With organizations often delaying or neglecting software updates due to concerns about compatibility issues or operational disruptions, they create opportunities for cyber attackers. One of the most common hacker tactics is called "exploit chaining". That's where hackers combine multiple vulnerabilities to bypass security measures. That way, they can easily gain unauthorized access. They might exploit a known vulnerability in outdated software to install malware, which then exploits another vulnerability to escalate privileges and gain control over the system.
Having a patch management strategy is essential to promptly address software vulnerabilities. This includes regularly scanning systems for missing patches, prioritizing critical updates, and scheduling maintenance windows to minimize disruptions.
A bad security audit may result from inadequate assessments, overlooked vulnerabilities, or ineffective implementation of recommended security measures. Such oversights can expose organizations to exploitation by cybercriminals who exploit weaknesses in their defenses.
Basic security audits might miss social engineering tactics. These include credential-stuffing attacks.
Cybercriminals use automated tools to bombard websites or online services with large volumes of stolen usernames and passwords. They usually get that information from past breaches. That way, attackers can gain unauthorized access to users' accounts. IT security services can take a look at what you're doing now and make appropriate recommendations.
Educating employees about cybersecurity best practices can help prevent credential-stuffing attacks and other social engineering tactics. These include the importance of using strong, unique passwords, recognizing phishing attempts, and exercising caution when interacting with suspicious emails or websites.
These cyber attacks involve targeting the interconnected network of suppliers, vendors, and service providers that contribute to an organization's operations.
Contractor breaches can make these issues worse. By infiltrating a trusted entity within the supply chain, cybercriminals can exploit the trust between parties to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, systems, or networks.
Hardware-based security measures can help verify the authenticity and integrity of hardware components. That way, you can detect unauthorized modifications or tampering. These could include cryptographic signatures, secure boot processes, and hardware attestation mechanisms.
These threats arise from individuals within an organization who exploit their access. They compromise security measures or perpetrate malicious activities. Some insider threats are malicious in nature, such as intentional data theft or sabotage. Others may result from inadvertent actions or negligence. That makes them difficult to detect and prevent.
Using the principle of least privilege and role-based access control mechanisms can help limit the scope of access rights granted to employees based on their job responsibilities. That reduces the potential impact of insider threats.
There's a lot you need to do to protect your company from different types of data breaches.
Do you want more help with your IT services? EnvisionIT Solutions is constantly helping New Mexico businesses like yours with our up-to-the-minute knowledge. Contact us today.