10 Smart Cybersecurity New Year’s Resolutions to Bolster Your Digital Defenses
Start 2024 off strong by making these resolutions now
As we welcome the New Year, it’s crucial to reflect on the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats and fortify our digital defenses. The year 2023 was tumultuous in cybersecurity. The advent of new technologies like ChatGPT and other AI-driven communication tools also gave way to the subsequent adoption of generative AI by bad actors to facilitate cybercrime. The MOVEit zero-day exploit rocked the digital world, impacting more than 2,000 organizations and resulting in data theft affecting more than 62 million people — and these two major newsmakers are just examples of the wild cybersecurity ride that 2023 witnessed. As we move ahead to 2024, companies and IT professionals need to be ready for more change and upheaval. Taking smart precautions now will pay off later.
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10 cybersecurity New Year’s resolutions to make now
In an era where data breaches and cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, sometimes existential threats, businesses must stay one step ahead of the bad guys and follow trends to ensure that they’re covering every angle. To kickstart 2024 on a secure note, here are ten smart cybersecurity New Year’s resolutions.
1. Invest in comprehensive security awareness training
The human factor remains a significant vulnerability in cybersecurity. Implementing regular security awareness training programs for employees can empower them to recognize and respond to potential threats. Covering topics such as social engineering and safe data handling will enhance the overall security posture of any organization. The Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report 2023 reported that 74% of all breaches include the human element, like an employee opening a dodgy email or falling for phishing — behaviors that can be changed through security awareness training.
2. Upgrade to advanced endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions
Traditional antivirus solutions may fall short in detecting sophisticated threats. Businesses must invest in endpoint security by adopting EDR solutions that provide real-time monitoring, threat detection and response capabilities to keep pace with the rapid evolution of threats today. This proactive approach can thwart advanced threats and limit the impact of potential breaches. Even better, EDR can also offer companies that get infected with ransomware the chance to roll back their systems and data to a point before the attack landed, getting them back to work faster.
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3. Enlist the services of a managed security operations center (SOC)
The complexity of cyberthreats requires a proactive and round-the-clock approach to monitoring and responding. A security operations center makes that possible, but there are significant barriers to entry, including the complexity and expense of setting one up, not to mention the lack of available personnel thanks to the cybersecurity talent shortage. A managed SOC is the perfect alternative. A managed SOC offers MSPs and businesses access to cybersecurity veterans 24/7/365, rapid threat detection technology and expert incident response capability.
4. Fortify email security measures
Emails remain a common vector for cyberattacks, making email security a critical focus area. Resolve to implement robust email security measures, including advanced spam filters, multifactor authentication (MFA) and regular training to recognize phishing attempts. Securing email communication can prevent unauthorized access and protect sensitive information. In our Kaseya Security Survey Report 2023, we noted that respondents told us that email was the vector for cyberattacks that they were the most concerned about.
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5. Implement dark web monitoring
The dark web is a breeding ground for cybercriminal activity, where stolen credentials and sensitive information are traded. By implementing dark web monitoring for compromised credentials, IT professionals can mitigate the risk that they present. Dark web monitoring can provide critical early warnings that enable IT teams to take preemptive action before bad actors have the opportunity to strike.
6. Regularly update, patch and test systems
Cybercriminals often exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software and systems. Make a resolution to prioritize regular system updates and patch management. Neglecting patching is what led to many companies being caught up in the MOVEit exploit trap. Automated tools can streamline this process, reducing the risk of exploitation and strengthening the overall resilience of your digital infrastructure.
7. Conduct regular penetration tests
Identify and address potential weaknesses in your network and systems through regular penetration testing. This isn’t the same as a vulnerability assessment. Pen testing goes a step further by showing exactly how bad actors could compromise your defenses by “hacking” them. This proactive approach enables you to fix dangerous security gaps before they are exploited by malicious actors, minimizing the risk of security breaches.
8. Keep employees vigilant with phishing simulations
Phishing is the biggest and most dangerous cyberthreat vector that businesses face, but phishing resistance training using simulations can reduce a company’s risk of an employee falling into a phishing trap by up to 70%. It is critical that businesses do everything they can to stop employees from falling for phishing through powerful email security that can filter out phishing messages and security awareness training that includes phishing simulations.
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9. Enhance incident response planning
In the event of a cybersecurity incident, having a well-defined incident response plan is crucial. Review and update your company or clients’ incident response plans, conduct regular drills and ensure that all stakeholders are familiar with their roles and responsibilities. This preparedness can significantly reduce the impact of a security incident.
10. Stay informed about emerging threats
Cyberthreats are constantly evolving, and staying informed is key to maintaining a winning cybersecurity strategy. Make a commitment to stay abreast of the latest cyberthreats, trends and technologies. Engage with industry forums, attend conferences, subscribe to threat intelligence feeds and keep up with trends by reading industry publications like our news blog “The Week in Breach” (a new edition drops every Wednesday).
In The Educator’s Guide to Cybersecurity, see the cyber threats that schools face & how to mitigate them. DOWNLOAD IT>>
Mitigating cyber risk is easy with Kaseya’s Security Suite
As we embark on a new year, these ten cybersecurity resolutions serve as a roadmap to fortify any organization’s defenses against an ever-changing threat landscape. By prioritizing security awareness training, stepping up assessments like penetration testing, adopting advanced technologies and staying vigilant, IT professionals can create a robust cybersecurity posture that safeguards their employer’s or customers’ digital assets and protects against emerging threats. Here’s to a secure and resilient 2024!
Kaseya’s Security Suite has the tools that MSPs and IT professionals need to mitigate cyber risk effectively and affordably, featuring automated and AI-driven features that make IT professionals’ lives easier.
BullPhish ID — This effective, automated security awareness training and phishing simulation solution provides critical training that improves compliance, prevents employee mistakes and reduces a company’s risk of being hit by a cyberattack.
Dark Web ID — Our award-winning dark web monitoring solution is the channel leader for a good reason: it provides the greatest amount of protection around with 24/7/365 human and machine-powered monitoring of business and personal credentials, including domains, IP addresses and email addresses.
Graphus — Automated email security is a cutting-edge solution that puts three layers of AI-powered protection between employees and phishing messages. It works equally well as a standalone email security solution or supercharges your Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace email security.
Kaseya Managed SOC powered by RocketCyber — Our managed cybersecurity detection and response solution is backed by a world-class security operations center that detects malicious and suspicious activity across three critical attack vectors: endpoint, network and cloud.
Datto EDR — Detect and respond to advanced threats with built-in continuous endpoint monitoring and behavioral analysis to deliver comprehensive endpoint defense (something that many cyber insurance companies require).
Vonahi Penetration Testing – How sturdy are your cyber defenses? Do you have dangerous vulnerabilities? Find out with vPenTest, a SaaS platform that makes getting the best network penetration test easy and affordable for internal IT teams.
Learn more about our security products, or better yet, take the next step and book a demo today!