There is a common misconception in business that cybersecurity is expensive. And for some aspects, it can be. But not all cybersecurity tools are costly, and there are some pretty cost-effective options you can use to improve your defenses.
Cybersecurity is a must in the digital age regardless of the type of business you operate, and employing the best defenses and strategies at your disposal will help you maintain your integrity and protect your data at all times.
This is where open-source tools come into play. There are various tools at your disposal, and open-source tools are mainly free to use for anyone. But you need to know how to use them properly for maximum security and benefits in your company.
Examples of open-source cybersecurity tools include Snort, WireShark, OpenVAS, and ModSecurity, to name a few. Implementing the right open-source tools within your company can allow you to take advantage of more cost-effective and robust measures that offer you protection and peace of mind.
Open Source Is A Collaborative Effort
When considering open-source cybersecurity tools, it is essential to remember that all open-source tools are open to everyone. Unlike closed-source tools, which are developed and then accessed by specific individuals, open-source tools can be used by companies and professionals in the industry to help them gain data, identify bugs, and implement fixes.
So before you use any open-source tools, remember that while everyone can access them, not everyone is doing it for the right reasons. That being said, chances are you will have both larger and small businesses using outsourced cybersecurity tools, meaning that you get to benefit from any changes, updates, and modifications implemented by others as they become aware of vulnerabilities in the code or new threats that are emerging.
Only Use What You Need
As soon as you install the open-source software, you will want to change from the default settings immediately. Configure it to the most secure settings and remove anything that isn’t useful to you. As much as defenders use the software to help improve defenses and keep people safe, so too do attackers who always look for weaknesses to exploit. So change the settings and lock it down when you stall it.
Check for Updates
Updates are vital to help protect the software from cyber attacks, provide new fixes and patches, and implement new code for more robust security. Always check the availability of updates and bug fixes for anything you install regularly so you can implement updates as soon as they become available for added protection.
Maintain Inventory
You need to have stringent records of all the open-source software you are using and the website you downloaded it from. You should document the version and hash value of the software so you can verify the integrity of what you are using. This will help you out should you experience any issues or if someone manages to break through your defenses. It will also allow for timely updates, as you will know where to go and how often to check for these new fixes.
Test and Scan
You shouldn’t just take it at face value that the open-source cybersecurity software will do what it is supposed to do and work with your other software and processes. Use code analyzers and auditing processes to ensure that the software is doing what you need it to and is integrating with your existing software.
Only Use Trusted Sources
You should only download your open-source software from the websites of trusted developers. Never use a third-party site to download it, and do your security checks before clicking download. Stick to downloading the source code only and not packages, as this will make it easier for you to verify its authenticity and run scans against vulnerabilities.
Check Documents and Reporting Policies
Make sure you study the documentation that comes with the open-source software so you are aware of its limitations and parameters for effective use. You also need to know the reporting procedure to report any bugs or vulnerabilities. This will help you to understand how well any addressed issues are and if the product is well-maintained or not.
Using open-source software isn’t as commonplace in cybersecurity as it is in other industries. If you are using it for more cost-effective cybersecurity measures, then you can gain many benefits from adding this to your defenses. Knowing what you are doing, what the software offers you, and what it is capable of, as well as being able to verify its authenticity, can help you avoid making mistakes.
