Cyber security: no longer an afterthought, but a basic requirement

In recent years, digitalization has taken off. More and more processes, organizations and applications are software-driven. This offers opportunities, but also brings new risks. Cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated, and cybercriminals now operate as professional organizations. At the same time, the requirements and laws surrounding Cyber security and information security are becoming more stringent.

Add to this the challenging development of hybrid working, and it is clear: Cyber Security is no longer an IT issue, but a strategic pillar of a healthy organization.

The cloud is securely built. But what are you doing inside those walls?

Imagine a modern logistics operation. Shipments are processed in real time, systems talk to each other seamlessly and customers track their orders at any time of day. Employees have access to up-to-date information everywhere. Whether they are in the office, on the road or in the warehouse. This is the power of the cloud: flexibility, scalability and working where and when you want.

But with those capabilities also grows something else: accountability. Cloud vendors like Microsoft provide a solid foundation: the physical infrastructure, the network and the servers. They guard the walls of the cloud environment by using processes which help you guarantee your organizations digital security. But what you do in there? That’s in your hands as an organization.

Exactly that is the core of the Microsoft Shared Responsibility Model:

• Microsoft secures the cloud itself
• You manage what happens in the cloud

Boltrics helps you make this responsibility work. With four practical pillars we translate the Shared Responsibility Model into a robust and user-friendly setup.

Boltrics’ 4 Cyber Security-pillars

1. Identity & Access Management (IAM)

Who can access what? And how is access controlled? With Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Conditional Access and clear role-based permissions, we ensure that only authorized users have access and that every professional can work carefree. IAM is the foundation of any secure IT environment and is available by default in all our modules. Microsoft integrations feature MFA and are highly recommended.

2. Data Security and Compliance

Data is the beating heart of your organization. Therefore, it is important to handle information carefully. Especially when it comes to customer data, quotations or internal plans. With Microsoft Purview, you get a grip on sensitive data: the system recognizes where this information is stored, who can access it and what happens to it and intervenes when necessary. Think of:

• Data encryption, so that only authorized people can read it.
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP) prevents sensitive data from being shared by accident. It recognizes sensitive information, assesses what you do with it, and issues an alert if it poses a risk.  
• Labeling and governance: Purview can automatically mark documents as “Confidential” or “Internal Only.
  

3. Threat Detection and Security Monitoring

Prevention is good, but early detection is essential. That’s why Boltrics uses:

• Microsoft Defender. Imagine this: you receive an e-mail that looks reliable from a “known” supplier with an invoice attached. But unbeknownst to you, there’s a virus behind it. Microsoft Defender protects you from this kind of attack. It scans your emails, links and attachments for suspicious content and also monitors your laptop or workstation. It blocks phishing attempts, malware and unauthorized access before they affect you.
• Secure Score: a dashboard that provides insight into how well your security measures are set up. Includes recommendations to improve your score.
• Logging and alerts: suspicious activities are automatically detected. So you can quickly intervene if something threatens to go wrong.
  

4. Security by Design

Security is not an optional step to include afterwards. At Boltrics we therefore apply the Security by Design principle:

• During implementation or expansion, we start from a secure basic design.
• Rights are carefully set up based on functions, departments or locations.
• Users get exactly the access they need. No more, no less.

“Cyber Security is not a checklist after the fact, but a starting point from the beginning. From encryption and logging to training and awareness, we build security into every part of our work. This is how we continuously protect our customers.” – Alexander van den Bosch, Boltrics

Awareness and training: the key to success

Even the best technology is ineffective if people unwittingly mishandle it. That’s why security awareness is crucial:

• Organize short and regular training sessions that connect to all ranks of colleagues
• Simulate phishing attacks to keep employees on their toes.
• Communicate concrete examples of incidents to make risks tangible.

Security starts with awareness. And you can only achieve that with repetition, recognition and a secure learning culture.

Tips for increased security engagement

Cyber security is comprehensive and involves thoughtful practices from virtually every department in your organization. Every department works with data, systems and access to information. That makes security a collective responsibility. By broadly implementing awareness and clear guidelines, you reduce the chance of mistakes and increase the resilience of your entire organization.

• Share updates on security via SharePoint, Teams or a newsletter.
• Make Cyber Security a regular part of your onboarding process through training and workshops. Include MFA and data classification in the creation process of new accounts.
• Periodically evaluate your Secure Score and follow Microsoft’s recommendations. Microsoft Secure Score gives you insight into the security status of your Microsoft 365 environment and thus provides you with concrete areas for improvement.
  

You’re not alone

Optimizing Cyber security is an ongoing process. However, you don’t have to do it alone.  As a Microsoft partner, we at Boltrics are happy to transfer our knowledge to you so that you can make your organization a little more secure.

Do you want to know more about Cyber Security and how it can be applied even better in your organization? We can support you in this by means of Boltrics’ learning or check out Microsoft’s help portal.