There’s no doubt that cyber threats have become a significant concern for modern businesses. Accenture refers to cybersecurity as a business imperative and a growth accelerator. Cyber-attacks result in damages not only due to disrupted operations. They are also reputational damages and opportunity costs involved.
To an extent, it is reassuring that many enterprises are aware of the threats, so they have significant resource allocations for cybersecurity. However, many are still unfamiliar with cybersecurity technologies, especially the relatively new ones designed to address more aggressive and rapidly evolving threats.
Here are some of the leading cybersecurity solutions businesses should consider to keep up with the changing cyber threat landscape and avoid
Extended Detection and Response (XDR)
Gartner defines XDR as “a unified security incident detection and response platform that automatically collects and correlates data from multiple proprietary security components.” This is a relatively new approach in cybersecurity designed for threat detection and response across multiple endpoints, including servers, laptops, and mobile devices.
Traditional security solutions like antivirus software and firewalls cannot fend off sophisticated attacks. XDR security takes a more holistic approach by collecting data from multiple sources, analyzing them using advanced algorithms, and providing a comprehensive view of the enterprise’s security posture.
XDR solutions are created to address the challenges traditional security tools encounter with more sophisticated threats, particularly the inability to detect specific threats. For example, XDR can spot and address attacks that spread laterally across a network, like the complex paths that fileless malware and advanced persistent threats (APTs) take. Additionally, XDR helps automate responses to threats, reducing the time it takes to mitigate an attack and significantly reducing the impact on business operations.
Open Extended Detection and Response (Open XDR)
Based on Gartner’s definition, XDR only covers collecting security-relevant data from proprietary security components. “Proprietary components” here is a limitation because most organizations use platforms, tools, and solutions that may not be proprietary or sourced from a single security vendor. This is where Open XDR steps in to expand data-gathering capabilities. Open XDR security is an advanced iteration encompassing all existing security components.
Additionally, Open XDR is built with an open architecture. This open architecture forces data normalization and enrichment. The data gathered is organized, sorted, and sometimes converted to ensure consistency, similarity, and compatibility. Enrichment may also be needed to ensure that the data used represents the whole picture or a complete idea of what it supposedly means.
All these are vital in building a meaningful AI system that is more effective in correlating security alerts and events to enable more accurate threat detection and response.
Next-Generation Security Information and Event Management (NG-SIEM)
Security information and event management (SIEM) was introduced in 2005, nearly two decades ago. It has since been updated with next-generation SIEM to address its weaknesses in dealing with contemporary challenges.
Next-generation SIEM was created to provide real-time visibility into an enterprise’s security posture. SIEM solutions collect security-related data from various sources, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and endpoint security solutions. The compiled data then undergoes advanced analytics, including AI-powered tools, to identify and mitigate potential security threats.
NG-SIEM incorporates new data sources, especially those related to the cloud infrastructure and new devices such as wearables, mobile gadgets, and IoT. Next-gen SIEM considers the new attack surfaces that have emerged with the availability of new technologies. Also, it can detect and respond to insider threats, such as employees accessing sensitive data without authorization.
Cloud-Access Security Broker (CASB)
Cloud Access Security Broker is a security tool or service that is a gatekeeper between an organization’s on-premises infrastructure and cloud-based services. It brokers on-premise and cloud connections to ensure their sensitive data is adequately secured and applications do not become accessible to unauthorized users, let alone hackers. It also provides the secure storage and sharing of data and resources across multiple cloud environments.
With 94 percent of organizations now using cloud solutions or services, it becomes increasingly important to have a security solution that addresses cloud-centric threats. CASBs provide a centralized security solution that protects enterprise data and facilitates compliance with data security and privacy regulations for cloud, multi-cloud, and hybrid environments.
Moreover, CASBs provide an additional layer of security and access control over data access and usage, essential with the rise of remote work and bring-your-own-device (BYOD) workplace setups.
Network Detection and Response (NDR)
As the name suggests, NDR is an approach in cybersecurity centered on detecting and responding to threats on the network. It analyzes network traffic to spot potential threats and generates real-time alerts. NDR solutions typically employ AI or machine learning, behavioral analysis, as well as threat intelligence to accurately detect threats that tend to be missed by traditional security controls.
NDR provides visibility into enterprise network activity, making it easier to spot potential threats, especially in complex cyber-attacks. It reduces threat detection and response time and minimizes the impact of attacks. NDR solutions can also help enterprises address some unique security challenges, such as the difficulty in overseeing large numbers of remote employees and workers who may need to work in field locations outside the enterprise network. NDR helps enterprises manage threats targeting their networks, even when data is stored in the cloud.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Data loss prevention solutions are similar to NDR, which monitors network activity to spot and prevent threats. However, it is different in its focus: preventing sensitive data from leaving the enterprise network. DLP solutions use contextual analysis, user and entity behavior analytics, and other advanced methods to manage data transmissions and spot and stop possible data exfiltration attempts.
DLP helps ensure data privacy and security. At the same time, it assists in complying with regulatory requirements involving customer or user data. It allows enterprises to stay in line with GDPR, PCI, DSS, and similar regulations.
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Identity and access management is not precisely a cybersecurity technology or solution. It is more of a cybersecurity discipline or framework that focuses on managing digital identities and regulating access to enterprise IT resources. It ensures the security of user identities, grants pass permissions, and adequately enforces security policies. IAM solutions prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data or access to accounts by implementing strong authentication and access controls.
IAM is often included in various security solutions or implemented by the enterprise as part of its cybersecurity system. It usually involves the following components: identity governance, user or access authentication, authorization, access management, or the granting and revocation of access permissions.
In conclusion
Modern businesses benefit from new technologies but are also exposed to new threats. Getting acquainted with and using new cybersecurity solutions designed to address new threats is a must, given the weaknesses of conventional security solutions and the growing aggressiveness and sophistication of cyber attacks. It helps to understand what the security solutions above are designed to do and their benefits to enterprise security, as they may be integrated into unified cybersecurity platforms. Also, some security providers may use the acronyms differently.
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