There’s a misconception that a comprehensive firewall protocol is the one barrier you need to protect your business network. While it is true that this tool is critical to effective network security, there are many avenues through which malware and bad actors can access and corrupt your network. It’s important to be sure you are addressing each of these vulnerable areas. Let’s delve into a deeper understanding of IT network security risks beyond just protecting the firewall.
Understanding Risks
Desktop Risks
Desktops are often overlooked as potential entry points for cyber attacks. Risks include malware infections through malicious downloads or phishing emails, unauthorized access due to weak passwords or lack of multi-factor authentication, and data breaches through insecure storage or transmission of sensitive information.
Managed Risk Managed
Managed risk refers to the proactive identification, assessment, and mitigation of potential threats to an organization’s systems and data. This involves implementing security policies, procedures, and technologies to minimize the impact of security incidents.
Vulnerability Detection and Response
Vulnerability detection involves identifying weaknesses in software, hardware, or network infrastructure that could be exploited by attackers. Response involves promptly addressing and mitigating these vulnerabilities to prevent exploitation and minimize the risk of a security breach.
Why Mitigating Risks Is Important
Protecting Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability
Risks can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of an organization’s data and systems. Confidential information may be exposed to unauthorized parties, data integrity may be compromised through unauthorized modifications, and systems may become unavailable due to attacks or failures.
Protecting Reputation and Trust
Security breaches can damage an organization’s reputation and erode the trust of customers, partners, and stakeholders. This can lead to financial losses, loss of business opportunities, and legal consequences.
Compliance and Legal Obligations
Many industries are subject to regulatory requirements regarding data security and privacy. Failing to adequately address cybersecurity risks can result in non-compliance fines, legal penalties, and damage to business relationships.
Detection and Response
Continuous Monitoring
Implementing continuous monitoring solutions allows organizations to detect and respond to security incidents in real-time. This includes monitoring network traffic, system logs, and user activities for signs of suspicious or malicious behavior.
Incident Response Plan
Having a well-defined incident response plan ensures that organizations can effectively respond to security incidents when they occur. This includes procedures for containing the incident, investigating the root cause, mitigating the impact, and restoring normal operations.
Cybersecurity Threat Intelligence
Leveraging threat intelligence sources provides organizations with valuable information about emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and attack techniques. This allows organizations to proactively update their security measures to defend against evolving threats.
Protecting against cyber and IT network security risks requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond just protecting the firewall. By understanding the various risks, implementing proactive security measures, and having robust detection and response capabilities in place, organizations can effectively mitigate the impact of security incidents and safeguard their data and systems.
With Burgess Technology Services’ cybersecurity bundle, scans are completed on a monthly schedule to capture any corporate credentials or other critical personally identifiable information (PII) that may have been exposed as part of a publicly disclosed data breach. Around-the-clock monitoring for vulnerabilities, system misconfigurations, and account takeover exposure across your endpoints, networks, and cloud environments provides BTS with the risk priorities in your environment. This data advises us on remediation actions to ensure that we benchmark against configuration best practices and continually harden your security posture.
Protect Your Business’ Network Security
Does all this information make your head spin? One of our experienced technician-account managers will be happy to explain how managed services and a comprehensive cybersecurity plan can work for your unique business network. Email ManagedService@BTSMaine.com or call 207-443-9554 for more information.
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