Think Like a Hacker to Improve Your Cybersecurity
Hackers continuously develop diverse ways of penetrating your cybersecurity defences.
New threats are always around the corner, and it can be difficult for organizations to identify when, where, and how the next breach will occur.
And while there is no fool-proof method to protect your private information, you can be one step ahead of malicious attacks, if you think like a hacker.
By adopting the mindset of those determined to break through your digital walls, you can improve your cybersecurity infrastructure.
Identify Weaknesses
Hackers will conduct a thorough investigation of your systems, often dubbed “footprinting.”
Their goal is to find any weaknesses, whether they exist within your own systems or that of third-party vendors.
Footprinting is a careful analysis of your entire system, mapped to identify any potential points of entry.
This is also where insider resources are most commonly utilized, which is why it’s important for organizations to mitigate insider threats before logins and passwords can be used against them.
Run Penetration Tests
Many organizations have begun to employ ethical hackers to test their systems.
There is no better way to determine the strength of your cybersecurity systems than by means of an actual hacking attempt.
If someone can gain access to your network, you’ll be able to clearly see where the holes are and how the hack was accomplished.
Patches are crucial to a strong defence, as something as simple as a delayed update can open a window for malicious software.
Attempt to Gain Access
Gaining access to critical systems is only half the battle.
Once a hacker is inside your network, the next essential element of the attack is to remain unnoticed.
Hackers can exploit the information they have access to, which is why it is so important for organizations to have separate encryptions for different data segments.
Breaches are often a bigger problem than necessary because hackers have found a way to jump from network to network, gaining access to substantial amounts of information.
Some malicious software remains unnoticed for several months, allowing hackers to work quietly in the background.
Repeat the Plan
Once hackers have found a reliable way into your system, they can repeat the process as often as is necessary.
This is also what you must do to ensure that your private data is consistently protected.
Cybersecurity protocols must be run continuously to remain most effective, as hackers’ techniques are constantly evolving.
Certain technologies are quickly becoming obsolete, a reminder to organizations that their cybersecurity strategies must always be at peak performance.
Testing your system regularly is the only way to ensure that hackers cannot take advantage of your weaknesses.
By thinking like a hacker, you can establish a cybersecurity protocol that will keep your sensitive data protected. Otherwise, you leave yourself open to obvious vulnerabilities. Hackers are patient and dedicated. If you don’t notice your weaknesses, a hacker is almost guaranteed to find them. Therefore, you must identify the problem areas of your cybersecurity infrastructure before they are exploited.
The ITeam understands the cybersecurity issues facing Canada. We are committed to helping Calgary- and Alberta-based businesses develop proactive, cost-effective IT strategies that minimize risk and maximize efficiency. Contact us to learn more.