EyBrids, an emerging tech startup recognized for its innovative solutions, has revealed the remarkable lineup of the distinguished speakers and panelists for its upcoming Global Cybersecurity Conference, themed “Secure or Crumble: Building a Cyber Resilient Future”.

As the highly anticipated Global Cybersecurity Conference, organized by EyBrids, draws closer, attention turns to one of the panel sessions, “The Business Case for Robust Cybersecurity.” This session will be led by Rianat Abbas, a seasoned product security analyst, and Victoria Ogunsanya, a professional cybersecurity analyst, who will guide the discussion on how cybersecurity is no longer just a technical consideration but a vital business priority.

In a statement released by the event organizers, Abuh Ibrahim Sani underscored the importance of the session and its leaders. “Cybersecurity has evolved from being a purely technical issue to a key driver of business resilience and growth. With Rianat and Victoria leading this discussion, participants will gain actionable insights on how strategic cybersecurity investments can safeguard operations, protect customer trust, and drive long-term success,” he said.

Rianat Abbas, known for embedding robust security measures throughout the product lifecycle, will bring her expertise to discussions on aligning cybersecurity with product innovation and development. Victoria Ogunsanya, with her focus on proactive threat detection and mitigation, governance and risk management will share strategies for helping businesses stay ahead of emerging risks while maintaining operational stability. Together, they will emphasize the critical role of cross-functional collaboration in transforming cybersecurity from a cost center into a strategic enabler of success.

This session, led by two of the conference’s most dynamic thought leaders, is set to provide attendees with practical strategies and forward-thinking approaches to address the evolving cybersecurity landscape while meeting broader business objectives.

The conference, scheduled for December 7, 2024, at 5 PM GMT via Zoom, will feature an outstanding lineup of speakers and panelists, including Ahmed Olabisi, a renowned cybersecurity expert; Olabode Folasade, a skilled Data Analyst; Dr. Olajumoke Eluwa, a distinguished Cybersecurity Professional; Jeremiah Kolawole, a leading Cybersecurity Professional; Heather Noggle, Executive Director of the Missouri Cybersecurity Center of Excellence; and Blessing Ebare, a seasoned Information Security Professional.

The panelists for the event include Olamide Olajide (Chief Panelist), a seasoned Elasticsearch Data Engineer; Rianat Abbas (Chief Panelist), a Product Security Analyst driving innovation; Destiny Young, a forward-thinking Cybersecurity Engineer; Jeremiah Folorunso, a creative Product (UI/UX) Designer; Sopuluchukwu Ani, a Senior Business Applications Administrator; Jeremiah Ogunniyi, an experienced Backend Developer; Victoria Ogunsanya, a seasoned Cybersecurity Analyst; and Bashir Aminu Yusufu, a Senior System Analyst.

The panelists, alongside other renowned speakers, will lead discussions on topics such as secure system design, cross-functional cybersecurity collaboration, and innovative approaches to mitigating threats. The conference will also feature interactive sessions, enabling participants to connect directly with experts and peers. 

“This conference isn’t just about identifying challenges; it’s about equipping attendees with practical tools and knowledge to tackle them head-on,” Abuh stated. “From business leaders to IT professionals and cybersecurity enthusiasts, there’s something here for everyone.”

EyBrids, an emerging tech startup recognized for its innovative solutions, has revealed the remarkable lineup of the distinguished speakers and panelists for its upcoming Global Cybersecurity Conference, themed “Secure or Crumble: Building a Cyber Resilient Future”.

In a statement issued by Abuh Ibrahim Sani, one of the event’s organizers, on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, the speakers were described as leading voices in the tech industry, committed to addressing some of the most urgent cybersecurity issues of today.

The conference scheduled for December 7, 2024, at 5 PM GMT via Zoom, promises to foster critical conversations about safeguarding businesses from evolving threats while emphasizing the importance of cross-functional collaboration.

