How to Deploy Secure Infrastructure that Resists Malicious Cyber Attacks
The Essential Guide to Deploying Secure Infrastructure Against Cyber Attacks | Article
Fortifying Your Fortress: 10 Strategies for Building Resilient Cyber Defenses
Securing data center infrastructure is critical to protecting sensitive information and ensuring the continuity of business operations. In the age of increasing cyber threats, it’s crucial to have strong security measures in place to defend against malicious attacks. Best practices for deploying a secure infrastructure in a data center include implementing robust access controls and firewalls, monitoring network activity, regularly updating software and systems, and conducting regular security audits. By following these best practices, organisations can reduce the risk of data breaches and ensure the integrity of their information systems. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of these best practices and the steps that can be taken to deploy a secure infrastructure in a data center.
‘Shielding Against Threats: Essential Steps for Secure Infrastructure Deployment’
Cybersecurity is fundamental in any Infrastructure.
Implementing robust access controls is one of the most essential best practices for deploying a secure infrastructure in a data center. This includes setting up multi-factor authentication, ensuring secure password management, and limiting access to sensitive data only to authorised personnel. Access control systems should also be regularly monitored and audited to detect and prevent unauthorised access.
Another critical aspect of deploying a secure infrastructure is implementing firewalls and network security solutions to protect against network-based attacks. Firewalls should be configured to block known malicious traffic and limit access to the data center network to only the necessary ports and protocols. Network security solutions, such as intrusion detection and prevention systems, can monitor network activity and detect suspicious behaviour.
Regular software and system updates are crucial to securing a data center infrastructure. Outdated software and systems are often vulnerable to known security weaknesses, so staying up-to-date with the latest security patches and updates is essential. Regular software updates can also help to improve performance and enhance the security of data center systems.
Finally, conducting regular security audits is essential to maintaining data centre infrastructure security. These audits should be comprehensive and cover all aspects of the infrastructure, including access controls, network security, and software and systems updates. The results of security audits should be used to identify areas for improvement and to make changes to the infrastructure that will enhance its overall security.
In conclusion, deploying a secure infrastructure in a data center requires a combination of robust access controls, effective network security solutions, regular software and system updates, and regular security audits. By following these best practices, organisations can reduce the risk of data breaches and ensure the secure operation of their applications and information systems.
Here are a few interesting facts, statistics and best practices on how to achieve a Secure Infrastructure in the Data Center:
- Encryption: Encrypting sensitive data in transit and at rest is a critical security measure.
- Access controls: Implement strong access controls for all users, including administrators, to prevent unauthorised access to sensitive data.
- Network segmentation: Segment the network to limit the damage from a potential breach or attack.
- Firewall and intrusion detection/prevention: Use a firewall and intrusion detection/prevention system to monitor and block malicious activity.
- Regular software updates: Regularly update software to fix vulnerabilities and patch security holes.
- Physical security: Secure the physical data center, including biometrics and security cameras, to prevent unauthorised access.
- Regular backups: Regularly backup critical data to protect against data loss or corruption.
- Vulnerability assessments: Regularly conduct vulnerability assessments to identify potential security weaknesses.
- Employee training: Train employees on security best practices to reduce the risk of human error.
- Incident response plan: Have a plan in place for responding to security incidents, including procedures for reporting and responding to breaches.
“It takes many good deeds to build a good REPUTATION, and only one bad to lose it.”
– Benjamin Franklin
‘Beyond the Barricades: Building Cyber Defences to Thwart Malicious Attacks’
Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. These cyberattacks usually aim to access, change, or destroy sensitive information, extort money from users, or interrupt normal business processes.
Implementing effective cybersecurity measures is particularly challenging today because there are more devices than people, and attackers are becoming more innovative.
What is so essential about cyber security?
A successful cybersecurity approach has multiple layers of protection spread across the computers, networks, programs, or data one intends to keep safe. In an organisation, the people, processes, and technology must complement one another to create a valid defence from cyber attacks.
People
Users must understand and comply with basic data security principles like choosing strong passwords, being wary of attachments in email, and backing up data. Learn more about basic cybersecurity principles.
Processes
Organisations must have a framework for dealing with both attempted and successful cyber-attacks. One well-respected framework can guide you. It explains how you can identify attacks, protect systems, detect and respond to threats, and recover from successful attacks. Watch a video explanation of the NIST cybersecurity framework.
Technology
Technology is essential to giving organisations and individuals computer security tools to protect themselves from cyber-attacks. Three main entities must be protected: endpoint devices like computers, smart devices, routers, networks, and the cloud. Conventional technologies that protect these entities include next-generation firewalls, DNS filtering, malware protection, antivirus software, and email security solutions.
