The Importance of Cybersecurity

With the increased use of digital technology in everyone's lives, cybersecurity has emerged as a major problem. As the news is full with headlines about cybercrime, cybersecurity has become all the more crucial for the government and businesses worldwide. 

What is Cybersecurity? 

Protecting networks, devices, and data against harm, loss, or unwanted access is the practice of cybersecurity. Just as physical security shields buildings and the people inside them from numerous physical threats, cybersecurity defends digital systems and their users from digital perils. 

The field of cybersecurity spans a wide range of disciplines, behaviors, dangers, and concepts. Securing people's digital lives and possessions, nevertheless, is the common theme that runs across all of these sections. Protecting things like digital currency, data, and access to particular machines is essential because they make lucrative targets for criminals.

Consider the variety of modern uses for data and digital technology. There are many different kinds of cybersecurity because it is such a broad area. Here are a few illustrations:

1. Network security: Guards against threats to computer networks, such as those at home or in businesses.

2. Application security: Ensuring that software and applications deter hackers and protect user data

3. Cloud security: Concentrates on the cloud, where individuals and organizations store data and use remote data centers to execute online applications.

4. Information security:   Focuses on protecting and maintaining the privacy of sensitive data.

5. Endpoint security: Protects gadgets like computers, smartphones, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices to prevent them from being used as a gateway to other gadgets or data on a network.

Why is Cybersecurity Deemed as Essential?

Because digital assets are valued and exposed, cybersecurity is essential. As so much of daily life now takes place online, including access to bank accounts, identities, and addresses, cybercrime can be extremely lucrative and result in enormous harm.

Due to the prevalence of cybercrime, cybersecurity is also crucial. 2019 saw 32% of firms report cyberattacks or other security lapses, and that doesn't include organizations that were breached covertly. Additionally, it has only gone up.

Not all targets are large organizations with plenty of valuable data. Security breaches can affect both small companies and uninvited guests as well. As anybody can become a victim, cybersecurity is crucial.

The Best Practices against Cybersecurity

Not only is cybercrime a big sector, it's also getting bigger. In 2021, these hazards cost the globe $6 trillion, and according to researchers, over the following five years, that amount will increase by 15% yearly.

Best practices for cybersecurity are even more crucial in light of these evolving threats; thus, cybersecurity procedures are adopted by the government, companies, workers and customers. Among the known and proven effective methods are using malware-detecting software, having secure, unique passwords which are changed regularly, activating two-factor authentication, encrypting where it’s possible, segmenting networks and employing penetration testing. 

Among all these methods, it’s probably Penetration Testing that is quite a new topic. Let’s discuss this a little more. 

Penetration Testing

Penetration testing, also called pen testing, is a security exercise wherein a cyber-security specialist looks for and tries to exploit weaknesses in a computer system. This simulated assault is meant to find any vulnerabilities in a system's defenses that an attacker may exploit.

This is comparable to a bank employing a thief to try to get into their building and open the vault. The bank will learn vital information on how to strengthen their security systems if the "burglar" is successful in breaking in and taking over the bank or the vault.

Among all these methods, it’s probably Penetration Testing that is quite a new topic. Let’s discuss this a little more. 

Who does Penetration Testing? 

It is ideal to have a penetration test carried out by someone who has little to no prior knowledge of how the system is protected since they may be able to reveal blind spots missed by the system's engineers. Due of this, outside contractors are typically hired to conduct the testing. Since they are employed to hack into a system with consent and to increase security, these contractors are sometimes referred to as "ethical hackers."

Many ethical hackers are seasoned programmers with doctorates and pen testing certifications. The most ethical hackers, however, are often self-taught. In truth, some hackers are ex-criminals who have changed their ways and now contribute to the fixing of security weaknesses. Depending on the target firm and the sort of pen test they intend to conduct, the optimal candidate for a pen test might vary substantially.

The Kinds of Penetration Tests:

1. Open-box pen test - In an open-box test, the hacker will be given some knowledge of the target company's security details in advance.

2. Closed-box pen test - Sometimes referred to as "single-blind" tests, the hacker is only provided with the name of the intended target organization.

3. Covert pen test - Often referred to as a "double-blind" pen test, this occurs when nearly no one in the organization is aware that it is taking place, including the IT and security experts who will be retaliating to the assault. To prevent any issues with law enforcement, it is extremely crucial for the hacker to have the scope and other specifics of the test in writing before to conducting covert testing.

4. External pen test - Pits an ethical hacker against the organization's technology that is accessible to the public, such as its website and external network servers. The hacker could not even be permitted to enter the company's building in such circumstances. This might involve performing the attack from a faraway place or carrying out the test from a vehicle or van parked nearby.

5. Internal pen test – An ethical hacker conducts an internal test using the company's internal network. This type of test is helpful in figuring out how much harm a dissatisfied employee can do from within the firewall of the business.

The Benefits of Penetration Testing

The primary objective of penetration testing is to evaluate all of your technological resources, protections, and controls by making an attempt to get past any put in place defenses. It can aid in asset protection by preventing their corruption, destruction, theft, or hijacking. Pen testing also aids in identifying hazards so that they may be remedied.

