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Why Zero Trust will be a Top Business Priority in 2023

why zero trust will be a top business priority in 2023

In February 2023, T-Mobile, a wireless telecommunication provider, announced that a bad actor had gained access to some customer data through a vulnerable API. As per their declaration, sensitive data like payment card information, or social security numbers were stolen in the breach. Incidents like these aren’t new as cyber crimes are increasing by leaps and bounds with each passing year.

The prediction is that $8 trillion will be lost to cyber crimes by the end of 2023, which is almost a third of the USA’s GDP in 2022 and twice as much as India’s projected GDP in March 2023. The global loss to cybercrime will grow more than 15% year by year to reach $10.5 trillion by 2025.

Even though there are various traditional cyber security models embedded in the business’ infrastructure, many IT experts witnessed a leak in their cloud security models. The compromised security and increased concerns of attacks, especially after remote working, have led them to resort to the ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access).

Organizations have increasingly used Zero Trust security over the past few months to manage the cyber war and to pull the levers of their compromised channels.

Thus, more digitization and more compromised security means a need for more robust security measures for which ZTNA is the ideal choice.

What is Zero Trust?

Zero Trust is a security framework that implies that before granting or maintaining access to applications and data, all users—whether inside or outside the organization’s network—must first authenticate, authorize, and undergo ongoing security configuration and posture validation. Zero Trust is based on the principle that you should not trust internal or external resources and that there is no such thing as a traditional network edge.

The current digital transformation uses the Zero Trust framework to secure data and infrastructure. It covers issues such as ransomware threats, cloud infrastructures, and hybrid or remote working models.

Being a complex entity until the companies start using the ZTNA at large, many organizations have come up with their own definitions of Zero Trust.

SVAM International, in their constant efforts to boost the cyber security measures and provide highly robust solutions, can help you identify, implement, and understand the right cybersecurity program including zero trust. They have also partnered with Tanium, to further enhance their suite of end-to-end security solutions.

Principles of Zero Trust

Zero trust software works on three principles. It’s because of these principles that zero trust stands out of the crowd of other cyber security solutions.

1. Never trust, always verify: This principle states that every device, application, person, website, and data should be addressed as a threat or untrusted for a zero-trust system.

2. Verify Rigorously: No device or data should have the advantage of non-verified authentication and should be highly verified before granting access.

3. Assume Breach: Manage and protect resources as if the threat is already present in the area. Every use should be checked by fault, examine each user, data flow, and authorization request. It also states that all network traffic should be constantly monitored for breaches or any breach-like activity.

What is the Need for Zero Trust?

As discussed earlier in the article, there is a dire need for end-to-end security measures and risk analysis. Owing to the need, 75% of firms have realized that they need to update the already existing technological infrastructure as it is necessary to manage emerging cyber risks and ensure that Zero Trust software principles are incorporated into cloud adoption models from the beginning.

In order to strengthen cyber security, organizations can make ongoing security procedures more robust so that businesses can devote more time to innovative tasks rather than worrying about security.

It may be surprising that even though the concept of ZTNA is on the rise, 44% of companies need assistance in choosing and implementing the best zero-trust model. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of businesses feel that their teams lack the time, knowledge, and skills necessary to successfully roll out best practices for zero trust throughout the company.

What’s more intriguing is that the businesses that are already familiar with the model cannot fully comprehend how to put ideas into practice since they are unsure of how and where to implement a Zero Trust strategy in order to bolster their individual security plans.

This is where a cybersecurity company led by the subject matter experts comes in!

SVAM International, as a leading cybersecurity organization, knows what it takes to establish and integrate the solutions that can help enhance security measures. Our experts can help find the right zero trust model and assist in implementing the same the right way across the organization.

Before we jump to the solution, let’s see the trends that will make zero trust security a Top Business Priority in 2023.

Reasons Why Zero Trust Will Be a Business Priority in 2023

We need more measures to secure the data and businesses in the online world where hackers are trying to breach accounts, leak data, and gain monetary benefits from ransomware attacks. This is why zero trust is the need of the hour.

Here are a few reasons why zero trust will be a top business priority 2023.

1. Compliance will be a top business priority

Having data compliance is challenging for companies owing to the rigidity of each data privacy law. Adding to the challenge is the fact that the companies that have not taken the necessary precautions to protect data are subject to substantial fines under the data privacy regulations. Thus, it becomes highly imperative to protect the data and comply with the data regulation.

All the futuristic businesses concerned about data protection would want to have a data-centric focus to significantly reduce the danger of an eventual breach. Through the strategy, businesses can protect data even if a breach occurs.

SVAM International can help you build the right infrastructure for end-to-end data protection and risk analysis even before the breach happens, reducing the chances of exponential loss and increasing the chances of data recovery.

2. Data security will be an organizational concern

Cyber security is not just the concern of the CXO level, it has now creeped down to the employee level. It is believed that most data breaches occur at the lower levels as not every employee has knowledge about data security.

The businesses will prioritize data security and protection as a result of this convergence of usage. Owing to the same, 62% of respondents anticipate an increase in their security budget of up to 10% in 2023.

Whatever the current use of the data is, companies will look into ways to protect it. Data security issues will be the main driver of privacy compliance in 2023. Companies will increase their efforts in data protection as penalties for breaking privacy laws become more common.

3. Zero trust will accelerate data protection

In contrast to the regular security measures that offer minimal security, the organizations will go above and beyond the most fundamental security precautions for data protection strategies. The paradigm shift to zero trust model is a testament to how priceless that data is, and the non-compromisable need to always protect it, whether it is being used or stored.

Organizations looking to reduce data risk must assume a breach has occurred in order to eliminate the risk. Businesses that are aware of this will use proactive protection techniques at the record level, making data inaccessible to hackers. As they contribute to enhancing corporate reputation and fostering customer trust, these actions are advantageous for business.

3. A possible recession will drastically increase data’s value

In the last few months, companies like Meta, Twitter, Goldman Sachs, Amazon, and DoorDash have been laying off employees at a startling rate. According to Inc.42, as of December 8, 2022, 17,989 employees were laid off by 52 Indian startups, including several unicorns. Unfortunately, many warning signs are pointing to an impending recession. In such a scenario, companies will rely on data more than ever to get valuable insights that can help make data-driven decisions, discover emerging market trends, and strategize sales.

Given the critical nature of data insight during potential recessions, organizations must employ methods that allow continuous analysis while protecting data at all costs.

4. Transition from data stores to data pipelines

Decision makers at the CXO level are aware of how important data is for every decision. The steadily rising investments in data processing infrastructure and data engineering staff serve as the best possible example. Companies, more than ever, now rely on the data pipeline, which serves as the channel for data insight.

The breach of data pipelines, whether deliberate or unintentional, can result in non-compliance, lost revenue, and reputational harm. Businesses will invest more heavily in privacy measures to process data without disclosing it.

Zero Trust Use Cases

zero trust use cases

Zero trust has always been a highly robust solution to avert cyber attacks. While all the companies can employ Zero trust software and benefit from it, you must integrate it into your business immediately if your infrastructure deployment model includes:

  • Traditional/Legacy systems
  • Multi-cloud
  • Unmanaged devices
  • Massive Customer data
  • SaaS apps

With Zero Trust Security, You Can Address Key Threats

Cyber attacks– These can occur when there are unmanaged devices, remote working, data exchange through various resources, phishing mails

Ransomware – threats and attacks causing compromised identity, code execution, and massive data loss

Insider threats – Analysis of behavioral analytics for remote users is particularly difficult.

Get the SVAM Support & Protect Yourself Today

For a successful Zero Trust model to be realized, micro-segmentation technologies and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) are essential technical foundations.

Why? Because businesses should effectively react to the changing cyber realities of today. Organizations must now prepare for the inevitable and analyze the risk rather than just planning for the possibility of a cybersecurity catastrophe.

We, at SVAM International, have more than 30 years of combined experience defending companies against such attacks and averting any loss of data, operational capability, or infrastructure.

We have recently partnered with Tanium, a leading cybersecurity provider, to make our solutions better and provide an enhanced experience for the companies.

By developing strong security solutions based on cutting-edge digital technologies, SVAM International has been able to stop multiple security breaches. Get in touch with us today to learn more about the Zero Trust software.

Over the last few months, the ongoing conflicts between nations may have stirred up peoples’ concerns about the outbreak of another world war. World War III may have already begun unfolding in cyber warfare across cyberspace.

The advancement of the internet and modern technologies is a double-edged sword. In the current digital era, the internet has become an inseparable part of societies and human lives as a new communication space. As we become more connected with cyberspace and more dependent on digital technologies, we face greater exposure to cyber risk and the need for cyber security consulting goes without a question.

Cybersecurity threats such as malware, phishing, hacking, data leakage, and identity fraud are not rare cases; however, many people and businesses tend to handle cybersecurity threats passively rather than taking proactive and preventive steps.

News Corp., the world’s largest news agency that owns the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post, has encountered significant data breach incidents since February 2020, with a lot of confidential and sensitive information accessed by anonymous third parties. In March, a U.S. software company HubSpot, with 135,000+ cryptocurrency customers across more than 120 countries, was targeted by cyber attackers an employee’s account was compromised, and customer data was exfiltrated.

According to a February report, at least 25% of companies fell victim to cyber-attacks in Canada last year. The cost of cybercrimes reached $2.7 billion in 2020, based on the FBI’s Internet Crime Report. It reached around USD 6.9 billion in 2021.

The data breach events in Q1 represented twice the increase over the same time in 2021 and is another indicator that data compromises will continue to rise in 2022 after setting an all-time high in 2021. While system & Human Errors represent 8% of the Q1 2022 data compromises, 154 out of 367 data breach notices did not include the cause of the breach, making “unknown” the largest attack vector in Q1 2022. The Federal Government has released a mandate urging companies across the nation to bolster their cybersecurity practices, preventing potential cyber threats.

Apart from data loss, cybercrimes cause a financial drain on company assets. If it were measured as a country, then cyberattacks were predicted to inflict damages totaling $6 trillion USD globally in 2021. The 2022 predictions say that the number of DDoS attacks (attacks disrupting online services or systems) is expected to reach 14.5 million.

Notably, as per the estimates, the cost will rise to $ 10.5 trillion by 2025 globally.

Cyber-attacks are a growing threat to small and medium-sized businesses in the private sector. Small-medium-sized companies become attractive targets as their system and information can be breached quickly, providing lucrative incentives to cyber criminals. They tend to be more vulnerable since many companies lack a safer security infrastructure or a comprehensive cyber strategy. This is where SVAM’s professional cybersecurity services can come into play.

SVAM International is an experienced cybersecurity service provider with more than 30 years of cybersecurity and risk management expertise. With keen insights into existing, and potential cyber risk and its trends, SVAM has helped businesses in the private sector take effective and efficient moves in handling cyber threats, minimizing loss, and strengthening cybersecurity infrastructures. To avert cyberattacks and reinforce cybersecurity, SVAM urges companies to raise their awareness of potential cyber risks and take preventive measures accordingly.

Crucial Things Private Sectors Can Do to Stay Cyber-safer

For the companies unaware or the ones who are vaguely aware of how to be cyber-safe, cybersecurity consulting services are the need of the hour. Here are a few things that you can do to keep your company and employees safe in the absence of cybersecurity software.

1. Incorporate Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to implement and provide multiple forms of identification. Incorporating MFA into business operations can deliver a stronger authentication for accessing data, apps, and systems while still keeping things simple for users.

2. Install reliable Antivirus Programs, Firewalls, VPNs

The proliferation of malware has resulted in more significant cyber threats among businesses worldwide. As a malware attack is a widespread cyberattack, installing a reliable and effective antivirus program is an essential step of cybersecurity reinforcement. Based on the concrete needs of the business, sometimes, patching firewalls and VPNs is also a crucial move. Firewalls can prevent malicious attacks from entering users’ systems based on users’ settings, while VPNs can better protect private data and sensitive data like locations.

3. Establish Access Controls based on the least privilege principle

Access control is a security technique that establishes access hierarchy and regulates access control to critical resources within the organization. A data breach is one of the major concerns and may lead to irreversible loss once it happens; having an access-control list with correct permissions set up is critical for businesses to reduce the impact of a breach. You can set it up with the help of cyber security consulting services from SVAM.

4. Encrypt Sensitive Data and Back-Up Business Data Regularly

Data encryption enhances the security of private information, communication, and correspondence by transforming original information into something more challenging to decipher using specific algorithms. In the worst-case scenario, encrypted data will be challenging to decrypt without having the correct keys if the information breach has occurred.

Regularly back up critical and transactional to the cloud or a reliable external hard drive/data storage. If the company system gets compromised or data gets contaminated, having safe backups may reduce the potential loss of the business.

5. Conduct Awareness Education and Training against Phishing, Fraud, etc.

To establish a safer cybersecurity infrastructure across the company with the help of cybersecurity consulting services. It is also essential to boost employees’ cybersecurity awareness through conducting awareness education and related training courses. Regularly training employees to identify identity/account fraud and phishing activities can help mitigate cyber risks in each employee’s work activities and reduce the overall risks in business operations.

How SVAM Can Protect You Further?

Cybersecurity consultants at SVAM can provide businesses with in-depth cyber risk assessment, comprehensive cyber risk quantification, proactive cyber strategy, and customized cybersecurity solutions. The tailor-fit solutions designed by SVAM can capture and relieve cyber security pain points of your business based on your risk profiles and assessment accordingly. By adopting the latest technologies from artificial intelligence and data science, SVAM Cybersecurity is also proficient with cyber risk quantification and risk modeling. With concrete data, visualizations, and predictions, SVAM enables businesses to take proactive and preventive steps, reducing the likelihood of cyber-attacks and exposure to cyber risk fundamentally and sustainably.

Safeguard Your Business with SVAM Today

SVAM Cybersecurity is dedicated to safeguarding more businesses across industries, managing cybersecurity risk, providing effective cybersecurity mitigation solutions, and reinforcing the overall cybersecurity infrastructure. Below are some featured services that SVAM Cybersecurity proficiently provides –

Cyber Risk Advisory

SVAM Cyber Risk Advisory includes designing and implementing a proper cybersecurity program that complies with leading cybersecurity standards and regulations and performs penetration testing, vulnerability scans, technical reviews, etc. A customized remediation roadmap will be designed and implemented based on a comprehensive identification and assessment process, just for you.

Cyber As A Service (CAAS)

With industry experts and skilled resources, SVAM Cyber As A Service (CSSA) focuses on reducing the complexity of reinforcing cybersecurity infrastructure at affordable subscription rates. Without going through complicated steps, you can start safeguarding your business by relying on professional cybersecurity practices from SVAM CSSA.

Will the evolution of the Internet of Things (IoT) result in greater cybersecurity threats? What should the business do to mitigate cybersecurity risks in remote working mode? You can consult a cybersecurity expert at SVAM to know more about how you can embark on securing your perimeter and protecting your crown jewels applications. SVAM also keeps close track of the latest cybersecurity trends and broadens service scopes accordingly.

Visit the SVAM international website to learn more about cybersecurity services. SVAM Cybersecurity is delighted to start safeguarding your business from now on!

Cybersecurity consulting has become an essential aspect of the information and communication technology supply chain. There is a growing cyber risk associated with dealing with vendors that are not adequately vetted or audited for their cybersecurity capabilities. The prime focus of Vendor Risk Management is to mitigate risks related to vendors. It is a risk management discipline that assesses the issues in a company regarding cyber security.

Technology is evolving rapidly. New issues see the day of light every day, and VRM helps counter them. The tool empowers companies with the vision to acknowledge whether vendors have sufficient security control.

The cloud provider vendors are using VRM due to the increasing number of people opting to work from home following the pandemic. Thus, the digital transformation requires growing while simultaneously relying on vendors along with the cybersecurity consulting services from the experts.

The objective of the Vendor Risk Management Program

In a nutshell, VRM technology renders assistance to enterprises from third-party suppliers. The objective of vendor risk management programs may differ from company to company. The size, requirement, applicable laws, jurisdiction, industry type, and more.

VRM monitors analyze and manage the risk exposure of vendors or industries seeking services from TPS (third party suppliers), specifically IT products. Also, it serves help when to clients when their enterprise details are at stake. All this is a part of cybersecurity service that aims to protect a company.

For delving further into VRM, you should run through a list of topics:

  • Third-Party Risk Management Governance and Policy
  • Determining Third-Party Risk
  • Third-Party Inventory and Risk Rating
  • Third-Party Risk Assessment (Pre-contract and Post contract)
  • Issue Tracking and Corrective Action
  • Annual Due Diligence
  • Continuous Monitoring

Third-Party Risk Management Governance and Policy

The surging regulatory stress, the need for cybersecurity consulting services, globalization are forcing organizations worldwide to scrutinize their business processes and relationships for assessing the risk involved with third parties. That helps them comply with the applicable laws, regulate their requirements, and make better decisions. However, in the absence of governance and policy for TPRM, an organization can face operational risk, reputational damage, monetary losses, and government inquiry.

Outsourcing business activities expose organizations to risks like cyber, financial, legal, compliance, geopolitical, credit, and quality.

Determining Third-Party Risk

Assessing third-party risk is an essential cog in elevating the position of a company in the competitive marketplace. Here are the steps to determine them: –

Compliance requirement

It is pivotal to know the standards and regulations required to be met by organizations and vendors

Knowing potential risks

Identification of potential risks arising from third-party relationships as a part of end to end cybersecurity service.

Regular monitoring

It is essential for adapting to the changing environment.

Third-Party Inventory and Risk Rating

Any inventory located at the end of service providers or the premises of a third-party vendor is third-party inventory. For example, the third party includes employment agencies, mediators, brokers, or service providers.

On the other hand, risk rating means assessing or determining the risks involved while carrying out a business activity. Furthermore, the classification of the risks is also one of the vital parts. The compartments are high, medium, and low risks.

Thus, companies decide to deploy their employees and resources to work based on the severity and magnitude of risks.

