In today’s digital age, cyber-attacks have been on the rise in recent years and have become the biggest threat to businesses worldwide. With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated and frequent, businesses of all sizes are left concerned about the right approach to secure their business data and network.

According to Statista, in 2021, 56% of cybercrime attacks experienced by companies in the United States were network intrusions. Phishing ranked second, accounting for 24% of data security incidents among US companies.

Therefore, organizations must ensure they have the proper security tools to protect their data and networks. This means a single layer of security can’t protect an organization; therefore, it’s time for businesses to adopt a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity. This comes in the form of a Defense-in-Depth approach.  

A Defense-in-Depth approach is a proven strategy that involves positioning multi-layer security controls to protect against a wide range of cyber threats. This approach provides overlapping layers of security, making it challenging for attackers to penetrate the network and steal data.

This article will explore how a Defense-in-Depth approach can improve your cybersecurity.

What Is Defense in Depth?

Defense-in-Depth is a multi-layered defensive approach that involves the use of multiple layers of security controls to protect sensitive data and information against a wide range of cyber threats. It is one of the best cybersecurity approaches when a security mechanism is compromised or fails.

Defense in depth is a defensive approach that uses advanced security tools to protect an organization’s endpoints, valuable data, software, and networks. Its primary objective is to provide overlapping layers of security. This improves cybersecurity and makes it difficult for cyber-attackers to penetrate the network and steal data, thereby stopping cyber threats before they occur. 

While no individual mechanism can thwart a cyber threat, a robust defense-in-depth strategy reduces and disables an attack already proceeding and prevents additional damage. This is because it is based on the principle that no single security control is foolproof and that a combination of security controls can provide better protection against cyber threats.

As a result, a solid Defense-in-Depth strategy helps organizations address cyber threats and attacks before it succeeds, thereby reducing cybersecurity risk.

How Does Defense-in-Depth Work?

A Defense-in-Depth uses multiple layered security to minimize cyber threats and improve cybersecurity. 

Most organizations acknowledge that a single layer of security or a single-point product like a firewall or data encryption is insufficient to safeguard the organization’s data and network from security breaches. 

Suppose a hacker successfully breaches an organization’s network, for example. In that case, a Defense-in-Depth approach can help secure every network component. The approach avoids attacks by having another security layer to take over if one fails.

What Are the Essential Layers in a Defense-in-Depth Mechanism? 

As cybercriminals become sophisticated threats to organizations, organizations must implore additional security layers to conduct a Defense-in-Depth strategy.

Here are some essential layers in a Defense-in-Depth mechanism that organizations should put in place to improve cybersecurity:

Physical Security

Physical security measures, such as access controls and surveillance cameras, are essential security layers that protect physical assets, such as servers and network equipment, from unauthorized access.

Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication is a security layer that prevents account access unless multiple authentication factors are provided. This security layer requires users to provide two or more different authentication methods before allowing the user access to an application or account rather than using their username and password alone.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a crucial security tool that helps organizations keep cyber criminals out of their systems, even when their login credentials have been compromised.

Endpoint Detection and Response 

Endpoint detection and response (EDR) is an endpoint security tool that monitors and detects cyber threat behavior on endpoints and responds to them. It records the threat’s nature and provides your IT team with the information needed to uncover and detect it. 

EDR technology also strengthens your network by limiting the cyber threat, preventing it from spreading, and restoring the harm it has caused. Its primary function is to detect and respond to threats on an endpoint in real time. 

Network Segmentation

Network segmentation is an essential security tool that separates a network into smaller, separate sub-networks. It allows network teams to separate the sub-networks while providing independent security controls and services to each.

This layer helps organizations prevent insider threats from breaching the network and gaining access to their sensitive data, such as customer data, financial information, and intellectual property (IP).

This layer can also enhance monitoring, maximize performance, reduce technical difficulties, and balance security.

Encryption

Encryption is a type of data security that converts information to encrypted data. Only authorized individuals with the key may decrypt the code and access the original written data.

This layer protects data against brute-force and cyber threats, including malware, phishing attacks, and other cyber threats. It also prevents hackers from reading and interpreting valuable data.

Data Loss Prevention

Data loss prevention, as it implies, prevents sensitive data from being lost or accessed by an unauthorized user. It is a cybersecurity solution that identifies and prevents a data breach.

This layer defends your business against data loss and prevents unauthorized transfer and accidental data sharing. It also protects Intellectual Property crucial for your business and helps it with data security and regulatory compliance.

VPN

A virtual private network (VPN) is an internet security connection that protects devices when connected to a public network. Cybercriminals frequently use insecure connections to obtain access to information that facilitates identity theft and other harmful acts. Hence, a VPN secures your connection when using the public internet.

A VPN is one of the most effective means of maintaining privacy and anonymity over a public network because it creates a secure and encrypted connection. It also safeguards data while users interact with apps and websites online, enabling them to hide particular resources.

Strengthen Your Business Defense with GEEK911 Today 

Your business security matters, no matter how small or big your organization is. GEEK911 can help secure your data from breaches and protect your business reputation.

If you need support setting up your defense systems, call GEEK911 at 1-866-433-5411 or message us.