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10 Common Cyber Resilience Challenges and How to Overcome Them?

Noah Davidson — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 15:31:00 +0000

A breakdown of global cybercrime damage costs predicted that in 2024 it will be USD 9.5 trillion a year. This number is daunting and sums up to billions of dollars per month in cybercrime damage. With technological tools and advancements becoming handy, hackers are also upgrading themselves for it. This proves one thing implementing a cyber resilience policy is not enough, you will also need to incorporate strict measures against it.

Most organizations don’t leave their data security to negligence but don’t do enough to secure a fool-proof solution too. What they don’t understand is that businesses get impacted and they lose revenue, customer data, and operational resources. Cybersecurity concerns or breaches not only impact an enterprise’s goodwill but also leave them out of business.

So without any delay, let us see the cyber resilience challenges organizations face and their solutions.

10 Cyber Resilience Challenges and Their Measures

When organizations are aware of the possible threats and are always on the lookout for solutions, they never face any cyber security threats or breaches.

1. Two-Factor Authentication

Most data breaches happen due to weak passwords and they alone don’t offer adequate protection. Having strong passwords is mandatory to ensure data privacy and avoid credential-compromise cyber attacks.

For passwords, you can implement a preventative and commonly used strategy of having strong passwords. This can be added,

The passwords must include at least 8 characters
They should be alphanumeric
Avoid putting personal data like date of birth
It should be unique and not previously used
Lastly, the password should not sum up to a legitimate word

Additionally, it is also important to figure out other forms of authentication like multi-factor authentication via apps.

All users including senior members in the company can be asked to adhere to it. Multi-factor authentication should be enabled for every system account with substantial focus on accounts having sensitive data like finance, HR, and legal teams.

2. Remote Access Protocols

The concept of remote access has grown far and wide due to the pandemic. These remote access solutions allow full control of a remote computer or laptop including local network access and storage. Such massive access provides opportunities worth of gold to attackers.

So it is pivotal to keep remote desktop solutions inaccessible via the internet. What you can do to make them accessible is only via VPN or enable a virtual desktop solution. A few examples of virtual desktop solutions are VirtualBox, Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, Nutanix, V2 Cloud, AirWatch, and more. Remote desktop protocols should not be accessible without a two-factor authentication.

3. Corporate Networks

Corporate networks or virtual private networks have become a place of exploitation for attackers. They look for intrusion vector focus as a potential weakness or exploitable perimeter. A simple solution for the same is to keep vulnerability scanning tools, blending reactionary and active patch management at arm’s length.

Antivirus solutions fail to locate an adversary that connects to the VPN with stolen admin credentials and is issued greater privileges, operating as a normal user would. Consider constant reviews of VPN logs for any potential or suspicious activity. So users must log into the VPN with limited access privileges.

4. Encrypt All the Data and Create Backups

When organizations save their data in normal-text format, it is easy for hackers to access it. So you should make sure that all your sensitive data is encrypted. Data encryption controls the data access to parties who possess the encryption key. Another benefit is that even if someone gets unauthorized access, they won’t be able to read your sensitive data. A few data software also let you know when someone is altering or meddling with your data.

Cybersecurity breaches often result in data loss, so it is fundamental to have backups of important information from time to time. If you don’t create a backup and there happens to be any cyber security breach, it will lead to operational chaos and revenue loss in your organization. So make sure you have a secure and reliable backup option.

5. Endpoint Detection and Response

An EDR collects and monitors any threat-related information from workstations and any other endpoints like laptops, servers, and workstations, giving systemwide transparency for evidencing suspicious behavior.

Antivirus is a bit different from EDRs as antivirus depends on signature-based detection to find any malware. It is incorporated to look for any suspicious behavior like network scanning or lateral network movement. Attackers generally enter networks through unmonitored systems so EDR agents should be deployed as wide as possible in the environment.

6. Access and Track Your Vendors

There is a huge possibility that you are highly dependent on third-party vendors. So you will require vendor risk management to mitigate third-party risk instead of solely relying on incident response.

You should primarily focus on

Cybersecurity risk: thoroughly monitor your vendors right after you start a business with them. Create improved strategies before onboarding them.
Strategic risk: make sure your vendors or service providers will not interfere in meeting organizational objectives.
Operational risk: continuously check your vendors and make sure they won’t create any operational disruptions.
Legal and compliance risk: ensure that the vendor you are seeking will not impact your compliance with legal, regulatory, or local laws.

Always look for vendors who will secure your networks instead of creating risks for you as a cyber resilience move.

7. Employ a Killswitch in Place

Killswitch is a kind of cyber resilience, a reactive cybersecurity protection strategy where your information technology department closes all systems as soon as they identify any suspicious activity until it is resolved. Every organization should have a killswitch in place as a protection from large-scale attacks.

Conduct cybersecurity framework audits frequently and analyze all server logs to make sure everything is protected. Another thing you can do is get network forensic analysis tools that check information flow through your network.

