When it comes to day-to-day business operations, software vulnerabilities are an unfortunate reality for millions of businesses around the world. So much so, in fact, that 22% of the high and critical-risk issues reported in a 2019 study consisted of missing patches and outdated or no longer supported software.
Given that business-level cybersecurity protection is easily at, both, its most advanced and precarious, addressing software vulnerabilities is crucial if you are to enjoy risk and vulnerability-free operations.
Here are a few things you can do to detect and address software vulnerabilities in your applications and systems:
EQUIP YOURSELF WITH EFFECTIVE SOFTWARE VULNERABILITY SCANNERS
One of the best things about living and working in the 21st Century is the fact that there’s a high-tech tool for just about everything you need to do, including scanning software vulnerabilities.
While there’s plenty of free applications on the market, we’re not in the habit of recommending these as they’re not going to provide you with the level of knowledge you need to fix certain chinks in your armour. For applications that flag software vulnerabilities, take a look at this list.
There’s plenty of software on the market and if you’re a little confused about what to choose, consult a cybersecurity specialist on which software is most appropriate for the type of activity you do and the level of cybersecurity you need.
KEEP YOUR SYSTEMS UP TO DATE
Another pro tip that helps you prevent any fallouts from software vulnerabilities is keeping all your systems up to date.
While this seems like a no-brainer, you’d be surprised at how quickly businesses forget that this step is essential within their overarching cybersecurity strategy. These chinks are very easy targets for seasoned cybercriminals who won’t hesitate to take advantage of your lax approach.
MAKE SURE YOUR NETWORK IS SECURE
Most tips to ensure that you don’t fall prey to software vulnerabilities are pretty rudimentary. That, however, is the best part - you don’t have to do anything complicated to ensure that you’re on top of any potential pitfalls present within your applications and systems.
Networks are the environments in which a bulk of your work is done. Leaving it vulnerable is, therefore, a costly mistake, allowing hackers to enter your environment and steal your data or even completely shut down your systems.
Make sure that your networks are restricted, so only necessary endpoints are accessible. Your networks can also be split for further security. In this regard, you can create isolated networks according to the applications running on them.
We also recommend that you set up security software that can alert you in the event that your network is breached or if there’s something remiss.
CHANGE DEFAULT SETTINGS
It’s easy to forget that the default settings on the systems you use can be another source of disastrous software vulnerabilities.
Even if they don’t intend to be that way, some of these settings can allow external actors to pick up on certain connections that can affect your public IP, which, in turn, leads to more trouble than it’s worth.
This also includes default passwords, which you may forget to change but must be done as soon as you log into your settings. At a time when secure passwords can be broken through, default passwords and settings are your biggest nightmares.
LOOK INTO THE SECURITY OF THE ADDITIONAL PLUGINS OR SERVICES YOU USE ON YOUR PRIMARY SYSTEM
If you’re using plugins or other third-party apps or services on your system, it’s crucial that you ensure that these conform to your cybersecurity strategy, instead of thwarting your efforts.
Popular services like cloud storage, CMS, SAAS, and other types of software may possess certain vulnerabilities that make you an easy target for cybercriminals. Run these services by your security software and make sure you have a cybersecurity consultant or team run through how they work and access your data before you begin relying on them.
PREVENT SOFTWARE VULNERABILITIES FROM RESULTING IN A WIDE-SCALE CYBER ATTACK
If you’re looking to finetune every aspect of your organisation’s cybersecurity strategy, it may be beneficial to start with one of the most rudimentary elements - software vulnerabilities.
By having mechanisms in place to detect these defects and address them, you’re playing it much safer than thousands of other businesses on the market. By following the pointers set out above, stay safe and keep your operations secure.
