Suggest Policies And Controls To Mitigate Similar Cyber Atta

Suggest policies and controls to mitigate similar cyber attacks at No-Internal-Controls, LLC

The scenario describes a significant cybersecurity breach involving insufficient controls, poor remote access management, and weak password practices at No-Internal-Controls, LLC. As the newly appointed Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), the priority is to establish policies and controls that effectively mitigate future cyber threats, especially ransomware attacks, within the company's limited resources. The following recommendations include succinct policy summaries supported by specific controls, categorized as physical, administrative, or technical; preventative, detective, or corrective, aligning with the company's size and budget constraints.

Policy 1: Enforce Robust User Authentication and Access Controls

This policy mandates strong, unique passwords for all user accounts, regular password updates, and the implementation of account lockout mechanisms after multiple failed login attempts. It aims to prevent unauthorized access through brute-force or dictionary attacks by ensuring that user credentials are difficult to compromise. Controls supporting this policy include implementing technical measures such as password complexity requirements and account lockout policies (technical, preventative); and administrative procedures for regular password audits and user training on secure password practices (administrative).

Policy 2: Limit and Secure Remote Access to the Internal Network

This policy advocates reducing exposure by removing unnecessary remote desktop services, securing all remote connections through VPNs with multi-factor authentication, and isolating remote access gateways from the internal network via DMZs or bastion hosts. It also emphasizes documenting remote access configurations and regularly reviewing access permissions. These measures help prevent attackers from exploiting remote entry points, addressing the main vulnerability identified in the scenario. Controls include deploying VPN solutions with multi-factor authentication (technical, preventative), setting network segmentation with firewalls to isolate remote access points (physical, preventative), and establishing a formal remote access management process (administrative).

Policy 3: Maintain an Effective Backup and Incident Response Plan

The policy requires regular, tested backups of critical data, including off-site or immutable copies, and the development of a formal incident response plan to quickly contain and remediate attacks like ransomware. This ensures rapid recovery with minimal operational disruption and limits data loss. Controls comprise scheduled automation of backups with verification processes (technical, corrective); and employee training on incident detection and response procedures (administrative).

Policy 4: Minimize Attack Surface through System and Network Hardening

This policy emphasizes securing all systems by disabling unnecessary services, applying timely security patches, and configuring systems securely. It includes segmenting the internal network with VLANs or firewalls, removing or restricting legacy training computers from critical network segments, and enforcing the principle of least privilege. The goal is to reduce exploitable vulnerabilities and restrict attacker movement within the network. Controls include deploying automated patch management tools (technical, preventative); implementing network segmentation settings (physical, preventative); and establishing access control policies for critical systems (administrative).

Policy 5: Implement Continuous Monitoring and Detection Capabilities

This policy recommends deploying intrusion detection systems (IDS), log review protocols, and anomaly detection to identify suspicious activities early. Regular security audits and monitoring logs across devices and systems allow prompt detection of potential breaches, enabling swift incident response. Controls include deploying simple, cost-effective intrusion detection tools (technical, detective); establishing log review routines (administrative); and performing periodic network scans to identify new vulnerabilities or unusual activities (technical, detective).

Policy 6: Promote Security Awareness and Training

This policy enforces ongoing employee education focused on cybersecurity best practices, recognizing social engineering tactics, and fostering a security-conscious culture. Regular training reduces the risk of phishing and other human-related vulnerabilities that attackers often exploit. Controls involve conducting periodic awareness sessions (administrative), distributing security newsletters (administrative), and simulated phishing exercises to assess employee preparedness (technical, detective).

Concluding Remarks

These policies, supported by appropriate controls, target critical vulnerabilities demonstrated in the scenario—weak passwords, unsecured remote access, insufficient backups, and lack of monitoring. When implemented collectively within resource constraints, they significantly improve the organization’s cyber resilience, reduce attack surfaces, and enable rapid detection and response to threats. As CISO, prioritizing these measures aligns well with the company’s size and budget, fostering a security-first culture vital for safeguarding sensitive corporate assets and ensuring long-term operational integrity.

References

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