Advanced Persistent Threats: How Cybercriminals Leverage Stealth

Managed Detection and Response can protect your network

In cinematic thrillers, the villain often hides in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to attack. Today's cybercriminals often take the same approach. When it comes to hackers, stealth is on their side, which is why many of them are resorting to the art of hiding in your network long-term so they can gather information whenever they want or need to. The approach is called a persistent foothold, and it's an advanced persistent threat to the data security of your business. Luckily network security providers have an effective strategy of their own: managed detection and response.

If you're not working in IT, many of these terms may seem new to you. Never fear, the network security force at Locknet® Managed IT is here to help you along the way. So, what are persistent footholds and advanced persistent threats? And how can managed detection and response (referred to as MDR for short) protect you from these attacks?

Understanding APTs, persistent footholds, and MDR

Let's take a closer look at these terms, and what they can mean for your business.

Persistent Foothold: A persistent foothold is an entry to your network which can be gained by a hacker when they find a proverbial back door. This can happen through the use of malware, for example, or a phishing attack, and it allows a cyber attacker access to your network—often without you knowing it—for an extended period of time. The attacker can then stealthily gather information from your network for the long haul.

Advanced Persistent Threat (APT): An advanced persistent threat is a tactical device for maintaining access to your network over an extended period of time, posing a substantial risk to your business or organization. By being stealthy, hackers can gain long-term access to your organization's most sensitive data.

Managed Detection and Response (MDR): Managed detection and response is a tool cybersecurity partners, like Locknet® Managed IT, use to provide network protection all day, every day from the risk posed by persistent footholds and APTs. It is a layered form of network cybersecurity services that alerts you when an attack is being attempted or your network has been breached. This high level of intelligence is exactly what today's businesses need to fight the sophisticated attacks that exist in the digital landscape now.

Protecting your business from Advanced Persistent Threats

For cybercriminals, persistent footholds are a dream come true because they can spy on your network activity, steal your data or financials, disrupt your operations and hide in the shadows of your network for as long as they want. And often, they can do this while bypassing other protections you may have in place. Simply put, advanced persistent threats can pose a long-term risk to your company, business, or school. Without the right protection, a cybercriminal may be able to access, steal or reveal whatever they want about your organization. That's why having a trusted network security partner in place is so vitally important, and that's why Managed Detection and Response and its layered protection is essential.

Thwart persistent footholds and APTs with MDR

At Locknet® Managed IT, we know the very real risks in today's digital world. Advanced persistent threats and persistent footholds are among them, but it doesn't end there. The threat environment is constantly evolving, and every business of every size needs to protect its data. Working with a network security partner like Locknet® Managed IT can make all the difference. If you're ready for APT protection and persistent foothold prevention services with managed detection and response, contact us to learn more about how we can shore up your network security.