Cybersecurity Solutions: Best Practices & Implementation

In today’s digital landscape, the cost of a data breach can be staggering, with an average price tag of $4.3 million. The demand for robust cybersecurity solutions is increasing as clients and industries require businesses to uphold a certain level of security. This means that investing in cybersecurity is not a typical expense, but a business-savvy, financially wise strategy. In this article, we’ll explore what cybersecurity solutions are, what options exist, how to choose, implement, and optimize the right strategy for your business, and trends for 2023.

What Are Cybersecurity Solutions?

Cybersecurity solutions encompass a wide range of tools, technologies, and services designed to mitigate cyber threats and protect digital assets from unauthorized access, data breaches, and other malicious activities. Cybersecurity solutions play a critical role in maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information systems and safeguarding sensitive data, ensuring the smooth operations of your business in all industries and of all sizes. Common examples of such solutions are employee training programs, antivirus software, and firewalls.

Baseline Cybersecurity Solutions

To safeguard against cyber threats, it is not always necessary to invest in complicated and expensive solutions. Phishing and ransomware are significant risks for businesses of all sizes, in both the public and private sectors. Yet, effective remedies for these attacks can be achieved through training, data protection, and access control.

This section provides an overview of essential cybersecurity solutions suitable for any company with digital operations. These solutions are particularly valuable for businesses with limited cybersecurity budgets or those in their early stages of cybersecurity implementation.

Cybersecurity Training

One critical solution for mitigating cyber threats is cybersecurity training: educating employees or users about your company’s digital assets, vulnerabilities, and risks. The primary goal is to raise awareness of potential cyber threats and attacks and equip individuals with the ability to identify, respond to, and report incidents.

Training should be interesting, relevant, and actionable. Different teams may require specific training; a business might offer a general course on phishing attacks and a specific course for developers on secure coding.

Examples of solution providers in this domain include KnowBe4, SANS, and Proofpoint. Some of these programs offer free content, including products, tools, cheat sheets, and tutorials.

Free online cybersecurity free training is offered by KnowBe4 — KnowBe4 free tools

Training should not be a one-time event. Regular educational programs must be implemented to keep users and employees informed about evolving threats, hacker techniques, and new protection tools.

Data Protection

Data protection solutions aim to secure your company databases, safeguarding against critical data losses caused by hardware failures, human error, or software malfunctions resulting from cyberattacks.

One effective data protection solution is an encrypted cloud backup program, which regularly automatically copies your data to secure cloud locations. Backup encryption provides an additional layer of protection, rendering the data unreadable and unusable even if hackers gain unauthorized access to your backup. Solution providers in this space include NordLocker, Acronis, Idrive, and CrashPlan.

Access Control

Access control solutions ensure that only authorized users can access your systems. Strong passwords alone are no longer sufficient, as hackers use a range of methods such as phishing attacks, social engineering, automated password guessing, and malware to steal credentials. Access control solutions are particularly important for remote teams, where employees access systems via insecure networks, often on personal devices.

The most easily implementable and important access control solution for your business is multi-factor authentication (MFA), which prevents 30–50% of access-related cyberattacks. MFA requires users to provide multiple forms of identification. A common example of MFA is when users enter a password and a uniquely generated code is sent to their mobile device to log in.

MFA software can be purchased as a standalone app or API integrated into a company’s application. Examples of MFA solution providers include Google Authenticator, LastPass, and Okta.

Advanced Cybersecurity Solutions for Enhanced Protection

As the digital footprint of a business grows and partnerships with prominent brands are established, business assets become more valuable to hackers. At this stage, it is recommended to invest in advanced cybersecurity solutions, and to have those solutions in place before the business becomes overexposed to cyber threats. If feasible, hiring a cybersecurity professional or outsourcing cybersecurity will help to ensure effective management and implementation of current best practices.

Network Protection

Network protection solutions are essential in preventing unauthorized access to network resources and swiftly identifying and thwarting cyberattacks. As most company devices are connected to networks like Wi-Fi (WLAN,) local area network (LAN,) wide-area network (WAN,) or enterprise private network (EPN,) securing these networks is imperative as businesses scale and have a larger external attack surface.

Network cybersecurity solutions operate on two levels: preventing hackers from infiltrating the network and safeguarding individual resources within the network (including devices, software, and data) in the event that external controls are breached.

