That’s why relying on a single security measure, simply isn’t sufficient. You may have an electronic security system at your home, which is smart. But prudently, you still lock your doors! The key to sustainable resilience lies in building layered protection—a Defense in Depth strategy, which is able to slow down, or stops, the ability to inflict further damage to you, when your initial, or secondary, defenses fail, allowing a breach.
Defense in Depth is the practice of building multiple layers of security controls to address potential threats at every level: network, endpoint, data, human, and beyond. This proactive, multi-faceted approach, better ensures that even if one layer is compromised, other layers remain intact to prevent or minimize damage.
Step 1: Strengthen Network Security
The first line of defense is your network. By creating secure perimeters and segmenting access, you limit an attacker’s ability to move laterally within your systems.
Key Actions:
- Implement firewalls, using only those which are currently supported, updating them with the latest patches, similarly with other intrusion detection systems, which monitor and block suspicious traffic.
- Use network segmentation to isolate critical systems, ensuring that a breach in one area is contained and does not spread, thereby jeopardizing other network segments.
- Regularly audit and update your security protocols to stay ahead of evolving threats.
Step 2: Secure Endpoints
Endpoints—devices such as laptops, phones, and servers—are among the most common entry points for attackers. Securing these devices is critical to a layered protection strategy.
Key Actions:
- Deploy endpoint protection tools, including antivirus software, device encryption, and automated patch management.
- Establish strict device access controls to ensure only authorized users are able to connect to your network.
- Implement real-time monitoring to immediately detect and respond to suspicious activity.
Step 3: Protect Your Data
Data is the lifeblood of any organization. Losing it may affect customer trust, impact regulatory compliance, or even the ability to operate. Protecting data at rest, in transit, and in use, is a cornerstone of Defense in Depth.
Key Actions:
- Regularly back up data, to both on-premises and cloud environments, ensuring redundancy and quick recovery.
- Encrypt sensitive data to prevent unauthorized access during breaches or transmission.
- Use access control policies to restrict who is able to view, edit, or transfer critical files.
Step 4: Adopt a Zero Trust Model
A Zero Trust model assumes that no user, or system, should be automatically trusted. It is a critical component of layered protection, ensuring that every access attempt is verified and authorized.
Key Actions:
- Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all user logins.
- Continuously validate users and systems access requests.
- Restrict access privileges to the minimum necessary, for each role or task.
Step 5: Regularly Test and Update Your Protections
Threats evolve rapidly, and your Defense in Depth strategy must evolve with them. Regular testing and updates are essential to maintaining an effective security posture.
Key Actions:
- Conduct penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities, before attackers are able to exploit them.
- Perform red team/blue team exercises to test response readiness.
- Keep all software and hardware up to date with the latest security patches.
Step 6: The Weakest Link Are Humans Taking the Path of Least Resistance
Employees cause unforced errors when they naively click on suspicious email links, allowing hackers to gain a foothold in your network. Or, mistakenly wire transfer funds to third parties, masquerading as legitimate vendors.
Key Actions:
- Conduct regular and compulsory social engineering trainings, which educate employees on how to recognize and respond to suspicious emails.
- Install Business Emil Compromise (BEC) software, which monitors and quarantines suspicious emails.
- Put in place an organizational wire transfer policy, with designated layers of approval, before a wire transfer may be sent.
- Instill a holistic culture of vigilance and collective responsibility, regarding questionable behavior and suspicious activities, which any one, at will, may report to management, without fear of reprisal.
Layered Protection: Your Foundation for Resilience
Defense in Depth is more than just the memo of the month—it’s an ongoing resilience strategy, which is observed and practiced every day and by everyone. By addressing threats at every level, you better ensure that even when the unexpected happens, which it will, your business remains operational, your data remains secure, and your customers remain confident in you and your organization.
The question is: Are you confident your layers of protection are strong enough?
Ready to take the first step? Get a complimentary Risk Assessment!
