How to improve cyber security
Why is cyber security so important and what are the best practices against cyber attacks?
Information security and overall security measures that companies undertake are sometimes not enough. Every day we hear about new data breaches, phishing attempts, or other scams, that lead to serious consequences. In order to ensure the success of any digital transformation project, it is necessary to consider cybersecurity on an enterprise level. Every digital transformation can introduce a number of IT security threats. That is why we have to focus on cyber security from the outset. Only then, organizations can protect themselves from these threats and reap the many benefits of digital transformation. In this article, we will focus on how to improve cyber security measures.
Identity and Access Management System as a quick win in cyber security
In order to implement a strong and coherent security system, organizations need a comprehensive strategy for cybersecurity. The such strategy assumes the development and implementation of efficient tools. It is crucial to establish such a security strategy, especially when companies that undergo cyber transformation are exposed to malware and cyber threats. Also, oftentimes, there is a lack of knowledge about how to properly develop such a strategy, as well as how to choose the correct IT tools. That is why it is important to know, that there are some very useful systems that could help you with such issues. The best solution to improve security is the deployment of an IAM (Identity and Access Management) system.
We will discuss what are the best solutions and decisions that should be undertaken in order to implement a strong cyber security system.
Implement strong access control measures
Access control is an essential element of security that can help to determine who is allowed to access certain data. Controlling who is able to access apps, and specific resources is a key point for properly introduced cyber security. You can think of the access control measures the same way as the keys to the building. While the keys or pre-approved quest cards can protect the physical areas, properly established access control measures will secure your digital spaces. It is important to know that, access control policies mostly rely on systems such as authentication and authorization. Such techniques allow organizations to verify if the users who try to access the restricted area are who they say they are. Strong passwords, correctly implemented sets of permissions, and verification measures are very important as well! Advisory systems support users in this topic. Professional Keycloak consulting should therefore address various topics related to cybersecurity, such as security architecture, authentication and authorization flows. As mentioned above, a correctly implemented IAM system can help you to achieve this goal. With an IAM system, you can set up strong authentication methods such as two-factor authentication or biometrics to ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive data and systems.
Encrypt all sensitive data
Data encryption is a very important step that translates data into another form, or code. Thanks to this, only people with admission to a certain key (called a decryption key) or password can read it. Currently, encryption is one of the most popular and effective data security methods used by organizations. If you want to improve your cybersecurity you definitely should focus on proper data encryption. This way you can secure yourself from malicious malware and secure your company from threats. The IAM system can help you encrypt all sensitive data, such as passwords, financial information, and personal health records. This will make it much more difficult for hackers to access this data both on desktop or mobile devices if they do manage to penetrate your systems.
Implement comprehensive cyber security awareness and training programs
Security awareness training is a formal program with the goal of training users on the potential threats to an organization’s information. During such training, users can learn how to avoid situations that might put the organization’s data at risk. The goals of the security awareness program are to lower the organization’s attack surface. Proper instructions on how to secure your desktop, how to use antivirus programs, and what are the cyber threats, are really important. Companies should empower users to take personal responsibility for protecting the organization’s information. Properly enforced policies and procedures will protect the organization and make sure your employees will be your allies.
Conduct ongoing security audits
An IT security audit is a comprehensive review of an organization’s security system. Such an audit should include performing an analysis of the key company infrastructure, processes, and configurations in the aspect of cyber security. if you plan to adjust your company’s security measures, be sure to conduct such audits regularly. If you want to verify whether the existing security system is properly implemented, you need to carry out security audits and draw appropriate conclusions from them. What is also very important, carrying out security audits will help you identify vulnerabilities and comply with the relevant compliance laws. With the IAM system, you can conduct ongoing security audits to identify all threats, especially when integrating the IAM system with SIEM (security information and event management).
Implement robust incident response plans
If you wish to adjust your security strategy, you definitely should prepare a response plan in the event of hazards or cyber-attacks. Such an incident response plan is a set of written instructions that will outline your organization’s reaction to data breaches, data leaks, and security incidents. With specific directions established for certain types of scenarios, you will be able to prepare your team and reduce recovery time. What is also important, similar damages can be avoided in the future! Incident response procedures focus on planning for security infringement and how organizations will recover from them. It is really important to know, that without a formal IR (incident response) plan in place, organizations may not detect attacks or may not know what to do to prevent them. The Identity Access Management System (IAM) can help you develop and implement robust incident response plans. Thanks to this system, audit events from the whole organization are generated in one place. Events generated by the IAM system can also be automatically analyzed by SIEM and a response plan can be executed.
Work with a trusted Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) to improve defenses
In order to properly prepare the organisation and reduce potential security risks, companies should implement the MSSP. The primary benefit of managed security services is the security expertise and additional staffing they provide. Usually, MSSPS can manage the security processes from an off-site location. Keycloak as a service does just that. It allows companies to conduct business as usual with minimal intrusion due to security initiatives.
Additionally, working with an MSSP can help you to achieve these goals:
- Scale up security and stay up-to-date with the latest security issues.
- MSPP will provide needed expertise where there is an internal IT skills gap.
- Understand the best solutions in the market and ensure that employees know more about cybercrime.
- MSPPs can apply their know-how of having tackled similar challenges in diverse client environments
- Professional MSSPs can adapt their security to better protect their other customers from phishing attacks, cyber criminals, or other unauthorized entities.
Stay up to date on the latest threats and vulnerabilities
It is very important to stay up to date with new cybersecurity tips and any cyberattacks that can cause threats to the organization. With Identity and Access Management system you can stay up to date on the latest threats and vulnerabilities. This way you can quickly adapt your cyber defenses as new threats emerge. Your company’s cyber security will be much more durable thanks to the IAM system. What is more, you have only one place (IAM component) to monitor for new patches or safeguards.
Invest in the latest cyber security technologies
Cyber security requires having the latest technologies possible. Any attacker will surely be able to breach obsolete defense systems. That is why it is so important to use the best security technologies. IAM systems can have built-in the latest security technologies, such as intrusion detection and prevention systems. Thanks to this, you gain access to the best software updates which improves your defenses.
Continuously monitor networks and systems
A network monitoring system generally serves to keep track of the entire IT infrastructure with all devices and systems. With such systems in place, administrators can monitor everything that uses a defined interface and delivers status information. Such solutions enable the IT department to keep an eye on the status of the chosen area in the IT infrastructure. A properly implemented IAM system can also continuously monitor your systems for signs of intrusion or other suspicious activity, thanks to built-in security controls.
Be prepared to respond quickly to incidents
Incident response (IR) is the solution to quickly identify a threat and minimize its effects. Proper incident response can contain damage, and reduce the risk of future incidents. If you want to keep your business safe, be sure to implement the incident response.
A comprehensive incident response plan includes the following tactics and processes:
- The reaction team should be ready and able to handle the threats;
- You should be able to detect and identify the type and severity of an incident once it has occurred;
- Your team should contain and limit the threat as much as possible;
- IT should be able to determine the damage impact and risks associated with its occurrence;
- The root cause should be found, and any security flaws should be defined;
- You should analyze and modify your cyber security system after the attack in order to prevent future ones.
What are the best ways to improve cybersecurity? Is it really that essential?
Every responsible company should care about its cyber security. Nowadays we hear about an increasing number of unknown attacks. The right tools may be able to save your company from many serious threats and will help to protect your customers and your brand. All the above-mentioned aspects can be achieved using correctly implemented IAM. Keycloak solutions (RedHat SSO) are tailor-made to improve your web application security and reduce any security flaws. Be sure to find out more about this solution.
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