What do a pipeline, universities, and an NBA team all have in common? Usually, not much. However, in the last year all of these have fallen victim to ransomware attacks. Increasingly disruptive and sophisticated attacks are plaguing countless organizations. (Case in point: Ransomware attacks increased by 150% in 2020.)
To learn more about how companies are combating these mounting threats, Pulse and Bravura Security surveyed 100 IT and security executives to understand what changes are being made to cybersecurity infrastructure and how those changes are able to handle cyberattacks.
We know the move to the cloud and growth of software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions has increased efficiency and convenience for countless organizations: Almost all survey participants said at least some part of their security-related digital transformation efforts include a move to SaaS. But this isn’t enough on its own. Organizations need a strong SaaS cybersecurity strategy and solution to decrease vulnerabilities.
Prioritize Passwords and Identities
Even with more complex, sophisticated technology at their fingertips, most system breaches are still the result of weak or misplaced passwords. So, it goes without saying that password management needs to be first on your list for securing your network. The good news is, most decision-makers are already prioritizing these critical solutions and processes. More than 80% of those surveyed have already implemented either multi-factor authentication or single sign-on — two critical fail safes in password management.
Get your password management on track with Bravura Pass.
Identity access management (IAM) projects aren’t far behind with nearly three-quarters reporting they have projects in progress. Bear in mind, as identity rises to the top of the attack vector list, this last item will grow in importance. Now is the time to button up your processes and platforms.
Mitigate Attacks With Zero Trust
Another approach to protecting against ransomware is the implementation of a Zero Trust model. Although not quite half of the Pulse survey respondents had executed Zero Trust principles and policies, nearly 75% of them see an advantage of sourcing their Zero Trust architecture components from fewer vendors.
With nearly all of these companies moving from a legacy system to SaaS, now is the time to start off streamlined. While most systems will require multiple solutions, they should be selected with care. Patching together multiple solutions without strong, reliable integrations can create additional vulnerabilities in your network. Bravura Security Fabric eliminates many of these gaps by allowing the management of identities, passwords, privileged access, and more in one place, drastically minimizing opportunities for hackers.
Build Up Your Team’s Cybersecurity Smarts
No matter how many solutions and policies, the most difficult aspect of cybersecurity to plan around will always be people. As ransomware instances continue to rise these attacks aren’t just coming from the outside. In fact, almost 50% of employees and leaders have been approached to assist in ransomware attacks — highlighting the urgent need for businesses to be proactive about cybersecurity.
More importantly, that needs to include giving your employees the tools they need to identify and avoid security breaches. Whether it’s a phishing email or malware attack, teaching your team how to spot and report these attempts on your security can avoid serious breaches.
Get ahead of system vulnerabilities with these tips.
The Power of Preparation
The security of your network has always been a priority. Ensuring that systems remain protected as you make the move to SaaS is essential to success. The rise in remote and hybrid work environments combined with digital transformation has opened organizations to wider access and a heightened risk of attacks from the inside and out. Taking the time now to find a streamlined solution that will protect your most critical identities and data will pay off today and as you move forward in the cloud.
Learn more about how organizations responding to this changing cybersecurity landscape in our full survey here:
