9 Controls to Know This Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. During this annual event, government and industry leaders worldwide come together to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity. Every October, employees and employers are reminded that businesses must stay cybersecure to safeguard company data, protect customers’ personal information and ensure employee privacy.
Here are nine essential cybersecurity controls that organizations can implement to help manage cyber exposures.
1. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Solutions
EDR solutions record and store events from endpoints (physical devices that connect to a network), utilize various data analytics techniques to detect suspicious system behaviours, provide contextual information, block malicious activities and offer remediation suggestions to help organizations restore affected technology.
2. Patch Management
Patches are software and operating system updates that address security vulnerabilities within programs and products. A consistent approach to patching and updating software and operating systems can help limit organizations’ cyber exposures.
3. Network Segmentation and Segregation
Network segmentation refers to dividing larger networks into smaller segments, whereas network segregation entails isolating crucial networks from external networks, such as the Internet. Both processes reduce the risk of cybercriminals gaining expansive access to organizations’ IT infrastructures.
4. End-of-Life Software Management
When software reaches the end of its life, manufacturers will discontinue technical support and security improvements for these products, thus creating vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can easily exploit. As such, having plans for introducing new software and phasing out unsupported products is critical.
5. Remote Desk Protocol (RDP) Safeguards
RDP ports allow users to connect remotely to other servers or devices. Although these ports are useful, they can also be leveraged to launch ransomware attacks. To safeguard their RDP ports, employers should keep these ports turned off when they aren’t in use and ensure they aren’t left exposed to the internet.
6. Email Authentication
Email authentication technology monitors incoming emails and determines the validity of these messages based on specific sender verification standards that organizations have in place. Such technology can help keep potentially dangerous emails out of employees’ inboxes.
7. Data Backups
Employers should determine safe locations to store their critical data, generate concrete schedules for backing up this information and outline data recovery procedures to ensure swift restoration amid possible cyber events.
8. Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
MFA is a layered approach to securing data and applications where a system requires a user to present a combination of two or more credentials to verify their identity for login. Employers should require MFA for remote access to their networks.
9. Employee Training
Employees are an organization’s first line of defence against cyber incidents, making cybersecurity training crucial. This training should occur regularly, helping employees identify and respond to common cyberthreats.
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This document is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact a legal or insurance professional for appropriate advice. ©2024 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved