In this on-demand webinar, we give you some insights into three simple, cost-effective data security solutions, powered by Microsoft. These solutions are all robust enterprise-grade cyber security solutions, which are available as part of the Microsoft 365 Business Premium license. Many users are paying for this license but not benefitting from the data security solutions included within it. That’s because they all need configuring based on your individual business requirements. These features will allow you to:
• Manage and secure company devices which hold your data, to ensure your data doesn’t fall into the wrong hands if the device is lost or stolen.
• Prevent users from sharing sensitive data outside the business, whether accidental or malicious.
• Retain control of data which needs to be shared externally, so you can prevent it from being distributed even further, or ‘recall’ the data if you need to.
“These features aren’t addons – if you have a Microsoft 365 Business Premium license, you will have access to these features right now.”
View the Webinar
If you would like to explore our cyber security solutions in further depth, you can read the below website pages:
• Mobile Device Management
• ThreatLocker Zero Trust
• Next Generation Antivirus
• Data Loss Prevention
• Next Generation Firewalls
• Cloud Firewalls
Emerge Digital can undertake a comprehensive cyber security assessment for your business, looking at your systems, data, and people, searching for non-conformances, problems, loopholes and flaws. We produce a report which provides actionable tasks to improve cyber security and aid data breach prevention in your business.
About Emerge Digital
Emerge Digital is a technology and digital innovation business and Managed Services Provider (MSP) which provides solutions to SMEs that drive efficiency, competitiveness, and profit.
Using our comprehensive solutions – including outsourced IT support, cyber security, cloud infrastructure, and innovative technologies like process automation and data visualisation – we enable businesses to invest in technology that supports them in achieving their goals.
Looking for guidance on data breach prevention, and how you can keep your sensitive data secure? We’ve created a quick guide to get you started, where we detail four key cyber security solutions, so you can get a firm idea of where to begin with your cyber security investment. Here’s what we cover:
Data Breach Prevention Solutions
• Key data breach statistics, showing the reality of how SMEs are affected.
• An overview of four key data breach prevention solutions, covering security on data, device, and user levels.
• Information on how to get started with the implementation of data breach prevention solutions.
“Investing in preventative measures offers lower costs than remedial measures – which could also include regulatory fines.”
Download the Data Breach Prevention eBook
If you would like to explore our cyber security solutions in further depth, you can read the below website pages:
• Mobile Device Management
Our Mobile Device Management platform – Microsoft Endpoint Manager – provides a platform for managing more than just devices – you can control applications, data and users too, for both personal and corporate devices. It can be used to replace traditional solutions like group policies, and works with 365 features to provide enterprise-grade security and control.
• ThreatLocker Zero Trust
ThreatLocker Zero Trust security uses industry-leading machine learning, which learns what software applications staff use. This automated approach brings the implementation time down to a fraction of other solutions where you have to manually program the software. Once the ‘learning mode’ has been completed, the door is closed to anything which employees don’t use.
• Next Generation Antivirus
It works by using AI and machine learning to detect changes in behaviour. Humans follow predictable patterns – we generally work at a certain location at a certain time of day, and use a defined set of apps. Next Gen Antivirus detects where staff members or their computers are doing something unusual, and flag this behavioural change to an engineer.
• Data Loss Prevention
Data Loss Prevention is a Microsoft 365 feature designed to stop confidential data from leaving your business, whether that’s done accidentally or maliciously. You can specify rules on what data needs to be blocked by using default rules (for things like NI numbers or credit card numbers) or by creating bespoke rules for your business, like order numbers.
• Next Generation Firewalls
A firewall is a network security solution which acts as the first line of defense for your network against cyber threats. It’s the barrier that sits between the outside world and your internal network. It inspects all of the traffic as it passes through, opening up data packets to check for (and block) anything malicious – like somebody trying to access the network, or a virus.
• Cloud Firewalls
We can provide a cloud firewall as a service. A cloud firewall has all of the features of a physical one, but it’s hosted in the cloud. You can connect to the firewall via a transparent always-on VPN, giving you a secure connection without affecting the speed of your network infrastructure.
Emerge Digital can also undertake a comprehensive cyber security assessment for your business, looking at your systems, data, and people, searching for non-conformances, problems, loopholes and flaws. We produce a report which provides actionable tasks to improve cyber security and aid data breach prevention in your business.
About Emerge Digital
Emerge Digital is a technology and digital innovation business and Managed Services Provider (MSP) which provides solutions to SMEs that drive efficiency, competitiveness, and profit.
Using our comprehensive solutions – including outsourced IT support, cyber security, cloud infrastructure, and innovative technologies like process automation and data visualisation – we enable businesses to invest in technology that supports them in achieving their goals.
Introduction
Patch management and good cyber security is more crucial than ever in the high-tech workplace of today. Attacks using ransomware have increased over the past few years. Cybercriminals don’t care who they target; but, high-profile data leaks are much more inclined to make the headlines. In actuality, 39% of UK firms said they had been the victim of a cyber incident in the previous year.
Employing efficient patch management is one approach for businesses to defend themselves against cybercriminals.
What Is Patch Management?
