How Threat Research Could Save Your Data

Threats become increasingly sophisticated as criminals devise new ways to infiltrate our networks. Research to collect and process new information is needed to continually provide the best possible protection. <a href="https://www.anomali.com/blog/">Threat research</a> is the process of collecting useful information and leveraging it for protection.There is no one particular method for detecting nefarious activity online. Threat research requires collecting a large bank of online traffic data in which experts identify patterns. Threat research studies traffic on either side of the firewall to protect against both internal and external attacks. Data about past breaches contributes to a growing catalog of hacking tools and profiles of known attackers. Known actors can be identified and prosecuted legally. Researchers apply their intuitive understanding of cyber-criminals to anticipate attacks and take preventative measures. Taking a proactive approach to online security can save your data from every level of attack from the nuisance of recurring adware to devastating targeted attacks.Leveraging data into intelligence is necessary to take stock of potential damage. Evidence-based research requires sophisticated technology and human reasoning. One must “think like a criminal” to objectively identify what could motivate an attack. Understanding what hackers may send, take, or do helps you and your security team <a href="https://www.anomali.com/blog/2016-security-predictions">anticipate the means</a> by which your network can be exploited.An objective assessment of your valuables and <a href="http://www.darkreading.com/vulnerabilities---threats/here-are-4-vulnerabilities-ransomware-attacks-are-exploiting-now/d/d-id/1324791" target="_blank">vulnerabilities</a> will inform your plan of action. Predicting the nature of an attack depends on understanding how attackers expect to benefit. There is much value in studying events other businesses of a similar profile have experienced. Enterprises generally face the same threats by industry and by the scale of the enterprise. Financial institutions are tasked with different challenges than a video production studio, for example. Criminals may be tempted to access the product of large-scale research and development such as an innovative drug or intellectual property like a major motion picture. Some steal personal information from anywhere they can obtain it and sell the data to identity thieves and scammers. Others seek out a target specifically for unique content. Gains can be made off of private company memos or sensitive internal e-mails.Even a small business would be devastated if a handful of email addresses were compromised and the clients found out who allowed them to be spammed. Early attackers focused more on large enterprises and individuals until they didn’t. SME’s had found themselves in the position of being big enough to target, yet small enough to be unprepared. Studies estimate that for small to medium businesses the <a href="https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-306596A1.pdf" target="_blank">average cost of an online attack is over $188K</a>. Immediately after identifying this growing segment of victims, the security market responded with more options to serve their needs.Understanding what criminals generally consider to be of value informs how you protect the entire system. Threat research identifies means of attack most likely to affect you. Take measures against tactics which exploit your employees’ computer workstations. The speed of response is paramount to the success of your cyber-security plans. Researching potential threats allows your organization to put together an informed response strategy comprised of training, policy, and software tools. A plan of action must be specific as to actors and actions to be useful in the event of an actual breach.Threat research yields actionable responses to current threats and reveals preventative measures to be taken in the future. Having superior protection against online attacks is another means to gain an advantage over your competition. Investing in the security of your network is a great return on investment and is good for peace of mind.Want to make sure your data is secure and cannot get in the hands of a criminal? You need a cybersecurity system that protect your business. 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