Thinking Like a Hacker

The current threat landscape is rapidly advancing, with bad actors constantly upgrading their toolset on one side and IT Departments and Managed IT Service Providers doing the same on the other side.

If you want to outsmart the bad guys, it’s time to start thinking like them, fending them off with various layered defense methods. This is what Defense in Depth (DiD) is all about.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines DiD as “The application of multiple countermeasures in a layered or stepwise manner to achieve security objectives. The methodology involves layering heterogeneous security technologies in the common attack vectors to ensure that attacks missed by one technology are caught by another.”

In simple terms, DiD is a cybersecurity approach in which multiple defensive methods are layered to protect a business.

Since no individual security measure can guarantee protection against every attack, combining several layers of security can be more effective – your IT Dept and your Managed Service Provider have a lot to do.

If you want to protect your business against cybercriminal masterminds, stay up to date with the ever-changing threat landscape.

9 Threats to Protect Your Business Against

While there are numerous threats that businesses like yours must be aware of, let’s look at some of the most common (and current) ones we’ve identified.

1. Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that threatens to disclose sensitive data or blocks access to files/systems by encrypting them until the victim pays a ransom. Failure to pay on time can lead to data leaks or permanent data loss.

2. Phishing/Business Email Compromise (BEC)

Phishing is a cybercrime that involves a hacker masquerading as a genuine person/organization primarily through emails and sometimes through other channels like SMS.

Malicious actors use phishing to deliver links or attachments that execute actions such as extraction of login credentials or installation of malware.

Business email compromise (BEC) is a scam that involves cybercriminals using compromised or impersonated email accounts to manipulate victims into transferring money or sharing sensitive information.

More on this on our article: Hacked or compromised? Here is what you can do!

3. Cloud Jacking

Also known as cloud hijacking, this entails exploitation of cloud vulnerabilities to steal an account holder’s information and gain server access.

With an increasing number of companies adopting cloud solutions since the pandemic began, IT leaders are worried about cloud jacking becoming a significant concern for years to come.

Experience shows that one of the best solutions yet is to have your IT department working in tandem with a competent Managed IT Service company.

4. Insider Threats

An insider threat originates from within a business. It may happen because of current or former employee(s), vendors, or other business partners who have access to sensitive business data.

Because it originates from inside and may or may not be premeditated, an insider threat is hard to detect.

5. Denial-of-Service/Distributed Denial-of-Service (DoS and DDoS)

These attacks are common and easy to carry out. When DoS or DDoS attacks happen, hackers flood the targeted system with multiple data requests, causing it to slow down or crash.

6. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Hacks

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are two trending topics within the IT world for their path-breaking applications.

AI and ML help hackers be more efficient in developing an in-depth understanding of how businesses guard against cyberattacks.

7. Internet of Things (IoT) Risks and Targeted Attacks

IoT adoption is skyrocketing, and experts estimate that the total number of installed IoT-connected devices worldwide will amount to 30.9 billion units by 2025.1

Note that data sharing with no human intervention and inadequate legislation and proper setups has made IoT a favorite target of cybercriminals.

 8. Web Application Attacks

Vulnerabilities within web applications permit hackers to gain direct access to databases to manipulate sensitive data.

Business databases are regular targets because they contain said data, including Personally Identifiable Information (PII), banking details, and other valuable information.

9. Deepfakes

A deepfake is a cyberthreat that uses artificial intelligence to manipulate or generate audio/video content that can deceive end users into believing something untrue.

Get Up and Running With DiD

To keep sophisticated cyberthreats at bay, you need a robust DiD strategy.

Your strategy should involve layering multiple defense methods like firewalls, intrusion prevention and detection systems, endpoint detection and response (EDR), network segmentation, and more to build a security fortress that’s hard to crack.

DiD is an undertaking that takes time and effort, so it’s best to collaborate with a Top-Notch Managed IT Service Provider like us who can implement and maintain your DiD strategy while you focus on your business.

We can also help your company create or enhance your data backups, improve your disaster recovery and Business Continuity plans, and safeguard you against cyberattacks, ransomware, or phishing – among many other benefits.

Get started. Call us today.

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Sources: (1) Statista, Kaseya