In the internet age, businesses must pay close attention to the security of their networks and data. Unfortunately, advances in cybercrime techniques mean that organizations face persistent threats from malicious actors attempting to access sensitive information or disrupt operations. To protect their digital assets, companies need to stay ahead of emerging cybersecurity trends by instituting routine maintenance practices like applying software patches. While simple enough in theory, effectively utilizing security patches requires an understanding of how they work and why they’re important for keeping systems secure. Unfortunately, not all threats have up-to-date patches.
A zero-day attack is one that uses a zero-day exploit, an unknown vulnerability that has no patch to fix it. While these types of attacks are on the increase it is estimated that 82% of successful attacks are primarily because of vulnerabilities that a patch does exist for but was not applied. It is critical for systems to be updated with the latest security patches continually.
Another easy fix that not enough firms are utilizing is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Microsoft estimates that 99.9% of attacks on user accounts would be stopped by utilizing MFA, yet only 46% of small businesses use it.
To safeguard an information system, a vulnerability assessment provides invaluable insight into possible security vulnerabilities. Vulnerability assessments are an essential part of a comprehensive security plan and can help identify potential weaknesses in an information system before they are exploited by attackers.
One of the key benefits of a vulnerability assessment is that it can help prevent code injection attacks like SQL Injection and XSS (Cross-Site Scripting). These are some of the most common types of cyber attacks and can cause serious damage to an information system if not properly protected. By conducting a vulnerability assessment, organizations can identify any potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by these types of attacks, and take steps to mitigate the risk.
Another important aspect of vulnerability assessments is addressing authentication missteps that could lead to the escalation of privileges. Insecure authentication practices can leave an information system vulnerable to attackers who are able to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or systems. A vulnerability assessment can help identify any potential weaknesses in an organization’s authentication processes, and provide recommendations for improving security in this area.
In addition to preventing code injection attacks and addressing authentication missteps, vulnerability assessments can also help identify insecure defaults that come with software. For example, many software applications come with default admin passwords that are easy to guess, leaving them vulnerable to attackers. By conducting a thorough vulnerability assessment, organizations can identify these weak points and take steps to secure them.
Overall, vulnerability assessments are a crucial part of any information security plan. Sehr Consulting offers comprehensive assessments that evaluate your organization’s potential risks and recommends steps to mitigate those threats. Don’t wait until it’s too late – give us a call today and let us help you protect your business.
