4 Key Components of Strong Cybersecurity
Keep your organization — and your customers — protected from cyber threats with robust IT security.
Articles published June 4, 2019 by Bob Bally
Gone are the days of relying solely on cybersecurity audits and environment tests. Without the proper IT security in place, you are vulnerable to cybercriminals trying to enter your network and access your data. According to a report by the Ponemon Institute, the average organizational cost to a business after a data breach in 2019 was 8.19 billion dollars. What’s more, those data breaches are not limited to large corporations. Small businesses are increasingly facing the same cybersecurity risks as bigger organizations, yet the Ponemon Institute found that only 28 percent of small businesses would rate their ability to mitigate threats, vulnerabilities, and cyber attacks as “highly effective.” No matter the size of your business, robust cybersecurity solutions are vital to keeping your organization and your customers protected. Keep your organization safe from threats by following these IT security principles.
Implement Cybersecurity Fundamentals
Services such as anti-virus, firewall protection, network monitoring, and wireless security are basic layers of defense that combine to provide state-of-the-art cybersecurity protection. Protecting your network with a firewall and an elaborate network system is becoming a necessity, and can be the difference between a cybersecurity breach and being safe. A firewall sets a security foundation by protecting your network from unauthorized access. A firewall system with internet firewall protection that is designed for the specific needs and expectations of your business will help mitigate risk and exposure further. Having a managed security service to count on for cybersecurity technology means you can focus your internal resources on core business functions and initiatives.
Actively Monitor Cybersecurity Controls
Once you have cybersecurity systems in place, you can manage your network activity to monitor for security threats. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) is one effective strategy that delivers a centralized view of all network data. That data can then identify any threats and track them throughout your system, providing a clearer picture of what’s happening in your network. Managed security service providers do the work for you by providing affordable and effective monitoring, letting you know right away when security incidents occur and providing log monitoring reports and network analytics.
Have a Business Continuity Plan in Place
Unanticipated cyber threats not only cause data loss but also lead to costly downtime. How you handle an outage, recover from it, and prevent it from happening again is crucial for your organization. If your business depends on system uptime and availability to serve clients, just running a daily backup may not be enough. Having a business continuity plan that includes failover solutions significantly protects your bottom line. By managing all potential points of failure, a business continuity plan helps you minimize downtime and data loss in the event of a cyberattack.
Be Proactive about Cybersecurity
Even with the most advanced technologies in place, untrained employees can leave an organization vulnerable to attacks. Ensure you have an updated cybersecurity policy that covers: standards for installing software updates and patches, password guidelines, proper internet usage, ways to keep sensitive customer data safe, and detecting scams and social engineering tactics, such as phishing. A cybersecurity policy also defines approved methods for securely transferring or sharing data with external partners and customers. Having an IT security plan in place and regularly educating your employees on how to prevent attacks is essential for every organization.
How are you keeping your organization safe from cybersecurity threats?