It’s 2022, and companies are constantly under threat of a cyber attack. A slight lapse in an employee’s attention or an unknown vulnerability is all it takes for hackers to breach your system. Even a minor breach can have catastrophic consequences, both financially and reputationally.
Thankfully, there’s a wide range of cybersecurity tools to help you protect your company from various cyber attacks. Here’s a list of the eight most effective ones to implement in your company:
antivirus software
antivirus software has been around for decades. It was the first cybersecurity tool ever used widely by companies and remains a staple for the security of businesses in all spheres.
Antivirus is software capable of detecting and removing malware. It scans the device for vulnerabilities in real-time, making it hard for anything harmful to go through. Modern antivirus software usually comes with additional features like backups, making it a must-have tool for any defense system.
It’s recommended that companies install antivirus software on all devices, including smartphones.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
With the number of employees starting to work remotely, VPNs have become a life-saver for many businesses embracing the remote working culture. Unless configured correctly, networks can make your business data vulnerable. Without a system admin on-site, employees often use public, unprotected networks to do work.
A VPN serves as a middleman between the employee’s device and the network. It encrypts all data transfers between the two and hides the user’s IP address. If you want to learn more about the ins and outs of VPNs, visit the Nord VPN Wikipedia page.
Password manager
Passwords play a vital role in a company’s security posture. Companies are relying on different solutions to make their job easier. That means more accounts and more passwords for employees to remember.
Password managers are a popular solution for companies that require employees to use multiple accounts. A password manager can store the passwords securely, giving employees access when needed. It’s also capable of generating strong passwords, making it even easier for employees.
Network security management software
Network security tools are advanced tools that help security teams manage and protect the organization’s network, critical infrastructure, and data. Depending on their function, there are several types of network security tools, including:
- Intrusion Detection System (IDS) – Capable of detecting known malware. It has limitations as it’s impossible to detect all malware variants. It also returns a fair bit of false positives.
- sandboxes – Combine static and dynamic analysis to inspect potential malware. Suitable for detecting 0-day exploits.
- Network traffic analysis – Active monitoring to detect suspicious network activity. It is becoming more prevalent as hackers don’t rely on malware as much anymore.
firewall
A firewall is a network security tool that analyzes incoming and outgoing traffic. It allows or blocks traffic based on specific rules set by the admin.
A firewall is a system admin’s best friend, as it does several functions simultaneously. For one, it can stop unauthorized access to your network. It can also block dangerous websites and prevent employees from accessing them. Finally, it can prevent your employees from overloading the network, which can put the execution of critical functions at risk.
Off-site data protection system
Off-site data protection is a popular term for a disaster recovery plan. It involves sending data from the main storing location and creating a copy elsewhere. It essentially means backing up critical data.
eXtended Detection Response (XDR)
XDR is the successor of EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response). Both tools have advanced, multi-functional capabilities that not only detect malware like antivirus software but can also remediate its effects.
While EDR focuses on endpoint protection, XDR goes a step further by encompassing all data across the network, cloud, and endpoints. This means higher visibility and more efficiency for the people handling the tool. XDR utilizes automation and AI to predict present and future threats.
Phishing reporting tool
Phishing emails are a big threat to companies. Human error is the leading cause of data breaches, and phishing is at the top of the list of scams people fall for. A phishing reporting tool will allow employees to alert coworkers of suspicious emails.
Remember that the tool will only help spread awareness about a phishing attempt. It won’t stop people from falling for it. To do that, invest in a training program that teaches employees best practices when dealing with emails and other communication.
Conclusion
There is no shortage of tools for companies to choose from when building their cyber defenses. The most important thing is to combine the right tools that make sense for your company to support its everyday operations.
Interesting Related Article: “Cybersecurity Predictions for 2022: What are the Emerging Threats?”
