Listen to this article

Although drones have been in existence since around 1918, they only gained significant attention in recent years. This increased interest happened when swarms of drones were used in conflicts in the Ukraine and the Middle East. But I guess that is human nature: threats become real when people see them, especially when losses begin to pile up.

I see a similar situation with bad-actor bots. These are automated programs that perform tasks over a network. Bots have been around for decades, but many people continue to be distracted, ignoring this threat. At least until the bots swarm and email or other applications get infected. By then it is too late.

A trustworthy cybersecurity provider can warn you about bots and other threats before they become a problem. They can also help you take steps to protect yourself.

Automated technology can prevent bots by analyzing user behavior and IP addresses, and by using machine learning algorithms, CAPTCHA challenges and device fingerprinting.

These tools can distinguish between real people and automated programs. They do this by gathering unique characteristics from a device or web browser and use this information to tell the difference between human users and bots.

Trained cybersecurity professionals can also offer insight about what is happening in your system. For example, is someone from another country trying to connect with you? If yes, is it a legitimate attempt, or is it from an unexpected source – perhaps from a high-risk nation-state – that is trying to infiltrate your system?

It is crucial to find threats early before they harm your device, network, or other people’s devices.

It is not unusual for organizations to ignore digital threats until they cause major problems. I like to use an analogy we can all relate to: Municipal governments handle road maintenance by waiting until the streets are full of potholes, instead of fixing them early. Then they apply a temporary patch when the roads become dangerous for cars.

But just as early maintenance is better for both roads and cars, working with a cybersecurity provider early on to protect your business is better than trying to patch things up after an attack. Advance preparation can help prevent financial and reputational harm.

More Tech Intelligence

• Your calendar could provide an avenue for a cyber attack
• How to avoid cybersecurity squalls in a cloud migration
• Does your IT provider still fit the bill?
• A human-centric cybersecurity approach
• How to shut the door on big data thieves

Keep in mind there is no single “magic bullet” that will bolster your digital defenses. Instead, a spectrum of technology-based tools, along with user training, can up your organization’s protection.

But when you select a new cybersecurity provider or evaluate your current one, do not just pick a name randomly from a directory. It is crucial to consider various factors before making a decision.

Look into the provider’s reputation, experience and track record. Make sure they have the necessary expertise to meet your specific security needs. Consider a series of issues. These include:

Do the personnel associated with a particular cybersecurity organization understand your specific business needs? They must create a personalized risk assessment for your business. They will then make a tailored plan based on this assessment. Finally, they should provide support throughout the entire process.

The provider should be able to connect with your team and explain technical processes in a way that everyone can understand.

A cybersecurity provider should also be able to track and monitor security across your systems. Among other services, they should provide security incident and event monitoring. SIEM tools help to identify potential security threats. This kind of data can be used to create alerts in the event of a network problem or potential breach.

Intrusion detection systems can actively monitor your network for unauthorized behavior. An IDS can detect active hacking attempts and malware-driven automated threats.

Network behavior analysis is a tool that can give you early warnings by analyzing data on your network. An NBA helps create a baseline of normal activity and alerts you if there is any unusual activity.

Endpoint detection and response systems monitor different devices connecting to your network. These devices include servers, workstations, laptops, printers and internet-of-things devices. The EDR will sound the alarm if any of these or other devices show unauthorized or suspicious activity.

The cybersecurity team working with you should also have the time and bandwidth to scale service to the level you require. They should be prepared to help review your policies and risks every year and analyze current and emerging threats and vulnerabilities regularly.

A professional cybersecurity provider should be able to provide case studies with data showing their work is thorough and successful. Another indicator of quality can be the longevity of their relationships with major clients.

The question is simple: How many potholes will it take to realize you require a new street maintenance service? And how many drones until you install protective defenses?

Carl Mazzanti is president of eMazzanti Technologies in Hoboken, providing IT Consulting and Cyber Security Services for businesses ranging from home offices to multinational corporations.