45% of US companies with a ransomware attack paid the hackers, but only 26% of those had their files unlocked – SentinelOne, 2018.”
“The average estimated business cost due to a ransomware attack, including ransom, work-loss, and time spent responding, is more than $900,000 – SentinelOne, 2018.”
‘Data Networks must be SECURED,…because they CAN be!’
Why is Cybersecurity Critical?
In today’s connected world, everyone benefits from advanced cyber defence programs. At an individual level, a cybersecurity attack can result in everything from identity theft to extortion attempts to the loss of essential data like family photos. Everyone relies on critical infrastructures like power plants, hospitals, and financial service companies. Securing these and other organisations is vital to keeping our society functioning.
Everyone also benefits from the work of cyber threat researchers, like the team of 250 threat researchers at Talos, who investigate new and emerging threats and cyber attack strategies. They reveal new vulnerabilities, educate the public on the importance of cybersecurity, and strengthen open-source tools. Their work makes the Internet safer for everyone.
Malware Protection
Malware, short for malicious software, is software that can be installed on a computer without the owner’s approval. Different types of Malware, such as viruses and Trojan horses, can hurt computers. The term also includes other intentionally harmful programs, such as spyware and ransomware.
Our knowledge and experience can be deployed to secure your network infrastructure from Malware.
Next Generation AntiVirus Solutions
Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV) is a new breed of software created to bridge the gap left by traditional antivirus.
At a minimum, next-generation antivirus products need to go beyond signature-based detection and incorporate some advanced technology.
Most NGAVs go beyond the use of indicators of compromise (IOCs) and metadata such as virus signatures, IP addresses, file hashes, and URLs. NGAV uses technologies like advanced data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence and data analytics to find patterns that attackers exploit.
NGFW – Next-Generation Firewall including Layer 7 (Application)
A Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) is a part of the third generation of firewall technology, combining a traditional firewall with other network device filtering functionalities. Those types include an application firewall using in-line deep packet inspection (DPI) and an intrusion prevention system (IPS). Other techniques might also be available, such as TLS/SSL encrypted traffic inspection, website filtering, QoS/bandwidth management, antivirus inspection and third-party identity management integration (i.e. LDAP, RADIUS, Active Directory).
Securing DNS – make it your first line of Defense.
Deployed as a virtual DNS caching layer throughout your network, DNS Edge service points log every DNS query and response for every Client on the system – no agents required. That means cybersecurity teams gain visibility into the intent of every device and can apply advanced, intelligent analytics to identify patterns of malicious behaviour like data exfiltration, tunnelling and Domain Generating Algorithms (DGA).
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Protection and Mitigation against Advanced Persistent Threats
Advanced Persistent Threats (APT) are sophisticated attacks consisting of many different components, including penetration tools (spear-phishing messages, exploits etc.), network propagation mechanisms, spyware, tools for concealment (root/boot kits) and other, often sophisticated techniques, all designed with one objective in mind: undetected access to sensitive information.
APTs target sensitive data; you don’t have to be a government agency, large financial institution or energy company to become a victim. Even small retail organisations have confidential client information on record; small banks operate remote service platforms for customers; businesses of all sizes process and hold dangerous payment information in the wrong hands. As far as attackers are concerned, size doesn’t matter; it’s all about the data. Even small companies are vulnerable to APTs – and need a strategy to mitigate them.
Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is an authentication method in which a computer user is granted access only after successfully presenting two or more pieces of evidence (or factors) to an authentication mechanism: knowledge (something the user and only the user knows), possession (something the user and only the user has), and inherence (something the user and only the user is).
MFA is often used at the Edge or Network Environment but could also be used inside to protect valuable data and resources.
NAC – Network Admission Control
Network Access Control (NAC) is a computer networking solution that uses a set of protocols to define and implement a policy that describes how to secure access to network nodes by devices when they initially attempt to access the network. NAC might integrate the automatic remediation process (fixing non-compliant nodes before allowing access) into a network infrastructure.
NAC aims to control traffic, precisely what the name implies—control access to a network with policies, including pre-admission endpoint security policy checks and post-admission controls over where users and devices can go on a system and what they can do.
WAF – Web Application Firewall
A Web Application Firewall (or WAF) filters, monitors, and blocks HTTP traffic to and from a web application. A WAF is differentiated from a regular firewall in that a WAF can filter the content of specific web applications, while proper firewalls serve as a safety gate between servers. Inspecting HTTP traffic can prevent attacks from web application security flaws, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), file inclusion and security misconfigurations.