According to Abuh, “Our speakers and panelists represent a wealth of experience across various cybersecurity and tech disciplines, making this conference an unmissable opportunity to learn from some of the best minds in the field.”

He added, “Their collective insights will help attendees understand why organizations must prioritize cybersecurity as a cornerstone for business resilience. Collaboration, innovative strategies, and shared responsibility are key to navigating today’s digital landscape.”

Speakers and Panelists Lineups

The event’s thought-leader panelists will focus on Panel Session 1: “𝘼 𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙨-𝘿𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝘾𝙮𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮” and Panel Session 2: “The Business Case for Robust Cybersecurity,” bringing together expertise from diverse fields, including cybersecurity, data engineering, UI/UX design, product analytics, and system architecture. The sessions aim to highlight the importance of cross-domain collaboration in addressing modern cyber threats and aligning security strategies with organizational goals. Speakers at the conference include Ahmed Olabisi Olajide, a renowned cybersecurity expert; Olabode Folasade, a skilled Data Analyst; Dr. Olajumoke Eluwa, a distinguished Cybersecurity Professional; Jeremiah Kolawole, a leading Cybersecurity Professional; Heather Noggle, Executive Director of the Missouri Cybersecurity Center of Excellence; and Blessing Ebare, a seasoned Information Security Professional. 

They will be joined by thought-leader panelists such as Olamide Olajide (Chief Panelist), a seasoned Elasticsearch Data Engineer; Rianat Abbas (Chief Panelist), a Product Security Analyst dedicated to embedding security into product life cycles; Destiny Young, a forward-thinking Cybersecurity Engineer specializing in secure network infrastructures; Jeremiah Folorunso, a creative Product (UI/UX) Designer focused on building secure, user-centric interfaces; Sopuluchukwu Ani, a Senior Business Applications Administrator with expertise in safeguarding enterprise systems; Jeremiah Ogunniyi, an experienced Backend Developer skilled in creating resilient system architectures; Victoria Ogunsanya, a proactive Cybersecurity Analyst dedicated to threat detection and mitigation; and Bashir Aminu Yusufu, a Senior System Analyst with expertise in optimizing organizational security. Together, these speakers and panelists will ensure attendees gain practical knowledge, actionable strategies, and fresh perspectives on building cyber resilience and aligning security efforts with business success.

The panelists, alongside other renowned speakers, will lead discussions on topics such as secure system design, cross-functional cybersecurity collaboration, and innovative approaches to mitigating threats. The conference will also feature interactive sessions, enabling participants to connect directly with experts and peers. 

“This conference isn’t just about identifying challenges; it’s about equipping attendees with practical tools and knowledge to tackle them head-on,” Abuh stated. “From business leaders to IT professionals and cybersecurity enthusiasts, there’s something here for everyone.”

Combating Impersonation Attacks in the Digital Age: Protecting Consumers and Businesses

By Abuh Ibrahim Sani

As business transactions continue to revolve around technology,  trust holds immense value. Consumers trust brands and organizations they engage with to protect their personal and financial records. On the other hand, cybercriminals have improved their skills at taking advantage of this trust with impersonation attacks. The advanced strategies, which include imitating the online personas of respected brands or persons, present significant dangers for businesses and consumers alike. This paper will examine how cybercriminals take advantage of public trust, the characteristics of impersonation attacks, and methods of protecting against the attack.

What is Impersonation Attacks

Impersonation attacks, also referred to as brand impersonation or spoofing, happen when cybercriminals pretend to be trusted entitiesto trick individuals into sharing sensitive information or engaging in harmful activities. Many times, these attacks come in the form of phishing emails, counterfeit websites, or deceptive social media profiles, all created to appear genuine. The main objective is to deceive innocent individuals into revealing sensitive information like passwords or payment details or to carry out unauthorized money transfers.

The effectiveness of these attacks depends on the significant amount of trust individuals have in reputable organizations. Consumers are more inclined to engage with fraudulent communication without questioning its authenticity when they see logos, email addresses, or branding elements they recognize. This renders impersonation attacks highly perilous and successful.

