Tentacle Blog

In this post, we'll explore in-depth best practices for financial institutions to effectively oversee risks when engaging fintech partners...

With digital transformation radically expanding business networks, third-party due diligence has never been more critical for managing enterprise risk...

Third-party risk refers to any cybersecurity, privacy, or regulatory exposure originating from outside vendors that have access to your systems and data...

Follow these best practices to continuously monitor compliance, quickly remediate gaps, eliminate redundancy in assessments and auditing, while keeping key stakeholders informed...

An automated security risk assessment utilizes software tools and algorithms instead of manual processes to identify, analyze and evaluate potential security threats and vulnerabilities...

While audits can seem daunting, being audit-ready is achievable with the right preparation and tools. This guide will walk through best practices for audit readiness assessment...

Information security management is the process of protecting an organization's data and assets against potential threats to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability...

This comprehensive document outlines rules, guidelines, and procedures for protecting sensitive data and technology infrastructure...

This guide breaks down the key components of building an effective information security program in simple, actionable steps...

This blog explores how AI is transforming the managed services industry and the tangible benefits MSPs stand to gain...

As cyber threats grow more advanced and regulatory obligations more complex, MSPs must implement robust security practices to safeguard operations...

CaaS is driving growth in the MSP market by meeting rapidly changing client demands and expectations for comprehensive services from a single provider...

The release of PCI DSS version 4.0 brings stronger password protections for safeguarding cardholder data. Compliance with the updated requirements aims to reduce data breaches stemming from weak or compromised credentials...

In this article we break down exactly what comprises PCI DSS 4.0, new obligations around access controls and monitoring, and how businesses can prepare for future adoption...

This blog post will outline the motivation behind the update, explain the implementation timeframes, summarize key changes, and describe what PCI DSS 4.0 means for merchants and service providers...

A GDPR compliance audit is a systematic, independent assessment and review of an organization’s data policies, procedures, and practices. It determines the extent to which these adhere to the requirements and principles of the GDPR...

Although created for the EU, the GDPR has global implications as it applies to all companies that offer goods or services to EU data subjects, regardless of the company’s location. This means small businesses in the US and beyond need to comply if they have EU customers...

Obtaining GDPR compliance certification demonstrates to customers and regulatory authorities that your organization takes data protection seriously. This guide covers everything you need to know about GDPR compliance and certification...

We’ll look at the core components of an information security program, as well as best practices for staying compliant under the new regulations. Whether you’re a small used car lot or a large auto group, you’ll learn key steps to take now...

A new “finders” provision also captures companies that connect consumers to financial products and services for a fee. If your organization deals with sensitive consumer financial information, it’s important to review the updated Safeguards Rule to ensure compliance...

The FTC Safeguards Rule requires financial institutions to have reasonable data security safeguards in place to protect the confidentiality and security of customer information...

Developing a robust HIPAA audit checklist is a critical step for healthcare organizations to ensure compliance with the Privacy, Security, Breach Notification and other rules...

All healthcare providers that meet HIPAA's definition of a covered entity, including most dental practices, must comply with the HIPAA regulations...

This comprehensive HIPAA compliance checklist breaks down the key elements healthcare entities need to have in place to protect patient privacy and health data...

As AI becomes more prevalent, organizations need robust governance frameworks to ensure these systems are trustworthy, ethical, and aligned with organizational values...

This comprehensive guide provides suggested actions aligned with the four core functions of the NIST AI RMF: Govern, Map, Measure, and Manage...

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are transforming society, industry, and the economy. However, they also present unique risks that require thoughtful management...

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about who needs to comply with PCI DSS and why it matters...

PCI DSS audits thoroughly inspect the policies, procedures, and systems that merchants or service providers have in place to secure payment card information and transactions...

This comprehensive PCI DSS compliance checklist covers everything you need to know to achieve and maintain compliance...

Cybersecurity is more important than ever for organizations that handle sensitive data. This is especially true for contractors working with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)...

Developed by the DoD, CMMC is a unified cybersecurity standard designed to verify that contractors have adequate cybersecurity practices to protect sensitive defense information...

As cyber threats become more sophisticated, federal agencies are increasingly concerned about protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access or disclosure...

Both frameworks provide flexibility along with stringent security to help safeguard government missions. Leverage all the guidance NIST standards have to offer to keep federal data secure and expand business opportunities...

Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) is a crucial term within NIST 800-171. It refers to information that is not classified but requires protection...

NIST 800-171 stands as the cornerstone of the federal government's commitment to safeguarding Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)...

These controls are structured around a framework that includes policies, communication protocols, procedural guidelines, and vigilant monitoring...

In this article, we'll break down how to prepare for a SOC 2 audit and provide you with a handy checklist to make sure you're on the right track...

While they share a common objective – safeguarding sensitive data – these frameworks diverge significantly in their methodologies and areas of applicability...

These audits not only confirm adherence to the ISO/IEC 27001 standard but also assess the effectiveness of an organization's Information Security Management System (ISMS)...

