Fire Up Your Cybersecurity, or How to Ruin a Hacker’s Day

In some Canadian towns, people leave their homes and car doors open. Why? Because this provides a person with an escape in case they come across a polar bear. While very kind and somewhat amusing, this approach doesn’t work for software. As even the tiniest crack in your defenses is an invitation for a disaster.?

Just in the first quarter of 2024, there’s been an almost 30% increase in cyber attacks. And cybercrime losses are to reach over $12 billion by 2027. So, we stand before a very interesting question:

If digital security measures continue to evolve, shouldn’t hacking go down instead of up?

Hacking Always Keeps Up With Security

There’re three goals for hackers: money, power, and fun. All incredible motivators. And to continue feeding their desires, cybercriminals can’t stand still.

Thus, the very first reason for the never-ending upgrades of digital crime is adaptation.?

Adaptation is the essence of success. It’s how any creature and business stays alive. And when blackhats see that their victims are improving their shields, do they just give up? No. They grow an even sharper pair of horns.?

Reason number two is the technology itself.?

Tech is everywhere – from quantum computers to mug warmers. This means that hackers have an incredibly ample network to choose from. This also means that they can use a seemingly unrelated object to reach your “vaults”. Like the person who hacked a fish tank to steal a casino’s data.?

And last but not least – underinvestment in security. This can be prompted by various causes:

• Limited budgets.
• Lack of awareness of the impact of proper digital protection.
• The belief that a business won’t be targeted.

It might sound surprising. But research shows that up to 25% of companies suffer from cyber attacks precisely due to the lack of funds allocated to security. And while most companies realize the value of strong defense, some have misplaced confidence that leads to lax protection measures. Most often, this happens in SMEs.?

Yet, blackhats won’t stop even before the high-tech sector. And the cherry on top is that, currently, there’s a shortage of skilled cybersecurity specialists.

?? Cyber events top global business risk for 2024: Allianz Risk Barometer

Don’t Sharpen Your Pitchforks, Sharpen Your People

The 4th Industrial Revolution proved two things:

• Technology is incredibly powerful.
• But so are people.

Every new tech that appears needs a supervisor. Someone to set it up. Someone to manage it. Someone to explain it to others. Even the beloved AI, rather, especially AI, requires many experts to make it work for you.?

And while humans undeniably reign supreme, there’s another side to the story. Specifically, the fact that human error is responsible for 95% of all breaches. But that’s actually another testament to the Homo Sapiens brain. As every day, hackers come up with new ways to trick you into giving them access.

The point is, when you want to establish a protective field around your product, you shouldn't rush to implement visionary security practices. It should always start with people. They are your first line of defense.?

You can apply never-seen-before security tech. But what’s the point if no one knows how to use or support it?

• July 2005 – TJX’s network got exposed by outdated software and weak passwords.?
• August 2017 – Strathmore Secondary College revealed over 300 student records after an employee accidentally published them.
• March 2020 – Sequoia Capital lost private investor data and control over some systems after an employee clicked on a malicious link.

This issue is long-lasting and can happen to anyone. And that’s exactly why you should address it first. Which means:

→ Carrying out cybersecurity training, workshops, and attack simulations.

→ Applying security policies and procedures.

→ Reducing reliance on manual processes.

→ And promoting a culture of security with transparent communication protocols, response plans, and reviews.

Find Out How Good You Are To Get Better

A very important point in cybersecurity is not applying its practices at random. Always begin with an evaluation. Some parts of your product may need reinforcement, some may be good as is, and some may have a human-sized hole with a welcome sign on them. Your primary task should be to find out which it is.?

Then, you’ll be able to precisely apply security measures. And that means better resource management, genuinely valuable defense mechanisms, and precise tasks for security specialists.

Development & Design Phase

• Are secure coding practices followed during development (e.g., input validation, proper data handling)?
• Are there code reviews to identify and address potential vulnerabilities?
• Was threat modeling conducted to identify potential security risks early in the development process?
• How is sensitive user data stored and transmitted (e.g., encryption at rest and in transit)?
• Is access to user data controlled by the principle of least privilege?
• Does your product use strong authentication mechanisms (e.g., multi-factor authentication)?
• Are user roles and permissions clearly defined and enforced?

