Cyber Security: Safeguarding Business Data with the CIS Controls

What is Cyber Security?

Cyber security refers to the practice of protecting systems, networks, and data from digital attacks, theft, or damage. It involves implementing technologies, processes, and controls to safeguard information and ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data. Cyber security aims to defend against a wide range of threats, including malware, phishing, ransomware, and unauthorized access, to maintain the security and functionality of digital systems.

Why Cyber Security is Crucial for Your Business

With the rapid advancement of technology, the tools and strategies used by cybercriminals have grown increasingly sophisticated. Cyber security is no longer just about protecting information; it’s about maintaining customer trust, ensuring business continuity, aligning with regulatory requirements, and safeguarding against global threats. 

Many cyber attacks are now deeply intertwined with geopolitics, as state-sponsored hackers and international organized crime syndicates target businesses to steal intellectual property, disrupt operations, or engage in espionage. However, in most cases, they simply seek a financial windfall through wire fraud, extortion, and ransom.

How much cyber security your business needs depends on several factors like the size of your business, industry, compliance requirements, and the type of data that requires safeguarding. Industries that handle sensitive data, such as financial services, energy and utilities, technology and telecommunications, manufacturing, and healthcare are particularly vulnerable to cyber attacks. 

For example, the healthcare industry has seen a clear “upward trend in data breaches over the past 14 years” according to HIPAA Journal. In late August of 2024, unauthorized networks in the U.S., including healthcare organizations, were targeted by Iranian threat actors, working with Russian-affiliated ransomware gangs. For the healthcare industry and its patients, cyber-attacks go beyond sensitive data exposure or financial crimes—they can endanger lives when vital patient information is unavailable for timely care.

"As a Managed Service Provider working with professionals in the industries most vulnerable to attacks, like healthcare, manufacturing, and legal and financial services, I’ve seen a growing need for better alignment between business processes and technology,” says Don Viar, CEO of EpiOn. “That’s why we help our clients break down and measure the most valuable actions that lead to better cyber security with our Measurably Better IT framework. "

An effective cyber security plan not only prevents unauthorized access, data leaks, and compliance issues, but also reduces the risk of your business becoming collateral damage in international cyber conflicts, ultimately saving you from legal, financial, and reputational harm.

Identifying Common Cyber Threats

Awareness is the first crucial step in establishing an effective defense against cyber threats. No matter what services or goods your organization provides, any business with online operations or reliant on digital infrastructure may be the target of the most common types of cyber threats. 

Social Engineering

Social engineering is a manipulation technique that exploits human psychology to access confidential information or systems. Instead of hacking into systems through technical means, social engineers trick individuals into divulging sensitive information, such as passwords or personal details, by posing as trustworthy figures or creating a sense of urgency. 

Common social engineering tactics include:

• Phishing emails - deceptive messages designed to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information, like passwords or financial information, by masquerading as legitimate communications. 
• Pretexting - creating a fabricated scenario to obtain information
• Baiting - offering something enticing to get information
• Tailgating - following someone into a restricted area

Even though most social engineering tactics don’t rely on sophisticated code, they are considered one of the most successful methods for cyber attacks. The success of social engineering relies heavily on exploiting trust, curiosity, fear, urgency, and human error. As a result, even organizations with strong technical defenses can be breached if their employees aren’t adequately trained to recognize and resist them. 

“Many companies put up a firewall and hope for the best. Hope is not a strategy against constantly evolving external threats. Your employees need to be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to prevent a social engineering attack from succeeding,” explains Don, CEO of EpiOn. “When working with an MSP be sure they offer adequate employee training on social engineering tailored to your industry’s specific compliance requirements.” 

Business Email Compromise (BEC)

Like email phishing, business email compromise involves emotional manipulation, but the cybercriminal impersonates a specific individual, often a business executive within the organization, a customer, or a vendor, to extract sensitive information. In essence, phishing casts a wide net to gather information, while BEC is a focused attack on specific individuals or organizations to achieve financial gain or data theft.

Unfortunately, this targeted approach works well for many cybercriminals. From 2013, when the FBI started tracking BEC, to 2023, reports of incidents totaled 305,033 with losses estimated at $55,499,915,582.  

Malware

Malware, short for malicious software, is any software intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, server, client, or computer network. It can take various forms, including viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, adware, and more. Cybercriminals often use malware to steal sensitive information, disrupt operations, or gain unauthorized access to systems. It can spread through email attachments, infected websites, or software downloads, and it poses a significant threat to both individuals and organizations by compromising data security and privacy. 

Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim's files or locks them out of their system, rendering the data inaccessible. The attacker then demands a ransom payment from the victim in exchange for restoring access to the data or system. The payment is typically requested in cryptocurrencies to maintain the attacker's anonymity.

Man-in-the-Middle Attacks (MitM)

A Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attack is a type of cyberattack where an attacker secretly intercepts and relays communications between two parties who believe they are directly communicating with each other. The attacker can eavesdrop on the conversation, capture sensitive information, and even alter the communication without the knowledge of the involved parties. This type of attack can occur in various forms, such as intercepting data over unsecured Wi-Fi networks, exploiting vulnerabilities in communication protocols, or using phishing techniques to trick users into connecting to a malicious network. MitM attacks pose significant risks to data confidentiality and integrity.

Awareness of these threats is vital, and educating your team about how to recognize signs of cyber threats and the importance of cybersecurity practices can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to cyberattacks. Regular training sessions and a culture of vigilance can empower employees to act as the first line of defense, protecting sensitive information and ensuring the integrity of your network.