Third-Party Risk Assessment (pre and post contracts)

The due diligence during the pre and post-contracts with third-party vendors aids an organization to keep abreast with potential risk. The assessment beside review of financial risk and Service Level Agreement at minimum must include the review of these controls;

  • Information Security Governance and Policy
  • Asset Management
  • Identity and Access Management
  • Authentication and Authorization
  • Software and Application Security
  • Infrastructure Security
  • Change Management
  • Threat and Vulnerability management
  • Remote Access
  • Mobil User Access
  • Incident and Disaster Recovery management
  • Third Party Risk Management
  • Training and Awareness
  • MIS and Reporting
As per PwC (a global network of firms), out of 71 percent confident companies, only 32 percent out of them require third parties to follow their policies.

Issue Tracking and Corrective Action

Tracking the issue is an essential part of giving it a corrective solution. Thus, corrective and preventive action and issue tracking go simultaneously for an organization. Once the issue is marked and tracked properly, it helps in getting to its root cause and finally resolves it.

All issues must be risk rated.

Tracking an issue has several advantages. Few are listed below

  • You can always go back and resolve the issue on its recurrence, thanks to the tracking.
  • The process saves time and money in the days ahead
  • The recorded jurisdiction can be helpful for initiating bigger CAPA (corrective and preventive action)

Annual Due Diligence

It is a process used by companies or organizations to confirm details or facts of a matter through audit, investigation, or review. Annual due diligence is conducted every year to know beside the financial status of a company and also if there are any changes to their information security practices, such as Data center relocation or outsourcing their support to a third party as an example. ADD will allow the enterprise to be aware of any changes that may impact them.

Continuous Monitoring

IT systems are categorized and defined by continuous monitoring of an organization. Here, every system is organized based on various parameters, including controlled application, risk levels, and effectiveness assessment on security hazards.

The continuous monitoring program along with the robust cyber security services ensures that your company does not get harmed by a cybersecurity attack. It identifies loopholes occurring due to changes in hardware, software, and technology.

How Can SVAM Help?

Vendor risk management program is essential for companies as it helps identify, assess, and mitigate the risks associated with third-party vendors. SVAM International Inc., through its expert team of cybersecurity consultants, ensures the protection of sensitive data, compliance with regulations, and the continuity of business operations.

By implementing a comprehensive vendor risk management program through experienced professionals, you can mitigate potential threats and minimise the impact of a breach or disruption. Get in touch with us today to learn how we implement a vendor risk management program coupled with robust cybersecurity services.

A common misconception for small businesses is that your business is too small to be a target, but unfortunately, this is not the case. According to a report by Cybersecurity Ventures, worldwide, cybercrime expenses are anticipated to increase by 15% each year, reaching around USD 10.5 trillion by 2025. This clearly means that cyber security threats for small businesses are increasing at an alarming rate as well.

Small businesses’ cyber security breaches should be anticipated as soon as they embrace more creative technology to simplify operations despite implementing cyber security services.

In 2020, cyberattacks grew in large numbers and as per the estimates, the rise in attacks during the pandemic was approximately 100%. Now, even small businesses worldwide are confronted with unprecedented levels of risk. As a result, cyber security consulting remains the top priority for IT teams. Still, businesses that start at a small scale are not well aware of the cyberattacks and as a result, they either fail or face huge financial losses. Following are some of the most critical types of SME cyber security attacks that every organization should be aware of.

Top CyberThreats That Every Business Should Be Aware Of

Cyber security threats for small businesses cannot be ignored as they are the ones at the highest risk of a security breach because of the lack of power infrastructure. Below highlighted are the most common enterprise cyber security threats that SMEs may face

1. Phishing Attacks

The biggest and most widespread threat that small businesses face is phishing attacks. Phishing accounts are responsible for around 32% of confirmed data breaches and 78% of all cybercrimes. A phishing attack occurs when a hacker pretends to be someone employees can trust, be it their manager or the CEO, and entices a user to click a malicious link, download a malicious file, or give them access to account details, credentials, payment information, etc.

Here, the most common scenario is when hackers start emailing from a slightly similar email ID, and without implementation of the small business cybersecurity consulting services, it becomes fairly difficult to identify and control the threat. Typically, a hacker attaches a link or some file along with the mail so that people can enter their personal information.

2. Cloud Jacking

This is the process where cloud computing is infiltrated by a third party. Once the hacker gets into the organization’s cloud, they try to reconfigure the cloud code so as to manipulate the sensitive information, communication, & other data to expand their reach to take control of the entire cloud. Furthermore, cybercriminals use this opportunity to develop phishing schemes. This results in multiple mishaps like leakage of sensitive information, financial loss, etc.

