📍The Unattainable Ideal: Absolute Security
Information security, despite being an ever-evolving field, is marked by one undeniable truth: absolute security in IT does not exist. Every system, no matter how robust, is susceptible to compromise due to vulnerabilities, bugs, misconfigurations, or misuse.
New attack vectors emerge daily as technology evolves, creating an ongoing arms race between defenders and attackers. This inherent imperfection is not a failure of IT security but a reality that points out its critical importance.
AI will make things even faster and harder.
📍The Goal: Making Breaches Costlier and Less Attractive
In light of the impossibility of perfect security, the primary objective of information security shifts from "eliminating all risks" to "managing risks effectively".
The goal is to make it prohibitively difficult, time-consuming, and costly for attackers to breach a system. Attackers are pragmatic: they seek the path of least resistance. If one target proves too challenging, they will likely move to another, easier one. This approach emphasises resilience over perfection, acknowledging that while breaches may still happen, they should require extraordinary effort and resources.
📍The Foundation of Security: Proper Configuration and Education
Achieving resilience involves two key components:
🔹Setting Up Systems Correctly
A significant proportion of security incidents stem not from complex exploits but from simple misconfigurations. Improperly set permissions on files, folders, and devices can create unnecessary vulnerabilities. Regular audits of access controls, diligent patch management, and adherence to the principle of least privilege are vital practices to minimise exposure.
🔸Educating Users
Even the most secure system can be undermined by human error.
Users are often the weakest link in security, making education a critical component of any security strategy. Awareness campaigns, training sessions, and clear communication about risks such as phishing, social engineering, and unsafe behaviors can empower users to act as the first line of defence. Education should focus not just on avoiding threats but also on recognising and reporting suspicious activities.
🔹A Constant Battle
Information security is not a one-time effort but a continuous process.
Organisations must stay informed about emerging threats and adapt their defences accordingly. They must also cultivate a culture of security, where both IT professionals and users share responsibility for protecting information assets.
Conclusion
In the face of the inevitability of vulnerabilities, the true challenge of information security lies in building systems and practices that are resilient enough to deter attackers. Proper configuration and user education serve as pillars of this effort, reducing the risk of exploitation and enhancing overall security posture. While the pursuit of absolute security is unattainable, the pursuit of robust, cost-effective defences is not only feasible but essential.
By making security a shared responsibility and an ongoing priority, we can mitigate risks and create systems that are as secure as realistically possible.