Deployment & Ongoing Maintenance

• Is there a process for identifying, patching, and updating vulnerabilities in the software and its dependencies?
• Are regular penetration tests conducted to identify exploitable weaknesses in the product?
• Do you have a documented plan for responding to security incidents?
• Is the plan tested and practiced regularly?
• Are critical systems and applications monitored for suspicious activity?
• Are user activity and system events logged for security purposes?
• Are security practices of third-party libraries and integrations considered?
• Are dependencies kept up-to-date and vulnerabilities addressed promptly?

User Education & Awareness

• Do users receive training on cybersecurity best practices (e.g., password hygiene, phishing awareness)?
• Does your product enforce strong password policies for user accounts?

This list will help you determine whether your project follows basic security practices. So, if anything is missing – come back to that point and fix it before implementing more advanced measures.

Essential Security Means For Every Business

Safety doesn’t have a one-fit-all solution. Some people get a dog. Some buy weapons. Some build a bunker. There’re different levels of security. And there are different needs for every company. But whether you’re a fresh project or an established business, some protection techniques you just can’t afford to miss out on.

Network Security

→ Install and regularly update firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and antivirus software.

→ Segment your network to limit the spread of malware and unauthorized access.

→ Implement strong encryption protocols for data transmission and storage.

→ Regularly scan for vulnerabilities and apply security patches promptly.

Access Control

→ Enforce strong password policies, including regular password changes and the use of multi-factor authentication.

→ Limit user access to only the resources and information necessary for their roles (principle of least privilege).

→ Monitor user activity and revoke access for terminated employees or unauthorized users.

Data Protection

→ Regularly back up critical data and ensure backups are stored securely offline or in the cloud.

→ Encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit.

→ Implement data loss prevention measures to prevent unauthorized data exfiltration.

→ Develop and enforce data handling policies to govern data access, storage, and sharing.

Endpoint Security

→ Secure all endpoints (computers, mobile devices, IoT devices) with up-to-date security software.

→ Implement endpoint detection and response solutions.

→ Educate users on best practices for securing their devices and recognizing suspicious activity.

Incident Response Plan

→ Develop a comprehensive incident response plan outlining procedures for detecting, responding to, and recovering from security incidents.

→ Designate roles and responsibilities for incident response team members.

→ Conduct regular tabletop exercises to test the effectiveness of your incident response plan.

Vendor Security

→ Assess the security practices of third-party vendors and service providers before engaging with them.

→ Include security requirements in vendor contracts and agreements.

→ Monitor third-party access and regularly review their security posture.

Physical Security

→ Secure physical access to servers, networking equipment, and other critical infrastructure.

→ Implement security measures such as access controls, surveillance cameras, and alarms in data centers and server rooms.

Regulatory Compliance

→ Ensure compliance with relevant data protection regulations, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or CCPA.

→ Regularly audit and review your cybersecurity measures to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.

Continuous Monitoring & Improvement

→ Implement a continuous monitoring system to detect and respond to security threats in real-time.

→ Conduct regular security assessments, penetration tests, and audits to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses.

→ Stay informed about emerging cyber threats and adjust your cybersecurity strategy accordingly.

These essential security techniques won’t be extra, no matter your project. Some might seem excessive to you. But better safe than sorry. Because you never know when a hacker might come along and destroy your entire livelihood to show off to their blackhat mates.

?? 5 Essential Components for Building Secure B2B Software

Cybersecurity Hard Hitters

Now we come to the iron fists of cybersecurity – solutions that ought to make a hacker shed a tear. These options will work remarkably well for starting and mature projects. So, read on carefully and take your pick.

Cybersecurity Audit

In 2023, businesses that defined their security posture as mature went down from 21% to 13%. Does that mean that their defenses are evolving backward? Well, turns out it’s attributed to unrealistic assessments. In other words, companies overestimated their confidence in present security mechanisms.?

And in a way, this decrease is a good thing. It means we’re moving towards more comprehensive and objective investigations. And this gives businesses the opportunity to implement more effective, purposeful security measures.?

The impact of truthful assessments is also reinforced by a recent study. It found that organizations with higher Cybersecurity Audit Index scores (indicating a more effective audit process) experienced a lower probability of successful cyberattacks.?

