The increased reliance on digital platforms has made cybercrime an ongoing threat. Traditional cybersecurity is not enough to protect businesses. CIOs must adopt an adaptive security model that continuously monitors systems and thwarts threats based on the current situation.

This article will discuss adaptive security, how it differs from traditional cybersecurity, and how you can integrate it into your business model.

How Does Adaptive Security Work?

Adaptive security relies on real-time intelligence and machine learning. It analyzes systems to identify risks. It allows companies to enhance their defenses and improve their resilience so they can bounce back after a breach occurs.

Real-time intelligence offers the latest insight on threats so teams can spring to action. Machine learning provides the ability to detect unusual behavior and address threats before they occur.

Why is Adaptive Security Important?

Today’s business landscape involves various devices and platforms. Customers may connect with their networks using apps, mobile devices, and laptops. Employees may also bring in personal devices for work purposes.

The various platforms pose security challenges. Companies must enforce strict policies across digital environments. Adaptive security scrambles keystrokes and returns screenshots as blanks to prevent data theft.

Adaptive Security vs. Traditional Cybersecurity

• Better Handling of Zero-Day Threats: Zero-day threats can infiltrate perimeter security. They target unpatched software to access sensitive information. Adaptive security addresses cybercriminals that attempt to undermine strict security systems and keep data protected.
• Addresses More Endpoints: Today’s employees often work from remote locations and connect to multiple endpoints. They rely on various types of endpoint security which can exceed the capabilities of legacy systems. Adaptive security integrates more endpoints to protect information sent from different locations.
• Better User Efficiency: Traditional cybersecurity can make it difficult for workers to access systems. A constant need for manual authentication can slow down processes. Adaptive security provides easy and secure access to employees.

How to Integrate Adaptive Security

Adaptive security can be adopted in four stages as follows:

1. Predict: Begin by predicting potential attacks. Analyze dark web traffic to find patterns in security theft. Use AI to detect abnormal behavior. Use continuous monitoring to identify cybersecurity trends that may put your business at risk.
2. Prevent: Implement measures to reduce risk. Multi-factor authentication and zero trust can prevent unauthorized access and data breaches.
3. Respond: Respond to threats immediately to reduce damaging effects. Isolate systems to keep malware from spreading. Use analytics to determine why a breach occurred and prevent it from happening again.
4. Manage Defects: Determine defects in security control that may have caused breaches. Discover and address vulnerabilities before they lead to attacks. Conduct regular security audits to ensure compliance with business standards.

Integration also requires the following processes:

• Training: Employees must be trained to follow incident response procedures and prevent risk. Leaders must provide ongoing training in the form of classes, and material distribution. They must ensure systems are protected across departments.
• Continuous Evaluation: Adaptive security adapts to your needs, but CIOs must continuously evaluate to ensure their systems are meeting their current needs.

What are the Benefits of Adaptive Security?

• Risk Reduction: Adaptive security prevents cyberattacks and the related damages and expenses. Companies that are attacked may deal with reputational damage, regulatory fines, and a loss of productivity. Updated technology will keep businesses safe and reduce losses.
• Supports Employee Workflows: Traditional cybersecurity requires multiple log-ins and other processes to gain access. It interferes with productivity and workflow. Adaptive security typically requires a single sign-on so workers can enjoy uninterrupted access.
• Reduced Demand on IT Departments: A legacy system puts additional demands on your IT department. Adaptive security reduces demand by providing a centralized system for handling contacts. It frees up staff so they can focus on other responsibilities.
• Adaptive: As the name suggests, adaptivity evolves with changing business needs and threat landscapes. Companies can use it to stay ahead of cybercriminals, fix vulnerabilities, and avoid issues.
• Flexibility:The technology’s flexibility allows companies to tailor tools and protocols to their business needs.
• Contains Threats instantly: Adaptive security addresses threats instantly to prevent extensive damage. It traces the incident to its source so it doesn’t happen again.

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Additional Cybersecurity Resources

Implementing Zero Trust Architecture in Modern Enterprises

The Role of Blockchain in Enterprise IT Transformation

The Evolving Role of CISOs in the Age of Cyber Threats