In the ever-changing digital landscape, every click and keystroke go through cyberspace. The battle for data security rages on. Businesses stand as both guardians and targets. Unseen adversaries want your digital assets.

To navigate this dangerous environment, it takes a two-pronged approach, businesses must arm themselves with a sophisticated arsenal of cybersecurity strategies.

On one side, the vigilant guards of prevention (Left of Boom).

On the other, the resilient defenses for recovery (Right of Boom).

Together, these strategies form the centre of a comprehensive cyber security defence.  They help ensure your business can resist attacks and help you rise stronger from if breached.

In this blog post, Jonathan Cundliffe, Managing Director of Lancashire based J700 Group an IT Support and cyber security provider explains how to organise your cybersecurity businesses approach into Left and Right of Boom.

What Do “Left of Boom” and “Right of Boom” Mean?

In the area of cybersecurity, "Left of Boom" and "Right of Boom" are strategic terms. They define proactive and reactive approaches to dealing with cyber threats.

"Left of Boom" refers to preemptive measures and preventative strategies. These are things implemented to safeguard against potential security breaches. It encompasses actions aimed at preventing cyber incidents before they occur.

"Right of Boom" pertains to the post-breach recovery strategies. Companies use these after a security incident has taken place. This phase involves activities like incident response planning and data backup.

Together, these terms form a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. They cover both prevention and recovery aspects. The goal is to enhance an organisation's resilience against cyber threats.

Left of Boom: Prevention Strategies

User Education and Awareness

One of the foundations of Left of Boom is employee cybersecurity education. Regular training sessions can empower staff. They help them identify phishing emails. As well as recognise social engineering attempts and adopt secure online behaviors. An informed workforce becomes a strong line of defense against potential threats.

Employee training reduces the risk of falling for a phishing attack by 75%.

Robust Access Control and Authentication

Implementing strict access control measures reduces the risk of a breach. It helps ensure employees only have access to the tools necessary for their roles.

Access control tactics include:

• Least privilege access
• Multifactor authentication (MFA)
• Contextual access
• Single Sign-on (SSO) solutions

Regular Software Updates and Patch Management

Outdated software is a common vulnerability exploited by cybercriminals. Left of Boom strategies include ensuring all software is regularly updated. They should have the latest security patches. Automated patch management tools can streamline this process. They reduce the window of vulnerability.

Network Security and Firewalls

Firewalls act as the first line of defense against external threats. Install robust firewalls and intrusion detection/prevention systems. They can help track network traffic and identify suspicious activities. Additionally, they help block unauthorised access attempts. Secure network configurations are essential to prevent unauthorised access to sensitive data.

Regular Security Audits and Vulnerability Assessments

Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments. This helps to identify potential weaknesses in your systems. By proactively addressing these vulnerabilities, organisations can reduce risk. They can reduce the chance of exploitation by cybercriminals.

Penetration testing can also simulate real-world cyber-attacks. This allows businesses to evaluate their security posture effectively.

Right of Boom: Recovery Strategies

Incident Response Plan

Having a well-defined incident response plan in place is crucial. This plan should outline the steps to take in the event of a security breach.

It should include things like:

• Communication protocols
• Containment procedures
• Steps for recovery
• IT contact numbers

Regularly test and update your incident response plan. This ensures it remains effective and relevant.

Data Backup and Disaster Recovery

Regularly backing up data is a vital component of Right of Boom. Another critical component is having a robust disaster recovery plan.

Automated backup systems can ensure that critical data is regularly backed up. As well as making sure it can be quickly restored in the event of a breach. A disaster recovery plan allows businesses to resume operations swiftly after an incident.

Forensic Analysis and Learning

After a security breach, conduct a thorough forensic analysis. It’s essential to understand the nature of the attack. As well as the extent of the damage, and the vulnerabilities exploited.

Learning from these incidents enables businesses to strengthen their security posture further. This makes it harder for similar attacks to succeed in the future.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Navigating the legal and regulatory landscape after a security breach is important. Businesses must follow data breach notification laws and regulations. Timely and transparent communication with affected parties is essential. It's vital to maintaining both trust and credibility.

Get Help with a Strong 2-pronged Cybersecurity Strategy

Using Left and Right of Boom strategies can improve your security stance. These terms help you consider both important aspects of a strong defence.

If you’d like some help getting started, contact Angelina or Deon on 0333 7721 700 or email info@j700group.com

About J700 Group Limited

J700 Group provide effective IT support and services that enable your business to have secure, responsive and reliable information technology, keeping it running smoothly 24/7. Above this though, we are a family run company who truly care about our customer service and the business relationships we develop.

For more information please contact Angelina or Deon on 0333 7721 700 or email info@j700group.com

J700 Group are a Lancashire-based, family-run, professional and responsive, Managed Solutions Provider helping Businesses, to utilise Innovative IT Consultancy Services, Cloud Solutions, Cyber Security, Microsoft 365, Telecoms, Web Design and SEO solutions to propel their organisation to the next level and beyond.

As an experienced IT Support Provider, helping businesses across Lancashire & Manchester, if you need any assistance with your IT including IT Hardware, a Disaster Recovery Policy or Managed Backup Solutions please get in touch with one of our team.

Where to find us: Prinny Mill Business Centre, 68 Blackburn Road, Haslingden, Lancashire, BB4 5HL.

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