Cyber Security Best Practice – What are the latest protections you need to know about?
Hackers don’t sleep—and neither should your cybersecurity strategy.
Every day, businesses face the threat of ransomware attacks that can cripple operations and expose sensitive data.
The stakes are higher than ever, but so is your ability to fight back.
In this article, we will introduce you to the latest cybersecurity best practices that can help you protect your business from unforeseen threats and support your business continuity strategy.
The Evolution of Ransomware
Ransomware has rapidly evolved, becoming one of the most significant threats to small and medium sized companies in particular. Since smaller companies don’t always have the resources to dedicate to cybersecurity, they become easy prey for malicious actors.
At the same time, the frequency and severity of ransomware attacks has surged, with attackers leveraging advanced tactics to bypass security measures.
Once a straightforward form of malware that locked systems until a ransom was paid, ransomware attacks now use double and even triple extortion methods. Attackers not only encrypt critical data but also threaten to leak sensitive financial information or target customers and partners, which increases the pressure to pay.
Phishing remains the most common entry point for ransomware attacks, with 85% of all incidents beginning with an employee falling for a phishing attempt. It involves malicious actors sending emails or messages that appear legitimate, tricking employees into revealing critical login credentials or downloading malware.
Given the amount of data businesses now collect and store, a single compromised account can lead to devastating consequences, including revenue losses, regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and even business failure.
Recent advancements in ransomware tactics exploit automation and AI, allowing attackers to conduct highly targeted and personalized phishing campaigns.
For example, attackers now use social engineering to impersonate trusted vendors or executives, making phishing attempts harder to detect. Cyber criminals also employ Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) platforms, enabling less sophisticated cybercriminals to deploy devastating attacks at scale.
Why Change Your Cybersecurity Posture?
The increasing complexity and frequency of cyberattacks means that your traditional firewall + antivirus system and monthly cloud data backups no longer work.
Cyberattacks are no longer sporadic events; they’re highly targeted, sophisticated, and increasingly difficult to prevent with traditional defenses. Ransomware, phishing, and other advanced threats can slip past legacy systems, leaving your business vulnerable.
You need to create and deploy a comprehensive strategy that addresses these threats to minimize risks and maintain business continuity.
Top 6 Cyber Security Best Practices
With cyber attacks getting more sophisticated every day, you need to ensure your tactics are being reviewed and renewed regularly to respond. Here are some of the best security practices to follow to combat these threats:
1. Start Your Planning with an Assessment from a Trusted MISSP
A Managed Infrastructure and Security Solutions Provider (MISSP) specializing in cybersecurity can help you identify vulnerabilities in your systems and recommend tailored solutions with a comprehensive security assessment. It provides the foundation for a proactive and resilient cybersecurity strategy that adapts and evolves alongside cyber threats.
2. Make Sure Your Cyber Liability Insurance is up to Date
Cyber liability insurance acts as a critical safety net for your organization. It helps you recover from the financial losses associated with a breach.
Regularly review your policy to ensure it covers the latest cyber threats, including ransomware and data breaches.
It is critically important to ensure you remain compliant with the policy conditions to ensure that if you need to make a claim it will be approved without delay.
3. Implement the 3-2-1-1-0 Data Protection Rule
The 3-2-1-1-0 strategy goes many steps beyond traditional backup methodologies to ensure secure, recoverable data, even during ransomware attacks.
To implement this strategy, you need to assess your data priorities, use diverse storage solutions, configure immutable backups, perform routine backup audits, and train staff on ransomware risks and the importance of layered backups.
Here’s what each number means:
3: Maintain three copies of your data—active data, a local backup, and a remote backup. This creates redundancy and reduces the risk of complete data loss by providing multiple recovery options if one copy is compromised.
2: Use two different storage media types to reduce risks from physical or cyber threats. For example, store one backup on a dedicated backup device and another in the cloud.
1: Keep one copy offsite to protect against physical disasters like fires or floods and the risk of getting your on-site backups infected too. You could use cloud storage or transport an external drive to a remote location, ensuring data remains accessible during emergencies.
1: Store one copy in immutable storage, such as object storage with immutability or air-gapped backups. The idea here is to prevent data alterations or deletions, providing an extra layer of protection against ransomware.
0: Achieve zero backup errors through regular testing. Scan backups for errors, verify data integrity, and conduct restore tests to ensure reliability.
4. Complete Separation of Production Networks and Backup Infrastructure
One of the best ways to protect your data and prevent extended downtime during disasters is to segregate your backup systems from your primary network.
Segregation prevents ransomware from infecting both environments at the same time, enabling you to restore your systems in the event of an attack.
5. MFA Everywhere
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security by prompting users to input more than just a password to login to their accounts. The extra steps could include submitting a One Time Passcode (OTP) sent to the user’s phone number or the use of a code from an authenticator app.
MFA reduces the risk of unauthorized access, and best practice is to apply it to all sensitive systems, applications, and remote connections. If an attacker acquires a user’s credentials, requiring an MFA authentication both limits their access and alerts that user that someone is attempting to use their credentials.
6. Dual Authorization of Deletes
Delete authorization involves requiring two separate approvals for data deletions, which can help prevent accidental or malicious data loss.
What this means in practice is that two authorized individuals within the business need to separately approve any data deletion request – for instance deleting a user who has left the business or deleting a shared drive that is no longer required.
In the event of a phishing attack where one user’s credentials have been compromised, dual authorization reduces the ability of the attacker to cause harm.
Best Practice, Best Advice – Partner with an Expert
In the battle against cyber threats, partnering with a trusted Managed Infrastructure and Security Solutions Provider like Prodatix can make all the difference. With state-of-the-art backup solutions and deep expertise in cybersecurity, Prodatix ensures your business can prosper despite ransomware.
Start protecting your business with a trusted MISSP partner. Contact us today to book in your comprehensive cybersecurity consultation.
