In this age of digitalisation, cyber security has actually been one of the business’s top concerns. A new wave of dangers is hitting firms, resulting in economic losses, reputational damage, and lawsuits. These threats range from the shockingly high frequency of ransomware and phishing attacks to the growing number of insider threats and data breaches. Prioritising cyber security is becoming a crucial business strategy rather than a technical issue.
At Deepwater, in our point of view being proactive in cyber security is key to sustainable business growth. To stay ahead of threats, seven practical measures can be implemented by any organisation to enhance its cyber security posture.
1. Regularly Conduct Risk Assessment
The best defence is an understanding of where your vulnerabilities lie. Risk assessments help identify weak links in your infrastructure- out-of-date software, unprotected endpoints, or insecure cloud applications. Risks should be categorised according to their potential impact and likelihood so that remediation efforts can be prioritised accordingly.
Action Tip: Vulnerability assessments can be conducted quarterly or semi-annually; a penetration test simulates a real-world attack.
2. Strongly Enforce Control over Access
Not everyone working in an organisation needs to view all levels of data. The least privileged situation entails that a person can view only the data needed for the assigned task. Other than using passwords alone, the integration of multi-factor authentication (MFA) will minimise access risks even in cases where passwords get compromised.
Action Tip: Ensure that all critical systems and applications are protected by MFA and enforce role-based access control (RBAC).
3. Software and Systems Should Be Updated
Hackers use weaknesses in systems provided by unpatched software or outdated operating systems. From the perspective of an IT administrator, it is, therefore, important to keep applications, firewalls, and anti-virus software up to date. However, using automated patch management utilities can ease the maintenance and reduce human error.
Action Tip: Create and implement a patch management policy, along with enforcement of scheduled routine updates for all devices and servers.
4. Train Employees on Cyber Security Awareness
First of all, your employees are your first line of defence. But without proper training, they can also become the weakest link. Social engineering attacks, such as phishing emails, tend to exploit human mistakes. Training programs that help staff recognise suspicious activities are very useful in preventing breaches.
Action Tip: Implement regular workshops, simulated phishing attacks, and refresher courses to keep cyber security awareness.
5. Secure Your Network and Devices
A secure network infrastructure is the first step towards protecting sensitive data. Setting up firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and VPNs as an extra layer of protection from outside threats is how one sets a good defence. When it comes to remote workers, endpoint security solutions offer protection to company data accessed via their personal devices.
Action Tip: Mandate the use of VPNs, EDR tools, and network segmentation to restrict lateral movements by attackers.
6. Develop an Incident Response Plan and Test It
Even with formidable defences, no company can achieve complete immunity from cyber incidents. An Incident Response (IR) Plan is to ensure your team be ready for any breach occurrence. If the plan is in place and is regularly exercised, then there is minimal downtime to the business, limited damage, and retained customer trust.
Action Tip: Define roles and the escalation process alongside communication methods. Hold tabletop exercises or scenario rehearsals with your IT and leadership teams.
7. Protect Data with Backup and Recovery Solutions
Data loss is one of the most terrible consequences of a cyber attack. Maintaining backups must be a regular exercise, with copies stored safely both locally and in the cloud, so the business can cleanly and promptly recover from ransomware or the random deletion of data. However, the key point is not just to maintain the backups but to test them frequently.
Action Tip: Follow the 3-2-1 rule to keep three copies of your data, on two different types of media, with one copy physically stored at a location away from the others.
Final Thoughts
Cyber threats are never going to end. The companies that didn’t make any countermeasures against a threat pay the highest price. Adhering to seven practical steps empowers your organisation to significantly reduce the risk and strengthen its overall cyber security for business while promoting a culture of awareness at each stage of the company.
Deepwater is most committed to helping the company secure operations in today’s difficult digital landscape.