Cybersecurity in teleworking
Cybersecurity in telework is one of the pillars of a digitalization strategy and it is essential to know the strategies and tools to protect data, systems and applications. This article provides guidelines to ensure safe working from any location. Learn how to ensure telework security and protect your company’s data. Telework cybersecurity is more important than ever and companies have an obligation to develop a robust strategy that incorporates telework cybersecurity tools such as Cloud & Cybersecurity by aggity, capable of protecting both the infrastructure and information of organizations. Employee training and training of employees is also of paramount importance. telework security awareness. Lhe importance of keeping applications up to date, the use of a VPN or two-factor authentication are some of the measures we will discuss in this post. Employee training This is perhaps the most important element in establishing a remote work security strategy. It is often said that users are the weakest link in the chain. It is therefore very important that employees are aware of the risks that cyber threats can pose to the organization and to this end companies must provide the necessary training to enable their employees to identify any threats. In this regard, one of the main security threats in teleworking is phishing. phishing . Such training should be designed to enable workers to identify suspicious e-mails or messages so that they do not open links or download attachments from unknown sources. They should also be trained in secure password management in teleworking, including the creation of complex passwords and the importance of changing them periodically. Use a VPN The use of a VPN for teleworking is another critical element in implementing a cybersecurity strategy. This is one of the main strategies in network security in teleworking, since the purpose of a virtual private network is to encrypt the communication between the employee’s computer and the corporate network, protecting the data from possible attacks by malicious intermediaries. Carrying out the relevant security updates when telecommuting and using a VPN to access from remote locations will reduce the risk of a cyber-attack. Two-factor authentication (2FA) In this case it is a measure that aims to reduce the success of cyber-attacks on telework. The implementation of a two-factor authentication allows the protection of employee accounts and should be one of the main security policies in an organization’s telework. By implementing 2FA measures, it is more difficult for a cybercriminal to gain access to the information contained on a user’s computer because, even if he knew the main password, he would not be able to access the account without a second authentication factor, such as a code sent to the user’s cell phone. Back up your data Data is a critical asset for any company, so data protection in teleworking must be a priority. Regular backups and the establishment of a backup strategy ensure that, in the event of a data loss, critical information can be recovered without significant impact on the organization’s operations. Policy for the use of personal devices In the early days of the pandemic, companies made numerous mistakes as the priority was to maintain business. The main failure that made cyber-attacks on teleworking possible was that, unable to use the equipment that was in the offices, employees used their own personal devices, many of which lacked adequate protection measures. The security of personal devices in telework requires organizations to establish clear rules and guidelines for the use of personal devices in telework. This includes specific policies on access to the company network, the installation of external applications or the user’s handling of corporate data, which can lead to a failure to ensure regulatory compliance in teleworking if the company policy is inadequate. These are just some of the steps to take in a telework cybersecurity strategy ; others, such as incorporating cloud security solutions for telework or maintaining communication with the IT team, are equally critical.
Data Encryption: Protect your Sensitive Information
Data encryption is one of the most effective safeguards to protect sensitive information from cyber threats. We analyze how data encryption acts as a virtual shield and ensures that sensitive data is inaccessible to unauthorized entities. Discover how data encryption ensures the security of your information. Data encryption is as essential as having the right tools to ensure information protection. With the Cloud & Cybersecurity by aggity suite of solutions, aggity is at the forefront of cybersecurity and ensures companies that their data is protected at all times. But what is data encryption? This is a cybersecurity process by which data is transformed into an unreadable code, so that only those computers or users with the appropriate decryption key will be able to access the data. In information protection, data encryption uses encryption algorithms to encode the original information. Below, we analyze some of the key elements that make up this type of information protection: Encryption methods There are two fundamental encryption technologies to ensure the protection of sensitive data. These two methods are symmetric encryption and asymmetric encryption. Symmetric encryption uses a single key to encrypt and decrypt data. It is fast and efficient, but requires secure key distribution. Asymmetric encryption, however, uses two keys: one public and one private. The public key is widely shared, while the private key is kept secret. This is a more secure method in terms of data security. Encryption algorithms Encryption algorithms are the set of instructions that enable data encryption. They are essential in encryption methods and there are several types. On the one hand, there are symmetric encryption algorithms, which use a single key to encrypt and decrypt data. Their main advantage is that they are very efficient and fast, so they are the most commonly used for encrypting large volumes of data. Asymmetric encryption algorithms use a public and a private key to add an additional layer of security. In this case, its main application is in the protection of confidential information, from secure online transactions to private communication. Key security Here we discuss the importance of secure generation, storage and