The landscape of network security and criminal behavior continues to evolve at an astonishing rate, and for the average company this is going to mean at least a handful of risks that must be addressed immediately. For those that have taken all of the traditional steps for protecting their network and their company's information, it may be surprising to hear that they still have vulnerable points in their system. Within most companies, the number one threat is not going to be a dedicated attack against a firewall or a backdoor hack into one's software, it is going to be the authorized users themselves.
Targeted Attacks on Users
While the current methods used by cyber criminals have advanced dramatically in recent years, so has the security software and programs. Companies of all sizes now have access to tools such as advanced encryption systems, and this means that malicious individuals needed to find a more efficient way to infiltrate a system and collect information. Many of these criminals have found that it is in fact authorized personnel and programs that pose the biggest security risk for a company, and this has left many IT specialists and businesses owners scrambling to come up with solutions.
With just a single unwitting mistake, employees, management, or even outside vendors can leave a company and its data vulnerable to attack. Hackers and other cyber criminals can employ countless methods ranging from malicious links embedded into emails to fake security updates that will infect a company's entire system. With just a single click of the mouse an employee can do irreparable damage to a company, especially as more and more industries are making the transition to cloud computing for their big data.
Protecting a Company From User-Based Attacks
While a good security program will include software such as secured connections, encrypted files, and continual updates and patches, there are also some steps that must be taken to protect a company from risks stemming from authorized users. Preventative software is an important component, but nearly 65 percent of all breaches go undetected for 6 months or longer. This means that most companies want to shore up their monitoring software and methods. Session monitoring tools and user behavior analysis is key to catching these problems as early on as possible in order to limit risks. A company that can detect and respond rapidly to a breach will often have much fewer losses when compared to companies that solely focus on preventative techniques. Companies must also have a strong BYOD policy in place as more employees use their personal devices for work.
Companies and their IT departments must focus on proactive techniques in order to meet future security risks head on. Relying on traditional preventative software alone can no longer be a company's only option when it comes to data breaches and other malicious network security attacks.