The average business model has shifted from brick-and-mortars with a slightly online presence to online-centered companies, which means security concerns have shifted with it. Modern-day cybersecurity adopts this original concern of protecting on-site technology but also extends to the demands of today, including protecting data on wireless and cloud servers, which is where enterprise cybersecurity comes into play.
Why Enterprise Security Is Important
This form of security is a more thorough approach to protecting a company’s assets, especially if much of its operations take place in the virtual world. With cyberattacks on the rise, having the most encompassing and thorough protection gives a business the best chance of keeping its business safe. As the world continues to move online and reshapes how business is done, it’s more important than ever to adapt, just as cybercriminals do.
Building Enterprise-Level Cybersecurity From Scratch
If a company is wondering how to build enterprise-level cybersecurity from scratch, the answer is that it is very hard and something that’s best left to the professionals. However, that’s not to say that there aren’t parameters a business could check off to ensure their business is in the best position. Here are a few key components in crafting an enterprise-level defense:
1. Choose the Best Tools
What works for a small local online business won’t work for a massive enterprise that has thousands of employees accessing the network. It’s important to choose cybersecurity tools and defense plans according to the business’s actual needs. Similarly, as a business grows, it must adapt because what once worked will not always be the best choice when faced with rapid growth.
2. Educating Employees
In too many cyberattack cases, the problem is simply human error. For example, an employee opens a link or attachment with ransomware attached, and from there, an entire network can go down. A proper high-level cybersecurity approach will mean that new, thorough training must be conducted to keep up with the ever-changing online landscape.
3. Prioritizing Remote Tools
If a company’s workforce is distributed, it’s also important to put as many cybersecurity defenses in the individual’s home network as the company network. If an employee is accessing sensitive data from a home network with little security, the entire company is at risk. For this reason, it’s necessary to verify the authenticity and vulnerability of any devices or networks that might overlap with the company’s own network. This extends to both hardware and software as each can become a target, particularly for high-profile enterprises.
4. Utilize Encrypted Emails
Encrypted email can help hide important information from the eyes of those who weren’t intended recipients. Disguising the content of an email and altering it to appear different than the actual sensitive data in it is a great tool for protecting the company and consumer information. In order for the recipient to understand the message, they will need an encryption key that decodes the message into readable text. If they don’t have the key, it can be impossible to understand the message.
5. Limit Administrative Access
Common victims of phishing and malware cybersecurity threats are those who have administrative access because they provide a direct door to the heart of the company. By limiting the number of employees with administrative access to those that are absolutely necessary, a company limits the number of targets. It also limits the chance of an internal attack if a company keeps a tight grip on who has access for monitoring purposes.
6. Create an Action Plan
In the case of an attack on a company’s network, a plan of action for recovery is critical. Scrambling for a solution after a company has been attacked wastes valuable time for remedying the damage. If you have a knowledgeable team, or at the very least, a playbook for controlling an attack armed and ready to go, then you minimize the chance of leaving your company vulnerable by quickly and wholly stopping, countering, or playing clean up after an attack.
By implementing these six key components effectively, any organization can begin to create enterprise-level cybersecurity from scratch.