Modern business practices increasingly rely on computer systems, mobile devices, and digital online platforms. While these tools present vast opportunities for increased productivity, they also present significant security risks if not properly managed. Here we outline 8 essential cybersecurity services that can help maximize your company's productivity while protecting its security.
Managed Detection & Response (MDR)
These services continuously monitor your network to detect and respond to security threats in real-time. MDR combines advanced technology with expert human analysis to identify and mitigate threats before they cause significant damage. This service ensures that your network remains secure and operational, providing peace of mind and allowing your team to focus on core business activities.
Identity Protection & MultiFactor Authentication (MFA)
This critical security measure integrates with other protection practices by managing digital identities and user access to your company's data, systems, and applications. Identity and access management incorporates technological tools and general policy to reduce identity-related access risks.
A good access security program will not only offer effective protection but can also improve efficiency across your company's operations. It does this by ensuring that users have the right access privileges to do their jobs as they move into different roles or departments. This reduces the need for time-consuming access reviews while helping prevent any accidental slip-ups that might enable insider threats to company security.
Email Security
By utilizing advanced filtering and threat detection technologies, email security services safeguard your organization against phishing attacks, spam, and other email-based threats. These solutions ensure your communications are secure, preventing malicious emails from ever reaching your inbox. By proactively identifying and blocking threats, email security services protect sensitive information, maintain the integrity of your communications, and reduce the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks initiated through email.
Perimeter Security (NGFW)
Ensuring your network's security involves using hardware and software systems to protect your network, data, and company infrastructure from unauthorized access, misuse, or service disruptions. Regardless of how large or small, every business needs network security, as damage to a network can bring an entire company to a grinding halt.
Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) solutions provide robust perimeter security by inspecting incoming and outgoing traffic to detect and block threats. NGFWs offer deep packet inspection, intrusion prevention, and application awareness to safeguard your network against sophisticated cyber threats.
Cloud Security
This relates to the design and measures to protect digital assets and company data stored online via cloud computing platforms. These platforms are increasingly common in modern business operations, but they present additional security challenges. Common threats to cloud data include leakage, theft by malicious third parties, and accidental deletion.
To protect against these and other threats, comprehensive cloud security measures include firewalls, penetration testing, two-factor authorization, and installing virtual private networks across various IT systems. Some companies also limit or restrict the use of public internet connections.
Penetration Testing
This involves conducting simulated cyberattacks on your systems to uncover vulnerabilities and weaknesses that real attackers could exploit. A proactive approach allows you to identify and address security gaps before they can be leveraged by malicious actors, strengthening your overall security posture. Regularly performing penetration tests gives you valuable insights into your network's resilience, enabling you to implement targeted improvements and enhance your defenses against potential threats.
Data Security
Data security involves using effective storage methods to protect data from unauthorized access and corruption. This applies to stored or "at rest" data and data in transit, which is moving from one device or system to another.
A good cybersecurity services program incorporates tools such as data encryption, which translates data into a code that can only be accessed by authorized personnel given the decryption key. Other measures include hashing, which verifies that data has not been tampered with, and tokenization, which creates stand-in data "tokens" that can be safely stored without risking the sensitive information contained in the original data.
Security Awareness Training
Many cyberattacks are attributed to simple mistakes, such as weak user passwords. Many security tools are only as good as the people using them, so effective and ongoing education is critical to maintaining a solid cybersecurity program.
This means formal training for all company associates to help understand the importance of cybersecurity, from the specific threats and risks involved to knowing how to use security tools to best practices such as creating and protecting strong user passwords. It's also essential for company associates to identify and report any suspicious activity.
Ascend Can Help
These key services ensure a robust cybersecurity program, protecting your business from various threats. By integrating these solutions, your organization can operate securely and efficiently. If you need guidance through your cybersecurity journey, reach out to talk to an expert!
