What Is Enterprise Security?

Technological advancement has brought substantially larger threats than before. Previously, the threats were only aimed at political and financial targets. Now, businesses have expanded their outreach and depend on various digital infrastructures and cloud computing. As a result, organizations of all sizes risk cyberattacks against which they need impenetrable security.

Today, safeguarding data on an on-site server using cutting-edge security tools and solutions is not enough. Security breach prevention from all entries and exits helps eradicate unauthorized access to data and IT systems. It enables the need for enterprise security. So what is enterprise security?

Enterprise security comprises the methods, procedures, and strategies used to protect data, digital assets, and IT systems from cybersecurity threats and breaches. This process secures the confidential, integral, and accessible information of organizations. Enterprise security includes the traditional cybersecurity tenet of safeguarding digital assets at the local level and the security of customer data shared across networks, servers, and users.

Enterprise security is a complex issue affecting a company’s internal or confidential corporate information and the staff and consumer data subject to privacy laws. Various prominent multinational corporations have all been hit with hefty penalties and government action because of the theft of sensitive consumer data by hackers. Hence, enterprise security is becoming essential for organizations.

Most corporations were previously focused on safeguarding their proprietary code or trade secrets from rivals. Recently, the US and EU enterprises have been confronted with new data privacy laws that can enforce significant financial charges on organizations that compromise user information. The corporate security network now faces new difficulties as business processes now depend on cloud computing.

Enterprise security focuses on networking, data center, and server operations. Researchers predict that two-thirds of viable cyber-attacks result from social engineering techniques like baiting, phishing, vishing, smishing, spearfishing, etc. Hackers take advantage of flaws in human nature, staff integrity, or individual credulousness for network or data access. Hence, staff awareness is necessary.

Enterprise servers and applications are targeted through script-driven automated hacking operations like MySQL injection attacks, etc., using input entry points. Code sent to a server through unprotected forms results in dangerous data leaks and database loss. A hacker can gain complete administrative access using code injection or create backdoors to a network through the command line and FTP.

Skilled hackers take 30-90 days to scrutinize the compromised server using internal access and later copy the entire data or inject malicious code. Thus, organizations must develop robust enterprise security systems.

Importance Of Enterprise Security

Now that you know what enterprise security is, you might think, why is enterprise security important? There is an increasing need for enterprise security as technology development is shrinking the line between real and virtual worlds.

Most firms know that enterprise security is important to protect data from hackers but are unsure of its planning and implementation. Professional planning, implementation, administration, and modification are necessary for enterprise security to be scalable and durable. The following are the factors that make enterprise security essential.

Extensive Network

An extensive network means more access points, remote interfaces, and numerous user accounts. This gives an attacker more chances to investigate every access point, remote user, and network rights. Thus, an extensive network maximizes the corporation’s security vulnerabilities. Enterprise security for data encryption needs to be a key focus for administrators when the company’s network is extensive.

Cloud Computing

Enterprises have achieved benefits from affordable high-end technology integration through cloud computing. The caveat is that they have limited access to a huge amount of data, but they must protect their data assets. Businesses have no control over cloud computing resources. Hence, enterprise security strategies are challenging.

Attackers now target the cloud provider irrespective of a hybrid or public cloud. They can cause configuration errors in cloud infrastructure resulting in numerous serious breaches. Therefore, with limited accessibility to cloud hardware, companies must find reliable cloud vendors to ensure enterprise security.

Internet Of Things (IoT)

IoT has allowed businesses to automate manual tasks, minimize human error, and adopt novel business strategies. Connecting to multiple devices ultimately expands their services and enhances overall performance. However, the cyberattack surface expands even further when IoT is combined with conventional technology. IoT technology has various basic flaws that have resulted in significant data breaches, such as:

  1. The network is linked to much more potentially susceptible endpoints.
  2. IoT devices have rudimentary security defense at the physical access endpoints, which provides attackers more chances to breach security.

Drive For Data

Data drive provides business insights for effective decisions. A huge amount of user information is divulged to businesses for their services. Businesses now have excellent opportunities to create data-driven goods and business plans that provide significant returns on investments. Solutions for data intelligence and computing resources are readily accessible and reasonably priced.

These businesses are also in charge of protecting user data per legal restrictions and the ethical norms of the contemporary digital world. An enterprise security breach can harm personal information, digital assets, staff productivity, customer experience, and brand recognition.

Data Privacy Laws

Governments have now imposed new data privacy laws considering data security threats. These laws compel companies to improve their enterprise security posture. Governments have also imposed severe penalties for noncompliance on several enterprises, such as GDPR in the EU.

Internal Threats

Apart from external threats, these organizations are also susceptible to internal cyber threats. Even though employees need to be trusted, security measures call for the contrary. Enterprise security systems should include norms of fewer access controls, automatic updates, removing access rights in case of employment changes, and deactivating ex-employee accounts. These tactics will eliminate the dangers posed by insider threats and data breaches from social engineering or phishing.

Compliance

Enterprise security mainly focuses on preserving the organization’s reputation, data protection, and loss prevention. Besides this, compliance is important depending on the organization’s business. Companies must adhere to several compliance rules while storing and transferring healthcare and financial data, as these are highly valuable to attackers.

Enterprise security strategies must incorporate compliance standards. Inadequately secured personal data will cost a huge penalty to the organization and jeopardize brand integrity. An extensive architecture is important for effective risk management.

