The Top 7 Proven Security Strategies for your Business
The top 7 proven security strategies for any business to defend against cyberattacks. Before we dive into the security strategies, we need to understand what drives the attack surface. After we look at the attack surface, a business needs to understand the cybersecurity threats. Then we’ll discuss the top 7 proven strategies to protect against cyber attacks.
Table of Contents
Attack Surfaces
Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, businesses and daily routines changed. These four (4) changes in the information technology (IT) landscape increased the attack surface for businesses.
Increase use of Internet of Things (IoT)
- In 2021, experts expect the number of connected devices to reach 10.07 billion.1
- This number could grow to 30.9 billion by 2025.
Rapid Adoption of the Cloud
- Global public cloud end-user expenditure is expected to grow by over 18% in 2021.2
Digital Transformation
- IT spending is expected to hit $3.9 trillion in 2021.2
- Spending on digital transformation technologies increased from $1 trillion in 2018 to $2.39 trillion in 2021.1
Work-From-Home Model
- Over 70% of all departments and teams are expected to have remove workers by 2028.3
With the expanding attack surface, cyberattacks increased dramatically in 2020. Now more than ever, small businesses need to identify and defuse cyberthreats as quickly as possible.
Cybersecurity Threats
These cybersecurity threats top our list as the most critical to defend against. In order to develop a security strategies protection plan, we need to understand the critical threats to businesses.
Ransomware Attacks
These attacks will severely damage the financial well being of a small business. Currently, attackers market their ransomware kits on the dark web for an inexpensive sum.
The cost of entry is very low for a new attacker to utilize ransomware tools on the open market. Based on this, small business owners need to be more vigilant in implementing proven security strategies.
Phishing Attacks
Phishing attackers use social engineering scams in emails and other ways like phone calls and text messages to pursue account takeover. According to one report, phishing attacks increased by 11% in 2021 alone.4
A favorite tactic of cyber criminals includes a phishing scam based on a trending global event. For example, when Covid-19 hit, attackers claimed to represent the World Health Organization (WHO).
Insider Threats
Insider threats are the hardest to detect and close to 20% of breaches involved internal actors.4
The most common causes of insider incidents are:
- Negligent employees or contractors 5 – 62%
- Criminal or malicious insiders 5 – 23%
- Credential theft 5 – 14%
Fileless Attacks
A fileless attack can originate through an email that directs an user to a malicious website. Then using social engineering tactics, the cybercriminal uses system tools like PowerShell to distribute payloads and execute commands. This attack can bypass outdated security systems.
This type of attack aims to exploit the features and tools of a victim’s environment. A fileless attack is reported to be 10 times more successful than a file-based attack.
Proven Security Strategies
Now that we provided a baseline of the four top cyber threats, we’ll cover the top seven proven security strategies that will help protect against those threats.
#1 – Clear Roles & Responsibilities
Make sure your employees know their role and responsibilities within the business. A simple step brings clarity and helps them understand their responsibilities. Ultimately will help reduce insider threats.
#2 – Systems Patched
Keep all systems within your business environment patched. How many times do we read about the attack started in the AC system or some other device not used or paid attention to. Automation and validation of updates will go a long way to keeping your business protected on all devices.
#3 – Recovery Plan
Do you know how long your business could survive without access to key data? A recovery plan for all of your data but most important your critical data, will also protect against insider threats and ransomware.
Quick note – Your software as a Service (SaaS) applications or software in the cloud are not exempt from this.
#4 – Endpoint Detection and Response
Secure your systems by deploying advanced antivirus and antimalware solutions that provide endpoint detection and response (EDR). Cloudz Biz offers the ability to monitor this adding another layer of protection against Fileless Attacks.
#5 – Standard Security Configuration
Create an IT strategy plan for your whole environment. This plan needs to include standards for new devices such as security tools and malware protection, multifactor authentication and disk encryption. Also, some devices in the environment will need local firewalls, and DNS filtering.
#6 – Incident Response Plan
Always be ready with an incident response plan. No breach can shake you if you have a robust action plan. The plan should have a communication strategy with all stakeholders, including your investors and valued customers.
#7 – Security Awareness Training
Provide regular security training to your employees and vendors which helps your end users identify phishing attacks. Security awareness needs to become second nature in employee’s day to day work environment.
Take Action
I hope you are a business owner who takes action. Hoping you will never fall victim to a cyber attack is a high risk game.
We can provide you with an assessment then develop an IT strategy that incorporates the necessary security strategies to protect your business.
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