While IoT, wireless applications and remote working drive the corporate world, how to ensure information & data security? Examine and Suggest measures?
Ransomware attackers have recognized that data is one of the most valuable assets a business has at its disposal. It is perhaps why they show no mercy when it comes to extorting large sums of money by seizing this asset. The Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2020 also highlights that the number of cyberattacks and breaches is rising with 46% of businesses being a victim to them in the past months. It’s obvious that attackers have a special interest in OT (Operational Technology) infrastructure such as the Industrial Control Systems (ICS), which is an integration of hardware and software with network connectivity.
Therefore, it is time corporates and businesses implement actionable solutions to safeguard their digital assets from these threat actors. In this regard, let’s look at a few essential processes for keeping the digital perimeter secure.
Identify the Root Cause
The first step to mitigating such attacks is by identifying how attackers make an entry into these high-valued systems. Often, the root cause of an attack is lateral movement. It is a technique that cyber attackers use to penetrate deeper into a breached network to gain access to other high-value assets and/or extract sensitive data. These threat actors can impersonate a legitimate user, send phishing emails, or use other TTPs to compromise a network node and then move laterally through the network until the end-goal is achieved.
Detect Phishing Emails & Establish a Cybersecurity policy
With billions of fake emails sent regularly, phishing attacks are one of the common cybersecurity threats. In a phishing attack, the recipient can be tricked into opening a malicious link, divulging important credentials, or opening software that infects the recipient’s system with a malware. To prevent such a situation, the best way is by avoiding emails from unfamiliar senders, looking for inconsistencies in the email, as well as verifying any link received from an untrusted external source.
Train Your Workforce
If employees don’t know how to spot a security threat such as a suspicious email, how can they report it? So, organizations must conduct data security training for employees to protect them and the company at large against cyberattacks. Your employees need a basic awareness of different forms of cybersecurity threats such as spam, phishing, malware, and ransomware.
Update them on new types of attacks as well. You can also communicate data protection rules such as using antivirus software or creating secure passwords. Such training educates employees on best practices to protect data from destruction, loss, modification, theft, or disclosure.
Use Two-Factor Authentication
It’s important to have a strong password to protect critical data and information from being exposed. Companies can implement two-factor or multi-factor authentication for all administrative account access. This method creates two layers of security. So, if a hacker is lucky to accurately guess your password, there is still an additional security measure in place to ensure that your account is not breached. You can further design a data-centric security strategy that will help you approach network security from a holistic viewpoint.
Keep Track of Your Digital Footprint
When you monitor your accounts, be careful to recognize if there is a suspicious activity such as a login notification or an active session from an unknown device. You also need to be sure what information is uploaded and stored online. It’s important to keep a track of your digital footprint including social media, and to delete or deactivate accounts when you are not using them.
Secure Your Devices
At present, as industries are consistently using connected networks to work, how can you make sure that this burgeoning infrastructure is as safe and secure? To do so, ensure that all of the relevant data is stored in an encrypted format and remains encrypted during migrations. Keep checking your internet connection, and download any file with caution. Avoid using USB portals for transferring any data or files. You can fight web attacks by using Firewalls, Antivirus Software, and Anti-Malware. Moreover, as we are now working from home, and often share our laptop or computer screen during meetings, ensure that your sensitive information is protected before you allow remote access to your PC or laptop.
In conclusion, it is a challenge to stay away from cybersecurity threats, but smart approaches coupled with robust preventive measures can help mitigate the risk, and save your organization from being the next victim of a cyberattack.
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