Demystifying Cybersecurity: Protecting Your Digital World

Blog Article by Amit Kulkarni

What is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is a practice in information technology that ensures the safeguarding and protection of devices (laptops, desktops, mobiles, tablets etc.), networks, and programs from digital threats such as hacks, and computer viruses.

These digital attacks are aimed to access, modify, or delete important and sensitive information such as data, customer details, internal documents, and other information crucial for business and its operations.

Alongside, a few digital attacks such as ransomware, spyware, phishing scams etc. are often targeted to extort money often via untraceable currency or digital virtual assets (cryptocurrencies, NFTs, etc.).

Allied Digital has a comprehensive cyber security protection practice named “AIM 360° Cyber Security” encompassing all the aspects of securing enterprise infrastructure.

Importance of Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is critical in today’s socio-economic environment. With the universe’s information at the fingertips, cyber criminals also have easy access to the user’s sensitive and private data.

Importance of cybersecurity for enterprises is crucial as network operations are a norm, and data leak of any comprehension, often leads to major compromise. Some of the critical aspects of cybersecurity are:

Risk Management

Risk management is one of the crucial aspects of cybersecurity. An organization with a profound risk management setup is seldomly affected by cyber threats. A solid risk management program not only helps in avoiding risks, but it also assists in improving the overall digital security of the organization.

Threat Intelligence

Threat intelligence in an organization is crucial. The philosophy of - “Precaution is better than cure”, is apt to understand threat intelligence offering. IT organizations across the globe often emphasize the importance of threat intelligence program in an organization’s infrastructure setup as it is the first-step towards cybersecurity.

Allied Digital provides threat intelligence service from its Global SOC in Mumbai by using industry leading threat intelligence tools and platforms.

Identity Theft

Identity theft is perhaps one of the most common cyber attacks organizations and individuals encounter. The idea is simple - steal someone’s identity to access information in an organization, and/or steal money. Nevertheless, identity theft is one of the most encountered cyber threats in the world.

Though respective authorities and global governments are taking all the necessary actions possible to reduce identity thefts, protection starts individually.

Cloud Security

In the current times, cloud computing and the need for an “Always-On” mechanism is of utmost importance to businesses. Hence, cloud adoption is the current wave. From enterprises to small businesses, every organization is opting for cloud services. Since cloud computing requires intricate expertise, it is easier for hackers and cyber criminals to target cloud computers and networks.

A strong cloud security plan is important as it not only helps in securing the cloud, but it also adds an additional security layer in the organization's IT infrastructure.

Device/Endpoint Security

Endpoint security is important not just for businesses, but also for individuals. Apart from laptops and desktops used for work, the majority of the employees have their email and internal communication tools setup on their mobile phones and/or tablets for quick access and addressing urgent matters. Complete device security, i.e., end-to-end device security helps in securing sensitive and confidential information from being accessed by unauthorized personnel - within or outside the organization.

Allied Digital has partnered with various leading OEMs to implement Device/ Endpoint security or cloud security.

Types of Cyber Threats

Cyber threats aren’t unknown. Ever since Y2K, computer viruses have evolved significantly. From the basic file corruption to the entire system’s access is the norm for the last decade. Additionally, computer viruses are no longer only for computers, these unethical programs can make their way through any channels - network, internet connected devices (IoT), mobile phones, cloud setups etc. to disrupt the system.

Here are a few common cyber viruses and how users can prevent their system from being hijacked:

Spyware

Spyware is one of the most common types of digital virus. The working of this cyber threat is literally as the name suggests - it spies.

Once entered a network or device, this digital virus can start accumulating information from the user’s system and report it to the hacker. This in-turn results in data leak, program access, and at times, even hardware control.

Action against Spyware

The appropriate action is to clean the system. Though existing data might be affected/lost, the new data shall be secure. The best method to clean the system is reset/reboot the entire device. For networks, the case is to find the affected system, and then take appropriate actions. Additionally, networks are highly sensitive and may require further diagnosis to understand the effects.

