitHub
  • AuthToken: auth token from GitHub (documented at GitHub: creating a personal access token)

Add a tool from local git folder

tool:
- name: SeatbeltLocal
description: Seatbelt is a C# project that performs a number of security oriented host-survey "safety checks" relevant from both offensive and defensive security perspectives.
gitLink: C:\Users\alpha\Desktop\SeatbeltLocal
solutionPath: SeatbeltLocal\Seatbelt.sln
language: c#
plugins: RandomGuid, RandomAssemblyInfo, BuildCsharp, ConfuserEx, Donut
authUser:
authToken:

Where:

  • Name: name of the tool
  • Description: tool description
  • GitLink: path where the tool is located
  • SolutionPath: solution (sln file) path
  • Language: language used (currently only c# is supported)
  • Plugins: plugins to user on this tool build process
  • AuthUser: user name from github (not used for local repositories)
  • AuthToken: auth token from github (not used for local repositories)

Requirements for the release version (Visual Studio 2019/2022 is not required)

In the OffensivePipeline.dll.config file it's possible to change the version of the build tools used.

  • Build Tools 2019:
<add key="BuildCSharpTools" value="C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\BuildTools\Common7\Tools\VsDevCmd.bat"/>
  • Build Tools 2022:
<add key="BuildCSharpTools" value="C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\BuildTools\Common7\Tools\VsDevCmd.bat"/>

Requirements for build

Credits

Supported tools



OffensivePipeline - Allows You To Download And Build C# Tools, Applying Certain Modifications In Order To Improve Their Evasion For Red Team Exercises

By: Unknown
17 February 2023 at 06:30


OfensivePipeline allows you to download and build C# tools, applying certain modifications in order to improve their evasion for Red Team exercises.
A common use of OffensivePipeline is to download a tool from a Git repository, randomise certain values in the project, build it, obfuscate the resulting binary and generate a shellcode.


Features

  • Currently only supports C# (.Net Framework) projects
  • Allows to clone public and private (you will need credentials :D) git repositories
  • Allows to work with local folders
  • Randomizes project GUIDs
  • Randomizes application information contained in AssemblyInfo
  • Builds C# projects
  • Obfuscates generated binaries
  • Generates shellcodes from binaries
  • There are 79 tools parameterised in YML templates (not all of them may work :D)
  • New tools can be added using YML templates
  • It should be easy to add new plugins...

What's new in version 2.0

  • Almost complete code rewrite (new bugs?)
  • Cloning from private repositories possible (authentication via GitHub authToken)
  • Possibility to copy a local folder instead of cloning from a remote repository
  • New module to generate shellcodes with Donut
  • New module to randomize GUIDs of applications
  • New module to randomize the AssemblyInfo of each application
  • 60 new tools added

Examples

  • List all tools:
OffensivePipeline.exe list
  • Build all tools:
OffensivePipeline.exe all
  • Build a tool
OffensivePipeline.exe t toolName
  • Clean cloned and build tools
OffensivePipeline.exe 

Output example

PS C:\OffensivePipeline> .\OffensivePipeline.exe t rubeus

ooo
.osooooM M
___ __ __ _ ____ _ _ _ +y. M M
/ _ \ / _|/ _| ___ _ __ ___(_)_ _____| _ \(_)_ __ ___| (_)_ __ ___ :h .yoooMoM
| | | | |_| |_ / _ \ '_ \/ __| \ \ / / _ \ |_) | | '_ \ / _ \ | | '_ \ / _ \ oo oo
| |_| | _| _| __/ | | \__ \ |\ V / __/ __/| | |_) | __/ | | | | | __/ oo oo
\___/|_| |_| \___|_| |_|___/_| \_/ \___|_| |_| .__/ \___|_|_|_| |_|\___| oo oo
|_| MoMoooy. h:
M M .y+
M Mooooso.
ooo

@aetsu
v2.0.0


[+] Loading tool: Rubeus
Clonnig repository: Rubeus into C:\OffensivePipeline\Git\Rubeus
Repository Rubeus cloned into C:\OffensivePipeline\Git\Rubeus

[+] Load RandomGuid module
Searching GUIDs...
> C:\OffensivePipeline\Git\Rubeus\Rubeus.sln
> C:\OffensivePipeline\Git\Rubeus\Rubeus\Rubeus.csproj
> C:\OffensivePipeline\Git\Rubeus\Rubeus\Properties\AssemblyInfo.cs
Replacing GUIDs...
File C:\OffensivePipeline\Git\Rubeus\Rubeus.sln:
> Replacing GUID 658C8B7F-3664-4A95-9572-A3E5871DFC06 with 3bd82351-ac9a-4403-b1e7-9660e698d286
> Replacing GUID FAE04EC0-301F-11D3-BF4B-00C04F79EFBC with 619876c2-5a8b-4c48-93c3-f87ca520ac5e
> Replacing GUID 658c8b7f-3664-4a95-9572-a3e5871dfc06 with 11e0084e-937f-46d7-83b5-38a496bf278a
[+] No errors!
File C:\OffensivePipeline\Git\Rubeus\Rubeus\Rubeus.csproj:
> Replacing GUID 658C8B7F-3664-4A95-9572-A3E5871DFC06 with 3bd82351-ac9a-4403-b1e7-9660e698d286
> Replacing GUID FAE04EC0-301F-11D3-BF4B-00C04F79EFBC with 619876c2-5a8b-4c48-93c3-f87ca520ac5e
> Replacing GUID 658c8b7f-3664-4a95-9572-a3e5871dfc06 with 11e0084e-937f-46d7-83b5-38a496bf278a
[+] No errors!
File C:\OffensivePipeline\Git\Rubeus\Rubeus\Properties\AssemblyInfo.cs:
> Replacing GUID 658C8B7F-3664-4A95-9572-A3E5871DFC06 with 3bd82351-ac9a-4403-b1e7-9660e698d286
> Replacing GUID FAE04EC0-301F-11D3-BF4B-00C04F79EFBC with 619876c2-5a8b-4c48-93c3-f87ca520ac5e
> Replacing GUID 658c8b7f-3664-4a95-9572-a3e5871dfc06 with 11e0084e-937f-46d7-83b5-38a496bf278a
[+] No errors!


[+] Load RandomAssemblyInfo module
Replacing strings in C:\OffensivePipeline\Git\Rubeus\Rubeus\Properties\AssemblyInfo.cs
[assembly: AssemblyTitle("Rubeus")] -> [assembly: AssemblyTitle("g4ef3fvphre")]
[assembly: AssemblyDescription("")] -> [assembly: AssemblyDescription("")]
[assembly: AssemblyConfiguration("")] -> [assembly: AssemblyConfiguration("")]
[assembly: AssemblyCompany("")] -> [assembly: AssemblyCompany("")]
[assembly: AssemblyProduc t("Rubeus")] -> [assembly: AssemblyProduct("g4ef3fvphre")]
[assembly: AssemblyCopyright("Copyright Β© 2018")] -> [assembly: AssemblyCopyright("Copyright Β© 2018")]
[assembly: AssemblyTrademark("")] -> [assembly: AssemblyTrademark("")]
[assembly: AssemblyCulture("")] -> [assembly: AssemblyCulture("")]


[+] Load BuildCsharp module
[+] Checking requirements...
[*] Downloading nuget.exe from https://dist.nuget.org/win-x86-commandline/latest/nuget.exe
[+] Download OK - nuget.exe
[+] Path found - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\BuildTools\Common7\Tools\VsDevCmd.bat
Solving dependences with nuget...
Building solution...
[+] No errors!
[+] Output folder: C:\OffensivePipeline\Output\Rubeus_vh00nc50xud


[+] Load ConfuserEx module
[+] Checking requirements...
[+] Downloading ConfuserEx from https://github.com/mkaring/ConfuserEx/releases/download/v1.6.0/ConfuserEx-CLI.zip
[+] Download OK - ConfuserEx
Confusing...
[+] No errors!


[+] Load Donut module
Generating shellcode...

Payload options:
Domain: RMM6XFC3
Runtime:v4.0.30319

Raw Payload: C:\OffensivePipeline\Output\Rubeus_vh00nc50xud\ConfuserEx\Donut\Rubeus.bin
B64 Payload: C:\OffensivePipeline\Output\Rubeus_vh00nc50xud\ConfuserEx\Donut\Rubeus.bin.b64

[+] No errors!


