In the era of digital transformation, data becomes one of the most valuable resources for a company. Unfortunately, this also makes them a target for many threats. From viruses to hacking attacks, executives need to know how to protect their corporate assets.
Main threats
- Viruses and malware.These programs can corrupt or steal data, and use company systems to spread themselves.
- Company employees.Intentional or accidental damage to data (data leakage) can occur due to the carelessness or malicious intent of employees.
- Access by unauthorized persons.Hackers can penetrate IT infrastructure to steal or damage data.
- DoS attacks.With their help, attackers can block the operation of corporate resources, creating obstacles to the normal operation of the company.
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Threat Prevention Methods
- Regular software updates.One of the main entry points for malware is outdated versions of programs and operating systems. Manufacturers regularly release updates to fix vulnerabilities found in their products. You should automate the update process or install them manually as they become available.
- Restriction of access rights.Employees should only have access to information necessary to perform their duties. Use the principle of least privilege: provide the minimum necessary rights to perform tasks. This reduces the risk of data leakage or corruption.
- Multi-factor authentication.Multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires providing two or more pieces of evidence that the user is who they say they are. It could be something you have (a token or smart card), something you know (a password), and something that you are (a fingerprint or facial recognition).
- Employee training.Most incidents are related to human factors. Regular training and education sessions will help your staff avoid common mistakes, such as opening suspicious attachments or using weak passwords.
- Encryption of data.Encryption is the process of converting data into code to prevent unauthorized access. Encrypt data in transit (for example, via SSL/TLS) and when stored on disk, you can use BitLocker on Windows. This ensures data confidentiality and protects it from prying eyes.
- Backup.Create regular backups of all critical data. This will ensure that information can be recovered in the event of a data encryption attack (such as ransomware) or other incidents resulting in data loss.
- Protection against DoS/DDoS attacks.Intrusion prevention systems (IPS), load balancers, and other tools can help detect and prevent attacks aimed at making your service unavailable. You should also consider using cloud solutions to distribute traffic and absorb bad traffic.
- Protection of personal information.Compliance with personal data protection laws (FZ-152) not only reduces the risk of legal consequences, but also demonstrates to your clients and partners that you take privacy seriously. Use mechanisms such as pseudonymization and anonymization of data to minimize risks.
Conclusion
Security in modern IT requires an integrated approach. This is not only a matter of technology, but also of organizational measures and corporate culture. An investment in security is an investment in the future of your business.