So, meet the first head of the cybersecurity Cerberus – cybersecurity audit.?

A cybersecurity audit is a comprehensive evaluation of your IT infrastructure and security practices. Its primary objectives are:

→ Identifying vulnerabilities.

→ Assessing risks.

→ Ensuring compliance.

→ Improving your security posture.

Briefly, a cybersecurity audit means creating a detailed map of your digital environment, pinpointing both its strengths and weaknesses. This lets auditors evaluate your current risk response procedures and how well they would hold up against a cyberattack.

And don’t worry. Security specialists won’t leave you hanging after their investigation. Following the audit, they will help you develop new and improved risk management plans. Commonly, a cybersecurity audit delivers:

• A comprehensive report outlining the findings, identified vulnerabilities, risk assessments, and prioritized recommendations for improvement.
• A gap analysis highlighting areas where your current security posture falls short of best practices or compliance requirements.

But, of course, you can customize the deliverables based on your needs. Just be sure to clearly outline your expectations for the service provider.

Cybersecurity Consulting

36% of organizations surveyed by PwC stated they plan to advance cyber talent hiring. And it’s not surprising.

“The range of harm organizations have experienced due to a cyber breach or data privacy incident over the past 3 years include loss of customers (cited by 27%), loss of customer data (25%) and reputational or brand damage (23%).” - PwC

The number of cyber incidents is rising while the quantity of security specialists is going down. Naturally, companies look for external expertise to supplement their protection efforts.

So, Cerberus head number two is cybersecurity consulting.?

Unlike audits, this service is a long-term cooperation. Think of these two solutions this way:

→ Cybersecurity audit is like getting a yearly checkup at the doctor. It identifies existing issues and provides recommendations for improvement.

→ While cybersecurity consulting is your personal health advisor. They work with you to develop a lasting health plan, address specific concerns, and help you stay healthy overall.

In other words, the latter includes both: expert assessment and advice as well as the resources to realize them. So, after you and your security partner analyze your product defenses, together you get to work on advancing them. This can include:?

• Vulnerability assessments and penetration testing.
• Security policy and procedure development.
• Security awareness training.
• Incident response planning, etc.

And for each of the above, your security consulting provider will offer needed specialists and guiding resources.?

?? Protect your digital assets with this cybersecurity service

Ethical Hacking

Now this… This is what makes our cybersecurity Cerberus so dangerous to hackers. In fact, the mere presence of this practice can deter blackhats from targeting your business.?

Ethical hacking is the process of simulating cyberattacks with permission from the owner. It’s essentially like hiring a security expert to try to break into your system and find weaknesses before malicious actors do.

The biggest advantage of the service is that it uses the same tools and techniques that actual hackers might use. In other words, it fully replicates the actions and patterns of a cyber criminal. In turn, this means that you get a real-world, authentic assessment of your defenses.??

Thus, the goal of an ethical hacker is to breach your product to improve it (not exploit it). Here’re a few practices they might use:

• Penetration testing – they strive to gain access using various methods, mimicking real-world attacks.
• Social engineering assessments – ethical hackers test the security awareness of employees by simulating, say, phishing attempts.
• Red teaming – hackers try to break your defenses in real time to find out how they hold up.?

Recently, the SANS Institute surveyed ethical hackers around the world. And it found that:?

→ 40% can break into nearly all environments they test.

→ And 60% can enter into a corporate environment in less than 5 hours.?

This tells us that no matter how confident you are in your security, it can always be improved. And ethical hacking might be the best way to do it.

?? Ethical Hacking: Introduction to the Forces of Digital Peace

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and a few minutes of cyber-incident to ruin it.” – Stephane Nappo

Solid cybersecurity is much more than just protection. Because, let’s be honest, even the toughest shields can be broken. But even if this happens, you’ll know that you did everything in your power to protect your “fort” and “citizens”. Your team will know that you value your project enough to implement robust defenses. Your users will know that their trust was deserved.?

So, don’t be discouraged by the possibility of a successful cyber attack. Just do your best to prevent it. Gracefully recover from it. And learn something from it.

What are the essential cybersecurity practices your company follows?

Share with us below!