Cyberattacks are becoming a more common threat to businesses and organizations of all sizes. They can come from many different sources, including insiders, competitors, and even state-sponsored hackers. In the digital age, cyber threats have grown in both variety and intensity. It’s no longer enough for companies to simply monitor their networks for signs of intrusion. In the face of increasingly sophisticated attacks, businesses must proactively defend against cybercriminals. Whether you operate a small business or manage an enterprise IT infrastructure, it’s important that you understand how vulnerable your system is to cyberattacks.
Ensure the security of your software supply chain
Before installing any software on your network, you should first determine how trustworthy it is. You should also be aware of the potential risks of running any given program. For example, have you considered how secure your software supply chain is? Many security breaches can be attributed to software running on systems where it shouldn’t. IT departments that don’t closely review the code in their software are at significant risk of malware infections.
Keep your software and operating systems up to date
Many organizations don’t update their software on a regular basis. Unfortunately, this leaves them vulnerable to security exploits that have already been identified. Hackers know this. They recognize vulnerabilities in older versions of software and exploit them for malicious purposes. When you regularly install security patches and software updates, you’ll significantly reduce the risk of a breach. You’ll also be less susceptible to ransomware attacks, penetration testing, malicious worms, and other forms of malware. For most businesses, keeping software up to date is as simple as setting a recurring calendar reminder.
Monitor and respond to suspicious behavior
While you can’t completely eliminate the risk of a breach, you can identify and track abnormal behavior. If you know what a “normal” network looks like, you’ll be better equipping to spot changes in activity. This will give you a chance to respond promptly when something is amiss. Hackers often try to stay under the radar by making small, seemingly inconsequential changes to your network. By closely monitoring your systems, you can catch these changes as they occur and thwart potential threats.
Install an effective firewall
One of the most basic security tools is a firewall. Firewalls are software tools that act as gatekeepers between your network and the outside world. They exist to prevent malicious activity from reaching your systems. If malicious traffic does make it past the firewall, it can be detected and quarantined. Because cybercriminals often use the same attack methods, you can greatly reduce your risk by installing and maintaining an effective firewall. You may even want to consider using a hybrid firewall, which combines the benefits of both on-premises and cloud-based firewall solutions.
Review and respond to audit findings
Finally, you should regularly review audit findings to identify and respond to penetration testing. This will help you to identify any missed opportunities for improvement and determine where you should focus your efforts. It’s also important that you take steps to address any findings as soon as possible. By actively pursuing improvements, you can reduce the risk of a data breach. This will also help to protect your reputation as a trusted organization.
Review How Vulnerable is Your System to Cyberattacks?.