In every profession, there is a search for patterns and the patterns can tell the expert what has happened. The easiest way to consider this statement is to think about paintings. In some Reels or Facebook video clips from the National Gallery in London, UK are videos to help people look at paintings and gain greater enjoyment from the art which hangs in their galleries. As you look at art differently, you may come more often to the art gallery. In journalism, there are the 5 W – Who? Wait? When? Where? and Why? and if you are curious to ask, you will be rewarded with a many destinations. No matter what industry or event, there will be patterns or references which helps you determine the origin or source material.

In a book called The Lazarus Heist by Geoff White, published by Penguin Random House, London UK, 2022. The Lazarus reference is to the evolution of cybersecurity crimes and links to North Korea.

In the age of the internet, eventually most of the world’s institutions and largest companies are connected into the internet because of the tremendous benefits it brings. The downside is everything that can be used for good of the company and mankind can be used to the opposite of good. Sometimes the people are on the other side are crooks, sometimes they are paid by someone wealthy enough to pay them to steal from others and there are many permutations along the way.

In the book, the writer Mr. White explains how cybersecurity works and equally how those that are trying to protect people try to see which patterns exist and how seemingly isolated events are connected. When the US government says another government is at fault, it is based on the patterns of the programs and where they send the money if they are successful in stealing.

In the US there are multiple divisions in the government that focus on cybersecurity and they are typically embedded in National Security, Treasury and the Secret Service, whose job is more than to protect the President. The role of government is technically for everyone, which implies a certain openness to information. The people who wish to steal money, need access to the openness to move towards the people that can pay money to have their systems running normally. It is a cat and mouse situation that really never changes.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, reading a book such as The Lazarus Heist explains why cybersecurity budgets are here to stay and the firms that offer protection are similar to insurance payments. Everyone pays for insurance in the hopes of never using it, but it is there if you need it. You will have to do your homework because not every company is the best in the breed for every industry, but having one in your portfolio is a good thing.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.