PCI Industry standard audit checklist




IT Compliance Institute just released PCI Industry standard audit checklist. It also include a self-assessment questionniare.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Blackhole for network security

There is a few paper on the net discuss how to divert and mitigate the damages caused by network attacks, in particular DDOS. Both papers describe a means to create a “black hole” on the network. One is on the network layer and one is on the web server layer Cisco Black Hole Filtering Cisco's paper explain a specifically built infrastructure can help ISP to route malicious packets to a null interface(blackhole filtering). Microsoft Beat Hackers At Their Own Game With A Hackerbasher Site Utilizing the principle that all vistors must know my name. This method divert incoming traffic using IP address not hostname. These papers give a good illustration that security can be achieved by thoughtful design. All the tools and technology is available to everyone or what they call built-in. By good designing, we increase the effectiveness of our security investment.
Read more

Windows Online Crash Analsysis (OCA) Security

Image
Today when I was using MS word to edit a document, I encountered an error which hangs my application. By forcing it to quit, Windows XP started Microsoft Online Crash Analsysis (OCA) and asked me to send an error report to Microsoft. OCA has been with us for sometimes and I usually clicked on “OK” with an urge to start working as soon as possible. However, today I looked into what was happening behind the simple click and found something unexpected. Opening 5MB file generated by OCA with a notepad, I was stunned to find my entire document appear in plain text (see the figure below). The error-reporting module actually transfers the document I am editing to Microsoft. Immediately, I checkout their privacy website to find out if is declared and it is (see the red circle). At this moment, a lot of questions pop up 1. Most importantly, are the document content necessary for the error investigations? 2. I believe with million of error reporting, Microsoft and their staff will not have the r...
Read more

MS 05-51 buggy patch

My computer did not show any network connection after I installed my computer with all 9 security patches. After some search, MS also noticed this problem and the update is below. http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=909444 This experience prompt me for 2 issues (one technical , one management) 1. MS recommend one setting "Everyone group should have Bypass Traverse Checking permission". But this violated the default server built standard at some companies. The servers before put into production was hardened and this permission was changed to Domain User or Authenticated User. Should we ask ourselves "Are we doing too much security hardening?" or "Why Everyone is need this permission?" 2. While it took 5 days for malicious hacker to publish exploit code, MS took 4 days to resolve their buggy patch. How IT admin is going to manage their internet facing server if running MS IIS ? Patch too soon, we are at risk of MS bug. Patch too late, we are at risk of exploi...
Read more