IT infrastructure security: challenges and strategies for protecting corporate data

In today's digital world, cybersecurity is becoming one of the key factors affecting business sustainability and development. With the number of cyber-attacks on the rise, corporate networks need reliable protection, as the threat of data loss or IT infrastructure disruption can cause huge losses for companies of all sizes. Let's look at the key challenges and strategies for protecting corporate data in 2024.

Key threats to IT infrastructure security in 2024

Cybercrime is evolving rapidly, using increasingly complex and sophisticated attack methods. Key threats include:

• Phishing - attacks that use social engineering to steal user information.
• Viruses and malware - software designed to disrupt systems or steal information.
• DDoS attacks — designed to disable servers by overloading them with traffic.
• Ransomware - software that encrypts data and demands a ransom to unlock it.

Incidents in recent years, such as the attack on major international corporations, have shown how vulnerable even the largest market players can be.

The evolution of cybercrime and the evolution of attacks

Cybercrime is constantly evolving, adapting to new technologies and finding increasingly sophisticated ways to infiltrate corporate systems. Modern cybercriminals are using artificial intelligence, machine learning and automation to improve their attacks, making them harder to detect and prevent. By 2022-2024, new types of threats will have emerged that challenge traditional cyber defence methods.

One of the most dangerous innovations is deepfake phishing, a method where attackers use artificial intelligence to create fake images, videos or audio. These deepfakes can impersonate real people, such as company executives or colleagues, and can be used to trick employees into divulging sensitive information or even conducting financial transactions. The use of such impersonators makes attacks more convincing and harder to detect, as the victim may not always be able to distinguish between real and fake communications.

Another serious threat is the use of artificial intelligence to fool security systems. Cybercriminals are using AI to create malware that can automatically detect vulnerabilities in IT infrastructure and launch attacks without human intervention. Such programs can adapt to different environments and change their behaviour to avoid detection by antivirus or monitoring systems.

Another important factor is the rise of automated attacks, where malware can spread rapidly across a network, infecting hundreds of systems in a short period. These attacks often use automated scanning of vulnerable systems and a variety of intrusion techniques, making them particularly dangerous for large organisations with extensive infrastructures.

It is important to note that the changing nature of threats is also being driven by the widespread use of cloud services and the Internet of Things (IoT), which provide new entry points for attacks. Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting weaknesses in these systems, including poorly secured cloud storage and IoT devices that can be used to gain access to internal corporate networks.

As cybercrime continues to evolve, organisations must adapt their cybersecurity strategies to stay ahead of new threats. Traditional security methods such as firewalls or antivirus are no longer sufficient to protect against modern attacks.

Challenges for the modern enterprise

Today's organisations face many cyber security challenges, the most important of which is the unpredictability of modern threats. While traditional threats to corporate data, such as viruses or Trojans, have certain typical characteristics, new cyber threats are becoming increasingly complex and dynamic. Attackers are constantly developing new methods to bypass standard defences such as firewalls and antivirus systems. These attacks are often stealthy and can go undetected for long periods, allowing criminals to cause significant damage before an organisation realises its systems have been compromised.

A particular vulnerability and challenge for organisations is the large number of entry points into corporate networks. For large organisations that use cloud services, have remote access for employees, and have an extensive IT infrastructure, there are often many points of entry for attackers. These could be insecure cloud services, unprotected servers, or even employees' devices connected to the corporate network. Each of these points is a potential vulnerability that can be used to launch a cyber-attack.

The sheer number of devices and users also creates additional security risks. Modern businesses often use a variety of devices, such as laptops, smartphones, tablets and IoT (Internet of Things) devices. This increases the potential attack surface, as each device is a separate network access point. Managing so many devices and ensuring they are properly protected requires significant resources and careful planning. In addition, not all devices can be properly secured, especially if they are employees' devices connected to the corporate network.

Insider threats are another serious problem. Users are often unaware that their actions can lead to cyber-attacks. Inadequate cybersecurity training for employees increases the risk of phishing attacks or data leaks due to human error. Attackers often use social engineering to trick employees into revealing confidential information or opening malicious files, which can have serious consequences for the organisation.

Attack detection problems are also a serious threat. Attacks can occur gradually or target specific network segments, making them difficult to detect quickly. Attackers can use sophisticated methods to mask their actions, making the attack less visible to standard monitoring systems.

Faced with these challenges, organisations need to take a comprehensive approach to cyber security that includes not only technology tools but also employee training and constant monitoring and updating of security measures.

Effective strategies to protect corporate data

To combat new threats, you need modern security strategies that address all potential risks and provide a comprehensive approach to improving data security.

Use layered security

A layered approach to cybersecurity is one of the most effective methods of protecting IT infrastructure, as it involves creating multiple layers of protection, each with its own role in preventing threats. This strategy allows for comprehensive protection of the corporate network, minimising vulnerabilities and increasing the overall resilience of the organisation to cyber-attacks.

