Unless you’ve been living off the grid, you’ve probably heard about the exploding number of cybersecurity threats popping up everywhere. And it’s not just global statistics we’re talking about. Even state and local governments are coming under assault. Baltimore is the latest US city targeted with a ransomware attack, following smaller security beaches in towns like Greenville, NC, and Allentown, PA. And, if that’s not enough, cybercriminals are knocking on doors in Ohio too. Take, for instance, the reported ‘malfunctions’ that disabled flight and baggage systems at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in April. Or, the Trickbot computer virus that infiltrated Coventry Local School’s computer systems last month. In both cases, criminals were attempting to disrupt networks to steal money or solicit ransom.
Other sophisticated attacks come in the form of crypto jacking. This type of hack uses software to mine cryptocurrency using a victim’s background IT processes. The tricky part about crypto jacking is that, in most cases, organizations don’t know they are compromised until damage is already done!
Strike first
Staying ahead of cybersecurity threats these days is a mammoth effort. It requires understanding security gaps and having the industry knowledge to analyze any abnormal behaviors happening on the network. It also requires possessing the right tools to track application code on an on-going basis and come up with a remediation plan when things go awry. Who has the time and resources for that?
That’s why organizations need to stop letting hackers dictate their next move. Instead, organizations need to get proactive about their network and infrastructure security programs. How? By employing adaptive security technologies to gain an edge. Today’s security toolbox should include advanced firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention, password protection, antivirus and malware programs, secure networking, and remediation efforts.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
The good news is that companies are getting help from security experts in building next-generation security programs. Many partners are offering managed security services or Security-as-as-a-Service programs. However, not all security partners are created equal. If you’re looking for the best partner for your business, ask these questions first.
- How can you help me monitor and detect threats? A recent study shows that 62% of companies surveyed have suffered two or more damaging cyber-attacks over the previous two years, resulting in data breaches, or disruption and downtime. (Source: Infosecurity). For this reason, network security systems can’t rest on their laurels. Businesses need to go beyond firewall protection and adopt advanced intrusion detection and prevention systems to inspect and screen traffic in real time.
- How can I improve visibility into possible security events? Many experts point out a lack of visibility into corporate attacks surfaces as one of the biggest barriers to preventing attacks. And, in the era of mobile working, cloud computing, and connected devices, attack surfaces are now much more than laptops and servers. A company’s entire attack surface spans hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructures. It’s a complex mix of digital platforms and assets which is continually expanding. Organizations need visibility into traffic and activity across all attack surfaces. Proving holistic visibility helps security experts translate vulnerability data into actual business insight to better prioritize risks and focus on remediation.
- What about problem resolution? Beyond monitoring networks and CPUs, the most successful cybersecurity programs centralize operations and use threat intelligence to proactive shutdown attacks. In addition to relying on skilled experts and human intuition, organizations can also benefit from security systems that can take autonomous action to resolve issues even before alerting IT pros.
Don’t wait
The steady stream of cybersecurity threats is continuously evolving – and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. A trusted partner can help companies push back and build a sustainable and resilient security program – including one that uses security audit data to pinpoint motives and tactics of those likely targeting the business. If you want help securing your corporate assets and IT infrastructure, talk to CTG! We offer comprehensive, managed security services – delivering complete physical security and network/infrastructure security to improve your security posture. Don’t wait, strike first!