This past year has been eventful for cybercriminals. Several high-profile companies suffered ransomware attacks that cost millions, and by October, the number of reported data breaches exceeded the entirety of 2020. As we prepare for 2022, it’s clear that companies need to get serious about cybersecurity, and the best place to start is a cybersecurity assessment.
How Do Cybersecurity Assessments Work?
Most of your network security features aren’t visible to you and your employees. While you write up a document or hold a conference call, you can’t see your firewall, intrusion detection systems, and other cybersecurity features stopping suspicious activity from entering your network. This lack of visibility can quickly become an issue, because you also can’t see what’s not there.
If you want to know exactly how your cybersecurity features work and where they fall short, you need a cybersecurity assessment. These comprehensive tests identify your technology assets, assess your current cybersecurity practices, and search for potential vulnerabilities that may be putting your network at risk.
What Are the Benefits of a Security Risk Assessment?
The main benefit of risk assessments is that they give you full insight into your network, but that’s not the only way they improve your business. Cybersecurity assessments also:
- Show you if you’re equipped to handle a cyber threat: The end goal of an assessment is to identify how well your network can address real-world threats. You may think you have the best security features, but you don’t know for sure until you test them.
- Provide actionable recommendations: Without a cybersecurity assessment, it’s difficult to know why and how you should improve your network security. After your evaluation, you should receive a concrete list of risks and recommendations, allowing you to implement the security measures you truly need.
- Document your current security posture and action plan: If you want to improve your network over time, you need a baseline to reference. Documenting your current security posture each year allows you to look back and see how you’ve improved.
- Ensure compliance: Depending on your industry, you may have to comply with one or several security standards, such as ISO 27001 or the NIST cybersecurity framework. During your assessment, your IT provider can compare your security measures to those outlined in your cybersecurity framework to see if you comply.
No matter the size or the industry, every business can benefit from a cybersecurity assessment.
The Role of Network Penetration Testing in Your Cybersecurity Assessment
When IT providers perform a basic cybersecurity assessment, they can give you a rough estimate of the likelihood of a cyberattack. However, they can’t demonstrate the extent of your vulnerabilities or prove you’re at risk without a network penetration test. During this additional step, pen testers play the role of a hacker trying to gain access to your sensitive data.
Penetration tests are an essential component of cybersecurity assessments because they provide concrete evidence of your security risks. If penetration testers easily gain access to your information, it shows that real cyber criminals could do the same. You need a penetration test and a standard risk assessment to get a complete picture of your security posture.
How Risk Assessments Improve Remote Work Cybersecurity
In recent years, technology has enabled businesses to move away from the traditional office setting and embrace working from home. While this change has been great for employers and employees alike, it’s also great for cybercriminals. It’s hard to control how your remote workforce accesses data or uses your network, which can expose your business to security threats.
With a cybersecurity risk assessment, you can see if your remote workers are threatening your security posture. Your IT provider can identify unsecured networks or unauthorized personal devices and offer solutions.
Schedule Your Virtual-Q Cybersecurity Assessment
After a record-breaking 2021, it’s unlikely that cybercriminals will slow down in 2022. If you want to keep your company safe and prevent a devastating attack in the coming year, it’s time to schedule a cybersecurity assessment from Virtual-Q. Our team has decades of cybersecurity experience, allowing us to find various types of vulnerabilities.
If we find security risks during your assessment, we can help you implement Q Desktop. Our virtual desktop duplicates information that’s stored across highly secure data centers, reducing common security threats whether you’re in the office or working remotely. Get in touch today to schedule your assessment and learn more about our revolutionary virtualized solutions.
