Cybercrime is on the rise and could cost businesses around the world a staggering $5.2 trillion over the next five years. You just have to look at the $19 million stolen from film company Pathé to see how devastating it can be. As such, it’s imperative that your company is protected from online threats, and a multi-layered approach is widely seen as the most effective way of doing so. But what does this entail and why is it so important?
Why your business needs multi-layered cyber security
Sophisticated blended cyberattacks are affecting businesses with increasing regularity, rendering company data more vulnerable than ever. Combining different means to maximize the speed and severity of cyberattacks, they concurrently target end users, entry points, and even databases in order to steal data. For instance, cybercriminals may attempt to overwhelm an organization by attacking company software with known defects, and simultaneously employ phishing and malware tactics to secure users’ identities. The ramifications of successful data theft can be serious, ranging from stolen funds and lost customer trust, to a diminished reputation and hampered competitive ability if proprietary information is leaked.
Only IT security measures that counter threats across multiple fronts will provide sufficient protection. Merely deploying one or two security measures provides minimal security against these increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. No country would approach national security with just the police force, or just an army—governments combine different security organizations to protect citizens from complex threats, and the same logic applies to cyber security. A multi-layered security approach utilizes several layers of defense to protect different areas that might be targeted. Even if one layer is penetrated, a subsequent layer should still stop the attacker from accessing data. No defense is 100% foolproof, but this multifaceted approach will give companies the best possible protection.
Cyber security software to protect your company
Modern companies typically implement multiple layers of corporate cyber security software, and these are some of the most common types used:
Antivirus software
Antivirus software remains an important form of defense against infected files and software. As with all applications, viruses are made up of bits of code. This is carried from computer to computer, and is known as a virus signature. Antivirus software uses a database to check executable files for these signatures, blocking them if a match comes up. One of the best programs is Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, which offers a range of security features including multi-layered ransomware protection, a password manager, and a VPN.
Mobile security solutions
With mobile malware attacks on the rise and more people than ever using their mobile phones for work purposes, keeping these devices safe is crucial. Wandera’s Mobile Threat Defense employs a comprehensive three-pronged approach to deal with cyber threats by detecting, preventing, and containing any attacks. This helps block damage from both end-user error and other viruses, with human error playing a role in 90% of cyberattacks, through mistakes like losing devices or falling victim to social engineering.
Data encryption tools
Encryption tools encode data so that it can only be accessed with a key. Even if company data is stolen, encryption acts as a useful backup by making it difficult for third parties to gain access. There are many encryption programs to choose from, including VeraCrypt, a free tool that helps enterprises safeguard data including customer transactions, email addresses, and passwords.
Patch management software
A patch alters a computer program or its data to update, fix, or improve it. Patch management software fixes problems with programs noticed post-launch that could make them vulnerable to malware and other intrusions. Cloud Management Suite is one of the most popular patch management tools, catering to businesses of different sizes and across all industries.
Firewalls
A firewall acts as a first layer of defense by stopping unauthorized connections and viruses entering a private network or computer system. The Barracuda CloudGen Firewall is highly rated amongst businesses, and combines physical, virtual, and cloud-based appliances to protect networks through means such as web filtering, network access control, and antispam protection.