Tag: Cybersecurity Page 1 of 8

Cyber Security Challenges For Businesses

On October 29, 2022

Combating cyber security challenges is all about staying ahead by taking preventive actions before any threats exploit the system. It is important as a cyber security threat can not only result in a reputational or monetary loss but also cause a complete financial bust after the business pays the penalty. In order to adopt proper preventive actions, it is important to understand the cyber security challenges that businesses face.

Here is a list of the biggest cybersecurity challenges for businesses:

Artificial Intelligence: Artificial intelligence plays a parallel role in cyber-attacks & their prevention. Research and modeling can be used to make AI systems learn to detect anomalies in the behavior pattern of events. AI systems can be used to create defensive tools such as biometric login. However, in a parallel scenario, the same characteristics of AI systems are exploited by hackers to execute a cyber attack.
Technical Skills Gap: There is a huge gap between the available cybersecurity professionals and the number of vacancies. This emphasizes on the marked inability to employ cybersecurity professionals at a speed that matches the rise of new vulnerabilities. As cyber-attack techniques have become more sophisticated, it has become imperative for organizations to hire employees with the right skill set. A simpler solution is to train existing staff according to the organization’s requirements to prevent cyber attacks and combat vulnerabilities. Additionally, companies heavily invest in making the system and network robust by implementing new advanced technologies, but effective implementation and use of these technologies require a skilled and trained workforce.
Cloud Risks: It has become a common practice for companies to move their sensitive data to cloud services. However, the effective movement of data to the cloud needs proper configuration & security measures. Organizations need to ensure the security of the platform along with the security of the organization’s data from theft & accidental deletion over the cloud. If not taken care of, cloud services can pose a major cyber security risk. In order to avoid these risks, organizations need to implement solutions such as firewalls, multi-factor authentication, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), etc.
Ransomware Threats: It is the most common type of cyber threat that is growing at a fast pace. Ransomware encrypts files or blocks access to the victim’s system or network. Once the access is blocked, the hackers demand ransom for re-allowing access. This can result in the loss of critical data, financial loss, and productivity loss.

For more information about cybersecurity solutions, contact Centex Technologies. You can call the following office locations – Killeen (254) 213 – 4740, Dallas (972) 375 – 9654, Atlanta (404) 994 – 5074, and Austin (512) 956 – 5454.

Guide to Cloud Security Controls

By centexitguy

On August 30, 2022

In Uncategorized

As the majority of business operations and data are moving to cloud servers, it becomes imperative to secure cloud servers. The key difference between cloud security and traditional IT security is that the responsibility of securing the server is shared by the cloud service provider and the IT team of the business organization availing the services.

Before discussing cloud security controls, first, it is necessary to understand the importance of cloud security.

98% of business organizations have experienced cloud data breaches since 2020. _{Source: IDC}

Two major factors cause cloud data breaches:

Misconfigured cloud security controls
Human error

What are Cloud Security Controls?

Cloud Security Controls refer to the set of security processes or measures implemented by an organization in tandem with the cloud service provider to secure the data stored on the cloud server. These security controls help protect the cloud environment against multiple vulnerabilities and mitigate the effects of cyber security attacks if any.

The term Cloud Security Controls includes best practices, procedures, and guidelines laid down for cloud security.

What are the Key Elements of Cloud Security Controls?

Cloud security controls should provide the following key capabilities:

They should allow centralized visibility of the complete cloud infrastructure. Due to different access levels, different services or apps within a cloud server can have different configurations. This makes it difficult to keep track of all the configurations and best practices required for cloud security. Implementing tools such as Cloud Workload Protection Platform (CWPP) can help overcome this challenge by providing a centralized view of the cloud server configurations, reviewing configurations, and detecting security loopholes.
Cloud security controls should be capable of using threat intelligence data to identify existing cyber threats from their attack patterns. This enables the cloud security controls to identify attacks at the nascent stage and respond automatically to mitigate the threat.
Cloud security controls should be automated for better efficiency. Cloud servers have highly dynamic environments and cyber criminals also keep updating their attack mechanism regularly. Automated cloud security controls help in keeping track of the changes in the environment in real-time without intervention from the IT team. Automation allows cloud security controls to detect threats, respond autonomously, and update themselves to change security policies when a new service or configuration is added to the cloud server’s environment.
To ensure maximum security, it is important to integrate cloud security controls with security features offered by the cloud service provider. Businesses using SaaS (Software as a Service) should implement cloud security controls to regulate user access. This helps in ensuring data or software is accessed by authenticated users only and identifying the security risks related to the data or application.