Patch management refers to the process of routinely patching operating systems and software applications in your business to make sure they are secure with the freshest security patches.
The Benefits Of A Managed Patching Service For Your Business
Using a managed patching service for your business can help make your business more efficient. Some of the benefits also include:
Securing Environments
By routinely patching issues, you control and lower the risk which arises in your businesses infrastructure. This shields your company from unexpected security lapses.
Adherence To Compliance Regulations
Regulatory authorities may fine your firm financially if it fails to patch and subsequently violates compliance criteria. Compliance is ensured through effective patch management.
Technology Innovation
Companies can add updates to their technology to enhance it with better functionality and capabilities. This can give your business a way to widely implement your most recent software advancements.
How Does Emerge Digital Manage Patching Services For Our Clients?
It’s not sufficient to respond to problems in the modern world by simply reacting. Maintaining the infrastructure is necessary to adequately safeguard systems and reduce downtime. We deploy an industry-leading specialist software that can monitor systems, apply patches, and orchestrate scripts and actions to be completed on all terminals which we manage.
Engineers closely monitor terminals around-the-clock so they can respond to any problems. Additionally, it enables us to programme and automate preventive maintenance procedures, that can help keep your system architecture and IT hardware healthy.
Want To Find Out More About How Emerge Digital Can Help Your Business?
Emerge Digital are technology and digital innovation specialists that offer trustworthy IT support and cyber security services and solutions for businesses as well as helping with technical and strategic guidance to ensure businesses are running efficiently and effectively. This allows businesses to continue striving to achieve goals and dominate their respective markets.
If you want to find out more about how Emerge Digital can help your business with managed patching services or other fully managed IT systems and services, contact our knowledgeable team today.
Introduction
Between 2020 and 2021, there were 270 more cyberattacks, on average, per company – that’s a 31% increase from 2020. Nearly all IT managers, CEOs and managing directors acknowledge that data breaches and hack attacks have become a more regular occurrence in the world of IT cyber security, and it’s only a matter of when rather than if, as far as these cyber security breaches go.
Ransomware attacks have gotten bigger and more sophisticated than ever: July 2021 saw a major data breach at Capital One where a hacker managed to access more than 80,000 bank accounts and up to 140,000 social security numbers. More than 100 million Americans and 6 million Canadians were affected, causing the company’s stock to sink by over 5% barely a week after the breach.
What is Zero Trust?
One of the easiest and most common ways for hackers to gain entry to a company’s private information is through their information systems’ endpoints (PCs). Fortunately, the IT cyber security paradigm has now shifted with ThreatLocker® – which adds “Zero Trust” policy-driven security to all your endpoints.
Cyber criminals are now becoming increasingly sophisticated in their attacks. The IT cyber security techniques Emerge Digital is currently adopting is something only being offered to large governments and major enterprises – until now.
The Zero Trust cyber security framework has become absolutely 100% necessary in today’s business environment – in order to provide the required visibility and IT controls to secure, manage and actively monitor every device, app, user and network that’s used to access a company’s private and often highly sensitive information.
The benefits of Zero Trust with ThreatLocker
The Zero Trust security framework states that organisations should not trust any entity whatsoever outside their own security perimeter at any point in time. Data Storage Control, Application Whitelisting, and Ringfencing are just some of the ways that ThreatLocker can keep your business safe.
After installing ThreatLocker on your workstations, it will effectively block every unapproved or unauthorised piece of software, along with viruses, ransomware and a broad range of malicious software. If you or anyone in your organisation attempts to run an application or software not approved, it will send you a prompt notification to the Emerge Digital cyber security team, who will review the request and ensure that the requested app/software is free of viruses and non-malicious in nature.
In overview, adopting ThreatLocker and a Zero Trust policy can:
• Audit every file, app and software access in real-time
• ensures that no new or unknown apps or malicious software can get past your anti-virus and cyber-security framework, thanks to an Application Whitelisting feature
• Control the level of access for devices, apps and users, and how they access your company information, giving you tight control without compromising productivity
• Set individual policies for the file types which can be saved to/copied from or deleted from your information systems
It’s time to implement a Zero Trust policy for unparalleled IT cyber security. Emerge Digital, powered by ThreatLocker, has you covered.
If you’re interested in learning more about ThreatLocker and Zero Trust, and to see how it can benefit our business, please book an introductory meeting where we can arrange a demonstration and a free trial of this groundbreaking new solution.
Introduction
Cyber criminals can take advantage of various vulnerabilities in your company. Patching them up with great IT cyber security is crucial to protecting your reputation.
Taking your IT cyber security seriously is essential regardless of your organization. Otherwise, criminals can easily halt your operations.
Take the University of Sunderland as an example.
At first, it seemed like they had a standard IT issue that they would quickly resolve. But they soon realized that they were a victim of a cyber attack.
As a result, the university had to cancel all its online classes. Its employees also had trouble accessing emails. Their telephone lines and website also went down.
It was a significant setback, as the university couldn’t resume its activities.
This proves that even academic institutions have vulnerabilities in their IT cyber security systems, leaving them open to attacks.
