Even the Safest Cities Face Digital Danger

In 2024, Johns Creek, Georgia was crowned America’s second safest city by Safewise.com, earning the distinction based on its low violent and property crime rates. However, that same year, a Johns Creek-based company found itself at the center of a major cybersecurity incident, proving that even the safest communities are not immune to digital threats.

BeyondTrust, a developer of remote access solutions, fell victim to a state-sponsored hacking group that exploited a zero-day vulnerability in one of its products. This breach impacted multiple targes, including computers at the United States Treasury Department. Remote access software, essential for support technicians in the software-as-a-service and managed services industries, enables secure, remote connections to machines without on-site presence. IT professionals use it for various tasks, including running updates, troubleshooting issues, and working on projects outside regular business hours.

Although the breach affected only 17 out of BeyondTrust’s approximately 20,000 clients, it drew significant media attention. This level of coverage was unsurprising.  At a time when cybersecurity threats are increasingly unpredictable, a security tool becoming the very source of a breach delivers a stinging blow to the organization’s credibility. The incident highlighted the delicate balance between maintaining secure networks and relying on robust tools to enhance workforce efficiency and productivity.

At Network 1 Consulting, we recognize the importance of remote monitoring tools. However, we’ve implemented additional safeguards to ensure the tools are used securely and prevent compromise:

1. Our 1-SIEM product instantly detects remote monitoring tool usage on any deployed workstation.
2. Our Security Operations Center (SOC) team receives alerts and verifies legitimate, authorized use with the user.
3. We automatically uninstall unauthorized remote monitoring tool installations.
4. We use a version of our remote monitoring tool that doesn’t require installation for technical assistance, reducing potential vulnerabilities.

Even security-focused companies with strong protocols can fall prey to malicious groups and zero-day attacks, potentially endangering all connected networks and entire organizations. This is why implementing defense-in-depth strategies and partnering with vigilant monitoring services is crucial. With Network 1 Consulting’s expertise and assistance, Johns Creek might just overtake Jackson Township, New Jersey, to become America’s safest city.

For more information or inquiries, contact me at hlu@network1consulting.com.