Cybersecurity risks

The reliance of modern organizations on their information systems and the need to ensure their smooth operation necessitate the implementation of essential organizational and technical measures to address threats that could hinder the achievement of both short-term and strategic objectives. Information Security has evolved into an integral aspect of organizational culture and the application of specialized frameworks and management systems provides the appropriate tools for its systematic monitoring and continuous improvement.

The existence of multiple information systems utilizing different technologies and architectures coupled with their interactions with others—inside and outside the organizations—underscores the importance of employing specialized Information Security services to identify weaknesses and take appropriate corrective actions.

Regular and periodic technical audits stand out as one of the most effective tactics for shielding information infrastructures. These audits encompass vulnerability assessments and penetration tests. Vulnerability assessments identify and categorize system vulnerabilities while penetration tests attempt to exploit these vulnerabilities, aiming to breach an organization’s security mechanisms.

Maintaining various software versions from different manufacturers poses challenges, making it difficult—if not impossible—to keep track of the frequent announcements regarding potential vulnerabilities and recommended actions. Consequently, an increasing number of organizations opt for monthly vulnerability assessment services. This ensures that all systems, irrespective of version and manufacturer, undergo thorough checks allowing for precise identification of necessary actions to enhance their protection.

Carrying out penetration tests requires specialized personnel with special skills and knowledge in software structure and system architecture. By exploiting information related to the weaknesses they present, these experts can attempt to breach the security mechanisms. There are different forms of penetration tests depending on the degree of knowledge of the organization’s security mechanisms and the starting point (inside or outside the organization).

RedTeaming services complement the aforementioned services. These specific services can be opted for by organizations well-versed in Information Security to scrutinize all security parameters across a full range of tasks and activities. This involves gathering information through diverse methods (such as telephone spoofing through the collection of discarded documents) and leveraging it to breach physical security or logical access to systems and applications.

Conducting tests to assess the level of awareness of Information Security risks through a phishing attack simulation is becoming increasingly common among organizations. This practice evaluates executives’ ability to discern false emails they may receive. The ransomware attack simulation service comes to enrich the phishing attack simulation. Here, the goal is to further evaluate the staff’s capability to adhere to prescribed procedures in the event of ransomware infection and file encryption as well as identify weaknesses and outline necessary corrective actions.

In the event of an incident such as a breach of an organization’s infrastructure, a data leak or a widespread infection with malicious software, despite implemented measures, it becomes crucial to take action to control the underlying causes, the systems that have been affected and the information that may have been leaked or altered. In such cases, the utilization of Forensics services is deemed necessary. Specialized personnel undertake investigations into the causes of the incident, ensuring data integrity for potential use in legal investigations. Specialized tools are used to analyze malware that may evade the detection capabilities of protection systems including zero-day attacks. Also, actions adhere to the specifications of the chain of custody principle during the collection, storage and transfer of evidence.

One of the major contributors to security incidents is the use of software that has been developed without following well-defined secure code development practices. Its importance is underscored by the incorporation of a new control exclusively dedicated to secure code development in the latest version of the ISO 27001:2022 standard. Services, such as Secure Code Review, assist organizations in identifying weaknesses in their software and implementing corrective measures before subjecting it to testing through vulnerability assessment and penetration testing. Code analysis and review are integral steps in contemporary software development frameworks, contributing to cost reduction and expediting the creation of new versions.

With various areas affected by Information Security issues, diverse technologies in use, a dynamic threat landscape and multiple regulatory requirements, Information Security executives face formidable challenges. They often contend with numerous demands within a short timeframe to ensure the smooth execution of tasks. CISO as a service functions as an auxiliary support for CISO executives, providing valuable assistance and expertise to help them achieve their goals. Additionally, it serves as a beneficial alternative for organizations that, due to size or limited resources, cannot appoint an executive exclusively dedicated to Information Security issues.

Using services such as those mentioned above enables the prompt detection and mitigation of factors that may jeopardize the smooth operation of modern organizations, contributes to increasing their level of preparedness for new threats and saves resources that can be used to further their business development.