Code on a screen

What is IT security?

IT security covers all measures to protect IT. The three classic goals of IT protection are the long-term preservation of the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information and systems.

Find out more about Security as a Service from Myra

01

IT Security: A Definition

IT security is the practice of safeguarding information technologies, including hardware and software, to ensure the secure processing and communication of information. Companies have a legal obligation to develop and implement IT security concepts. Implementing these concepts in the business sector is not optional, but rather a matter of compliance.

In addition to guidelines such as ISO 27001, COBIT or ITIL, specific laws, regulations and guidelines also ensure that companies are aware of their areas of action and responsibility with regard to information security.

Company information must be reliably protected in terms of availability, confidentiality, integrity and authenticity. Compliance with data protection and information security laws is therefore essential in order for a company to be legally compliant.

/

02

Why Is IT Security so Important?

Government, economy, and society are highly interconnected. Industry 4.0, digital public administration, and smart home concepts have become part of everyday life. It is crucial to maintain high standards of confidentiality in digital communication. Sensitive data must be protected against attacks, theft, or sabotage at all times using state-of-the-art technology. It is important for every company and individual to be aware of this threat and take appropriate measures.

03

Key areas of IT security

IT security is a complex and multi-layered field that encompasses various aspects of the digital world. Here we take a closer look at five key areas of information security: endpoint security, cloud security, application security, network security and user security.

Endpoint security

Endpoint security involves protecting devices such as computers, smartphones, and tablets from threats. The main problems include malware infections, insecure public Wi-Fi networks and outdated software that facilitates attacks.

Effective solutions include the use of antivirus software that detects and removes malware through regular scans and real-time protection. Firewalls monitor traffic and block unauthorized access, while Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) technologies continuously monitor endpoints to detect and respond to suspicious activity. In addition, regular updates and patches are crucial to close security gaps and keep devices up to date. These measures ensure the integrity and security of the endpoints.

Cloud security

Cloud security refers to the protection of data, applications, and services in the cloud. The main challenges include data leaks, compliance with legal regulations and access management. To overcome these hurdles, encryption of data at rest and in transit is crucial. Strict identity and access management (IAM) systems ensure that only authorized individuals can access sensitive information.

Regular security checks and continuous monitoring help to identify and rectify vulnerabilities at an early stage. Cloud providers also offer specialized security services to better protect cloud environments. These measures ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and applications in the cloud.

Application security

Application security is concerned with protecting applications from threats throughout their lifecycle, from development to deployment and use. One of the greatest challenges is ensuring that the software is free from vulnerabilities and bugs that could be exploited by attackers.

Techniques such as secure coding, regular security audits and penetration testing are essential to identify and fix potential security vulnerabilities at an early stage. Web application firewalls (WAFs) play a crucial role by filtering and blocking malicious traffic. In addition, developers and administrators should make sure to update software regularly and implement patches quickly to close known vulnerabilities and ensure application security.

Network security

Network security includes measures to protect the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data and resources within a network. The main threats include distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, unauthorized access, and man-in-the-middle attacks, where attackers attempt to intercept or manipulate communications.

Firewalls and Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS) are critical to monitor traffic and detect and block suspicious activity. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide secure connections, especially for remote access, while network segmentation helps to limit the spread of attacks. By using these technologies and strategies, networks can be effectively protected from various threats, increasing the security and stability of the entire IT infrastructure.

User security

User security focuses on protecting end users from threats that can arise from unsafe behavior or lack of knowledge. Phishing attacks, where fraudulent emails or websites steal sensitive information, are a common threat. Weak passwords or reusing the same passwords on multiple platforms significantly increase the risk of security breaches. To protect users, training to raise awareness of security risks and secure behaviors is essential.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) provides an additional layer of security by requiring other verification methods in addition to the password. Corporate security policies that provide clear instructions on the use of IT resources, as well as the use of anti-phishing tools and password managers, help users to behave more securely and avoid potential threats.

04

What Attack Methods and Dangers Threaten IT Security?

Different types of attack methods and vectors test the IT security of systems. According to a recent Gartner analysis, Distributed Denial of Service Attacks (DDoS) are the most widespread. Organizations from all sectors are increasingly exposed to powerful DDoS attacks due to geopolitical factors in recent years.

 

Aside from DDoS attacks, automated bot attacks on (cloud) applications and underlying databases, malware, and ransomware pose significant IT security risks to companies.