management of encryption keys . Passwords play a key role in preventing cyber threats and reducing security vulnerabilities because they control who can access information. There are two important aspects to consider in the keys to ensuring digital security. The first is that strong and unique keys must be generated. We can often see this for ourselves when we are asked to create a long password containing uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters when registering for a particular service. This point is fundamental, the passwords must be complex and long to make unauthorized access to the data more difficult. A simple key does not protect against malware. But just as important as creating a strong key is its proper management, which involves changing keys or properly managing who has access to encrypted data. Communication encryption This involves encrypting information that is transmitted over the Internet or private corporate networks. By encrypting the message that circulates through the networks, we ensure that the data circulates securely and online privacy is guaranteed. There are different encryption protocols used, for example, in e-commerce portals or banking applications. Encryption of communications not only protects users against espionage and data theft, but also ensures the integrity of transmitted information and the protection of privacy. Encryption of data at rest This is another digital security approach to the management of sensitive data and is often used to prevent unauthorized access in the event of device theft, as well as the unauthorized access to servers or databases. Encryption of data at rest is used in various sectors, such as banking for the protection of financial data or healthcare for the encryption of medical data. Regulatory compliance Incorporating data encryption allows, finally, to help comply with regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard or PCI DSS or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the US. This ensures the protection of data privacy and the prevention of security breaches, helping to avoid costly fines and reputational crises in the company.
Keys to a Cybersecurity Audit
A Cybersecurity Audit can keep a company’s digital assets safe. We are talking about one of the most important tools in a cybersecurity strategy as it allows to evaluate and improve the security of an organization in the digital world. Evaluate and protect your company against digital threats with our Cybersecurity Audit. aggity provides solutions tailored to the needs of cybersecurity departments, ensuring the protection and trust of the company in the digital environment. Among the entire line of solutions, its cybersecurity audit stands out, enabling organizations to be up to date in defending against cyber threats. Thanks to it, a comprehensive vulnerability analysis of systems and processes is performed to find digital risks and to be able to execute a successful attack prevention. What does a cybersecurity audit consist of? There are multiple cybersecurity solutions on the market, but the establishment of an audit should be one of the basic elements for the protection of digital assets that should be incorporated in all cybersecurity strategies. cybersecurity strategies strategies. Cybersecurity audit, integrated into the proposal Cloud & Cybersecurity by aggityis one of the safety practices and allows for systematically evaluate an organization’s entire digital infrastructureincluding its security policies, procedures and practices for the purpose of identify and mitigate security risksensuring that digital assets are protected against cyber threats. In general, a cybersecurity audit such as the one offered by aggity is based on these elements. Vulnerability assessment After performing an analysis of all the digital assets that make up an organization and that may be exposed to cyber-attack, the cybersecurity audit needs to focus on finding vulnerabilities. For this purpose, weaknesses that could be found in the systems, applications and networks are searched for, which will later allow security measures to be established. For this phase, vulnerability scanning tools are one of the most commonly used solutions. Threat analysis This is one of the key phases in any cybersecurity audit as it is focused on identifying and assessing risks that could compromise the security of digital assets. Once these threats have been detected, the impact that each of them could have on the company’s security is investigated. Thanks to threat analysis, the IT department will be able to prioritize security measures and allocate extra resources to ensure digital protection. Review of security policies Security policies are the foundation of an organization’s cybersecurity. This phase of the audit reviews whether the cybersecurity strategy is adequate and whether it is necessary to implement new measures or eliminate practices that have become obsolete. This revision also includes aspects such as password management, user authentication, patch management and incident response. Penetration testing Also known as pentesting, this is one of the essential elements in any IT security audit as it allows the resilience of the IT infrastructure to be tested by simulating cyber-attacks. The goal of penetration testing is to provide data on security weaknesses found throughout the infrastructure, which will allow remediation measures to be taken before a cybercriminal can exploit those vulnerabilities. Tests can be internal, simulating an attack from within the organization, or external, representing external threats. Recommendations and action plan At the end of the audit process, all documentation generated during the process is compiled. This information is tremendously valuable to the organization as it provides detailed data on the vulnerabilities found and the risks to which the organization is exposed, and also provides recommendations and an action plan for data protection and IT infrastructure protection.Thanks to this report, the IT department will be able to make the right decisions to improve digital protection and establish a cyber defense with guarantees. Information gathered during the cybersecurity audit should be carefully documented. Detailed reports should be generated that include findings, recommendations and an action plan. These reports are essential for decision making and continuous safety improvement.
