preventive action and methods
Businesses traditionally have focused on protecting the perimeter of their IT infrastructure as the primary method of defending against attackers. The cyber defense approach that an organization takes depends on its goals. Prevention-based strategies aim to harden systems against attack. Detection-based strategies involve the proactive identification and remediation of threats that have breached your defenses.
The following are preventive security controls that you should consider for your business.
- Running software updates and patches when prompted can help to keep your systems more secure against attacks.
- All computer systems should have anti-malware software installed to prevent malware from infecting them. It is important to keep this software up-to-date so that it can detect and prevent malware from penetrating the computer system.
- Many applications and operating systems come with default configurations that enable them to work in most environments. However, generic configurations are often the least secure and provide access into the system.
- Hardening involves removing any non-essential software programs and utilities from a computer and removing default user accounts and passwords, adjusting permissions, and disabling unnecessary services.
- Access rights should be set to ensure that users have access only to the data they need. The risk of data loss is reduced when users have access only to information needed for their jobs.
- Businesses can minimize their losses by regularly backing up data and maintaining an alternative operating plan in the event of a cybersecurity attack.
- Network access control helps businesses enforce security policies that control devices and user access to the network. Policies can be set for resource, role, device and location-based access. This enforces compliance with security and patch management policies.
- Users should be aware of the threats to their systems and trained in recognizing attempts to gain access to sensitive information via email, phone calls or other means.
- Clear and concise policies and procedures help users understand the security implications of bypassing or ignoring security controls.
- To ensure that your sensitive data is protected, store it in encrypted form. This can help prevent unauthorized users from accessing the information.
- Ensure that proper and effective use of cryptography is employed to protect confidentiality, authenticity and integrity of information.
- Companies need to secure their Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) by using strategies like API gateways, quotas, tokens, encryption, and signatures.
- IT security operations should align with business priorities and perform periodic risk assessments based on vulnerabilities, patch levels, and security policy reviews to ensure a higher state of readiness.
- Prior intelligence on threats can help in identifying vulnerabilities that are most likely to be exploited.
The risks and threats to computer systems increase as the technology used by businesses increases. Preventative security controls are one piece of a layered approach to secure your business. A robust backup strategy, coupled with threat or risk assessments and employee training can help prevent cyber-attacks. These small investments will ultimately save the organization tens of millions of dollars and its reputation.
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