While many of us set our clocks back this weekend and enjoy an extra hour, cyber criminals are hard at work trying to dismantle even your most robust security solutions. Here are four tips to help you keep up with the latest threats…
You may have firewalls and run periodic scans—but don’t think your network is invincible. Cyber criminals are hard at work trying to dismantle even your most robust security solutions. It’s imperative you keep up with the latest threats.
Cybercrime is enjoying a meteoric rise. It’s set to grow to $600 billion this year and doesn’t look to be slowing down—with some predicting it will reach $6 trillion by 2021.
But by following the four best practices below you can keep those crafty criminals at bay.
#1 Training
You may think you have the best security network in place, but many breaches happen because of human fallibility that takes place behind firewalls. That’s why it’s essential to make sure your organization sets out acceptable use policies and has ongoing training for all employees.
Employees need to be able to recognize phishing scams, know how to avoid dangerous applications, be wary of downloading suspicious links, and understand the importance of using strong passwords.
#2 Timeliness
No security framework is impregnable. Cyber criminals are diligently working to find cracks in your security network, so you can’t afford to rest. You need to make sure your software and hardware are current—with all of the necessary patches and the latest antimalware signatures.
There are real-world ramifications for being slow to implement needed security patches. Just look at Home Depot’s embarrassing data breach, which compromised 56 million credit card accounts. Hackers were able to exploit a vulnerability in Microsoft Window’s operating system. Home Depot installed a patch after the breach occurred—but by then it was too late.
#3 Technology
Technology is used to gather all sorts of intelligence, which is a key part of any successful security strategy. Cyber criminals are getting sneakier, so you need to know what’s going on throughout your network. Solutions such as the Fortinet Security Fabric simplify the sharing of actionable threat intelligence across multiple layers of security tools to expose criminal’s exploits—no matter where they’re hiding.
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) software products and services also play an important role. SIEM gives you a real-time analysis of security threats, logs security data, and generates reports.
On average, it takes 206 days for an organization to discover a breach. Think of the damage that can be done in that time. SIEM tools can improve threat detection and help monitor these potential threats.
#4 Testing
Routine testing should be part of your cybersecurity plan. Here are three types that can help you flush out nefarious plots against your security system:
- Network vulnerability scans are fast and cost-efficient. They test for known vulnerabilities and make sure security patches are current.
- Application vulnerability scans are a little more thorough. They look for previously undocumented vulnerabilities but still miss some lurking dangers.
- Penetration testing replicates real-world attacks that try to compromise your network. It’s more expensive and takes longer, but it can find dangers that scans might overlook.
Testing is essential, but it comes with some risks. That’s why if you’re running scans or probing networks, you need to use software and people you trust.
A partner of Fortinet, Xilogix can help you stay two steps ahead of your attackers with a strategy informed by intelligence and leveraging best-in-class security technologies that can adapt to changing threats.