Web Security Audit: Protect your Company with Aggity
Through detailed analysis, aggity evaluates the robustness of systems and applications, identifying potential vulnerabilities and weaknesses. aggity’s team of cybersecurity experts provides organizations with customized recommendations to strengthen their defenses and safeguard the integrity of your information and assets. Find out how to protect your company with our web security audit. When establishing and implementing any type of cybersecurity strategy, it is necessary to have the right partner to guide, orient and help the organization to implement the appropriate cybersecurity measures, as well as to detect the company’s vulnerabilities. aggity is the perfect partner that guarantees the company the peace of mind of having a solid protection against cyber-attacks and ensures the continuity of operations. In this context, aggity’ s web security audit is a comprehensive solution for assessing and improving the protection of companies against any type of cyber threat. What is a web security audit Before listing the advantages provided by aggity’s solution, it is necessary to explain what an aggity solution consists of. web security auditThis is an essential process in any process cybersecurity strategy and aims to assess and analyze the security of a website by identifying vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cybercriminals. This practice is essential to ensure data protection, online security, perform a cyber risk assessment cyber risk assessment or discover if there is any deficit in security compliance, among others. The importance of performing a web security audit by an expert partner such as aggity is vital for any organization because during a web security audit a comprehensive review of the technological infrastructure underlying the website, including its code, server configurations, databases and other relevant layers. aggity’s audit proposal proposes different actions: Review server security settings This process verifies that the server has a secure configuration, which includes a security scan including firewalls, access restrictions and appropriate SSL/TLS configurations. Update software and plugins By doing so, aggity’s experts ensure that all software used on the organization’s website, including the CMS and plugins, is updated to the latest versions with security patches. The updates are intended to address security vulnerabilities, improve stability and add new features to prevent the web from being exposed to cyber-attacks. In addition, a vulnerability scan is also performed to identify possible weaknesses and security holes in the site. Protection against brute force attacks One of the most common web vulnerabilities is usually related to the access forms and passwords used. In this case cybercriminals try to crack passwords by trying multiple combinations, so to mitigate these attacks it is important to implement measures such as temporary blocks on the website after several failed attempts and to use robust password policies. It is also important to establish security measures for forms and sensitive data. The web security audit provided by aggity reviews the security of forms that collect sensitive data and ensures that data is transmitted and stored securely. In this sense, aggity’s experts also guarantee network security by preventing malware from circulating through them. Authentication and authorization tests This is another element of aggity’s web security audit. Authentication and authorization testing is an essential part of IT security as it allows to verify that the authentication and authorization of users on the website are working correctly and that only authorized users have access to certain functions or areas. Penetration testing In systems auditing , penetration penetration testing are becoming increasingly important in system auditing. Also known as pentesting, these are controlled computer security assessments that simulate real cyber attacks to identify vulnerabilities in systems, networks or applications and assess cyber risks. The goal is to reveal potential weaknesses before cybercriminals can exploit them. These are just some of the actions performed in aggity’s web security audit. However, the proposal Cloud & Cybersecurity by aggity also includes code security validation, session management, content security policies, code injection protection, database access security, resource access control, backup and recovery, as well as continuous monitoring.
