Good Security Measures & Tools To Boost Your Information Security.
In our previous articles, we discussed how Information Security(or InfoSec in short) plays an essential role in safeguarding the digital infrastructure of both businesses and individuals. Today, cyber-attacks have increased in sophistication and frequency, and the need for effective Information Security practices has become more critical than ever. This article will explore several good security measures and tools to strengthen your digital infrastructure.
Good Security Measures
Adopting good security measures is vital to maintain strong information security. Some good security measures include (regular) Audits, Operational Security (OpSec), Clean Desk Policies(CDP), and Security Awareness Training. Let’s briefly expand on these measures:
Security Audits help identify potential vulnerabilities and non-conformities of security measures in organisations(via checks and tests) so they can address them before a malicious attacker can exploit them.
Some checks and tests involved in Security Audits include Penetration Testing, Access Control Review, Compliance Checks, and Incident Response. InfoSec companies such as Guardian360 create and provide the tools and procedures for performing these audits.OpSec involves the processes and procedures to protect sensitive information, data, or activities from unauthorised access.
Some of these processes include using strong passwords, encrypting data, keeping confidential information in secure places, and limiting access to sensitive information.Security Awareness Training involves educating end-users and organizations on safe practices that protect themselves and their infrastructure against security threats.
Some of these teachings include verifying the identity of personnel they interact with, performing anti-malware scans on e-mail attachments they receive, strictly accessing web content from authorised locations, and restricting the amount of personal/professional information they share publicly(answers to common security questions)Clean Desk Policies are guidelines for staff in a business/organisation to prevent unauthorised access and accidental leaks of sensitive or confidential information by keeping the workspace tidy.
Some of these guidelines include logging off computers when not in use, keeping cabinets locked, and not leaving passwords and private keys publicly visible(like on sticky notes and GitHub repositories).
Different types of users in an enterprise are responsible for good security measures, including management teams, IT administrators, security personnel, compliance officers, and even end-users.
For example, while IT administrators are responsible for patching, updating, and configuring software like Firewalls, end-users are responsible for having good password management and avoiding suspicious links and email attachments.
To support these actors in implementing good measures in security, they require good security tools.
Good Security Tools
The InfoSec ecosystem consists of several Commercial(typically closed-source) and Non-Commercial(typically open-source) security tools created to help users and businesses defend against cyber threats.
Open-Source security tools are openly developed and freely distributed for public use.
Commercial security tools, however, are privately developed and sold by companies(such as Guardian360).
Both have advantages and disadvantages; Open-Source tools are more generalized (but customisable to suit specific needs) with little to no technical support outside of documentation. Commercial tools tend to be specialised for the customer and often offer better technical support and advanced features.
Some examples of popular InfoSec tools:
Password Managers: KeePass, Dashlane, 1Password
Firewalls: Check Point, Cisco ASA, Fortinet, pfSense
Patching and Updating: Windows Update, WSUS, SCCM, IBM BigFix
Port Scanners: Nmap, Angry IP Scanner, Advanced Port Scanner, SolarWinds Port Scanner
Anti-virus Software: Norton, McAfee, Kaspersky, Bitdefender
Intrusion Detection Systems: Snort, Suricata, Bro/Zeek, OSSEC
Data Backup and Recovery: Carbonite, Acronis, Veeam, Rubrik
Each tool plays a crucial role in protecting information systems and network participants from various kinds of cyber-attacks.
Good Recommendations from G360DAO
To enhance your Information Security, we recommend the following InfoSec tools and security measures:
Use a password manager to create strong passwords and store them securely.
Keep software up-to-date by regularly applying patches and updates.
Use anti-malware software to protect against malware and other malicious actors.
Conduct regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities and assess the effectiveness of security measures.
Provide security awareness training to employees to help them understand the importance of information security and best practices.
Conclusion
It's important to note that no single InfoSec tool or strategy offers complete protection against all cyber-attacks. Therefore, it's crucial to implement a layered security approach that involves a combination of InfoSec tools and practices to ensure maximum protection against cyber threats.
Ultimately, introducing good InfoSec tools and measures is necessary for any end-user or organisation to ensure the Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability of their data and systems. By implementing these measures, end-users and organisations can safeguard against the risk of cyber-attacks and protect themselves against potential threats.
Addendum
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