Fundamentals of Passive Cyber Defence
From the shadow of a doorway, my considerations on passive Cyber Defence ...
Passive cyber defense, also known as cybersecurity defense, involves strategies and measures designed to protect systems, networks, and data from unauthorised access, misuse, or damage. Here are some fundamental principles and practices of passive cyber defense:
Risk Assessment: Begin by identifying and assessing potential cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities within your organisation's systems, networks, and infrastructure. This involves understanding the assets you need to protect, the threats they face, and the potential impact of security breaches.
Access Control: Implement strong access controls to restrict unauthorised access to sensitive information and critical systems. This includes using strong authentication methods such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and role-based access control (RBAC) to ensure that users only have access to the resources they need to perform their duties.
Encryption: Utilise encryption to protect data both in transit and at rest. Encryption scrambles data into an unreadable format, which can only be decrypted with the appropriate encryption key. This helps to prevent unauthorised access to sensitive information even if it is intercepted.
Patch Management: Regularly update and patch software, operating systems, and firmware to address known vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Vulnerabilities left unpatched can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorised access to systems and networks.
Network Segmentation: Segment your network into separate zones or subnetworks to limit the spread of potential security breaches. This helps contain any security incidents and prevents attackers from moving laterally within your network.
Monitoring and Logging: Implement robust monitoring and logging mechanisms to track and analyse system activities. This includes monitoring network traffic, system logs, and user activities for any signs of suspicious behavior or security incidents.
Incident Response Plan: Develop and regularly test an incident response plan to effectively respond to and mitigate cybersecurity incidents. This plan should outline the steps to take in the event of a security breach, including containment, investigation, recovery, and communication.
User Awareness and Training: Educate employees and users about cybersecurity best practices and the importance of following security policies and procedures. This includes training on how to recognise and report phishing attempts, social engineering tactics, and other common cyber threats.
Backup and Recovery: Implement regular data backups and establish robust data recovery procedures to ensure business continuity in the event of a cyber attack or data breach. Backups should be stored securely and tested regularly to ensure that they can be restored when needed.
Compliance and Regulations: Stay informed about relevant cybersecurity laws, regulations, and industry standards that apply to your organisation. Compliance with these requirements helps ensure that your cybersecurity defenses meet the necessary legal and regulatory obligations.
By considering these fundamental principles of passive cyber defense, organisations may strengthen their cybersecurity posture and better enable themselves against a wide range of cyber threats and attacks.
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