What is a Security Assessment & Why Do I Need One?

In 2020, on average, data breaches cost $3.86 million. Security breaches are incredibly expensive, and installing a security system alone isn’t enough to prevent them. A security assessment is the first step we recommend you take to protect your business from cyber threats.

Many people think security assessments only analyze existing vulnerabilities, and they do – but they can also help you avoid future issues. Still not convinced you need one? Read on.

How security assessments work

During a security assessment, your provider will consider many factors – business size, growth rate, assets, resources – before determining what level of service your business needs. Your security assessment should include both a review to identify risks and testing to discover vulnerabilities in software applications and processes.

Why you need a security assessment

Conducting regular security assessments allows you and your employees to view your organization from an attacker’s perspective, enabling you to identify weak spots and make informed decisions about strengthening them. A security assessment can even help you identify risky employee behavior – and, as human error is a leading cause of security problems, that can save you a lot of money.

What makes CORE Group’s security assessment different

One major thing: Not all of CORE Group’s security assessments include an on-site visit. When they do, this is what you can expect:

• Security controls

  We’ll analyze your authentication systems, access control systems, antivirus software, spam controls, network monitoring, firewalls and processes where people intersect with technology. For example: You receive an unexpected email from your boss requesting you purchase $50 in gift cards. Your company’s technology process instructs you to send purchase requests directly to billing, but in this instance you should follow the people process and check with your boss to ensure the request is legitimate (which, in all likelihood, it’s not).

• Internet of things, i.e. Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

  Security threats from third-party vendors might be lurking in your HVAC system, and 46% of organizations discovered ‘shadow’ devices on their network in 2020. Remember what happened to Target? We’ll make sure that doesn’t happen to you by creating a virtual highway for various threat vectors and ensuring all your devices aren’t on the same network (and therefore vulnerable to the same attacks). One exploited device can bring down your whole network – that’s why it’s crucial to change the default passwords on your devices and isolate them from your private network/DMZ.

• Full software assessment

  Any software can be hacked if it’s not up to date. In 2019, over 56% of all CMS applications were out of date when hacks happened.

• Cabling

  Some people have installed their own cabling or crimped their own wires, which can result in a temperamental infrastructure. We’ll look for properly installed cabling and determine whether there are any risk factors involved.

Our security assessment report is for client eyes only. Afterwards, you’re free to decide whether or not to implement our solutions – and if you do decide to move forward with us, we’ll take half off your assessment and credit it to your account as part of your deployment. Get in touch for more information!