Tips to strengthen your organization’s security posture with encryption
If you work in the corporate world, you will be familiar with cybersecurity rules and regulations. Unfortunately, cyberattacks are happening at an astonishing rate and have become a key challenge for companies of all sectors, sizes and geographies.
According to Cybersecurity Ventures, more than 2,000 cyber attacks happen globally every day (opens in a new tab) — it’s a crash every 39 seconds — and these attacks have significant consequences. Estimates show that by 2025, global cybercrime will cost 10.5 trillion dollars annually (opens in a new tab)not to mention the personal security risks and reputational damage that can result from being hacked.
With such a high level of risk, it is certain that cybersecurity must be at the top of every organization’s agenda. There are many different solutions and approaches, but regardless of the tactic, encryption should be at the heart of any cybersecurity strategy. Encryption technology converts sensitive data into code that only the intended recipient can decode, thus facilitating the secure transmission and access of important information. Let’s take a look at some of the important encryption-based services that businesses can use to protect against malicious and costly attacks.
website security
SSL Certificate (opens in a new tab) plays a vital role in securing websites for businesses of all sizes. Installing an SSL Server Certificate on a website allows companies to enable Transport Layer Security (TLS), a standard solution used to ensure the security of online transactions. TLS ensures that a user’s session on the website remains fully encrypted and that all data transferred between the user and the website is kept secure. This is evidenced by the padlock icon displayed in the browser bar. SSL certificates also provide server authentication, allowing users to verify the authenticity of a given website.
There are three types of SSL Certificates: Extended Validation (EV), Organization Validation (OV), and Domain Validation (DV), all of which provide the same level of encryption but with testing and verification methods. different. In addition to these categories, there are several types of SSL Certificates available, including Single Domain, SAN, and Wildcard. Which one you use depends on how many domains and subdomains you want to protect with the certificate.
When looking at an SSL Certificate provider, it’s important to choose one that has experience implementing all categories and types of certificates, as well as the knowledge to help you choose the best option for security. protect your business. For added flexibility, look for a security partner that allows customers to request and issue their own certificates with Certificate Signing Requests (CSRs). This can help speed up processes and reduce reliance on external teams to deploy new certificates. Some providers also offer automatic certificate delivery – another plus for increased efficiency.
email security
Encryption also plays an invaluable role in email communications. Business email is a common entry point for cybercriminals and a source of costly attacks. In fact, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), since December 2021, global corporate email compromise attacks have resulted in more than loss of 43 billion USD (opens in a new tab).
Protecting the security and integrity of all business email has never been more important, and obtaining an S/MIME certificate is an important step in keeping communications secure. S/MIME certificates provide strong protection against email hacks with end-to-end encryption and digital signatures. They ensure that email documents are accessed only by the intended recipient and allow that recipient to easily confirm the sender’s identity.
When choosing an email security solution, consider vendors with Corporate S/MIME Certificate options that can configure the technical signature method according to the company’s specific regulatory framework, as well as other specific needs. The ability to tailor the solution this way can make it easier to apply. If you want to test the effectiveness of your S/MIME Certificates on your personal email, look for a provider that offers free options for this use.
software security
Code Signing Certificate (opens in a new tab), essential in protecting against malicious software attacks, is the third tool that all businesses should have in their cybersecurity arsenal. These certificates allow users to place digital signatures on multiple software components or applications to confirm their origin, ensure authorship, and ensure that the code has not been altered. A code signing certificate connects an IT organization’s identity to the private key used by the developer or distributor to sign the code, as well as a public key that allows the end user to verify the signer’s identity, thus ensuring Trusted software.
These certificates can provide valuable protection against potentially crippling malware attacks, but there are some best practices to consider to ensure their use. effective. First, limit the number of employees that can access the machines used for the code signing process – the fewer people who have access to the private keys, the more likely they are to fail or misuse them. may affect the lower the protection. Closely monitor all code signing activity to prevent malicious or unapproved code signatures, and store keys with security compliance tools to reduce the risk of attack. You should also scan for viruses before signing any code and add a timestamp to the signed code. Finally, don’t sign all software with the same certificate, and make sure to change keys often.
Without a doubt, cyber attacks have become a constant threat to businesses today. Fortunately, encryption technology exists to help organizations protect themselves in today’s hostile cyber environment. By using encryption and implementing critical security measures and solutions, businesses are able to stop malicious attackers and protect from damaging hacks. Encryption may be just one piece of the puzzle, but its applications have far-reaching implications in the security space – making it central to any cybersecurity strategy.
You can strengthen your organization’s security with an Actalis certificate – to learn more, click here (opens in a new tab).