Positioning for protection: 2017’s top IT security trends

IT security continues to be a top priority for technology administrators and business executives alike, and for good reason. Malicious actors are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and enterprises must work proactively to safeguard their most sensitive data and important IT assets

A major part of these efforts is making sure that the company’s protection measures are shored up against current threats as well as recent trends. In this spirit, we’ve created this list of the top IT security trends to help inform decision-makers and ensure that the right security strategies are considered. Let’s take a look at the trends that are making waves in the technology industry this year:

Multi-layer, integrated protection

A substantial challenge faced by organizations in every sector is the fact that as new systems and devices are added to the enterprise infrastructure, the potential threat surface available to cybercriminals grows. Cisco’s Jason Liu reported that by 2020, as many as 1 million new devices will be deployed every hour, creating new endpoints which can be targeted for malicious activities.

In order to fight these threats, businesses are implementing multi-faceted security strategies where protection measures are included not only on the underlying network, but within individual hardware and software systems as well. This integrated security approach allows device and network components to work together to provide the most holistic protection possible.

When adding new elements and applications to the IT infrastructure, it’s important that network administrators and other stakeholders look into the security capabilities within each solution. In addition, it’s imperative to seek details about how these safeguards will integrate and work together with the security currently in place.

Companywide security training

As IT threats grow, it’s important that every employee user be involved in the organization’s protection strategy. This requires additional training and responsibility across the board, but helps ensure that problems like human error don’t create compounded risks.

“Educating users regarding current threats and how they spread can make all the difference in reducing the impact of cybercrime in the future,” ESET security researcher Camilo Gutierrez told We Live Security. “We should not forget that security is the responsibility of everyone and not exclusive to those of us working in IT. These days, information is equally critical whether handled by a reporter or by an executive.”

A focus on mobility

Recent years have seen an increase in the use of mobile devices to support corporate processes. As new mobile endpoints were created, hackers shifted their focus to target and attack smartphones, tablets and laptops. Because these devices can provide routes to the enterprise network as well as other mobile devices, it’s crucial to extend protection to every mobile device accessing the network and other company resources.

Protecting mobile devices is an imperative part of corporate security strategy.

We Live Security pointed out that the threats facing mobile platforms aren’t poised to slow anytime soon, and that a high-level focus on mobile security is a critical part of business protection plans. For this reason, organizational leaders should ensure that mobile security solutions are in place and that access to all critical platforms and databases is protected with two-factor authentication and other staunch protection measures. This can help prevent unauthorized access as well as the spread of malware.

The right security solutions

Overall, it’s important to understand that cybersecurity threats are continually expanding, and a company’s IT protection strategy should shift according to emerging risks. One of the best ways to help guarantee that assets and network resources are protected is with industry-leading security solutions.

However, it can sometimes be difficult to determine which protection measures will best suit a specific business. When this is the case, it’s best to work with an expert consultant with a substantial service portfolio, like iT1 Source. Our knowledgeable consultants work with you to close any gaps in enterprise security, ensuring that the most robust protection solutions are in place.

iT1 Source has partnerships with the top security vendors in the technology industry, including Cisco and Citrix. This puts us in a unique position to support every unique data protection need. To find out more, contact our consulting team today.