Cybersecurity risk analysis
Given that cybersecurity is one of the pillars on which the digital transformation of companies is based, the establishment of cybersecurity risk analysis policies is one of the essential elements in the protection of business assets and operations. Learn how to perform a cybersecurity risk analysis to protect your organization’s information and systems. Cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, so it is becoming increasingly necessary for organizations to develop an IT security culture and take proactive measures to protect their information and systems. One of the most effective approaches to achieving effective data protection is through cybersecurity risk analysis. A cybersecurity risk analysis process involves the identification, assessment and prioritization of risks associated with information security. The great advantage of this technique is that by conducting a comprehensive analysis, organizations can better understand the threats they are exposed to and make informed decisions on how to mitigate them. Define the scope The objective of this cyber risk reduction strategy is to perform an IT risk assessment through which cybersecurity risk mitigation is achieved. Like any strategy, cybersecurity risk analysis consists of several phases of execution. The first of all is to define the scope. In this case the cybersecurity department must decide whether the scope should involve the entire organization or only the most critical areas. Once the elements to be analyzed have been decided upon, the impact of information security risks the organization’s cybersecurity managers will move on to the phases of identification and assessment of assets and threatsThe information system resources that are necessary for a company’s business processes to function correctly are identified. Detect vulnerabilities The path of the cybersecurity risk analysis strategy continues with the detection of vulnerabilitiesthat is normally performed with risk analysis tools. Conducting a vulnerability assessment is essential to prevent a successful cyber-attack . Usually these vulnerabilities are related to the lack of application updates or the use of very weak passwords by users. It is also important to identify cyber threats and the impact they can have on an organization’s assets. Evaluate risks Since working in a 100% secure environment and preventing a successful cyberattack is also not guaranteed given that the cybercriminal will always be one step ahead in developing new, more sophisticated attacks, companies must assess the risks, to better protect those assets that are most critical to the organization. It is therefore essential to establish a cybersecurity risk management framework to define what level of risk can be assumed by the company. This phase of the cybersecurity risk analysis strategy is one of the most important as it provides cybersecurity managers with a overview of assets susceptible to cyber-attacks and can focus on reducing them, starting with those that are most critical to the company’s operations. In this way, it is possible to carry out actions to reduce cloud security risks network security risk management or to execute penetration tests. penetration tests and risk analysis. In addition, an accurate view of the company’s information-related assets will be available. In short, assessing risks will facilitate decision-making when it comes to investing in cybersecurity and will also reduce the time it takes to act in the event of possible security incidents. Monitoring and review Even if the company has completed all phases of cybersecurity risk analysis, constant monitoring and review of the assets that make up a company’s technological fabric is essential to prevent their recurrence, as well as to detect new vulnerabilities.In this sense, having platforms such as Cloud & Cybersecurity by aggity helps the correct development of a risk analysis strategy by providing a cybersecurity incident response plan.
Micro-segmentation and ransomware
Micro-segmentation is one of the most successful techniques in the fight against ransomware and is increasingly used by IT departments of organizations, reinforcing the Zero-Trust strategy. It is always easier to monitor a small space than a large one, and that is the premise of micro-segmentation to prevent ransomware. Ransomware is one of the main concerns of the Chief Security Officer (CSO) and IT departments of organizations. Its ability to block data that can only be recovered with the payment of a ransom makes it one of the most dangerous threats. Variants such as WannaCry or Petya have wreaked havoc on companies in different industries, including critical infrastructure, so companies are constantly asking themselves how to protect themselves from ransomware. At the same time that cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated in their attack methods with techniques such as reverse social engineering, new techniques are also evolving and emerging to prevent ransomware or at least minimize its impact. Thus, we find the application of RPA to improve cybersecurity or the use of practices such as micro-segmentation. Micro-segmentation is a cybersecurity strategy whereby the network is divided into smaller, isolated segments, also called micro-segments. In this way, communication between them is limited so that they function as independent networks with specific security policies for each of them. Thanks to this division, the attack surface is limited, so that if a ransomware attack is suffered, the consequences will be reduced to that micro segment. Advantages of micro-segmentation to combat ransomware The concept behind micro-segmentation is very simple and seeks to answer the question of how to prevent ransomware in a practical way. Since a ransomware cyberattack spreads gradually through the network, if barriers are placed on communications, the malware will not be able to advance. The great advantage is that if one of the micro segments is compromised, the other micro segments remain isolated and protected. Another of the most important benefits of implementing a cybersecurity strategy that contemplates the micro-segmentation technique is that IT departments can establish granular and customized security policies for each micro-segment. With this, stricter measures can be implemented in those micro segments that are more critical and contain more valuable data and information for the organization. But organizations are also employing micro-segmentation for other work such as early detection and response at the time of a ransomware attack. It is always easier to monitor a small space than a large one, and that is the premise on which micro-segmentation is based. By being able to easily analyze the traffic flowing in each of the micro segments, organizations can more quickly detect any unusual behavior. It is also easier to test the strength of the systems. Zero-Trust Policy In general, what micro-segmentation fundamentally provides is greater and better visibility of everything that circulates through a business network. This improved visibility enhances the organization’s zero-trust strategy. Zero-Trust seeks to authenticate any workloads in circulation and challenge each of them to prevent malware from entering the network. With micro-segmentation, these loads can be identified more effectively, thereby enhancing the zero trust strategy. Examples of micro-segmentation There are several examples of micro-segmentation to combat ransomware: in one cloud environmentThe provider employs micro-segmentation to protect the workloads of each of its customers, so that each customer has its own virtual micro segment which operates as an independent network within the cloud infrastructure. Another example can be found in factories, where cybersecurity of operational technology is paramount; in the industrial environment, micro segments can also be created for industrial control devices, monitoring systems and security systems. In short, incorporating the micro-segmentation in the cybersecurity strategy may be determinant for the success of the fight against ransomware and for this it is essential to count on an expert partner such as aggity, which, in addition to having a range of solutions grouped in the proposal, offers a wide range of solutions. Cloud & Cybersecurity by aggityhas proven knowledge and experience in the different stages of the cybersecurity circle of excellence.
