In the rapidly evolving world of cybersecurity, incidents frequently arise when malicious code finds its way into trusted environments. These breaches can be triggered by seemingly harmless actions, such as a user clicking on a link in a phishing email or downloading a file embedded with malware. The danger also extends to third-party software, where trusted applications may be compromised by cybercriminals. Another critical vulnerability lies in social engineering tactics, where attackers manipulate employees through fake phone calls or emails, convincing them to reveal sensitive information or credentials. These scenarios highlight the urgent need for enhanced security measures and awareness to protect against the myriad of tactics used to compromise trusted environments.
The financial impact of a data breach is staggering, with the average total cost reaching nearly $5 million USD in 2024. In the United States, the costs are even higher, with the average breach costing almost $10 million USD. The repercussions extend beyond financial losses, as recovery from such incidents is often prolonged. For those companies that managed to fully recover, more than 75% took over 100 days to do so (https://www.ibm.com/downloads/cas/1KZ3XE9D). These statistics underscore the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to not only prevent breaches but also to mitigate the extensive costs and time required for recovery.
Threat Locker Detect Alert Center Dashboard
Given the severe financial and operational consequences of data breaches, organizations are increasingly recognizing the need for advanced cybersecurity strategies that go beyond traditional defenses.
One such strategy is the implementation of a Zero Trust architecture, which assumes that threats can originate from inside and outside the network and therefore requires strict identity verification for every person and device attempting to access resources.
This approach significantly reduces the attack surface and limits the damage potential when a breach occurs. As businesses continue to navigate the complex and evolving threat landscape, solutions like ThreatLocker’s Zero Trust Endpoint Protection Platform are becoming essential. By applying Zero Trust principles, organizations can better protect themselves against sophisticated threats, such as zero-day attacks and ransomware, while also ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. This proactive stance is crucial in minimizing both the likelihood and impact of cyber incidents, ultimately safeguarding a company’s financial health and operational continuity.
“If we ever were to have a breach – If bad actors got in and tried to execute something – I take comfort in knowing ThreatLocker will stop that.” Mark Toalson, IT Director – City of Champaign, Illinois
ThreatLocker is a Zero Trust Endpoint Protection Platform. Applying the principles of Zero Trust with ThreatLocker strengthens organizations’ security posture, allows them to meet compliance and regulatory standards, and minimizes attack surface when a security incident does occur. More and more IT professionals are adopting a Zero Trust philosophy because of its ability to adapt to the evolving digital landscape by protecting against zero-day attacks, fileless malware, and restricting applications which ultimately stops ransomware.
Once deployed, ThreatLocker will learn what programs a company uses on a normal basis, and then secures the environment by only allowing those trusted programs to run, and only allow them to access the things that they need to function. All other programs are not trusted and prevented from running by default. In addition, programs are prevented from accessing things they should not, such as PowerShell, with Ringfencing technology. This is the best defense against modern zero-day attacks and ransomware. ThreatLocker can also help set up and monitor environments with their Cyber Hero Team.
“ThreatLocker gives me that peace of mind where I know nobody can install something without my permission. I know that something can’t run on that computer without me previously allowing it.” Jack Harbut, IT and Systems Manager – Stampede Culinary Partners
ThreatLocker is dedicated to transforming the way the industry and the world approach cybersecurity. By offering a comprehensive suite of security tools, ThreatLocker ensures that organizations are not left to combat the ever-present cybersecurity threats alone. In an era where reliance on the traditional detect-and-respond model is no longer sufficient, adopting more proactive and comprehensive security strategies is essential. ThreatLocker’s commitment to enhancing security measures empowers organizations to protect their digital assets more effectively and stay ahead of emerging threats.
About the Author
Pete Green, vCISO, Cybersecurity Consultant and Reporter for CDM. Pete Green has over 20 years of experience in Information Technology related fields and is an accomplished practitioner of Information Security. He has held a variety of security operations positions including LAN / WLAN Engineer, Threat Analyst / Engineer, Security Project Manager, Security Architect, Cloud Security Architect, Principal Security Consultant, Manager / Director of IT, CTO, CEO, and Virtual CISO. Pete has worked with clients in a wide variety of industries including federal, state and local government, financial services, healthcare, food services, manufacturing, technology, transportation, and hospitality. Pete holds a Master of Computer Information Systems in Information Security from Boston University, an NSA / DHS National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance / Cyber Defense (CAE IA / CD), and a Master of Business Administration in Informatics. Pete can be reached online at [email protected], @petegreen, https://linkedin.com/in/petegreen and at our company website https://www.cyberdefensemagazine.com.