Fifty years ago, no one would have imagined that one of the biggest threats in today’s society would be cybercrime, but the frequency and universal nature of cyberattacks are proving otherwise. The threat has become so prolific in fact that long-standing television crime show CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) created a fourth series, CSI: Cyber, solely focused on attacks that occur in cyber space.
Malware, hackers, cybercrime and online attacks are all terms with which we have become accustomed over the last two decades, just as we now recognise the names of security brands. However, although numerous technology companies offer a range of internet security solutions to combat these issues, cyber criminals continue to invent new ways to attack. As technology continues to evolve, so do the abilities of hackers to sneak through firewalls, log in to systems and create chaos.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) recently confirmed that Australia reported more than 3,500 cyber-attacks from foreign countries and criminals in the month of April 2015 alone. This may shed light on the reluctance from consumers and businesses alike in embracing the realm of online technology offerings. Some consumers are filled with so much fear that they refuse to buy a smartphone, convinced their personal data will be broadcast across the world, while a key reason cited by IT departments for not deploying a public or hybrid cloud for their organisation is concerns about security. AFP Commander David McLean warns the threat is only going to increase.
Traditional methods of security have become obsolete as technology evolves and the business environment changes. A multiplicity of new security risks rear their ugly heads when organisations engage with technology innovations; entering the cloud, allowing employees to use mobile devices, and connecting with more suppliers in various locations. This evolving business climate extends the difficulty in assessing an organisation’s exposure to the global cyber threat landscape.
To sustain the ability to exist as an agile, efficient organisation and a competitor in the industry, organisations must rethink their approach to security and the risks they face. Now is the time to gain heightened awareness of the business environment as the proficiency of attacks continues to escalate. A security offering that provides complete monitoring, detection and protection is vital to secure sensitive corporate assets from both internal and external threats. Here arises the need to employ a comprehensive, fully integrated cyber security solution to protect the business.
Here lies the opportunity to employ an advanced security platform that exemplifies next generation cyber security service. Look for solutions that provide a blend of business systems, traditional security controls and advanced detection tools for organisations of any size.
It is important to gain access to event data and telemetry which, together with advanced analytics engines, will enable immediate identification of subtle threats so organisations can be aware of potential problems faster than ever before. An ideal solution will also consider the multiple layers of defence between an attacker and the vulnerable asset and determine the gravity of each threat, be it complex or routine. Assessments such as these that help place each threat into context, will assist businesses to prioritise incidents and address the most urgent risks first.
Technology innovators are on a roll that is not going to slow down any time soon, so as companies begin to take up new ways of doing things, IT decision makers must ensure the capabilities of their security solutions cover new systems. Rethink the risk and employ next-generation security to protect the future of the business before it’s too late.
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