How can you effectively minimize unauthorized access?

Information Asset Management: 1. Identify what you need to protect 2. Classify your assets. 3. Set access levels and authorizations

One of the practices that is still prevalent as Type 1 authentication is password complexity, alpha numeric password are no longer considered as secure. Pass phares are more secure and slowly taking over. Also always have a combination of any of the 3 types of MFA.

Controlling unauthorized access involves employing a range of strategies and practices to prevent unauthorized individuals from gaining entry to sensitive systems, networks, and data. One of the fundamental principles in achieving this is strong authentication. Multi-factor authentication (MFA), ensures that users provide multiple forms of verification before gaining access. By requiring something the user knows (like a password) along with something they possess (like a mobile device), MFA significantly bolsters security. Access Control Lists (ACLs) are employed to dictate who can access specific resources or areas within a system or network. Regular access reviews are indispensable in maintaining the integrity of access control measures.

The best way to use MFA is with an authentication app, which is better than SMS. The recommendation here is to enable MFA for EVERYTHING, from personal accounts to emails and social networks and especially at work, where it is generally mandatory nowadays. Remember to create a second recovery email; it's the last resort in case of credential theft so you can recover your account.

Nice information but avoid keeping phone call MFA authentication that can be hacked using MFA fatigue attack best way is to use authenticator application and authentication using entering the passcode into the mobile device for verification

Exclusively opting for authenticator apps or, even better, hardware tokens is a highly recommended security practice. These methods are far superior to alternatives like receiving codes via SMS or email. Authenticator apps, such as Google Authenticator or Authy, generate time-sensitive codes that are exceptionally difficult for cybercriminals to intercept. Hardware tokens, like YubiKey, offer the highest level of protection, as they provide a physical device that generates secure, unique codes. Relying on these advanced methods ensures robust account security, as they significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access. Embracing authenticator apps or hardware tokens is a prudent choice for safeguarding your digital assets.

Be aware that we have several ways to encrypt messages or files; this is the best way to keep our data intact. From the email client you use to Microsoft Windows itself, it can encrypt files, pen drives, etc. The most important thing is to remember that this must be done, especially when sending sensitive data outside the company.

Ensuring your data remains encrypted throughout its entire lifecycle, both at rest and in motion, is a paramount concern. The dual safeguard of encrypting data in all states – whether it's stored on your devices, transferred over networks, or resides in a resting state – is a fundamental security practice. Furthermore, employing distinct encryption keys for each state offers an added layer of protection, making it exponentially more challenging for unauthorized parties to breach your confidential information.

Good for example use bitlocker for data at rest in windows systems and TLS 1.2 AND above for data in transit, make sure you make a backup copy to keep your data secure from ransomeware

I would suggest that not only the software you use be updated, but also think about a broader scope. Currently, a significant problem is faced, like IP cameras with vulnerabilities; what does this mean? We must update everything we have, not just endpoints and servers but IoT devices, printers, print servers, etc. Updating software firmware and applying patches is one of the most important things to maintain an intact and secure environment.

Updating is crucial for ensuring the security and performance of your IT infrastructure. Regular updates are essential for addressing vulnerabilities, fixing bugs, and enhancing functionality. However, it's imperative to strike a balance between updating and avoiding zero-day vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities are weaknesses in software that cybercriminals discover before developers have a chance to address them. To mitigate this risk, consider a pragmatic approach, staying informed about software updates and applying them promptly, but also monitoring trusted sources for potential issues and allowing a brief period for their deployment. This approach ensures that you stay protected without rushing into untested updates.

Patching is critical because it closes vulnerabilities that attackers exploit for unauthorised access. IoT devices are inherently more exposed due to their widespread use, often lax security practices, and the tendency to connect directly to the internet. Many IoT devices also have outdated firmware that's rarely updated, making them easy targets. To protect against this, organisations must apply the latest patches to all devices, enforce strong authentication, segment IoT devices on separate network zones, monitor for unusual activity, and disable unnecessary features to minimise potential attack vectors.

Monitoring your digital activity is akin to keeping a watchful eye on your home's security system for any intruders or unusual occurrences. It's a proactive measure that aids in identifying and countering unauthorized access or suspicious behavior within your digital environment. Regularly scrutinizing your activity logs, alerts, and notifications is essential to pinpoint any indicators of compromise, including unusual or failed login attempts, unauthorized password changes, or suspicious data transfers. For enhanced security, enable audit trails to meticulously track any modifications made to your data or systems. This practice acts as a vigilant sentry, safeguarding your digital realm from potential threats.

Monitoring activities can be tiring and laborious, depending on the number of employees and accounts your company has. To be efficient, we must create correlations, crossing more than one piece of information. We can have special monitoring for this, using SIEM, MDR or even a third-party company to carry out this type of analysis. Still, we understand that this is very important to keep the environment safe.

This is morely possible for security persons normal employees and users won't be able to perform so much technical stuff For normal users best security can be achieved by being suspicious for any email and income and outgoing activities always click with care, monitor account your activities, in case you receive any alert for suspicious login you need to change the password with an official process

It's best to treat physical access security with the same level of scrutiny as network access in a zero-trust network. Just as zero-trust network architecture mandates that no one, whether inside or outside the network, is inherently trusted, adopt a similar philosophy for your physical environment. Secure your workplace by implementing stringent access controls, utilizing locks, biometrics, and other measures to ensure only authorized personnel gain entry. Be vigilant in protecting your devices from theft or tampering, and meticulously dispose of devices and media containing sensitive data. By mirroring the principles of a zero-trust network in the physical realm, you fortify the overall security of your digital assets.

The ideal in this case is to adopt the concept of zero trust, whether for digital or physical security, as the idea is the same: not believing anyone until the person proves otherwise. We must remember the associated policies, as every environment is monitored by cameras or even digitally. We must have a policy behind it so that we can be compliant with what we believe.

Implement ‘Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP)’ and ‘Role based access control RBAC)’ PoLP - Its an information security concept which maintains that a user or entity should only have access to the specific data, resources and applications needed to complete a required activity or task. RBAC - its is a method of regulating access to computer or network resources based on the roles of individual users within your organization.

The most important thing besides controls is that we disseminate this information, whether when hiring a new professional or doing security awareness, because when the user knows about internal policies, the chance of a false positive decreases drastically, and a conscious user is much better than users who don't know things. Direct managers are also responsible for this dissemination, not just the information security team.

Beyond technical measures, building a culture of security awareness is pivotal. People are both the weakest link and the first line of defense. Regular training, phishing simulations, and open communication about security policies can create a vigilant workforce. Also, consider the evolving landscape of threats. As technology advances, so do the methods of exploitation. Stay informed, adapt strategies, and remember, security is not a one-time project but a continuous journey of vigilance and adaptation.