Safeguarding Data with Comprehensive Cyber Security Processes and Technology

A comprehensive security framework serves as the backbone for protecting an organization’s digital assets, operations, and reputation. It integrates several key processes and technologies to address potential threats and vulnerabilities, creating consistent security standards for:

Risk Management

At the core of any cybersecurity framework is the ability to identify, assess, and address risks. Risk management involves understanding an organization’s critical assets, evaluating potential threats, and determining the likelihood and impact of those threats. This aspect allows organizations to make informed decisions about where to allocate resources and how to plan for long-term security.

Threat Detection

Threat detection focuses on identifying malicious activities or breaches as quickly as possible. This includes monitoring networks, systems, applications, and cloud platforms for suspicious behavior. Using advanced tools such as endpoint detection and response (ERD), intrusion detection systems (IDS), security information and event management (SIEM) systems, and then feeding a security operations center (SOC) with real-time analytics, organizations stay alert to potential issues before they escalate.

Incident Response

When a security event occurs, having a robust incident response framework in place ensures a rapid and efficient reaction. This includes a written Incident Response Plan (IRP) that defines roles and procedures, outlines procedures for common scenarios, and then conducts regular training exercises. The goal is to minimize damage, recover quickly, and prevent future incidents.

Compliance

Regulatory and legal compliance ensures that an organization meets industry-specific standards and laws. Frameworks like FEDRAMP, GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS play a critical role here. Compliance not only helps avoid penalties but also serves as an essential baseline for building and maintaining trust with customers and stakeholders.

The Role of the CIS Controls in a Cyber Security Framework

The CIS Controls, short for the Center for Internet Security Controls, function as practical, prioritized, and actionable guidelines to improve an organization’s security posture. These controls are grouped into three implementation tiers—basic (IG1), foundational (IG2), and organizational (IG3)—making them adaptable to a wide range of businesses and resources.

Key Benefits of CIS Controls:

• Prioritizing Security Efforts: The CIS Controls recommends focusing on high-impact actions, such as managing hardware inventories or securing administrative privileges. This ensures resources target the areas of greatest vulnerability.
• Reducing Risk: By addressing common attack methods, like phishing attacks or ransomware, the CIS Controls help mitigate many cybersecurity threats. For example, implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) or regular software updates can close key vulnerabilities.
• Enhancing Resilience: The standardized guidance provided by the CIS Controls ensures organizations are better prepared to detect, respond to, and recover from security incidents.
  
  

How CIS Controls Fit in the Cyber Security Framework:

• Within Risk Management: the CIS Controls and its sister framework, the CIS RAM (Risk Assessment Method), offer a clear roadmap for identifying and mitigating risks by structuring controls like asset and software inventory.
• For Threat Detection: Controls, like continuous vulnerability management and monitoring tools, improve the visibility of potential threats.
• During Incident Response: Guidelines for establishing response protocols, backup processes, and recovery measures make the CIS Controls integral to responding effectively to breaches.
• Supporting Compliance: Since the CIS Controls align with many regulatory standards, implementing them helps meet compliance requirements more easily.

“Frameworks are vital in creating an effective cyber security plan. By integrating the CIS Controls, organizations not only address security gaps but also create a scalable, repeatable, and cost-effective approach to cyber defense,” explains Don. “Together with the broader elements of EpiOn’s Measurably Better IT framework, these controls empower businesses to stay ahead of evolving threats and protect what matters most.”

Choosing the Right Level of CIS Controls for Your Organization's Cyber Security

Building on the comprehensive cybersecurity framework and the pivotal role of the CIS Controls, EpiOn’s Security Solutions leverages these best practices to fortify your defenses, streamline compliance efforts, and instill confidence by delivering expert guidance tailored to your business concerns and industry standards.

Each solution reflects the standard Implementation Groups (IGs), which help organizations prioritize their cybersecurity efforts based on their resources and risk profiles.

Basic Cyber Hygiene (IG1)

Among the offerings is Basic Cyber Hygiene (IG1), included in all of EpiOn’s standard EmPower Fully-Managed IT services and Co-Managed IT partnerships. This fundamental level of security meets 96% of the IG1 requirements, defending against 77% of common attack techniques (based on findings from the CIS Community Defense Model - an annual study of the root causes of data breaches and the CIS Control that would have prevented the breach). 

Cerberus (IG2)

If you require more advanced protection, our Cerberus (IG2) security add-on satisfies 90% of IG2 requirements, increasing your defenses against 92% of common cyber-attack techniques. With Cerberus, additional policies (beyond the EmPower program) are configured, managed, and monitored at all times. It offers a host of features like Centralized Logging, Advanced Microsoft 365 Security and Monitoring, Application Whitelist Management, Annual Penetration Test, Incident Response Planning, and more - all working behind the scenes to keep your business secure.

Our Cerberus Advanced IT security is an enhanced layer of protection aimed at reducing risk and increasing compliance for your business. With its alignment to the CIS Controls and 153 safeguard policies set by the Center for Internet Security, Cerberus provides the optimal level of security that most small to medium businesses need.

With EpiOn's Cerberus, you can be confident that you are covered at all times, and ready to face the ever-changing landscape of cyber threats.

Enterprise Security (IG3)

For enterprise-scale organizations needing the highest level of protection, we also offer IG3 services. Services such as application ring-fencing, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) monitoring, and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) may be required for those in the financial services, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and energy and utilities sectors.  These IG3-level  services protect against sophisticated cyber attacks from domestic and foreign threat actors and ensure compliance with stringent data protection regulations. 

Exploring Cyber Security Offerings with EpiOn

Explore your cyber security options with EpiOn, an industry leader in providing advanced IT security solutions. Named #1 MSP in Tennessee and #42 globally, our team can help you plan an IT roadmap customized to your business goals, industry requirements, and risk profile. 

Learn more today about how to take your cyber security to the next level. Speak to an EpiOn Expert now to get started.