Cybersecurity Software

Cybersecurity Software Buyer’s Guide

Despite advancements in technology, cybersecurity remains a threat to individuals, businesses, and nations at large. Ransomware, malware, and phishing are cyberattacks that can breach data and enterprise systems' networks, stealing confidential business and client data. Cybercrime is on the rise, as cybercriminals continuously come up with new techniques and tools to attack. Therefore, this makes Cybersecurity an important requirement for businesses.

Cybersecurity software helps protect your IT networks, computer systems, mobile applications, and software platforms from any hacking attempts. By using security technologies like endpoint protection, multi-factor authentication, and encryption. This protects your enterprise data from cyberattacks in real-time.

There is a wide range of cybersecurity software tools available in the market. Having to choose a software that fits your budget and needs may prove to be time-consuming. That is why we have created a buyer's guide to help you. It contains all the information you will need.

Below are some of the important questions we are going to answer::

• What is cybersecurity software?

• What are the advantages of cybersecurity software?

• What are features of cybersecurity software?

• What should you consider when selecting cybersecurity software?

• Types of Buyers

• Market Trends

What Is Cybersecurity Software?

It is a software solution. It identifies potential threats and vulnerabilities to protect networks, business systems, and applications from cyberthreats. This includes ransomware, phishing attempts, and viruses. By using a combination of technologies such as data encryption, firewall protection, website scanning and incident response. This prevents unauthorized access, ensuring real-time enterprise security.

There are various types of cybersecurity software solutions. This includes web vulnerability scanning tools, data encryption tools, penetration testing tools, network defense tools, firewall software, and antivirus software. Some of the frequent business applications of these tools are information security, application security, operational security, network security, and disaster recovery.

Advantages of Cybersecurity Software

There are various benefits of cybersecurity software. Below is a list of some of the most significant ones.

Secure Your Computer Networks

Cyberattacks, in most cases, are launched via a computer network of an organization. When you have a Cybersecurity solution, it will send a notification immediately. It identifies malevolent network activities. This allows you to take the appropriate action. By using different security techniques, such as threat detection, vulnerability scanning, and firewalls, they can track your networks in real-time. This, therefore, prevents assailants from stealing sensitive data.

Protect Sensitive Business Data

Your enterprise data is encrypted by the cybersecurity software. Protecting it from any hacking attempts by unauthorized users. Your data is usually converted into a coded format, which is unrecognizable and can only be accessed by users who have the encryption key. This can be a passcode or a password.

Features of Cybersecurity Software

Knowing the standard features of cybersecurity and their functions makes it easy to select software with features that will cater to your needs. Below are some of the features.

Threat Mitigation

Define security policies, procedures, and techniques that detect new or existing threats, analyze the effect of the threats to the environment and avert the occurrence of new threats. The identified threats are isolated, contained, and analyzed to prevent spread to other files and data.

Vulnerability Scanning

On regular intervals, scan your software, networks, and systems to detect and report on existing or new security flaws.

Data Encryption

By encrypting your business data, it can only be accessible to users who have a valid encryption key. The data that is encrypted appears as unreadable text to anyone who does not have the key.

Incident Management

Set up steps to follow, should a security incident be identified. The incidents should be logged based on priority, Low to High, and mitigate the issues to reduce downtime.

Two-Factor Authentication

Create a dual verification procedure that allows users access to business applications and data. This mandates all users to verify their identity by using two sets of credentials. For instance, a mobile push verification and the conventional password and username.

Single Sign-On

To access multiple software platforms and applications, employ the use of a single set of logins, for instance, username and password.

What to Consider When Selecting Cybersecurity Software

Before you purchase a security solution, the following are some of the important points to consider.

Customer Support

After shortlisting vendors, ensure you ask about the kind of customer care support they provide. For instance, are they available during business hours only, do they offer 24hours customer care support throughout the week, or do they offer 24hours customer support on business days only? Also, confirm whether they will be available on the support channels you prefer, such as phone, live chat, or email. Customer support services help you fix any system or network issues that may lead to the loss of sensitive data.

Mobile App Availability

Confirm if the cybersecurity software you plan to buy offers mobile apps for Android and iOS devices. Inquire from vendors if their mobile apps provide access to daily analytics and security support. This will enable you to monitor your IT infrastructure and users, even when you are on the move.

Types Of Buyers

Before assessing cybersecurity software options, you need to know where you fall under the buyer categories. You may belong to one of the two categories discussed below.

Small And Midsize Businesses (up to 500 employees)

These categories of buyers usually lookout for a device that can scan their IT infrastructure regularly to identify any potential vulnerabilities and threats. They have fewer IT assets and users. They need a cyber-security solution that is cloud-based and does not require a significant investment for infrastructure servicing. This is the most fitting choice for these buyers. Some of the features they should look out for are threat mitigation and vulnerability scanning.

Large Enterprises (over 500 employees)

This category of buyers has a larger number of IT assets and users compared to small and midsize businesses. Therefore, their cybersecurity needs are more expensive as they need data encryption and firewalls. They should choose a full-featured cybersecurity platform. This will manage large numbers of IT assets, support multiple users, and merge the software with their existing tools, allowing seamless data transfer.

Cybersecurity Market Trends

Cybersecurity companies and products are increasing their use of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect cyber attacks in real time.

Semi-automated and manual threat detection techniques are not able to keep pace with the constant evolution of today's cyberattack landscape. ML and AI technologies are being used to bring down the incident response time to a few seconds, through real-time data security and threat intelligence, in such scenarios. ML and AI abilities are deployed directly at network endpoints, such as desktops, mobile phones, tablets, servers, and laptops, to detect and combat real-time threats.