Cloud security and cyber-attacks
As more organizations migrate their data and applications to cloud environments, it is essential to understand the associated cybersecurity risks. When we talk about cloud security, there are different risks that organizations must face to prevent and nullify cyber-attacks. In the digital transformation processes that companies are carrying out, the cloud tends to be an element that is almost always present. As organizations are moving more and more data and loads to the cloud, cloud security has become a major issue for organizations in the digital age. As more companies store and process their data in cloud environments, it is essential to understand how to protect and safeguard information from potential threats. When we talk about cloud security, there are different risks that organizations must face to prevent and nullify cyber-attacks. Companies depend on data, so since a large part of them are in cloud environments, it is important to establish a cloud security strategy that guarantees their availability and protection. In general, cloud models provide greater protection than traditional on-premise models, but failure to establish cloud security measures puts not only data, but also the viability of any organization at risk. The importance of cloud security Protecting data, applications and loads in the cloud is essential, among other aspects, for reasons of confidentiality to avoid legal actions or reputational crises, for economic reasons or to avoid stoppages in the company’s operations that reduce its productivity. For any organization, data must be available when it is needed. Having a proper cloud security strategy ensures that services and data stored in the cloud are always accessible, preventing disruptions that can affect business continuity. A common mistake in establishing a cloud security strategy for enterprises, especially in smaller organizations, is to believe that protection and security must be offered by the provider from whom a particular service is contracted. The reality is that it is the organization itself that is responsible for taking care of everything in a cloud environment, regardless of whether that environment is hybrid, public or private. In general, the main mistakes that are made when setting up a strategy of cloud security have to do with aspects as simple as the lack of encryption, the use of weak passwords and incorrect configurations, and bad practices due to lack of basic training in cybersecurity by employees. These weaknesses are what allow cybercriminals to access sensitive data that the organization has stored in the cloud and even critical systems. How to protect the cloud To protect cloud environments, it is necessary to establish a cloud security strategy that first identifies potential vulnerabilities and threats specific to the organization and its cloud environment. In addition, it is necessary to establish clear security policies and define procedures to protect the loads in the cloud. It is equally important to train employees on cybersecurity best practices. Having a reliable supplier In this sense, having suppliers and partners who are experts in cloud security environments such as aggity is important, as they will help implement this security strategy in the cloud. In addition to offering a aggity’s suite of cloud security solutions, aggity helps companies not only to develop the strategy, but also, thanks to the wide range of cloud security services, to develop a complete protection of the entire cloud environment, regardless of the provider you work with or whether you operate on a multicloud environment. In short, establishing a cloud security strategy is essential to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data. Preventing and nullifying cyber-attacks is a priority to maintain business continuity and the confidence of customers and business partners.
What is reverse social engineering?
