Disruptive Data Security Key To Outwitting Hackers Says Auriga

LONDON - July 20, 2015 - PRLog -- Auriga Consulting Ltd (Auriga), the expert data, ICT and security consultancy, today cautioned that the enterprise needs to move towards a data-centric disruptive security strategy given the inevitability of network compromise. The continued emphasis on network security solutions is out-of-step with the changing nature of threats, with attackers increasingly utilising automatic probing, botnets and malware to detect and exploit network weaknesses. By assuming a position of compromise the organisation can focus security resource on strategies such as disruptive data that uses dummy data repositories or bait records to automatically trigger alerts. This subterfuge buys the organisation the time needed to both respond and protect critical data.

To date, many organisations have sought to defend the network using a combination of defence-in-depth and point solution systems to sweep the network and feed a SIEM system. However, as data generation increases, collating and applying intelligence to interpret the relevance of these reports is becoming more difficult. In addition, the attacker is now able to draw on a far wider pool of resources and strategies to infiltrate the network, making the probability of a successful breach far higher.

Once inside the system, there is often little to prevent the attacker from acquiring prized data assets as most security spend is dedicated to prevention rather than protection. In contrast, an effective data protection strategy employs data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and data deidentification procedures as well as data subterfuge practices, to secure databases and access mechanisms. Regularly tested and audited, this level of data protection ensures that the lifeblood of the business – data – is kept safe from unauthorised access.

Auriga makes the following recommendations when pursuing a data-centric security strategy:

DO

·      Anticipate further growth in sensitive corporate data and accept the prospect of an attack. Evaluate and record risk in a breach risk register

·      Carry out an enterprise-wide assessment of data assets and record the information lifecycle process to determine how data will be handled from creation to destruction

·      Make provisions for securing valuable data assets. Is sensitive data encrypted in transit as well as at rest? Is access restricted according to role? Who has responsibility for assigning or rescinding access?  Consider key management and ensure keys are not stored in the same location.

·      Obfuscate data through the use of mechanisms such as dummy data, bait records, and network segregation

DON’T

·      Rely on network systems to give real time intelligence. As the amount of data the organisation processes over time grows, this will become cost prohibitive and burdensome. Information from point systems should be seen as supplementary information useful for monitoring traffic or investigations but should not be relied upon to stop an attack

·      Confuse compliance with data security. Regulatory requirements should be seen as a generic bare minimum requirement and tailor the data protection policy to meet business requirements. Prevent security mechanisms from obstructing workflow by making them relevant and workable

·      Make the assumption technology is more effective than people and process. There is no substitute for a meaningful enterprise-wide policy that is consistently applied by all personnel.

“Attacks will infiltrate the business. Accepting that as a fact may sound daunting but it can also be empowering, provided you know where to focus your efforts,” said James Henry, Consulting Practice Manager, Auriga. “Targeted attacks use advanced evasive actions, as the attacker wishes to operate discreetly to extract data, often amongst the noise of daily network business activities. Disrupting that activity by confusing the attacker, laying false trails and using segregation to protect the data ‘crown jewels’ has to be the way forward.”

About Auriga

Auriga Consulting Ltd (Auriga) is an expert consultancy specialising in Data Management, Information Assurance, Corporate Governance, Business Process Modelling, Analysis, ICT and Security. We advocate data as the most valuable part of your business and combine superior security and assurance knowledge with a wealth of business management consultancy and efficiency skills. Using a unique set of methodologies we embed security by overlaying it onto business process and analysing data.

Auriga is one of the most dynamic and versatile solutions providers in the marketplace today. We have worked on some of the most demanding projects in the UK for customers from the public and private sectors, advising upon security architecture and business processes, and leading the BSi’s largest audited UK organisation successfully through ISO 27001. To find out more, please go to www.aurigaconsulting.com or follow us on Twitter @AurigaConsult.