Cybersecurity Perils – Tips on how to ensure protection from new threats entering 2021

By Mr. Filip Cotfas, Channel Manager, Cososys

The business ecosystem is only as strong as its weakest link. The COVID-19 pandemic forced a swift implementation of remote working and policies to facilitate the same. The struggle to adjust and ensure smooth operations also brought forward new and unexpected security challenges triggered by new workplace environments. The cybersecurity landscape is influenced by the disruption caused by the pandemic, which includes plausible threats anticipated by the organization. Let us look into some of the security threats that are an integral part of hybrid work culture.

Network security without borders

Cloud applications became obligatory as organizations moved to borderless work environments. This move shifted the focus of cybercriminals to the home office. Unpatched home networks became a fertile ground for cyber threats. Company data was breached to gain a foothold into corporate networks, from hacking to spamming to phishing attacks and business email compromise.

Hybrid organizations posing a risk

With work and personal data being stored on the same devices and cloud applications, companies will be required to make changes to their data management policies security can no longer be focused on the data center and instead must move to the cloud.

Connected devices

Driven by trends such as 5G, the internet of things (IoT), and smart systems, the number of devices connected on the cloud is expected to reach over 25 billion globally by 2021. IT teams, however, are scrambling to achieve compliance and address new vulnerabilities resulting from rapid cloud migration.

Insider threats

While attacks by external factors are common, the COVID-19 pandemic has seen a steep rise in insider threats. While malicious elements find it easier to move the organizational data in remote working conditions, most of the data breaches are accidental and unintentional where someone within the organization does compromise their privilege.

The blurring line between digital and physical domains combined with the high number of cyber-security breaches in 2020 is a reminder that traditional, reactive approaches are ineffective against cybercriminals’ sophisticated threats. The future of security lies in a proactive approach designed to prevent attacks. Implemented as a strategic solution, companies need a unified Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solution that can resolve traditional cybersecurity limitations and address the remote workforce’s new vulnerabilities. The DLP solution’s core technology enables accurate identification of the sensitive data that needs to secure and take remedial action in case of an incident.

DLP offers both content inspection and contextual analysis of data sent over email and instant messaging services. Moreover, it secures data in motion over the network, in use on a managed endpoint device, and at rest in on-premise servers, cloud applications, and cloud storage, thereby addressing the risk of accidental leaks exposure of sensitive data outside authorized channels. The comprehensive technology can offer both network monitorings on devices and gateway platforms available in two broad categories, Enterprise DLP, and Integrated DLP.

Implementing a security-focused company policy covering every perimeter of the operations from office to home to USB devices is the key to resilience in the cyber-world. Moreover, organizations must ensure that employees are trained in identifying, preventing, and mitigating data breaches and leaks at all times. An integrated security solution will help gain better insights into data security challenges, prioritize security alerts through data intelligence, and deliver higher value through reduced complexity with minimal disruption to the organizational framework.