As technology continues to advance, so do the methods and tools that cybercriminals use to breach security measures. Global cybercrime costs are expected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. 86% of breaches were caused by malicious attacks with financial motivations. The total amount paid by ransomware victims was estimated at $350m in 2020, while the estimated average per-incident ransom was $170,000.

That is why cybersecurity must be one of the priorities of your Club. The need for a strong cybersecurity system is critical to ensure that your Club’s information and assets are protected. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by implementing a layered cybersecurity approach.

In this article, we will explore the concept of layered cybersecurity and provide general tips for club security that will help you protect your club’s valuable assets and data.

What is a layered defense approach to cyber security? 

Layered security acknowledges that no security technology or measure is completely secure or foolproof, and assumes that attackers may have already breached or infiltrated certain layers of a company’s defenses.

The objective of employing a layered security approach is to incorporate multiple security measures, so that if an attack manages to bypass one security tool, there are additional layers of protection in place to detect and prevent the attack before sensitive data is compromised.

There are three elements of layered cyber security: 

• Prevention 

Security policies, controls and processes should all be devised and implemented during the PREVENTION phase.

• Detection 

The goal of DETECTION is to discover and notify a compromise as soon as possible.

• Response

A quick RESPONSE is crucial for the detection phase to be meaningful.

How does the layered defense work?

Layered security is divided into seven layers by security experts. Hackers seeking to get into a system must break through each layer to gain access. 

If you want to keep cybercriminals out of your systems, concentrate on improving these seven layers:

• Information security policies

Implement security policies that restrict unauthorized access because IT resources’ security and well-being depend on them. It will help you raise information security awareness inside your Club and demonstrate to your clients that you’re serious about securing their data.

• Physical security

Physical security measures, such as fences and cameras, are critical to prevent unwanted intruders from breaking in. It also helps monitor employees with access to sensitive systems.

• Network security

All it takes is for hackers to exploit a single vulnerability to access the Club’s network. They can easily break into computers and servers after they’ve gained access to your network. Therefore, establishing effective network security measures is essential.

• Vulnerability scanning

Vulnerabilities that occur because of factors such as inadequate patch management and misconfigurations open the door for cybercriminals. However, vulnerability scans help detect these missed patches and improper configurations.

• A strong identity and access management (IAM)

Because of technological advancements, acquiring passwords and hacking into networks is easier than ever. IAM restricts access to critical data and applications to certain workers, making unauthorized access hard.

• Proactive protection and reactive backup + recovery

Proactive protection detects and fixes security risks before they lead to a full-blown breach. The goal of reactive backup and recovery is to recover quickly after an attack.

• Continual monitoring and testing

Failure to regularly monitor and test your backup and disaster recovery strategy is a major oversight and can result in a breach.

Also, we want to provide you with tips that will make your Club more secure and safe. 

The 3-2-1 Backup Strategy for Club

It’s really dangerous to have only one copy of your data because you risk losing it all in the event of a breach. The 3-2-1 strategy is the best way to reduce this risk. 

It involves having at least three copies of your data, two on-site but on different mediums/devices, and one off-site. Let’s examine each of the three elements and the issues they address:

• Three copies of the data

Having at least two additional copies of your data, in addition to your original data, is perfect. This ensures that you will always have additional copies in the event of a disaster. The first backup copy of data is usually kept in the same physical location as the original, if not the same physical server.

• Two different mediums

Storing additional copies of your valuable data on the same server/location won’t be helpful in the event of a breach. Keep two copies of your data on different types of storage mediums, such as internal hard drives, and removable storage, like an external hard drive or a USB drive. If this isn’t practical for your business, keep copies on two internal hard disks in separate storage locations.

• One off-site copy

Keep one copy of your data off-site, far from the rest. This helps safeguard against worst-case scenarios.

In addition to the 3-2-1 backup strategy, consider applying the concept of layered security to keep your data and backup copies secure.

Software Updates

Some people may question the need for software updates, thinking, “Why do I need to update? I’m content with the current version and don’t require any additional features.” However, updates serve a purpose beyond just providing new functionality – they can also address potential security vulnerabilities.

Old and outdated software is vulnerable to hackers and cybercriminals. With every version, developers repair security holes, fix computer bugs and make software safer. So, updating your software and operating systems helps keep hackers out.

And, of course, software updates offer new and improved features and speed enhancements to improve the user experience. 

Teaching employees

The weakest link in cybersecurity is often people, rather than technology. It’s essential to regularly educate employees about cybersecurity, teaching them how to spot phishing attempts (i.e. fraudulent emails or messages that trick people into giving away sensitive information) and what suspicious messages or programs might look like.

Once you’ve had discussions with employees about phishing, you can test their ability to identify it. Some programs even allow you to send mock emails, posing as a Google, bank, or company director, and track how many employees open the message or click on any links. Based on the results, you can determine whether additional training is necessary.

It’s also crucial to appoint individuals who are responsible for safeguarding the company’s critical assets. Write job descriptions, establish information security policies, and develop incident response plans for these employees. Conduct simulations of potential critical situations and analyze each incident to draw conclusions and improve your response plans.

Antivirus 

Antivirus software is an essential tool for protecting the cybersecurity of a club. It provides a layer of defense against malware, viruses, and other malicious software that can compromise the security of a club’s computer systems and data. 

Antivirus software can detect and remove malicious code that may be hidden in files, emails, or websites. It can also monitor incoming and outgoing network traffic to prevent unauthorized access and block suspicious activity. Having updated and reliable antivirus software installed on all club devices is an important component of a layered security approach and can significantly reduce the risk of a cyber attack.

Passwords

People sometimes are careless about password security, and it can be a golden chance for cybercriminals to get access to secure information. So, it’s really important not to make common mistakes while working with passwords. 

Here are some things you and your employees should always remember.

• Always use passwords that are longer than eight characters and include numbers, letters, and symbols.
• Change critical passwords every three months and less critical – every six months. If you use a password for a long time, hackers may have enough time to crack it. 
• If possible, solve your cybersecurity problem programmatically. For example, don’t tell employees that they can’t use simple passwords like 12345, but add the most popular passwords to a blocklist so that they are impossible to use.
• Don’t use the same password across multiple accounts. Otherwise, you might lose them all at once.
• Don’t save passwords to your browser. Web browsers are terrible at protecting passwords and other sensitive information like your name and credit card number.
• Use multi-factor authentication.

If you want all your Club’s systems to be completely secure but don’t want to spend your time on it, Club Support can help. We provide 24×7 daily IT support, preventative maintenance, and technologies to secure your Club for your Peace of Mind. Get in touch to get any assistance.