Steps Organizations Can Take to Improve Cyber Resilience
Organizations’ devices, data and digital security infrastructure are constantly under threat from bad actors. In 2023, more than 880,000 cybercrime complaints were recorded by the FBI, nearly 10% more than in 2022, resulting in losses exceeding $12.5 billion. With the number of threats and potential losses, only growing, building a sophisticated cybersecurity program is an absolute necessity for modern organizations.
To thrive in these conditions, cyber resilience is key. Cyber resilience refers to an organization’s ability to prevent, address and recover from cyberattacks. Today, these attacks can come from many sources and extend far beyond data breaches. Cyber resilience is all about how well an organization can withstand attacks and operate successfully, even while navigating cybersecurity incidents.
Cyber resilience starts with taking a proactive posture to cybersecurity. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA), a baseline, proactive cybersecurity program should consist of strong password management, multi-factor authentication for critical systems, regular software updates and phishing recognition and reporting.
While these steps establish a foundational level of security, organizations can mitigate substantial cybersecurity risk by incorporating the following additional practices into their security strategy:
- Endpoint protection
- DNS filtering
- User awareness training
Endpoint Protection
Endpoints in the world of IT refer to specific junctures at which data enters into and out of organizational systems. For example, every connection between a device and an enterprise server is an endpoint that bad actors can exploit. Cyberattackers can compromise sensitive data or gain access to critical systems through unprotected endpoints.
Protecting endpoints will become increasingly important as more internet-enabled devices – like laptops, smartphones, IoT hardware, tablets, etc. – hit the market. Endpoint protection is also essential for companies that embrace remote or hybrid work. By securing every possible endpoint, organizations address a common attack plane for cyberattackers.
One of the fastest paths to endpoint protection is to invest in purpose-built solutions that go beyond basic antivirus software. To get ahead of cybersecurity threats, teams need real-time monitoring and threat detection capabilities. Knowing what’s happening at all times across the endpoint landscape helps security leaders respond to incidents more quickly, contain threats and then improve resilience over time. Advanced capabilities, like machine learning and behavioral analysis, make this possible.
DNS Filtering
Employee online activity is another major source of cybersecurity risk. Employees who visit unsafe websites – knowingly or unknowingly – can become a conduit for phishing attacks and malware. In other words, bad actors can gain access to critical enterprise IT systems through basic employee web surfing. DNS filtering is one of the best ways to avoid this.
Cybersecurity teams should implement DNS filtering to prevent users from accessing websites that are known for hosting malicious activity. Technology solutions specifically designed for DNS filtering can also evaluate requests in real time between devices and websites before determining whether to allow the connection. Additionally, they can evaluate overall traffic patterns and user behaviors, helping IT leaders make more informed decisions about how to boost web security practices across the organization.
User Awareness Training
Becoming a cyber-resilient organization also means empowering employees with best practices and knowledge of modern cybersecurity threats. Human error is one of the biggest sources of cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Investing in an informed workforce through ongoing training and awareness of cybersecurity best practices helps mitigate risk.
Employees should be aware of key trends in cybersecurity, as well as know how to spot potential cybersecurity threats, like phishing emails, malware and suspicious activity. Leaders should also build a culture that emphasizes security by enforcing strong passwords and mandatory training, which should extend to everyone across the organization, from executives to entry-level employees.
Furthermore, training programs should include cyberattack simulations whenever possible. Simulations give employees a chance to put tangible skills into practice and build important habits for the future. Workforces that have the benefit of effective cybersecurity training alongside simulations can recover more quickly from incidents and improve resilience over the long term. Simulations also reveal vulnerabilities that need addressing and empower employees with confidence to handle issues when they occur.
Cybersecurity is a Marathon, not a Sprint
Achieving cyber resilience is an ongoing process. The digital landscape changes constantly, and the best way to keep up is to make cybersecurity a focal point of everyday operations. Small and consistent improvements within the context of a proactive cybersecurity program are what keep threats at bay and prevent catastrophic incidents.
Endpoint protection, DNS filtering and employee awareness training are three practices leaders can adopt today to elevate their cybersecurity posture. The good news is that these capabilities are now accessible to the masses through purpose-built solutions. Cyber resilience is something that all organizations can strive for, and it’s well within reach for those who are willing to invest.
