Technology is a beautiful, useful thing when used correctly. For most businesses, it’s the backbone of the operation. From supply chain management and human resources to customer contact points, almost every aspect of managing a modern business involves using a network. Regrettably, the spread of technology increases the inevitable threat of a stealthy, targeted attack on an organization’s network and infrastructure. Targeted attacks are typically custom-designed to blast through a company’s standard defense systems to monetize their intellectual property (IP), steal customer data, or encrypt it and hold it for ransom. Alongside intentional supply chain disruptions, spear-phishing and deploying a bot-net are common targeted attacks.
So, what can your organization do to guard against such dangerous, targeted threats? Aside from actions like keeping your systems up-to-date and following standard industry practices, you can reinforce your security with some type of advanced protection. Where other security systems may simply cut power or disable a few ports on a machine when malware is detected, advanced protection does so much more, in a much more useful way. Here are just a few of the valuable actions advanced security and threat protection can help:
Full network coverage and customization
Where specific security solutions only handle a few ports and three or so protocols, advanced solutions cover every port on your network and more than 100 protocols. The best options allow you to customize your network to your own needs (a process known as sandboxing), so you never have to worthy about targeted threats wrecking your operation or taking you by surprise.
Protection from ransomware attacks
The modern threat of ransomware can send shivers down the spine of even the most seasoned and savviest computer users. A form of malware that encrypts your data and demands payment of some kind to restore it, ransomware is a significant threat for any business. Using advanced threat protection can stop ransomware in its tracks. By responding in real-time and using power detection and analysis protocols, advanced protection can mean the difference between a successful business day and a nightmare of epic proportions.
Enhanced XDR integration
XDR is a typical security method for repelling targeted attacks. Short for Extended Detection and Response, XDR creates visibility for everything on your network. So how does it work with advanced protection? It lets you visualize an attack. XDR can show you who was affected by the attack and its origin point. XDR also helps monitor devices (yours and otherwise) that may access your network. Let’s say you have a contractor who didn’t secure their laptop but hooked it up to your network. Next thing you know, an attack hits your network with the contractor’s device as an origin. XDR can help assess and plan future action in the event something like this happens. Essentially, it’s a robust method of understanding how network attacks work so you can keep your systems protected and secure.
Full network protection
As data storage has moved from physical services to the cloud, the idea of 360-degree protection for networks is more frequently essential. The phrase “360-degree security” may sound complicated. But it merely means you’re establishing a full view over your network protection. Part of establishing complete protection includes establishing Network Access Control to oversee devices on the network and assessing risks related to data storage and transmission. Another critical role of 360-degree security is to help you continually monitor what’s happening on your network. By creating enhanced visibility, you reduce lingering threats. 360-degree security implementation helps analyze malware, oversee command-and-control communications, and monitors attacker activities that may otherwise go unseen with standard security systems. Taking this approach to data security, availability, and integrity helps all aspects of a small business, from personnel to clientele.
Useful analytics and threat-sharing data
Cybersecurity threats can manifest themselves in several ways. Determining their relevance and likelihood to affect your systems is crucial to preventing them. It’s also essential to decide on which assets were exposed and create an action plan. Advanced techniques use a unique threat intelligence protocol to extract metadata from network traffic. Doing so gives users real-time visibility into potential attacks and associated data. These procedures help reduce risk and threats while securing data and infrastructure. Once the system understands hazards better, it can react faster across all of a company’s security solutions. Knowing and understanding current threats helps you prepare for new ones, eventually leading to an overall more secure operation with a significantly reduced threat of targeted attacks.
