Unless you run your business completely offline with no internet connection, cybersecurity is a concern. It seems like every day we’re hearing about another company suffering a data breach. And no matter how big your business is, you’re a target. The National Cyber Security Alliance stated that more than 70% of cyberattacks last year targeted small businesses.
While that number is quite staggering, it’s not the worst. Studies show that the average cost of a data breach is $244 per stolen record, $408 if you’re in healthcare. Now add in the fact that the average breach goes undetected for 198 days. How many records could you steal in 198 days?
Problem
The problem that every business has, is the fact that the traditional approach to cybersecurity is not working. While having firewalls, anti-malware/antivirus software, and event logs are great, history has proven that it’s just not enough. How can we increase security and reduce the overall detection and response time of a data breach?
Solution
While there are a number of pieces that make up a complete solution, the biggest piece is having a fully managed Security Information and Event Management (SIEM – pronounced SIM) solution. If you’re not a tech person, then chances are you’ve never heard of a SIEM so let me explain what it does. A SIEM allows you to see a birds-eye view of your complete technology infrastructure. If it’s connected to your network, you’ll be able to not only see it but see what it’s doing.
You’re probably thinking, alright, that sounds really cool, but how does that help me with cybersecurity? By being able to see what every device on your network is doing, you’re able to establish a baseline of that behavior over time. So now if a virus slips past your firewall and antivirus like we know it can, you’ll be able to see the change in that machine’s behavior. Now you can isolate that machine and get the virus removed before it spreads and before it does too much damage.
For those of you that need to meet compliance requirements like PCI-DSS, HIPAA, SOX, DFARS, and GDPR (just to name a few), a SIEM makes your life a whole lot easier. A SIEM will not only aid you in protecting your most sensitive data, but it also makes generating the necessary reports to meet compliance a breeze.
The Catch
Before you get too excited there are a few drawbacks to a SIEM.
A SIEM deployment is rather complex and not for the novice. If not set up correctly, it won’t give you the visibility into your network that you’re looking for.
While the price for a SIEM deployment has come down over the years, it’s still a pretty significant investment to make.
The real hidden cost of a SIEM is in the personnel. As previously stated, the deployment and management of a SIEM require someone with higher-level expertise. It’s also a full-time job to maintain the system and monitor everything for anomalies. As such, you’ll probably need at least 2 of these people so that you have someone to cover time off.
What Now?
If you’ve got this far then you’re probably interested in the idea of deploying a SIEM in your business. The question then becomes, what’s the most cost-effective way to proceed?
Simple Plan IT has created a complete cybersecurity solution that includes a fully managed SIEM. Our Cyber Secure service was designed by our in-house security team, which includes 2 CISSP’s and one CEH (this article will explain the significance of those initials). It is a combination of 11 different services put together with the sole purpose of making your business 100% secure in 3 simple steps. Regardless of what your current security level is, Cyber Secure will get you where you need to be.
So, before you find yourself 198 days into a data breach, give us a call. Let our security experts do what they love to do, so you can get back to doing what you love to do.