The techniques used by cybercriminals to circumvent the security of systems and applications are varied, but some of the most successful are those that employ reverse social engineering procedures. In reverse social engineering attacks, the cybercriminal presents himself to the victim as the essential element to solve a critical problem. The methods of social engineering have been known for a long time and are very diverse. Companies of all types, including those with critical activities, such as energy companies, are targeted by cybercriminals and constantly suffer from these attacks. Examples of social engineering include phone calls to users who are tricked through a series of ploys, usually posing as a company, and with the intention of getting users to provide them with users, passwords or data from which a profit can be made. In a more bizarre move, some even go through garbage containers to access receipts that provide data that will give them access to sensitive data. Phishing or the famous Nigerian letters are other types of social engineering attacks. A more sophisticated attack So what is reverse social engineering? In this case we are talking about social engineering attacks that are much more sophisticated and less crude than some of the examples described above. The main difference between the two types of attack is that in social reverse engineering the cybercriminal presents himself as the indispensable help the user needs to solve a problem. In other words, it is the user himself who approaches the cybercriminal. Thus, a very common case occurs when the cybercriminal has previously damaged the user’s computer. The latter finds that his computer or cell phone starts to run slower or has some kind of failure that does not seem very serious either. However, the attacker, posing as an official company, convinces the user that they have detected that the computer has a serious problem and that it can be fixed remotely. The user trusts that a cybersecurity solution is being installed and therefore provides him with all kinds of data or allows the cybercriminal to deploy malware without the owner of the computer being aware of it. Why is reverse social engineering used? Reverse social engineering attacks provide the hacker with a set of advantages over other methodologies. These attacks are difficult for users to identify, although they are also more complicated for cybercriminals to execute than, for example, social engineering phishing. Relying on the knowledge of experts like aggity, who help organizations to implement a correct cybersecurity strategy and who also have solutions such as Cloud & Cybersecurity by aggity, is essential. It is equally essential to train users in the detection of this type of threat, as developing the necessary detection skills is the best way to defend against reverse social engineering attacks. One of the keys to prevent this type of attack is to teach users how to distinguish this type of cyber-attack. In the same vein, penetration tests or the establishment of a zero-trust strategy also yield good results. Training to prevent social engineering attacks In the end, prevention is the best weapon to deal with this type of cyber-attack. With the help of experts, employees of organizations can learn to distinguish this type of attack with a series of basic guidelines. So, continuing with the previous example, if employees know who to go to for technical support, they probably won’t answer the questions asked by the cybercriminal. Not only that, but the company’s cybersecurity department will be informed by the user and will be able to take appropriate measures to prevent the cybercriminal from succeeding. Likewise, the services provided by specialized providers, which are combined with technologies such as EDR and XDR, emphasize the importance of workers not sharing their login credentials with third parties. The key is that social reverse engineering attacks require the user to perceive that the attacker is offering a critical service. The false offer of help will remain a mere contact without all its potential negative consequences if employees then turn to the specialist technician or supplier.
OT cybersecurity and IT vulnerability
OT cybersecurity is one of the main challenges to be solved by organizations that see how any IT vulnerability is exploited by cybercriminals to launch all kinds of attacks. OT cybersecurity has become a priority for corporate CISOs: 31% claim to have suffered a cyberattack in OT. And the number is increasing. Production process management technologies, also known as Operational Technology or OT technology, are fundamental to the development of Industry 4.0. Being, in most cases, autonomous and having a significant number of devices, OT cybersecurity is one of the main challenges that organizations will face. OT technology integrates both software and hardware to communicate, control and monitor the different elements that make up industrial networks. Industrial networks, as is the case with the rest of the communications networks, can have different types of IT vulnerabilities, so their protection is essential to prevent and protect against the different cyber-attacks that can occur. And in the same way that IT is protected with strategies such as Zero Trust, and with certain solutions and services, it is also necessary to protect OT technology. Scanning processes without security The digitization processes of organizations and, specifically, of the companies that make up the industrial sector have accelerated in recent years. However, this pace of adoption of different technologies has not been accompanied by a well-developed cybersecurity strategy. In OT technology this situation has occurred, so systems have been developed that have little protection, with unpatched software tools that make them very sensitive to the growing number of cyber-attacks on smart factories and the entry of all kinds of malware. Various studies indicate that OT’s IT vulnerability will be increasingly exploited by cybercriminals in the coming years. Those same reports indicate that 31% of