How to Achieve Cyber Resilience with an MSP

Monica Morris • September 24, 2021

Cyber Resilience
The cyber threat landscape is changing and it is becoming more difficult to stay safe from cyberattacks.

With the proliferation of malware as a service, even unskilled attackers can now acquire advanced malware kits to use in compromising their target business.

Hence, organizations need to rethink cyber security and take an integrative approach that involves protecting critical assets and systems from going offline despite attacks.

Even if you are currently doing everything right in terms of cyber defense, there is no guarantee that newly discovered vulnerabilities will not impact your business operation in the future.

Fortunately, businesses can benefit from robust protection from cyber resilience strategies courtesy of MSPs.

WHAT IS CYBER RESILIENCE
Cyber resilience is the ability of a business to continue operating in the face of sophisticated cyberattacks and threats against it. It is a measure of the strength of the business to prepare for, adapt, and recover from cyberattacks.

Cyber resilience involves identification, detection, response, and quick recovery from cyber incidents.

It is an improved approach to business security that includes elements of monitoring, cyber security, business continuity, incidence response as well as disaster recovery.

WHY YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS CYBER RESILIENCE
A cyberattack on IT assets or an indirect attack on third-party service providers can disrupt business operations.

If your critical organization’s IT infrastructure is taken offline by cyberattacks or other disasters, how will your business cope?

This is the problem that cyber resilience strategy aims to solve.

If your organization is cyber resilient, you will have the ability to prevent cyberattacks and also reduce damage in the case of a server or data breach while maintaining business operations. Managed service providers can help organizations with the components that create cyber resilience including customized IT solutions that meet individual business needs.

FEATURES OF CYBER RESILIENCE
There are security tools and processes that MSPs deploy to secure businesses from attacks, some of them are discussed below.

1. Backups
MSPs can setup an automated backup system for your business so that there are multiple copies of your data and services across various company channels and third-party providers. This will ensure that your business is protected against data corruption and loss caused by cyberattacks, natural disasters, or human errors.

2. Block Malicious Content
Hackers are constantly setting up malicious online services for infecting unsuspecting site visitors. They may also hijack legitimate servers and inject malicious code for system compromise. Security policies set up by MSPs can help block users on your organization’s computer systems from visiting known malicious websites.

3. Protect
When cyber threats are blocked before they get a foothold in the network, you save your IT infrastructure from being infiltrated.

4. Restore
In the unfortunate event of a system breach, MSPs can facilitate quick recovery by restoring your lost or corrupted data from other sources to maintain business continuity.

5. Deploy Technology
As part of cyber resilience build-up for your organization, MSPs can deploy the necessary protection tools to protect your business from attacks. These include installation of firewalls, VPNs, anti-phishing and anti-malware software as well as regularly updating the OS and firmware of your computing system.

6. Employee Training
Technology on its own cannot adequately protect your business against service disruption. The people in your business are often the first line of defense against attackers. Hence, they have a large role to play in keeping your business operational.

MSPs can organize regular training sessions for your employees so that they are kept up-to-date on the latest cyber security threats and how to protect your organization’s assets.

7. Audit Processes
MSP can audit your business as part of cyber resilience to identify security gaps, discover areas in need of improvement and come up with security recommendations in order to prevent attacks.

Relying on a limited aspect of defense is no longer sufficient to protect a business. Having several layers of security as obtained in the cyber resilience approach is essential to keep your organization safe and operational despite attacks.

Phishing, ransomware, and other cyber threats are not going away. They can impact critical infrastructure and cause business failure, data loss as well as loss of reputation. It is left for you to transition your business into the evolving paradigm of cyber resilience. Contact us today to kick-start your organization’s cyber resilience strategy.

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In today’s interconnected digital landscape, cybersecurity is more than just a necessity—it's essential to business survival. Cyberattacks are becoming more frequent and evolving in sophistication, leaving companies vulnerable to data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage. A robust cybersecurity strategy is critical to safeguarding your business from these growing threats. One of the most effective ways to enhance your cybersecurity defenses is by leveraging the expertise of professional IT support services. The Importance of a Strong Cybersecurity Strategy Every business, regardless of size or industry, is a potential target for cybercriminals. The consequences of a successful cyberattack can be devastating, ranging from financial losses and operational downtime to legal liabilities and damage to your brand's reputation. This is why developing and maintaining a robust cybersecurity strategy is more important than ever. A strong cybersecurity strategy helps your business: Protect sensitive data: Safeguarding customer information, intellectual property, and financial records. Ensure compliance: Meet regulatory requirements, such as CMMC, HIPAA, and SOC2, to avoid fines and legal repercussions. Maintain business continuity: Minimizing disruptions caused by cyberattacks and ensuring quick recovery when incidents occur. Build customer trust: Demonstrating to customers and partners that their data is secure, which can lead to stronger relationships and business growth. While some businesses attempt to handle cybersecurity internally, IT support services offer a more comprehensive, proactive, and scalable approach to protecting your business. Cybersecurity Services Provided by IT Support Teams IT support services can significantly enhance your cybersecurity strategy by offering a wide range of specialized services. Here’s how they contribute to protecting your business: 1. Risk Assessments and Vulnerability Audits One of the first steps in strengthening your cybersecurity strategy is understanding where your business is most vulnerable. IT support teams conduct risk assessments and vulnerability audits to identify potential weaknesses in your network, applications, and infrastructure. These assessments provide a clear picture of your business's risks, enabling you to take targeted action to mitigate those risks. 2. Implementation of Security Protocols Once vulnerabilities are identified, IT support services implement security protocols tailored to your business’s needs. This may include: Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Establishing barriers that prevent unauthorized access to your network. Data Encryption: Ensuring that sensitive data is encrypted in transit and at rest, protecting it from cybercriminals. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adding extra authentication layers ensures that only authorized personnel can access critical systems and data. Endpoint Protection: Securing all devices (laptops, desktops, mobile phones) connected to your network from malware and other threats. Applying these and other security measures can help IT support services fortify your defenses against internal and external threats. 3. Ongoing Monitoring and Threat Detection Cyberattacks can happen at any time and often occur when businesses are least prepared. IT support services provide 24/7 monitoring to detect suspicious activity in real-time. Through advanced monitoring tools and threat intelligence, IT teams can quickly identify and respond to potential threats before they escalate into full-scale attacks. This proactive approach to monitoring reduces downtime, prevents data breaches, and minimizes the impact of cyber incidents. IT support teams can continuously update and patch systems to address emerging vulnerabilities, ensuring your cybersecurity defenses remain current. 4. Incident Response and Remediation Even with robust security measures, no system is entirely immune to cyberattacks. When an incident occurs, the speed and efficiency of the response are critical in minimizing damage. IT support teams are equipped with incident response protocols to quickly isolate affected systems, investigate the root cause, and restore normal operations. With a well-coordinated incident response plan, businesses can significantly reduce downtime, prevent further data loss, and recover quickly from attacks. 5. Security Awareness Training for Employees Employees are often the weakest link in cybersecurity, with many attacks originating from phishing schemes, weak passwords, or social engineering. 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Contact SDTEK today for a free consultation and discover how we can enhance your cybersecurity strategy and safeguard your business. Protect your data, reputation, and future—partner with SDTEK now!
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