Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • The Security Leadership Issue
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
Security Newswire

Eight New Year’s Resolutions – Computer Security Wise

December 19, 2007

2008 is expected to continue the 2007 trend of increasing size, scope, and concentration of attacks on computer networks nationwide. Attacks are increasingly more targeted as malware, worms, and other malicious code to bypass simpler, more traditional network security systems. The year 2008 will likely see even greater emphasis on specific attack methods such as cross-site scripting, application-level attacks, and more client-side compromises. Security experts see significant new trends including “super worms” and XPATH injection attacks on the horizon.

“The idea of layered security has never been more crucial than it will be in 2008,” said Kevin Prince, Chief Security Officer, Perimeter eSecurity, a leading security SaaS provider that protects over 5000 computer networks nationwide, including those of more than 2,000 banks and financial institutions. “We expect an array of threats, both external and internal, which can only be met with a combination of layered security solutions,” he says. “In most network environments, security solutions are often misapplied, absent, or not comprehensive enough to stop the serious, credible intruder. This can lead to unacceptable levels of risk. The easiest and most affordable way to obtain a truly layered security approach and optimal risk profile is by accessing these services on demand from a reputable service provider, preferably one who is fully audited by highly regarded independent third parties.”

To protect computer networks from compromise, here are the top eight 2008 New Year’s resolutions any diligent network manager should make and keep in the year ahead:

1.    Implement Comprehensive Patch Management: Often some of the most sensitive data are on non-Microsoft systems such as Linux, UNIX or Macintosh. Invest in a patch management solution offering full visibility into your network and covering all operating systems and vendors, not just Microsoft.

2.    Conduct Employee Security Awareness Training: Raising the awareness level of employees through mandatory, monthly online courses is a terrific way to remind them that security is everyone’s responsibility. Choose a training program that offers up-to-date courses, ensures users understand policies and procedures, and provides reporting to management.

3.    Utilize Host-based Intrusion Prevention Systems (HIPS): Threats now bypass network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) using encryption, packet fragmentation, packet overlap, and encoding. Consider host-based intrusion prevention (HIPS) which can monitor your system looking for anomalous behavior, applications attempting to be installed, user escalation, and other non-standard events.

4.    Perform Network, Operating System and Application-level Testing: Most organizations perform basic external network and operating system vulnerability testing, which identifies many Internet exposures. It is important to perform testing at the application level because these attacks are becoming much more prevalent, but if caught early, can reduce major exposure.

5.    Employ URL Filtering: Organizations that still allow employees to browse the Web freely should understand and confront the risks of doing so. In addition to potential legal and reputational concerns, Web browsing opens a large window to viral attacks. A better alternative proactively manages sites where employees are allowed to surf, limiting them to safe, approved sites from reputable web publishers.

6.    Centralize your Desktop Protection: Desktop anti-virus has become an expected standard on most computers systems which is fundamentally good news. If you manage these systems individually, however, you may get unprotected systems and exposure. Make sure you have centralized management and reporting.

7.    Enforce a Robust Policy Management System: For some, policy management means enforcing complex passwords that change regularly. For others, it is restricted access from the “administrator” controls on a workstation. Still others think this is a way of reporting on anti-virus updates, patch levels, and operating system service pack levels. Implement a robust policy management system which includes all of the above at a minimum.

8.    Adopt an Extrusion Management Solution: Sensitive data leaks from organizations every day. This is often a result of employees sending emails. An extrusion management solution keeps sensitive data inside the network. Take the first step which might simply be an email content filtering solution that will allow you to monitor for sensitive data being sent through simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP).

About Perimeter eSecurity

As the only provider of complete security on demand, Perimeter eSecurity makes security easily available and affordable for all businesses. Perimeter's on demand security services protect thousands of computer networks nationwide, offering more than 50 different services on a subscription basis in the areas of: Vulnerability Defense, Intrusion Defense, Network Defense, Email Defense, System Defense, and User Defense. With the proliferation of security threats and technologies, clients benefit from a single-source provider that offers all services through one pre-integrated platform and web portal. Perimeter's security SaaS services are continuously expanded, enhanced and upgraded for current and future regulatory compliance. With seven geographically distributed technical offices and three redundant data centers, Perimeter's complete, on-demand and affordable security services are always available and have been validated by multiple independent third parties. For more information about Perimeter visit www.perimeterusa.com.

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Security Enterprise Services
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    Technologies & Solutions
    By: Charles Denyer
Subscribe For Free!
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

  • Duty of Care
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Integrating Technology and Physical Security to Advance Duty of Care

Popular Stories

Pills spilled

More than 20,000 sensitive medical records exposed

Laptop in darkness

Verizon 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report shows rise in cyberattacks

Coding on screen

Research reveals mass scanning and exploitation campaigns

White post office truck

Department of Labor Sues USPS Over Texas Whistleblower Termination

Computer with binary code hovering nearby

Cyberattacks Targeting US Increased by 136%

2025 Security Benchmark banner

Events

May 22, 2025

Proactive Crisis Communication

Crisis doesn't wait for the right time - it strikes when least expected. Is your team prepared to communicate clearly and effectively when it matters most?

September 29, 2025

Global Security Exchange (GSX)

 

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • James Hadley Security podcast news header

    5 New Year's resolutions for CISOs

    See More
  • Genetec survey says physical security leaders have dealt with delays and project cancellations amid COVID-19

    Sixty-eight percent of physical security leader respondents report project delays/downsizing this year

    See More
  • college campus

    Arizona highlights security measures for the new school year

    See More
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing