An old movie quote goes, “It’s not paranoia if they’re really out to get you.” Such is the case with the Advanced Persistent Threat (APT), or any given cyber security threat these days. They are out to get you. If you aren’t being paranoid, you aren’t taking the necessary precautions.
For some time, many IT professionals considered the APT to be a buzzword, generated by security vendors to drum up fear in IT departments and create demand for their products. As it turns out, the APT is not only real, it is one of the most significant threats that IT departments are facing today. Advanced Persistent Threats are, indeed, both advanced and persistent, and one is headed for a system near you. Be ready.
What Differentiates the APT
Good monitoring solutions at the network, application, and user levels are all good investments that can help you detect and stop an APT.
The APT is a different creature from other common attack techniques, such as the DDoS. The APT is marked by its low-and-slow maneuvering, being difficult to detect, and unfortunately, a higher success rate. There are numerous ways that APT attackers can gain access to systems, including socially engineered attacks, spear phishing, and even a direct phone call to an unsuspecting employee. Attackers are dedicated to gaining entry to your systems, motivated to succeed, well funded, and infuriatingly patient.
How the APT Succeeds Where Other Attacks Fail
Unlike most opportunistic hackers who pray on systems that just happen to be easy to get into, the APT hacker has targeted a particular business system, then takes his or her time gaining access. They will try anything and everything until they hit on something that works. Then they move slowly, cautiously, and methodically to get what they want, which might be stealing a consumer database full of credit card numbers or passwords, or perhaps planting malware to be used in a ransomware attack.
How to Protect Against the APT
The most common point of penetration for the APT hacker is a gap in employee knowledge. Proactive training on the current threats and how to recognize those threats is an excellent step toward security. Companies that are able to withstand APTs are those that are willing to invest in security, as well as incident response plans in the event that a breach does occur. Furthermore, solid security involves identifying the most valuable assets that would be attractive to a hacker and dangerous for the company to lose. Devote the most time and resources to protecting these assets.
The most important thing you can do to protect your data from intruders is to back up systems. Back up thoroughly, regularly, and keep backup copies for as long as possible. Utilize both onsite, local backup copies, as well as off-premises, cloud-based backups. This protects your business from a variety of different threats, including those posted by APTs.
Though APTs and other security issues are likely to get worse before getting better, having a smart protective plan in place can protect your business 99% of the time. A solid incident response plan, including backup solutions, will help you survive the other 1%.
Contact us at Backbox to start getting your backup solution in place today.