Malware

Malware is an abstract digital threat. There are no specific effects of malware. A successful malware attack on a device can disrupt any of the functions on a system. For instance, it can continuously crash a system, occupy dummy space on the disk, defunct hardware, or all of these. Troubleshooting for malware is usually the last step when any of the aforementioned issues are faced by a user. And, by the time malware is realized, it is often too late. The system is no longer functional. And, results in a new device, or a set up (in case of networks).

In simple terms, malware is to IT what cancer is to the human body. It slowly disrupts the ecosystem even before the host acknowledges its presence.

Action against Malware

Malware disrupts the device and/or network. So, detection is often a troublesome aspect and troubleshooting is delayed as the affected areas are standard interruptions. Therefore the tech team in an organization fixes them as a common error.

However, continuous tech disruptions on a device and unnatural behavior of the network(s) often suggests presence of malware within the system. Appropriate action is to restore the system, and if the attack is on a network - the first course of action is to disable the wifi, and prevent the spread.

Ransomware

As the name suggests, this virus withholds data and files in encryption until the ransom is paid to the hacker. This virus often attacks endpoints and servers that have vulnerable security. Hence, endpoint security is critical. Diagnosis of ransomware is very easy as the files shall be encrypted and the user/server manager won’t be able to access them unless the ransom is paid. Majorly hackers and cyber criminals demand the ransom in untraceable currency (cryptocurrency).

Action against Ransomware

In Particular, there is no method to remove ransomware from a system. The simple solution is to pay the ransom. However, this does not guarantee further safeguarding. The best possible solution is to erase the system in its entirety, and reinstall the OS.

Precaution against digital threats:

SOC (Security Operations Center)

The first step in precaution against network and device security is to develop a security operations center. Though every organization may not be able to build a SOC, there are organizations that provide security operations centers as a service.

Allied Digital is one of the global enterprises providing off-shore SOC services. The devices are monitored 24X7.

SOC enables detection and resolution of cyber threats in a timely manner without any damages.

Anti-virus

An antivirus is the most basic, yet effective mode of securing systems against cyber threats. These softwares are a part of the endpoint security management kit, and help in safeguarding devices as well as servers (cloud, hybrid, and on-premises).

Endpoint security

Endpoint security is crucial in today’s corporate environment. With data breach, leaks, and unethical mode of gaining information is increasing significantly. Hence, enterprises with several devices under its belt must resort to endpoint security.

Endpoint security not only secures devices, but it also helps in securing network endpoints. In true sense, endpoint security management is an end-to-end solution for safeguarding the company’s information.

Cloud security

In the “Always-On” digital world, hackers and hijacking bots are also, “Always-On”. Hence securing clouds and hybrid-clouds is critical for businesses. Not only is the information stored on clouds, but it is also a point from where information is exchanged, and connected to every device in the organization - remote or on-premises.

Regular cybersecurity audits and assessments

As discussed previously, cyber threats are increasing and evolving rapidly, it is a very healthy and safe practice to conduct regular cyber security audits and assessments to evaluate the current setup.

While being ready with tech and cybersecurity for current cyber threats, it is a mandate to stay one-step ahead. Hence, continuous upgrades in the cyber security solution is quintessential for enterprises.

Profound Code of Conduct

Despite every precaution, cyber threats harm the organization through the misses of its employees. Though unintentional, misses from end-users and/or device operators often lead to data breach and systems hijacking. To prevent these, a profound code of conduct within an enterprise is important.

The enterprise, with the help of a cybersecurity expert like Allied Digital must create a code of conduct that is thoroughly obeyed throughout the organization. This helps in an added layer of consciousness to the end-users for protection against cyber attacks

About Allied Digital: We are a BSE/NSE-listed Global leader in Information Technology consulting and services, since 1984. HQ in Mumbai, India, we are a Global managed service provider and Master Systems Integrator, offering infrastructure solutions and services to clients in 70-plus countries. The service portfolio ranges from cloud enablement, cyber security, integrated solutions, infrastructure management, software services, and workplace services. The company has a global workforce of 3,000 plus professionals, local support functions, and governance frameworks, and offers its expertise and services to several Fortune 500 companies. Website- www.allieddigital.net ?