The ways in which organisations protect their data and resources has significantly changed over the last few years. Attackers are no longer relying on straightforward techniques but instead deploy advanced methods, combining automation, social engineering, and exploitation of vulnerabilities to achieve their goals. To counter these threats effectively, organisations need a robust security strategy that goes beyond traditional perimeter defences. This is where the concept of defence in depth becomes a critical component of a comprehensive cybersecurity posture.
Defence in depth is a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity that aims to protect an organisation’s systems and data by deploying overlapping security measures across multiple layers. Rather than relying on a single control or barrier, this strategy assumes that breaches may occur at one layer but ensures that additional measures are in place to detect, delay, or mitigate the threat at subsequent stages. This contrasts with legacy perimeter-based models that treat a strong outer wall as sufficient defence. In a world where attackers often breach perimeters with ease, defence in depth ensures there are safeguards throughout the entire infrastructure to protect against and recover from threats.
The Cyber Kill Chain provides a valuable framework for understanding how attackers operate and highlights why defence in depth is essential. Developed by Lockheed Martin, the Kill Chain outlines seven stages of a cyberattack: reconnaissance, weaponisation, delivery, exploitation, installation, command and control, and action on objectives. Each stage represents an opportunity for defenders to intercept and neutralise an attack before it progresses. For example, reconnaissance—the stage where attackers gather intelligence about a target—can be disrupted with attack surface management and penetration testing. Similarly, exploitation—the stage where vulnerabilities are used to execute an attack—can be mitigated through timely patching, vulnerability management, and endpoint protection. By deploying defences that align with each stage of the Kill Chain, organisations create a layered security posture that is resilient and proactive.
Syscomm’s approach to defence in depth goes beyond merely deploying tools. At its core is the ABC Security Framework, which ensures a holistic and tailored defence strategy. The “A” stands for Awareness, focusing on ensuring that organisations have full visibility into their risks and attack surface. Through tools like threat detection, penetration testing, and vulnerability management, Syscomm empowers businesses to understand where they are vulnerable and take proactive steps to mitigate risks. This intelligence-driven approach also includes real-time event visibility, allowing organisations to detect anomalies as they occur.
The “B” stands for Behaviours, which is a critical focus on the human element of cybersecurity. Since human error accounts for a significant percentage of breaches, Syscomm helps organisations secure this layer through robust policies, effective data governance, and continuous user training. By fostering a security-conscious culture, businesses can significantly reduce the likelihood of phishing attacks, social engineering, or misconfigurations leading to breaches. Finally, the “C” represents Controls, which are the technical measures designed to block, restrict, and respond to threats. These controls include tools like advanced firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, endpoint detection and response (EDR), access controls, and threat detection systems that work together to create a robust security architecture.
Defence in depth is not just about stopping attacks; it is also about resilience. Cyber threats evolve constantly, with attackers leveraging techniques like zero-day vulnerabilities, ransomware, and lateral movement within networks to evade detection and achieve their objectives. A layered defence ensures that even if attackers succeed in breaching one layer, their ability to progress is significantly hindered. For example, strong network segmentation combined with access controls and behaviour analytics can prevent lateral movement within a network, isolating a threat before it spreads. This layered approach also ensures redundancy, meaning that if one system fails or is bypassed, others can take over to maintain the organisation’s security posture. Furthermore, defence in depth provides unparalleled visibility across an organisation’s infrastructure, enabling real-time threat detection, rapid response, and ongoing improvement of defences.
For businesses, the importance of defence in depth cannot be overstated. Attackers exploit weaknesses not only in technology but also in people and processes, making it essential to have a comprehensive strategy that addresses all three areas. Syscomm’s expertise in delivering defence in depth helps businesses navigate these challenges by combining innovative technology, industry best practices, and a proactive approach to security. By integrating measures that disrupt attackers at each stage of the Kill Chain, Syscomm ensures customers are not just protected but also prepared to adapt and evolve as threats change.
In this blog series, we will take a deep dive into the Cyber Kill Chain, exploring how Syscomm’s approach to defence in depth addresses each stage of a cyberattack. From preventing reconnaissance activities to neutralising threats during the action on objectives phase, we will highlight how a layered security strategy protects organisations and strengthens their overall security posture. Through actionable insights and real-world examples, this series will demonstrate how Syscomm helps businesses break the Kill Chain and achieve resilience in the face of cyber threats. Stay tuned as we delve into each stage of the Kill Chain and showcase how Syscomm’s approach to layered security keeps attackers at bay and organisations secure.
If you’re looking to enhance your organisation’s cybersecurity and build a truly resilient defence strategy, contact Syscomm today to start your journey towards comprehensive protection.