3. Ransomware

Ransomware is one of the common and serious cyber attacks that involve encrypting company data so that it cannot be used or accessed until a ransom is paid to unlock the data. The ransom’s immediate losses are merely the tip of the iceberg. The monetary costs of missed production and data loss are frequently the most devastating to a firm.

This is the reason why 60% of small firms fail within six months after a cyber intrusion. Small business cybersecurity consulting at the right time can save them from ransomware attacks which is one of the top cyber-attacks and a common method for criminals to target especially small firms.

4. Patch Management

One of the most common cyber security risks for businesses is related to outdated software or patches. As a result, failing to keep up with software patches exposes businesses to a variety of information security vulnerabilities. When attackers get aware of a software vulnerability, they exploit it to conduct a cyber assault.

This trend in cyber security is exemplified by two large-scale cyberattacks that began in 2018. The attacks use a serious flaw in the Windows OS known as Eternal Blue. Organizations that failed to update their software were left exposed and ultimately, they face huge financial losses.

5. Deepfakes

Deepfakes are used to develop fake versions of an organization to lure in unsuspecting customers and also to gain access to the sensitive information of a business or an individual. This attack moreover contributes to an advanced form of phishing attack which impersonates the CEO’s reputation where a hacker gives wrong instructions to the employees.

This Cyberattack has been used over the last several years against both individuals and organizations. Such an attack is developed by AI that takes an existing voice recording, photo, or video to manipulate an organization or an individual’s image to falsify their action of speech.

In the past, cyber security threats for small businesses have surfaced frequently. Because the business IT threats are not just limited to the CXO level but have crept down to the employee level as well.

However, the advancement in security systems in conjugation with the right cyber security consulting services presents opportunities for significant security growth.

The passing year has demonstrated the fact that small businesses must adapt to the modern world and this year’s advancements have resolved such problems to a great /extent. Taking assistance from SVAM International, a leading provider of cyber security services for small businesses is a great start to identifying and filling the security loopholes for the business. Get in touch with our professionals, discuss your concerns, and get the best possible solutions.

Cyberthreats have increased rapidly during the last decade as cybercriminals have become more sophisticated and difficult to handle. Current security controls are not enough to protect the networks from highly skilled Cybercriminals. This is where Artificial Intelligence proves to be useful.Investing in AI cybersecurity solutions helps companies better address network issues, financial loss, and brand reputation damage.There are numerous benefits of AI in cyber security when it comes to business protection.Let’s explore them one by one.

Benefits of AI in cyber security

With the rise of cyber attacks, the use of AI in cyber security has become increasingly important. From threat detection to incident response, AI can provide faster and more accurate results, improving the overall effectiveness of cyber security measures. Let’s discuss more the benefits of AI in cyber security.

1. AI Identifies Unknown Security Threats

In addition to identifying recent threats within an organization’s network, the right AI cybersecurity solutions can detect unknown threats as well. Such unknown threats can cause massive damage to the network. Therefore, it has become essential to use modern solutions like AI in network security to prevent such attacks. The right cyber security consulting for AI and business can reduce repercussions resulting from hacking or millions of attacks done by hackers with different motives.

2. AI Offers Better Vulnerability Management

Vulnerability Management is vital to secure an organization’s network. Dissecting and accessing the existing security measures by integrating AI with cyber security can result in vulnerability management. It basically helps to assess systems faster than cybersecurity personnel which expands the critical thinking capacity. Overall, focussing on AI for cybersecurity has made it possible for businesses to manage vulnerability and secure business systems in time.

3. AI Accelerates Detection & Response Times

Threat detection is the foremost stage of securing a company’s network. If businesses detect some untrusted data from the beginning, it would protect the business from any irreversible damage to the network.Using AI in network security is an effective solution as it scans the entire network and figures out the possible threats that can cause damage. Unlike a human, AI finishes such tasks faster and simplifies security tasks.

4. AI Provides Better Security & Prioritizes Cyber Attacks

The threats that businesses face keep on changing with time as hackers implement new tactics every day. Due to this, it becomes challenging to prioritize security tasks for a business.Further, one of the biggest threats that make security more challenging is negligence and human error. This is where AI cybersecurity solutions can detect different attacks and help businesses to prioritize them and prevent them accordingly.

