IT security is vital to managing and protecting an organization’s technology infrastructure, including its network, hardware, software, and data. It focuses on protecting these assets from cyber threats like viruses, ransomware, malware, phishing and other types of attacks that facilitate unauthorized access.
Implementing IT security involves a multi-layered approach, including firewalls, antivirus, patches, etc. These will prevent data theft and safeguard an organization’s technological infrastructure. In return, they will ensure continuity and reliability of operations.
This blog post will cover everything about IT security, its importance, IT security threats, and protection from cyber risks.
What is IT Security
IT security aims to protect organizations from unauthorized data manipulation and system breaches. It safeguards information and the systems processing it. This involves protecting technology, data, physical data centers, cloud services, and many more assets.
IT security utilizes various technologies and strategies to secure an organization’s system and data. It checks and mitigates vulnerabilities across digital devices, networks, servers, databases, and software applications. It combines digital security measures like endpoint, cloud, network, and application security with physical safeguards such as locks and surveillance to protect IT assets.
IT security has a broader scope than cybersecurity, which focuses only on protecting against digital attacks. However, IT security aims to defend against external, internal, malicious, and accidental threats using security policies and tools. Organizations should continuously update their security practices to stay ahead of sophisticated cybercriminals.
Difference Between IT Security, Information Security, and Cybersecurity
Though these terms sound similar and have many similarities, it’s important to be aware of their differences. Let’s explore how IT security is distinct from information security and cybersecurity.
Information Security
Information security is a more comprehensive field than IT security. Information security protects both digital and non-digital information and data. It protects the confidentiality and integrity of data in any form, ensuring their availability and integrity.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is often understood as similar to IT security. However, cybersecurity deals with defending electronic systems, networks, and data from all types of cyberattacks. In this sense, cybersecurity is different from information security and IT security.
Cybersecurity is considered part of information security. It protects against malware, phishing, ransomware, and other threats in networked environments.
Why is IT Security important
IT security is vital for defending against cyber threats like attacks, phishing, information theft, etc. The risk and impact of cyberattacks have significantly increased with mobile devices storing essential data. The sophistication of cybercriminals emphasizes the necessity of robust digital and network device protection.
In addition, the financial impact of breaches can be devastating. According to IBM Cost of a Data Breach 2023, the average cost of a data breach is USD 4.45 million. This encompasses costs from notifying affected customers to revenue lost during downtime. Moreover, demanding hefty ransoms for data decryption and threatening data leaks add to the financial strain on organizations.
The report notes that investments in IT security are expected to increase from USD 188.3 billion in 2023 to nearly USD 262 billion by 2026.
Types of IT Security and how we implement it at K&C
IT security encompasses strategies and technologies to protect digital assets and networks from cyber threats. Its main types include:
Network Security
Network security involves protecting internal networks from unauthorized access. It secures the infrastructure of interconnected devices and ensures that data can be exchanged securely between endpoints.
Internet Security
Internet security safeguards data transfer over the Internet. In simpler terms, it protects the device while sending or receiving data on the Internet. For instance, it checks the authenticity of software we download online.
It involves measures to protect against malware, phishing, and other web-based threats using firewalls and encryption. Awareness training among employees is also an important part to ensure internet security – after all, the human factor is the bottleneck in many cyber-attacks.
Cloud Security
The popularity of cloud services is on the rise. As the reliance on cloud services for storing and processing data increases, an organization needs robust cloud security.
Cloud security aims to protect data housed in the cloud from manipulation. It uses strategies like access control, data encryption, and secure software interfaces.
Endpoint Security
It protects individual endpoint devices that connect to the network (like laptops, smartphones, and tablets) from threats. It often involves antivirus software, anti-malware, and personal firewalls.
Application Security
Application security keeps software and devices secure by incorporating security features during application development and lifecycle. This type of security involves adding and testing these features to prevent vulnerabilities and safeguard applications against potential threats.
The strategy we pursue at K&C
At K&C, we span IT security implementation across these various types and customize it to safeguard the organization’s digital assets and customer relationships and increase employee awareness. We emphasize infrastructure security, adopting multifactor authentication, and employing stringent authentication methods. These measures include regular updates, patching, and a focused approach to reducing the attack surface by limiting the software variety. For this, we favor secure and unified platforms like Microsoft tools.
Moreover, we prioritize customer relationship security. This approach ensures that development and operational infrastructure is secure and establishes basic security requirements across development processes. We are committed to maintaining safe and GDPR-compliant data handling and communication practices with our clients.
Common IT Threats and Risks
IT security threats range from system disruptions, such as hardware failures and software bugs, to targeted cyberattacks that steal data. These issues can lead to financial losses, operational downtime, and damage to an organization’s reputation. Main cyberattack methods include:
Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)
APTs are a common IT threat involving long-term, stealthy cyberattacks in which attackers gain unauthorized access to a network. They then remain undetected for extended periods and, most of the time, aim for financial gains. They systematically steal data from a specific organization without being discovered.
Malware
Malware is the short form for malicious software. It can be harmful programs like viruses, ransomware, and spyware. Malware is designed to take control of systems and damage data. It can also monitor user activity and use infected devices for further attacks.
