Getting the right cybersecurity tool can ensure better protection against a potential attack. With phishing attacks and other cyber threats on the rise, it's important to ensure strong network security. Before you choose from the many cybersecurity tools, it's important to know what a cybersecurity tool is and how it will help protect you.
What is a Cybersecurity Tool?
Cybersecurity tools are hardware or software specifically built to help protect, manage, and defend a network, data, or device from a digital threat. This type of tool can also help protect against human error.
Cybersecurity tools are becoming more necessary as more organizations become more dependent on digital systems. Choosing the right cybersecurity tool will ensure better protection for customer data and other sensitive information you don't want to end up in the wrong hands.
What are the Different Types of Cybersecurity Tools?
Several different types of tools can be used for cyber security. Whether you're trying to boost network security, email security, application security, or internet security, there is a security tool that will work great for you.
The most commonly used cybersecurity tools today include:
Encryption tools
By scrambling text, an encryption tool can make it unreadable to those not authorized to view the information. This is one of the most common tools used for information security.
Penetration Testing Tools
Or "pen test" for short An attack will be simulated with penetration testing to evaluate the system's security.
Firewall Tools
A firewall tool is another very common option for better network security.
Web Vulnerability Scanning Tools
A software program that will scan a web application to find security vulnerabilities is known as a web vulnerability scanning tool. These tools often use path traversal, cross-site scripting, and SQL injection.
Packet Sniffers
Also known as protocol analyzers, network analyzers, or packet analyzers, a packet sniffer will intercept, log, and analyze network traffic.
Network Security Monitoring Tools
Used to analyze network data, these tools can also detect any threat to the network.
Antivirus Software
A very common security tool, antivirus software will help to find harmful malware and viruses. For example, it can detect Trojans, spyware, ransomware, worms, and adware.
Network Intrusion Detection
A monitoring tool that will look at system traffic for suspicious activity, network intrusion detection is often done through an Intrusion Detection System (IDS).
There are many different types of cybersecurity tools to choose from. You can also get employee monitoring software and many other tools to help keep your company protected from any threat or attack.
5 Free or Open-Source Cyber Security Tools to Consider
1. Cain and Abel
As one of the first tools used to uncover security vulnerabilities in the Windows Operating system, Cain and Abel have allowed security professionals to figure out weaknesses when it comes to password security for years. It's a free tool that can be used for password recovery and offers many other functions, too.
Cain and Abel can record VoIP communications and analyze routing protocols to determine if routed data packets have been compromised. This tool can also reveal cached passwords, brute force attacks that crack encrypted passwords, and password boxes. With this tool, you also get the ability to decode scrambled passwords.
2. Argus
An open-source cybersecurity tool widely used to analyze network traffic, Argus stands for Audit Record Generation and Utilization System. It will provide an in-depth analysis of the data communicated over your networks with the powerful ability to sift through large amounts of traffic and provide fast reporting.
3. Nmap
Known as a network mapper, Nmap is an open-source and free tool used to scan IT systems and networks to find vulnerabilities. It can also map potential attack surfaces and monitor service or host uptime. There are many benefits to running Nmap on any operating system. It can be used for large and small networks.
4. Snort
An open-source network intrusion detection and prevention tool, Snort will analyze network traffic to find any intrusion attempts. This cybersecurity tool will capture network traffic, analyze it, and compare it to any previously recorded attack profiles. Security professionals often use it to prevent intrusion and block any malicious traffic.
5. OSSEC
Another open-source tool used for cyber security, OSSEC, helps to detect a network intrusion. This tool provides real-time analytics about the security events of a system. In addition, it can be configured to monitor possible points of unauthorized entry continually.
A Few Emerging Trends with Cyber Security Tools
There are several hot and emerging trends with cyber security tools. For example, many cybersecurity professionals are using XDR today, which stands for extended detection and response. XDR offers a more robust detection mechanism and simpler risk management.
Work-from-home cyber security has also become a bigger priority for businesses. With many organizations allowing home and remote working, they have boosted cyber security in this area. Making sure home workers use the latest versions of antivirus software and other tools is now a huge priority.
