Ongoing Practices for Cybersecurity: Things Are Changing
by CyberGRX
The digitization of more and more business processes is a double-edged sword: Organizations are more efficient and cybercriminals are more effective. This means malicious actors are having even more of an impact than before. In 2021, for example, 89% of financially driven cyberattacks, such as ransomware and crypto mining had either a catastrophic or critical impact on organizations.
The best way to mitigate—and prevent—cyber-attacks is to build on the success of those who’ve executed effective preventative measures. Read on to learn some of the best practices for cybersecurity, as well as the changes in the landscape that make them necessary.
The Changing Cybersecurity Landscape
The cybersecurity landscape is changing due in large part to digital transformation, or the increased level of digital connectivity companies have begun to incorporate in their internal operations and interactions with customers.
For example, years ago, an organization’s website was primarily used as a sort of digital business card, advertising their services and products. Now, it’s often an essential portal facilitating online transactions, integrating with CRM systems, and more. Each of these functions can present vulnerabilities that you can’t defend using earlier cyber defense strategies.
In addition, as organizations depend more and more on computerized systems, the allure of certain kinds of cyberattacks increases. For instance, if a hacker can take control of a server or several computers using ransomware, they can bring a company to its knees, forcing them to pay a ransom to get back on their feet again and continue generating revenue. For example, during a ransomware attack where "target zero" is someone like a managed service provider (MSP), there's the potential for all of the MSP's customers to fall victim to that same attack due to the connections and access points between systems.
Best Practices for Ongoing Management
Some of the most effective practices for securing your digital infrastructure include enhanced network security, pinpointing vulnerabilities, and performing regular patches.
Enhanced Network Security
Despite the improved capabilities of free and inexpensive antivirus software, they often fall short of providing adequate protection, making it more important than ever to incorporate stronger tools to secure your network.
For example, with a next-generation firewall, you can not only block known malicious websites and cyberattacks, but you can also use machine learning to identify zero-day threats that have never been logged by a security system. You can also segment your network, giving each area its own security system, use sandboxes, or deploy redundant systems you can spin up in the event of an attack.
Pinpoint Vulnerabilities
As an organization introduces new systems, processes, and hardware, it increases the chance of new vulnerabilities being introduced and older ones getting overlooked.
For instance, you can check your system for:
- Publicly available databases that may be vulnerable to SQL injection attacks, which is when an attacker enters a script that makes a database do what they want
- Older, reliable legacy systems or pieces of equipment, perhaps those that the manufacturer no longer supports. You can phase these out or secure them so hackers don’t take advantage of their vulnerabilities
Identifying vulnerabilities and addressing them one by one may take slightly more time, but it’s often more effective than using a single solution and hoping it covers all the bases.
Ensure You Have Complete Visibility Into Your Vendor Ecosystem
With disparate vendors offering a range of technologies, it's crucial to establish full visibility into all of your providers and their services. Your vendor visibility strategy should be a data-based system that empowers you to gather performance statistics as well as details regarding how they impact your cybersecurity. Combining these kinds of data analytics with real-time threat intel and attack scenarios can help you avoid breaches long before hackers launch their attacks.
By enhancing your network security, pinpointing vulnerabilities, and maintaining visibility over third-party vendors, you can prevent a wide variety of cyberattacks, particularly in light of the constantly-changing threat landscape.
To experience how CyberGRX can mitigate your risk and protect your organization’s reputation, request a demo today.