A firewall is an intermediary between the internet and router that acts as a first line of defense — How a firewall works

Prominent network cybersecurity solutions include:

Firewalls: Firewalls filter incoming and outgoing traffic based on preset commands, effectively blocking access to dangerous websites and scrutinizing the security of users’ requests.
Virtual private networks (VPNs): VPNs are secure, private connections that allow users to access the internet or a private network while encrypting their data and masking their IP address. VPNs let employees access a company’s network securely regardless of their location while maintaining confidentiality and integrity of data transmission.
Email cybersecurity solutions: Email security solutions are tools or measures implemented to protect email communications from threats such as spam, phishing, malware, and unauthorized access, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of email data. They can protect company data from phishing and malware attacks and data breaches, safeguard business emails from spoofing, and protect email content from unauthorized disclosure. While many email providers offer built-in security features, additional layers of protection may be required, for example if a business handles highly sensitive data via email or is part of an industry with enhanced email security compliance requirements, like healthcare.
Intrusion prevention systems (IPS): IPSs actively monitor network traffic, detect, and block potential threats. They prevent unauthorized access to, or attacks on, computer systems and networks in real time.
DDoS protection: DDoS protection solutions are defensive measures that monitor traffic to mitigate and prevent distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, safeguarding networks and online services by filtering and blocking malicious traffic.

Network cybersecurity solutions are an overarching category, and as such some of the solutions discussed in the remainder of this section also pertain to network security.

Endpoint Protection

In the landscape of remote work and device proliferation, ensuring robust endpoint protection has become paramount to safeguarding sensitive company data. From laptops and mobile phones to wearables, medical devices, scanners, and Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices, endpoints serve as potential gateways for cyber attacks, making effective security solutions indispensable.

Statistics from IBM reveal that a staggering 70% of data breaches stem from vulnerabilities in endpoint devices. With personal devices regularly utilized for work purposes and work devices occasionally used for personal activities, the risk landscape has expanded exponentially.
To combat these threats, organizations must deploy comprehensive endpoint cybersecurity solutions. Such solutions are designed to be installed directly on individual devices, systematically analyzing their files, processes, and systems to identify any signs of suspicious or malicious activity. Examples of widely used endpoint protection solutions include Crowdstrike, Sophos, Kaspersky, and SentinelOne.

Enterprise Endpoint Protection Solutions

While traditional antivirus software has long served as the primary defense mechanism, its effectiveness is limited to only a few devices. Enterprises require more robust cybersecurity solutions, such as an enterprise protection platform (EPP,) endpoint detection and response (EDR,) and extended detection and response (XDR.) Note: the least protective is EPP, and the most protective is XDR.

EPP acts as a proactive shield, preemptively preventing attacks on endpoints. However, given the sophistication of modern threats, relying solely on EPP may not suffice. EDR provides advanced threat detection and response capabilities, specifically designed to identify and neutralize threats that might have slipped past EPP defenses. Recognizing the need for comprehensive protection, cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions now integrate both EPP and EDR functionalities into a unified platform. This consolidation enables organizations to fortify their defenses, achieving a higher level of endpoint security.

The difference between EDR and XDR cybersecurity solutions — EDR vs. XDR

Nevertheless, effective endpoint protection extends beyond individual devices. Attacks can manifest across various domains, including databases, applications, networks, and cloud workloads. To address these broader threat landscapes, organizations are turning to extended detection and response (XDR) solutions. XDR entails a holistic approach, extending protection beyond endpoints and incorporating multi-dimensional threat response capabilities.

Audit Log Management

Audit logging cybersecurity solutions document activity within an organization’s software. These activities encompass a wide range of events, including database access and modifications, administrative actions, and login failures. With the power to decide which specific activities to track, companies can gain invaluable insights from audit logs, revealing precisely when an event occurred, the corresponding timestamp, and the user responsible.

The significance of audit logging extends far beyond mere documentation. These comprehensive logs serve as a valuable resource for security teams when investigating potential breaches. By analyzing the audit trail left behind, security professionals can unravel the sequence of events that led to a security incident. This forensic capability not only aids in understanding the nature and scope of the breach but also plays a pivotal role in implementing effective remediation measures.

