When C-level executives do not know their NDR, MDR, XDR, EDR, SIEM and SOAR, that is when cyber trouble brews insidiously
Cybercriminals are exploiting the growing interconnectivity of business ecosystems to exploit vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.
A single well-executed cyberattack can have a devastating impact on businesses. AI is worsening the threat landscape. Bad actors are launching more precise and persistent AI-driven attacks, which pose additional challenges to the region’s cybersecurity resilience
To safeguard their organizations, C-suite executives need to understand — and quickly address — the gaps in their online infrastructure and prioritize their cybersecurity strategy.
A review of cybersecurity basics
By familiarizing themselves with key cybersecurity terminologies and frameworks, executives can make more informed decisions and guide their organizations toward a more resilient security posture.
For those who need a quick refresher, here is a quick overview of the various key solutions available for tightening cybersecurity today:
Network Detection and Response (NDR): This method involves continuous monitoring of network behavior using machine learning to detect unknown threats and anomalies that traditional methods may miss. Traditional network detection methods that rely on signature-based rules are outmatched against more sophisticated threats that exploit previously unknown vulnerabilities.
Managed Detection and Response (MDR): Using a third-party contractor, an organization lacking in-house cybersecurity resources can receive NDR solutions that offer skilled personnel to interpret alerts and respond to threats. While highly effective, NDR is not plug-and-play. Trained cybersecurity personnel are still needed to operate the relevant solutions, sift through alerts, and act as needed.
Extended Detection and Response (XDR): This method consolidates security data from various sources, providing a unified view to detect and respond to potential attacks across endpoints, networks, and other assets. A network has countless potential breach points, including endpoints (defined as any device that connects with the network), networks, servers, cloud deployments, physical security systems, and more.
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR): This paradigm helps organizations to secure endpoints by monitoring activity, detecting suspicious behavior, and isolating compromised devices to help prevent broader network infiltration. In the post-COVID remote-working era, endpoints have increased exponentially. A single employee may routinely access the network from four or more different devices during a given workday, which can quickly tally up to thousands of potential attack points.
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): This method is used to analyze the entire IT environment to identify patterns and anomalies, complementing NDR and EDR to provide thorough visibility and threat detection. NDR, EDR, and SIEM can form a “visibility triad” offering unique security capabilities to collectively account for any blind spots between them.
Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR): This method is used to analyze the entire IT environment to identify patterns and anomalies, complementing NDR and EDR to provide thorough visibility and threat detection. NDR, EDR, and SIEM can form a “visibility triad” offering unique security capabilities to collectively account for any blind spots between them.
Cybersecurity is a continual journey
As cybersecurity practices continuously evolve, C-suite executives must fully understand the latest tools and strategies to guide their organizations through an increasingly complex risk landscape.
A solid understanding of cybersecurity tools enables top executives to make informed decisions, align their organization’s cybersecurity with business objectives, and drive strategic initiatives that prioritize resilience and risk management.