AI-based cybersecurity tools have also become a big trend in the industry. With threat levels and attack attempts on the rise, it's important to have the right level of network security. The necessary security is becoming harder and harder to achieve with human cyber security experts. Adding in an AI-based security tool can help your company remain secure.
Building a security-aware culture within the company is another big trend in the cybersecurity space. With so many possible vulnerabilities and risks around every corner, it's important to ensure that your employees know the risk of a threat. Phishing attacks are on the rise, and these are one of the most common methods of tricking employees into letting a hacker in.
Keeping employees up-to-date on the latest phishing attempts and using a two-factor authentication system can make a big difference. Email security should be at the top of the list, but it's also important to focus on application security. Finally, ensure you are fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness to ensure your business remains protected.
Determining the Right Cybersecurity Tool for Your Organization
It all starts with understanding cybersecurity basics. With a basic understanding of cybersecurity risk, you can start looking at the different security tools offered and make a sound decision. Every organization is different. Let's look at the best ways to determine the right security tool for your specific needs.
There are many different options, so start by reviewing a list of things you might need. Look past your perimeter defense and identify the areas where you are most vulnerable to a security threat.
Do you need better email security? Is it necessary to increase information security for your company? Will you need to protect your company from phishing attacks?
Once you have a good handle on your cybersecurity risk, you can determine your needs. Of course, working with security experts can help you get a better handle on your needs.
Along with determining your needs, it's important to determine a budget based on your risk and comfort level. Then, you can start looking at the right tools and products to boost cybersecurity for your company.
7 Common Mistakes Made by Organizations with Cybersecurity
1. Bad Passwords
The most common mistake made by anybody when it comes to cybersecurity is using weak passwords. However, there are cyber security tools you can use to ensure you always have strong passwords, and so does everybody in the company. With strong passwords, you can boost your company's email, network, and internet security.
2. Assuming You Won't Be Targeted
Of course, many companies find out the hard way that the "it will never happen to me" approach to cybersecurity is a big mistake. You will be at risk without good cybersecurity practices, whether you believe it or not. Anybody that uses the internet is at risk of cyber threats. So don't assume you won't be targeted.
3. Not Adding Social Engineering Attack Protection
Phishing attacks are a form of social engineering and are very common attacks that can grant unauthorized access to a hacker. You will be vulnerable when you choose not to have good protection for this type of attack. Therefore, it's important to look closely at your email security and keep employees up-to-date on what to look for.
Ensure you train your staff to be suspicious of any email that looks odd or reads oddly. Unsolicited messages should be treated as threats, and they should never click on a link.
4. Delaying or Avoiding Upgrades and Updates
One of the easiest ways for a hacker to get into your system is when you have an outdated system. Whether you need to update web applications or the operating system, make sure everything stays updated. Many updates and upgrades come with security patches because a vulnerability was exposed in the product.
5. Not Deploying a Two-Factor Authentication System
One of the easiest and fastest ways to stop a threat is with a 2FA or Two-Factor Authentication system. This system will ensure all those logging into your system have to verify their identity via SMS text message. When you don't add this step, hackers can easily get the user credentials they need to gain access to your system.
6. Not Looking at Both Internal and External Assets
When you focus your cyber security plan on internal assets and don't look at external assets, you might leave your company vulnerable. You want to make sure you have robust internal security controls and monitoring, but you also want to focus on your assets outside the firewall.
Vulnerability assessment tools tend to focus more on internal assets because these are more common for organizations. However, you don't want to make the mistake of not looking closely at the security of your assets outside the firewall.
7. Relying on Penetration Testing and point-in-time risk analysis
While penetration testing and point-in-time risk analysis are important for your cybersecurity program, they are not the only tools you need. Plus, you will be left vulnerable if you don't regularly use these types of tools. Both of these tools only provide you with the issues at the scan time. It's also important to have a solution that can monitor and scan your system in real time.
There are many mistakes you can make that can leave you open to cyber threats. Make sure you don't make these mistakes with your cyber security.
How can RiskRecon Help You?
When you get a RiskRecon demo, you will discover the right cybersecurity tools for your needs. We offer a variety of options to help you monitor your cyber risk. With our help, you can get the risk-prioritized action plan you need to help ensure your company remains secure.
