Defensive Cyber Security Strategies Every Business Needs

Cyber security threats are a constant concern for businesses of all sizes. Data breaches, malware attacks, and phishing scams can disrupt operations, damage reputations, and result in significant financial losses. Effective defensive cyber security strategies involve the use of technology, processes, and protocols to protect an organisation's computer networks, devices, and sensitive data from malicious attacks.  

However, defensive cyber security is not just about technology, tools and systems. The human element is equally, if not more, important. Understanding the psychological and emotional triggers hackers use to gain unauthorised access to information is crucial in preventing attacks before they even happen.  

In this article, we’ll discuss some essential defensive cyber security strategies that every business should consider and actively implement to strengthen its cyber security. These strategies can significantly reduce the risk of a cyber-attack, protecting your business’s data, operations, and reputation. 

What is Defensive Cyber Security? 

Defensive cyber security is an essential part of any modern security strategy. As threats to organisations become increasingly sophisticated, it is crucial to have effective defensive measures in place to protect sensitive data and critical systems. Defensive cyber security is an approach to security that focuses on preventing, detecting, and responding to cyber threats and ensuring your organisation’s assets remain secure. The key lies in being able to answer these five questions: 

• What are my critical data and systems? 
• Where are they located? 
• Who can access them? 
• Where are my keys and passwords stored? 
• Is my cyber defence future-proof? 

Effective cyber defence is an ongoing process. It's about anticipating, preparing for, and mitigating potential attacks before they happen. This means constantly evolving your defences to stay ahead of the curve. Let's dive into some essential strategies that every business should implement. 

Comprehensive Risk Assessments 

The first step in any cyber security strategy is a thorough risk assessment. This foundational step involves identifying vulnerabilities within your systems by recognising what data, systems, and hardware need protection. This includes customer data, financial records, intellectual property, and critical infrastructure. Assessing potential threats, such as malware, phishing attacks, ransomware, and insider threats, is crucial. Additionally, evaluating weaknesses in your current security posture, like outdated software, weak passwords, and unpatched systems, helps prioritise security measures and allocate resources effectively. Regular risk assessments also provide a baseline to measure the effectiveness of implemented security controls. 

Strong Password and Multi-Factor Authentication Policies 

Strong password policies are essential to prevent unauthorised access to your organisation. Weak passwords are a common entry point for attackers, so to address this, you should enforce password complexity with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters, as well as a password length that is a minimum of 14-16 characters. Discourage common words and phrases, and instead of changing passwords every 60-90 days, it is better to use strong, unique passwords (to prevent password reuse) for each system and enforce Multi-Factor Authentication. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security to this by requiring multiple forms of verification, such as a password and a one-time code sent to a mobile device. You can also consider using password managers to assist employees in generating and storing complex passwords securely. 

Employee Training and Awareness 

Employees are the first line of defence against cyber-attacks in your organisation. Unfortunately, they are also often the weakest link in your defensive chain. Regular training and awareness programmes educate employees on cyber security risks and topics, like recognising phishing attempts through phishing simulations and providing feedback and additional training based on their performance. Ensuring all employees are familiar with the company's security policies and procedures, including acceptable use policies and incident reporting protocols, is essential. By encouraging prompt reporting of suspicious activities or potential security incidents, you can cultivate a culture of security awareness where employees feel responsible for protecting the organisation's assets. Regularly updating training materials to address new threats and incorporating lessons learned from past incidents is also critical. 

Incident Response Planning  

Even with the best security measures in place, a successful cyber-attack on your organisation can still happen. It is essential to assemble a team responsible for handling security incidents, including members from the IT, security, legal, and communications departments. This team will be responsible for developing clear procedures for identifying, containing, eradicating, and recovering from incidents, including steps for incident detection, analysis, and documentation. A communication plan to inform stakeholders, including customers and regulatory bodies, if necessary, ensures timely and accurate communication to minimise damage to the organisation's reputation. Regularly reviewing and updating the incident response plan to address new threats and changes in the organisation's environment is also important. 

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)    

EDR tools are critical for monitoring, detecting, and responding to threats on endpoints like desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. EDR solutions provide real-time visibility into endpoint activities, enabling quick detection and response to suspicious activities. They help identify advanced threats, contain incidents, and facilitate forensic investigations. By integrating EDR tools with other security measures, your organisation can enhance its overall security posture and reduce the time it takes to detect and respond to threats. 

Regular Software Updates and Patch Management

Outdated software and unpatched systems are prime targets for cyber criminals. It is vital to ensure all software, including operating systems and applications, is regularly updated. Enabling automatic updates wherever possible ensures the timely application of security patches. Establishing a process for applying patches promptly, especially for critical vulnerabilities, and using a centralised system to manage and deploy patches across the organisation is essential. It’s also important to regularly review software vendors' security advisories and stay informed about new vulnerabilities and updates. 

Regular Backups and Updates 

Regular backups are essential for recovery in case of data loss or ransomware attacks. Scheduling automated backups to ensure consistency, including all critical data and systems in the backup plan, is vital. Storing backups offsite or in the cloud to protect against physical damage or theft and ensuring backup data is encrypted and immutable is necessary. Encryption ensures the confidentiality of the data, whereas immutability ensures the integrity of the data, which ensures that data cannot be altered or deleted. You should periodically test backup restorations to ensure data can be recovered and verify that backups are complete and not corrupted. This, along with establishing a clear backup retention policy to manage storage costs and compliance requirements, is essential. 

Cyber security threats are a constant battleground for businesses, but by taking action and having these strategies in place, you are taking a proactive stance in protecting your business and its assets. Remember, cyber security is an ongoing process. You can protect your organisation, reputation, and valuable data by staying vigilant and adapting your strategies as threats evolve.  

In our next security article, we’ll look at the different offensive cyber security strategies every organisation needs to improve its security. 

At Cyberlogic, we offer a comprehensive suite of cyber security solutions, including penetration testing, vulnerability management, remediation solutions, and SOC services. To find out more, visit the Security Solutions page on our website or email us at hello@cyberlogic.co.za.