[+] Generating Sha256 hashes
Output file: C:\OffensivePipeline\Output\Rubeus_vh00nc50xud


-----------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY

- Rubeus
- RandomGuid: OK
- RandomAssemblyInfo: OK
- BuildCsharp: OK
- ConfuserEx: OK
- Donut: OK

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Plugins

  • RandomGuid: randomise the GUID in .sln, .csproj and AssemblyInfo.cs files
  • RandomAssemblyInfo: randomise the values defined in AssemblyInfo.cs
  • BuildCsharp: build c# project
  • ConfuserEx: obfuscate c# tools
  • Donut: use Donut to generate shellcodes. The shellcode generated is without parameters, in future releases this may be changed.

Add a tool from a remote git

The scripts for downloading the tools are in the Tools folder in yml format. New tools can be added by creating new yml files with the following format:

  • Rubeus.yml file:
tool:
- name: Rubeus
description: Rubeus is a C# toolset for raw Kerberos interaction and abuses
gitLink: https://github.com/GhostPack/Rubeus
solutionPath: Rubeus\Rubeus.sln
language: c#
plugins: RandomGuid, RandomAssemblyInfo, BuildCsharp, ConfuserEx, Donut
authUser:
authToken:

Where:

  • Name: name of the tool
  • Description: tool description
  • GitLink: link from git to clone
  • SolutionPath: solution (sln file) path
  • Language: language used (currently only c# is supported)
  • Plugins: plugins to use on this tool build process
  • AuthUser: user name from github (not used for public repositories)
  • AuthToken: auth token from github (not used for public repositories)

Add a tool from a private git

tool:
- name: SharpHound3-Custom
description: C# Rewrite of the BloodHound Ingestor
gitLink: https://github.com/aaaaaaa/SharpHound3-Custom
solutionPath: SharpHound3-Custom\SharpHound3.sln
language: c#
plugins: RandomGuid, RandomAssemblyInfo, BuildCsharp, ConfuserEx, Donut
authUser: aaaaaaa
authToken: abcdefghijklmnopqrsthtnf

Where:

  • Name: name of the tool
  • Description: tool description
  • GitLink: link from git to clone
  • SolutionPath: solution (sln file) path
  • Language: language used (currently only c# is supported)
  • Plugins: plugins to user on this tool build process
  • AuthUser: user name from GitHub
  • AuthToken: auth token from GitHub (documented at GitHub: creating a personal access token)

Add a tool from local git folder

tool:
- name: SeatbeltLocal
description: Seatbelt is a C# project that performs a number of security oriented host-survey "safety checks" relevant from both offensive and defensive security perspectives.
gitLink: C:\Users\alpha\Desktop\SeatbeltLocal
solutionPath: SeatbeltLocal\Seatbelt.sln
language: c#
plugins: RandomGuid, RandomAssemblyInfo, BuildCsharp, ConfuserEx, Donut
authUser:
authToken:

Where:

  • Name: name of the tool
  • Description: tool description
  • GitLink: path where the tool is located
  • SolutionPath: solution (sln file) path
  • Language: language used (currently only c# is supported)
  • Plugins: plugins to user on this tool build process
  • AuthUser: user name from github (not used for local repositories)
  • AuthToken: auth token from github (not used for local repositories)

Requirements for the release version (Visual Studio 2019/2022 is not required)

In the OffensivePipeline.dll.config file it's possible to change the version of the build tools used.

  • Build Tools 2019:
<add key="BuildCSharpTools" value="C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2019\BuildTools\Common7\Tools\VsDevCmd.bat"/>
  • Build Tools 2022:
<add key="BuildCSharpTools" value="C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\BuildTools\Common7\Tools\VsDevCmd.bat"/>

Requirements for build

Credits

Supported tools



Misp-Extractor - Tool That Connects To A MISP Instance And Retrieves Attributes Of Specific Types (Such As IP Addresses, URLs, And Hashes)

By: Unknown
16 February 2023 at 06:30


This code connects to a given MISP (Malware Information Sharing Platform) server and parses a given number of events, writing the IP addresses, URLs, and MD5 hashes found in the events to three separate files.


Usage

To use this script, you will need to provide the URL of your MISP instance and a valid API key. You can then call the MISPConnector.run() method to retrieve the attributes and save them to files.

To use the code, run the following command:

python3 misp_connector.py --misp-url <MISP_URL> --misp-key <MISP_API_KEY> --limit <EVENT_LIMIT>

Supported attribute types

The MISPConnector class currently supports the following attribute types:

  • ip-src
  • ip-dst
  • md5
  • url
  • domain

If an attribute of one of these types is found in an event, it will be added to the appropriate set (for example, IP addresses will be added to the network_set) and written to the corresponding file (network.txt, hash.txt, or url.txt).

