As we enter a new year, it’s more important than ever to make sure you and your organization are prepared for the future. Cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field, and this means that the threats you face from cybercriminals are also changing. The Sophos 2022 Threat Report explores how cyberattacks have evolved over time, how they will evolve in the future, and what we can do about it as an industry and as individuals. In this post I want to discuss some key takeaways from this report that will help you leverage technology to be resilient against some of these threats.

1. It’s time to “up your game” with multifactor authentication

Multifactor authentication is a security measure that requires users to provide two or more pieces of evidence when they log in.

The most common example of multifactor authentication is the use of a password and an SMS message with a code.

An attacker would need both your credentials and access to your phone to gain unauthorized access to your account, making it much harder for them to get through. In addition, if someone does manage to hack into your account, they can’t just go ahead and change the passwords for all of your other accounts because you didn’t use those same passwords there too!

2. Double down on the essentials of cybersecurity hygiene

The key is to create a cybersecurity hygiene plan and stick to it. Don’t fall into the trap of constantly looking for the next new thing. Remember, those who fail don’t achieve success by doing something different than what they do now; they achieve success by doing more of what they are already doing!

Don’t forget about the basics – This means making sure that your organization has both a strong firewall and antivirus software installed on all of its devices (including computers, smartphones, tablets, etc.). It also means having an up-to-date patch management process in place so that you can quickly fix vulnerabilities when they are discovered in software (which happens all too often). The Sophos Threat Report found that there were 571 new malware samples every second during 2018! That is staggering amount—and it will only get worse as time goes on unless we improve our defences against these threats.

3. Reduce single points of failure and use more layers of defence

The report also provides a number of ways to mitigate the risks that come from single points of failure. You should ensure that your network security isn’t dependent on a single device or service by using multiple layers of defence and creating redundant systems for critical functions such as authentication.

This means deploying two-factor authentication and other methods for logging into your account, along with strong encryption to protect data in transit and at rest. This can be done through SSL/TLS encryption, which we recommend using over HTTP whenever possible. It’s also important to regularly update any software you use (including operating systems), keep an eye out for new vulnerabilities, and conduct regular penetration testing so that you know where weak points are in your system before hackers find them first.

4. Make sure you have solid security monitoring and analysis capabilities

At the most basic level, security monitoring and analysis is all about watching what’s happening on your network. By looking at traffic coming into and leaving your network, you can determine whether there are any problems that need to be addressed. The more sophisticated your tools are, the better they will be at identifying issues and helping you resolve them quickly.

This process isn’t one-size-fits-all though; it varies depending on the size of your organization and how sensitive its data is (and those factors may change over time). For example, if all of your employees work from home, then it might make sense for you to monitor traffic going in and out of their devices rather than just monitoring traffic coming into or leaving a few key locations on campus every day as part of an overall security strategy. Similarly, if all of your systems run Windows 10 Enterprise Edition with BitLocker encryption enabled for their hard drives then there won’t be much point in logging keystrokes because none of them would ever leave those devices anyway! However…

5. Prepare for the unexpected

• Prepare for the unexpected. The Sophos 2022 Threat Report has shown that cyberthreats are becoming increasingly complex, and as a result, it is harder than ever to predict which threats will emerge in the year ahead. As such, you should have a plan in place that allows you to deal with cyberthreats while also ensuring your business can adapt and evolve in response to changing circumstances.
• Have a plan for unexpected situations. With all this in mind, it’s important not only that you prepare for known risks but also unknown ones as well—especially since these may be the ones that cause harm or damage to your organization if they’re not dealt with quickly enough!

The Sophos 2022 Threat Report empowers you to be resilient in the face of changing cyberthreats.

The Sophos 2022 Threat Report is a valuable tool for anyone interested in learning more about cyberthreats and how to prepare for them. The report also provides a useful overview of the current state of cybersecurity, which can help you understand how to respond to changing threats.

Is Your Cloud & Network Security Prepared for 2022’s Threats?

NMX IT Solutions can help your Thames Valley area organisation with a full cybersecurity review and make suggestions for addressing any weaknesses in your IT security strategy.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation! Call 01628 232300 or reach out online.