Setu Parimi is a Cloud Security Architect with specialization towards defense-in-depth and incident response in the cloud-native environments.
- What is Digital Security? Can you elaborate on its importance in today’s times?
Digital security is a practice to protect your systems and personal identity from malicious intruders. Every human being today, uses some kind of device which is connected to the internet. With the plethora of services that are being used by people today, it is no mystery that people always succumb to cyber-attacks such as phishing, ransomware, malware, crypto-jacking, etc. Apart from the system based attacks, identity and data thefts are other big security issues that we face today. Because of such digital dangers that we face , it becomes the need of the hour to have Digital security.
- How has Digital Transformation changed Security Needs?
Bruce Schneier summed it up best when he said “Complexity is the worst enemy of security, and our systems are getting more complex all the time.”. With the increase in complexity and the scale at which people use various services, both of which are scaling vertically, the security practices of the past have come to die. As the surface and the sophistication of attack become larger and better, it has increased the need for security more than ever.
- How important is Cybersecurity for Businesses?
Businesses today have adapted ways of operating which are completely digital. With the increased digital presence, companies today are more susceptible than ever to have a cyber-attack. Not only is it harmful for the reputation of the company, it also has financial and legal implications which are disastrous for the company. “India has seen a 37 per cent increase in cyberattacks in the first quarter (Q1) of 2020, and the numbers keep on rising, more than ever”.
- What are the major Privacy and Security concerns in Digital Marketing?
Digital marketers are more prone to phishing attacks, which are more sophisticated than ever. The exchange of private commercial information, through insecure means of communication, is also one of the major security concerns. They are also responsible for handling CMS such as WordPress. WordPress is popular among hackers since it comes with numerous plugins, themes often outdated, which makes it a favorite target for attackers.
- How can Businesses secure their Digital Presence?
The most important thing that a business should do is follow the principle of least privilege. In simple words, limit the resource an individual should be allowed to use. Businesses should make sure that employees have two-factor authentication for every service that they use. Passwords should be rotated periodically. Employees should be trained in having a ‘Security First’ work environment. Having 2-factor authentication for customer’s access to their information.
- What are some Cybersecurity Tips that anyone can apply for seamless Web Browsing?
Avoid websites and clicking on suspicious links, use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and make sure the data you download is from a trusted source. One can always use a platform like ‘VirusTotal’ to ensure the safety of a file before executing it. When receiving an Email, always make it a habit to check the sender. Only trust HTTPS, update your operating system regularly and have good antivirus software on your system. Most of the attacks on the web can be linked to javascript. Although not good for the user experience, disabling javascript can reduce the risk of being a victim of a web-based attack to 90%. Enable password protection and 2-factor authentication to as many applications you use. Do not input your data on websites not starting with HTTPS as it won’t ensure the encryption and safety of your data. Avoid oversharing on social media platforms as it makes you an easy target for cybercriminals to deploy an attack against you. Keep your browsing software updated as new patches get released to fix existing vulnerabilities in their existing versions.