The importance of data for today’s business cannot be overstated, and when it comes to cybersecurity, complacency can be your worst enemy, writes Saurabh Prasad, Senior Solution Architect at In2IT Technologies. Being vigilant to the threats in the cybercrime landscape, being prepared for an attack, and importantly, having the right IT partner to ensure your solution and strategy will meet your needs, is imperative to counter the rapidly evolving threat of ransomware, malware and other cyberattacks.
Keep cyber resilience in mind
Preventing attacks is no longer always possible, and organisations need to be prepared for and able to respond to and recover from a cyberattack when it occurs. This is known as cyber resilience.
To achieve cyber resilience, businesses need to start by developing a robust cyber security strategy that can be adapted to meet changing threats, including proactive measures such as regular vulnerability scans and patching, as well as reactive measures such as incident response plans and data breach protocols.
Businesses should also invest in the latest cybersecurity technologies, such as firewalls, malware protection, and intrusion detection and prevention systems. These technologies can help to detect and prevent attacks in real-time and offer a layer of protection against emerging threats.
Ongoing cybersecurity training and awareness are essential for all employees as part of a comprehensive strategy, including what to look out for and how to react in the event of an attack. This will help to ensure that staff are up to date on the latest threats and have the skills to protect against them.
Steps also need to be taken to ensure any external partners or suppliers have adequate cyber security measures in place, as any gaps in their security can put the entire organisation at risk. Finally, businesses should consider investing in cyber insurance to protect against financial losses due to a cyberattack.
Cyber resilience needs to be complemented by an effective data governance and regulatory compliance programme, including the implementation of industry-standard encryption protocols, role-based access controls, secure storage of data, and an effective incident response plan. This should include procedures for containing a breach, policies for alerting and reporting to the relevant authorities, and an organised process for containing and remediating the incident.
Call in the experts
It is important to remember that cybersecurity is a continuous journey, not a once-off destination, so staying ahead in the evolving cyber threat landscape requires a mindset of continuous vigilance and preparedness. As cyber threats become more complex, organisations must continuously update and evolve to secure their IT infrastructures and be adaptable and agile in responding to cyber threats.
A proactive approach is essential to risk mitigation, including regular security assessments, robust security architecture design, employee education and training, timely patch management, and leveraging advanced technologies like machine learning and automation. Organisations should consider partnering with reputable IT service providers, participating in industry information-sharing forums, and engaging with cybersecurity professionals to access specialised knowledge, threat intelligence, and resources. Collaborative efforts enhance preparedness and enable organisations to respond effectively to emerging threats.