In the age of digital transformation, more and more businesses are moving their applications online. This shift provides many advantages in terms of flexibility and scalability. However, it also introduces new security risks. Hackers are always looking for new ways to exploit vulnerabilities, so it’s essential to secure your business applications like Pathlock.com. Here are five tips to get you started.
Implement a Robust Authentication Scheme
Implementing a robust authentication scheme is one of the essential steps to secure your business applications. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a good option. It adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide a password and a second factor, such as a one-time code from a physical token or a fingerprint scan.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when implementing authentication:
- Use strong credentials: Be sure to use strong credentials (e.g., long and complex passwords) that are difficult for someone to guess or brute force. You should also consider adding layer security, such as two-factor authentication, which requires users to enter a password and a one-time code before accessing an account.
- Store credentials securely: It’s essential to store user credentials securely so that they can’t be compromised if your systems are breached. One way to do this is by storing passwords in hashed form so that even if someone gains access to your database, they won’t be able to determine the actual password.
- Keep up with best practices: Make sure to keep up with best practices for authentication so that your scheme remains secure over time. As new threats emerge, you’ll need to update your authentication scheme to keep your site or app safe.
Encrypt Your Data
Another way to protect your business applications is to encrypt your data. This way, even if hackers can gain access to your systems, they won’t be able to make sense of the data without the encryption keys. There are many ways to encrypt data, so be sure to work with a qualified security professional to find the best solution for your needs.
Harden Your Infrastructure
Hackers often target servers and other infrastructure components to gain access to business applications. To reduce the risk of attack, it’s important to harden your infrastructure by implementing security controls such as firewalls and intrusion detection/prevention systems.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when hardening your infrastructure:
Create Least Privilege User Accounts
One of the most important things you can do to harden your infrastructure is to create minor privileged user accounts. This means that users are only given the permissions they need to perform their job and no more. For example, if a user only needs access to specific files and not others, they should only have read-only access to those files. This approach reduces the chances of unauthorized access and limits the damage that can be done if an account is compromised.
Establish a Strong Perimeter Defense
Another critical step in hardening your infrastructure is establishing a solid perimeter defense. This means using firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and proper access control measures. Doing so can make it much more difficult for attackers to gain initial access to your system.
Deploy Application Whitelisting
Application whitelisting is another effective measure for hardening your infrastructure. With application whitelisting, only approved applications are allowed to run on a system. This prevents attackers from running malicious code on a design and limits the spread of malware if an infection occurs.
Train Your Users
One of the most common ways hackers gain access to business applications is through phishing attacks. These attacks trick users into revealing sensitive information such as passwords or credit card numbers by masquerading as a legitimate email or website. That’s why it’s essential to train your users to spot these attacks and what they should do if they receive one.
Perform Regular Security Testing
Finally, you should perform regular security testing on your business applications to identify potential vulnerabilities. Many tests can be achieved, so work with a qualified security professional to determine which ones are right for your organization.
Concluding thoughts…
As more and more businesses move their applications online, it’s essential to take steps to secure them against cyberattacks. Implementing a robust authentication scheme, encrypting data, hardening infrastructure, training users, using Pathlock.com, and performing regular security testing are all good ways to get started.
