Is Your Network Secure by Design?

If you are in business, you must rely on solid, up-to-date cybersecurity measures just to survive. Consider the giants of industry – who should have top-notch IT services - have been hacked: Microsoft, Yahoo, JP Morgan Chase, Capital One Bank, First American Financial, LinkedIn, Marriott International, Adobe, Equifax, Target, Heartland Payment Systems, Facebook, eBay, Home Depot, and the list goes on.

Q: What makes those huge businesses different than yours?

A: Being that big, they can survive cyber-attacks.

Can you?

It doesn’t matter if you’re a large enterprise or small business, network security is a must, and for Small and Mid-size Businesses (SMBs) a serious data breach or unresolved Ransomware attack can easily put you out of business – in less than a year. Cyberattacks can have long-term consequences.

The frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks continue to increase. In 2024, ransomware attacks increased by 84% compared to the previous year, while phishing attacks saw a massive surge of 1,265%. Cybercrime continues to ramp up and get more sophisticated due to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

All businesses need to examine their security measures: are they reactive or proactive? Reactive is like constantly playing ‘Catch-Up’ ball. While it’s essential to have remedies at the ready, a solid proactive approach greatly lessens the need to react. One such proactive approach that has gained prominence is the adoption of ‘Secure by Design’ practices.

As far back as 2023, international partners from the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K. jointly released an advisory highlighting Secure by Design principles. The advisory highlighted the steps necessary to address commonly exploited vulnerabilities. This collaborative effort underscores the global nature of the threat landscape. As well as the need for coordinated action to protect critical infrastructure.

So, what does it take to put Secure by Design principles in place, and why are they paramount in today's threat landscape?

What are the current challenges in cyber security?

Year-in and year-out, the top challenges tend to remain the same:
Complex cyber-attacks
The prevalence of human errors
Lack of security awareness training
Third-party vulnerabilities
A global shortage of skilled security professionals.

Simply installing an antivirus to protect your computer and calling it a day doesn’t cut it anymore. Threats have evolved significantly over the years, and sterner measures are required. Today’s cybercriminals use highly sophisticated tactics, and the potential impact of an attack goes far beyond the inconvenience of a virus.

The cyber threats we face today encompass a wide range of attacks, including:

Phishing: It’s the most common delivery system for any kind of malware. Deceptive emails or messages that trick you into revealing sensitive information. According to Techopedia, 83% of companies experience a phishing attack each year.

Ransomware: This one is always at or near the top of the list. An untrained employee clicks a link or attachment in a phishing email and releases malware that encrypts the system and its data and demands a ransom for decryption. One of the costliest attacks for businesses.

APTs (Advanced Persistent Threats): These are long-term cyberattacks aimed at stealing sensitive data.

Zero-Day Exploits: Hackers find and attack vulnerabilities not yet known to software developers.

IoT Vulnerabilities: This one is really on the rise - the exploitation of vulnerabilities in Internet of Things (IoT), devices which are peripheral to the network and often left less protected.

Evolving threats such as these underscore the need for a proactive approach to cybersecurity. It is unwise to wait for the attack to occur and then react to it, because by then the damage and cost are gigantic. You want to prevent them from happening.

What is meant by "secure by design"?

The concept of Secure by Design is to integrate security measures into the very foundation of a system, app, or device from the start – not as an ‘after-market’ product. It sees security as a fundamental aspect of the development process.

So, how can businesses of all types translate this into their existing security strategies when their network is already ‘built?’ There are two key ways:

1. Going forward, ask about Secure by Design when purchasing hardware or software. Does the supplier use these practices? If not, you may want to consider a different vendor.
2. Always incorporate Secure by Design principles into your own business, such as when planning an infrastructure upgrade or customer service enhancement. Put security at the center as you develop the strategy, rather than adding it as an afterthought.

Here are the key principles of Secure by Design:

1. Risk Assessment: First, early in the design phase, identify potential security risks and vulnerabilities.
2. Standardized Framework: Maintains consistency when applying security standards by following a framework such as CIS Critical Security Controls, HIPAA, or GDPR.
3. Access Based on ‘Least Privilege’: Limits access to resources to only those who need it for their roles.
4. Defense in Depth: Implements many layers of security to protect against various threats.
5. Regular, Automatic Updates: Ensures that security measures are continuously updated to address new threats.
6. Ongoing User Training: Teaches users the best security practices and potential risks.

What are the benefits of Secure by Design?

Once you understand and implement Secure by Design practices its benefits become obvious:

Improved Security

Previous security approaches have most often been reactive in nature, meaning they address security issues after they've occurred. Secure by Design builds security measures into the very foundation of a system. It’s that ounce of prevention that’s worth a pound of cure because it minimizes vulnerabilities from the start.

Saves Money

Downtime is expensive, and the accompanying factors involved with addressing security issues after a system is in production can be costly. The same holds true for trying to address them near the end of a project. By integrating security from the beginning, you can avoid these extra expenses.

Compliances

Anyone handling client data has to meet certain compliances, and many industries are subject to their own strict regulatory requirements for data protection and cybersecurity. Secure by Design practices can help you meet these compliance standards more effectively, reducing the risk of unknowns that end up costing you in fines and penalties.

Reputation Protection

When you have compromised your customers’ data through a security breach, your reputation is severely damaged. Plus, you lose precious customer confidence. Implementing Secure by Design practices demonstrates your commitment to protecting user data. It can also enhance trust among customers and stakeholders.

Forward-looking

Cyber threats continuously evolve, and it’s up to you to make sure your organization stays ahead of them. Implementing Secure by Design practices help ensure that your systems and applications remain resilient against known and emerging threats.

Minimizes Attack Surfaces

Secure by Design focuses on reducing the attack surface of your systems. Using it helps in identifying and mitigating potential vulnerabilities. You mitigate threats before a hacker exploits them.