Your business houses a lot of delicate information that hackers could use against you. From stealing login credentials and locking you out until you pay ransom to sell your credit card information and other sensitive details to others, there are many ways your company can fall apart from an attack. While zero-day surges are more prevalent and crafty than ever before, taking the right measures can help.
What Are Zero-Day Surges?
Zero-day attacks are those where online attackers uncover and take advantage of a cybersecurity vulnerability to access your accounts. That means exploitation and company harm have already happened, leaving zero days for developers to patch the issue before it becomes a problem. A security breach escalation or increase in exploits is a zero-day surge that you may not even be aware of at first.
What To Do After Uncovering an Attack
With every new system integration or software update comes flaws that hackers use to their advantage. While developers tirelessly work to remedy them immediately, there’s a window of time when attacks seem relentless, so be aware of what’s happening around you. For instance, if other companies are experiencing attacks or you suspect you’re undergoing one, consider the following.
Use the Right Security Measures and Tools
One of the main ways zero-day exploits occur is when attackers install spyware or release other malware onto your company devices. This happens if employees click on links in faux emails resembling legitimate ones from real establishments or use misspelled URL links that lead to malicious websites. So, train your team in security practices so they know how to note and deal with suspicious activity.
Putting up firewalls, installing the right antivirus, and hiring cybersecurity experts to conduct regular audits are also crucial to limiting a malware outbreak.
Check Third-Party Vendor Vulnerabilities
A zero-day surge also occurs if your third-party vendors have a high exposure risk. While these partners in your supply chain are crucial to your business, getting you the materials you need or selling your products, they could have system weaknesses that expose your data.
You should assess their risk to your company by asking them to undergo a cybersecurity vulnerability audit. If they have flaws, ask them to update their security measures or put these requirements in your vendor contracts to ensure a solution.
Update Your System for Patches
An unpatched software flaw can be hard to fight. But once developers become aware of zero-day attack surges and create an update that remedies the flaw, you no longer have to worry about it. That’s because the update includes a patch that keeps your company from falling victim to that given malware, so keep an eye out for regular updates or schedule automatic ones on all hardware and software.
Also, update your security posture so your vendors or partners know you have taken security precautions and are safe to work with.
With these three methods in mind, you have less of a chance of falling victim to a zero-day surge. However, remain alert and research further methods to keep yourself safe!
