Cybersecurity refers to the protection of computer systems and information technology from malicious actors. These actors can either gain unauthorized access to the system or steal information. If a system is compromised, it can result in financial loss, damage to reputation, or loss of data.
Endpoint security
Endpoint security is a vital component of your enterprise’s cybersecurity plan. Your organization may have millions of endpoints, which means your IT department must be able to protect them. A comprehensive solution will help you detect threats, including malware, fileless script attacks, and ransomware. And it will prevent your devices from getting infected.
With a centralized management console, you can control security for all of your connected devices. You can also use a single dashboard to identify patterns of unusual behavior. Machine learning will help you detect these patterns, preventing attack in real time.
Endpoint security includes a number of components, which vary based on the size and needs of your company. For instance, if you have a large, mobile workforce, you might need a more robust endpoint protection solution. However, if your employees work at a central location, you might not have to worry about this.
The most important part of an endpoint security solution is preventing malware infections. If your endpoints become infected, your business could suffer expensive downtime and non-compliance penalties. To minimize this risk, you should implement two-factor authentication.
Next-generation antivirus software can help block malware and other malicious content. But it cannot stop employees from stealing data from your systems.
One of the most common vulnerabilities in corporate networks is outdated software. It’s best to install updates as soon as they are released by developers. Another good approach is to automatically update your software.
Another way to protect your organization is to implement a mobile device management solution. This will allow you to secure your laptops, tablets, and other mobile devices. Most of these devices are connected to your network, so you need to make sure your employees have access to your corporate network when they are using them.
Whether you have a mobile workforce or not, you should ensure your employees are using strong passwords. They can also limit the installation of untrusted software. In addition to securing your organization’s information, you can keep employees productive.
An endpoint security solution can also prevent your company from becoming the victim of ransomware attacks. These types of attacks can shut down your entire system.
Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks
The frequency and sophistication of DDoS attacks has been steadily increasing. These attacks are being used to gain a competitive advantage or to extort money.
These attacks are often carried out using botnets, which are networks of compromised computers. They can also use mobile phones and unsecured IoT devices.
In order to avoid a DDoS attack, organizations need to plan their response. There are several options to mitigate the effects, including firewalls and intrusion prevention systems. Additionally, they can utilize specialized DDoS protection software to filter out malicious traffic.
In addition to disrupting business operations, DDoS attacks can lead to reputation damage and financial losses. A DDoS attack can last from a few hours to a few months. However, the majority of attacks are short-lived. This is because the attacker only needs to generate traffic for a portion of the time.
The most effective method of preventing DDoS attacks is by monitoring the traffic that enters your network. The information can be used to identify attackers and determine what kind of mitigation is required. It can also be used to assess the lingering effects of an attack.
Another important step is tracing the source of the attack. In many cases, an attacker will switch between multiple targets, making it harder to pinpoint its origin. When an attacker has continuous access to powerful network resources, he can sustain a prolonged campaign.
DoS attacks are generally launched through homebrewed scripts or tools. These attacks usually target online gaming, gambling, and cloud services. During a DDoS attack, the attacker uses a botnet to send phony internet traffic to the target.
The simplest DoS attack uses brute force. If the attacker can generate enough packets, he can overwhelm the target.
Another technique is to send multiple requests to the same target. This can overload the system and prevent legitimate users from accessing it.
Lastly, a DDoS attack may take place through a range of devices. These devices can include botnets, personal computers, and even public cloud services.
Although there are steps that can be taken to protect against these attacks, it is impossible to eliminate the risk. The key is to keep an eye out for the upcoming attacks and develop a plan to respond to them.
Advanced persistent threats (APTs)
Advanced persistent threats (APTs) are long-lasting, stealthy cyber attacks. They are primarily designed to evade current security measures and gain access to highly sensitive data. APTs often target critical infrastructure, such as government networks and large enterprises.
Typically, attackers use sophisticated techniques, such as social engineering and rogue Wi-Fi, to get into an organization. In addition, attackers use backdoors to bypass detection.
An APT may be launched by a skilled team of cybercriminals, a nation-state, or a private criminal. These organizations are usually backed by an entity.
These threat actors typically spend a lot of time researching the targeted organization to identify weaknesses. Then, they use a wide range of tools to attack the target. Some common attack vectors are malicious hyperlinks, spear phishing messages, and malicious attachments.
APTs are generally characterized as complex, multi-staged cyberattacks that involve several different attack patterns and stages. However, this does not mean that they are “hit and run” attacks. Instead, they are carefully planned and executed. Despite this, they remain undetected for years.
Several common goals for an APT include data exfiltration, theft, and espionage. Additionally, these attackers may sabotage critical infrastructure, such as the electricity grid.
These attackers are typically well-funded, which is why they have the resources to conduct their campaigns. This also means that their tools may change over time.
One of the most notable examples of an APT is the SolarWinds Sunburst attack that occurred in 2020. The attack affected all victims’ connected networks.
In a similar instance, an organized gang in Cuba exploited the ProxyLogon vulnerability in order to deliver additional malware. Their mission was to plant a backdoor into the exchange server.
These types of attackers are capable of causing substantial damage within a few weeks. They may take over critical assets or launch a Distributed Denial of Service attack to distract security teams.
While APTs are a serious threat, they are not common for most organizations. But they are a growing concern. Companies should build their security practices to deter them. Also, observability tools and consistent vulnerability management can help to detect and prevent them.
Social engineering
Social engineering in cybersecurity refers to the use of human factors to bypass security barriers. It is a technique that utilizes information gathering, persuasion and technology to gain access to vital resources. The goal of a social engineering attack is to obtain unauthorized access, data exfiltration and network intrusion.
Information gathered by attackers can help them discover their targets, formulate attack strategy and even provide them with resources. This information is a key factor in the success rate of an attack.
Social engineering in cybersecurity is a growing threat. It is estimated that more than 70% of US organizations experienced at least one social engineering attack in 2017. Using a wide range of techniques, attackers can gather vital information.
Information gathered includes personal and business related details such as identity, organization information, hardware and software, organizational structure, and job responsibilities. An attacker may also use language, behavior and emotion to influence their victims.
A common method of gathering information involves pretexting. In this approach, an attacker pretends to be an authority figure known to the victim. Usually, this is done using prior knowledge and research.
Another method of gathering information is through social media. An attacker can collect information through social media by impersonating a trusted colleague or by exploiting vulnerabilities in a company’s network.
Another approach is through the use of deep-fakes. These are a form of social engineering that uses artificial intelligence and deep learning. Deep-fakes are typically used in conjunction with other social engineering strategies. For example, a well-executed deep-fake can look like a video call or fraudulent advertising.
Despite the threat of social engineering, organizations still face difficulties in rebuffing attacks. Lack of awareness of the interrelation between human and cyber factors is a major barrier to identifying and rebuffing social engineering attacks in cyberspace.
To overcome this hurdle, researchers have proposed a new definition of social engineering in cybersecurity. Compared to previous definitions, this version eliminates logical inconsistencies and conceptual flaws. As a result, the concept of social engineering in cybersecurity becomes more precise and efficient.
Researchers have also examined the technical development of social engineering in cybersecurity. After completing an in-depth literature survey and conducting a technical analysis, an ontology was developed.