As the world becomes increasingly digital, the need for robust cybersecurity measures has never been greater. For companies this is especially true for their Chief Technology Officer (CTO), who is responsible for ensuring the security of their company’s technology infrastructure. CTOs are constantly looking for new ways to protect their companies from cyber threats, and many have implemented a variety of cybersecurity measures to keep their companies safe. In this article, we will discuss some of the most common cybersecurity measures implemented by CTOs.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA is one of the most effective ways to protect a company’s sensitive information. This security measure requires users to provide two or more forms of identification before they can access a system or application. This ensures that only authorized users are able to access sensitive information and makes it much harder for attackers to access a company’s network. 87% of global CTOs surveyed in STX Next’s 2021 Global CTO Survey have implemented multifactor authentication in their organization as part of a multi-pronged approach to protecting their company from cyber attacks. Almost 83% have also implemented identity and access management, and 74% have adopted single sign-on. This aligns with the findings of Dark Reading’s 2021 Strategic Security Survey, which found that 69% of respondents believed multifactor authentication to be an effective cybersecurity measure.
- Single Sign-On (SSO): SSO is a security measure that allows users to access multiple systems or applications with a single set of login credentials. This eliminates the need for users to remember multiple usernames and passwords and makes it much easier for them to access the systems they need. Additionally, SSO makes it much harder for attackers to gain access to a company’s systems, as they would need to have login credentials for multiple systems in order to access them.
- Privileged access management (PAM): PAM is a security technique that combines methods such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and single sign-on (SSO) to create additional security around accounts that have powerful permissions. PAM is crucial as if such accounts were to be compromised, the attacker would have unrestricted access to the network. However, PAM has similar adoption numbers to ransomware protections, with only about 10% of respondents implementing it everywhere and about 17% using it in most cases. However, only 40% admitted to not using PAM at all.
- Firewalls: Firewalls are a network security system that monitors and controls the incoming and outgoing network traffic based on a set of security rules. Firewalls are typically the first line of defense against cyber attacks and are essential for protecting a company’s network from unauthorized access.
- Encryption: Encryption is a process of converting plaintext into code that can only be deciphered by someone with the right key. Encryption is used to protect sensitive information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, and other personal information. This makes it much harder for attackers to steal this information, even if they are able to gain access to it.
- Backup and Disaster Recovery: Backup and disaster recovery is a critical cybersecurity measure that ensures that a company’s data can be recovered in the event of a cyber-attack or other disaster. This is especially important for companies that deal with sensitive customer information, as losing this information could result in significant financial losses.
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): SIEM is a security measure that monitors a company’s network for unusual activity. This allows CTOs to detect and respond to cyber-attacks quickly and effectively. SIEM uses a combination of security technologies such as intrusion detection systems, firewall logs, and other security-related data to provide a comprehensive view of a company’s security posture.
These are just some cybersecurity measures that CTOs implement to keep their companies safe. By implementing these measures, CTOs can mitigate the risk of a cyber-attack and protect their companies’ sensitive information. Additionally, they can also ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards.
It’s important to note that cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, and CTOs need to stay updated on the latest trends and technologies to protect their companies from new and emerging threats. Additionally, cybersecurity measures should be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that they are adequate to protect the company from the current threat landscape.
