After a cybersecurity breach, the hacker’s first goal is to collect users’ credentials in order to laterally move through the network. They go after the credentials of privileged users in order to gain access to the most sensitive information. Without access to privileged accounts, it is far more challenging for hackers to unlock all levels within a network. That is why it is important to secure higher-level accounts in order to avoid privileged users’ compromise. Here are five tips to lower the risk and slow down lateral movement during a security attack.
#1 Use Different Administrative Accounts
Using different administrative accounts will significantly slow down the hacker’s lateral movement through the network. Make sure to create granular accounts with different privileges in order to prevent unauthorized access to more important sections of the network. For instance, each employee should only have access to databases and sections that relate to their job position. Any unnecessary permissions could allow hackers to move faster and achieve their goals in a shorter period of time, which makes attack prevention and recovery far more challenging.
#2 Use LAPS or Local Administrator Password Solution Tools
LAPS or Local Administrator Password Solution tools are used to manage passwords more efficiently and avoid human error when maintaining a certain password policy. Employees often look past password management because it is a tedious task that no one wants to spend time on. However, keeping your passwords up to date and security standards will significantly improve your network’s resilience to hackers’ malicious attempts. LAPS tools will help you create randomly generated passwords, update expired passwords, and replace old or inefficient passwords within the network.
#3 Maintain an Internal Password Policy
Speaking of passwords, it is highly recommended for businesses and organizations to create and follow an internal password policy. This policy should determine parameters such as the complexity of the password, its length, as well as how often employees should update their passwords. Each employee should follow the internal password policy to better secure the network.
#4 Use Multiple Factor Authentication
Even though good password management can take your network’s security to the next level, you can always go a step further and add another layer to protect your database. This layer should be multiple factor authentication, that is, a system that requires you to enter an additional parameter, whether it is a biometric asset, a one-time code, or a randomly generated number sent to a different device. With multiple-factor authentication in place, your network will be much more difficult to breach.
#5 Use PAW or Privileged Access Workstation Tools
Last but not least, PAW or Privileged Access Workstation tools. These tools allow you to create a bugger machine between a workstation and the asset you’re trying to protect. This machine is located in a separate network segment, which automatically makes lateral movement nearly impossible. It also reduces the risk of infection through phishing emails or cokjhgxmpromised software.
Secure Your Network in Full
Combining a good password management routine with LAPS and PAW tools will make your network less susceptible to cybersecurity threats. However, this still might not eliminate all types of security risks, which is why you should consider implementing other security measures as well. These can include frequent and thorough scanning of the network and the use of VPN as a good online security tool.
Most importantly, businesses should raise awareness on the importance of cybersecurity and the risk that privileged users compromise can bring upon the organization. Employee training on a monthly or bi-yearly basis could keep the team on the same page when it comes to digital security.