You versus adversaries: How to become unbeatable in 20 cybersecurity moves (Part 2)

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Introduction

Part 1 of the special blog series revealed actionable insights for security professionals, equipping them to be resilient against the cybersecurity challenges of the upcoming year. In this edition, we explore the advantages of building tailored defenses by harnessing external expertise.

Having an external cybersecurity partner like Group-IB can not only help you prevent security oversights that might become intrusion vectors for cybercriminals but also assist in crafting an end-to-end strategy. This approach fortifies all environments, enhances existing security functions, and ensures that your cybersecurity initiatives support business growth.

The 20 recommendations (Part 1 & Part 2) are drawn from the firsthand experience of our security experts who have actively supported Group-IB’s fight against cybercrime. Since our inception, we’ve cultivated a dedicated team of cyber investigators who collaborate closely with our clients and local as well as global law enforcement agencies to constantly share and act on critical threat intelligence and outpace adversaries.

Building on this momentum, here are the next set of strategies for you to implement:

#11 Introduce stronger security for better customer acquisition

As customers care more and more about data protection, cybersecurity plays an ever-crucial role in influencing their decision whether to do business with a company. Cybersecurity therefore not only serves as a significant competitive advantage but also aligns with the preferences of privacy-focused audiences. Users nowadays seek assurance that using your applications guarantees the utmost security and privacy. They want proof of your commitment to protecting them. However, security and privacy must be balanced with a seamless user experience.

Here are practical examples of how to strengthen cybersecurity while ensuring an uninterrupted user experience:

• Eliminate the need for frequent password changes, thereby enhancing user convenience.
• Avoid prompting for One-Time Passwords (OTPs) unless potential threats are detected, which streamlines the user experience without compromising safety
• During client onboarding, request as little personal information as possible and ask for additional details only when warning signals come to light, thereby respecting user privacy
• Showcase your ability to identify and shield users from threats like malware infections, unauthorized remote device access, and potential fraud
• Minimize false-positive alerts and avoid restricting users when false warning signals occur, such as when users change their location while traveling
• Reinvest savings from cybersecurity measures into improving customer support services.

#12 Eliminate vulnerabilities before adversaries can exploit them

For your cybersecurity to be effective, you need defensive as well as offensive strategies. Both provide unique insights that are crucial for comprehensive protection against cyber threats. While offensive cybersecurity simulates cyberattacks as a way of identifying vulnerabilities, defensive cybersecurity focuses on constructing robust systems that can detect and stop threats before they turn into full-blown attacks or strategically respond to them if they’re ahead in the kill chain.

When selecting offensive (Offsec) and defensive (Defsec) services, consider the following recommendations:

• Begin by establishing a baseline, incorporating endpoint and email security, and conducting fundamental checks for vulnerabilities. Avoid starting with an audit — invest in appropriate technologies first. Audits may result in redundant recommendations and wasted time and resources.
• Identify shadow IT assets and regularly assess them for misconfigurations and vulnerabilities. Technologies such as External Attack Surface Management can significantly reduce your attack surface and make your infrastructure a less appealing target.
• Ensure you have the right team in place that can detect threats effectively and efficiently, whether it’s a local team or a managed security service provider.
• Test your resilience with human experts and services such as compromise assessments, red teaming, and penetration testing exercises.
• Enhance your operational security based on the results obtained from these exercises.

#13 Zero Trust, CIS, and more — Choose the right cybersecurity framework

Frameworks play an integral role in structuring plans and establishing cybersecurity measures, with the Zero Trust model serving as a prime example of what companies aspire to. However, security must remain practical. Reservations often arise about whether cybersecurity should be approached with a compliance or risk-based mindset. Companies often prioritize compliance over practical security. Ideally, it should be the other way around. Many compliant companies have fallen victim to cyber-attacks, which has led to a shift in priorities.

Rather than striving to be compliant first, companies should focus on establishing effective cybersecurity controls and expertise. Compliance should be a byproduct of having robust security measures and the right practices in place.

If an organization lacks the necessary expertise to implement practical security measures, it can partner with a knowledgeable entity with the required expertise, technology, and readiness to act as an advisor. Such strategic partnerships help foster secure business growth by implementing cybersecurity practices based on real-life experience from cybercrime investigations, incident response, computer forensics, and threat intelligence. Learn how Group-IB experts can help.

#14 Compliance is the bare minimum, not the be-all and end-all of cybersecurity

Compliance, while crucial, does not guarantee security. It outlines the essential steps required to protect data, ensure information security, and implement the necessary controls, but it often fulfills only the minimum security requirements. The goal is to ease the burden of compliance, but ultimately it may not be sufficient to prevent the growing array of diverse threats.

Compliance offers a framework of requirements and leaves it up to you to develop a cybersecurity program that best aligns with the specific needs of your business.

If your organization requires external assistance to keep up with the constantly changing regulatory requirements while deciding on additional security controls and strategies needed for a well-protected infrastructure, you can request a detailed consultation with our experts here.

#15 Cybersecurity decisions and drills should be intelligence-informed

Before making strategic decisions about upgrading your cybersecurity infrastructure, you must understand how threats evolve. This is where threat intelligence comes in. Your focus should extend beyond the active threats in your specific region to a broader view of global and industry-specific threat landscapes. Such visibility also helps make global incident response and investigations more effective.

A broader perspective gives a more accurate view of future threats. Without this understanding, your upgraded solutions might become outdated for threats that emerge in the future.

As a cybersecurity provider, Group-IB actively empowers organizations and law enforcement agencies worldwide through continuous information sharing, enabling trend identification and raising awareness about the TTPs used by adversaries. In addition, Group-IB’s DCRCs (Digital Crime Resistance Centers) facilitate data-sharing and collaboration between regions on response strategies and threat hunting. Our extensive intelligence feed fuels industry-leading investigation and forensics. The combination of technology and in-house expertise allows for agile threat detection and automatic sharing of threat indicators, which informs investigations and helps organizations update their defenses as needed.

#16 Security requires technical skills across the broader infrastructure, and external support can help

Cybersecurity is an extensive discipline and it is nearly impossible to encompass all the required skills in-house. Compliance standards often mandate that certain security exercises be carried out by independent security providers. These exercises may include threat intelligence analysis, penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, incident response, and more.

To address such challenges effectively, companies must be well-prepared. Training programs must be in place for internal teams, incident response retainers must be established with external experts, and pre-planned exercises like compromise assessments and red teaming must be conducted. Such proactive measures help make an organization much more ready to address potential security threats and meet compliance requirements.

Experience: Opt for providers with proven expertise in handling diverse cases and working in various geographical locations.

Technology: Choose providers equipped with advanced technologies.

Communication: As clear communication is essential for effective collaboration, an ideal business partner should give all instructions and guidelines quickly and clearly.

#17 Keep cloud environments secure

Even as cloud technology advances, we are well-equipped with all the essential components to forge ahead in developing state-of-the-art tools and solutions, making cloud environments more secure. All AI will operate in the cloud, which is why protecting cloud environments is so important.

 #18 Build collaborative defenses to strengthen collective security

Today’s aggressive threat landscape calls for a shift in the world’s approach to developing intentional, collective, and robust cyber defenses. Innovation is a constant in cybersecurity, especially as technologies mature at an accelerated pace. Many organizations, both public and private, struggle to keep up due to a lack of technological expertise and bandwidth.

Collective defense emerges as the one key approach to staying ahead. At Group-IB, our goal is to unite against adversaries. We work closely with global law enforcement agencies, supporting their operations with our industry-first intelligence. Our expert team proactively researches and informs businesses, civilians, and agencies about the latest threats and attack strategies.

Together with our allies and partners, Group-IB empowers today’s digital ecosystem by

Strengthening national and international security: Our solutions play a crucial role in safeguarding national security, protecting citizens’ digital identities, and keeping business operations secure. We are dedicated to supporting law enforcement agencies in their investigations.

Supporting critical investigations: Recognizing the need for efficient law enforcement tools in the digital age, Group-IB pioneers automation solutions designed for cybercrime investigations. Our automation tools help law enforcement agencies combat cybercrime swiftly and effectively, leveraging technology to enhance investigative processes.

Enhancing threat hunting: Our automation tools help law enforcement agencies in making threat hunting easier and more effective, leveraging technology’s power to streamline investigative processes.

#19 Be diverse in your thoughts, technologies, and expertise to fight against day-to-day threats

To boost cybersecurity, security teams should welcome diverse perspectives rather than encourage everyone to think in the same way. External cybersecurity resources play a crucial role in this regard, providing a multidimensional approach to address cyber threats in all their variety. Considering the complex and evolving challenges in cybersecurity, incorporating different viewpoints, skill sets, and creative solutions becomes essential because it helps ensure that threats are not overlooked and handled in the best possible way.

External cybersecurity experts not only help overcome potential oversights by internal teams but also bring specialized knowledge and expertise to train and inform in-house staff.

External experts can be leveraged to perform impartial and extensive security evaluations, providing organizations with unbiased insights. They also contribute to scaling incident response, threat hunting, and other capabilities, ensuring that the organization’s security strategy is comprehensive and adaptive.

#20 Put your investigation capabilities to work — not just after an incident but before one occurs

At the heart of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy lies integrating real-world learning and proactive defense mechanisms. Through Offsec security (such as vulnerability assessments and penetration testing) companies can use the insights gained to make their incident response plans more robust. Similarly, data gathered during digital forensics investigations can inform and enhance penetration testing processes. This iterative approach empowers security teams to simulate real-world attack scenarios based on historical incidents, utilizing indicators, hunting tips, and evidence of exploitation.

Group-IB aims to foster a community of dedicated individuals who share a passion for investigating and apprehending cybercriminals. Equipped with the necessary tools and resources, we base our support on more than 1,400 investigations and an in-depth understanding of threat vectors that help elevate cybersecurity defenses.

Note: If you are experiencing a cyber incident, contact our incident response experts here to discuss containment, remediation, and recovery.

Concluding thoughts

With the changing pace of today’s businesses, cybersecurity must be constantly evaluated and improved as well. This undoubtedly puts added pressure on teams and security leaders, who may find it challenging to navigate new roles and responsibilities. Business and security decision-makers might also be unsure about the right approach to building cyber resilience and avoiding disruption.

The landscape is dynamic, with numerous variables at play. A compelling and reliable approach is to tap into the capabilities of external cybersecurity providers, who offer expertise tailored to your specific threat landscape and cybersecurity needs and ensure comprehensive protection for your organization and operations. If you’re interested in starting a conversation, connect with our experts.