Event Management
Event management technologies encompass software and platforms designed to streamline and automate the planning, execution, and analysis of virtual and in-person events. These technologies typically include features such as:
Registration and ticketing: Tools for managing attendee registration, ticketing, and payment processing.
Event marketing: Features for promoting events and attracting attendees.
Event websites and mobile apps: Platforms for creating event websites and mobile apps to provide attendees with information and resources.
Onsite tools: These are tools for managing check-in, badge printing, session tracking, and lead capture at in-person events.
Data analytics: Features for analyzing event data to measure success and identify areas for improvement.
Importance of Knowing If Your Organization uses these Technologies:
Organizations must know whether these technologies are being used within their infrastructure, both sanctioned and unsanctioned, especially from a cybersecurity perspective. Here's why:
Data Privacy: Event management platforms often collect and process sensitive personal information from attendees, such as names, contact information, and payment details. When using these technologies, organizations must comply with relevant data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR, CCPA). Unsanctioned use can lead to non-compliance and potential data breaches.
Security Vulnerabilities: These platforms, especially cloud-based solutions, can have vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit to access sensitive data or disrupt events. Regular security audits and updates are essential to mitigate risks.
Phishing Attacks: Cybercriminals can create fake event registration pages or emails to trick users into revealing sensitive information. Organizations should be aware of unauthorized event communications that might impersonate their brand.
Reputation Damage: If unauthorized or poorly secured event management technologies are used, it can lead to data breaches or other security incidents that could damage the organization's reputation.
Cvent and Cybersecurity Concerns:
Cvent is a popular cloud-based event management platform. While Cvent prioritizes security, organizations should be aware of potential risks associated with any cloud-based platform:
Data Breaches: Cvent stores and processes sensitive data in the cloud. Organizations must ensure that Cvent's security practices are adequate and regularly reviewed.
Third-Party Risks: Cvent may use third-party services for specific functionalities. Organizations should assess the security practices of these third-party vendors.
Account Security: Ensure strong password policies and multi-factor authentication are implemented for Cvent accounts to prevent unauthorized access.
ThreatNG: Identifying and Managing Risks from Event Management Technologies
ThreatNG can be crucial in identifying and mitigating the risks associated with event management technologies used by your organization, third parties, and supply chain.
External Attack Surface Management (EASM): ThreatNG continuously scans the internet to discover all externally visible digital assets associated with your organization. This includes identifying any instances of event management platforms used for promoting or managing events. ThreatNG can help assess the security posture of these platforms and identify potential vulnerabilities.
Digital Risk Protection (DRP): ThreatNG monitors the dark web, social media, and other online channels for mentions of your organization, brands, or sensitive data. This includes detecting any leaked credentials or discussing potential security flaws in your event management platforms.
Security Ratings: ThreatNG provides a comprehensive risk score by analyzing your organization's external attack surface and digital risk profile. This score includes an assessment of the security posture of your organization's event management platforms.
Example Workflow with Complementary Solutions:
ThreatNG Discovery: ThreatNG identifies an unsanctioned Cvent event page promoting a fake conference using your organization's branding.
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Integration: ThreatNG sends an alert to your SIEM platform, triggering an incident response workflow.
Phishing Response: The security team investigates the fake event page, takes it down, and warns potential attendees about the phishing attempt.
Overall Benefits:
By implementing ThreatNG, organizations can realize the following benefits:
Improved Visibility: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the event management technologies used by your organization, third parties, and supply chain.
Reduced Risk: Identify and mitigate potential security risks associated with these technologies.
Enhanced Compliance: Ensure compliance with data privacy regulations.
Improved Security Posture: Benchmark your security posture against industry peers and prioritize remediation efforts.
Cost Savings: Automate security tasks and reduce the risk of costly data breaches or reputational damage.
