In today’s business world, data rules over many aspects of a company, and the proper management and application of this data can make or break a company. Stolen data can lead even one of the most successful businesses to go bankrupt.

There is an assumption that there is no single point on a network that is fully secure. Therefore, with layered security, there are multiple mitigating layers of protection. This way, an intruder has to break through several layers of security at the same time.

Most hackers can get through one layer of a system’s security. With a layered security system, the hacker has to now break hundreds of additional layers of security at the same time. In a way, proper cyber security is like an onion, with many layers to peel through.

Here are some of the necessary components to proper cybersecurity:

Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication is a system that requires a user to complete two or more steps of authentication before gaining access to a system. After entering a password, the user will often have to enter an email or text code as verification before logging in. Multi-factor authentication significantly reduces brute force hacks and stolen passwords.

Endpoint Security

The number of endpoint connections in organizations is rapidly increasing. User devices such as smartphones, desktops, and laptops are quickly becoming more integrated into the IoT. The result is a much more complex IT security environment.

The need for more complex endpoint security is growing. While antivirus software can protect against viruses, it is useless against ransomware and live attacks. Ransomware and live attacks are now two of the most significant threats in cybercrime. A key benefit to endpoint security is the rollback feature enabling a hacked computer to roll back to before the attack occurred.

Employee Training Services

Many ransomware attacks begin with social engineering. Social engineering is when a cybercriminal manipulates a person into volunteering private information or access to corporate systems.

Employee training is essential to a complete cyber security program. Employees need the training to recognize cyber threats and avoid becoming a victim of often highly talented manipulators. No matter how advanced a cyber security plan is, none of it will matter if an employee accidentally or intentionally provides access to a bad actor. Any good cyber security program would include training in recognizing and mitigating potential threats and what to do about it when a potential cyber threat is identified.

Dark Web Monitoring

Dark web monitoring of your data, such as personal and business email addresses, helps ensure that login information is not compromised. A dark web monitoring service will keep track of this information and alert you if potential login information is discovered so you can change your passwords. Ideally, you can get passwords changed before the hacker has an opportunity to take advantage of your information.

This dark web monitoring capability can monitor threats, ‘dark data’ that is not indexed typically which can be analyzed and acted upon. It can also avoid being tracked by competitors, being quite helpful to a business. However, the same anonymity is attractive to criminals who broker in stolen information.

There are millions of data breaches every year, and monitoring your information can help you take the necessary steps to prevent a breach before it happens.

This Cyber Security Awareness month is an excellent time to reassess your vulnerabilities online and take steps to mitigate them. If you would like further information on how to begin to take action on securing your business and accounts, feel free to reach out to us at 201-298-5385, or via email at info@manageditcybersecurity.com or info@krsit.com .