At eye level: On cyber and information security

The assumption in the field of information security: Alongside the necessity of receiving professional services in the field, it is not the sole responsibility of those providing the service, as every employee is required to have basic knowledge as part of their defense against potential threats.
Therefore, we believe it is appropriate to provide accessibility through modest exposure to the field. This accessibility is intended for our clients who are not in the field of information security, and the background presented here will provide them with an initial and reasonable sense of presence and importance in the field.
Multiplicity of interfaces and the abundant information passing through various pipelines in systems pose a significant threat that requires mapping potential risk focal points. Therefore, documenting the sequence of required actions is crucial for efficient security process sequencing with full efficiency and transparency.
The cybersecurity landscape has seen dramatic changes in recent years with the emergence and development of new cybercriminals who are constantly evolving and present. As computer crimes advance and targeted attacks continue to evolve and sophisticate, it becomes difficult to keep pace and remain protected given human and economic resource constraints. In today’s threat environment, it is crucial to be able to identify publicly announced malicious activity to gain insights into who is targeting your organization and to discover what they have done on your network and, more importantly, how they did it. Risk assessment and cybersecurity work plan execution allow organizations to identify known and unknown risks, comply with the best security standards in the industry to mitigate cyber security risks and prevent harm.
The aspiration for any technology company in the software and technological services sector is business engagement with strong and large companies that will serve as growth engines. One of the milestones associated with this endeavor is meeting the threshold requirements for handling tenders, including the implementation of information security policies according to the relevant standard. We specialize in providing comprehensive solutions to technology companies required to comply with financial/medical regulations or any other regulation with significant information security aspects.
Companies and ventures in the technology space require proactive management to ensure business growth and penetration into new markets. Today, more than ever, the current era is characterized by technological advancement, the pace of which is accelerating.
In general, to understand information and cyber security activities, one can imagine it as home security. Just as every residential home is equipped with a reinforced door and grilles against the threat of burglary, every organization holding information systems is a potential target for malicious activity and thus requires appropriate protection.
Let’s take it one step further: Imagine the same home, but this time with unique technology. Through the insertion of a thin pipe into the water or electricity system, one can draw valuables from miles away without disturbance, and from the moment the pipe is inserted, there are no limits to the criminal activity within the home: “sucking” any item from the home’s contents, regardless of size! TVs, furniture, jewelry, mobile phones, chocolate cake, and more. The intruder could also decide to attach a camera to the end of the pipe and surveil without interference what is happening, stop the flow of water or electricity, and more. In the digital age we live in, where the physical world merges with the digital world, the scenario described illustrates the extent of the threat and exposure reflected in organizations when information systems represent one of their most valuable assets. For sure, when dealing with high-tech companies whose activity is based on information systems, security should be applied and network applications.
A good cyber security strategy needs to start with the most basic security and then grow: Today, one can see a merging of the physical world with the world of information. Consumer privacy issues, strict regulatory regulations requiring a variety of roles to ensure compliance by organizations. Consequently, there is an increasing demand for professionals in the field of information security.
The scope of information security and cyber is wide and includes various core areas, and a good security strategy should take into account all aspects:
Infrastructure – Includes the physical systems on which the company relies, such as the power grid, water purification, traffic lights, and hospitals. Connecting a power station to the Internet, for example, makes it vulnerable to cyber attacks. The solution for organizations responsible for infrastructure is to conduct proper checks to protect their vulnerabilities. Each one should assess how an attack on infrastructures they depend on could affect them and develop a contingency plan.
Network Security – Protection against unauthorized access or malicious actors. Often, this can affect productivity, such as when multiple passwords are required for each system entry, which can slow down work results. Or, for example, unnecessary alerts causing disregard for relevant safety notifications. It’s better to manage information security issues more efficiently with user-friendly alerting systems.
Cloud Data Security – Organizations transitioning to storing data in the cloud create new security challenges. Cloud providers develop new security tools to assist organizations in securing their data better, but ultimately, thorough checks must also be carried out when moving to the cloud.
Application and Software Security – Especially web applications, has become the weakest technical point of attack. Application security begins with secure coding methods and more.
IoT Security – Refers to a wide range of critical and non-critical physical systems, such as devices, sensors, printers, and security cameras. These devices often have low or no security, and the resulting threat can affect not only their direct users but also others. This poses new security challenges for home and private users.
In conclusion, the above highlights the importance of understanding the depth and breadth of information and cyber security and how a good security strategy should encompass all aspects.