July 01, 2022
Six signs that your company needs to upgrade its cyber security
Cyber security has always been an important part of business, but in recent years, the prevalence of cyber attacks on large companies in Africa has proven why it is so vital to get right. There are thousands of cyber security solutions available on the market - some are better than others, so business owners and decision-makers need to compare the options and assess their needs in full.
SEACOM Business offers Kenyan companies a number of cyber security solutions, including advanced protection against distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. Modern cyber attacks are becoming highly sophisticated and more frequent, so large companies need to work with a trusted partner to ensure that their networks, servers and computers remain protected against viruses, ransomware and hackers.
This is why technology and the ability to manage these cyber security services are important to consider. But how do you know if your company is vulnerable to these threats? Here are six signs that you need to upgrade your cyber security.
1 - Using different security vendors
In some cases, cyber security vendors may lack certain tools needed to protect a company’s IT systems and computers. This forces the IT department to incorporate different solutions from multiple vendors, which are not always compatible with one another. Not only does this make the entire process more complex, but it also leads to performance problems and can create holes in the entire defence.
Not to mention the fact that sourcing cyber security services from different vendors is more costly. Purchasing a suite of cyber security tools from a single vendor will be cheaper and the services will definitely be compatible. Look for a vendor that offers automated systems that minimise manual tasks, monitoring and reporting. This will make your cyber security more efficient and effective.
2 - Complex management of the systems
Linked to the issue above, a cyber security solution that is too complicated to manage and run can be a big problem for businesses. These tools need to be intuitive and easy to use, otherwise, they are just a waste of time and money. A good cyber security service needs to have operational simplicity, a fast set-up process and high performance throughout its lifespan.
Cloud-based security systems offer these desirable qualities. They are easy to implement, manage and monitor. In addition, cloud-based cyber security tools are scalable, so as the company grows, so too can the protection offered. If your cyber security solutions are too complicated to manage, then you may be at risk.
3 - Using outdated security solutions
Cyber threats are evolving constantly. The people who create and use these coded threats are always finding new ways of beating outdated security tools. Legacy systems are no longer adequate for protecting businesses against a suite of attacks. Hackers can be quick to exploit outdated services and security protocols.
To ensure that your company is properly protected, you need to find a solution that uses up-to-date technology based on a zero-trust protection model. The ideal solution will offer full protection against a range of threats and automatically scan for software updates. If your security tools are old or not up to date, then your business may be vulnerable to attacks.
4 - Delegating security decisions to admins
Many companies leave cyber security decisions to their IT administrators or employees. This is unnecessary and a quick way to overload your IT department with alerts to threats. Doing so can lead to some threats being overlooked, which is how data breaches have crippled so many companies.
An automated cyber security service is the best route to take. There is a skills gap when it comes to cyber security and training, so having an automated system will allow a business to close this gap. The software can make the best security decisions and it drastically reduces the detection and response time to threats.
5 - Not using a zero-trust model
A zero trust model essentially requires multi-factor authentication, based on business policy from every employee accessing internal or 3rd party applications. The architecture is designed in a way that it never trusts and always verifies, so it systematically denies any user without proof of their credentials.
This also covers system patches and any binary code associated with the operating system. A zero-trust method is the most secure approach to IT security; ensuring that only proven employees can access the resources they are requesting.
6 - Lack of technical support
Companies need to work with a cyber security vendor that offers round-the-clock technical support for a variety of issues. Cyber threats never sleep, so neither should your software nor the support offered by the security vendor. SEACOM Business offers IT support 24/7, every day of the year.
If your cyber security provider does not offer these benefits, then you need to consider changing to one that does. These six points will highlight the effectiveness of your cyber security and tell you whether your company may be facing a major attack or data breach. For more information or to get a quote for our various cyber security solutions, email us at marketing@seacom.com or leave us a message.
SEACOM owns Africa’s largest network of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, including fibre optic networks and subsea cables. We offer a wide range of industry-leading scalable ICT solutions for large companies that operate throughout the region.
SEACOM is privately owned - making it adaptable to the needs of the client. We are the preferred ICT and internet connectivity supplier for African enterprises. We can guarantee fast, reliable and secure internet and networking services at affordable prices.
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