What We Do
A Layered
Approach to
Cybersecurity
The most effective cybersecurity strategy is a layered one, involving multiple levels of security controls to defend against various cyberattacks, eliminate single points of failure, and reduce the risk of data breaches. Here we’ll explore the layers of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, detailing their roles in safeguarding your network and how they work together to provide robust protection.
Layered defense, or defense-in-depth, employs a variety of security measures to protect critical systems and data. The key concept is to create several defensive layers so that if one is compromised, others remain to mitigate the attack. This strategy recognizes that no single security measure is entirely foolproof. By combining different defenses, organizations can enhance their overall security.
Each layer in a defense-in-depth approach serves a unique purpose. For example, the outermost layer may consist of perimeter defenses, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, designed to block unauthorized access. Inside the network, additional layers can include encryption, access controls, and network segmentation to protect sensitive information.
Further layers may involve endpoint protection, such as next-gen antivirus software and device management, along with user training to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks. By integrating physical, technical, and administrative controls, a layered defense minimizes the likelihood that a single vulnerability will lead to significant damage.
01
Layer 1
Perimeter Security
Perimeter security solutions protect data between internal networks and external threats, serving as a vital barrier for organizations. Traditionally seen as the foundation of network security, perimeter security now works within a broader, layered cybersecurity framework but remains essential for safeguarding internal data. Key components include unified threat management (UTM), which combines various technologies like firewalls, antivirus, and intrusion protection to neutralize potential threats, and web application firewalls (WAF), which specifically protect data exchanged between users and cloud applications, making them critical in today’s cloud-reliant environments.
02
Layer 2
Network Monitoring
A defense-in-depth strategy uses monitoring tools to provide complete visibility into networks, identifying unusual activity and vulnerabilities. Key components include vulnerability scanners that leverage machine learning to assess risks and prioritize patches, security information and event management (SIEM) solutions that alert teams to suspicious activities and create a centralized threat database, and network detection and response (NDR) systems that analyze traffic for anomalies and offer deeper insights into security events. Together, these tools enhance threat detection and response capabilities.
03
Layer 3
Employee Training
Cybersecurity awareness and training are essential components of a comprehensive security strategy, often overlooked despite their importance. Threat actors commonly use social engineering and employee manipulation to breach networks, making it vital for employees to be trained to recognize and report these scams. Continuous training is necessary due to the emergence of new scams, such as the pig butchering scams that gained attention in early 2023. Investing in cybersecurity awareness programs is crucial for protecting organizations against these primary attack vectors.
04
Layer 4
Endpoint Protection
With the rise of cloud applications and the growing prevalence of the Internet of Things (IoT), endpoint protection has become essential for organizations, as the number of devices needing protection is rapidly increasing. Endpoints, including smart monitors, mobile devices, and printers, are ubiquitous in modern businesses, with projections estimating 75 billion Internet-connected devices by 2025. To effectively manage these endpoints, businesses should implement domain name system (DNS) protection, which acts like an address book for IP addresses, helping to block access to malicious sites across all connected devices.
05
Layer 5
Critical Asset
In the event of a data disaster, businesses must quickly recover lost information, as downtime can be costly. Backup and disaster recovery (BDR) services ensure that sensitive data—whether stored on internal servers, in the cloud, or on websites—is backed up and can be swiftly restored.
Software-as-a-service backup protects data handled in cloud applications, while website data backup restores all information from your site after a breach. Prompt recovery is essential for restoring operations after an incident.
06
Final
Conclusion
A layered cybersecurity defense is essential for organizations aiming to protect their networks and data from cyber threats. By implementing the seven security layers discussed, businesses can secure their systems from multiple angles, reducing the risk of successful attacks.
However, organizations should understand that a layered defense is not a one-time fix. It requires continuous monitoring, assessment, and improvement to remain effective against evolving cyber threats.