Before we explore the fundamentals in depth, let’s first trace the path that led us here. With this we aspire to construct a vivid 'mind’s-eye' view, enriching the reader’s context and sharpening their critical thinking skills.
Discovering the Fundamentals of Cybersecurity and Privacy
Our identification of the fundamentals began with an 'outside-in' approach, starting from the user's interaction with the internet. This perspective enabled us to pinpoint cyber risk at its core, and we found it residing in three distinct areas. By concentrating on these critical junctures of digital vulnerability, we've been able to articulate the essential fundamentals required to realize the vision of a comprehensive ecosystem of privacy and cybersecurity.
✓ Our analysis and insights reveal three primary vulnerabilities critical for anyone navigating the internet. These vulnerabilities are the epicenters of cyber threats, underpinning the vast majority of successful hacks and cyberattacks. We've termed these critical points "The Three Primary Attack Surfaces."
The Three Primary Attack Surfaces for Cybercrime
It's simple, if not intuitive, but flagging these three culprits focuses our attention and creates a vivid visual in one's mind, which is important for abstract issues like cyber. With this intelligence we can effectively meet the risk where it lives.
1) EMAIL –
The #1 point of entry for cybercriminals and online fraudsters is email. Phishing, ransomware, spying, key-logging, and many other exploits start with an email. AI in cybercrime is increasing the risks inherent in email, and we need to be vigilant and on our toes with our inboxes more than ever.
2) DEVICES –
Computers, laptops, phones, pads, and tablets are all vulnerable to viruses, data loss, malicious intruders, and much more.
3) NETWORKS –
More and more, home and office Wi-Fi and public Wi-Fi like cafes, hotels, and airports are considered “honeypots” by hackers.
✓Understanding the risks inherent in 'The Three Primary Attack Surfaces' guided us in developing 'The Four Fundamentals,' which constitute the indispensable pillars of a universally effective privacy and digital security ecosystem—seamlessly operational across all devices and networks, ensuring protection at every moment and location.
So, finally, here are "The Four Fundamentals of Cybersecurity for Life."
The Four Fundamentals of “Cybersecurity for Life”
How to mitigate cyber risk and ID theft to the margin by creating an ecosystem of privacy and cybersecurity.
The Four Fundamentals -
- Privatize your personal email.
- Protect your internet-connected devices.
- Secure your network.
- Use a VPN every day.
✓ More details follow below and illustrate how TDS solves these four fundamentals for our clients using advanced cybersecurity solutions.
1) EMAIL – Privatize Email
- Microsoft 365 tenant with MS Entra security controls.
- Private Domain Name Registration and Domain Name Servers – GoDaddy.
- Email Boxes – Microsoft 365.
- Modest one-time setup fee.
- We act as Admin and TDS is your first contact, not Microsoft.
* Benefits – email activities are off the grid of “free” email and embolden “digital identity.” Security controls and intelligence with AI via Microsoft’s email security platform.
2) DEVICES – Protect Your Devices
- For Windows and Mac Computers
- Enterprise-level EPP by WithSecure – Endpoint protection - $89/yr. per device
- Antivirus
- Data Loss Protection
- Intruder Protection, etc.
- Real-time optimization
* Benefits – a comprehensive, unified “full-stack” of endpoint protection to provide protection 24/7 with real-time optimization.
3) NETWORKS – Secure Your Network
- This solution represents a generational leap in cybersecurity technology and reflects the "state-of-the-science" in IT security today.
- Managed Network Security service by TDS via ControlOne SD-WAN / SASE Zero-trust Network Platform.
For fixed-networks (home, office, etc.) - the ControlOne “security appliance” for onsite full network, Wi-Fi, all connected devices, and “things” - $2,550/yr.
- Remote networks and public Wi-Fi - ControlOne “agent software” for Windows and Mac laptops and iOS - $249/yr. for customers with the onsite fixed-network protection above, or $419/yr. for “agent only” customers.
* Benefits – a comprehensive and unified platform for network security
Including firewall and VPN “as-a-service”, off the public internet via a private
“Point of Presence” or “POP,” also called the “Gateway.” Always on zero-trust
state of security, identity-based access controls, AV at the gateway, DDoS protection, content and DNS filtering, and much more. See the illustration below:
