People no longer use the same kind of home protection systems that they did in the 1990s. The IoT has made it possible to integrate cameras, movement sensors, and much more into home security systems.
So why are we still relying on just firewalls and anti-virus programs to protect our most critical business data?
Let’s be clear; these technologies are, and will probably always be, an important part of internet security. But to get a full picture of internet threats and network protection, it’s important to embrace a wider understanding of how we protect our data.
Old technology
Although firewalls and anti-virus programs have been constantly evolving since their original inception, the basic concepts have stayed the same.
They attempt to block attacks as they occur. They need to be constantly updated to try to stay one step ahead of attackers, but even then they are generally adapting to types of attacks and malware definitions that have already made successful attacks in various locations.
Anti-virus programs are particularly vulnerable to attacks because too many employees do not properly update patches as they come in, leaving their systems – and every computer connected to their systems – vulnerable to potential attack.
Phishing attacks increasingly common
The increase in phishing attacks is another reason that anti-virus systems and firewalls simply aren’t enough. A huge percentage of malware is delivered by email.
There are two primary methods where happens, and every IT professional is aware of them: getting employees to enter their password or other key information into a false website or getting them to open an attachment that installs malware into the system.
Although email attachments can be scanned to a certain degree, it’s easy for malware to slip past these filters. Firewalls and anti-virus programs are designed to defend against external threats.
Once malware is inside the walls, so to speak, there’s little that these defense methods can do.
Reactive, not proactive
The problem with firewalls and anti-virus programs, ultimately, is that they are reactive instead of proactive. They can’t do anything until an attack is already underway, at which point they do their best to defend the system at large.
But with the intensity and complexity of modern cyberattacks, it’s crucial for IT to proactively protect against attacks. This requires a real-time understanding of network status and any signs of an impending attack.
Real-Time Solutions
This is where Cisco Umbrella comes in.
Instead of simply offering reports that might take up to six months to show evidence of a data breach, Cisco Umbrella offers you real-time evidence of attacks, threat prioritization, and ways to proactively block attacks before they can mount any real momentum.
Cisco Umbrella shows known malicious websites that are trying to access your network. From there, you have the ability to look at WHOIS information to find out more about who registered the website and look for other suspicious websites that might be involved in the attack.
You can use protection software to block websites that are associated with malware and DDoS attacks. And if Cisco Umbrella detects enough malicious IPs associated with a particular email from WHOIS, it will start proactively blocking websites before they have a chance to initiate an attack.
While firewalls and anti-virus software are going to be part of our internet security arsenal for the foreseeable future, it’s important for IT to start going on the offensive.
By seeing the spikes of traffic that imply DDoS and similar attack methods, IT can respond to the threat in real time. Cisco Umbrella also helps IT prioritize threats so they can make sure they’re dealing with the appropriate problems.
If you need help getting your company’s security where it needs to be, contact Splendid Technology. We’ll be ready to support you and your company’s safety with the best technology out there.
