What Cyber-Security Framework is best for Your Business?

A cyber-security framework is like a garden- it needs maintenance and care to stay in tip-top shape and give you the results you need. Everyone from the individual user to global tech companies has at least a small amount of experience with cyber-security frameworks. However, unlike a simple virus scanner, this is not the sort of thing you can install and forget about.

According to a report by Tenable on trends in cyber-security, approximately 85% of US organizations use a security framework, and 44% use multiple frameworks.

The Purpose of a Cyber-Security Framework

Data security professionals recognize that there is no perfect solution to cyber threats. Cyber attacks come in a myriad of forms, strengths, and levels of sophistication. The purpose of a given framework is to focus the majority of an organization’s resources on protecting against a known or likely type of threat.

For organizations with unlimited resources, (think the Pentagon) they will invest in layers of data security frameworks to guard against practically all potential attacks. But even the most powerful protection frameworks are not invulnerable.

That’s why it’s important to obtain a value versus risk assessment to determine how much of your resources you should put into your cyber-security infrastructure and what kind of framework you need.

There is No One Size Fits All Cyber-Security Solution

In addition to the size of your company and threat types you are likely to face, there are industry-specific, state, and international cyber-security regulations that must be complied with. This makes choosing the right data protection infrastructure more difficult.

The most commonly used frameworks are:

• The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity (NIST CSF)
• Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
• Center for Internet Security Critical Security Controls (CIS)
• ISO/IEC 27001/27002 (ISO)

How to Choose a Cyber-Security Framework That Meets Your Needs

We could discuss the various attributes and capabilities of the many data security frameworks available. But our security professionals here at Tie National have found that many organizations benefit most by building a custom security framework around their specific need vs asset profile.

To discover what framework is best for you, first lay the groundwork for the security perimeters you wish to prioritize. Your framework will include user-friendly features like intrusion detection, antivirus, and email/web filtering. After you have settled on the basics, more advanced features can be selected.

Information Security

In large organizations, it’s almost inevitable that some personal data will be stored on your network. This should be avoided as much as possible and discouraged. Choosing a framework that is strong on information security is a good idea for large organizations with a workforce of 100 or more people. It is even more important for companies with multiple worksites, remote workers, and mobile professionals.

Application Security

If you’re looking to boost your security profile for a newly minted application or existing applications through encryption, then application security will be an important item on your checklist.
You can select the encryption level that you will use by measuring the need for confidentiality based on the type of data the app uses. The more personal and the more sensitive the data used by the app in question is- the stronger your encryption should be.

Banks, for example, commonly use SSL and end to end encryption.

Website Security

It is a common misconception that websites are not priority targets for cyber attackers. The myth of the invulnerability of websites has cost many businesses thousands of dollars and triggered long periods of downtime. The theft of your customer’s banking information is likely the biggest threat to merchant websites.

Once a website has been compromised, security retrofitting can be an enormous task. Occasionally, a compromised website will become completely unusable.

Another common mistake is assuming your host provider offers all of the protection you need. To protect your online presence, you will need website scanning and firewall protection, as well as antimalware.

Network Security

It is very important to protect the computers in your workplace. This is especially true if you use wireless devices and systems. The more interconnections that exist within a single reticular location, the more opportunities for attack exist.

To cover network security, it is necessary to choose a Virtual Private Network (VPN). The best VPNs have strong firewall protections and anti-spyware to protect your mission-critical terminals from attack.

Disaster Recovery

Disaster recovery doesn’t just mean recovering from the massive or total loss of your data due to flooding, fire, solar-flare, and the like. Some cyber attacks can have similarly disastrous effects on your critical and sensitive data.

When this happens, you need a disaster recovery expert. After a data loss disaster, you need rapid recovery of your corrupted drives and your deleted data. Looking forward, an automated data-loss prevention security system should be a part of your cyber-security framework.

Adding disaster recovery protection is a good idea for any organization regardless of the type of anticipated threats. Why? Because disaster-level data threats are always of a least expected kind of attack. In addition to technological disaster recovery products and services, insurance companies also work with companies looking to protect their data assets.

Endpoint Security

To protect mobile devices, servers, on-site terminals, and file integrity- you need to work with a service provider who offers both antimalware and antivirus software.

In conclusion, the first step to choosing and deploying a cyber-security framework that suits your industry, business model, and organizational security needs- is to perform a step by step analysis of your security needs. Only a full-service National IT Company like Tie National can take you through the process with:

• Project Management
• Data Networking
• Computer Systems
• Phone Systems
• Surveillance Systems
• Audio/Video Systems
• Help Desk Services
• Disaster Recovery
• Carrier Services

Don’t pay for services you don’t need or won’t use. Let Tie National guide you through the assessment process to pinpoint your specific cyber-security needs and give you the protection your company requires with our small business IT support services. Call now to learn more! 630-301-7444