Cyber-attacks are growing at an alarming rate since businesses are digitally transforming. And this trend doesn’t appear to be slowing down for 2023, either. That makes organizations and security teams ensure that all networks and systems are secured adequately under multiple levels and layers of security.
With a global increase in cyber-risk, the consequences of not being prepared for a data breach, ransomware, or other cyber incident are severe, and they may include the following risks:
- Financial loss
- Reputational damage
- Fines and penalties from regulators
- Permanent loss of proprietary data
- Exposure of confidential data
- Expensive litigations from clients and employees due to data breaches
- Loss of productivity
- Lastly, the complete failure and dissolution of the organization
Organizations must realize that only blocking malware will not guarantee robust protection. Instead, there is much to learn about cybersecurity solutions. At this point, the simplest way is to break cybersecurity solutions into multiple layers and methods. Here, the article explores the six main layers of cybersecurity so businesses can stay ahead of cyber-attacks.
Multiple Layers of Security
As potential security risks in businesses can occur at various levels, security leaders need to build security measures under multiple layers of defense against the risks. Organizations should always assume and stay prepared for network risks and other security issues when a business connects to a cloud network.
Consequently, a proactive approach to cyber security is the best defense, and a layered security approach is even better when planning a security strategy. Doing this will ensure that attackers are misguided under the multiple layers of security and that their impact of attacks is comparatively lesser or mitigated completely.
Security strategies must include actions that protect the layers of the business network and computing models. The teams need to plan security from the basic level of the security system to the most complex security system. So, here are the layers of security that may help strengthen cybersecurity approaches across the business:
Network Level Security
Network security measures to control access to an overall operating system of networks. When the business infrastructure connects to the network, teams need to ensure adequate network-level security measures are in place to protect internal network resources from unauthorized access and attempts.
Implementation of a firewall is the most required network security solution. The network security plan needs to framework what security measures the ISP provides, such as filtering rules for the ISP router connection and public Domain Name System (DNS) protections.
Network security solutions also provide powerful protection from data loss, cyber threats, and other vulnerabilities. The solutions allow adequate network monitoring to check if any suspicious activity occurs, block malicious traffic, and encrypt sensitive data every time. And while data is encrypted, teams use passwords to access internal information.
Standard network security measures such as Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions, and authentication protocols are reliable solutions that protect business networks effectively.
Endpoint Level Security
The endpoint security layer protects devices and data stored on individual systems. The protection solutions vary from system to system. Endpoint security solutions block unauthorized access, monitor malicious activities, detect viruses, encrypt sensitive data, and control user permissions by prompting 2FAs and MFAs.
Common endpoint security solutions include antivirus software, mobile device management (MDM) tools, patch management solutions, application safelisting, two-factor authentication (2FA), and endpoint detection and response technologies.
With appropriately implemented solutions, businesses can stay safe, with the assurance of the robust protection of the organization’s network infrastructure and systems.
Transmission Level Security
Transmission-level security protection is responsible for securing data communications within and across networks. When teams communicate or work across an untrusted network like the Internet, the chances of severe cyber-attacks are high.
So, unless teams set up robust security measures, such as configuring applications to use the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), the data remains open for the public to view, use, and misuse significantly. Transmission-level security measures protect data as it drifts between the other security-level security parameters.
Perimeter Level Security
The physical and digital security techniques responsible for safeguarding the entire company are involved in perimeter-level security controls. Security methods help protect an organization’s sensitive information and physical assets from unauthorized access. The security solutions help create a protective barrier around the network’s perimeter, making it difficult for threat attackers to penetrate.
Perimeter security measures include Unified Threat Management Systems (UTM), Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), anti-malware solutions, device management and authentication, and physical barriers such as access control gates. These solutions are crucial if an organization has a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) work culture and sets up a secure demilitarized zone for robust security.
Application Level Security
Application security levels protect overall data stored within the application or used to build applications from external threats and unauthorized access. The robust application security solutions include authentication protocols, data encryption methods, authorization procedures, and digital signature verification.
Developers can also use application-driven security solutions to secure coding data to ensure the applications operate securely and remain safe from severe malicious activity.
Also Read: Emerging Web 3.0 Security Threats Every Digital Business Need to Identify
System Level Security Measures
The overall organization’s system is the last line of defense against rigid and severe threat attacks that penetrates from multiple routes or sources such as internet network, cloud-based network, coding network, and applications, and it goes on to cover other digital systems.
Consequently, the first step in the overall cybersecurity strategy requires properly configuring the basic system security system at scale and covering the security mentioned above.
Leveraging These Layers of Security Can Result in Strong Cybersecurity Framework
Understanding and implementing these layers will help organizations minimize potential risk exposure. A strong grasp of network and data security’s basic information and minute details will lead security teams to build strong security systems.
Many organizations work remotely or have a hybrid setup as businesses are digital. Security teams can easily manage these security levels with effective solutions if they have a strong knowledge of networks, apps, and data. Most cybersecurity cases show that cybercriminals target these seven layers differently. So, understanding where each layer has the most vulnerabilities is critical and paramount.
For more such updates follow us on Google News ITsecuritywire News. Please subscribe to our Newsletter for more updates.
