Each year, leading cybersecurity vendor SonicWall releases its comprehensive threat report. By leveraging its own data as well as insights from experts and its expansive partner ecosystem, SonicWall provides deep insight into the current and pending threats faced by businesses around the world. In the 2025 edition, the report includes suggestions for simple but effective steps that can protect your environment and data from growing threats – some well-known and others that are looming on the horizon.
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Essential Actions to Strengthen Your Cybersecurity Stance
The threat landscape continues to evolve and gain momentum; however, the truth remains that the impact of many cyber attacks can be lessened if your organization has a strong cybersecurity posture. In this year's threat report, SonicWall offers suggestions on simple but effective cybersecurity defense strategies:
Have a Plan for Real-Time Patch Management
Poor patch management leaves your environment vulnerable to cyberattacks. Many vendors push highly effective patches that can prevent ransomware, protect your organization from data breaches, and keep your system safe from compromises. The goal of patch management best practices is simple: Close gaps before cyber criminals find them and sneak in.
Adopt a Zero-Trust Security Model
It's becoming increasingly common for bad actors to use AI and automation to slide past your network defenses. Work with your MSP to craft, communicate, and then enforce strict access controls, teach your team to assume everything is a threat, and put security protocols in place that validate every single access request. There is no such thing as being overly cautious when it comes to cybersecurity.
Invest in 24/7 SOC Protection
Just a few weeks ago, Exigent upgraded its endpoint security solution to a managed threat detection and response offering that includes 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC) coverage. Why is this crucial? SOC offers constant monitoring that provides an extra layer of protection that stops attacks before they gain a foothold. Statistics show that many organizations don't discover breaches for weeks, sometimes months, allowing bad actors to siphon off data unchecked. With 24/7 SOC monitoring services in place, trained experts are watching for even small signs that something is amiss and respond immediately when an issue is detected.
Ransomware Preparedness
We often say "It's a matter of when, not if" when discussing cybersecurity. Is your organization ready for that day when a ransomware attack or data breach happens? Cybersecurity isn't just about protection, it's about data backup, recovery plans, incident response planning, cyber insurance, network segmentation and isolation, and more. Organizations often overlook the "recovery" aspect of a cyber attack when, in reality, business resiliency is the true goal.
Get our ebook on business resiliency for more guidance
Protect Your IoT Solutions
According to SonicWall, IoT attacks surged 124% in 2024. Be sure to create a thorough plan for ongoing maintenance, security, and review of IoT devices, whether you have one or 100s. Never forget that these powerful tools can provide an easily breached access point into your entire network, so securing them is essential to strengthening your cybersecurity posture.
Monitor Cloud Environments and Apps
Last year, 78% of security alerts were tied to cloud-based threats, according to SonicWall. When you think of endpoint security, don't focus entirely on your devices; consider a broader approach that monitors and secures endpoints, the cloud, and your network. Simple steps toward cloud security best practices include enforcing multifactor authentication (MFA) and implementing "least privilege" access policies as part of a zero-trust security model.
Learn more about Exigent's new managed threat detection and response solution, Fortify Complete
Regular Cybersecurity Awareness Training
We cannot stress enough that humans are both your best defense and, often, the weakest link. Regularly scheduled cybersecurity awareness training on phishing, social engineering, and credential hygiene can significantly reduce risk in your organization. This proactive cybersecurity measure delivers great ROI and can provide the foundation for a true culture shift toward security best practices.