ISO 27001 controls are measures, policies, processes, and procedures that organizations must adopt to meet the security requirements set forth in the ISO 27001 standard...

ISO 27001 offers organizations a systematic and holistic approach to safeguarding their critical data, whether it's confidential customer information, financial records, or intellectual property...

This guide offers a comprehensive exploration of CSF categories, shedding light on their functions and providing a roadmap for your initial steps in their utilization...

Both NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF) and NIST Special Publication 800-53 (NIST 800-53) serve the common goal of enhancing cybersecurity, however, they differ significantly in their approach and applicability...

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework was established in response to the growing need for a unified and robust cybersecurity approach in an age marked by relentless cyber threats...

Whether you represent a government agency, operate as a government contractor, or simply lead an organization looking to enhance its security protocols, this comprehensive guide is designed to assist you...

NIST SP 800-53 consists of 20 different control families, each focusing on specific aspects of cybersecurity. These families encompass a wide range of topics...

NIST 800-53 has a rich history dating back to its inception as a response to the escalating technological capabilities of national adversaries. Over the years, it has evolved to encompass a comprehensive set...

Before we dissect the particulars of CIS, NIST, and their comparisons, it's crucial to comprehend the overarching role of cybersecurity frameworks...

CIS compliance means adhering to the cybersecurity standards and guidelines set forth by this reputable institution...

At their core, the CIS Controls serve as actionable recommendations that organizations can leverage to identify, anticipate, and respond to digital threats effectively...

The primary objective of GITC and ITGC audits is to ensure that an organization's IT control environment is robust, compliant, and capable of mitigating cybersecurity risks...

Within the expansive landscape of GITC and ITGC controls, various critical areas stand out, each contributing to the comprehensive cybersecurity fabric...

ITGC and GITC ensures that data remains accurate, that systems are accessible only to authorized personnel, and that the risk of security breaches is minimized...

Multiple factors go into the self-service or full-service decision and it’s no different when we apply those models to the technologies we use to manage Information Security...

In today's interconnected world, cyber threats have become increasingly sophisticated, and attackers are often exploiting the weakest link in the security chain: human error...

When it comes to Cybersecurity and cyber attacks, ‘human error’ is consistently identified as a major contributing factor...

Two years ago, if someone would have asked me about the “security posture” of my workplace, they probably would have gotten a blank stare or I may have asked them to repeat the question...

When you break down all the ideas and suggestions that come your way, you will recognize some significant downsides in attempting to be everything to everyone. Overall diminished quality, tool fatigue, and inefficiencies in your approach to growing your product, to name a few...

In this list, we’ve researched and aggregated some of the most common types of cyber attacks to explore their characteristics and steps to prevention...

Deep learning neural networks (or more specifically “transformer models”), like the one powering our import tool at Tentacle, are able to not only begin to build a graph of words like the above example, they are also able to understand how those words might change...

I’ve been laser-focused on the information security space now for the last three years since launching Tentacle, though ideated on the Tentacle concept for many years prior while buried deep in security questionnaires...

For any IT leader using CIO.com’s resolution list as a guide, I’ve provided specific ways, when it comes to information security, that Tentacle will help achieve your (IT) resolution list for 2023...

I could not wrap up this blog series without at least taking some time to acknowledge and speak to the amount of effort that is truly required to pull off a proper information security program...

In Part 1 of “Altruism in Information Security” I shared my thoughts on how I find the concept of altruism to be woven into the fabric of the ideal Information Security program...

Altruism and Information Security; two terms not commonly used together - the first term not often used to describe the foundational philosophy of the latter...

Let’s start with the basics: a foundational definition of Information Security management is the process of developing, maintaining, and continuously improving processes...

The idea of formalized Information Security leveraging a security framework isn’t new. As study after study is released detailing the continuous increase of cyber security threats faced by all organizations...

Security posture is a measure of your organization’s overall security effectiveness. The term can be a little confusing, because it doesn’t just refer to how good your company is at...

The timing of when I started Tentacle, associated with what was really making the headlines in our society, and my previous lessons learned from YourCause, inspired me to launch this business...

There’s no getting around them - and if I’m honest - even my inner salesperson, driven by the speed of the sale, knows filling out security questionnaires is an essential component...

I jumped headfirst into the Information Security space as a result of being pummeled for years by the gross inefficiencies and...

Since starting Tentacle, I have been standing on my soap box preaching the absurdity of the state of today’s information security market...

Over the years, I have grown increasingly frustrated and disappointed with the approaches taken by the industry...

Data breaches, network software exploitation, utility shutdowns: even a cursory glance at headlines today is enough to send a shiver up the most confident executive’s spine...

In starting my last business (YourCause), I had assumed that once I was able to build our core product to a certain point...

From January to March, our Equality Learning Group held its first book club and read Caste by Isabelle Wilkerson...

This blog post is not intended to be my confessional or my therapeutic cleanse for the last 44 years, but rather my attempt to pass along a few lessons...

I am not here to endorse or criticize the outgoing administration, nor am I seeking to push my political views onto anybody who might read this. We all...