How to take a proactive approach to cybersecurity in 3 simple steps

When it comes to your cybersecurity, the most dangerous thing you can do is to wait until an incident occurs before acting. In the UK alone, cyber attacks cost businesses £34 billion last year, an all-time high that is only expected to rise exponentially in the future. When cyber-attacks do occur, your business could lose much more than whatever the hackers manage to steal.

The costs to your reputation could be devastating, as current and prospective clients decide to cut ties with a service that they see as a security risk. That’s why a proactive approach to cybersecurity, in which problems can be dealt with before they even arise, is essential. If you’re ready to move from a reactive approach to a proactive one, here is how you can do it in three simple steps. 

1. Conduct a cybersecurity audit to assess risks

The first step that any company, large or small, should take is to conduct a comprehensive cybersecurity audit in order to identify the main weak points in your network, as well as who or what poses the biggest threats. Hiring an auditing service to run extensive network testing will allow you to identify holes and soft spots that need to be plugged and strengthened.

It will also help you ensure that every element of your network is fully compliant with all of the latest data protection legislation, to ensure that you are protected from any future legal ramifications. Once you have conducted a comprehensive cybersecurity audit, you can take the necessary steps towards obtaining a watertight network. 

2. Utilize active response software to neutralize threats 

The next step is to have the necessary tools in place to detect and neutralize a wide range of threats as soon as they arise. There are many ways to do this, but the most comprehensive type of tool you can use is active response software, such as SolarWinds Security Events Manager. This comprehensive platform configures alarms that can be triggered in response to specific threat events, allowing your entire network to instantly switch into response mode.

Not only does active response software allow you to detect and neutralize threats immediately, but it also allows you to better prepare against future threats by providing comprehensive post-threat analytics. This will ensure that you and your business can take the right steps to continue being prepared. 

3. Provide best practice training to ensure staff awareness

Finally, it is important to never forget that your security system is only as effective as the weakest link in the chain. This applies not only to your IT infrastructure but also to your most important assets – your employees. Everyone within your organization should receive comprehensive cybersecurity best practice training, to ensure that they never become responsible for a potentially devastating breach.

You can hire third party companies to provide annual training, or you can conduct in-house training. The most important thing is that every member of your team is aware of the ways in which they can reduce the risk of cyber-attacks, and avoid potentially dangerous mistakes. Once your team is clued up, you can rest easy knowing that your network is well-protected. 

By following these three simple steps, you will be able to develop a proactive approach to cybersecurity that works for every situation.