UCyber security protections fortunately, COVID-19 isn’t the only virus that individuals and companies need to worry about these days. As a result of the 2020 outbreak, cybercriminals are getting more creative in their tactics. Many are using advanced ransomware, phishing scams, and social engineered attacks to prey on people’s coronavirus fear. These hackers are also exploiting cybersecurity gaps from organizations that now have a bigger remote workforce and fewer IT and security staff.
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are often easy targets for cybercrime. A recent study by Accenture and Verizon found that 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses, but only 14% are prepared to defend themselves. When an SMB does experience a cyberattack, the average cost is now $200,000, putting many companies out of business. So, in a world where traditional antivirus software isn’t enough, what can companies do? How can your organization set up its cybersecurity program right now? Here are some best practices to keep in mind.
- Rely on a Security Operations Center (SOC) – The best SOCs have a team of cybersecurity experts on staff that provide 24/7 monitoring of their clients’ complete IT infrastructure. If your organization evaluates SOC providers, look for those that have experienced security analysts, Managed Detection and Response (MDR) systems, and Security Information and Event Management (SEIM) products so they can identify issues quickly. SOC analysts should also understand the ins and outs of their clients’ IT environment and use that insight to detect and analyze advanced attack patterns.
- Focus on Managed Detection and Response (MDR) – The reality is that an employee’s single mistake is enough to set off a cyber attack. It might include clicking on a malicious link in an email. Or, an employee might inadvertently respond to a fraudulent chat. A security program built from a managed detection and response foundation will protect a company’s laptops, desktops, and servers.
Usually run through a SOC and by skilled IT analysts, MDR software collects data from the complete set of organization’s endpoints. Today’s MDRs are also scalable and often cloud-based. These systems can turn vast amounts of real-time endpoint data into concise and actionable information. Using this data, SOC analysts provide around-the-clock monitoring, and they can take action on any potential threats. By detecting abnormal activity, analysts can escalate risks appropriately to investigate further.
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) – While SIEM platforms have been around for years, the next generation of SIEM technologies are much more sophisticated. These new platforms monitor systems and go beyond merely ‘alerting’ teams to suspicious activity. They provide insight to pinpoint threats very quickly and precisely. Whether your organization already has a SIEM in place, or you’re considering a managed SIEM offering, there’s no doubt that the platform is necessary to fight against threats and meet compliance standards. Managed SIEM services are also gaining popularity because they provide businesses with enterprise-level protection, without having to hire full-time IT experts. A skilled SOC team running your company’s SIEM takes over the burden of threat log analysis and incident response, ultimately providing 24x7x365 monitoring and protection.
CTG and Binary Defense are ready to protect your business
Whether your company needs to supplement its current cyber security defenses or it is looking for a complete managed SOC and SIEM program, CTG and Binary Defense can help. CTG is working with Binary Defense to offer several cybersecurity services to meet the specific needs of SMBs. Together, our cybersecurity experts act as an extension of your team, with real-time data to defend against threats of all kinds.
Binary Defense also offers a counterintelligence team, composed of experts from the FBI, military, government, and private sectors. This cyber intelligence team gathers information and conducts operations to identify threats and protect against malicious activity. By applying human-driven experience with technology, this team also searches the darknet, internet, and social media for threat indicators. Now is the time to beef up your cybersecurity program.
If you want help or want to learn more about building up your threat defenses,click the button below and enter code “CTG” for a FREE cyber security assessment!