How Cybercriminals Exploit Public Trust

Cybercriminals take advantage of people’s trust in various ways, using a mix of psychological manipulation and technological deceit.Phishing is a widely used type of impersonation attack in which fraudsters send emails that seem to be from reputable businesses. These emails are created to mimic official communications from banks, e-commerce sites, or other reputable organizations. Frequently, they include urgent wording, like alerts regarding account problems or notices of doubtful actions, spurring recipients to take fast action. The victim could be instructed in the email to click on a link that will take them to a fraudulent website requesting sensitive information.

Cybercriminals often make websites that look very similar to the official websites of popular brands. These websites might employ domain names that are very similar to the authentic ones, typically with slight differences such as additional letters or subtle misspellings (e.g., “amaz0n.com” instead of “amazon.com”). These fraudulent websites are frequently utilized to gather login details, pilfer credit card data, or disseminate malware to the victim’s device.

With the growing dependence of businesses on social media for engaging with customers, cybercriminals are now using these platforms to execute impersonation attacks. Scammers make fraudulent accounts that imitate the branding and messaging of reputable companies. These accounts could be utilized to share harmful links, advertise fraudulent contests, or request personal details from their followers. Since many users rely on brands’ verified accounts on social media, they might not realize when they are interacting with a fake profile.

Impact of Impersonation Attacks on Brands and Consumer

Impersonation attacks can cause severe harm to businesses as well as their customers. For businesses, these attacks damage consumer trust, harm their reputation, and could lead to legal consequences. If a company’s name is linked to deceitful actions, customers might view it as a betrayal, resulting in decreased profits and lasting harm to the brand.

Consumers who fall prey to impersonation attacks may suffer financial losses, identity theft, and compromised personal data. The emotional repercussions of being lied to are often just as damaging as the financial effects in numerous instances.

Protecting Against Impersonation Attack

Protecting against impersonation attacks necessitates utilizing a variety of methods, including technical defenses and raising awareness among the public. Companies need to be proactive in protecting their brandand consumers must be informed on how to identify and steer clear of scams.It is recommended that organizations adopt email authentication protocols like DMARC, SPF, and DKIM. These technologies assist in confirming that emails purportedly originating from a company’s domain are authentic, decreasing the chances of phishing emails ending up in customers’ email inboxes.

Businesses need to consistently check the internet for fraudulent domains or websites imitating their brand. This can be achieved by utilizing domain monitoring services that keep tabs on different versions of the company’s name and notify them of possible risks. Upon discovery of counterfeit websites, businesses should promptly initiate legal proceedings to have them removed. Monitor social media platforms closely to identify any fake accounts that may be using their name or image. It is crucial to report these accounts to the platform quickly to prevent them from being used in impersonation attacks.

Furthermore, businesses have the option to request verified status on their social media platforms, making it easier for users to recognize legitimate accounts.One example is phishing awareness training, which can assist employees in identifying fraudulent emails and preventing being deceived by them. In the same way, businesses can utilize public communication platforms to educate customers about typical scams, like recommending double-check URLs or reaching out to the company directly when they think a communication may be fraudulent.

Response to an Event of Emergency Situations

In case of an impersonation attack, it is crucial to have a clearly outlined incident response plan. This plan needs to involve informing impacted customers, offering advice on safeguarding their accounts and collaborating with cybersecurity experts to manage the breach. Being transparent and communicating quickly can reduce harm to the company’s reputation and rebuild public confidence.

Conclusion

Impersonation attacks are a danger to both brands and their customers, using trust to trick and scam unsuspecting victims. Nevertheless, through the utilization of strong security protocols and promoting knowledge, companies can shield themselves from these strategies and safeguard the reputation of their brand. Protecting public trust in the digital era demands vigilance, education, and technological resilience as it is a valuable asset.