1. Exposes vulnerabilities.

One of the greatest methods to identify possible weaknesses in your system is through a penetration test. This may apply to a local service, a cloud database, or any other type of technology you utilize. Your system has to be able to reveal flaws in order to be as safe as it can be. 

You run the danger of intrusion if you haven't examined your system architecture for potential weak spots. Therefore, the first key advantage of a pen test is that it makes your system safer against hackers.

2. Acknowledges the strengths of your system.

A penetration test's capability to highlight areas of your system where it is robust is also advantageous. This might help you concentrate more time and energy on the components of your system that need improvement.

It also demonstrates strategies you have used that have been successful. Now that you are aware of their functionality, you can use them on more platforms in the future.

These tests are able to produce a thorough report because of their capacity to consider both the positive and the negative results. A penetration test allows you to examine what truly works as well as pinpoint problems.

3. Serves as the real deal simulation.

A penetration test is intended to mimic the steps that a real hacker may take to access your system. As a result, it becomes an exam that is quite realistic in its construction. Penetration tests provide this important advantage since it's a true way to gauge how secure your system actually is. The settings are the same as what a real hacker would use to try to break into your system.

4. Maintains data security.

One of the most crucial components of security for modern enterprises is data protection. You run the danger of future severe breaches if your company and consumer data are not protected. A skilled hacker shouldn't be able to access any of your data, according to a penetration test.

If it isn't secured, a pen test will reveal it to you. Based on the input from the test, you can then rapidly make any adjustments to your system. Thus, this contributes to ensuring that your data is as safe as it can be through a pen test.

6. Offers a Cyber Chain Map.

You can observe the possible path a hacker may take through your system since a penetration test mimics an actual hack. Typically, this is referred to as lateral movement. This is because a hacker must go further to locate the most protected data since they often breach a system.

When doing a penetration test, you may draw out a complete path through the security of your system. This can help to demonstrate which barriers are effective and which are not. It also implies that you have a complete map of the connections that are formed between the system's layers. This is a fantastic strategy to use for any future optimization.

What is Continuous Penetration Testing?

Continuous penetration testing, as the name indicates, is a series of routine evaluations carried out in response to changes in a network or in the threat landscape. They are finished using a combination of automated and manual methods.

A thorough penetration test is used to establish a baseline initially. The method of doing continuous pen testing should comprise asset identification, scope and expectation definition, the testing itself, remediation, retesting and validation, and monitoring emerging vulnerabilities. Then, this cycle is repeated. In addition to watching for changes, the system keeps an eye out for flaws that call for testing.

What do you get out of Continuous Penetration Testing?

1. Improves the visibility of your current security situation.

By regularly checking for vulnerabilities, you may have a better understanding of your security situation at any given time.

2. Serves as a vigilant for attacker TTPs.

Continuous penetration testing enables you to stay on top of new vulnerabilities and shorten exposure times in the face of the number and sophistication of tools that are always evolving.

3. Enables effective regulatory compliance. 

Organizations are under pressure to adhere to a vast array of information security-related compliance requirements and laws. Penetration testing is frequently necessary, either because it is explicitly stated in the standard or because it is inferred by the requirement to develop audit or assessment procedures to reduce cyber risk. Companies may accomplish this with the use of continuous pen testing, which offers more recent and precise proof at a particular moment in time.

4. Cut expenses.

Continuous penetration testing helps organizations manage security expenditures and associated budgets by enabling them to recognize and fix security risks continuously. Your IT operations will function more effectively and economically if you spend less time on unscheduled activities.

5. Combining the benefits.

Despite the numerous advantages, continuous pen testing shouldn't take the place of an organization's current annual or quarterly pen testing program. Combining both strategies yields the best results, with the two different test types enhancing one another. Continuous penetration testing improves your understanding of your security posture by lowering the number and severity of problems found by yearly pen tests.

How Can NetSentries Help?

NetSentries is a team of cybersecurity experts committed to provide services for comprehensive, safe, and reliable protection. They are working on a variety of projects centered on developing solutions for the protection of industrial control systems, the Internet of Things, and information security.

Through a wide range of protocols, products, and services, NetSentries offers smart cybersecurity solutions and services to safeguard governments, businesses, and individuals from attacks. They also do security assessment, remediation, resolution, product selection, turnkey implementation, and continuous operational management. 

Executing intrusion detection and testing, they provide remedies that deal with all facets of IT-GRCM (Governance, Risk Management and Compliance Management) as well as in-depth research and development on solutions for unified threat management and IoT security that are future-ready across all business areas.

For your Cybersecurity needs, you can definitely rely on NetSentries’ protection!  

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Sources:
https://venturebeat.com/security/what-is-cybersecurity-definition-importance-threats-and-best-practices/

https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/security/glossary/what-is-penetration-testing/

https://www.netdepot.com/blog/10-benefits-of-it-penetration-testing

https://www.redscan.com/news/how-your-organisation-can-benefit-from-continuous-penetration-testing/

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The Top Five Threats to Cybersecurity

There are several cybersecurity dangers, just as there are various kinds of cybersecurity. Here are some of the most prevalent and harmful ones that affect people and companies today.