5. AI Can Handle A Lot Of Data

Even a small organization has so many activities to perform on a company’s network. It means a lot of data gets transferred between customers and businesses every day.This is why they need data protection from malicious attacks, but Cybersecurity alone cannot identify all the possible threats.But with AI cybersecurity solutions, one can easily detect any threat masked as normal activity. Its automotive nature allows it to skim through massive chunks of traffic and data altogether.Keeping the network and data secure isn’t an easy job in today’s world. But, businesses can take a decisive step towards being safer by implementing AI to strengthen their security infrastructure.At SVAM international, we offer professional cybersecurity consulting services and the best business solutions. Consult our experts today and save your business from any Cyber Threat or attack in the coming time.
6 Phases Of Cyber Incident Response Plan

With the increasing rates of cyber attacks on global businesses, the importance of implementing incident response steps and processes to secure systems has risen significantly. Cybersecurity is one of the key services that businesses require to stay afloat in the 3rd decade of the 21st century.

In the first half of 2020 alone, the number of cyber-attacks increased by a whopping 600%. For businesses, this is a noteworthy statistic as they have large amounts of data stored in their systems.

In the case of a breach, the risk to this information stands at a high level. However, the inevitability of these attacks is why most organizations have a cybersecurity incident response plan as part of their cybersecurity processes.

Needless to say, a business requires a robust cybersecurity incident response plan in order to prevent leaks and breaches. In addition, they also need to update their plan to stay safe in cyberspace.

To start with, here are the 6 phases of an effective cybersecurity incident response plan.

The 6 Phases of Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan

Below are the phases of incident management that companies should implement in order to ensure overall security from cyber attacks.

1. Preparing

Preparation is always the first step. As an organization, you will need to accept that there is a looming possibility of a cybersecurity event on the horizon. Align your policies to information sharing, data protection, and network security with your existing infrastructure. Educate your employees about cybersecurity so that they can identify assets and benefit from the incident response plan.

2. Identifying

Identification, as the name suggests, is all about the discovery of a breach. It is the step where you identify if you have been breached or if any of your data has been compromised. If yes, then you will need to further identify the extent, the effect, and the source of the breach.

3. Containment

In this phase of incident response, you throw everything at the problem in order to contain it and mitigate the risks it poses to the organization after an attack has happened. You need to figure out how to contain the effects by considering what systems can be made offline and what can be deleted. Use this phase to derive the long-term and short effects of the attack.

4. Elimination/Solution

This is where you will be addressing the source of the breach and dealing with it in time to avoid being exploited again. This means releasing new patches, removing malicious software, and updating old systems. This cyber incident recovery step helps you clear out any potential risks and start over without compromising any valuable data.

5. Recovering

Recovering is both, coming back from the attack and getting the systems back online after an incident. Needless to say, the recovery part comes after you have patched everything up. This step is all about testing, monitoring, and verifying the changes in the system. Skipping this part may prove to be disastrous.

6. Learning Lessons and Optimizing

While everything else will help you get back up and running after an attack, the last phase of the 6 phases of the incident response plan is about future-proofing your business. Take your learning from this incident and make sure that you are safe in the future.

Your incident response plan for cybersecurity is a blueprint for your organization to fight back in the event of an attack. It needs to be thorough and detailed in order to provide the team with the right steps and the correct guidelines. As a leading managed service provider for cybersecurity, SVAM International is adept in cyber security incident handling with all the latest tools and techniques to safeguard your systems from the looming threat of cyber attacks.

