THE PATH TO DATA DISASTER PREVENTION
n lieu of the recent hacks at Equifax and Deloitte, it’s worth a look to remember exactly what it means to be secure and protected from threats. Simply installing software or a firewall isn’t going to cut it, and in the case of Equifax this sense of indifference can be devastating. Now, more than ever, the advantage favors the attacker, such is the ease and access to malware tools. Is your cyber security strategy relying on a massive wall, which if breached, attackers would soon overrun?
Why Rigid Cybersecurity Systems No Longer Work
Today’s cyber threats are becoming increasingly complex, which means that you have to have adaptable, fluid tools and safety nets in place. Rather than a wall, you want an array of defenses that don’t just focus on keeping the threat out, but containing it in the event of a breach. Once a hacker is in, it can take nanoseconds for them to start wreaking havoc on your systems. In economic terms, your cyber security strategy should have a bottoms-up approach, rather than the traditional top-down.
In order to accomplish this, the foundation of your IT fortress must be built on the inevitability of an attack. Prediction is a key component of cyber security strategy, crucial to aiding your security tools. Anticipating threats means you are better prepared for actually detecting these threats. In today’s modern world, this often means AI and machine learning. These tools can connect the dots in threat patterns, aiding in both prediction, detection, and prevention.
Your Biggest Cybersecurity Threat: Human Error
For Equifax, the problem wasn’t detection, rather taking action. Detection software had spotted the patch issue several months before the hack, but action wasn’t taken. When/if you are breached or find a vulnerability, you need to take action immediately. It may sound obvious, but many breaches are caused by simple mistakes. These can be avoided by implementing a security protection plan. Developing a strategy is easy, effective, and crucial to preventing a data disaster.
ESTABLISHING YOUR Security Protocol
Having an IT security protocol can often mean the difference between safety and danger. Simple things like user authentication, endpoint security, and network separation are crucial to preventing breaches. Frequent review of these key areas as part of your security protocol ensures a healthy IT ecosystem. A city would never function correctly if roadworks never happened, and your IT environment is no different. Fix any potholes you find, and keep the streets clean of unwanted characters.
Concerned for your security? Let us help you implement your own security protocol. Get started with a free assessment today.