1. Malware

Despite a gradual drop over the past few years, malware remains one of the most prevalent categories of cybersecurity risks. It stands for "malicious software," a wide category that includes applications and lines of code that harm or grant unauthorized access.

Malware includes viruses, trojan horses, spyware, and ransomware, among others. These might be as little as installing annoying pop-up windows on a computer or as risky as collecting private information and transmitting it to another location.

2. Phishing

Phishing exploits human weaknesses whereas malware depends on technical aspects to do harm. These assaults entail deceiving a victim into disclosing private information or clicking on anything that may infect their device with malware. They frequently serve as the launch pad for more significant attacks.

Phishing frequently takes the form of emails in which fraudsters pretend to be high-ranking individuals or to have exciting news to share. These messages frequently make use of people's worries or wants to persuade them to behave hastily and mindlessly. For instance, many claim that the users have won awards or have run into legal issues.

3. Insider Threats

The majority of cybersecurity threats originate from the outside of a company, but some of the most serious ones do as well. Insider threats occur when a system is threatened, whether intentionally or not, by someone with authorized access, such as an employee.

Numerous insider dangers are benign. This occurs when a legitimate person unknowingly puts a system at risk by falling for phishing or posting on the wrong account. Some people may intentionally do something, such as a dissatisfied ex-employee who infects their former employer's computers with malware to exact revenge.

4. “Man-in-the-Middle" Attacks

Cybercriminals can eavesdrop on communications by using man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, which include intercepting data as it moves between two places. They duplicate the data so it gets to its desired location rather than stealing it in the classic sense. As a result, it can appear as though nothing happened at all.

Malware, bogus websites, and even hacked Wi-Fi networks may all be used in MITM assaults. Despite not being as frequent as some, they are harmful since they are difficult to spot. Before they know it, a user may have entered personal information onto a website form that has been compromised.

5. Botnets

Another prevalent sort of cybersecurity danger is botnets. These are networks of several compromised computers that enable a single threat actor to attack utilizing numerous devices simultaneously. Attackers frequently use distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) techniques to bring down a system by flooding it with requests.

Attacks using botnets have significantly increased recently. Up from 35% just six months earlier, 51% of enterprises had discovered botnet activity on their networks as of June 2021. Massive damage can also be done by large-scale DDoS assaults, which might bring down vital services for a number of hours or even days.

Thus, we are sharing to you five effective cybersecurity procedures adopted by companies, workers, and customers worldwide. 

1. Use malware-detecting software.

Installing anti-malware software is among the most crucial cybersecurity best practices. There are several antivirus products and services available that can benefit customers of any financial standing. The best part is that these tools automate malware detection and prevention, so staying secure doesn't need you to be an expert.

This program can thwart a variety of attacks because malware is the origin of many cybersecurity concerns. They often update as well, which enables them to keep abreast of new assault strategies. There is no excuse to avoid using them, given how simple they are to use and how important they are.

2. Use secure, unique passwords.

Utilizing secure passwords is a further essential cybersecurity measure. Weak passwords are the main cause of hacking-related data breaches, and they are simple to fix. A password with 12 characters is 62 trillion times more difficult to crack than one with 6 characters.

Long passwords including digits, symbols, and different letter cases are recommended. Using the same password across several accounts is also not a good idea since it gives hackers access to additional accounts with only one password compromise. Additionally, modifying them every few months might reduce dangers.

3. Activate two-factor authentication.

An effective password isn't always sufficient. Because of this, activating MFA is another crucial cybersecurity best practice for both staff and regular users. Some experts claim that MFA is quick to set up, simple to use, and capable of thwarting almost all assaults.

The most frequent additional step added by MFA is often a one-time code texted to the user's phone. Advanced MFA alternatives include fingerprint scanners and face recognition software. Although they could not be utilized as much as they ought to, these capabilities are present on the majority of online providers.

4. Encrypt where feasible. 

The encryption of sensitive data is a further technological cybersecurity measure. By encrypting data and providing a key to authorized users, encryption renders information unreadable to anybody but the intended audience. Although it doesn't stop data breaches, it lessens their damage.

Data that a cybercriminal cannot read or interpret is useless to them and is thus a less desirable target. Additionally, it guarantees that any private information that spills will remain that way. Information is kept extra safe by using numerous encryption techniques, such as end-to-end and at-rest encryption.

5. Channel your networks.

Network segmentation is a crucial security best practice for enterprises. This entails using many networks to run devices and store data so that a compromise in one place won't provide access to everything else. Large IoT networks especially need to be careful with this stage.

Although this phase can also be used by individuals, it usually relates to organizations. It's a good idea to connect smart home gadgets to a different network than your home or office PCs. In this manner, a smart TV, which is simpler to hack into, won't end up being a gateway to more delicate data.

6. Employ Penetration Testing.