Concern about digital security has grown worldwide.A survey by iProov, a biometric security company, shows that 70% of technology executives express concern about online fraud.In Brazil, the scenario is similar: 54% are said to have suffered digital attacks in 2023, and Generative AI was used in more than half of recent intrusions.
In this scenario, the adoption of new security technologies, such as artificial intelligence, multifactor authentication and robust encryption, is critical to protect corporations from increasingly sophisticated digital threats, says Bruno Telles, COO of BugHunt, Brazilian cybersecurity company pioneer in Bug Bounty in Latin America.“The negligence in relation to these technologies increases the vulnerability of organizations to” attacks, says the executive.
To ensure security over time, it is essential to establish a continuous cycle of improvement.“It is important to foster a culture of protection across the organization, involving everything from top management to frontline employees.When everyone is engaged and committed to safe practices, the company follows best practices consistently, staying prepared to face new threats and ensuring solid and lasting” protection, Telles says.
The information security expert pointed out five measures that companies can take to protect themselves against online data theft.
- Conduct a full risk assessment
To ensure the digital stability of a corporation, it is essential to carry out a complete risk assessment.This involves identifying digital assets, understanding threats and vulnerabilities, and assessing the impact of each risk. “This analysis underpins the strategy of protecting critical areas, adapting to new hazards, and creates an efficient culture by engaging all levels of the organization in secure” practices, Telles says.
- Continuous training of employees
The best security policies are ineffective if employees do not understand the risks or how to avoid them. According to the Daryus Group, 15% of organizations do not invest in regular cybersecurity training, even if 84% appoint employees as the main gateway to vulnerabilities. “Well-trained employees are a vital line of defense against offenses that exploit human errors, such as phishing and social engineering”, he explains. For the expert, practical simulations of attacks are critical to prepare the team to respond quickly to real threats, reinforcing the protection of company metadata.
- Adopt threat monitoring and detection solutions
Telles highlights the importance of using real-time monitoring tools that integrate data to provide a complete view of the network and identify suspicious activity.“These tools enable rapid responses, using AI to detect anomalous patterns and automatically block unauthorized access attempts”, he explains. Solutions such as Splunk and Darktrace exemplify technologies that efficiently protect businesses by aggregating information from multiple sources and monitoring traffic for suspicious behavior.
- Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing
In addition to the Bug Bounty program, it is important for companies to conduct penetration testing (pentest) and vulnerability assessments on a continuous and proactive basis. These practices identify and correct weaknesses before they are exploited, simulating real attack scenarios. “These assessments reveal areas that need improvement and strengthen cyber defense. By adopting these measures regularly, companies keep their defenses up to date, being ahead of cybercriminals. The Bug Bounty program also encourages cybersecurity researchers to report vulnerabilities, further strengthening the” defense, explains the executive.
- Perform regular backups
Storing critical information in secure backups is essential for recovery after scams such as ransomware, minimizing business impact. In addition to performing regular backups, it is crucial to test its integrity to ensure data restoration.“Adopting off-site or cloud backups and encrypting content are best practices for increasing protection and resilience against” losses.
