Strengthen your Cybersecurity with Defense in Depth
The current threat landscape is rapidly advancing, with cybercriminals constantly upgrading their toolset to break through security defenses. Cybercriminals are continually upgrading their tactics, making it essential for organizations to adopt a proactive approach to cybersecurity. To effectively fend off these malicious hackers, businesses must start thinking like them, employing a multi-layered defense strategy known as Defense in Depth (DiD).
What is Defense in Depth?
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines DiD as:
The application of multiple countermeasures in a layered or stepwise manner to achieve security objectives. The methodology involves layering heterogeneous security technologies in the common attack vectors to ensure that attacks missed by one technology are caught by another.
In simpler terms, DiD is a comprehensive cybersecurity approach that involves layering multiple defensive methods to secure a business. Recognizing that no single security measure can provide foolproof protection against all types of threats, DiD combines various security layers to enhance overall effectiveness.
If you want to protect your business against cybercriminal masterminds, you need to stay up to date with the ever-changing threats.
Understanding the Threat Landscape
While there are numerous threats that businesses like yours need to be aware of, let’s take a look at some of the most common.
1. Ransomware
Ransomware is a type of malware that threatens to disclose sensitive data or blocks access to files/systems, by encrypting it, until the victim pays a ransom. Failure to pay on time can lead to data leaks or permanent data loss.
2. Phishing or Business Email Compromise (BEC)
Phishing is a cybercrime that involves a hacker masquerading as a genuine person/organization primarily through emails or sometimes other channels like SMS. Malicious actors use phishing to deliver links or attachments that execute actions such as extraction of login credentials or installation of malware. Business email compromise (BEC) is a scam that involves cybercriminals using compromised or impersonated email accounts to manipulate victims into transferring money or sharing sensitive information.
3. Cloud Jacking
Cloud jacking, or cloud hijacking, entails exploitation of cloud vulnerabilities to steal an account holder’s information and gain server access. With an increasing number of companies adopting cloud solutions since the pandemic hit, IT leaders are worried about cloud jacking becoming a significant concern for years to come.
4. Insider Threats
An insider threat originates from within a business. It may happen because of current or former employee(s), vendors, or other business partners who have access to sensitive business data. Because it originates from inside and may or may not be premeditated, an insider threat is hard to detect.
5. Denial-of-Service/Distributed Denial-of-Service
These attacks are common and easy to carry out. When DoS or DDoS attacks happen, hackers flood the targeted system with multiple data requests, causing it to slow down or crash.
6. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML ) Hacks
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are two trending topics within the IT world for their path-breaking applications. However, AI and ML help hackers be more efficient in developing an in-depth understanding of how businesses guard against cyberattacks.
7. Internet of Things (IoT) Risks and Targeted Attacks
IoT adoption is skyrocketing, and experts estimate that the total number of installed IoT-connected devices worldwide will amount to 30.9 billion units by 2025.1 However, data sharing with no human intervention and inadequate legislation has made IoT a favorite target of cybercriminals.
8. Web Application Attacks
Vulnerabilities within web applications permit hackers to gain direct access to databases to manipulate sensitive data. Business databases are regular targets because they contain sensitive data, including Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and banking details.
9. Deepfakes
A deepfake is a cyberthreat that uses artificial intelligence to manipulate or generate audio/video content that can deceive end users into believing something untrue.
Get Up and Running with Defense in Depth
To keep sophisticated cyberthreats at bay, you need a robust DiD strategy. Your strategy should involve layering multiple defensive methods, like firewalls, intrusion prevention and detection systems, endpoint detection and response (EDR), network segmentation, etc., to build a security fortress that’s hard to crack.
DiD is an undertaking that takes time and effort, so it’s best to collaborate with a partner like Prime who can implement and maintain your DiD strategy while you focus on your business.
If you want to learn more about how DiD can help protect your business, download our free eBook 7 Elements of an Effective Defense in Depth (DiD) Security Strategy