The cybersecurity landscape is constantly changing as new threats are discovered. It can be difficult to keep up with all the latest security measures and know which ones to implement in order to protect your business network.
However, by understanding the seven cybersecurity layers, you can create a comprehensive protection plan that will safeguard your business's data from malicious attacks.
In this blog, we'll educate you on the seven layers of cybersecurity.
The seven cybersecurity layers, which we'll detail more below, are:
Human Layer
Your employees are the first line of defense against cyber attacks. They need to be aware of the latest security threats and know how to identify suspicious activity. Educating your staff on cybersecurity best practices is essential to protecting your business network from attack.
According to a Stanford University study, 88% of data breaches are caused by employees on the user end. While mistakes happen, educating and training your employees on cybersecurity and network safety can help to prevent cybersecurity attacks and protect your business.
It's also helpful to limit their access in order to reduce the amount of damage that can be done. For example, if an employee only needs access to certain data, don't give them full admin privileges. This will help to minimize the potential for cyber attacks.
Perimeter Layer
The perimeter layer is the second line of defense and includes your company's firewall. This is the layer in which all connectivity happens and can include your entire office full of equipment, including smart devices. These can include desktop computers, cell phones, tablets, laptops, printers, and more. If you use smart devices, they can even include things like outlet plugs, smart switches, and lightbulbs.
It's important to have a robust firewall in place in order to keep cyber attackers out. A firewall is a piece of hardware or software that helps to protect your network by filtering traffic and blocking unauthorized access. It's the first line of defense against cyber attacks and can help to prevent data breaches.
There are different types of firewalls available, including hardware firewalls, software firewalls, and cloud-based firewalls. It's important to choose the right type of firewall for your business in order to ensure comprehensive protection.
Network Layer
The network layer is similar to the perimeter layer and is the third line of defense (and also includes all the devices that are connected to your network. This can include computers, routers, switches, and other devices). It's important to have a secure network in order to keep cyber attackers out.
One way to do this is by using a VPN, or virtual private network. A VPN encrypts all the traffic that goes through your network, making it more difficult for cyber attackers to intercept. It's a good idea to use a VPN if you have employees who work remotely or travel often.
Another way to secure your network is by using strong authentication. This means that you require more than just a username and password in order to access your network. Two-factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of security, is a good option to consider.
Endpoint Layer
The endpoint layer also includes all devices connected to the network, but at this level, endpoint encryption is key. This means that each device has its own encryption key, making it more difficult for cyber attackers to access the data on the device.
There are different types of endpoint encryption available, including full-disk encryption and file-level encryption. It's important to choose the right type of encryption for your business in order to ensure comprehensive protection.
- Full-disk encryption: This type of encryption encrypts the entire hard drive
- File-level encryption: This type of encryption encrypts individual files
Application Layer
The application layer includes all the software that is running on your devices, including the operating system, productivity applications, and more. Even if you don't think about it, this software can include things like Zoom, Dropbox, Google Hangouts, Slack, Skype, and Microsoft Office. It's important to keep this software up-to-date in order to patch any security vulnerabilities.
One way to do this is by using an application whitelisting solution. This helps ensure that only authorized applications are running on your devices, which can help to prevent cyber attacks and data breaches.
Another way to secure your applications is by using application firewalls. These firewalls help to protect your applications from cyber attacks by filtering traffic and blocking unauthorized access. It's a good idea to use an application firewall if you have sensitive data that you need to protect.
Data Layer
The data layer includes all the data that is stored on your devices, including files, databases, and more. This data can be stored locally on the device or in the cloud. It's important to keep this data secure in order to prevent cyber-attacks, ransomware attacks, and data breaches.
One way to do this is by using data encryption. This helps to protect your data by making it unreadable to unauthorized users. As we mentioned above, there are different types of data encryption available, including full-disk encryption and file-level encryption.
Another way to secure your data is by using a data backup solution. This helps to ensure that you have a copy of your data in case it is lost or corrupted. It's a good idea to use a data backup solution if you have critical data that you need to protect.
Mission Critical Assets Layer
The mission-critical assets layer includes all the devices, data, and applications that are essential to your business. This can include things like your server, your email system, your financial records, and more. It's important to keep these assets secure in order to prevent cyber-attacks and breaches.
One way to do this is by using a security information and event management (SIEM) solution. This helps to collect and monitor data from all the devices on your network. This data can then be used to detect and investigate cyber attacks.
Another way to secure your mission-critical assets is by using a disaster recovery plan. This helps to ensure that you can recover from a cyber-attack or data breach. It's a good idea to have a disaster recovery plan in place if you have critical data that you need to protect.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity is important for all businesses. By implementing the seven layers of cybersecurity, you can help to protect your network from cyber-attacks and data breaches.
If you need help enacting any of these solutions, or if you have any questions, please contact us. We would be happy to help you secure your business!