Internet Facing Gateway Solution
Secure Web Gateway is a security solution that denies unsecured/suspicious web traffic from entering or leaving an internal corporate network of an organisation. Enterprises deploy a secure web gateway to protect their employees from getting infected by malware-infected web traffic and fight against Internet threats. It also enables organisations to comply with the organisation’s regulatory policy. It features URL filtering, data leakage prevention, virus/malware code detection and application-level control.
Vulnerability Scanning
A Vulnerability Scanner is a program designed to assess computers, networks or applications for known weaknesses. In plain words, these scanners are used to discover the shortcomings of a given system. They are utilised to identify and detect vulnerabilities arising from misconfigurations or flawed programming within a network-based asset such as a firewall, router, web server, application server, etc.
Audit and Monitoring
It is imperative to know at any given time what is happening with your network and devices. A tool is needed to automatically discover everything you need to know about your network infrastructure and deliver the Monitoring, alerting and graphing you need to maintain high availability. At the beginning of each project, we will perform an audit to gain insight and knowledge of the environment and provide the best solution to the client.
All flavours of VPNs (Secure Tunnel)
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) extends a private network across a public network. It enables users to send and receive data across shared or public networks as if their computing devices are directly connected to the private network. Applications running on a computing device, e.g., a laptop, desktop, or smartphone, across a VPN may benefit from the remote network’s functionality, security, and management. Encryption is a common, though not inherent, part of a VPN connection and provides Integrity.
Businesses frequently use VPN Services for remote / satellite offices, remote (Home Office) users, 3rd Party companies they do business with, and even internally to secure vital data. We support all types of VPNs
Intrusion Prevention Systems
An Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) is a device or software application that monitors a network or systems for malicious activity or policy violations. Any malicious activity or breach is typically reported to an administrator or collected centrally using a security information and event management (SIEM) system or an attempt to Block/Stop it. A SIEM system combines outputs from multiple sources and uses alarm filtering techniques to distinguish malicious activity from false alarms. We believe IPSs should be installed at the Edge of the network and at the Access Layer to monitor and block unencrypted traffic.
Providing Network Security at all 7 Layers of the OSI Model
Above, we have provided several ways to secure your network environment, applications and data. All those puzzles are essential and provide a robust and secure infrastructure. Network security must be applied at all layers of the OSI Model: Application, Presentation, Session, Transport, Network, Data Link, and Physical. Threats are ever-evolving, and we can help you to keep your systems secure and up to date.
‘The Essential Guide to Deploying Secure Infrastructure Against Cyber Attacks’
‘Resilience Redefined: Deploying Infrastructure to Withstand Malicious Assaults’
Types of Cyber-Security Threats
Ransomware is a type of malicious software. It is designed to extort money by blocking access to files or the computer system until the ransom is paid. Paying the payment does not guarantee that the data will be recovered or the system restored.
Social engineering is a tactic that adversaries use to trick you into revealing sensitive information. They can solicit a monetary payment or gain access to your confidential data. Social engineering can be combined with any of the threats listed above to make you more likely to click on links, download malware, or trust a malicious source.
Phishing is sending fraudulent emails that resemble emails from reputable sources. The aim is to steal sensitive data like credit card numbers and login information. It’s the most common type of cyber attack. You can help protect yourself through education or a technology solution that filters malicious emails.
Effective mitigation strategies: some examples
No ICT infrastructure can ever be 100% secure, but there are reasonable steps every organisation can take to reduce the risk of cyber-intrusion significantly. Through a comprehensive, detailed analysis of local attacks and threats, Australia’s Signals Directorate (ASD) has found that four basic strategies could mitigate at least 85 per cent of the targeted cyber intrusions it responds to:
- Use application whitelisting to help prevent malicious software and unapproved programs from running.
- Patch applications such as Java, PDF viewers, Flash, web browsers and Microsoft Office
- Patch operating system vulnerabilities
- Restrict administrative privileges to operating systems and applications based on user duties.
These steps are helpful; they have been recommended for all Australian government agencies. Based on Kaspersky Lab’s deep counter-APT expertise and analysis, this approach would benefit government agencies, large enterprises, and smaller commercial organisations.
Conclusion
We have shown a variety of technical options to secure your network environment. We believe good habits are essential and try to implement those into your environment. It may not be easy to do all of them simultaneously, but try to do one step at a time: no REVOLUTION, but EVOLUTION. Every business has maintenance weekends scheduled. Plan and start from the most comfortable option.
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‘In the battleground of cyberspace, fortifying your infrastructure is paramount. Deploy resilient defenses to repel malicious attacks and safeguard your digital assets.’
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