Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) protection is possible with the right network security partner
A persistent foothold may sound innocuous, but this cyber threat can actually put the security of your network at risk long-term as an Advanced Persistent Threat. So what is a persistent foothold? And what does it mean to face an Advanced Persistent Threat? More, can APT protection provide peace of mind for business leaders, and if so, what does that entail? In part two of our Managed Protection and Response (MDR) series, we're examining these important questions and more. Read on for vital information about the reality of these cyber threats and how you can protect your business.
What is a persistent foothold?
A foothold allows a cyber attacker to access your network, and a persistent foothold means an attacker has leveraged malware or a backdoor that allows them to infiltrate your network long-term. Often a persistent foothold is gained when an attacker is able to evade safety measures you have in place to protect your network. It's like they have the combination to your lock, and get to break in time and again without your knowledge. That persistent access allows them to trigger malware as needed, giving the attacker precious time to do their dirty work without having to start their attack anew. A persistent foothold can be an advanced persistent threat or APT, which means attackers can have specific goals to disrupt your organization, steal from you, or spy on your network, maintaining a presence on your network for the long haul. A persistent foothold can be gained through phishing or spear-phishing attacks, in addition to other malicious tactics—underscoring the importance of security training for employees.
APT protection and defense against persistent footholds
Protecting your network from attacks like persistent footholds and other advanced persistent threats is vital to any organization. Hackers are growing more sophisticated and persistent every month, and they're eager to exploit your company's network vulnerabilities—even and especially if you feel your business is too small to be on their radar. The truth is, hackers know small to medium-sized companies often don't have the same protections in place that larger organizations can leverage.
So what can you do to shore up your network's defenses? Combating ATPs requires a combination of tools and techniques that ideally work in a somewhat synergistic manner, so looking at your overall security posture is a good start. Each layer of security provides another obstacle for ATPs, which are continuously evolving to stay hidden as long as possible. APTs tend to use a number of different ways to gain access to a victim's network, including spear-phishing, social engineering, attacks on websites known to be used by the business, and even physically compromising hardware before the victim receives it. The broad scope of attack vectors illustrates the importance of layered security and a robust security awareness strategy in organizations of all industries and sizes.
How Managed Detection and Response (MDR) factors in
Persistent footholds can allow hackers access to your network for a long time--which is why Managed Detection and Response (MDR) is so important. MDR means you have round-the-clock protection and defense to protect you from the harm these attackers can cause. This layered form of network cybersecurity services can detect intrusion, provide the threat intelligence you need and respond to malicious activity on your network fast. MDR services can cut short the attempts of hackers and even catch them and filter them out before they gain a foothold on your network. Want to learn more about Managed Detection and Response? Check out our recent blog post.
Persistent Footholds, Advanced Persistent Threats
and the solution
The good news is, APT protection starts with selecting the right Managed Service Provider or network security organization like Locknet® Managed IT. We specialize in providing everything from full-scale MSP services to a la carte services for organizations that want to augment the work of their existing IT department. The cybersecurity of your organization shouldn't be trusted to just anyone or just any software you can download off the web; working with a reputable company that understands your organization and the full scope of potential network vulnerabilities is key. Our network security experts are ready to help; simply contact us to learn more about the range of APT protection and persistent foothold prevention services and offerings we provide to businesses like yours.