Your business might have similar vulnerabilities.
But the main difference is instead of just disruptions to your operations, such attacks and loss of access to emails can cost you thousands of dollars and entail legal ramifications.
Therefore, you need to check for weaknesses in your IT cyber security solutions regularly. And this article will share what you should look out for.
The Six Vulnerabilities
Vulnerability #1 – Lack of Endpoint Defences
Many enterprises fail to set up endpoint defense mechanisms such as antivirus tools. This means their organization is more susceptible to cyber attacks, allowing targets to easily access their servers.
Another problem is inadequate endpoint defenses. Several factors can turn them into vulnerabilities, including the use of signature-based antivirus platforms. They’re no longer efficient since many tech-savvy criminals can quickly bypass them.
Additionally, many programs don’t monitor unexpected or unusual behavior. They may also be unable to investigate or respond to endpoints, especially on larger scales.
The best way to address these issues is to invest in cutting-edge endpoint defense tools that involve next-generation antivirus, response, and behavioral analysis capabilities. They provide a comprehensive evaluation of malicious actions and flexible prevention options.
If you’re operating a traditional antivirus platform, consider upgrading it to a version with in-depth behavioral inspections. You could also use detailed compromise indicators, forensic details, and real-time response functionality.
Vulnerability #2 – Poor Account Privilege Control
Limiting the access privileges of your software users is the tenet of controlling vulnerabilities. The less information they can access, the less harm they can do if they have a compromised account.
The problem comes if your company doesn’t control your user account access, enabling practically any user to have administrator-level privileges. It gets even worse if your configuration allows unprivileged members to set up admin-level accounts.
Therefore, you should grant access only to those team members who can’t carry out their duties without the access.
You also need to ensure new accounts don’t have administrator-level access. This helps prevent less-privileged users from creating additional privileged accounts.
Vulnerability #3 – Compromised or Weak Credentials
Your password and username may be the most widely used access credential. And cyber criminals can easily compromise them, exposing your user credentials.
This usually happens when an unsuspecting team member falls victim to phishing and enters their login information on a fake website. And with compromised credentials, an intruder gains insider access.
Even though analyzing and monitoring can help identify malicious activity, these credentials can bypass security and impede detection. The consequences vary, depending on the access they provide.
For example, privileged credentials offer administrative access to systems and devices, posing a higher risk than consumer accounts.
Keep in mind that humans aren’t the only ones who own credentials.
Security tools, network devices, and servers generally have passwords to enable communication and integration between devices. Intruders can utilize them to activate movements throughout your enterprise both horizontally and vertically – their access is almost unlimited.
To avoid this scenario, you should implement stringent password controls. Another great idea is to include longer and complex passwords, as well as frequent changes. Combining these principles is another effective method to prevent compromised credentials.
Vulnerability #4 – Lack of Network Segmentation
Cyber criminals can target inadequate network monitoring and segmentation to obtain full access to your system. This is a huge vulnerability as it enables attackers to maintain their access longer.
One of the leading causes of this weakness is the failure to develop subnet monitoring or outbound activity control.
Overcoming this obstacle in a large company can be challenging if hundreds of systems send outbound traffic and communicate with each other. Nevertheless, solving the problem is a must.
To do that, you should primarily focus on controlling your network access in systems within your subnets and building robust detection strategies for lateral movements. Plus, make sure to pinpoint strange DNS lookups, behavioral traffic trends, and system-to-system communication.
Also, microsegmentation, firewalls, and proxies can help create restrictive policies for system communications and traffic.
Vulnerability #5 – Misconfiguration
Misconfiguration refers to errors in your system configuration. For instance, enabled setup pages and default usernames or passwords can result in breaches.
If you don’t disable setup or application server configuration, hackers can recognize hidden vulnerabilities, giving them extra information. It’s because misconfigured apps and devices are an easy gateway for cyber criminals to exploit.
To prevent this, establish systems and procedures to tighten the configuration process and employ automation whenever possible. Monitoring device and application settings and comparing them to the best practices also reveal potential threats across the network.
Vulnerability #6 – Ransomware
Ransomware is cyber extortion that prevents users from accessing their data until the attacker receives a ransom. They instruct the victim to pay a certain fee to obtain their decryption key. The costs can reach thousands of dollars, but many criminals also opt for Bitcoin payments.
Making sure your system is ready to address a ransomware issue is integral to protecting your data. To do that, keep your system up to date with the latest security standards as it reduces the number of vulnerabilities. Another recommended defense mechanism is to stick to trusted software providers only.
Neutralise Threats for Peace of Mind
Successfully running a company with poor IT cyber security measures is virtually impossible. The risk of losing precious data and reputation is just too high.
To ensure your organization isn’t a sitting duck for cyber attackers, you must implement reliable defense strategies.
If your IT provider can’t take appropriate precautions, know that you’re taking a gamble. You might be paying them a tremendous amount of money for security tactics that aren’t fruitful to your business.
To figure out the problem with your IT, reach out to us for a quick, obligation-free chat. We’ll see if we can help you boost their performance and set up an impregnable system for your business.
Article used with permission from The Technology Press.
