Top 10 Cybersecurity Strategies
With the cyber landscape being more volatile now than at any other time in the past five years, enterprises face an onslaught of issues they must contend with.
DDoS, Ransomware, third party supply chains weaknesses and the ever-expanding attack surface, the list goes on.
Luckily, solutions are available that can abate the attacks. These come in the way of strategies to be done in anticipation of when they occur. A combination of best practice and proactive efforts, all aim to secure various elements exposed to attacks.
So to help enterprises keep their companies safe from the threats of the cyber sphere, Cyber Magazine has collected the 10 top strategies that they can implement to build a better cyber posture.
10. Transition to multi-factor authentication
Transitioning to multi-factor authentication (MFA) is crucial for enhancing account security, especially for accounts with elevated privileges, remote access, or those used on high-value assets.
MFA adds an additional layer of security by requiring users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access to a resource such as an application, online account, or VPN.
This method combines something the user knows (like a password) with something the user has (such as a physical token) or something the intrinsic about the user (biometric verification).
By implementing MFA, organisations can significantly reduce the risk of credential theft and unauthorised access, as it becomes much harder for threat actors to compromise accounts, even if they manage to obtain passwords.
9. Integrate threat reputation services
Integrating threat reputation services is an effective way to enhance cybersecurity measures by leveraging multi-sourced data about files, DNS, URLs, IPs, and email addresses. These services provide insights into the trustworthiness of various entities and help organisations detect and prevent malicious events.
By using threat reputation services, organisations can respond quickly to global threats, reducing exposure to known vulnerabilities.
This integration allows for a more robust defence against emerging threats by providing access to a broader threat analysis capability than what an individual organisation might achieve alone.
As threats evolve rapidly, having a dynamic and comprehensive threat reputation service can be a game-changer in maintaining a strong security posture.
8. Segregate networks using application-aware defence
Network segregation using application-aware defences is a strategic approach to enhancing security by isolating critical networks and services.
This method involves deploying defences that can understand and act based on application-level data, blocking improperly formed traffic and restricting content according to policy and legal authorisations.
As traditional intrusion detection methods become less effective due to encryption and obfuscation techniques, application-aware defences are essential.
They can detect and mitigate threats that hide malicious actions within common protocols. By implementing these sophisticated defences, organisations can better protect their networks from advanced persistent threats (APTs) and minimise the risk of data breaches
7. Leverage modern hardware security features
Leveraging modern hardware security features is essential for maintaining a robust cybersecurity posture.
Features such as Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) Secure Boot, Trusted Platform Module (TPM), and hardware virtualisation enhance the integrity of the boot process and provide system attestation.
These features are critical in protecting systems from low-level attacks that can compromise the entire infrastructure. By scheduling older devices for a hardware refresh, organisations can ensure that they are using the latest security features. This proactive approach not only protects critical data and user credentials but also supports high-risk application containment, making it harder for threat actors to exploit vulnerabilities.
6. Continuously hunt for network intrusions
Continuously hunting for network intrusions involves proactive measures to detect, contain, and eliminate malicious presence within a network.
Organisations should operate under the assumption that a compromise has already occurred and deploy dedicated teams to seek out and address threats.
This approach goes beyond passive detection methods, such as logs and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) products, by incorporating active hunt operations and penetration testing.
By continuously monitoring and mitigating threats, organisations can transition from basic detection to real-time threat detection and remediation, ensuring a more resilient security posture against evolving cyber threats
5. Actively manage systems and configurations
Active management of systems and configurations is a fundamental strategy for maintaining control over an organisation's operational environment.
This involves taking inventory of network devices and software, removing unnecessary or unexpected hardware and software, and starting from a known baseline.
By actively managing devices, applications, operating systems, and security configurations, organisations can reduce their attack surface and adapt to dynamic threat environments.
This proactive management ensures that systems are not only secure but also scalable and efficient, allowing for streamlined administrative operations and a more robust defence against cyber threats.
4. Exercise a system recovery plan
A well-exercised system recovery plan is vital for ensuring the continuity of operations in the face of unexpected events, whether natural disasters or malicious threats like ransomware.
This involves creating, reviewing, and practising a comprehensive disaster recovery strategy that protects critical data, configurations, and logs.
Backups should be encrypted, stored offsite, and kept offline when possible to support complete recovery and reconstitution of systems.
Regular testing and evaluation of the backup plan are essential to accommodate changes in the network environment. A robust recovery plan not only mitigates the impact of disruptions but also assures stakeholders of the organisation's resilience.
3. Enforce signed software execution policies
Enforcing signed software execution policies is a critical measure for maintaining system integrity and preventing the execution of illegitimate software.
By using a modern operating system that supports these policies for scripts, executables, device drivers, and system firmware, organisations can maintain a list of trusted certificates.
This approach, when combined with secure boot capabilities, ensures that only authorised software runs on the system.
Application whitelisting can further enhance control by allowing only signed software to execute. This prevents threat actors from gaining a foothold through the execution of malicious code, thereby protecting the network from potential breaches
2. Defend privileges and accounts
Key company: CyberArk
Defending privileges and accounts is a cornerstone of cybersecurity, essential for preventing unauthorised access and lateral movement within networks.
Organisations should assign privileges based on risk exposure and operational necessity, employing Privileged Access Management (PAM) solutions to automate credential management and enforce fine-grained access control.
Implementing a tiered administrative access model ensures that higher-level privileges are restricted to fewer personnel, reducing the risk of credential theft.
Additionally, secure procedures for resetting credentials, such as passwords, tokens, and tickets, must be established.
Threat actors frequently target administrator credentials to access high-value assets and move laterally through networks.
Therefore, robust defence mechanisms for privileges and accounts are vital for safeguarding critical infrastructure and maintaining the integrity of organisational operations
1. Update and upgrade software immediately
Updating and upgrading software immediately is paramount in defending against exploitation techniques used by Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) actors.
Organisations must apply all available software updates promptly, automating the process as much as possible. This urgency is due to threat actors' practice of analysing patches to develop exploits shortly after a patch's release, known as "N-day" exploits, which can be as harmful as zero-day vulnerabilities.
Ensuring that updates are authentic—typically signed and delivered over protected links—is crucial for maintaining software integrity. Without rapid and comprehensive patch application, threat actors can exploit vulnerabilities within a defender's patch cycle.
Therefore, timely updates are a critical component of a robust cybersecurity defence, minimising mission impact and maintaining a secure operational environment.
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