Cyber-attacks are a prevalent threat in the digital domain as transactions and conversations continue to move towards the digital space. Owing to the current healthcare crisis of a global pandemic, businesses from around the world were forced to move their operations online to be able to reach their audience. Taking advantage of this, hackers and attackers doubled down on their efforts to gain access to unauthorized information especially related to small and medium-sized enterprises.Research by Proof-point found out that more than 88% of businesses worldwide experienced a phishing attack of some kind, which is a worrying statistic. However, what helps businesses in such conditions is to be prepared for these attacks. Here are 5 tips to help SMEs prepare their businesses to be safe from cybersecurity threats.How SMEs can Prevent Cyber Attacks?
  • Update Software Being on the latest version of your tools and software has some advantages for your business as the new and improved version has a better level of security than the old and obsolete versions. A number of cyber attacks are successful simply because the platform was not updated to the latest version.
  • Use Strong Passwords Passwords are a safe way to gain access to all information that is available to the business but they can be cracked or misused. Making strong passwords with at least 3 random words is a good way to start. To make it even stronger, using a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols works great. There are several random password generators available that can be used to create strong passwords for your systems. In fact, the best way to do passwords in your business is to create a strong password policy company-wide. 
  • Educate Staff This brings us to the next important point: educate your staff on cybersecurity. Cybint Solutions’s study on global cybersecurity facts states that more than 95% of cyber-attacks happen because of human error. Leaving important information like passwords lying around or sharing too much information with someone untrustworthy is how these things start. But educating employees can greatly reduce risk which is a good place to start securing your business.
  • Install Protective Software Viruses, Malware, and Ransomware are becoming common in the world of cyber threats as people continue to download from and interact with fishy online platforms. These small bits of software infect your digital devices and share your valuable information back to the origin of the attack, which is a concerning fact. Using anti-virus software and keeping them updated to the latest versions is one of the most basic requirements in today’s digital world.
  • Use Cloud Getting rid of old and obsolete legacy systems is another important step you should take to protect your businesses from localized cyber threats. The most common way a hacker can gain unauthorized access to your business is through your legacy system as they are physically available to be tampered with. Moving your system and solutions to the cloud will not only make them fast but also protect them from any kind of cybersecurity threat.
Protecting your business from such threats is now quickly becoming a fundamental part of operating on the internet. Whether it is your e-commerce website or collaboration software within the organization, SVAM International Inc. will take care of all your cybersecurity needs by providing secure development and application management services. Get a thorough assessment and consultation for your business today. Book a conversation with our experts today.
However, with ever-growing threats from cybercriminals and advancements in attack methods, CIOs are eager to take all the right steps to ensure their organization’s data is adequately protected. There are several best practices every healthcare CIO should consider to control data access and secure healthcare communication.

Identity management and access control

Multifactor authentication (MFA), complex passwords, single sign-on and access management are critical first steps to ensure only authorized users can access data. Identity management platforms that include MFA and other security components can reduce the risk of a hacker infiltrating an environment by hijacking a user’s password. These systems are also important for managing and monitoring user access to healthcare data.

Alternative methods for health data transport

While CIOs continue to work on ensuring the protection of data within the hospital environment, another concern many of them have is around data security and protection during transport. Many of the traditional methods for secure healthcare communication, such as those that use web services, can still be vulnerable. As a result, some security experts are suggesting the use of blockchain as a method to transport healthcare messages securely. Many consider blockchain one of the best methods for freely transmitting data while maintaining security. Hospital CIOs should consider the technology as they look to improve their future data exchange security.

Protect information internally and externally

Hospital staff deal with two sets of data: patient data that is considered protected health information under HIPAA guidelines and business-sensitive data related to the hospital’s daily operations. Both sets are important and require the same level of protection. IT must ensure that they maintain access control over data internally and once it leaves the organization’s firewalls.Data loss prevention tools that trigger security events when specific criteria are met ensure that sensitive information is encrypted and prevent it from leaking out. For example, a user emailing protected health data should trigger automatic email encryption. Another example includes when protected data is copied to a local drive or USB flash drive.

Device security and controls

Access to information within a hospital now includes employees using their mobile devices to view health data. As more connected devices enter the hospital network, IT must ensure they have adequate tools to manage and monitor the different security policies around those connected endpoints. These tools would assist in keeping the devices up to date with security patches.

More end-user education and awareness

One of the realities of cyberattacks is that they are not 100% preventable by software and security products. This leaves hospitals vulnerable even if they are using the latest and greatest tools. Hospital CIOs can improve data protection by educating their end users on how to reduce their risk of attacks and infections by recognizing hidden threats. These include phishing emails, fake websites and password requests via email. The risks can be mitigated significantly by adopting an ongoing training and security awareness program to help users avoid harmful websites and email payloads.

Adopt strong employee and vendor policies

A widespread practice that most employers have is proper computer use and access policies for their personnel. This practice ensures that workers understand that as part of their employment agreement, they must be aware of how to handle sensitive data and are responsible for any negligence or foul play. As a result, IT must ensure that the policies in place are clear and employees understand what they mean in practice.Similar policies that go beyond that go beyond the business associate agreement must be put in place for vendors.  IT must ensure vendors that interact with the health system data have the appropriate security protections in place to adequately protect data.

Use intelligent threat protections

It has been estimated that hackers spend an extended period of time within an environment exploring the data and elevating their permissions within the targeted systems. As a result, hospitals must adopt tools that can proactively and intelligently monitor their environment for abnormal activities and maintain channels of secure healthcare communication. Many of the new security tools entering the market have adopted artificial intelligence to detect these activities by evaluating the different logs and user activities throughout the system. Some vendors refer to this new layer of security as advanced threat protection.

Maintain an incident response plan

Regardless of security tools and preventative steps taken to protect against data breaches, healthcare CIOs must always be prepared for the worst and have an outline that details the response plan. The Department of Health and Human Services offers guidance on how to respond to a breach.Source : click here
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