Start 2020 with a strong cybersecurity strategy for your business

For the past few years, a week never seemed to go by without news of another data breach, malware attack, or hacking scandal. Unfortunately, cybercrime is projected to rise in this new decade, which will cost the world in excess of $6 trillion annually by 2021, double the $3 trillion total from 2015.

These numbers reinforce the importance of having robust cyber defenses, which a multilayered IT security strategy can deliver. This cybersecurity strategy combines several security measures into a cohesive solution to ensure that the weaknesses of one tool are covered by the strengths of another. This may include the following tools:

#1. Firewall

Like a drawbridge of a fortified castle, a firewall blocks or allows connections from the internet to your internal network.

#2. Intrusion detection system (IDS) and intrusion prevention system (IPS)

An IDS monitors networks for malicious activities, while an IPS prevents or blocks intrusions as they are spotted. Unlike a firewall that follows a specific set of rules, an IPS actively analyzes, learns, and creates new rules. Think of the IPS as a castle guard behind the drawbridge.

#3. Anti-malware programs

These detect, prevent, and remove malicious software — viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, ransomware, etc. — on IT systems and devices.

#4. Security information and event management (SIEM)

SIEM software analyzes data aggregated from multiple sources in the network so it can catch abnormal behavior and take appropriate action. It generates reports on security-related events (e.g., failed logins) and sends out alerts if it spots a potential security issue.

#5. Network access control (NAC)

NAC lets you define what each user and device can and cannot access in the network. Unverified users and devices will be blocked or only provided limited access.

Once devices are logged onto the network, NAC allows you to monitor and control their activity.

#6. Multifactor authentication (MFA)

This tool allows account access only after users provide two or more methods to verify their identities, such as a one-time pin (OTP) sent to the registered user’s mobile phone.

#7. Data encryption

This security measure converts plain-text information to something unreadable to a person that does not have the key to decrypt it. This way, even if your data was intercepted, an unauthorized party won’t still be able to make use of it.

#8. Email protection

This includes multiple security measures such as login security, virus scanning, spam filtering, email encryption, and email backup and archiving.

#9. Virtual private network (VPN)

Employees who need to access the company network using unsecured connections (e.g., public Wi-Fi) can safely do so using a VPN. A VPN protects network access by channeling all network traffic through an encrypted tunnel back to a trusted corporate network.

#10. Data backup and disaster recovery (BDR) system

A BDR system allows companies to resume operations quickly even after a disaster. Data backup is the process of creating multiple copies of data and storing them in multiple locations so they can be retrieved in case the original data is lost. On the other hand, data recovery is the process of salvaging lost, inaccessible, damaged, or corrupted data.

To keep your cybersecurity strategy always strong, the ever-evolving cyberthreat landscape requires you to constantly make changes and updates to it. Fortunately, you can leverage the expertise and experience of IT Mgmt Solutions. Let us handle all of your technology concerns so you can focus on your business. Schedule your discovery call today.