Configuration

The code can be configured by passing arguments to the command-line script. The available arguments are:

  • misp-url: The URL of the MISP server. This argument is required.
  • misp-key: The API key for the MISP server. This argument is required.
  • limit: The maximum number of events to parse. The default is 2000.

Limitations

This script has the following limitations:

  • It only retrieves attributes of specific types (as listed above).
  • It only writes the retrieved attributes to files, without any further processing or analysis.
  • It only retrieves a maximum of 2000 events, as specified by the limit parameter in the misp.search() method.

License

This code is provided under the MIT License. See the LICENSE file for more details.



Misp-Extractor - Tool That Connects To A MISP Instance And Retrieves Attributes Of Specific Types (Such As IP Addresses, URLs, And Hashes)

By: Unknown
16 February 2023 at 06:30


This code connects to a given MISP (Malware Information Sharing Platform) server and parses a given number of events, writing the IP addresses, URLs, and MD5 hashes found in the events to three separate files.


Usage

To use this script, you will need to provide the URL of your MISP instance and a valid API key. You can then call the MISPConnector.run() method to retrieve the attributes and save them to files.

To use the code, run the following command:

python3 misp_connector.py --misp-url <MISP_URL> --misp-key <MISP_API_KEY> --limit <EVENT_LIMIT>

Supported attribute types

The MISPConnector class currently supports the following attribute types:

  • ip-src
  • ip-dst
  • md5
  • url
  • domain

If an attribute of one of these types is found in an event, it will be added to the appropriate set (for example, IP addresses will be added to the network_set) and written to the corresponding file (network.txt, hash.txt, or url.txt).

Configuration

The code can be configured by passing arguments to the command-line script. The available arguments are:

  • misp-url: The URL of the MISP server. This argument is required.
  • misp-key: The API key for the MISP server. This argument is required.
  • limit: The maximum number of events to parse. The default is 2000.

Limitations

This script has the following limitations:

  • It only retrieves attributes of specific types (as listed above).
  • It only writes the retrieved attributes to files, without any further processing or analysis.
  • It only retrieves a maximum of 2000 events, as specified by the limit parameter in the misp.search() method.

License

This code is provided under the MIT License. See the LICENSE file for more details.



Web-Hacking-Playground - Web Application With Vulnerabilities Found In Real Cases, Both In Pentests And In Bug Bounty Programs

By: Unknown
15 February 2023 at 06:30


Web Hacking Playground is a controlled web hacking environment. It consists of vulnerabilities found in real cases, both in pentests and in Bug Bounty programs. The objective is that users can practice with them, and learn to detect and exploit them.

Other topics of interest will also be addressed, such as: bypassing filters by creating custom payloads, executing chained attacks exploiting various vulnerabilities, developing proof-of-concept scripts, among others.


Important

The application source code is visible. However, the lab's approach is a black box one. Therefore, the code should not be reviewed to resolve the challenges.

Additionally, it should be noted that fuzzing (both parameters and directories) and brute force attacks do not provide any advantage in this lab.

Setup

It is recommended to use Kali Linux to perform this lab. In case of using a virtual machine, it is advisable to use the VMware Workstation Player hypervisor.

The environment is based on Docker and Docker Compose, so it is necessary to have both installed.

To install Docker on Kali Linux, run the following commands:

sudo apt update -y
sudo apt install -y docker.io
sudo systemctl enable docker --now
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

To install Docker on other Debian-based distributions, run the following commands:

curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com -o get-docker.sh
sudo sh get-docker.sh
sudo systemctl enable docker --now
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

It is recommended to log out and log in again so that the user is recognized as belonging to the docker group.

To install Docker Compose, run the following command:

sudo apt install -y docker-compose

Note: In case of using M1 it is recommended to execute the following command before building the images:

export DOCKER_DEFAULT_PLATFORM=linux/amd64

The next step is to clone the repository and build the Docker images:

git clone https://github.com/takito1812/web-hacking-playground.git
cd web-hacking-playground
docker-compose build

Also, it is recommended to install the Foxy Proxy browser extension, which allows you to easily change proxy settings, and Burp Suite, which we will use to intercept HTTP requests.

