Patch management indicates the distribution and application updates to the software. A patch management system is vital to any cybersecurity system to maintain up-to-date protections and relevant functionality. Regular patches can fix identified vulnerabilities and enhance protection against attacks. All electronic devices functioning on a network have and should be patched as well as the servers responsible for the network, data management, and firewalls require regular patching. Patch management is usually included in software management programs or is offered by many IT monitoring and management solutions from vendors such as Atera or NinjaOne. Patch management programs benefit organizations by creating a secure environment with reduced risks, satisfied consumers if they utilize the organization’s technology, and ensuring that compliance standards are met (Rapid7, n.d.).
Identity and Access Management with Multi-Factor Identification
IAMs are a technology that oversees network access and restricts it to authorized users, or once entry, limiting who has access to what resources through privileged access. Furthermore, multi-factor systems create an additional layer of security, which provide a one-time code of entry generated by a different system (usually on a smartphone) or requires a biometric measurement. Vendors such as HID or Amazon Web Services that provide the general management of networks and servers offer MFA as an additional option. Such systems are necessary on any devices that have access to networks, are accessible to firms of all sizes, and align with the transition from firewalls to zero-trust models in the industry (Amazon, 2021).
Firewalls
One of the most foundational security technologies, but network firewalls are key to overall security. With future next-generation firewalls (NGFW), these not only block ports or protocols that are harmful but perform packet inspection to the application layer, which allows devices to block packets that do not match known or active connections as well as eliminate unwanted application traffic. A wide range of vendors offers modern firewalls such as Cisco, Juniper Networks, IBM, and Forcepoint. Firewalls are used in individual devices as well as networks. The NGFW is highly effective and capable of various levels of application control and security solutions (Dell, n.d.).
Internet of Things (IoT) and Cloud Security
IoT is the connectivity of various devices and virtual services within a unified existing network and framework. This is possible through the cloud and IoT convergence with all the data and management that occurs in the cloud as well. IoT devices and services used by firms such as connected systems, equipment, internet, scanners, and trackers, have to be secured. Most often cloud providers such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and IBM provide their internal solutions to cloud security which can then be applied to the company and its devices (Google Cloud, n.d.).
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
SIEM is a technological solution that monitors logs from network hardware consistently and can potentially identify security threats and prevent breaches. SIEM is the technology that helps bring together all the other elements of security and provides analysis after a breach. The best vendors for SIEM are SolarWinds, ManageEngine, and Datadog. SIEM is meant to provide a holistic perspective on the organization’s information security and offer key analytics in case of any attacks or breaches. Therefore, all products and services within the company are involved, but with a particular focus on the firm’s information security systems (Imperva, n.d.).
References
Amazon. (2021). AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM). Web.
Dell. (n.d.). Evaluation criteria for next-generation firewalls. Web.
Google Cloud. (n.d.). Device security. Web.
Imperva. (n.d.). Security information and event management (SIEM). Web.
Rapid7. (n.d.). Patch management: Benefits and best practices. Web.