Defense in Depth (DiD): Think Like a Hacker

Cybercriminals are always on the lookout for new ways to bypass security defenses. To stay ahead of them, it’s essential to think like a hacker and adopt proactive measures. This is the essence of Defense in Depth (DiD).

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines DiD as “The application of multiple countermeasures in a layered or stepwise manner to achieve security objectives. The methodology involves layering heterogeneous security technologies in the common attack vectors to ensure that attacks missed by one technology are caught by another.”

In simpler terms, DiD is a cybersecurity approach that layers multiple defensive methods to protect a business. Since no single security measure can guarantee protection against every attack, combining several layers of security is more effective.

Before embarking on your DiD journey, it’s crucial to stay informed about the evolving threat landscape.

9 Threats to Protect Your Business Against

While there are numerous threats businesses must be aware of, here are some of the most common:

  1. Ransomware Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files or systems, blocking access until a ransom is paid. Failure to pay can lead to data leaks or permanent data loss.
  2. Phishing/Business Email Compromise (BEC) Phishing involves hackers posing as legitimate entities to trick users into clicking malicious links or downloading infected attachments. BEC scams manipulate victims into transferring money or sharing sensitive information using compromised or impersonated email accounts.
  3. Cloud Jacking Cloud jacking exploits cloud vulnerabilities to steal account information and gain server access. As more companies adopt cloud solutions, cloud jacking is becoming a significant concern.
  4. Insider Threats Insider threats originate from within a business, often involving current or former employees, vendors, or partners with access to sensitive data. These threats are hard to detect as they may not be premeditated.
  5. Denial-of-Service/Distributed Denial-of-Service (DoS and DDoS) These attacks flood a targeted system with data requests, causing it to slow down or crash. They are common and relatively easy to execute.
  6. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Hacks AI and ML are revolutionizing IT but also aiding hackers in understanding and bypassing cybersecurity measures more efficiently.
  7. Internet of Things (IoT) Risks and Targeted Attacks IoT devices are prime targets due to their data-sharing capabilities and lack of stringent legislation.
  8. Web Application Attacks Vulnerabilities in web applications allow hackers to access databases and manipulate sensitive data, including Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and banking details.
  9. Deepfakes Deepfakes use AI to create deceptive audio or video content, misleading users into believing false information.

Get Up and Running with DiD

To combat sophisticated cyberthreats, you need a robust DiD strategy. This involves layering multiple defensive methods, such as firewalls, intrusion prevention and detection systems, endpoint detection and response (EDR), and more, to build a formidable security fortress.

Implementing DiD requires time and effort. Partnering with experts like us can help you develop and maintain your DiD strategy, allowing you to focus on your core business activities.