December 8, 2023 | By christa

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Hardware-Based Security for Your Business

• Tech(know)logy

By now, it’s obvious that cyberattacks are becoming more complex, sophisticated, and dangerous for businesses across the globe. From Indian hackers targeting Canada’s military to Chinese cyber-criminals targeting companies via altered hardware, cyber-attacks are costing entire economies millions of dollars. Unfortunately, despite the growing realization that cyberattacks are becoming more prominent, the World Economic Forum’s 2020 Global Risk Report found that the rate of detection remains as low as 0.05%.

The truth is that, if you’re solely using software-based IT solutions, you could be opening your company to a multitude of risks. Hardware-based security is an equally essential component for proactive protection and defense at every layer of your computing stack.

What is Hardware-Based Security?

Malicious actors are now targeting components and functionalities within systems that lie beneath the protective scope of software. Unlike software security, which protects software from being compromised, hardware-based security protects physical machines and peripheral hardware from attacks.

However, hardware-based security is not a replacement for software IT solutions. It should be used to enhance your overall security posture.

Hardware-Based Security Protects Against Physical Attacks

As stated above, one of the primary risks of ignoring hardware security is leaving your business vulnerable to physical attacks on your devices. When hardware security measures are absent, attackers can gain access to hardware components (e.g., hard drives, storage devices, etc.), steal data, or implant malicious software, all while bypassing existing software security.

Ensuring Data Integrity

Ignoring hardware security puts your data integrity at risk. Malware and software attacks can compromise your data, making it susceptible to unauthorized modification or theft. Hardware security, on the other hand, ensures the authenticity and integrity of your data through features like secure storage and hardware-backed authentication.

Strengthening User Authentication

Weak user authentication mechanisms are a common point of vulnerability in many businesses. Without hardware-based security, usernames and passwords may be susceptible to hacking. Incorporating hardware security features, such as biometric authentication or smart cards, provides an additional layer of protection and helps safeguard sensitive data and user identities.

Best Practices for Using Hardware-Based Security

1. Choose hardware with built-in security: Invest in devices equipped with hardware security features like TPM chips or hardware encryption capabilities.
2. Regularly update and patch: Keep your hardware security features up to date to address potential vulnerabilities.
3. Train employees: Educate your employees about the importance of hardware security and enforce best practices for device usage and data protection.

In a world where cyber threats are constantly evolving, ignoring hardware-based security can be a costly mistake for your business. Protecting against physical attacks, ensuring data integrity, and strengthening user authentication are just some of the critical reasons to invest in hardware security.

By implementing the best practices discussed above, you can significantly reduce your business’s exposure to cybersecurity threats, safeguard sensitive data, and maintain the trust of your customers and stakeholders.

Don’t wait until a breach occurs; act today to secure your business against the ever-present threat of cyberattacks. LeadingIT’s dedicated team of IT service experts is standing by to help you begin implementing a cyber-resilient hardware security plan.

LeadingIT is a cyber-resilient technology and cybersecurity support provider. With our concierge support model, we provide customized solutions to meet the unique needs of nonprofits, schools, manufacturers, accounting firms, government agencies, and law offices with 20-200 employees in the Chicagoland area. Our team of experts solves the unsolvable while helping our clients leverage technology to achieve their business goals, ensuring the highest level of security and reliability.