Cyber security is not merely a technological issue; it is also a business, social, and human concern.

Adversaries are continuously looking for ways to exploit flaws in our systems to steal our personal information, and the atmosphere in APAC is far too permissive for them to do so.

This is why we require a fundamental shift in our approach to cyber security. The traditional method of depending entirely on internal technology and security specialists is no longer adequate. All segments of a business must grasp the consequences of poor cyber maturity, the impact of cyber incidents, and how to manage the risks effectively.

While certain threat actors' tactics have remained similar over time, focusing largely on social engineering to get a foothold in a target organization or compromise an individual's device, others have updated their toolkits and broadened the scope of their operations. The vast majority of successful cyberattacks, however, could be prevented by applying a few basic security hygiene practices:

1. Activate two-factor verification (MFA). MFA is a security feature that gives your accounts and systems an additional degree of defense. Before gaining access to a resource, users must supply two or more distinct authentication factors.
2. Implement the Zero Trust Principles into Practice. The Zero Trust cybersecurity paradigm is predicated on the possibility of dangers existing on both the inside and outside of a network. The main concept is to always verify and never trust. It implies that you ought not to blindly believe any person or gadget attempting to access your resources or network. Instead, each time a user or device tries to connect, you confirm their identity and security.
3. Apply the extended detection and response (XDR) feature. XDR is a cybersecurity solution that goes beyond typical endpoint detection and response (EDR). To provide a more comprehensive perspective of potential risks, XDR integrates data from diverse sources such as endpoints, networks, and cloud environments. It assists security teams in more efficiently detecting and responding to cyber-attacks by correlating and analyzing data from numerous sources. XDR can also automate threat detection and response, improving an organization's overall security posture.
4. Stay up-to-date! This includes patching vulnerabilities in your operating systems, apps, and security software on a regular basis. It also entails remaining up to date on the most recent security risks and trends, as the threat landscape is continuously changing. Furthermore, enterprises must keep their security policies and processes up to date in order to face new challenges and adapt to changes in the cybersecurity ecosystem.
5. Safeguarding data is essential for protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access or exposure. This can involve various practices and technologies, such as: Access Control, Data Classification, Right Management, Encryption and Data Leak Prevention.

By following these practices, individuals and organizations can significantly enhance their cybersecurity posture and reduce the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks.

Sang Pham