As human society continues to go digital, all aspects of business and even personal life rely on networks and computer or smart devices. But these systems are constantly being targeted by cyber criminals who see them as lucrative targets for a variety of reasons including financial gain, data theft and even political or social motives like hacktivism. The best way to combat these threats is by ensuring that all sensitive data is encrypted and stored securely, that backups are taken frequently to prevent loss of critical information, and that a robust set of security policies and procedures are in place for employees who use company systems, such as password protection, encrypting files, regular cyber security awareness training and using the National Cyber Security Centre’s free online checks.
Cybersecurity professionals have a variety of technical skills, from engineering to software analysis, that they employ in their jobs to ensure that their company’s infrastructure is protected. But they also have to think strategically, as a data breach can be more than just an IT problem. It can involve a customer list sent through unencrypted email, a password written on a sticky note in an employee’s cubicle or a company laptop stolen from an employee’s car.
While it seems as though new technology brings more opportunities for hackers, the good news is that cybersecurity companies are working hard to stay one step ahead. For example, Palo Alto Networks offers zero trust security that blocks attack traffic at the edge of the network and prevents advanced bot attacks such as competitive price scraping, account takeover and DDoS protection. The company is also integrating machine learning and domain expertise into their product offerings to provide more comprehensive solutions. Security Operations Center