As we welcome the New Year, we must reflect on the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats and fortify our digital defenses. The year 2023 was tumultuous in cybersecurity. The advent of new technologies like ChatGPT and other AI-driven communication tools also gave way to the subsequent adoption of generative AI by bad actors to facilitate cybercrime. The MOVEit zero-day exploit rocked the digital world, impacting more than 2,000 organizations and resulting in data theft affecting more than 62 million people — and these two significant newsmakers are just examples of the wild cybersecurity ride that 2023 witnessed. As we advance to 2024, companies and IT professionals must be ready for more change and upheaval. Taking wise precautions now will pay off later.

Nine cybersecurity New Year’s resolutions to make now

In an era where data breaches and cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, sometimes existential threats, businesses must stay one step ahead of the bad guys and follow trends to ensure they cover every angle. To kickstart 2024 on a secure note, here are intelligent cybersecurity New Year’s resolutions:

1. Invest in comprehensive security awareness training:

The human factor remains a significant vulnerability in cybersecurity. Implementing regular security awareness training programs for employees can empower them to recognize and respond to potential threats. Covering topics such as social engineering and safe data handling will enhance the overall security posture of any organization. The Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report 2023 reported that 74% of all breaches include the human element, like an employee opening a dodgy email or falling for phishing — behaviours that can be changed through security awareness training.

2. Upgrade to advanced endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions:

Traditional antivirus solutions may fall short in detecting sophisticated threats. Businesses must invest in endpoint security by adopting EDR solutions that provide real-time monitoring, threat detection, and response capabilities to keep pace with the rapid evolution of threats today. This proactive approach can thwart advanced threats and limit the impact of potential breaches. Even better, EDR can also offer companies that get infected with ransomware the chance to roll back their systems and data to a point before the attack landed, bringing them back to work faster.

3. Enlist the services of a managed security operations centre (SOC):
The complexity of cyber threats requires a proactive and round-the-clock approach to monitoring and responding. A security operations centre makes that possible, but there are significant barriers to entry, including the complexity and expense of setting one up, not to mention the lack of available personnel thanks to the cybersecurity talent shortage. A managed SOC is the perfect alternative. A managed SOC offers MSPs and businesses access to cybersecurity veterans 24/7/365, rapid threat detection technology and expert incident response capability.

4. Fortify email security measures:

Emails remain a common vector for cyberattacks, making email security a critical focus area. Resolve to implement robust email security measures, including advanced spam filters, multifactor authentication (MFA), and regular training to recognize phishing attempts. Securing email communication can prevent unauthorized access and protect sensitive information. In our Kaseya Security Survey Report 2023, we noted that respondents told us that email was the vector for cyberattacks that they were most concerned about.

5. Conduct regular penetration tests:
Identify and address potential weaknesses in your network and systems through regular penetration testing. This isn’t the same as a vulnerability assessment. Pen testing goes a step further by showing exactly how bad actors could compromise your defenses by “hacking” them. This proactive approach enables you to fix dangerous security gaps before they are exploited by malicious actors, minimizing the risk of security breaches.

6. Keep employees vigilant with phishing simulations:
Phishing is the most significant and most dangerous cyberthreat vector that businesses face. Still, phishing resistance training using simulations can reduce a company’s risk of an employee falling into a phishing trap by up to 70%. It is critical that businesses do everything they can to stop employees from falling for phishing through robust email security that can filter out phishing messages and security awareness training that includes phishing simulations.

7. Enhance incident response planning:
In a cybersecurity incident, having a well-defined incident response plan is crucial. Please review and update your company or clients’ incident response plans, conduct regular drills, and ensure all stakeholders know their roles and responsibilities. This preparedness can significantly reduce the impact of a security incident.

8. Stay informed about emerging threats:
Cyberthreats are constantly evolving, and staying informed is critical to maintaining a winning cybersecurity strategy. Commit to keeping abreast of the latest cyberthreats, trends, and technologies. Engage with industry forums, attend conferences, subscribe to threat intelligence feeds and keep up with trends by reading industry publications like our news blog “The Week in Breach” (a new edition drops every Wednesday).

9. Enhance incident response planning:
In a cybersecurity incident, having a well-defined incident response plan is crucial. Please review and update your company or clients’ incident response plans, conduct regular drills, and ensure all stakeholders know their roles and responsibilities. This preparedness can significantly reduce the impact of a security incident.

Source: ID Agent