Cybercrime is now an industry that is worth billions of dollars. Hackers use advanced techniques and tools involving artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation to get around security controls and expedite the cyber attack lifecycle. In such a turbulent threat landscape, businesses can no longer afford to sit and wait around for an attack to hit them. Instead, the only way for businesses to remain secure is to strengthen their defenses by anticipating future cyber threats.
In this blog, we’ll look at how to create a proactive cybersecurity strategy that will help keep you one step ahead of cyberthreats.
What is proactive security?
Being proactive means anticipating future problems, needs, or changes and taking action appropriately. In the context of cybersecurity, proactive implies just the same. Proactive security is everything you do before an attack takes place. Companies usually don’t properly prepare themselves for potential cyber incidents until it’s too late. In contrast to responding to an attack after it has already occurred, these security measures focus on preventing attacks in the first place.
Proactive security entails all the processes and activities carried out regularly to prevent risks. Examples of proactive security measures can include identifying and patching vulnerabilities in the network infrastructure, preventing data and security breaches, and regularly evaluating the strength of your security posture.
Proactive vs reactive security
Most businesses will likely have in place security controls such as firewalls, antivirus software, and threat monitoring software. If and when an attack occurs, they will have a plan to systematically deal with its consequences. Each team member has a designated role to play during an attack and well-documented guidelines help them identify what went wrong and how to avoid such incidents in the future.
This is what a typical reactive approach to security looks like. The security team reacts or responds to the breach, and attempts to repair the damage the attacker has caused.
Reactive cybersecurity is the exact opposite of proactive security. It’s everything you do after an attack occurs. Sure, if your goal is only to prevent known threats, this approach might suffice. However, acting responsively can leave you vulnerable to a host of other threats such as zero-day vulnerabilities, advanced persistent threats (APTs), and many more complex cyber attack vectors that can damage your business.
Proactive security tactics
Threat Hunting
The goal of threat hunting is to identify unknown threats that may be lurking within an organization’s systems. Threat hunting utilizes threat indicators and threat intelligence as a starting point or hypothesis for a hunt. Threat hunting, as opposed to reactive methods, is a proactive approach to identifying previously unknown or existing, unpatched threats within an organization’s network. An effective threat hunt can also identify threats that have not yet been discovered in the wild.
Penetration Testing
Penetration testing is a great preventative security measure. This method involves hiring skilled and experienced hackers to intentionally try to breach your company’s defenses. This process identifies holes and security gaps in the network and helps to build a stronger overall security posture.
Proactive Network and Endpoint Monitoring
Proactive monitoring implies that your company is constantly looking for impending threats. This method enables IT teams to identify and resolve issues that could have a significant impact on their business, if left unchecked.
Cybersecurity Awareness Training
Recent statistics show that 95% of all data breaches are caused due to employee negligence. This implies that your employees can be your biggest strength or your biggest liability when it comes to the security of your business. For a truly proactive approach, create and implement effective cybersecurity training for your employees to ensure that your teams operate in line with the appropriate security standards.
Benefits of proactive security
Proactive security works. The proactive security is expected to grow to USD 45.67 million by 2026. Reports have shown that aggressive security policies and a proactive approach have helped companies navigate and prevent cyberattacks such as phishing attempts.
Common misconceptions about proactive security
There are several common misconceptions about proactive cybersecurity. Here are some of the most prevalent ones:
Proactive Security is too Expensive and Time-Consuming
While there may be some upfront costs associated with implementing proactive security measures, the cost of a cybersecurity breach can be much greater. In addition, proactive measures can actually save time in the long run by preventing security incidents and minimizing the time and resources required to respond to a breach.
Proactive Cybersecurity is Only for Large Companies
Many small and medium-sized companies make the mistake of believing that they’re too small to be targeted by cybercrime when in fact, they are just as vulnerable as larger organizations. Any organization can be a target for cybercriminals, regardless of its size or industry. Small businesses may even be seen as easier targets because they may have fewer security measures in place.
Proactive Security is Only Necessary for Highly Regulated Industries
Another common misconception is that proactive security is only necessary for highly regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, or government. While these industries do have specific regulations and compliance requirements around cybersecurity, all businesses are at risk of cyber threats and need to be proactive in protecting their data and systems.
Proactive Security is a One-Time Effort
Some people believe that once they have implemented security measures, they no longer need to worry about cybersecurity. However, cybersecurity is an ongoing process, and threats are constantly evolving. It is important to regularly review and update security measures to stay ahead of potential threats.
About Plow Networks
Plow Networks is a leading IT services provider, connecting businesses to technology since 2012. With deep expertise in network, cloud, and end user support services, we partner with clients to leverage technology in ways that simplify operations and fuel growth. Plow Networks is based in Brentwood, Tennessee.