8. Install Firewalls

Cyber attackers are becoming smarter with every passing day and they are coming up with new strategies to access your data. You can protect yourself from this by implementing firewalls. It is a network security device that analyzes and filters incoming and outgoing network traffic based on an enterprise’s previously established security policies.

This will help you protect against sudden attacks or any damages that cannot be reversed. It will also look for any suspicious activity that will hamper the data integrity. While choosing a firewall look for one that provides full security control and transparency of your networks and applications. Additionally, it should have complete protection and prevention capabilities along with security infrastructure.

9. Email Hygiene

It is one of the most important aspects of cyber resilience. Your employees should feel comfortable in notifying or communicating phishing emails. Inculcate a multi-layered defense by adding filters to inbound and outbound messages with attachment sandboxing and URL rewrites.

Along with email hygiene, pursue cyber hygiene practices to work smoothly in remote settings. Cloud-based email solutions can enable organizations to simply and cost-friendly implement core security controls such as MFA and reduce the chances of an attacker getting access to internal private networks through compromised on-premises servers.

10. Create Awareness in Your Employees

Phishing emails are hard to detect as they always seem genuine. Employee training on cyber security is essential as it assures them to raise a query and report suspicious activity. without proper knowledge or training, employees may entertain phishing emails and give access to hackers to sensitive data.

So organizations must hold training for employees at least once a year where you can educate them about primary forms of cybersecurity attacks and the solutions to prevent them. Also, communicate the importance of checking email addresses before replying and links before opening them.

Overcoming Cyber Resilience Challenges

Implementation of these solutions will definitely help you overcome any potential threat to cyber resilience. When organizations have a strong cyber resilience strategy, they have a secure environment, intact data, and no loss of revenue. With growing smartness of hackers to access data in different ways, organizations need fool-proof solutions to tackle the challenges.

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Microsoft is Said to Buy RiskIQ, Cybersecurity Company

Tech Research Online — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 12:30:13 +0000

Microsoft Corporation has agreed to acquire a security software maker, RiskIQ. As per reports, the software giant will announce this deal in the next few days. The deal will cost the tech giant more than $500 million in cash.

The new acquisition is a part of a long-term plan of the tech giant to try to expand its product portfolio and protect customers amid a rising tide of global cyberattacks.

RiskIQ, is a San Francisco-based firm, makes cloud software for detecting security threats. They aim to help their clients understand where are vulnerable on complex webs of corporate networks.

Founded in 2009, some of their major clients include BMW AG, Facebook, American Express, and the U.S. Postal Service.

According to Crunchbase, the company has raised $83 million from firms like Summit Partners and Battery Ventures.

Also Read: Microsoft acquires Nuance for $19.7B, Apple Launched New Home Appliances, and Zebra raises $150M

In the recent past, Microsoft has been seen adding security features to its products including Windows and Azure cloud services. They want to detect attacks on networks and protect individual machines.

Besides, they have added personnel to probe its products for vulnerabilities. This, in turn, will help their clients clean up after a cyberattack. After that, they can closely track nation-state hackers by running a lab called the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center.

The tech giant has also added several other companies to its portfolio to expand its security capabilities.

Last month, Microsoft acquired a maker of technology to secure Internet of Things devices, ReFirm Labs. The deal amount is still undisclosed.

In a blog post, the company announcing the deal by saying that it has 3,500 employees working on security at Microsoft. And, their combined mission is to protect their customers “from the chip to the cloud.”

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LeadingIT Launches New Strategies to Help Client Tackle New IT Challenges

Tech Research Online — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 12:16:45 +0000

Today, LeadingIT, a cybersecurity and IT support company, has relaunched its previous cybersecurity measures. Through this move, they are planning to help their clients curb the menace of cyberattacks.

The launch comes at a time when internet usage and online networking is sky rocking. This unprecedented level of usage is the result of the stay-at-home orders and other COVID-19 measures across the nation.

Today, with the threat of coronavirus still lingering, many corporate employees are confined to work from home. With time, the death toll and rate of infections has drastically decreased especially with the rollout of vaccines. But the many experts have predicted rife with cybersecurity for future.

LeadingIT is planning to help its old, new, and prospective clients develop measures to tackle all the potential cybersecurity threats in future. The company announced these plans as they celebrates a decade of providing fast and friendly IT support or their “10th Anniversary of Provided Excellent Always Available Support”.

LeadingIT has completed ten years now and they have already worked with corporates, businesses, religious organizations, nonprofits, and government entities to provide IT and cybersecurity services

Stephen Taylor, the CEO of LeadingIT, said “It is quite an achievement to be around for ten years now. Sincerely, the journey hasn’t been a walk in the park. We pass our sincere gratitude to our partners, staff, and friends for supporting us through the journey.”

“However, we won’t let the 10-year celebrations deter us from focusing on the continued cybersecurity threats. Cybercriminals thrive where there is chaos. Thus, the chaos of 2020, together with upcoming events such as the Tokyo Olympics, will provide an opportunity for attackers to prey on your servers, data, and teams.”

