Ringfence your business against growing Cyber Threats
Traditional Cyber Security software such as Signature Based Anti-Virus are no combat against the rapidly growing and evolving cyber security threats that businesses are facing every day. If someone plugs in a USB Rubber Ducky into a business device, traditional tools can not prevent it from launching attacks or even stealing your data. Here's where application and device ringfencing come in – essential tools as part of your business's cyber security strategy to help you fortify your defences from every angle. But what exactly are they, and how can they benefit your business?
Ringfencing: Protecting you from what you can't see!
Ringfencing is a sophisticated cyber security approach designed to isolate and control the operational environment of applications and connected devices within an IT ecosystem. It monitors and regulates device and application interactions, access to system resources, and overall behaviour to prevent unauthorised data access or malicious activities.
Regulatory Compliance and Risk Mitigation: By enforcing strict boundaries around what applications can do, what they can access, and communicate with, application ringfencing significantly reduces the ability for malicious threat actors to be able to launch a cyber attack through a third-party application. This not only aids in compliance with data protection regulations, by safeguarding sensitive information, but also mitigates the risk of data breaches and the spread of malware through common applications.
Adaptive Security Policies: The dynamic nature of cyber threats necessitates adaptive security policies. Through continuous monitoring of application behaviour and the regular updating of ringfencing rules, businesses can remain one step ahead of attackers, ensuring that their defences evolve in tandem with emerging threats.
Guarding the Physical Gates
Device Ringfencing extends the concept of controlled isolation to the physical devices within a business’ network. This strategy is crucial for defending against physical cyber threats, such as malicious USB devices, which exploit the universal serial bus interface to launch attacks directly from the hardware.
USB-Based Threats: Devices like the USB Rubber Ducky and OMG Cable disguise themselves as ordinary peripherals, injecting malicious payloads undetected. These threats exploit the inherent trust systems place in human interface devices (HIDs), making their detection and neutralisation paramount.
What's the solution?
Unified Endpoint Management Systems: Solutions such as UEM systems play a pivotal role in device ringfencing by providing comprehensive control over device and application usage. Through policy enforcement and restrictions on USB device interactions, UEM systems help prevent unauthorised access and mitigate the risk posed by malicious hardware.
Physical and Policy-Based Defences: Beyond software solutions, physical security measures and stringent business policies regarding USB device usage are essential. These may include disabling USB ports, employing physical locks, or using security software to detect and block unrecognised HIDs, thereby ensuring that only authorised devices can connect to the network.
Convergence of Application and Device Ringfencing for Enhanced Security
The synergistic integration of application and device ringfencing offers a robust defence mechanism against the myriads of digital and physical threats. By controlling both the software and hardware vectors through which cyber attacks can occur, businesses can significantly enhance their cybersecurity posture.
Comprehensive Cyber Security Framework: This combined approach provides a layered defence strategy, addressing vulnerabilities in both the application layer and the hardware interface. It encapsulates the best practices in cyber security, from granular access controls and behavioural analytics to physical security measures and endpoint management.
Challenges and Considerations: Despite the evident benefits, the implementation of these strategies comes with its own challenges, including policy complexity, administrative overhead, and the need for continuous policy adaptation. However, the protection they offer against data breaches, malware attacks, and unauthorised access justifies the investment in these cyber security measures.
How can TwentyFour help safeguard your Business against the latest Cyber Threats?
The adoption of both Application and Device Ringfencing strategies plays a critical role in safeguarding digital assets and sensitive information. These strategies not only offer comprehensive protection against a wide spectrum of threats but also ensure regulatory compliance and maintain operational efficiency. As such, they represent an indispensable element of modern cyber security frameworks, pivotal for any business looking to fortify its defences.