Audit logging on DataDog shows activity in detail — An example from DataDog log management solution

Audit logging cybersecurity solutions can be implemented as standalone tools or may be found within broader security frameworks, such as security information and event management (SIEM) and identity and access management (IAM) solutions. Leading cloud service providers and database management systems often incorporate robust audit logging capabilities as an integral part of their offerings.

By leveraging comprehensive audit log management, organizations can strengthen their security posture, ensuring adherence to regulatory compliance standards and enabling proactive threat detection. Furthermore, the wealth of information stored within audit logs can be utilized for fine tuning security policies, identifying potential vulnerabilities, and improving overall system performance.

Vulnerability Management

Robust vulnerability management cybersecurity solutions play a crucial role in identifying, prioritizing, and remedying weaknesses in computer systems, networks, and software. Such vulnerabilities encompass a wide array of potential risks, including unpatched bugs, outdated systems or software, and misconfigurations of both software and hardware components.

While manual vulnerability management is hypothetically possible, it is time consuming and error prone, even for smaller organizations. To streamline and automate these critical operations, security teams rely on specialized vulnerability management software. These powerful cybersecurity solutions oversee the entire lifecycle of vulnerability management, encompassing identification, remediation, and comprehensive reporting.

Enterprise Vulnerability Management Solutions

In addition to comprehensive vulnerability management software, standalone solutions such as vulnerability scanners and patch management tools are also available. Vulnerability scanners focus on identifying and listing vulnerabilities, serving as a first step towards risk mitigation. They can function as an entry point to advanced cybersecurity for organizations with limited budgets, providing an initial assessment of vulnerabilities. However, interpreting and prioritizing the identified vulnerabilities typically requires the expertise of a dedicated security specialist who can guide the remediation efforts effectively.

Patch management solutions take a more proactive approach than vulnerability scanners by identifying, acquiring, testing, and installing necessary software patches on devices, ensuring that critical vulnerabilities are quickly addressed. Patch management cybersecurity solutions are predominantly utilized by IT teams, particularly in larger organizations with extensive software ecosystems to oversee. These solutions streamline the process of managing patches across a myriad of devices, ensuring that critical updates are promptly implemented to mitigate potential risks.

Notable examples of vulnerability management solutions include Tenable Nessus and Rapid7 InsightVM, both renowned for their robust feature sets and proven track records in the industry.

Penetration Testing

Penetration testing (or “pen testing”) is a crucial cybersecurity service that evaluates the security posture of systems by simulating cyberattacks. It offers a comprehensive approach for identifying vulnerabilities, surpassing the scope of traditional vulnerability assessments.

Before conducting a penetration test, a clear scope is defined, outlining the specific areas to be assessed. This can include software, hardware, networks, and even the human element through simulated attacks on employees. By subjecting systems to controlled cyberattacks, organizations gain valuable insights into their security defenses and can proactively address vulnerabilities before they are exploited by malicious actors. Penetration testing plays a pivotal role in uncovering weaknesses that may be overlooked by traditional security assessments, thereby enhancing overall resilience and minimizing potential risks.

Penetration testing services are offered by independent security professionals, specialized penetration testing companies, and managed security service providers (MSSPs). Prominent solution providers in the field of penetration testing include Bugcrowd, HackerOne, ImmuniWeb, and Gcore.

Specialized Solutions

When it comes to protecting specific technologies, specialized solutions are essential. There are three main types of specialized solutions, aimed respectively at applications, cloud, and IoT. Let’s look at each in turn.

Application Security

Application security solutions play a critical role in safeguarding the software that drives business operations. From design to production, these solutions provide an additional layer of protection, mitigating the impact of potential attacks.

There are various types of application security solutions available, each addressing specific aspects of application protection:

Web application firewalls (WAFs): WAFs act as gatekeepers, protecting all your web resources, including web applications and APIs, against unauthorized access to confidential data. By monitoring traffic in real time, WAFs can enforce preset rules to block malicious requests and thwart potential attacks. Gcore WAF is an example of such a solution. Our tool utilizes machine learning to monitor application traffic and promptly block access if malware is detected.
Static application security testing (SAST): SAST focuses on reviewing an application’s code to identify common coding errors, insecure coding practices, and known security weaknesses. By analyzing the codebase, SAST tools help developers proactively address vulnerabilities during the development lifecycle.
Dynamic application security testing (DAST): DAST takes a different approach by monitoring a running application and performing real-time penetration testing. By sending various unusual or malicious inputs to the application, DAST tools evaluate how it responds and detects potential vulnerabilities or bugs. Developers receive detailed reports highlighting identified vulnerabilities.

