Part 6 – Strengthening Threat Prevention in a Complex IT World
Preventing a threat to your IT environment isn’t as straightforward as vendors might have you believe. Every day, we’re bombarded with claims that new technologies will solve all our security problems, but the reality of managing threat prevention is more complicated
IT teams are quick to spot the latest tech solutions and push hard for their adoption, hoping these will reduce security risks. Yet, while technology is crucial, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. For real progress, organisations must take a broader view and build security programmes that align with both IT and business goals.
When we’ve worked with clients to develop Security Programmes, we’ve consistently found that a well-rounded approach is key. To ensure these programmes succeed and deliver long-term benefits, we focus on a set of critical activities:
1. Continuous Education
Security is only as strong as your people. It’s not enough to hold one-off training sessions on security best practices. Ongoing education is essential, with regular updates on emerging threats and internal policies. Engaging, relevant training ensures staff remain vigilant and informed.
2. Third-Party Security Audits
Third parties often have access to sensitive data, yet many organisations fail to thoroughly assess their security measures. This creates a potential weak link in your overall strategy. Regular reviews and audits of your partners’ security protocols are essential to ensure they handle your data with the same care you would.
3. Thoughtful Tooling
With so many security products on the market, choosing the right tool can feel overwhelming. It’s important to select solutions that not only fit your organisation’s specific needs but also come from vendors who will provide reliable long-term support. Remember: the right tool is one that helps you address your unique challenges, not a one-size-fits-all solution.
4. Network Partitioning
Segmentation is a smart way to limit exposure to any potential threat. By dividing your network into smaller, isolated subnets protected by internal firewalls, you can contain any breaches and prevent them from spreading across your entire IT estate.
5. Proactive Patching
Regular patching is vital for closing vulnerabilities. Thankfully, modern tools automate much of this process, making it easier to stay up-to-date. However, not every patch is necessary for every system. Prioritising key patches ensures that your most critical systems remain protected without unnecessary downtime.
6. Enhanced Authentication
Gone are the days when a simple password would suffice. Multifactor authentication (MFA), which combines something you know (e.g. a password) with something you have (e.g. a smartphone app), has become the standard for protecting sensitive data. Upgrading authentication processes is a vital step in securing access to your systems.
7. Endpoint Security
With the rise of hybrid working, endpoint security has never been more important. Laptops and mobile devices are now seen as prime targets for attackers. Securing these endpoints effectively is crucial to maintaining a strong security posture against every potential threat, even when employees are working from home.
In Summary:
Focus on the Big Picture
Effective threat prevention goes beyond technology alone. While it’s tempting to focus on individual tools, it’s vital to take a broader view of your entire threat prevention strategy. Concentrate on the areas that matter most to your organisation, and be prepared to adapt as your internal and external environment evolves.
How are you preparing to stay ahead of the next wave of security threats?
