As businesses left and right fall victim to cyber-attacks and their unfortunate stories end up splashed across headlines, it seems like a no-brainer to invest in cybersecurity. Yet, despite the countless horror stories that have led to huge, sometimes industry-wide setbacks, some businesses still fall short.
A major issue in cybersecurity is the confusing promises and differing business models of IT service providers. Some providers promote their services to those who have already fallen victim to cyber-attacks. Others insist you should take steps now to prepare for attacks. This brings into question: is it more worthwhile to take a proactive or reactive approach to cybersecurity?
In simple terms, here is a comparison of proactive and reactive cybersecurity.
What Is Reactive Cybersecurity?
"Reactive cybersecurity" refers to the timing of when you take action against cyber attackers. When you react to cyber threats, you might feel panicked or backed into a corner by cyber criminals who often threaten to ruin your business.
Cyber attackers aim to induce this panic through social engineering, or tricks used to manipulate your emotions to elicit a sense of urgency. They may demand immediate, large ransom payments in return for restoring your business network or sensitive data. This leads to what many businesses end up doing - engaging in reactive cybersecurity measures.
Many companies have capitalized on this sudden, urgent need for third-party IT guidance. In a pinch, many businesses end up hiring outsourced IT support to:
- Investigate data breaches
- Recover data
- Restore networks
- Provide legal and public relations support
Some companies can even negotiate on your behalf with attackers. In fact, many victims have reported that negotiation can lead to hackers accepting smaller ransomware payments than originally demanded.
In a nutshell, any practice, service, or tool that is utilized only after an attack can fall under "reactive IT". Some examples of reactive cybersecurity practices include:
- Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS)
- Break-fix IT outsourcing
- Ransomware negotiation services
- Reliance on traditional anti-virus
What Are Some Examples of Proactive Cybersecurity?
Unlike the reactive approach, proactive cybersecurity involves detailed cyber attack preparation, threat mitigation, and advanced threat detection tools. No tool or service can 100% guarantee you won't fall victim to an attack, especially with zero-day attacks. These are never-before-seen methods of attacks that antivirus software won't be able to identify as potential threats.
Many proactive cybersecurity measures exist that you can take with the help of a network IT support provider. These will include advanced tools, training, and policies to help your organization prepare before your network is compromised. Some examples include:
- Data Backups
- Threat hunting
- Zero Trust Architecture
- Staff cybersecurity training
- Outsourced IT services
- Cybersecurity tools such as multifactor authentication (MFA)
- Cyber insurance policies
- Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) technology
- Penetration testing & network security audits
Are There Any Downsides to Proactive Cybersecurity?
You may think you're in the clear if you implement a proactive cybersecurity plan. However, no tool or service can 100% guarantee you won't fall victim to an attack.
Think of proactive cybersecurity like getting a vaccine during flu season. Vaccines can't prevent viruses from physically entering your body but are instead designed to boost your immunity and help you defend against them.
In this way, cybersecurity best practices can help make it very difficult for advanced hackers to take hold of your network. Zero Trust, for example, acts by locking every door into your network to slow cyber intruders down. After encountering enough barriers in your network, they will likely move on to an easier target.
Is There Any Place for Reactive Cybersecurity in My IT Strategy?
Most experts will recommend you take a proactive approach to securing your network infrastructure. However, it's good to be aware of the resources and steps to take if you do become a victim.
Ask your IT network services company about business continuity best practices in the event of an attack. They'll also likely have recommendations and resources for diaster recovery planning. To learn more about who you should loop into your disaster recovery plan, read our blog: Key Players in Your Cyber Incident Response Plan.
Even if you take every measure to mitigate cyber threats, it's a good idea to have an action plan in place in the event of a network security breach. For a more in-depth explanation of disaster recovery and incident response, check out our article: Incident Response vs Disaster Recovery: What's the Difference?
How to Invest in Proactive Cybersecurity
If you know your cybersecurity strategy needs work, there are several steps you can take today to secure your network. With the growing complexity of cyber readiness, it can seem overwhelming to try to tackle your IT environment all on your own.
That's where IT outsourcing providers come into play. Comprehensive IT support gives you access to cybersecurity experts, IT support specialists, Virtual Chief Information Officers (vCIOs) and more. If you're ready to jump into securing and optimizing your network, click the button below to get in touch with an IT expert.