We will create a new profile in Foxy Proxy to use Burp Suite as a proxy. To do this, we go to the Foxy Proxy options, and add a proxy with the following configuration:

  • Proxy Type: HTTP
  • Proxy IP address: 127.0.0.1
  • Port: 8080

Deployment

Once everything you need is installed, you can deploy the environment with the following command:

git clone https://github.com/takito1812/web-hacking-playground.git
cd web-hacking-playground
docker-compose up -d

This will create two containers of applications developed in Flask on port 80:

  • The vulnerable web application (Socially): Simulates a social network.
  • The exploit server: You should not try to hack it, since it does not have any vulnerabilities. Its objective is to simulate a victim's access to a malicious link.

Important

It is necessary to add the IP of the containers to the /etc/hosts file, so that they can be accessed by name and that the exploit server can communicate with the vulnerable web application. To do this, run the following commands:

sudo sed -i '/whp-/d' /etc/hosts
echo "$(docker inspect -f '{{range .NetworkSettings.Networks}}{{.IPAddress}}{{end}}' whp-socially) whp-socially" | sudo tee -a /etc/hosts
echo "$(docker inspect -f '{{range .NetworkSettings.Networks}}{{.IPAddress}}{{end}}' whp-exploitserver) whp-exploitserver" | sudo tee -a /etc/hosts

Once this is done, the vulnerable application can be accessed from http://whp-socially and the exploit server from http://whp-exploitserver.

When using the exploit server, the above URLs must be used, using the domain name and not the IPs. This ensures correct communication between containers.

When it comes to hacking, to represent the attacker's server, the local Docker IP must be used, since the lab is not intended to make requests to external servers such as Burp Collaborator, Interactsh, etc. A Python http.server can be used to simulate a web server and receive HTTP interactions. To do this, run the following command:

sudo python3 -m http.server 80

Stages

The environment is divided into three stages, each with different vulnerabilities. It is important that they are done in order, as the vulnerabilities in the following stages build on those in the previous stages. The stages are:

  • Stage 1: Access with any user
  • Stage 2: Access as admin
  • Stage 3: Read the /flag file

Important

Below are spoilers for each stage's vulnerabilities. If you don't need help, you can skip this section. On the other hand, if you don't know where to start, or want to check if you're on the right track, you can extend the section that interests you.

Stage 1: Access with any user

Display

At this stage, a specific user's session can be stolen through Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), which allows JavaScript code to be executed. To do this, the victim must be able to access a URL in the user's context, this behavior can be simulated with the exploit server.

The hints to solve this stage are:

  • Are there any striking posts on the home page?
  • You have to chain two vulnerabilities to steal the session. XSS is achieved by exploiting an Open Redirect vulnerability, where the victim is redirected to an external URL.
  • The Open Redirect has some security restrictions. You have to find how to get around them. Analyze which strings are not allowed in the URL.
  • Cookies are not the only place where session information is stored. Reviewing the source code of the JavaScript files included in the application can help clear up doubts.

Stage 2: Access as admin

Display

At this stage, a token can be generated that allows access as admin. This is a typical JSON Web Token (JWT) attack, in which the token payload can be modified to escalate privileges.

The hint to solve this stage is that there is an endpoint that, given a JWT, returns a valid session cookie.

Stage 3: Read the /flag file

Display

At this stage, the /flag file can be read through a Server Site Template Injection (SSTI) vulnerability. To do this, you must get the application to run Python code on the server. It is possible to execute system commands on the server.

The hints to solve this stage are:

  • Vulnerable functionality is protected by two-factor authentication. Therefore, before exploiting the SSTI, a way to bypass the OTP code request must be found. There are times when the application trusts the requests that are made from the same server and the HTTP headers play an important role in this situation.

  • The SSTI is Blind, this means that the output of the code executed on the server is not obtained directly. The Python smtpd module allows you to create an SMTP server that prints messages it receives to standard output:

    sudo python3 -m smtpd -n -c DebuggingServer 0.0.0.0:25

  • The application uses Flask, so it can be inferred that the template engine is Jinja2 because it is recommended by the official Flask documentation and is widely used. You must get a Jinja2 compatible payload to get the final flag.

  • The email message has a character limitation. Information on how to bypass this limitation can be found on the Internet.

Solutions

Detailed solutions for each stage can be found in the Solutions folder.

Resources

The following resources may be helpful in resolving the stages:

Collaboration

Pull requests are welcome. If you find any bugs, please open an issue.