The main components of layered security:

1. Firewalls are the first line of defence, controlling inbound and outbound network traffic. They help block unauthorised attempts to access the corporate network and prevent malicious traffic from entering. Modern firewalls can analyse not only traditional data packets but also deep content, providing more effective protection against sophisticated threats.
2. VPNs (virtual private networks) - provide a secure channel for data transmission between different users or company offices, especially when employees work remotely. A VPN encrypts traffic to prevent it from being intercepted by intruders, making access to confidential data safer even when working on public or unsecured networks.
3. Encryption is one of the most reliable methods of protecting data. Using advanced encryption algorithms, you can encrypt data both at the storage level (discs, servers) and during transmission between devices. This provides an extra layer of protection even if intruders gain access to the files - without the encryption key, they cannot access the data.
4. Antivirus and malware detection software - responsible for detecting and neutralising known threats such as viruses, Trojans, spyware and other malware. Modern anti-virus systems operate in real-time and can block suspicious activity before it can cause damage.
5. Intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS) - These tools analyse traffic and network events to detect potential attacks. They can block malicious activity before it reaches its target, preventing the threat from spreading within the corporate network.
6. Access control - a layered approach involves tightly controlling access to different segments of the IT infrastructure. It uses methods such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), which allows access to the system only after some steps have been taken to verify identity. This reduces the risk of unauthorised access, even in the event of password theft.
7. Network segmentation. By dividing the IT infrastructure into separate segments with different levels of access, you can localise a potential threat and prevent it from spreading to critical systems. Segmentation allows you to create isolated zones where access is restricted to certain users or devices.

An example of implementing multi-layered security in an enterprise can be found in the financial or healthcare industries, where the protection of confidential data is critical. Such organisations use comprehensive solutions to protect customer and patient data that include all of the above layers of protection. For example, a financial organisation might use VPNs to protect data transfers between its branches, firewalls to filter external traffic, and IDS/IPS systems to quickly detect abnormal network activity.

A layered approach not only protects the IT infrastructure but also allows for rapid response to new threats that emerge in cyberspace.

Authentication and access control

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is an important component of modern cybersecurity, providing additional layers of protection. The use of multiple identification factors, such as passwords, biometrics or one-time codes, significantly reduces the risk of unauthorised access to corporate systems. This is a reliable method of protecting against password compromise or social engineering attacks.

Access control policies also play a key role. The principle of least privilege ensures that users only have access to the resources they need to do their jobs, reducing the likelihood of data breaches. Role-based access control (RBAC) allows you to effectively control access rights according to a user's position or function.

Regularly reviewing access rights and auditing user actions are important security elements. This helps to detect and prevent suspicious activity on the network. In addition, monitoring user actions allows you to respond to potential threats on time.

By combining multi-factor authentication with clear access control policies, organisations can protect corporate assets, ensure reliable security and minimise the risk of intrusion.

Protect against insider threats

Insider threats are one of the most underestimated yet dangerous factors in IT infrastructure security. These threats can be caused by human error, abuse of access rights or inadequate staff training.

Employee training and awareness

One of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of insider threats is to regularly train employees in the basics of cybersecurity. Raising employee awareness helps prevent many incidents that could be the result of human error or carelessness. Employees need to know how to recognise phishing attacks, protect their passwords and avoid risky behaviours (downloading unverified files or clicking on suspicious links).

Cybersecurity training programmes should be ongoing, not one-off events. Technology is changing rapidly and new threats are emerging regularly, so it is important to keep employees' knowledge up to date. For example, training can include simulated phishing attacks, instructional videos, or post-course knowledge tests.

In addition, it is important to develop a culture of security in the organisation where everyone feels responsible for protecting company data. This can include simple everyday practices such as using strong passwords, locking workstations when not in use or reporting suspicious activity.

Training and awareness help to create a strong barrier against human threats. This is an effective way not only to reduce the number of incidents but also to increase the overall level of cyber security in the organisation.

Protect against insider threats

Insider threats are one of the most underestimated yet dangerous factors in IT infrastructure security. These threats can be caused by human error, abuse of access rights or inadequate staff training.

Innovations in cyber security

Modern technologies such as artificial intelligence and automation capabilities are opening up new ways of monitoring and preventing threats in real-time.

The role of AI in cybersecurity

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a key element in protecting corporate data because it can process vast amounts of information much faster and more accurately than humans. The use of AI makes it possible to proactively identify potential threats before they result in real attacks. Using machine learning, AI can detect anomalous activity in network traffic or user behaviour that signals a possible threat. This helps to prevent attacks in their early stages.

One of the key benefits of AI in cybersecurity is the ability to automate threat response processes. As well as analysing data, AI systems can automatically block dangerous actions, isolate affected systems and send alerts to IT. Such efficiency can significantly reduce the time it takes to respond to incidents and minimise potential losses to the business.

AI is also being actively used to combat new forms of threat, such as deepfake attacks or advanced phishing campaigns. AI can identify sophisticated phishing schemes or malicious activity that is difficult to detect with traditional defences. For example, AI systems can analyse thousands of emails for phishing attacks, ensuring that dangerous messages are automatically blocked.

Importantly, AI constantly learns from new data and improves its threat analysis models, becoming more accurate with each new threat. This makes AI a powerful tool in modern cybersecurity, capable of effectively countering cyber-attacks and protecting an organisation's IT infrastructure in real-time.

Conclusion

IT security in 2024 is a challenge that requires a comprehensive approach and the adoption of the latest technologies. The use of multi-level security, employee training and the use of artificial intelligence are key strategies to ensure the protection of corporate data. To maintain business stability, organisations must constantly assess their risks, deploy enterprise cybersecurity solutions and adapt to new threats.

The experts at Integrity Vision can help you secure your corporate data. Contact us: info@integrity.com.ua.