The University of Maryland reported that there are an average of 2,224 attempts to hack or breach every day. This means an average of one attempt every 39 seconds and this prediction will continue in the future.

Cyberattackers will keep trying to gain access to systems via more than 300 billion passwords and usernames globally. Both organizations and individuals will suffer these security breaches especially those who do not have Multi-Factor-Authorization.

As the remote workforce will continue to rise, cyber-attackers will continue to swarm RDPs and VPNs. A higher risk of attacks will be faced by home networks, computers, and servers and nearly 55% of enterprises will increase their IT support budgets, says Global Digital Trust Insights.

Also Read: Telefónica’s Ventures to Fund Cybersecurity Start-ups Spain, Germany, Brazil, and the U.K

In 2021, the top areas that businesses will spend on are identity management, messaging security, and network security.

Stephen Taylor said, “These threats our very real for all businesses but we’ve built a 7-layer cybersecurity ‘jacket’ to prevent data breaches, ransomware, and forced downtime.”

The company is currently focusing on ensuring best practices, two-factor authentication, advanced endpoint detection, cybersecurity education, and more to keep their clients safe in 2021 and the future.

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Comodo and BlueGrass Technologies Announces Partnership for Middle East Cybersecurity Marketplace

Tech Research Online — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 17:47:40 +0000

Comodo, leader of next-generation cybersecurity, has announced a partnership with BluGrass Technologies. The partnership between Comodo and BluGrass will bring Comodo’s cybersecurity solutions.

Some of these solutions include the Dragon platform with advanced endpoint protection (AEP), Managed Detection and Response (MDR), SOC-as-a-Platform (SOCaaP), Secure Internet Gateway (SIG), mobile device management (MDM), and Secure Email Gateway (SEG) to the Middle East marketplace.

Also Read: Skylum Launches New AI Photo Editor with Luminar AI

Tony Alam, CEO of BluGrass Technologies, said “We needed a comprehensive cybersecurity and endpoint management solution—one that would enable our customers to protect and manage their endpoints, internet connections, email, network, and infrastructure, and also monitor the complete security operations through a SOC, with integrated SIEM—all from a single vendor.”

He further said “We selected Comodo over other cybersecurity providers because it delivers a suite of protection that is both lightweight and scalable and provides a multi-layered defense. We can now offer customers one security solution for endpoints and infrastructure— both on-premises and in the cloud, with easy integrations, and at an affordable price.”

Comodo’s Dragon platform has a complete cloud-native framework. It can deliver zero-trust architecture to defend and protect endpoints. Their auto containment technology has active breach protection that neutralizes malware, ransomware, and cyber-attacks.

Auto–containment offers attack surface reduction (ASR) as it runs in a kernel API virtualized mode. It neutralizes ransomware attacks. Comodo’s Valkyrie has filed a verdict system that gives a trusted verdict for 100% on the network.

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Telefónica’s Ventures to Fund Cybersecurity Start-ups Spain, Germany, Brazil, and the U.K

Tech Research Online — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 13:33:17 +0000

Telefónica, the largest telephone operators and mobile network provider, has combined its cybersecurity and other investments into Telefónica Tech Ventures. The company says they are looking for new ideas to fund it with up to €6 million investment.

Telefónica Tech Ventures also includes ElevenPaths, Telefónica’s cybersecurity company, which is its corporate venture capital arm. The company is currently funding nine start-ups and has plans to fund up to 15 in the next few years.

Chema Alonso is the chief digital consumer officer at Telefónica and also the chairman of ElevenPaths. He said that “It will be an opportunity for them not only to have Telefónica as an investor but also to turn us into a customer or even a business partner, thus providing them with the chance to develop their projects around the world.”

Director of Telefónica Innovation Ventures, Guinea Gawendo said: “This new vehicle is not only a new opportunity for the start-ups to develop their business with Telefónica, but it’s also a chance for other investors seeking to rely on the expertise and leadership of ElevenPaths in cybersecurity and Telefónica Innovation Ventures in the field of venture capital and co-invest with us in a sector that’s attracting a high degree of investment interest.”

The company says, the purpose of Telefónica Tech Ventures is “to detect disruptive innovation in cybersecurity, particularly in the areas of threat intelligence, cloud security, data protection and artificial intelligence applied to cybersecurity.”

Telefónica says that the new arm “will be open to other investors that wish to co-invest … and rely on its far-reaching experience in the dynamic cybersecurity sector”. They believe that, in the coming years, the cybersecurity sector will attract more than US$8 billion in investment.

Over the next three years, they have planned to invest in 15 startups that are both early-stage and are more mature ones. The company says, “entering into series A, B and C and devoting the necessary resources to execute follow-ons in the best-performing start-ups”.

In the coming years, the company will focus on opportunities in Spain, Germany, Brazil, and the U.K. They will also work in other significant technological markets, for instance, the U.S.A and Israel.

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