In today’s security environment, everyone is a special target for a cyberattack. Most attacks are triggered by a weak password, lack of training for employees, open ports, and unpatched networks and servers. A recent upsurge in cyberattacks targeted at specific industries and sectors has forced organizations to rethink their comprehensive cybersecurity strategy.
The comprehensive cybersecurity strategy earmarks the latest response by enterprises to protect their networks, secure their endpoints, and protect proprietary data. So, how can you secure the server that stores your data? What specifically comprises the best protection of business servers?
Server Security is a Central Part of your Business IT
Securing the server with a functional security application or program minimizes the risk of server failure. Usually, server failures or downturns are caused by human error, equipment failure, natural disasters, and cyberattacks. Securing the server eliminates glaring network vulnerabilities, protects, and safeguards proprietary business information.
Server security is considered a central part of your business IT as it prevents the company IT from crashing. By securing their servers and endpoints, enterprises can achieve the highest security levels in different areas like file protection, mail, file, and web protection. Securing the server ensures that the information sent by the customer to a particular website reaches the right server, and the information sent is processed by relevant authorized personnel.
Servers are the Lifeblood of your Business IT Infrastructure
Globalization has led to the proliferation of multiple players in specific markets. The globalization process has eliminated national boundaries, integrated markets, and created a competitive international market environment. This means enterprises are using disruptive technologies to gain an edge in a highly robust and competitive marketplace.
Businesses are viewing their servers as the backbone of their IT landscape. The main functions of a server in an enterprise network include storing files, hosting domain-centered emails, provision of remote access to a website, and controlling user access to resources within a company’s IT. Securing the servers is seen as second to protecting the diverse type and nature of information between enterprises and their stakeholders.
Three Most Prevalent Business Security Risks in 2021
Ransomware
Ransomware is a form of malware that attempts to use encryption to hold data or systems for ransom. An attacker encrypts a server or data within a server (such as database files) which makes the system or data inaccessible. Without the key, it is nearly impossible to decrypt the information which makes it accessible again. The attacker then holds that key for a ransom price, usually in cryptocurrency, and may even release sensitive information if the ransom is not paid. Cyber criminals using packaged malware suits like Trickbot and Emotet have made an entire industry off ransomware. This has created a proliferation of ransomware that targets many different industries including banking, healthcare, manufacturing, and even education and law enforcement agencies.
Spear Phishing
When a user receives a malicious email that is attempting to steal information, enter credentials, or get them to click to link to download malware, this is known as phishing. Spear phishing is the same type of attack, but it uses personal details specific to its target to make the email even more convincing so that user is more likely to click a link or reply to it. Spear phishing has become much more popular in recent years due to the easy of finding personal information and the success of tricking people with it. Spear phishing is often used to get ransomware installed on a device but may also be used to harvest email passwords, attempt financial fraud, or find details about the person that can be used later such as their social security number.
Zero-Day Vulnerability Exploitation
A zero-day vulnerability is a previously unidentified vulnerability in a system that may be under active use by a malicious actor or group. Zero-day vulnerabilities are dangerous because they are previously unknown to the vendor that makes the affected system or software. This means that a malicious group can use the vulnerability without anyone knowing. It also means that once the vulnerability is discovered, defenders have to act quickly to find a way to prevent or mitigate the vulnerability before its exploitation spreads. In recent years, zero-days have become a much larger problem due to the increase in nation-state attacks. State actors, those hackers that work for foreign governments to attack their enemies, often use zero-day vulnerabilities to attack key targets. However, once the vulnerability is more widely known, other bad organizations like cybercriminals will use them as well.
How to secure Endpoints: Tips for a Successful Strategy
Endpoints are nowhere, and sometimes, everywhere. Whether it is a smartphone, a workstation laptop, desktop, medical equipment, or a point-of-sale terminal – the network-connected devices are the most preferred targets for black hat hackers.
The endpoints have become quite decentralized and prolific, thus giving unrestrained rise of corporate BYOD remote access, mobility, cloud applications, and the internet of things. Hackers target soft points to avoid raising suspicion or using too many financial and technical resources.
So, how can you secure your endpoints?
- Get the fundamentals right – It is advisable to ensure your business IT incorporates the general security best practices throughout the continuum of its operations. That means using tried-and-tested methodologies that require employees to utilize complex passwords and ensuring all systems are patched.
- Thoroughly catalog all endpoints – A key security measure is to know all your endpoints and catalog them. You cannot protect what you simply do not know. Similarly, you cannot measure what you do not know. It is important to identify several endpoints and know how best to patch them.
- Deploy automated endpoint protections – There is a reputable saying that states, “If you are going to do it more than twice, automate it.” This saying applies to an endpoint patchwork process. The entire patch management process can be automated right from the identification of missing patches to the deployment of patches on the endpoint to achieve the desired automation results.
- Make employees a central part of your security – Of course, every security in the world can be reduced to nothing if a staff member clicks on a phishing link or email and invites a specialized and robust piece of malware. Careless or negligent employees who fail to adhere to security control protocols are the biggest obstacle in minimizing endpoint vulnerabilities. Therefore, employees must be engaged throughout the continuum of business security processes.
Servers and Endpoints: Keep Them Secure and Up to Date
Cybersecurity is moving up the ladder of the most sophisticated businesses. Small, medium-sized, and large enterprises are seeing the lasting value of securing their servers and ensuring endpoint protection measures are updated and automated. Keeping your endpoints and servers secure should not be an uphill, time-consuming, and monotonous task.
With automation from trusted technology partners like Edafio Technology, you can rest assured that your business has the first leap in server security. Edafio Technology Partners is a customer-centric technology partner and provider interested in end-to-end business IT solutions. Therefore, as you look forward to automating your servers and endpoints security, Edafio Technology promises the latest up-to-date solutions.