Enterprise Security Architecture

The key to effective security management is creating a solid enterprise security architecture. Protecting your organization’s resources, user information, and brand equity require comprehensive and strategic security solutions.

Enterprise security architecture protects against important components like:

  • Physical Access
  • Script-Bot Attacks
  • Password Cracking
  • Social Engineering
  • Remote Code Injection

Establishing a network firewall serves as the main defense against hostile hacking attempts. Many advanced network firewall software packages feature real-time scanning of packet data for actual malware, viruses, ransomware, worms, etc.

Anti-virus scanning is an ex post facto security method that relies on specialized organizations to detect malware before it can be identified. The “zero-day” cyberattacks involve malicious code to breach a network, firmware, operating system, or software that has never been unveiled or categorized by security professionals. Organizations can not prevent these zero-day cyber attacks beforehand. Thus, businesses must establish multi-tiered security procedures that successfully isolate and contain security risks after their manifestation.

After physical security controls, the two most important components are encryption for data transfers and the implementation of firewall settings for authorized access control. To prevent cracking assaults, most networks with user sign-on systems now have lock-out protocols that disconnect users after five or more unsuccessful password login attempts. Enterprise can use IP blocking to lessen unauthorized login attempts from a single IP address frequently.

Software with integrated firewall and anti-virus provides a real-time comparison of data packet transmission with known malware signatures. It blocks accidental virus (worms, trojans, etc.) installation and helps identify hazardous files.

Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) add an extra layer of security and protect web forms against MySQL injection attacks and cross-site scripting. Enterprise security must include anti-virus software from manufacturers like Symantec, McAfee, Trend Micro, Kaspersky, Bitdefender, etc. Enterprises can also identify and block DDoS assaults using CDN services.

Best Practices For Enterprise Security

Cyber threats to an organization can be minimized and eliminated by incorporating the following practices:

Employee And Client Awareness

Ensure that beyond the IT team, management and staff are properly aware of the dangers and effects of data breaches. Everyone must be informed of enterprise security measures, compliance requirements, and possible threats, such as social engineering tactics, phishing, etc., to secure the enterprise network.

Data Encryption

Create a robust encryption framework that can extend throughout your corporate network. Moreover, it must be capable enough to safeguard data in highly distributed settings using a blend of two-factor authentication, passwords, file permissions, etc.

Device Security Protocols

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) norms and IoT devices pose security issues. If employees use their own devices to access company resources, organizations must establish strong security protocols and enforce the use of corporate security software. An enterprise that allows personal devices must ensure that all hardware is updated and configured with the latest network firewall software.

Strict Access Control Protocols

Enterprises can avoid internal security threats brought on by human mistakes or dissatisfied workers by safeguarding sensitive data and IT systems against unauthorized access. Organizations must develop strict protocols for controlling job-specific access to the corporate network. Following the “Principle of least privilege” works best.

Network Performance Monitoring

Enterprise security can be ensured using an intelligent performance monitoring system to manage endpoint security and spot and quickly notify any irregularities. Organizations with sound knowledge of their network infrastructure can easily recognize security risks by setting network performance standards.

Regular Updating Of Enterprise Security Systems

Implement a reliable risk reduction and disaster recovery plan. A well-defined strategy should outline roles and processes for efficient and effective disaster recovery procedures. To tackle evolving cyber risks and shifting labor markets, continuously update this approach.

Enterprise Risk Management

Although enterprise risk management and security fall under the same category, both are different. Enterprise risk management detects resources that hackers could target to prevent and mitigate threats.

Risk management is concerned with lowering the general risks associated with technology, whereas threat mitigation is essential for preventing existing risks. Compliance is crucial to risk management. However, most regulatory guidelines are centered on threat reduction and techniques to prevent data access. Risk management enables firms to identify their threat surface and discover solutions to lower the likelihood of potent attacks.

Extensive planning and strategic implementation are also crucial for effective risk management. Risk factors are first identified and prioritized using a heat map of risks. Subsequently, an action plan is created to employ technology and procedure. An organization may decide to leave a risk vulnerable or to place low importance on it if mitigating it would cost more than it would if it were exploited. The classification and prioritization of risk help organizations concentrate on the priciest exposures first.

The latest risk management systems include artificial intelligence (AI). AI significantly improves cybersecurity’s ability to identify risk and current attacks, particularly when dealing with powerful state-sponsored attacks and advanced persistent threats. AI systems also necessitate analysts to scrutinize the notifications to detect false positives. AI has become a fundamental requirement to identify risks more quickly and thwart them before an assault results in a significant, costly data breach as attackers create more complicated malware and employ stealthy tactics.

Conclusion

Enterprise security and risk management aim to protect corporate information and other digital assets. It is important for business integrity and continuity. Hence, a professional must administer the entire process from beginning to end. Poor implementation practices result in substantial data breaches and potential data loss, which leads to cybersecurity risks.

Derik Belair

As President and CEO, Derik leads the vision, strategy and growth of Augmentt. Prior to founding Augmentt, Derik was the Vice President at SolarWinds, leading the digital marketing strategy for SolarWinds’ Cloud division. Derik has been working in the channel for over 20 years, starting his career as a channel sales rep at Corel Corp. and eventually becoming the first employee at N-able Technologies in April of 2000.
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