Sly cybercriminals are refining their attack methods for maximum impact and minimum traceability.
Who is monitoring your network for suspicious activity?
If you read our recent post on cybersecurity, then you’ll know that malware is a growing menace in the virtual world. It’s also a popular tool for hackers looking to penetrate sensitive business networks. Early detection is critical if you hope to minimise the damage, disruption, and potential financial losses caused by a serious network breach.
Here are five ways to prepare your business for the challenges related to network security…
#1 | Get to grips with the modern threat landscape
Cyberspace is more like a battlefield than a business park – and you need to be familiar with the terrain. You also need to understand your enemies. What would they want? Where would they strike? How would they operate?
They could be financial hackers using fake accounts to target your money. They could be corporate spies intent on stealing your product plans. They could be rogue activists looking to publish your private data. Identify the prevailing risks so that you can plan accordingly.
#2 | Hire professionals with the right expertise
Cybersecurity experts have a deep understanding of historic, current, and evolving cyber threats. Highly skilled, and armed with both technical knowledge and social awareness, they are the guardians you need on the front line.
The integrated, interdependent IT systems found in mid-market and enterprise-level businesses are particularly complex in nature. Enlist specialists who can create customised solutions for your company’s unique network vulnerability issues.
#3 | Leverage the technology at your disposal
Security fundamentals like digital identity management and access control will help you to track the people authorised to utilise your network, but illicit users can be difficult to detect without the right resources.
Threat detection tools enable your cybersecurity pros to monitor network activity in real time. Consider investing in a comprehensive program that can provide detailed data, event logs, and incident reports for every action – and every anomaly – related to your network.
#4 | Follow recommended best practices and stay informed
Make sure that your technical staff are carrying out updates, implementing patches and fixes, and performing the maintenance required to ensure the integrity of your network, systems and applications.
Subscribe to industry newsletters, study threat intelligence reports from leading stakeholders, read cybersecurity blogs, and keep an eye on local and international headlines. The broader your knowledge, the greater your advantage over the perpetrators of cybercrime.
#5 | Educate and involve your non-technical staff
It’s easy to think of cybersecurity as the exclusive responsibility of your technical experts, but business-wide vigilance is increasingly necessary to combat today’s cyber threats. Teach your personnel – from data-capturers and personal assistants to financial administrators and senior executives – to look for warning signs that could indicate a breach.
Encourage all your network users to report any activity that seems out of the ordinary. Have they been locked out of their accounts for no apparent reason? Have they experienced random system reboots? Seemingly insignificant events can sometimes be the very symptoms your IT teams need to diagnose a network security issue.
Online ecosystems are becoming more complex. Networks are expanding. And relentless cyber fiends are targeting even the most comprehensive ring fences. To protect your digital assets, you need to make network security a priority for your whole team.
When last did you evaluate your network security protocols? Ask us about embedding cybersecurity at the heart of your business. We’ll help you balance your organisation’s productivity with robust prevention and detection initiatives.
