This blog was written by an independent guest blogger.
The average cost of a data breach will continue to rise, which means companies need to start planning accordingly. To protect your business, you need to invest in cybersecurity. Here are 11 areas you should focus on.
Cyber insurance
Cyber insurance is designed to protect businesses from the financial repercussions of a cyber-attack. It can cover costs such as business interruption, data recovery, legal expenses, and reputational damage. It is increasingly common across industries and at companies of all sizes, even small businesses, which have become a growing target of cybercriminals.
Cyber insurance has also become a new compliance requirement in many industries, including healthcare, finance, and retail. In the event of a data breach, companies are often required to notify their customers and partners, which can be costly. Cyber insurance can help cover these expenses.
Employee training
Employees are often the weakest link in a company's cybersecurity defenses. They may not be aware of the latest cyber threats or how to protect themselves from them. That's why it's important to provide employees with regular training on cybersecurity risks and best practices.
There are many different types of employee training programs available, ranging from in-person seminars to online courses. Some companies even offer financial incentives for employees who complete training programs.
In the remote work era, employee education also increasingly means arming remote workers with knowledge that will keep company data safe while they are working on networks that might not be well secured. This is especially the case if you know people are connecting via public networks at cafes, co-working spaces, and airports.
Endpoint security
Endpoints are the devices that connect to a network, such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets. They are also a common entry point for cyber-attacks. That's why it's important to invest in endpoint security, which includes solutions such as antivirus software, firewalls, and encryption.
You can invest in endpoint security by purchasing it from a vendor or by implementing it yourself. There are also many free and open-source solutions available. Make sure you test any endpoint security solution before deploying it in your environment.
Identity and access management
Identity and access management (IAM) is a process for managing user identities and permissions. It can be used to control who has access to what data and resources, and how they can use them. IAM solutions often include features such as Single Sign-On (SSO), which allows users to access multiple applications with one set of credentials, and two-factor authentication (2FA), which adds an extra layer of security.
IAM solutions can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud. They can also be integrated with other security solutions, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
Intrusion detection and prevention
Intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) are designed to detect and prevent cyber-attacks. They work by monitoring network traffic for suspicious activity and blocking or flagging it as needed. IDPS solutions can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud.
There are many different types of IDPS solutions available, ranging from simple network-based solutions to more sophisticated host-based ones. Make sure you choose a solution that is right for your environment and needs.
Security information and event management
Security information and event management (SIEM) solutions are designed to collect and analyze data from a variety of security sources, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems and web filters. This data is then used to generate reports that can help identify security risks and trends.
SIEM solutions can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud. They can also be integrated with other security solutions, such as incident response and vulnerability management. Think of SIEM as a centralized platform that allows you to see all the different security events happening across your environment in one place.
Email security
Email is a common target for cyber-attacks, as it is often used to deliver malware or phishing messages. That's why it's important to invest in email security, which includes solutions such as spam filters and email encryption.
You can invest in email security by purchasing it from a vendor or by implementing it yourself. There are also many free and open-source solutions available.
Vulnerability management
Vulnerability management is the process of identifying, assessing, and mitigating vulnerabilities in systems and networks. It includes both automated and manual processes, such as scanning for vulnerabilities and patching them.
There are many different types of vulnerability management solutions available, from simple scanners to more comprehensive suites. Make sure you choose a solution that is right for your environment and needs.
Web security
Web security refers to the process of securing websites and web applications from cyber-attacks. It includes both server-side and client-side security measures, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems and web filters.
You can invest in web security by purchasing it from a vendor or by implementing it yourself. There are also many free and open-source solutions available. Make sure you test any web security solution before deploying it in your environment.
Data loss prevention
Data loss prevention (DLP) is a process for preventing sensitive data from being leaked or lost. It includes both technical and organizational measures, such as data encryption and access control.
DLP solutions can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud. They can also be integrated with other security solutions, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
Business continuity and disaster recovery
Business continuity and disaster recovery (BC/DR) are processes for ensuring that businesses can continue to operate in the event of an outage or disaster. BC/DR solutions often include features such as data backup and replication, which can help minimize downtime and data loss.
BC/DR solutions can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud. They can also be integrated with other security solutions, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems. Don't forget to test your BC/DR solution regularly to make sure it is working as expected.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many cybersecurity investments you can make right now. By implementing even just a few of these solutions, you can help improve your organization's overall security posture and reduce the risk of cyber-attacks.