CISOs and cybersecurity managers claim to have experienced cyberattacks on OT infrastructure, while 38% expect attacks that typically occur in IT environments to move OT. Computer vulnerability in OT The question is why there is so much IT security vulnerabilities in OT environments. The main reason for this is that many of the devices that work in OT were developed several years ago, at a time when IT cybersecurity was on the back burner. Other devices, on the other hand, have no IT integration whatsoever, so they are also more exposed in that they are less protected. The industrial sector was one of the first to implement fully automated systems and applications: they accelerated production processes, reduced costs and eliminated monotonous tasks for the workers, who then performed other tasks of greater value to the business. However, leaving aside the security aspect, the industrial sector has also been among the first to suffer cyber-attacks. These cyber-attacks, in most cases, occurred accidentally: that is, the cybercriminal found by chance that there was an IT security breach in a certain element. Types of OT attacks OT cybersecurity has become a top priority for industrial companies. Usually, the most recurrent breaches detected in these environments are related to vulnerabilities that allow the propagation of all types of malware. Spear phishing attacks are also common in order to obtain specific information and data, both financial and related to intellectual property. OT devices are also used by cybercriminals to carry out denial-of-service attacks. Therefore, it is essential to protect OT in the same way that other networks or equipment are protected. This secures production processes and prevents OT environments from being unprotected; with the possibility of incorporating RPA tools into cybersecurity. To achieve this twofold objective, it is of course necessary to develop a cybersecurity culture and incorporate anti-malware tools, but it is also vital to have a suitable partner such as aggity, which helps design the OT cybersecurity strategy and has advanced solutions such as Cloud & Cybersecurity by aggity. In this way, the organization will have knowledge of where the main IT vulnerabilities are located and also the ability to eliminate them.
Ethical hacking and computer security penetration testing
Employing ethical hacking in organizations allows them to strengthen their cybersecurity strategy thanks to the IT security penetration tests that are carried out. Talking about hackers or hacking usually generates tensions in most of society and even among companies. However, it is common for large organizations in particular to incorporate hacker techniques into their departments as part of their cybersecurity strategy. This is known as ethical hacking. The negative connotation of the hacker comes from the beginnings of computer science. Today anyone involved in the cybersecurity world screams to high heaven every time someone lumps all hackers together in the world of cybercrime. The usual mistake is to include the cybercriminal in the group of hackers, so, to differentiate the good from the bad, we speak of ethical hacker or hacker ethics. What is ethical hacking Ethical hacking and cybersecurity are two closely related concepts and their union enjoys greater relevance in the cybersecurity strategies of organizations. It is important to know that an ethical hacker is a person who works for an organization and whose job is precisely to attack the organization’s systems and applications. These attacks, known as computer security penetration tests, are perfectly controlled actions aimed at discovering and repairing any computer vulnerabilities and thus preventing them from being exploited by a cybercriminal. In doing so, the ethical hacker does the following constantly testing the entire security of an organization’s systemsThis, together with the use of methodologies such as Zero Trust and cybersecurity solutions and platforms such as Cloud & Cybersecurity by aggityThe security measures implemented by the company’s IT department are reinforced. Companies should incorporate ethical hacking into their cybersecurity strategies because of the significant value of the penetration tests that ethical hackers conduct. One of the problems often cited by organizations is the high cost they believe these services to be expensive, a perception that is not entirely true. Cybersecurity and ethical hacking have the value of securing corporate data, systems and applications in a much more effective way. The cost is negligible if at any given time a cybercriminal takes advantage of cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the organization’s systems that could have been prevented by penetration testing conducted by an ethical hacker. Advantages of penetration testing Computer security penetration testing, also referred to as pentesting carried out by the ethical hacker have several phases. In the first step, all the necessary information is collected so that the following steps can be developed. From there, in the second phase, the ethical hacker performs vulnerability analysis and then exploits the different types of cybersecurity vulnerabilities found. Finally, he prepares a report with details of the tests he has performed, detailing the vulnerabilities found, the consequences they could have in the event that a cybercriminal exploits them and the solutions that can be taken to fix them. What an ethical hacker brings to the table The great advantage of ethical hacking is that these professionals have a perfect knowledge of the techniques, the way they work and the intentions of cybercriminals. In addition, ethical hackers have in-depth knowledge of the company’s networks, systems and applications, and work closely with the cybersecurity department, so they can perform quality work. Adding ethical hacking to the company’ s cybersecurity culture will therefore improve cybersecurity by detecting cybersecurity vulnerabilities, prevent data from being exposed and company equipment from being disabled, and prevent corporate espionage.