As long as the cost of perpetrating a cyber attack remains low, and attackers continue to reap rewards, companies and individuals will remain at risk. To reduce that risk, organisations and people must take steps to make it more difficult and expensive for hackers to attack them, according to Palo Alto Networks.
The evolving cyber threat landscape puts large, high-profile organisations at risk of data breach, and risks individuals’ growing digital lifestyles. Despite their prevalence, there are steps that can be taken to minimise the threat of cyber attacks.
Sean Duca, CSO of Asia Pacific at Palo Alto Networks, said, “As long as there is financial gain to be made from attacking companies and individuals, hackers will continue to find new ways to breach defences.
“However, if we can increase the cost of a successful attack by forcing hackers to create new, unique methods every time they attempt to breach a system, the number of attacks is likely to decline. A preventative stance, combined with next-generation technology and processes, can help to make successful attacks much harder for hackers to achieve.”
Palo Alto Networks has identified three key factors that could make cyber attacks less financially-viable for hackers and therefore reduce successful attacks:
1. Technology
Advanced cyber security technology can monitor the network and respond automatically to new threats. Such technology includes dynamic systems that are analytical, predictive, and informed by global threat data.
2. Processes
Human error and lack of security training makes it easier for hackers to be successful. The right combination of processes can make employees more efficient at managing risks, using training and other internal education strategies to minimise human error.
3. Information
Making an effort to share information as a community can help organisations educate themselves about the evolving threat landscape and respond to new attacks faster than they could otherwise. By sharing information, the industry can build up a network of defence.