Phishing
Phishing attacks trick individuals into disclosing sensitive information, such as login credentials, by impersonating trustworthy entities in emails, messages, or websites. They exploit human vulnerability and are a common initial step for cyberattacks.
Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks
DoS attacks usually flood the network with excessive traffic, making it unavailable for users. It can also lead to network crashes. These attacks are commonly targeted at high-profile entities like banks and government organizations. Their main aim is to inflict financial loss for the targeted entity.
An expanded version, the Distributed-Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack, amplifies this by using a network of hacked computers to increase the scale and impact of the attack.
Botnets
Botnets are mainly remotely controlled by attackers. They consist of networks of infected devices with malicious software. The attacker is known as a bot herder. Botnets are used for various malicious activities, including launching DDoS attacks, sending spam, etc.
Insider Threats
Insider threats stem from people within an organization. These individuals, such as employees or contractors, can misuse their access to systems and data. In addition, insider threats are hard to detect or prevent, as most insiders have legitimate access to the system.
Case study cyberattack at K&C
The K&C case study centers on a phishing attack, or more precisely a Business Email Compromise (BEC) attack in 2023, and the organization’s subsequent response and strategy enhancement. The research was led by Grygorii Polinovskyi, K&C’s head of IT security. He identifies the incident as an essential learning opportunity for the company.
Since then, we at K&C have reinforced the security infrastructure and employee training programs to prevent future breaches. The critical measures implemented include strengthening authentication methods and adopting conditional access policies. These steps helped us narrow potential attack surfaces. In addition, we have achieved a Microsoft Defender score of 76%, a relevant measure of a company’s robustness in IT security. We exceeded the median secure score of companies of similar size, which is 40%.
The incident highlights the role of human factors in IT security. We have intensified our efforts to raise cybersecurity awareness among our employees, recognizing that human error is exploited in a significant fraction of cyberattacks.
We at K&C have strengthened our IT security through technological and human-centric strategies, taking a comprehensive approach to mitigate evolving cyber risks.
The experience showcases the importance of resilience, continuous learning, and a balanced focus on technical measures alongside employee education in creating a robust IT security framework.
Prevention of Attacks and Common Practices
IT security requires a holistic approach integrating technology and organizational policies, processes, and comprehensive training across all business functions. Critical elements of an effective IT security strategy include:
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
EDR systems continuously monitor and gather data from network endpoints to mitigate cyber threats. If they detect suspicious activity, they alert the security team with detailed context, and the security team will take care of any possible threat.
Incident Response (IR)
IR aims to limit damage and reduce recovery time and costs. It is a structured methodology for handling security breaches and cyberattacks. An IR outlines the procedures an organization should follow when an IT breach has occurred. The outline includes roles, responsibilities, and steps for addressing the incident.
Next-Generation Antivirus (NGAV)
NGAV blends AI (artificial intelligence) and ML algorithms to detect and prevent malware threats. The malware threats can be known or unknown to the security team. It provides a proactive approach to cybersecurity.
Penetration Testing
Penetration testing is a widely employed method for preventing IT risks and threats. In penetration testing, a security tester attacks the system in a simulated environment to find vulnerabilities. This procedure helps an organization identify weak spots early on. Then, the organization can defend the network and minimize the loss before an attack. With his intended certification as a penetration tester, Grygorii will be at the forefront of adding this method to the diverse tool kit of K&C to prevent cyber-attacks.
Further methods
In addition, it is wise to use multifactor authentication to enhance network security. This will boost security in single sign-on systems, as multifactor authentication adds layers of access control.
Security software like email security tools, antivirus software, and system patches also help mitigate cyber risks. An organization can use offensive security practices like vulnerability scanning and red teaming to find security gaps. It is another method to strengthen defense against cyberattacks.
Summary of common IT threats and how to prevent cyberattacks.
About Grygorii Polinovskyi
Grygorii Polinovskyi is the Head of Operations and Security at K&C. He plays a critical role in shaping and overseeing our organization’s security strategies. He focuses on enhancing infrastructure security, securing client correspondence, and boosting employee security awareness to prevent breaches.
Grygorii began his career over a decade ago as a front-end development team lead before shifting focus to IT security. He has played a vital role in implementing robust security measures at K&C, such as multifactor authentication and strict data handling policies compliant with GDPR standards. His experience with the Business Email Compromise (BEC) attack emphasizes his focus on continuous improvement.
As a soon-to-be professional penetration tester, he aims to achieve a high-security standard and ISO 27001 certification for K&C.
Closing words and IT security services at K&C
In conclusion, our company’s proactive and comprehensive approach to IT security creates robust defense and minimizes cyber threats. By integrating innovative technological solutions with solid processes, K&C ensures the comprehensive protection of digital assets and data.
This strategy mitigates risks and fosters a culture of security awareness throughout the organization. As the digital world becomes more complex, we are committed to advancing IT security and winning the trust of our clients.
K&C offers solutions for your IT security strategy by providing suitable IT security specialists or entire teams. We specialize in recruiting nearshore IT specialists who are tailored to our clients’ needs.
Based in Munich, K&C is an established IT outsourcing company with a strong focus on IT security services. We offer comprehensive IT security solutions, including risk assessments, compliance management, and cybersecurity strategies.
Contact us today and let us help you achieve your desired IT security goals.
