Six Simple Ways to Protect Your Business

The first one is the Operation Aurora that targeted high profile companies like Google, Yahoo, Dow Chemical, Northrop Grumman, Symantec, Rackspace, Juniper Networks and Adobe System

The first one is the Operation Aurora that targeted high profile companies like Google, Yahoo, Dow Chemical, Northrop Grumman, Symantec, Rackspace, Juniper Networks and Adobe System. Aside from Operation Aurora, another troublesome malware attack would be the Stuxnet. It targeted the control systems of many industries and was crafted to easily spread until it was able to find the target. Stuxnet alters the instruction of the system and is smart enough to take actions depending on the environment the malware encounters. Of all the malwares we have seen before, Stuxnet is on different levels.

Malware attacks shouldn’t have surprised us at all because we have known that malwares have greatly evolved in these past years; they have become more complex and more effective. Before most malware threats rely on a single or a couple of vulnerabilities in order to spread, but now it is totally different; malware can attack software by different methods, from instant messaging, file sharing, email, software vulnerabilities and many more. Even cyber experts know and have forewarned many industries that malwares have become sneakier in terms of their approach, but not all listened to those warnings, thus they fall prey to these malware attacks.

No one is safe against malware attacks, even those rich and highly secure companies and networks where ever they may be on the globe. Just like Stuxnet, it was able to target both physically and virtually any network connected to the internet. The malware can target specific manufacturing, transportation industries or any networks that are not connected to the internet. The attack begins when the person clicks a certain link or inserts an infected device. These industries believe that they are secure because they are not connected online, but this false security is the weakest of all defenses.

Indeed, networks and systems not connected to the internet are rare, but they can be found on important industries such as utility, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, financial and many more.  If attackers can reach these targets, then it would be easier for them to target networks and systems connected to the internet. However, there are six simple ways to protect your business from these threats.

Awareness is the first key in protecting the business. If a business has already been breached, computer forensics are definitely needed. The company has to be aware, particularly the ones who are involved in security processes as well as the employees working for your company. Users must know what the proper conducts are in using the internet to prevent any malware attacks. So a company that is more aware is a more secure company.

Capture the data regarding the details about security evens on the company’s network. This way the company knows the things that are happening within the network. But there are some companies who don’t know how to act regarding the data they have acquired which brings us to the next task – leveraging the data that was collected. With this, you can put or install processes or technologies that are necessary to cultivate the company’s security logs and to pinpoint the needed information so that the system would remain secure.

Having a threat model can help determine where valuable data resides and where it goes. This way, the company knows how an attacker works his way to obtain his goals and what type of attack would probably infiltrate the company’s systems. It is also possible to know what data they would want and to limit the data to those people who need it. A threat model, will simplify the ability to protect the network and save substantial amount of money. computer forensics training will also teach one how to make breaches as your tools to improve your system especially if one passes a computer forensic course.

Consider managing the vulnerability level of your systems by using tools that will scan the network. Scanning helps identify the system and each associated patch level and to make sure that your company has the latest patch. This should be done regularly depending on the company’s security requirements. Another one is enforcing policies regarding security. These policies should be taken seriously by the employees, to minimize cyber security threats. It is also possible to enforce security with the help of the security team and automation processes.

Indeed, security threats have grown these past few years; however, security defenses too have become more potent nowadays. The only thing industries and companies must do is to protect their systems and data and it is a mistake not to do so.

The International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) is a member-based organization that certifies individuals in cybersecurity and e-commerce. It is the owner and developer of 20 security certifications. EC-Council has trained over 90,000 security professionals and certified more than 40,000 members. These certifications are recognized worldwide and have received endorsements from various government agencies. They also offer trainings via a computer forensic course.

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