Whether you’re vetting managed security providers or assessing your current cybersecurity strategy, understanding the basics of a layered approach is important to make the right decisions for your company. A complete cybersecurity checklist would be ever evolving as technology and cybercrime are rapidly changing, but below are some of the key factors to consider as you begin your research.
- Private Cloud Computing: The most secure and low maintenance type of cloud computing is a managed private cloud in which a third-party vendor cares for your entire IT infrastructure. This means that only one organization has access to the resources and computing power, allowing for greater control over the security software in use and access to your data.
- SSAE18 II Data Centers: Utilizing remote SSAE18 Type 2 data centers protects your data in the event of a natural disaster or fire. With no data onsite, you are able to go home and pick up right where you left off if anything were to happen to your office building.
- Server & Edge Firewalls: A firewall is a network security device that monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic and permits or blocks data packets based on a set of security rules. Its purpose is to establish a barrier between your internal network and incoming traffic from external sources (such as the internet) in order to block malicious traffic like viruses and hackers.
- Multifactor Authentication: MFA is a security mechanism used in network connectivity or mobile device activity that requires the user to authenticate access to a system through more than one single sign-on security and validation process. Most MFA systems are built to combine physical, logical, and biometric validation techniques for a more robust level of secure access control.
- Endpoint Protection: Targeted attacks and advanced persistent threats can’t be prevented through anti-virus solutions alone, making endpoint protection a necessary component of full-spectrum security solutions. Endpoint protection solutions provide centrally managed security solutions that protect endpoints such as servers, workstations, and mobile devices used to connect to networks.
- DNS Web & Content Filtering: DNS filtering is the practice of blocking access to certain sites that have been deemed a threat. Effective DNS filtering can stop up to 88% of malware before it even reaches the network.
- Spam Filters: Spam filters detect unsolicited, unwanted, and virus-infested email and stop it from getting into your inbox. It is estimated that 70% of all email sent globally is spam, so it’s important to filter as much as you can to protect your network from viruses, phishing attacks, compromised web links, and other malicious content.
- Secure Email Encryption: This involves encrypting, or disguising, the content of email messages in order to protect potentially sensitive information from being read by anyone other than intended recipients.
- Host-Based Intrusion Detection: An HIDS monitors your infrastructure, analyzes traffic, logs malicious behavior, and gives you deep visibility into what’s happening on your critical security systems. With it, you can detect and respond to malicious or anomalous activities that are discovered in your environment.
- 24/7 Security Operations Center: Because cybercriminals work around the clock, you can’t afford to allow your network infrastructure to be undefended when IT personnel goes home after a day of work. A 24/7 SOC delivers non-stop monitoring and reliable protection against security threats.
- Data Loss Prevention: DLP makes sure that users do not send sensitive or critical information outside your corporate network, using business rules to classify and protect confidential data.
- Security Awareness Training: Employees are often a company’s primary threat due to lack of security awareness. Education and tactics such as phishing simulations are necessary to equip members of your organization with the information they need to protect company assets from loss or harm.
This list may seem cumbersome, but remember it’s just a starting point. A full cybersecurity strategy should also consider any industry compliance requirements, in depth disaster recovery plans, and more. The CompleteCloud Platform includes each of these layers and our team of experts are constantly adjusting to stay in front of vectors and compliance demands.
Not sure if your IT infrastructure includes all of these security measures? Don’t hesitate to reach out; we’d be happy to help you assess.