Different Types of Cloud Security Controls

Based on the nature of the operation, cloud security controls can be categorized into four types:

Deterrent Controls: These security controls do not perform any action to secure the cloud server environment but act by issuing a warning to potential threat actors. For example, conducting a background check on employees to intimidate them from launching an insider attack.
Preventive Controls: The purpose of these controls is to manage and protect vulnerabilities within the cloud server. Some examples are disabling inactive ports, authenticating cloud users, etc.
Detective Controls: These controls utilize detection and monitoring tools to detect approaching cyber-attacks and intrusions.
Corrective Controls: These controls are implemented to limit the damage caused by a cyber-attack.

Centex Technologies provide cybersecurity solutions to business. To know more about cloud security controls and how to protect your cloud applications, contact Centex Technologies at Killeen (254) 213 – 4740, Dallas (972) 375 – 9654, Atlanta (404) 994 – 5074, and Austin (512) 956 – 5454

Cybersecurity Leadership Principles For Secured Business Operations

By centexitguy

On May 31, 2022

In Security

Businesses becoming more reliant on the internet and digital platforms must examine cyber resilience from a business standpoint. The leadership must look at the cybersecurity posture of the various operational risks. They must also develop a flexible attitude in terms of how they would respond to and recover from a significant cyber incident. The ideas that follow help organizational leaders outline a plausible course of action balancing short-term goals along with the medium to long-term requirements.

Encourage a cyber-resilient organizational work culture

Businesses must establish plans to maintain durable and sustainable networks while also taking advantage of the benefits that digitalization may offer. Following important measures assist executives in instilling a cyber resilience culture throughout the organization and wider ecosystem: –

Enforce the cyber-resilience governance in place
Designing infrastructure for disaster flexibility
Exceed the call of duty hours and deploy 24/7/365 security team
Employee habits and behaviors that assists in being flexible and proactive in responding to cyber threat should be strengthened

Concentrate on safeguarding the most vital capabilities and services

The leaders are advised to identify the possible repercussions of a crisis on revenue, workers, customers, and the availability of key services. Business executives must have a holistic and systemic perspective of their critical services, applications, suppliers, and assets. The important steps listed below assist executives in maintaining their company’s cyber health and protecting critical capabilities and services: –

It is necessary to ensure strict digital hygiene
It is important to keep crucial assets safe, isolated, and air-gapped
Keep a watch out for any strange activity around the most valuable assets
Automating cybersecurity helps to reduce the fatigue of Security teams

Risk-informed decisions and judgments during and after the crisis

Enterprises should realize that their business risk posture has shifted dramatically and, following the crisis, has to be restored to an acceptable level. Leaders may balance risk-informed choices by taking following important steps: –

Transition the switch to a zero-trust approach to supply chain security
Define and utilize useful cyber-resilience measurements
Concentrate on cyber-threats that are vital to operations

Revise and rehearse your response and continuity strategies

Veteran cyber-resilience leaders and CEOs use their previous crisis expertize to respond to cyber-attacks. The important steps listed below assist leaders in maintaining business continuity through the volatile and dynamically changing period: –

Develop a thorough crisis management strategy
Keep the reaction and resilience plans up to date and revamp them as required
Get ready to adopt the changes

Collaboration throughout the cyber security ecosystem should be strengthened

Leaders in the public and private sectors must encourage collaboration and actively participate in projects to ensure that steps are made to protect the broader ecosystem from existing and potential cyber threats. Furthermore, businesses must set clear expectations with suppliers about their cybersecurity controls in order to encourage regulatory alignment in terms of 3rd party assurance. They should also advance a variety of community initiatives to raise cybersecurity risk awareness throughout the supply chain. Following important measures assist leaders in building a collaborative culture inside the organization and across the ecosystem: –

