5 Security Controls Your Organization Needs To Put In Place Today

Cybersecurity
May 12, 2023

Although we’re only in the spring of 2023, the statistics on cybersecurity, breaches, security controls and ransomware that have been emerging so far indicate signs of what’s to come for the rest of the year. Within a span of 4 months, companies like Twitter, PayPal, MailChimp, Sharp HealthCare, and even the US House of Representatives have had significant data breaches, with T-Mobile being breached twice.

The emergence of ChatGPT, 5G, IoT, artificial intelligence/machine learning, and quantum have significant implications for the challenges of keeping us safe. These tools contribute to the production, generation, and storage of data in large volumes. Simultaneously, connectivity on the internet has been greatly expanding, too. As a result, criminals and hackers have a larger attack surface, and when gaps and vulnerabilities are left unattended, they leave the organization with a larger scope of being exploited.

New Ways To Exploit Old Vulnerabilities

Attackers are constantly finding new ways to exploit organizations by weaponizing old vulnerabilities and security weaknesses. When existing attack tools are paired with the latest in AI and machine learning technologies, outsmarting enterprises becomes a walk in the park. This is why there is a dire need for data security tools to proactively monitor and guard against ever-evolving vulnerabilities. Here are the top security controls your organization needs to put in place while developing a security plan.

Security Controls To Implement

1. Firewalls

Just like fencing your property keeps trespassers away, firewalls are the first line of defense in protecting your organization’s network from cyber-attacks. Think of a firewall as a barrier between your computer and the outside world. It is a network security device meant to keep an eye on and filter incoming and outgoing network traffic.

This network security device monitors and filters incoming and outgoing network traffic, thereby helping to prevent unauthorized access to your network by blocking malicious traffic. Firewalls are designed to suit a variety of purposes and can be customized and applied to either hardware, software, or cloud.

2. Intrusion Detection Systems

Similar to a firewall, the main purpose of an intrusion detection system (IDS) is to monitor network traffic for suspicious activity and alert administrators when an intrusion is detected. IDS software can help detect attacks that bypass firewalls and can provide insight into the type of attack and its severity. An IDS can also be helpful in providing data for incident response and to aid in forensic investigations.

3. Antivirus Software

Antivirus software is a critical security program that protects your organization’s endpoints from malware and other malicious software. The main purpose of installing an antivirus is to scan for and remove malware and viruses like trojans and worms. Antivirus software should be installed on all endpoints, including laptops, desktops, and mobile devices, and should be updated regularly.

4. Access Control

Access control is the process of limiting access to resources in a network or system. It includes user authentication, authorization, and accounting. Access control ensures that only authorized users have access to resources and helps prevent unauthorized access. Access control can be implemented through passwords, two-factor authentication, or biometric authentication.

5. Data Backup and Recovery

Data backup and recovery is a critical security control that helps protect your organization’s data from loss or damage. Regular backups should be taken and stored in a secure location to ensure that data can be restored in case of a disaster. A disaster recovery plan should also be in place, which outlines the steps to take in case of a data breach or system failure. Know more about SecurityShield-DLP which transparently encrypts all your data.

While there are several controls your organization can implement, the ones listed above facilitate risk management plans by minimizing, avoiding, detecting, or responding to risks in networks, hardware, software, data, and other systems. As an organization, it is important to consider multiple layers of security controls that allow for greater workforce automation and better security posture.

You may also like to read our blog to know what common web app vulnerabilities act as gateways for hackers to take advantage of because a security solution is only as strong as its weakest link.

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