Veracode and Checkmarx offer both SAST and DAST functionality.

SAST vs. DAST scheme — The relationship between SAST and DAST

Runtime application self-protection (RASP): RASP solutions take application security a step further, residing inside the application environment itself. Embedded in the runtime environment, RASP can accurately distinguish between malicious and legitimate actions. Fortify is one well-known example of RASP.

Cloud Security

Cloud security solutions safeguard assets hosted in cloud environments. These solutions encompass both on-premises network security measures, such as firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion detection systems, as well as cloud-specific solutions.

Cloud workload protection platforms (CWPPs) monitor the usage of cloud resources by specific applications and detect any suspicious activities. Acting as intermediaries, cloud access security brokers (CASBs) provide an additional security layer between cloud users and providers. Cloud security posture management solutions (CSPM) focus on identifying and resolving cloud misconfigurations.

CWPP and CSPM have related, but largely distinct, areas of responsibility — How CWPP and CSPM relate to one another

While many cloud providers offer built-in security solutions or as extensions, some organizations require specific cybersecurity controls. Third-party cloud security solutions like Sophos Central, Check Point CloudGuard, and Proofpoint deliver comprehensive protection and ensure the integrity of cloud assets.

IoT Security

IoT security solutions safeguard the wide range of devices that connect to the internet and interact with one another. This includes a wide range of technologies, such as contactless payment systems, medical smart wearables, and smart sensors.

As the IoT landscape expands, so does the potential risk. According to a 2022 report by IBM, the average cost of a data breach increases by $152,465 in an IoT environment, highlighting the urgent need for robust security measures.

IoT security is closely related to endpoint security, and many of their respective security measures overlap. Nevertheless, there are specialized security solutions designed to manage, monitor, and defend IoT devices. Prominent examples of IoT security solutions include AWS IoT Device Defender, Forescout, and McAfee Embedded Control. These solutions offer comprehensive features to detect and mitigate threats specific to IoT devices, ensuring the integrity and privacy of data transmitted between interconnected devices.

How To Optimize Your Cybersecurity Solutions: A Practical Guide

To see the return on investment (ROI) of cybersecurity solutions, it is essential to understand how to select the tools that best align with your organization’s specific cybersecurity needs, budget, and operational capacity. Merely buying numerous tools does not guarantee optimal security, so it is important to build your cybersecurity setup with intention.

#1 Create an Asset Inventory

Compile a comprehensive list of all potential entry points that cybercriminals could exploit (including internal and external attack surfaces.) This inventory will help you identify which assets require protection and guide your selection process.

An asset inventory for cybersecurity lists potential entry points and detail on their vulnerabilities — An example of asset inventory from Risk3sixty

#2 Review Legal and Industry Requirements

Familiarize yourself with the legal and industry-specific cybersecurity regulations relevant to your business. Ensure that your cybersecurity measures align with these requirements. Make sure to consider individual roles and responsibilities within your organization. You may need to adjust your personnel or consider outsourcing to a cybersecurity professional.

#3 Conduct a Risk Assessment

Identify vulnerabilities and assess their potential impact and likelihood of occurrence. Prioritize them based on their significance to and potential impact on your organization’s security. Deloitte’s research reports that 56% of high performing companies conduct qualitative risk assessments to optimize ROI. Use relevant questions from the below list informed by governmental best practices to guide your risk assessment process.

Which assets are connected to your network?
What levels of protection do the assets need?
Who can access the assets?
Where are the assets stored?
How are the assets currently protected?
What threats do the assets face?
What internal processes (incident response plan) are in place when an incident occurs?

#4 Align with Business Goals

Your cybersecurity choices should align with your broader business objectives, growth plans, and strategic partnerships. Ensure that the solutions you select contribute to the overall success of your organization. Put in place cybersecurity infrastructure that takes into account forecasted growth.

#5 Regularly Update Cybersecurity Infrastructure

Recognize that your company’s processes are dynamic, and that changes in operations may require adjustments to your cybersecurity measures. Conduct annual reviews of your cybersecurity infrastructure, as 66% of companies with high cyber performance do.

