Interview with Vinod Nair, Sr. Vice President India Operations at Noventiq around Cybersecurity Scenario Post Covid

 How did the Covid-19 situation affect network security, cloud security, and user-level security?

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on network security, cloud security, and user-level security. Some of the key ways in which the pandemic has affected these areas are as follows:

• Network Security: With the shift to remote work and online learning, many organizations have had to rely heavily on virtual private networks (VPNs) and other remote access technologies to enable their employees and students to connect to the corporate network. This has led to an increased risk of cyber attacks, such as phishing and ransomware, as cybercriminals seek to exploit vulnerabilities in remote access technologies. Additionally, the rapid shift to remote work has created a new set of challenges for IT teams in terms of managing and securing the network infrastructure, particularly when it comes to monitoring and protecting home networks.
• Cloud Security: The pandemic has also led to an increased reliance on cloud services, as organizations look to support remote work and online learning. This has created new challenges for cloud security, as organizations need to ensure that their cloud environments are properly secured and that data is protected from unauthorized access. Additionally, the shift to the cloud has created new opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities in cloud infrastructure and applications.
• User-Level Security: With more people working remotely and spending more time online, there has been an increase in cyber attacks targeting individual users. These attacks include phishing, social engineering, and malware, among others. Additionally, the pandemic has led to an increase in cyber-crime related to COVID-19, such as phishing emails and fake websites that purport to provide information about the virus or vaccines.

How has Covid modified the cybersecurity landscape? Has excessive smartphone use created new difficulties?

The COVID-19 pandemic has modified the cybersecurity landscape in several ways. With the shift to remote work and online learning, organizations have had to quickly adapt their IT infrastructure and security measures to support a largely distributed workforce. This has led to an increase in cyberattacks and security breaches, as cybercriminals have taken advantage of the disruption caused by the pandemic.

One of the challenges posed by the pandemic is the increased use of smartphones and other mobile devices. With more people using their mobile devices to access work-related data and applications, there is a greater risk of security breaches and data theft. In addition, the increased use of mobile devices for remote work and online learning has led to new vulnerabilities and attack vectors that cybercriminals can exploit.

For example, the use of public Wi-Fi networks, which are often unsecured, can expose mobile devices to attacks such as man-in-the-middle attacks, where an attacker intercepts communication between two parties to steal sensitive information. Similarly, the use of personal devices for work-related tasks can result in data breaches if the device is lost or stolen.

Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of robust cybersecurity measures, including strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and data encryption, to protect against the evolving threats posed by cybercriminals. Organizations and individuals must remain vigilant and take proactive steps to safeguard their data and systems in the face of these new challenges.

Many are still not aware of the need to protect their smartphones. With mobile phones, there are also fewer products available that offer cybersecurity solutions than there are for computers. Why so?

The mobile security market is still relatively new compared to the computer security market, and as such, there are fewer cybersecurity solutions available for smartphones. In addition, the architecture of smartphones is different from that of computers, making it more challenging to develop effective security solutions for mobile devices.

Furthermore, there is a misconception among some users that mobile devices are less vulnerable to cyberattacks than computers, which can lead to a lack of demand for mobile security solutions. This lack of demand can also contribute to a lack of investment in mobile security by manufacturers and software developers.

It is true that we have seen an increased focus on mobile security in recent years, and cybersecurity companies are developing more comprehensive solutions for smartphones. With the rise of mobile device usage for work and personal use, it is important for users to recognize the importance of mobile security and take steps to protect their devices from cyberattacks.

What practices should be used to prevent data breaches?

There are several best practices that individuals and organizations can follow to prevent data breaches:

• Use strong passwords: Passwords should be unique, complex, and changed regularly. Consider using a password manager to create and store strong passwords.
• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide additional authentication factors, such as a fingerprint or security token, in addition to a password.
• Keep software up-to-date: Install security patches and updates as soon as they are available, as these often contain fixes for vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers.
• Use encryption: Encryption ensures that even if data is intercepted, it cannot be read or used.
• Use secure connections: Ensure that connections to networks and websites are secure by using HTTPS and SSL/TLS protocols.
• Limit access to sensitive data: Only grant access to data to those who need it to perform their job functions. Implement role-based access control to restrict access to sensitive data.
• Train employees on cybersecurity best practices: Educate employees on how to recognize and respond to potential threats, such as phishing emails and suspicious website links.
• Regularly monitor and audit systems: Monitor networks and systems for unusual activity, and conduct regular security audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.

By following these best practices, individuals and organizations can help prevent data breaches and protect sensitive information.

What are the takeaways and the next steps?

In my opinion, this will depend on each organisation. However, as a general takeaway, there are some steps that businesses can start to consider to protect their companies with the right security:

• Increased focus on AI and machine learning: AI and machine learning are increasingly being used in cybersecurity to detect and respond to threats. As such, organizations may consider investing in AI-powered security solutions to stay ahead of emerging threats.
• Emphasis on cloud security: With the growing adoption of cloud computing, cloud security will become an increasingly important focus for organizations. This may include implementing robust cloud security policies and practices, as well as leveraging advanced security tools and technologies.
• Continued adoption of Zero Trust security models: Zero Trust is an approach to security that assumes all users, devices, and applications are untrusted and requires verification before granting access to resources. This model is becoming increasingly popular, and organizations may consider adopting it to enhance their overall security posture.
• Focus on cybersecurity talent and skills: As cybersecurity threats become more sophisticated, organizations will need skilled cybersecurity professionals to protect against them. Hiring and training skilled cybersecurity professionals will be critical for organizations to maintain their cybersecurity posture.
• Heightened awareness of cybersecurity risks: With the growing frequency and severity of cyber attacks, individuals and organizations will need to remain vigilant and take proactive steps to protect against threats. This may include educating employees on cybersecurity best practices and staying up-to-date on emerging threats and trends.

Overall, the cybersecurity landscape will continue to evolve and present new challenges in the years to come. By remaining proactive and adaptive, organizations and individuals can help stay ahead of emerging threats and protect against cybersecurity risks.