Combat Emerging Cyber Threats With Evolving Defences

The ever-changing landscape of cybersecurity means that companies must constantly adapt their responses to protect their digital assets. The traditional approach of relying on human intervention is no longer sufficient, as evidenced by the fact that 96% of chief information security officers (CISOs) in Singapore agree that having the right tools in place would save them considerable time.

The rapidly increasing sophistication and frequency of cyber-attacks have made it difficult for organizations to keep their data safe, necessitating a new paradigm to effectively futureproof Security Operations (SecOps).

With the potential to revolutionize how organizations approach cybersecurity, we must understand that it is a highly complex activity requiring a multi-layer approach. To exemplify this, we look at the idea of a three-layered fortress that protects precious treasures from all directions, activating defensive components on each layer to effectively detect, respond, and protect the most simple or complex of breaches and areas that could be exploited by a hacker, malware or ransomware.

The first line of defense: detection

The detection layer is often thought of as the "eyes and ears" of the cybersecurity system. It is responsible for watching the network and looking for anything that might be out of place, such as unusual traffic patterns, unauthorized access attempts, and data exfiltration. This layer includes technologies like Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), which can analyze large amounts of data in real-time to identify potential threats.

Traditionally, the detection layer focused on protecting the perimeter of the network. However, more is needed with the rise of remote work and the proliferation of connected devices. Endpoints like laptops, mobile devices, and servers are now prime targets for cybercriminals.

As a result, organizations need to adopt a more comprehensive approach to detection. To demonstrate this, a recent study by IDC found that security has become the second-largest IT investment for organizations in the Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) region, as they recognize the critical role of security in hybrid work models.

To that end, Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is an example of a solution that can monitor and safeguard data at the endpoint and network levels. While strong defenses are essential, organizations must also assume that no defense is impenetrable. As cyber-attacks become more sophisticated and persistent, some threats will inevitably find a way through. This realization has led to a greater emphasis on detection capabilities as a critical component of multi-layered cybersecurity.

Responding To Threats

However, detection is only one part of the equation. In the face of rapidly evolving and widespread cyber-attacks, organizations must be prepared to respond effectively when incidents occur.

Security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) comes in here. SOAR solutions integrate with SIEM and other security tools to orchestrate incident response workflows and automate repetitive tasks. This allows SecOps teams to react quickly and efficiently to cyberattacks, reducing the overall impact.

In addition to SOAR, organizations should consider implementing Extended Detection and Response (XDR), which provides a unified view of all security data, from endpoints to networks to cloud workloads. SecOps teams can get a complete picture of the threat landscape and respond more effectively to cyberattacks.

Total Defence

XDR effectively completes this approach, forming a unified and adaptive security framework. Its true power lies in its ability to evolve alongside the ever-changing threat landscape due to its proactive approach to cybersecurity, which minimizes the impact of breaches.

Unlike traditional endpoint security, which focuses on individual devices in isolation, XDR consolidates and analyses data from multiple sources, including endpoints, networks, and cloud platforms. This approach provides SecOps with a comprehensive view of potential threats and attack patterns, allowing for more effective threat hunting and incident response.

Ultimately, this three-layered cybersecurity framework advocates for a multi-faceted approach to security. Each layer is crucial, but the synergy and collaboration among the layers create a unified and robust security posture.

As the threat landscape continues to evolve, embracing XDR will be the key to futureproofing cybersecurity and ensuring the safety of our digital world. Organizations now have the chance to usher in a new era of next-generation cybersecurity, where technology, together with the human aspect, combines and empowers us to stay one step ahead of cyber adversaries. Remember, in the realm of cybersecurity, resilience lies in unity.

Jonathan Tan, managing director for Asia at Trellix, wrote this article.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of CDOTrends. Image credit: iStockphoto/wacomka