Organisations rely heavily on different applications to do business. This puts them at high risk of security breaches when using web, cloud and third-party based applications. So it becomes challenging to control and monitor data security while trying to operate efficiently.
High risk cyber security threats come from unauthorised access to your applications. These are usually malicious applications that can cause a lot of damage to your organisation.
Policies and procedures only go so far to prevent risk. Eventually someone will click a link or an app that that traps the business in a malware nightmare. Application control goes a step further. It mitigates or removes risks altogether by blocking or restricting applications from executing on your system to prevent putting your data at risk. This helps to ensure data remains secure and private when applications use data or transmit it between applications.
Gives you system control
Also known as whitelisting, application control allows you to select the scripts, executables, installers and software libraries you trust. Nothing else can penetrate. It also prevents the installation and running of applications you do not authorise.
There is also blacklisting. This is where you list what you specifically forbid rather than what you want to allow. But this is not as effective. If there is a new app connected to cyberattacks and you do not know about it or forget to add it to the blacklist, you can expect security breaches.
Application control does not replace other antivirus or security measure. It adds another layer of security. They work together to create protection that is difficult to penetrate by those who want to do harm. Whitelisting works by preventing code from running if it slips through your security layers.
Identify your maturity level
When considering implementing the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s Essential Eight, you need to identify a maturity level suitable to your operating environment. Once you identify this, begin to implement each maturity level until you reach your target. All mitigation strategies in the Essential Eight complement each other so it is important to plan implementation so they are all at the same maturity level before moving to the next level.
The following is a summary of the maturity levels for application control:
- Maturity Level One. With Maturity Level One implemented you achieve application control of programs and files on servers and staff workstations.
- Maturity Level Two. Level Two extends Level One application control to system files and programs, installers, software libraries and scripts.
- Maturity Level Three. Level Three builds on Level Two to include the latest block rules from Microsoft to prevent outsiders from bypassing whitelisted applications.
The Rightsize technical team takes the time to understand the risks to your business and works with you to design an effective solution to defend against probable events.
Contact us now for a free consultation or call 07 3106 7348 to find out more about The Essential Eight and its implementation to protect your business. Rightsize Technology is your IT department as a service. Our solutions protect you online.
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