India is witnessing exponential growth in the adoption of digital technology across sectors and institutions, enabling a large number of people to avail themselves not only of services and conveniences but also governance solutions. Digital adoption has been the hallmark of COVID-19 times, and one of the key sectors to have created value through the use of technology in the financial sector, making sure that business continued as usual.
However, the rise of digital has also been accompanied by the growing need for cyber threat intelligence and protection, to proactively minimize risks and ward off cyberattacks. Threat intelligence is about identifying and analyzing cyber threats targeting a business. IT specialists use sophisticated tools to read threats and analyze them, applying historical knowledge to identify a real threat apart from one that is not, and then applying a solution to mitigate it. The better and more comprehensive the tool, the more robust is threat intelligence.
While enterprises and institutions are waking up to the actual scale of dangers posed by weak cybersecurity systems targeting not only finances but also user data, Kaspersky, a global cybersecurity company, has urged players to take speedy steps to strengthen their cybersecurity systems as the only way to protect not only their funds and data but also their reputation and the consumer’s trust in their ability to service them.
This need to step up cyber threat intelligence was the key insight shared by the company at a recent event hosted virtually on 24th September. The event featured a virtual game night that allowed participants to become ‘cyber detectives for a day. Through the game, they understood the various key risks facing businesses and the solutions available to mitigate them.
The online gaming software simulated a number of cyberthreat incidents, for which were highlighted a range of solutions. As a result, participants were reminded of the various kinds of vulnerabilities that exist in the digital world and the counter-measures required for them. While large businesses have woken up to cyber threats, a lot more awareness is needed. The media’s role in making medium- and small-sized businesses and institutions aware of these risks and urging them to take steps in the right direction is seen as crucial. On the other hand, large businesses need to keep investing in the latest cybersecurity solutions to ensure that their systems are constantly upgraded.
The push for better cyber threat intelligence comes at a time when there is a wave of digital transformation going on across the country. It is also significant, coming from a player that is recognized as a ‘Leader’ in external threat intelligence in ‘The Forrester Wave™: External Threat Intelligence Services Q1, 2021’ report published by Forrester. Kaspersky Threat Intelligence Services are applicable for businesses of all sizes.
Thus, an organization’s ability to manage and mitigate cyber threats effectively is among the key aspects of its survival in the digital world. For example, loss of data and other resources carries reputational risks. At the same time, robust protection could mean optimization of resources in terms of monitoring and compliance as well as increasing consumer confidence.
To be truly effective given the unpredictable nature of cyberattacks, cybersecurity cells and teams within organizations need a truly reliable partner that provides them with the entire range of tools required to tackle a variety of threats. They also need a provider that is quick to respond to dynamic changes within the system, providing the latest in cyber defenses to protect their systems and their users, round the clock. Kaspersky’s recent IT Security Economics Report found that threat intelligence is a recognized area of investment for 41% of enterprises and 39% of Small and Medium Businesses in response to a data breach.
At the event, Kaspersky’s range of Threat Intelligence solutions were introduced:
- Kaspersky offers a full suite of Threat Intelligence Services, which ensures organizations have access to the latest and round-the-clock ‘Threat data feeds’ that cover the various threats facing them, from phishing links and malware to malicious objects that target Android and iOS platforms. The feed is sourced from Kaspersky’s own cloud infrastructure ‘Kaspersky Security Network’ which comprises web crawlers, Botnet Monitoring (its proprietary platform), email honeypots, and more.
- Its threat intelligence is machine-readable and actionable through automated incident response, termed as Cyber trace, a threat intelligence platform that seamlessly integrates threat data feeds in various formats as well as SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) solutions.
- Kaspersky offers Advanced Persistent Threats (APT) Intelligence reporting to help businesses keep in the know of the latest in high-profile cyber-espionage campaigns in a comprehensive manner. It enables users to learn about the vulnerabilities and the solutions that are most current.
- With its Digital Footprint Intelligence, the company enables businesses to monitor their online presence across various digital assets and protect them in a proactive manner through relevant information.
- The Kaspersky Threat Lookup recognizes the maxim ‘forewarned is forearmed’ in its digital parlance. It provides security teams with the latest information about URLs, domains, IP addresses, and more that exhibit unusual behavior and that could potentially pose threats to an organization. This intelligence is enriched in real-time with global experts and security teams constantly adding valuable input and insights.
- Kaspersky’s Cloud Sandbox goes beyond the threats that are seen, to create an instrument that detects threats that are unknown or the ones that work around the security systems of an organization, adding yet another layer of protection or sandboxing that is extremely sophisticated, way beyond even the most advanced anti-viral tools.
- Finally, Kaspersky also offers Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Threat Intelligence Reporting Service as a means to constantly keep its users current about the various malicious campaigns targeting industrial organizations, delivered electronically.
Businesses and institutions can also leverage threat intelligence data in a number of ways to make their systems more robust, from detection of threats to performing vulnerability assessments towards preventing incidents in the future. Its suite is geared to help users prevent incidents while offerings robust protection against cyberattacks.
Dipesh Kaura (GM, South Asia) noted at the event, “In today’s world, where data is the new oil, cyber threats can hurt businesses in more ways than one. Our digital world is a vulnerable one where only a specific few in an organization possess the skills or the ability to effectively monitor or respond to cybersecurity incidents. As a result, a comprehensive system based on intelligent infrastructure is your best bet against such attacks, which are growing more and more frequently. As a result, it is important to recognize that as an organization with a digital presence, you are only as strong as your cybersecurity systems. Kaspersky lends organizations the cybersecurity edge they need to provide services in a way that inspires confidence and protects them and their consumers.”
