Another day, another data breach. In late January, T-Mobile was in the spotlight once again when the wireless carrier reported a breach that exposed the data of 37 million customers.
The good news is that organizations recognize the seriousness of today’s threats and the consequences of a breach. According to Enterprise Strategy Group, 65 percent of organizations plan to increase cybersecurity spending in 2023. Forty percent say that improving security is the top justification for IT investments.
The bad news is that organizations aren’t being strategic. ESG analysts say that organizations are focusing on smaller projects, tactical investments and improvements to existing tools and processes. With overall IT spending expected to slow, organizations are looking to get the most bang for their buck.
The “right” security investments will vary depending on an organization’s current security posture, vulnerabilities, regulatory requirements and operational priorities. That said, certain foundational security controls are essential in today’s threat climate. Here are five security tools every organization should have.
Advanced Endpoint Protection
The laptops, smartphones and tablets used to connect to the company network and transmit sensitive data have become prime targets for hackers. Organizations need an advanced endpoint protection tool that is capable of identifying different types of malware, and provides centralized monitoring and reporting through a web-based console. Best-in-class solutions can roll back to a previous version of an infected file, detect and prevent the lateral movement of a threat, and take a compromised device offline until the issue is addressed.
Multifactor Authentication
Multifactor authentication (MFA) overcomes the inherent weaknesses of traditional password-based authentication. MFA combines two or more methods of authentication. For example, the user might be required to enter something they know, such as a password, and use a form of biometric identification, such as a fingerprint. In this case, a hacker who steals user credentials still won’t be able to access a network. We recommend using MFA for VPNs, cloud-based file storage, switches and routers, firewalls, social media and more.
Next-Generation Firewall
Like traditional firewalls, next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) provide port and IP address monitoring, stateful packet inspection, packet routing and URL blocking, and can support VPNs. However, NGFWs can also apply context when distinguishing safe from unsafe traffic, using features such as application traffic control, intrusion prevention, deep-packet inspection, SSL inspection, antivirus, content filtering, sandboxing, threat intelligence and analytics.
Encryption
With today’s remote and hybrid work models, more and more company data is being stored on laptops, mobile devices and USB drives. If these devices are lost or stolen, unauthorized individuals could gain access to sensitive information. Data at rest should be encrypted to reduce the risk of accidental or intentional exposure. Best-in-class encryption solutions automatically enforce encryption policies and provide for centralized management of user recovery keys.
SIEM/Log Management
A security information and event management (SIEM) system aggregates security data from security tools, servers, end-user devices and other sources to detect deviations from normal activity. SIEM then logs the information, issues an alert and allows security teams to centrally view and analyze all security-related data and generate reports from a single interface. This approach not only reduces the risk and impact of a breach, but also improves the efficiency of security operations and management.
How Verteks Can Help
If you’re not sure where to focus your security dollars, Verteks can help. Our security specialists have years of experience and expertise in industry-leading tools. Let us help you assess the current state of your security infrastructure, prioritize areas of need based on potential risk, and identify the best possible solutions.
