Strategies that are needed in an evolving security landscape

For businesses today, keeping information and communications secure is far from simple. The security landscape is constantly evolving as new threats emerge and hackers develop more sophisticated attacks. Cyberattacks are also increasing in frequency – ER Here’s a look at some of the most fundamental cybersecurity strategies every organization should consider to minimize risks and vulnerabilities.

Regular surveillance of the application security layer

One of the most vulnerable targets hackers go after is the application layer. According to Verizon’s latest Data Breach Investigations Report, in 2020, 43 percent of data breaches occurred through web application attacks. This is more than double than results from 2019.

The app layer is the top layer of the seven-layer OSI model, and it’s the one that focuses on end-user services. Because it’s the closest layer to end-users – your customers and employees – it offers the largest threat surface.

Suppose you don’t have robust application layer security. In that case, your systems are more vulnerable to a number of attacks, including HTTP floods, SQL injections, parameter tampering, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. This can result in more instances of data theft, issues with performance, and in a worst-case scenario – hackers may be able to take your entire network down.

What’s the solution? Regular monitoring of the application layer with the right tools and resources. Your cybersecurity team or in-house IT department can use a unified platform to secure custom code, open-source libraries, and application programming interfaces to detect security bugs before they impact users or systems.

Going beyond antivirus and anti-malware programs

Gone are the days when installing your antivirus and anti-malware software would do the job. Hackers use a variety of attacks and increased attack intensity – these software programs aren’t enough to keep your data and systems safe.

Antivirus and anti-malware software should be viewed as your first layer of defense. They help detect and remove viruses, malware, and other malicious threats from your hard drive, making everyday actions – such as using the internet or checking emails – safer. However, they can’t stop a sophisticated attack.

To stop hackers from stealing data; businesses also need to:

Use firewalls for your internet connection, which will block suspicious network activity automatically.
Practice good password hygiene – employees should use unique passwords, and they should change them every three months.
Implement multi-factor authentication to make it harder for hackers to break into your systems.
Train employees on cybersecurity best practices such as avoiding unsecured web pages, learning how to recognize a suspicious email, and knowing what to do if they think they may have clicked on a malicious link.

Using AI for adaptive security

In the digital era, your business is always on. That means your network security surveillance should always be on as well.

With artificial intelligence, your business can experience dynamic protection 24/7. An AI-driven security solution will adapt to the needs of your business’s security architecture. AI can enable the software to respond to threats in real-time without human intervention. It can also enact a multi-layered response to keep your IT systems safe based on evolving cybersecurity threats.

Increasing data security with encryption over VPNs

Using a VPN (virtual private network) is another crucial cybersecurity step. VPNs use encryption, making it next to impossible for unauthorized parties to understand data sent over your network.

This is even more important today with the rise in remote work. With a secure VPN, your remote employees can securely access your company database. Even if a cybercriminal infiltrates a work-from-home employee’s internet exchange point (IXP), the data being sent and received is encrypted.

Be proactive when it comes to cybersecurity

The threat landscape will keep changing, but that doesn’t mean your business has to take on more risk. With a holistic cybersecurity strategy customized to your business needs, continuous monitoring, and advanced security solutions, you can keep your data and systems safe. Gain peace of mind with a tailored cybersecurity strategy purpose-built for an evolving landscape. At KME Systems, we can assist with all your cybersecurity needs and ensure we keep you data protected while still being efficient.