Web-Hacking-Playground - Web Application With Vulnerabilities Found In Real Cases, Both In Pentests And In Bug Bounty Programs

By: Unknown
15 February 2023 at 06:30


Web Hacking Playground is a controlled web hacking environment. It consists of vulnerabilities found in real cases, both in pentests and in Bug Bounty programs. The objective is that users can practice with them, and learn to detect and exploit them.

Other topics of interest will also be addressed, such as: bypassing filters by creating custom payloads, executing chained attacks exploiting various vulnerabilities, developing proof-of-concept scripts, among others.


Important

The application source code is visible. However, the lab's approach is a black box one. Therefore, the code should not be reviewed to resolve the challenges.

Additionally, it should be noted that fuzzing (both parameters and directories) and brute force attacks do not provide any advantage in this lab.

Setup

It is recommended to use Kali Linux to perform this lab. In case of using a virtual machine, it is advisable to use the VMware Workstation Player hypervisor.

The environment is based on Docker and Docker Compose, so it is necessary to have both installed.

To install Docker on Kali Linux, run the following commands:

sudo apt update -y
sudo apt install -y docker.io
sudo systemctl enable docker --now
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

To install Docker on other Debian-based distributions, run the following commands:

curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com -o get-docker.sh
sudo sh get-docker.sh
sudo systemctl enable docker --now
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

It is recommended to log out and log in again so that the user is recognized as belonging to the docker group.

To install Docker Compose, run the following command:

sudo apt install -y docker-compose

Note: In case of using M1 it is recommended to execute the following command before building the images:

export DOCKER_DEFAULT_PLATFORM=linux/amd64

The next step is to clone the repository and build the Docker images:

git clone https://github.com/takito1812/web-hacking-playground.git
cd web-hacking-playground
docker-compose build

Also, it is recommended to install the Foxy Proxy browser extension, which allows you to easily change proxy settings, and Burp Suite, which we will use to intercept HTTP requests.

We will create a new profile in Foxy Proxy to use Burp Suite as a proxy. To do this, we go to the Foxy Proxy options, and add a proxy with the following configuration:

  • Proxy Type: HTTP
  • Proxy IP address: 127.0.0.1
  • Port: 8080

Deployment

Once everything you need is installed, you can deploy the environment with the following command:

git clone https://github.com/takito1812/web-hacking-playground.git
cd web-hacking-playground
docker-compose up -d

This will create two containers of applications developed in Flask on port 80:

  • The vulnerable web application (Socially): Simulates a social network.
  • The exploit server: You should not try to hack it, since it does not have any vulnerabilities. Its objective is to simulate a victim's access to a malicious link.

Important

It is necessary to add the IP of the containers to the /etc/hosts file, so that they can be accessed by name and that the exploit server can communicate with the vulnerable web application. To do this, run the following commands:

sudo sed -i '/whp-/d' /etc/hosts
echo "$(docker inspect -f '{{range .NetworkSettings.Networks}}{{.IPAddress}}{{end}}' whp-socially) whp-socially" | sudo tee -a /etc/hosts
echo "$(docker inspect -f '{{range .NetworkSettings.Networks}}{{.IPAddress}}{{end}}' whp-exploitserver) whp-exploitserver" | sudo tee -a /etc/hosts

Once this is done, the vulnerable application can be accessed from http://whp-socially and the exploit server from http://whp-exploitserver.

When using the exploit server, the above URLs must be used, using the domain name and not the IPs. This ensures correct communication between containers.

When it comes to hacking, to represent the attacker's server, the local Docker IP must be used, since the lab is not intended to make requests to external servers such as Burp Collaborator, Interactsh, etc. A Python http.server can be used to simulate a web server and receive HTTP interactions. To do this, run the following command:

sudo python3 -m http.server 80

Stages

The environment is divided into three stages, each with different vulnerabilities. It is important that they are done in order, as the vulnerabilities in the following stages build on those in the previous stages. The stages are:

  • Stage 1: Access with any user
  • Stage 2: Access as admin
  • Stage 3: Read the /flag file

Important

Below are spoilers for each stage's vulnerabilities. If you don't need help, you can skip this section. On the other hand, if you don't know where to start, or want to check if you're on the right track, you can extend the section that interests you.

Stage 1: Access with any user

Display

At this stage, a specific user's session can be stolen through Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), which allows JavaScript code to be executed. To do this, the victim must be able to access a URL in the user's context, this behavior can be simulated with the exploit server.

