Ahmad Faizun
03.20 for Indonesia
Nowadays, there are hundreds maybe thousands of bachelor and master degree in cyber security and has ethical hacking certification, this trend shows that the world is concern about the future cyber security. It’s not just an imaginary fairy tales and non-existent threats, it’s a real risk that is happening now.
Recent Cyberattack Events
As we may note, from Global Events there are several malicious cyber-attacks such as:
1. Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Attack (2021): Estimated loss: $4.4 million
2. SolarWinds Hack (2020): Estimated loss: $100 million
3. Equifax Data Breach (2017): Estimated loss: $700 million
From Indonesian Events itself, we may note several event such as:
1. Indihome Data Breach (2020): Estimated loss: IDR 1 trillion (approximately $70 million USD)
2. Bank Mandiri Data Breach (2020): Estimated loss: IDR 55 billion (approximately $3.8 million USD)
3. Tokopedia Data Breach (2020): Estimated loss: 91 million user data records compromised
These are several notable case that we may find in the internet news. Many of cyber-attacks are not reported and publicly announce for several reasons. In today's digital age, organizations face an ever-increasing threat of cyberattacks. Therefore, organization should apply many counter measures to prevents such attacks to take place in our organization’s internet and IT infrastructure. One of the effective counter measures is performing regular check on security perimeter in our application and IT Infrastructures.
In order to perform the assessment automatically, we need automatic tools named VA Tools (Vulnerability Assessment). Vulnerability assessment tools are essential for identifying and mitigating potential security risks in IT infrastructure, mobile, and web applications. This automated tools is similar to perform penetration testing to our system at the preliminary stage, to look for security vulnerability due to inherent vulnerabilities or negligence of IT Security personnel to configure all the system according to best practices and security standards.
There are several types pf VA Tools:
· Vulnerability Assessment Tools for IT Infrastructure
Vulnerability assessment tools for IT infrastructure help identify potential security risks in networks, systems, and devices. These tools scan for known vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers.
· Vulnerability Assessment Tools for Mobile Apps
Mobile apps are a common target for attackers, and vulnerability assessment tools can help identify potential security risks. These tools scan for vulnerabilities such as insecure data storage, weak authentication, and insecure communication protocols.
· Vulnerability Assessment Tools for Web App
Web applications are a common entry point for attackers, and vulnerability assessment tools can help identify potential security risks. These tools scan for vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and cross-site request forgery (CSRF).
Why Vulnerability Assessment Tools Matter
1. Identify Security Gaps: Vulnerability assessment tools help identify security gaps and weaknesses in systems, networks, and applications.
2. Prevent Cyberattacks: By identifying vulnerabilities, organizations can take proactive measures to prevent cyberattacks and data breaches.
3. Protect Sensitive Data: Vulnerability assessment tools help protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access.
Benefits of Vulnerability Assessment Tools
1. Improved Security Posture: Regular vulnerability assessments help organizations improve their overall security posture.
2. Reduced Risk: Vulnerability assessment tools reduce the risk of cyberattacks and data breaches.
3. Compliance: Vulnerability assessments can help organizations meet regulatory compliance requirements.
These are main reasons that should be sufficient for a company or organization acquire and implement automated VA tools to assess their defence quality against the cyber-attacks continuously. Manual assessment might sufficient in the beginning, but once the organization is growing and has large IT Infrastructure, IT security practitioners need this tools to ensure continuous assessment and update on the security perimeter, which cannot be done manually.
Accessibility for Home Users and Small Companies
Vulnerability assessment tools shouldn't be limited to large enterprises. Home users and small companies also need access to affordable vulnerability assessment tools to protect their digital assets. Fortunately, there are many affordable options available, including open-source tools and cloud-based services.
Best Practices for Vulnerability Assessment
1. Regular Assessments: Conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify and mitigate potential security risks.
2. Comprehensive Coverage: Ensure that vulnerability assessments cover all systems, networks, and applications.
3. Prioritize Remediation: Prioritize remediation efforts based on risk severity and potential impact.
Vulnerability assessment tools are a crucial component of any organization's cybersecurity strategy. By identifying and mitigating potential security risks, organizations can protect sensitive data and prevent cyberattacks. With affordable options available, home users and small companies can also benefit from vulnerability assessment tools.
By using vulnerability assessment tools for IT infrastructure, mobile apps, and web apps, organizations can identify and mitigate potential security risks, reducing the likelihood of a successful attack. Indonesia does not have such VA tools that is genuinely made by Indonesian. Here, at 03.20 for Indonesia team, we aim to develop such tools that suit for enterprise level and small medium organization, to protect our IT System and Infrastructure from any known cyber threats.