IT security

In today's networked world, IT security is indispensable for companies. It encompasses all protective measures aimed at protecting IT systems, data and networks from threats such as malware, identity theft and unauthorized access.

An effective IT security strategy not only helps to protect sensitive information, but also ensures the central protection goals of information security: confidentiality, integrity and availability. At the same time, it creates a solid basis for data security and protection against attacks in the data network through suitable measures such as encryption, regular updates and awareness training.

IT security as a holistic approach

Companies face a variety of challenges in the area of IT security. these range from malicious software such as malware, viruses, worms and Trojans to targeted attacks by hackers. The use of firewalls, anti-virus software and encryption methods plays a central role in this.

An effective IT security strategy takes into account both technical and organizational protective measures. Regular updates and security patches for operating systems and applications minimize vulnerabilities. It is equally important to raise employee awareness through IT security training in order to proactively counter risks such as phishing or social engineering.

Recognizing threats and closing security gaps

Early detection of threats is crucial in IT security. Cyber attackers often exploit security gaps in software or vulnerabilities in the system configuration to gain access to sensitive information. Regular security checks and penetration tests help you to identify vulnerabilities in your systems and rectify them in good time.

Protection against malware such as viruses, worms and Trojans is also of central importance. This malware can be used to spy out sensitive data or paralyze systems. By implementing suitable security mechanisms such as firewalls and anti-virus programs, you can effectively ward off such attacks.

Anyone who wants to hack a company tries to find a so-called kill chain and use it to establish their criminal activities. What does that mean? A few steps are required before the "Kill chain complete!" can be said. First of all, it must be possible to identify the infrastructure system and penetrate the system ("IN"), for example via social engineering such as phishing emails. Then the attackers must expand their access rights within the company network ("THROUGH") in order to - last but not least - cause damage ("OUT") that generates money, such as blackmailing the company through ransomware (data encryption or data sale).

Cyber security: protection against digital threats in the networked world

Cyber security is also part of IT security. While IT security offers more comprehensive protection, cyber security focuses on defending against threats resulting from the internet and digital networks. Both are essential for a modern security concept. Digitalization offers numerous advantages, but also harbours risks. Cyber criminals use vulnerabilities in IT systems and networks to steal sensitive data, sabotage business processes or cause financial damage to companies. A comprehensive cyber security strategy not only protects against financial losses, but also against reputational damage and data loss.

An effective cyber security strategy combines technical and organizational measures to detect threats at an early stage and ward them off. An Information Security Management System (ISMS) certified to ISO standards helps you to systematically identify security risks and take appropriate measures.

CANCOM - your experts for cyber security

As one of the leading companies for cyber security in the DACH region, CANCOM is your reliable partner for comprehensive protection against digital threats. With around 300 certified cyber security specialists in highly qualified teams, we work around the clock on security projects to analyze security incidents, develop innovative solutions and protect companies from the growing challenges of the digital world.

The requirements for cyber security are constantly changing: new threat scenarios, the use of artificial intelligence and increasing attack complexity require flexible and future-proof strategies. Our vision for cyber security combines existing IT infrastructures with modern solutions to optimally protect companies against the current threat landscape.

An effective security strategy is based on four central building blocks: Prevent, Protect, Detect and Respond. These elements interlock to ensure comprehensive protection against cyber attacks and security incidents.

Prevent: Prevention

Prevent includes preventive measures such as regular security analyses, risk assessments and awareness training. By identifying vulnerabilities and security gaps, you can prevent potential attacks in advance. Not only technical but also organizational aspects of IT security are taken into account to ensure comprehensive protection. Measures such as regular software updates, patches and the use of cryptographic procedures ensure that your systems are protected against known and emerging threats. Training and workshops also promote your employees' awareness of risks such as phishing and social engineering, which strengthens the security culture within the company.

Protect: protective measures

Protect includes the active protection of your IT systems and data through firewalls, antivirus programs and encryption technologies. These measures are supplemented by access management and the implementation of multi-factor authentication to effectively prevent unauthorized access. The physical protection of hardware, such as secure access to server rooms and the use of encrypted data carriers, is also an essential part of these protective measures. By using modern technologies such as endpoint security and network security solutions, security risks can be reduced in real time. These protective measures help to ward off attacks and ensure the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information.

Detect: Detect threats

Detect allows you to continuously monitor your IT infrastructure to detect potential threats at an early stage. Monitoring tools and intrusion detection systems (IDS) help to identify anomalies in the data network and report security breaches immediately. The analysis of suspicious activities and the evaluation of log data make it possible to identify vulnerabilities in real time and initiate measures. In addition, the use of security information and event management (SIEM) systems can help to correlate security incidents and respond more quickly to threats. This continuous monitoring is a central component of information security and indispensable for the protection of sensitive data.

Respond: Responding to incidents

Respond focuses on rapid response to security incidents. With a clearly defined incident response plan, you can isolate affected systems, minimize damage and efficiently restore normal operations. In addition, regular emergency drills should be carried out to ensure that everyone involved is familiar with the procedures. A thorough follow-up of incidents, including forensic analysis, helps to understand the causes and develop measures to prevent similar attacks in the future. This response capability is an essential part of modern IT security strategies and helps companies to remain resilient to cyber threats in the long term.

Zero trust architectures: the gold standard in IT security

Principles of a zero trust strategy

Zero Trust is based on the principles of verification, minimization of authorizations and continuous monitoring. Users and systems must authenticate themselves at every stage of the access process. This is ensured by mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication and strict access controls. At the same time, access to data and applications is limited to what is absolutely necessary in order to minimize potential damage in the event of an attack.

Technological implementation and advantages

The implementation of a Zero Trust architecture requires modern security technologies such as network security solutions, endpoint protection and encryption. There is a particular focus on network security, as attackers often try to move laterally within a network. This is where solutions such as microsegmentation and intrusion detection systems help to detect and isolate attacks at an early stage.

Another advantage of Zero Trust is the increased resilience to distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, as every access point is secured and continuously monitored. This ensures that neither attackers nor malware gain unnoticed access to sensitive information or systems.