Importance of Secure and Manage Privileged Access in Your Business
A secure and manageable privileged access solution in your business is essential for several reasons. It will help ensure that confidential information is protected and secure and reduce the risk of an attack on your company’s data and systems.
Security Breaches Involve the Compromise of Privileged Accounts
Almost three out of four data breaches involve the misuse of privileged credentials. These credentials are typically passwords, keys, and tokens. Sometimes, they may also include permissions to access and modify critical systems. These credentials can provide hackers with access to critical systems and sensitive information.
Privileged accounts are critical to IT organizations because they give selected users access to sensitive data and critical business functions. These accounts have access to critical systems, servers, and applications. However, they also pose a significant risk. They are commonly poorly secured, allowing attackers to access information and perform malicious activities. Privileged accounts are essential to the IT world but represent a significant threat.
Organizations need to secure and manage privileged access to protect the company and environment effectively. Privileged access rights should be based on the job functions of privileged users. If a privileged user’s responsibilities change, it’s essential to review their access rights and update them accordingly.
Cybercriminals often use social engineering tactics to steal privileged credentials. These attackers then spread across the network to gain access to other systems. They can also manipulate data and erase evidence of activity.
Cybercriminals often use weak passwords to gain access to systems. They can then exploit these password weaknesses to bypass traditional security controls. In some cases, attackers may use malware to access privileged accounts.
Reduces a Company’s Attack on Surface
Increasingly, organizations are finding that they must do more than rely on an antivirus program to protect their networks from cyber threats. They must now understand their OT and operational technology and how they can be compromised.
One of the best ways to reduce a company’s attack surface is to minimize the number of unauthorized access points on its network. A smaller attack surface is easier to defend and reduces the chances of a data breach.
While traditional virtual private network solutions have been a staple of network security for decades, they can result in too much access to a network. They can also expose services and networks to the internet, increasing the risk of a cyberattack.
Another way to minimize a company’s attack surface is to segment the network. This involves dividing the network into logical units and monitoring access to each unit. This will help limit an attacker’s lateral movement, a common way of attacking networks.
Another way to reduce a company’s attack surface would be to disable unnecessary applications and software. While it may not be the most glamorous way to do it, removing software that does not serve any purpose is an excellent way to minimize the complexity of your network.
Guarantees the Confidentiality of Passwords
Whether you are in the market for a high-end enterprise or running the gamut in a small office, privileged access is an ongoing concern. Thankfully, many solutions can help protect against rogue users. The most obvious is to use a reputable VPN provider like XPath. Privileged access management systems can mitigate these threats by limiting the number of privileged personal accounts per user. The best way to do this is to implement a firm password policy for all users. A good VPN provider will help your employees by ensuring that privileged access passwords are never reused.
Secure your Wireless Network
It’s always advised to secure your wireless network with a password, which is helpful advice for small business owners and individuals or families. This stops nearby unauthorized users from taking over your wireless network. You don’t want to unintentionally share private information with others utilizing your network without permission, even if they are trying to get a free Wi-Fi access. Ensure your workplace’s Wi-Fi network is encrypted, secure, and hidden by configuring your wireless access point or router, so it does not broadcast the network name, also referred to as the Service Set Identifier.
Encrypt data
Suppose you encrypt the data on your removable storage devices. In that case, it will be more challenging for thieves to access your personal information if your device is lost or stolen, though it won’t be impossible. It is possible to access all the data stored on removable storage devices like USB drives and SIM cards by simply plugging them into another device unless it’s encrypted. “Your USB drive could be inserted into another computer easily, allowing the thief to take all of your files and even infect any computer it is plugged into with malware or viruses.