The hints to solve this stage are:

  • Are there any striking posts on the home page?
  • You have to chain two vulnerabilities to steal the session. XSS is achieved by exploiting an Open Redirect vulnerability, where the victim is redirected to an external URL.
  • The Open Redirect has some security restrictions. You have to find how to get around them. Analyze which strings are not allowed in the URL.
  • Cookies are not the only place where session information is stored. Reviewing the source code of the JavaScript files included in the application can help clear up doubts.

Stage 2: Access as admin

Display

At this stage, a token can be generated that allows access as admin. This is a typical JSON Web Token (JWT) attack, in which the token payload can be modified to escalate privileges.

The hint to solve this stage is that there is an endpoint that, given a JWT, returns a valid session cookie.

Stage 3: Read the /flag file

Display

At this stage, the /flag file can be read through a Server Site Template Injection (SSTI) vulnerability. To do this, you must get the application to run Python code on the server. It is possible to execute system commands on the server.

The hints to solve this stage are:

  • Vulnerable functionality is protected by two-factor authentication. Therefore, before exploiting the SSTI, a way to bypass the OTP code request must be found. There are times when the application trusts the requests that are made from the same server and the HTTP headers play an important role in this situation.

  • The SSTI is Blind, this means that the output of the code executed on the server is not obtained directly. The Python smtpd module allows you to create an SMTP server that prints messages it receives to standard output:

    sudo python3 -m smtpd -n -c DebuggingServer 0.0.0.0:25

  • The application uses Flask, so it can be inferred that the template engine is Jinja2 because it is recommended by the official Flask documentation and is widely used. You must get a Jinja2 compatible payload to get the final flag.

  • The email message has a character limitation. Information on how to bypass this limitation can be found on the Internet.

Solutions

Detailed solutions for each stage can be found in the Solutions folder.

Resources

The following resources may be helpful in resolving the stages:

Collaboration

Pull requests are welcome. If you find any bugs, please open an issue.



Invoke-Transfer - PowerShell Clipboard Data Transfer

By: Unknown
14 February 2023 at 06:30

Invoke-Transfer

Invoke-Transfer is a PowerShell Clipboard Data Transfer.

This tool helps you to send files in highly restricted environments such as Citrix, RDP, VNC, Guacamole.. using the clipboard function.

As long as you can send text through the clipboard, you can send files in text format, in small Base64 encoded chunks. Additionally, you can transfer files from a screenshot, using the native OCR function of Microsoft Windows.

Requirements

  • Powershell 5.1
  • Windows 10 or greater

Download

It is recommended to clone the complete repository or download the zip file. You can do this by running the following command:

git clone https://github.com/JoelGMSec/Invoke-Transfer

Usage

.\Invoke-Transfer.ps1 -h

___ _ _____ __
|_ _|_ __ _ __ __ | | __ __ |_ _| __ __ _ _ __ ___ / _| ___ _ __
| || '_ \ \ / / _ \| |/ / _ \____| || '__/ _' | '_ \/ __| |_ / _ \ '__|
| || | | \ V / (_) | < __/____| || | | (_| | | | \__ \ _| __/ |
|___|_| |_|\_/ \___/|_|\_\___| |_||_| \__,_|_| |_|___/_| \___|_|

----------------------- by @JoelGMSec & @3v4Si0N ---------------------


Info: This tool helps you to send files in highly restricted environments
such as Citrix, RDP, VNC, Guacamole... using the clipboard function

Usage: .\Invoke-Transfer.ps1 -split {FILE} -sec {SECONDS}
Send 120KB chunks with a set time delay of seconds
Add -guaca to send files through Apache Guacamole

.\Invoke-Transfer.ps1 -merge {B64FILE} -out {FILE}
Merge Base64 file into original file in de sired path

.\Invoke-Transfer.ps1 -read {IMGFILE} -out {FILE}
Read screenshot with Windows OCR and save output to file

Warning: This tool only works on Windows 10 or greater
OCR reading may not be entirely accurate

The detailed guide of use can be found at the following link:

https://darkbyte.net/transfiriendo-ficheros-en-entornos-restringidos-con-invoke-transfer

License

This project is licensed under the GNU 3.0 license - see the LICENSE file for more details.

Credits and Acknowledgments

This tool has been created and designed from scratch by Joel GΓ‘mez Molina (@JoelGMSec) and HΓ©ctor de Armas PadrΓ³n (@3v4si0n).

Contact

This software does not offer any kind of guarantee. Its use is exclusive for educational environments and / or security audits with the corresponding consent of the client. I am not responsible for its misuse or for any possible damage caused by it.