Implementing Cybersecurity Solutions to Meet Compliance Requirements

In certain cases, implementing specific cybersecurity measures becomes necessary not only because you recognize their importance, but also due to legal requirements, insurance policies, or industry standards.

To ensure compliance and protect your business:

Understand applicable standards: Research and explore the cybersecurity standards followed by companies in your industry or niche. This will give you insights into the best practices and requirements relevant to your business.
Evaluate data: Assess the type and extent of data you handle. Understanding the sensitivity and criticality of the data will help you determine the level of security measures required to protect it adequately.
Weigh compliance benefits: Compare the benefits of compliance with potential consequences of non-compliance. While some requirements may be recommended but not obligatory, it is essential to consider the potential risks and liabilities associated with non-compliance.

Here are some examples of common regulations that require specific cybersecurity solutions:

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): If you handle personal health information, compliance with HIPAA is mandatory. This regulation necessitates the implementation of access control, audit logging, and data protection solutions to safeguard sensitive healthcare data.
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS): If you process payments directly, PCI DSS compliance is essential. Its cybersecurity requirements encompass various measures discussed earlier, including penetration testing, to ensure the security of payment card data.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): If you handle personal data of European citizens, you must comply with GDPR compliance. This regulation mandates access control, data protection, and network security measures to protect individuals’ privacy rights.
Insurance policy requirements: Review your insurance provisions to determine whether specific cybersecurity measures are necessary. For example, your policy may require the implementation of multi-factor authentication (MFA) for computers, web-based email accounts, and VPN remote logins.

Outsourcing Cybersecurity

In today’s dynamic threat landscape, many businesses, regardless of their size, choose to outsource part or all of their cybersecurity management to specialized third-party providers. This strategic decision offers numerous advantages, including cost-effectiveness, access to expertise, round-the-clock coverage, and cutting-edge technologies.

According to IBM, organizations that opt for managed security services can reduce the average cost of data breaches by $69,100, emphasizing the value of outsourcing. There are several common options for outsourcing cybersecurity:

Internet service providers (ISPs): Certain ISPs extend their offerings beyond internet connectivity and provide managed cybersecurity solutions. These solutions may include managed firewalls and endpoint protection, providing an added layer of security alongside their core services.
IT/cybersecurity consultants: Engaging the expertise of IT or cybersecurity consultants can be beneficial when determining the cybersecurity solutions that best align with your organization’s needs. They assist in identifying critical security measures, prioritizing them, and ensuring proper implementation within your infrastructure.
Managed security service providers (MSSPs): MSSPs specialize in delivering comprehensive outsourced monitoring and management of cybersecurity solutions. These providers often have their own suite of security tools and offer assistance in leveraging their solutions effectively. Renowned MSSPs include Rapid7, Cisco, Sophos, and McAfee.
Specialized managed security solutions: These services provide you with a tool and help you to manage it. For example, Gcore offers managed network and application cybersecurity solutions.

By outsourcing cybersecurity to external providers, businesses can tap into a wealth of knowledge and experience, ensuring robust protection against evolving threats while reducing the burden on in-house employees. The expertise, resources, and advanced technologies offered by these providers enable organizations to strengthen their security posture, while also benefiting from cost savings and round-the-clock vigilance.

Conclusion

The rise of cyber threats and hacking tool availability makes it essential for businesses to prioritize cybersecurity measures. Unprepared organizations are prime targets, necessitating baseline cybersecurity tools to protect critical digital assets. However, a strategic approach to cybersecurity investments is crucial, as adopting expensive or trendy solutions doesn’t guarantee protection. To ensure ROI and effective cybersecurity, businesses should conduct risk assessments, consider compliance requirements, and align security measures with business plans and objectives. By making informed decisions and implementing the right cybersecurity toolkit, businesses can boost resilience against evolving threats, safeguard digital assets, and operate securely in the digital age.

To assist you in navigating the complex landscape of cybersecurity solutions, we invite you to explore Gcore’s security tools—like DDoS Protection—or consult our experts. Our resources provide valuable insights and guidance on selecting the most suitable cybersecurity solutions for your organization.

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Cybersecurity Solutions: Best Practices and Implementation

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What Are Cybersecurity Solutions?