 

This article will cover the most pressing cyber risks that demand dedicated IT security systems to defend against them.

Botnets

Botnets are one of the most common weapons used by cyber criminals. Botnets are branched networks of compromised end devices such as notebooks, network printers, IP cameras and IoT devices that are controlled remotely by attackers. Cyber criminals use botnets to carry out DDoS attacks, brute force attacks, credential stuffing, credential cracking or click fraud, among other things. To protect against these and many other types of attack, IT security service providers offer various solutions to protect online processes, user accounts and clients.

Malware

The term malware covers all types of computer programs that carry out unwanted or harmful actions in a system. These include computer viruses, worms, trojans, spyware and adware. In most cases, malware reaches target systems via malicious email attachments or manipulated websites. IT security solutions for endpoint protection can prevent such infections.

DDoS attacks

A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is a type of cyberattack in which a large number of compromised computers or devices, often referred to as a botnet, are used simultaneously to flood a target resource - such as a website, server or network - with an overwhelming amount of requests or traffic. The goal of a DDoS attack is to significantly impair the availability of the attacked system or to paralyze it completely so that legitimate users can no longer access it. DDoS attacks can lead to significant financial damage, data loss and reputational damage and are one of the most common and effective methods of destabilizing a company's IT infrastructure.

Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a system and demands payment in exchange for access to the data. It is also referred to as a blackmail Trojan or encryption Trojan. WannaCry and Petya are among the most well-known types of ransomware. Common distribution channels for ransomware include spam emails, phishing, and drive-by exploits. The latter exploits vulnerabilities in browsers, browser plug-ins, or operating systems.

Spam and Phishing

Spam refers to unsolicited emails and is a common method of spreading malware. Phishing emails, however, are a specific type of spam that attempt to persuade the recipient to take a particular action, such as disclosing login or bank details or installing malware. To effectively combat spam and phishing, IT security solutions that incorporate awareness training and simulation attacks to sensitize employees to these threats are recommended.

Advanced Persistent Threats

Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) are highly sophisticated, targeted cyberattacks in which attackers infiltrate a network covertly and over the long term in order to steal sensitive data or sabotage operational systems. APTs are characterized by their complex approach, combining various techniques such as spear phishing, zero-day exploits and social engineering to gain access to a target network and keep it undetected. The attackers often remain active over a longer period of time in order to continuously spy out information or manipulate systems. APTs are usually carried out by well-organized groups, often with state support, and are primarily directed against critical infrastructure, financial institutions and other high-value targets with valuable data.

05

What Is the Current IT Security Threat Situation for Companies?

Every day, companies are falling victim to cybercrime. Recent studies reveal that 9 out of 10 companies in Germany have been affected by cyber attacks. More than half of all companies feel that their existence is at risk due to this threat. According to the digital association Bitkom, cyber incidents cause over 200 billion euros worth of damage to the German economy each year.

 

As the threat situation worsens, regulatory requirements are becoming increasingly strict. European security directives, such as NIS-2, as well as EU regulations DORA and the Cyber Resilience Act, require organizations across all sectors to implement the necessary measures to maintain an appropriate level of protection.

 

Against this background, the topic of IT security is being pushed from two poles: On the one hand, the threat situation requires better protection of systems and data, and on the other hand, regulation obliges companies to do so.

Hardware

IT Security Is a Management Issue

In many companies, IT systems must function flawlessly at all times in order to maintain business operations. This makes cybersecurity business-critical and a core management task. Regulatory requirements from NIS-2, DORA and the GDPR increasingly establish the liability of management organizations in connection with IT security incidents.

 

The measures required to establish solid IT security can be derived from the applicable regulatory requirements and the industry-specific security standards (B3S), among other things. In addition, the BSI IT-Grundschutz Compendium, together with the BSI standards, provides detailed information on ensuring the protection objectives.

06

How Can Companies Increase Their IT Security?

When expanding IT security in companies, it is important to address security-relevant problem areas in digital business processes with equal priority. Regardless of whether these affect software, hardware or the users themselves. Companies that take IT security into account for all active players in the process can keep the virtual attack surface as small as possible. Specifically, seamless programs, tamper-proof hardware, trained users and scalable IT security solutions are required.

Secure Program Code

In software development, security by design refers to the basic concept of incorporating holistic IT security as an integral part of the initial project planning right through to the final product. Programs developed under this premise are less likely to have critical vulnerabilities and are less susceptible to external attacks. In addition, development is more cost-effective, as the subsequent implementation of security-specific changes via updates is usually much more expensive. On the other hand, those who address IT security problems as early as possible in the development process do not have to make extensive adjustments to the code later on.

The Human Firewall

However, IT security does not end with the program code, because even the most capable developers cannot program software that is completely immune to user errors. Rather, the person in front of the screen must also be considered in a holistic IT security strategy. It is not without reason that the BSI specifications for ISO 27001 auf Basis von IT-Grundschutz specify concrete requirements for sensitizing and training staff. The international regulations for payment transactions PCI-DSS also provide for awareness training for all employees.

The most pressing awareness topics include: Password security, advantages of multi-level login procedures such as 2FA/MFA, advantages and use of data encryption, phishing and social engineering as well as identification of attacks and malware infestation.

Hardware Security

IT security also plays a crucial role at the hardware level. This is especially important in the areas of IoT and IIoT & Industry 4.0. When selecting hardware, companies should limit themselves to the previously defined minimum requirements to avoid unnecessarily increasing the network's attack surface. For instance, is a USB port necessary for the device to function, or does the interface provide an unnecessary entry point for attackers?

Protection Against Manipulation

The hardware used must also have a minimum level of tamper protection to make it more difficult for attackers to access the network. This includes permanently installed housing covers and sensors that immediately report physical tampering attempts. Tamper protection is especially important for devices installed in public spaces, where access protection is not guaranteed as it is in offices, production facilities, or factory halls.

Redundancy Protects Against Failures

Hardware problems or defects caused by external factors such as floods or fires cannot be completely prevented. Therefore, it is recommended to run critical applications on redundantly secured hardware. In case of a server failure due to hardware defects, another instance can take over its processes to avoid costly downtime. Companies can also eliminate location-related failures by using geo-redundancy.

Lifecycle Management

Setting up and configuring devices and software is not a one-time task. Companies often need to adapt or expand their networks due to increasing demands on IT security and new business processes. Additionally, individual endpoints require maintenance and replacement. To keep track of your network, detailed lifecycle management for deployment, decommissioning, onboarding to the cloud, and maintenance (software and hardware) is necessary. To prevent uncontrolled data loss, data on retired devices must be irretrievably deleted.

IT Security Solutions by Myra

07

IT Security For Different Sectors

The application of IT security practices varies greatly between different industries. Financial service providers rely on a variety of security measures, such as multi-factor authentication, encryption and intrusion detection systems, to ensure the integrity of financial transactions and protection against fraud. Here, it is particularly important to continuously monitor threats and adhere to compliance requirements.

In the healthcare sector, the focus is on protecting sensitive patient data, which is particularly strictly protected by legal regulations such as the GDPR. The implementation of electronic patient records, access restrictions and encryption technologies is essential to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of medical data. Robust measures against ransomware attacks targeting hospitals and healthcare data are also necessary.

Public institutions have the task of protecting sensitive citizen data while ensuring high availability of their services. Security strategies such as network segmentation, strict access controls and regular staff training are used to minimize the risk of cyberattacks and data loss. In addition, security protocols for communication between authorities are particularly important to guarantee information security in the administration.

Insurance companies must protect both the personal and financial data of their customers. They use security measures such as data encryption, secure communication channels and monitoring systems to detect and ward off cyber attacks.

Learn more on our solution pages:

08

IT Security Incidents and How to Deal with Them

Dealing with IT security incidents requires a well-prepared strategy that can be implemented quickly. Companies should have an emergency plan in place that clearly defines how to proceed in the event of a security incident. This includes immediately identifying and containing the incident, notifying all affected parties, and securing and analyzing the affected systems to understand the origin and extent of the incident. An effective communication strategy is also crucial to ensure transparency towards customers, partners, and authorities and to maintain trust. After an incident has been dealt with, comprehensive reports should be created and analyzed to identify vulnerabilities and prevent future incidents. Regular training and simulations of security incidents help to increase employee awareness and responsiveness.

Code on a screen

09

IT Security: What You Need to Know

IT security addresses all relevant problem areas that arise when using IT in professional and private environments. Users, software, and hardware are all equally important for reliable IT security. To achieve the primary protection goals of confidentiality, integrity, and availability, these issues must be treated equally.

 

Established certifications for IT security have for many years specified concrete requirements in all of these areas. It is time for these best practice models to be actively implemented in the digitalized society, regardless of the regulatory framework.

Frequently Asked Questions About IT Security