Defense in Depth (DiD): Think Like a Hacker
Cybercriminals are always looking for new ways to bypass security defenses. That’s why it’s essential to think like a hacker and adopt measures to stay ahead of them. This is what Defense in Depth (DiD) is all about.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines DiD as “Applying multiple countermeasures in a layered or stepwise manner to achieve security objectives. The methodology involves layering heterogeneous security technology in the common attack vectors to ensure that another catches attacks missed by one technology.”
In simple terms, DiD is a cybersecurity approach in which multiple defensive methods are layered to protect a business. Since no individual security measure can guarantee protection against every attack, combining several layers of security can be more effective.
Before starting your DiD journey, staying informed about the changing threat landscape is crucial.
9 Threats to Protect Your Business Against
While there are numerous threats that businesses like yours must be aware of, let’s look at some of the most common.
1. Ransomware
Ransomware is malware that threatens to disclose sensitive data or blocks access to files/systems by encrypting it until the victim pays a ransom. Failure to pay on time can lead to data leaks or permanent loss.
2. Phishing/Business Email Compromise (BEC)
Phishing involves a hacker masquerading as a genuine person/organization primarily through emails or other channels like SMS. Malicious actors use phishing to deliver links or attachments that execute actions such as extracting login credentials or installing malware.
Business email compromise (BEC) is a scam that involves cybercriminals using compromised or impersonated email accounts to manipulate victims into transferring money or sharing sensitive information.
3. Cloud Jacking
Cloud jacking, or hijacking, entails exploiting cloud vulnerabilities to steal an account holder’s information and gain server access. With more and more companies adopting cloud solutions, IT leaders are worried about cloud jacking becoming a significant concern for years to come.
4. Insider Threats
An insider threat originates from within a business. It may happen because of current or former employees, vendors, or other business partners with sensitive business data access. Because it originates from the inside and may or may not be premeditated, an insider threat is hard to detect.
5. Denial-of-Service/Distributed Denial-of-Service (DoS and DDoS)
These attacks are common and easy to carry out. In a DoS or DDoS attack, hackers flood the targeted system with multiple data requests, causing it to slow down or crash.
6. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Hacks
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are trending topics within the IT world for their path-breaking applications. However, AI and ML help hackers more efficiently develop an in-depth understanding of how businesses guard against cyberattacks.
7. Internet of Things (IoT) Risks and Targeted Attacks
IoT devices are a favorite target of cybercriminals because of the ease of data sharing without human intervention and inadequate legislation.
8. Web Application Attacks
Vulnerabilities within web applications permit hackers to gain direct access to databases to manipulate sensitive data. Business databases are regular targets because they contain sensitive data, including Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and banking details.
9. Deep-fakes
A deep-fake is a cyber threat that uses artificial intelligence to manipulate or generate audio/video content that can deceive end users into believing something untrue.
Get up and running with DiD
To keep sophisticated cyber threats at bay, you need a robust DiD strategy. Your strategy should involve layering multiple defensive methods, like firewalls, intrusion prevention and detection systems, endpoint detection and response (EDR), and more, to build a security fortress that’s hard to crack.
DiD is an undertaking that requires time and effort. That’s why collaborating with a partner like us who can implement and maintain your DiD strategy while you focus on your business is ideal.
If you want to learn more about how DiD can help protect your business, download our free eBook “7 Elements of an Effective Defense in Depth (DiD) Security Strategy.”
