Home Blog Cybersecurity and Advanced Threat Detection: Strategies for Staying Ahead of Threats

Cybersecurity and Advanced Threat Detection: Strategies for Staying Ahead of Threats

December 06, 2024 11:14 AM
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Technology has vastly improved the landscape for modern businesses. Cloud computing allows companies to provide more flexibility to employees. According to a 2024 article published on Business.com, it also makes teams more productive by improving their ability to collaborate on projects.1 They can quickly share information and contribute to documents simultaneously, in real time, without sifting through multiple versions of a file. An October 2024 Forbes article highlights trends in artificial intelligence (AI), which 64% of survey respondents say also has the potential to make the workforce more productive.2

As more companies store vast amounts of their sensitive data online, however, they also open themselves up to cybersecurity threats. In the past decade, some of the world’s most well-known brands have ended up on the front page for large-scale cyber attacks and data breaches.3 In 2024 alone, roughly three billion people worldwide—likely far more—were affected by data breaches that exposed their personal information.4

These security incidents grind businesses to a halt and expose them to financial liability from fines and lawsuits. To protect their critical data and keep their organizations operational, modern businesses have to keep up with advanced cybersecurity techniques, security operations, and best practices. This post explores the latest cyber defense techniques, including threat detection and threat mitigation.

Advanced Cybersecurity Techniques

It seems like cybercriminals are always three steps ahead, but experienced security professionals are perfecting techniques for threat detection, cyber threat mitigation, and more. As cybersecurity professionals, you and your security team are likely familiar with techniques such as next-generation firewalls, which offer more protection than traditional firewalls:5 Network administrators set rules for a standard firewall to block traffic based on ports, protocols, and filters. A next-gen firewall blocks traffic, controls network access, monitors apps, and offers strategies to address future threats.

Modern cybersecurity tools such as intrusion detection systems monitor your network for unauthorized users.6 You can pair network-level devices with endpoint platform protection such as antivirus and antispyware software.

You can also make your employer’s network more secure by layering multiple cybersecurity tools and following best practices. Advanced cyber threat mitigation techniques include:

  • Encrypting data: Transforming confidential information so it is unreadable to anyone who infiltrates the network
  • Secure coding: Writing code that adheres to security best practices
  • System auditing: Routinely auditing your systems for vulnerabilities and threats; this includes running regular system checks and updates

Threat Detection Strategies

Even if your business has a strong defense system, some clever hackers may still get into your system. Threat detection systems let you identify these threats and remove them before they damage your system. These systems continually monitor traffic on your network to detect malware (malicious software), spyware, viruses, and other threats.7

Some new threat detection systems use AI and machine learning to analyze regular traffic patterns. Over time, these systems can detect anomalies and even predict potential attacks.

As a cybersecurity professional, it’s essential that you stay informed and up to date on industry trends. Threat intelligence involves continuing education and reading regular reporting data to stay on top of potential threats to your system while you devise strategies for cyber threat mitigation.8 Studying recent breaches teaches you which parts of your system are vulnerable so you can take steps to protect them.

Cyber Defense Techniques

You can stay steps ahead of cybercriminals with proactive defense techniques. Your job may consist of:9

  • Penetration testing: Also known as 'ethical hacking,' penetration testing involves hiring a cybersecurity professional to uncover vulnerabilities in your network by testing it for weaknesses 
  • Threat hunting: Searching networks in creative ways to identify weaknesses and potential dangers
  • Red teaming: Using AI to simulate attacks as a way to train your system to anticipate them in real life

These tests can help you put a robust incident response plan in place in case your system is compromised. In this plan, you should have steps to contain the threat, eradicate it, and recover your system. This type of proactive approach helps you and your team stay focused in the event of a breach. You'll be prepared and can effectively deploy your protocols to restore operations and information security.

You may also set up zero-trust architecture, in which you don’t assume that end-users or resources are safe just because they are close to your network.10 With this system in place, you may choose to restrict system access to employees based on their job responsibilities or implement multi-factor authentication tools to ensure and confirm the identities of people who log in.

Security for Experienced Professionals

As a cybersecurity professional, your job is to develop operational security protocols, create and update strategic plans, develop policies and recommendations, and create protocols to be deployed in case of malicious activity by threat actors. You’re largely responsible for implementing the tools needed to make a company’s data safe and secure.11 Throughout your career, you will see changes in technology. It’s critical to keep learning about new threats and cyber risks, and how you can manage them.

As you move up the ladder in cybersecurity, you may pursue advanced certifications and training. A Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is a high-level certification focused on honing routine security standards to build high-security systems.12 A Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification shows that you have the skills necessary to identify a system’s vulnerabilities. If you’re more interested in testing your system for weaknesses, look into becoming an Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP). This certification is similar to the CEH, but it's for people who have been working in cybersecurity for more than five years and builds on the CEH certification.

Cyber Threat Mitigation

You can make your network safer using techniques such as network segmentation and multi-factor authentication to limit access to your full system.

  • Segmentation involves splitting your network into smaller parts. That way, if unauthorized individuals do enter your system, they can’t access all your data13
  • Multi-factor authentication involves using more than one method to verify a user's identity. For example, your bank gives you the option to log in using bioauthenticators such as facial scans and thumbprints. This is one form of authentication. To make your account more secure and ensure that only those you want are granted access to your information, you can opt for another authentication factor, such as the system sending you an automated text to confirm your phone number

Threats in cybersecurity continue to evolve. You can stay on top of them with advanced threat mitigation strategies, such as these:

  • Installing programs that monitor your system for threats: This empowers you to respond earlier in case of suspicious activity14
  • Conducting readiness assessments: This helps you train your team's response to a potential threat and prepare them to navigate any incidents efficiently
  • Creating a culture of security and awareness, and regularly training company employees in best practices for preventing threats 

Develop Career-Defining Cybersecurity Expertise

In the small-class environment of Chico State’s Online MS in Computer Science program, you’ll build the problem-solving skills and cybersecurity acumen that will make you a stand-out hiring choice. Led by supportive, engaging faculty experts, you’ll delve into advanced topics that are essential for your career ascent: applied machine learningmachine learning, software design, programming, AI, database management, and more.

Add Chico State’s cybersecurity strength to your career ascent. As you prepare to apply, review the admissions schedule and financial aid opportunities, and schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor today.