Defending Your Data: Key Steps to Develop an Effective Cybersecurity Strategy in the Age of AI

In today’s digital era, protecting business data is a priority for companies of every size. You have all read the headlines “Cybercriminals stole XXX million users info!”, most have gotten the letters in the mail notifying you that your data was stolen and you should change your passwords and freeze your credit.

Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics, and with the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), businesses are increasingly vulnerable to a range of sophisticated cyberattacks, from data breaches to supply chain exploits. Developing a robust cybersecurity strategy is essential for safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining trust with customers. And no business wants to have to deal with lawsuits from angry customers over stolen personal data.

Understanding the Cybersecurity Threat Landscape

The modern cybersecurity landscape is complex and very dynamic, driven by an ever-evolving array of threats that are motivated by political reasons and for profit. Cyber attackers are no longer just isolated individuals but organized, well-funded entities leveraging advanced tools and technologies. There is also a lot more state funded and supported cyber crime, whose aim is to disrupt a country's business and political infrastructure. The cybersecurity industry, in turn, is in a constant state of development, racing to keep up with the expanding capabilities of hackers.

One of the most significant trends in cybersecurity is the level of sophistication attackers are applying to infiltrate business systems. Attackers often use AI for complex phishing campaigns, analyzing data to personalize attacks, and extracting insights for pinpoint accuracy. AI, once a cutting-edge defensive tool, has become a powerful weapon for attackers, enabling them to automate and refine their approach continuously. These evolving techniques make it essential for companies to adopt proactive security measures and quickly implement new technologies.

Cybercriminals have also increased their focus on getting "deeper" within systems. Moving beyond traditional ransomware or botnet attacks, they are now targeting the firmware layer of devices—embedding themselves in systems where they can remain undetected across reboots and updates. Attacks on firmware and hardware represent a more insidious threat, requiring cybersecurity solutions capable of detecting deeply embedded malware.

Emerging Risks: Supply Chain and Open Source Software

The rise in supply chain attacks is another critical challenge. Supply chain attacks allow hackers to embed malicious code directly into software packages, so it reaches the end-user as a seemingly legitimate product. Many companies assume that software sourced from trusted providers is secure, but several high-profile incidents, such as the SolarWinds and Log4j vulnerabilities , have revealed this assumption to be dangerously outdated. These supply chain attacks compromised software before it reached businesses, delivering malware masked as legitimate updates and patches.

With the adoption of open-source tools and third-party libraries on the rise, companies are further exposed to potential threats. Many open-source components may unknowingly contain vulnerabilities, requiring businesses to implement measures to vet and monitor any third-party code or library before deploying it. Increased awareness around these risks has fueled initiatives to provide more transparency into the contents of software packages, making it crucial for businesses to verify the integrity of all tools used in their development and operations.

Key Steps for Building a Resilient Cybersecurity Strategy

Integrate Security Early in the Development LifecycleBuilding security into the development process, rather than adding it as an afterthought, can mitigate risks effectively. Organizations should prioritize security requirements from the beginning, incorporating input validation, credential checks, and vulnerability testing into the code as it’s written. Many programming environments provide reference code and open-source tools that make these security checks accessible, even for smaller companies.

Adopt Memory-Safe Programming Languages

For companies developing software in-house, transitioning to memory-safe languages can help reduce vulnerabilities. Memory-safe languages like Rust offer built-in protections against buffer overflow and memory corruption attacks, two of the most common ways cyber attackers gain unauthorized access to systems. Using these languages reduces the burden on developers to manually secure memory handling, making it easier to build secure applications.

Prioritize Real-Time Monitoring and Vulnerability Management

Businesses should monitor applications continuously for vulnerabilities and stay informed of potential issues in third-party components. Vulnerability disclosures in software often require immediate action to secure company systems, underscoring the importance of constant vigilance. Security tools and automated monitoring systems that track usage of potentially compromised components can help identify and respond to risks before they escalate.

Implement Software Bills of Materials (SBOM)

A Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) is an inventory of components within a software application, providing visibility into the libraries and tools used. As supply chain attacks become more prevalent, SBOMs allow organizations to track each component and identify potential issues when new vulnerabilities arise. SBOMs have become an industry best practice, enabling both small and large companies to understand the software within their ecosystems and respond more effectively when a threat emerges.

Encourage Information Sharing Along the Supply Chain

To create a more secure supply chain, companies can benefit from information-sharing practices. Providing transparency into the components and vulnerabilities within software packages helps others in the chain identify risks earlier and deploy countermeasures effectively. Encouraging this kind of transparency allows each entity to contribute to a safer overall ecosystem.

Addressing Security on a Limited Budget

While large corporations may have dedicated cybersecurity teams, smaller companies must find ways to implement these strategies with fewer resources. Fortunately, open-source security tools, free best-practice guides, and government recommendations provide accessible paths to enhancing cybersecurity. Organizations should consider free resources and prioritize basic steps such as vulnerability scanning, applying regular software updates, and training employees on basic security awareness to build a foundational level of protection.

Preparing for the Future of Cybersecurity

A strong cybersecurity strategy must adapt as technology evolves. By understanding and monitoring emerging threats, implementing security from the ground up, and prioritizing transparency and communication across the supply chain; companies can build resilience against increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks. Proactively addressing security today can prevent future breaches, protecting valuable data and upholding customer trust in an era where cybersecurity is more critical than ever.

Please contact ScreamingBox for any questions you may have about Cyber Security, and how we can help you protect your business and digital assets from cyber attacks.

For more information on cyber security, please check out our Cyber Security Podcast with Steve Orrin, Federal CTO & Sr. Principal Engineer of Intel.