2022 is here and there’s no looking back as we kick off the new year. But looking forward often means taking lessons from the past. When it comes to cybersecurity the lessons of the past are proving to be invaluable and can inform our cybersecurity resolutions for 2022.
- The cost of a data breach reached an all time high in 2021.
- Reported zero day exploits reached new heights with Log4Shell as the icing on the cake.
- Compromised credentials were the source of 20% of all breaches.
- Ransomware dominated news headlines as business and institutions were crippled and extorted.
- The Cybercrime industry is booming and is estimated to have cost the global economy almost $6 Trillion in 2021
It is no secret that 2021 saw the most cyber attacks, data breaches, and highest cost to businesses ever recorded. So, while it might be a new year, we still seem to be facing down the same rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape. It’s not all doom and gloom however, innovation in the cybersecurity technology space is starting to keep pace with the threat environment.
With some strong cybersecurity resolutions for 2022, your organization can put past lessons to work, eliminate attack vectors, protect against cyber threats, and even reduce costs along the way.
Here’s our list of the top 5 Cybersecurity Resolutions for 2022!
1. Prevent Weak or Shared Credentials from Compromising Your Organization
According to data compiled by IBM, 20% of all cyber breaches in 2021 were the result of compromised credentials and cost organizations over $4 million dollars on average. Introducing better password and credential policies is a way to help mitigate this risk. However, overly complex password policies can be the double edged sword that introduces more problems and poor security practices among employees. So what’s the answer?
Adopting a simplified approach to access by introducing identity can both protect your organization and empower a workforce, ultimately improving collaboration and productivity. As an advanced security platform, Agilicus helps organizations to effortlessly introduce Federated Identity and enable Single Sign On or Social Login for all users. Identity based access and privileges ensures your workforce can securely access their work while eliminating the issues of weak and shared credentials. Learn more about introducing Identity and Access Management and Federated Identity to secure your organization against compromised credentials.
2. Implement Secure Policies Like Multi-Factor Authentication and Auditing
Secure policies like Multi-Factor Authentication and per-user, per-application Auditing can give your organization the competitive edge when it comes to improving cyber posture and preventing cyber attacks. Multi-Factor Authentication combines a physical factor of authentication in order for access to be permitted. Fine-grained Auditing gives you the visibility to see who accessed, what, when, and for how long.
A strong Multi-Factor Authentication policy works by introducing a layer of complexity to access, requiring a physical object such as a phone or other device to verify identity. With Agilicus, Multi-Factor Authentication can be added for any user, device, and application (including SCADA, Operational Technology, and Old Applications). So, even if a hacker was able to determine credentials, (through a stuffing attack, brute force, or a previous breach), this additional layer of authentication can prevent them from gaining access because they would need the user’s physical device.
By the same token (pun not intended), per-user, per-application Auditing through Agilicus can help your team perform deep security and risk analysis with complete visibility of users and resources. Auditing capability can help your team diagnose issues, plan for the future, and in some cases achieve compliance goals.
There is no time like the present to introduce secure policies like Multi-Factor Authentication and fine-grained Auditing, which might even be a necessity if your organization needs to obtain cyber insurance. Check out this webinar re-run to learn more about Multi-Factor Authentication and its role in obtaining and maintaining cyber insurance.
3. Leverage Technology to Align Cybersecurity with Business Goals
Zero Trust was never just a buzzword. The security principles behind Zero Trust Network Access have been recognized by governments across North America and around the world as the future of cybersecurity. With the record breaking surge in cybers attacks throughout 2021 showing no signs of slowing down, it is imperative that organizations leverage new technology and security frameworks to protect their businesses.
Zero Trust Security Frameworks offer workforces a greater degree of secure access and protection while reducing the burden on employees and IT teams. Zero Trust works by shifting access from the perimeter, effectively eliminating the traditional network edge. Instead, access is bound to a user’s identity which allows organizations to improve cyber posture and enable simple, secure, access for any user, from any device, anywhere in the world.
2022 might be the time to adopt a platform like Agilicus to better align cybersecurity with business goals. Agilicus’ Zero Trust Network Access Platform can be easily deployed and doesn’t require end-user clients or network changes. Learn more about the Zero Trust features Agilicus introduces to help protect against hacks and ransomware.
4. Replace Legacy Solutions with Modern Security Platforms
IT teams are in a constant battle of conflicting demands to reduce costs, add new services, maintain convenient access, and secure the organization against evolving threats. Their job is that much harder when the organization is still using conventional, legacy platforms and solutions like the VPN to power their businesses.
While VPN’s have seen significant innovation over the years, the base technology and concepts are over 25 years old. Replacing the VPN with a cloud-native cybersecurity platform like Agilicus can help reduce fixed costs while segmenting access through identity. Replacing legacy technology stacks in your organization can securely enable digital workforces while offering protection from attack vectors like lateral network traversal.
5. Educate Teams and Employees on Security Best Practices
Finally, employee and workforce education could be one of the most powerful tools you can leverage to improve cyber resilience across your organization.
By now most everyone knows what the internet is and how to use it. But not everyone knows how to stay safe online. Educating your workforce on the basics of personal cybersecurity can not only protect your business, but it also helps keep those same individuals personally safe from malicious actors. When people are aware of attack methods like phishing and weak passwords, they stand a better chance of not falling victim to compromise.
Take Your Cyber Posture to the Next Level and Protect Against Cyber Threats in 2022
Keeping up with the rapid pace of change in business includes keeping up with the rapid pace of change in technology and cybersecurity best practices. Get in touch with our team today and learn more about securing your organization with Agilicus.
We believe that strong security should be simple and available at a lower cost. Address your Cybersecurity Resolutions of 2022 with an advanced, cloud-native cybersecurity platform. Quickly and easily secure your business without the need for end-user clients, configuration, or a VPN.