For more information, you can find us on Twitter as @JoelGMSec, @3v4si0n and on my blog darkbyte.net.



Invoke-Transfer - PowerShell Clipboard Data Transfer

By: Unknown
14 February 2023 at 06:30

Invoke-Transfer

Invoke-Transfer is a PowerShell Clipboard Data Transfer.

This tool helps you to send files in highly restricted environments such as Citrix, RDP, VNC, Guacamole.. using the clipboard function.

As long as you can send text through the clipboard, you can send files in text format, in small Base64 encoded chunks. Additionally, you can transfer files from a screenshot, using the native OCR function of Microsoft Windows.

Requirements

  • Powershell 5.1
  • Windows 10 or greater

Download

It is recommended to clone the complete repository or download the zip file. You can do this by running the following command:

git clone https://github.com/JoelGMSec/Invoke-Transfer

Usage

.\Invoke-Transfer.ps1 -h

___ _ _____ __
|_ _|_ __ _ __ __ | | __ __ |_ _| __ __ _ _ __ ___ / _| ___ _ __
| || '_ \ \ / / _ \| |/ / _ \____| || '__/ _' | '_ \/ __| |_ / _ \ '__|
| || | | \ V / (_) | < __/____| || | | (_| | | | \__ \ _| __/ |
|___|_| |_|\_/ \___/|_|\_\___| |_||_| \__,_|_| |_|___/_| \___|_|

----------------------- by @JoelGMSec & @3v4Si0N ---------------------


Info: This tool helps you to send files in highly restricted environments
such as Citrix, RDP, VNC, Guacamole... using the clipboard function

Usage: .\Invoke-Transfer.ps1 -split {FILE} -sec {SECONDS}
Send 120KB chunks with a set time delay of seconds
Add -guaca to send files through Apache Guacamole

.\Invoke-Transfer.ps1 -merge {B64FILE} -out {FILE}
Merge Base64 file into original file in de sired path

.\Invoke-Transfer.ps1 -read {IMGFILE} -out {FILE}
Read screenshot with Windows OCR and save output to file

Warning: This tool only works on Windows 10 or greater
OCR reading may not be entirely accurate

The detailed guide of use can be found at the following link:

https://darkbyte.net/transfiriendo-ficheros-en-entornos-restringidos-con-invoke-transfer

License

This project is licensed under the GNU 3.0 license - see the LICENSE file for more details.

Credits and Acknowledgments

This tool has been created and designed from scratch by Joel GΓ‘mez Molina (@JoelGMSec) and HΓ©ctor de Armas PadrΓ³n (@3v4si0n).

Contact

This software does not offer any kind of guarantee. Its use is exclusive for educational environments and / or security audits with the corresponding consent of the client. I am not responsible for its misuse or for any possible damage caused by it.

For more information, you can find us on Twitter as @JoelGMSec, @3v4si0n and on my blog darkbyte.net.



Email-Vulnerablity-Checker - Find Email Spoofing Vulnerablity Of Domains

By: Unknown
13 February 2023 at 06:30


Verify whether the domain is vulnerable to spoofing by Email-vulnerablity-checker

Features

  • This tool will automatically tells you if the domain is email spoofable or not
  • you can do single and multiple domain input as well (for multiple domain checker you need to have text file with domains in it)

Usage:

Clone the package by running:

git clone  https://github.com/BLACK-SCORP10/Email-Vulnerablity-Checker.git

Step 1. Install Requirements

Linux distribution sudo apt update sudo apt install dnsutils # Install dig for CentOS sudo yum install bind-utils # Install dig for macOS brew install dig" dir="auto">
# Update the package list and install dig for Debian-based Linux distribution 
sudo apt update
sudo apt install dnsutils

# Install dig for CentOS
sudo yum install bind-utils

# Install dig for macOS
brew install dig

Step 2. Finish The Instalation

To use the Email-Vulnerablity-Checker type the following commands in Terminal:

apt install git -y 
apt install dig -y
git clone https://github.com/BLACK-SCORP10/Email-Vulnerablity-Checker.git
cd Email-Vulnerablity-Checker
chmod 777 spfvuln.sh

Run email vulnerablity checker by just typing:

./spfvuln.sh -h

Support

For Queries: Telegram
Contributions, issues, and feature requests are welcome!
Give a β˜… if you like this project!



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