Boost overall situational awareness
Motivate people to work together
Take a holistic strategy to manage cyber risks

Business leaders may better satisfy their duties to sustain their organization’s security posture and ensure business continuity if they follow the guidelines set up in cyber-security plan. Businesses can create smarter, quicker, and more connected futures with strong cyber-risk management and cyber-resilience strategies, promoting corporate development and efficiency.

Centex Technologies helps business leaders understand and implement necessary cybersecurity principles. To know more about cybersecurity, contact Centex Technologies at Killeen (254) 213 – 4740.

Cybersecurity Compliance: What Is It & How To Implement It?

By centexitguy

On May 27, 2022

In Security

PDF Version: Cybersecurity-Compliance-What-Is-It-and-How-To-Implement-It

How Artificial Intelligence Is Revolutionizing Cybersecurity

By centexitguy

On April 29, 2022

In Security

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cognitive Computing (CC) have opened a new era of cybersecurity.The following are a few examples of how AI can be used to improve and enhance cybersecurity: –

Defending against ransomware – With the introduction of RaaS (Ransomware as a Service), criminals no longer need technical competence to launch an attack. AI-based cybersecurity technologies can regulate attack surfaces and identify/mitigate supported forms of cyber attacks in a large company.
Optimizing cybersecurity in S-SDLC with AI enhancement – If your organization develops software, whether it’s desktop software, mobile apps, online apps, or programs that run on IoT (Internet of Things) devices, you should include cybersecurity in your development process. Occasionally, the development agency lacks the resources to do extensive security testing. This is where AI-powered testing services come in useful. These code testing solutions can perform in-depth code analysis as well as advanced penetration testing.
DGA-Generated domains detection using deep learning algorithms – Domain Generation Algorithms (DGAs) are computer programs that produce pseudo-random domain names (for example – sdlkfusdlfl.com). Malware that calls home (attempts to connect to an external network for command and control) uses pseudo-randomly generated domain names to remain anonymous. DGA algorithms can produce hundreds of thousands of domain names. Trying to ban them all is a pointless exercise because one will get through and connect eventually. In this scenario, AI-based deep learning is being utilized to detect rogue domains generated by a DGA. After viewing enough of these pseudo-random domains, the system is trained to detect them.
Detection, prevention, and remediation of non-malware threats – CryptXXX, CTBLocker, and PowerWare. Web browsers, Microsoft Office applications, and operating system utilities such as PowerShell and Windows Management Instrumentation are frequently used in non-malware attacks. The majority of non-malware threats are recognized by observing computer activity after the incident. Working with a cybersecurity analyst to educate AI-based solutions as well as using neural networks and machine learning algorithms to observe typical behavior, will aid in the creation of improved detection methods.
Stealth, adaptive, and evolutionary Honeypots and Honeytokens – Hackers are attracted to honeypots and honeytokens. Computers, passwords, and other fictitious information are set up on a network to start the process of gathering information about the attack and, eventually, the attacker. The advanced versions of adaptive honeypots and honeytokensare empowered with AI based systems that adapts its behavior in response to the assault, tempting the attacker into revealing as much information as possible. The adaptive honeypot responds by initiating protection in the same way as a protected computer would. When confronted with a new problem, the analyst can learn a lot about the attacker’s skill level and tools by seeing how they respond. As a result, an AI solution can learn and recognize the behavior in the future.

Machine learning and AI can definitely be used to keep updated with the attackers’ tactics in today’s constantly evolving cyber-attacks and proliferation era. Automating threat detection and response are now more effective with use of AI based cybersecurity tools.

Centex Technologies provide enterprise cybersecurity and network security solutions. To know more, contact Centex Technologies at Killeen (254) 213-4740, Dallas (972) 375-9654, Atlanta (404) 994-5074, and Austin (512) 956-5454.