There is no denying the extent to which various technologies have made our lives easier and more convenient. Through these innovations, the world has become smaller and more accessible. Nevertheless, as with all things, it isn’t without its drawbacks. 

One of the biggest risks that plague our modern world is threats. In the last few years, cyberattacks have become more sophisticated. The development of malicious activities was only exacerbated by COVID-19. Today, two years into the pandemic, it has become harder for people and organizations to identify threats:

“Criminals are getting so sophisticated. It is getting harder and harder for victims to spot the red flags and tell real from fake. With mobile phone use becoming nearly universal, fraud attempts are increasingly coming in the form of text messages (smishing). Standing fake websites (pharming) are also growing. You may get a text message that appears to be your bank asking you to verify information on your account or you may even search a service online and inadvertently end up on a fraudulent site that gathers your bank or credit card information” explains Donna Gregory, unit chief of IC3. 

Cybercriminals are no longer discerning with their targets. More than protecting personal information, it is crucial for businesses to implement a strong cybersecurity protocol to protect digital assets from malicious attacks. Arguably, a layered security approach is amongst the best cybersecurity methods. 

In this article, learn all about layered security and how it can transform your business’ cybersecurity strategies. 

What is Layered Security?

Technopedia defines layered security as the implementation of multiple security channels at varying levels to protect a network or a slew of digital assets:

“Layered security refers to security systems that use multiple components to protect operations on multiple levels, or layers. This term can also be related to the term defense in depth, which is based on a slightly different idea where multiple strategies and resources are used to slow, block, delay or hinder a threat until it can be completely neutralized.”

It has become a popular form of cybersecurity strategy with the endorsement of the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center or NCCIC: 

“There is no single or set of defensive techniques or programs that will completely avert all malicious activities. Multiple defensive techniques and programs should be adopted and implemented in a layered approach to provide a complex barrier to entry, increase the likelihood of detection, and decrease the likelihood of a successful compromise.”

Essential Security Layers

There are various ways to implement layered security protocols. The choice of layers depends on the type of operation you run. Truth be told, when it comes to layered security, there is no one-size-fits-all. However, below are some common security layers that can provide your company a sufficient safeguard from malicious attacks: 

  • Firewall
    Firewalls are often a network’s first line of defense against malicious actors and hackers. This security technology works by monitoring the flow of traffic. It assess the outgoing and incoming traffic against a set of rules. An effective firewall differentiates between trusted and untrusted networks. 
  • Multi-Factor Authentication
    Most people have already had experience with multi-factor authentications. It has been a popular security strategy for financial and healthcare institutions. Nevertheless, this innovation can also be incorporated in most sectors. Multi-factor authentication protocols or MFA work by requiring several forms of verification before allowing access to an account, application or network. It is a great form of complimentary security protocol as it prevents hackers from exploiting accounts with weak passwords. 
  • Endpoint Protection
    Most people, especially those that work beyond the IT industry, fail to realize that digital devices go beyond laptops, cellphones, and other workstation essentials. Printers, fax machines, copiers, and security cameras have as much access to a network as their more familiar counterparts. Endpoint protection technology protects vulnerable parts of the network and should be included in your company’s layered security protocols. 
  • Password Policy
    Did you know that 73% of passwords are duplicates? This means that most employees use the same password for all of their credentials. This spells a disaster for most companies since hackers only need to crack one log-in credential and they gain access to a slew of different applications. Implementing a password policy in your company provides guidelines to your employees as to how to properly create passwords and avoid password reuse. 
  • Real-Time Detection and Response
    When it comes to cybersecurity, having a real-time snapshot of the status of a network is invaluable. The attack damage and the efficacy of your response depends on how quickly you are able to detect the presence of hackers in your system. Generally, the sooner hackers are detected, the less likely they are to wreck havoc on your digital assets. 

Benefits of Implementing a Layered Security Approach for Your Business 

Choosing to implement a layered approach to cybersecurity provides plenty of benefits. It might seem like a heft investment but the reward is well-worth it. 

  • Prepare for New Risks
    As mentioned earlier, attacks have become more sophisticated over the last few years. Hackers are now incredibly adept in learning how to attack even the newest of technologies. Layered security allows companies to remain protected even amids upgrading or new technology integration. 
  • Mitigate vulnerabilities
    “Tried-and-tested” cybersecurity protocols are no longer as capable of protecting a network from an attack. Because these solutions have been in the market for a long time, hackers have had the chance to study their vulnerabilities. A layered approach integrates these legacy security tactics with newer forms of protection. Through this method, no stone is left unturned. 

In this day and age, developing an effective cybersecurity plan is no longer optional for most businesses. Threats of attacks are real and should be taken seriously. Truth be told, there are plenty of cybersecurity products in the market today. It can be challenging to discern which ones are worth your money. 

SecureBrain offers a slew of tried-and-tested cybersecurity solutions. We can provide an added layer of protection for your digital assets. Reach out to us today to learn more about what we have to offer.