"`html
The digital transformation has brought enormous benefits to companies. At the same time, cyber threats have become a constant reality. Cyberattacks are becoming more targeted and more complex. Effective cyber threat protection is therefore not optional, but necessary.[1] Today, companies of all sizes need robust protection measures. They need to defend their critical systems. The financial burden of cyber attacks is considerable. Germany suffered losses of around 203 billion euros in 2022.[6] This article shows proven strategies for effective cyber threat protection.
Why cyber threat protection is indispensable today
The threat landscape has changed fundamentally. Cyber criminals are using artificial intelligence. They rely on machine learning for their attacks.[1] Initially, attacks were aimed at individual systems. Today, hackers are attacking entire supply chains. Critical infrastructures are being targeted.[2] Companies are not only losing data. They suffer reputational damage and loss of trust.
Regulation is becoming stricter. The NIS2 directive binds around 30,000 German companies[2], who must protect their IT and OT systems. They must report security incidents. The requirements are clear: every company needs a cyber threat protection plan[2] and the state, business and society must work together[3].
The financial reality of cyber attacks
Companies often underestimate the costs. A ransomware attack costs more than the ransom. Downtime causes massive losses. Reputational damage is expensive in the long term. This is why Bitkom recommends investing 20 per cent of the IT budget in cyber threat protection[6]. It significantly reduces risks. It protects the business model.
Companies are reporting massive business interruptions. The financial sector is particularly at risk. Banks lose customer confidence after attacks. E-commerce companies see a drop in sales. Industrial companies can shut down production. That's why cyber threat protection is a business issue, not just an IT issue.
The three pillars of effective cyber threat protection
Successful cyber threat protection rests on three foundations:[8] prevention, attack surface reduction and detection form the structure. Each pillar complements the others. Together, they create flexible and stable security architectures. Companies need to understand and implement these three levels.
Pillar 1: Prevention - prevention in cyber threat protection
Prevention means preventing threats before they cause damage[1], starting with firewalls. Modern firewalls can check millions of connections. They recognise suspicious patterns. Antivirus software protects against known malware. But prevention goes further[6].
Encryption technologies are essential.[1] They protect data during transmission. They protect data in storage. Access controls limit who can access what.[1] The Zero Trust model does not automatically trust anyone.[1] Every access is checked, regardless of where it comes from. This is prevention at the highest level.
Regular software updates are critical. They close security gaps.[1] Patch management must be automated. Old software is an invitation to hackers. Companies should take an inventory of all IT assets. They need to know what they need to protect. Then they can clearly formulate security guidelines. These guidelines must be put into practice.
BEST PRACTICE at the customer (name hidden due to NDA contract): A retail company with 500 employees introduced a strict patch management system. Within three months, it reduced the average time to fix vulnerabilities from 45 days to eight days. The company also implemented multi-factor authentication for all employees. The number of successful phishing attempts fell by 87 per cent. These two measures alone significantly reduced cyber risks and increased security awareness throughout the company.
Pillar 2: Attack surface reduction - minimising the attack surface
Attack surface reduction means reducing targets for hackers. The fewer open doors, the better. This starts with network segmentation. Not everything should be connected to everything else.[1] Critical systems are given the highest level of protection.[12] Sensitive data is classified and protected separately.[1] It's like a safe within a safe.
Identity and access management is centralised[1] Centralised management of user identities creates an overview. Old accesses of former employees must be deleted. Unfortunately, this is often not done. Security gaps therefore remain. Cloud security must be taken just as seriously as on-premise security[4] Data in the cloud needs its own protective measures.
Penetration tests help to find vulnerabilities.[8] External experts attempt to break in. This works under controlled conditions. Companies learn where they are vulnerable. They can then react before real hackers arrive. Regular vulnerability scanning reveals further gaps[10].
BEST PRACTICE at the customer (name hidden due to NDA contract): A logistics company carried out micro-segmentation in its network. This divided a large network into smaller areas. A hacker could no longer get from one segment to all the others. The company combined this with regular penetration tests. Within a year, the tests identified 23 critical vulnerabilities that could have been present before the attack. The company was able to systematically close these and significantly increase its security level.
Pillar 3: Detection - recognising and responding to threats
Detection means recognising attacks quickly. Artificial intelligence is a game changer here.[1] Machine learning automatically recognises anomalies.[1] A system behaves normally, then suddenly behaves differently. The AI recognises this immediately. It classifies it as suspicious. This enables real-time defence[1].
Security Operation Centres (SOC) are central. They monitor around the clock. Modern SOCs rely on next-gen technology. They use automated threat response. This means that a system reacts automatically to threats[4] and shuts down suspicious accounts. It isolates infected devices. Humans then check whether this was correct.
Incident response is essential. A predefined plan is needed[1] What happens when an attack is detected? Who is informed? Which systems are shut down? Companies should practise these scenarios regularly[12] - it's like a fire drill. In an emergency, everything runs faster and better.
BEST PRACTICE at the customer (name hidden due to NDA contract): A financial company implemented a 24/7 SOC with AI-supported threat detection. The system recognised potentially suspicious activities in milliseconds. The company trained its security team every six months with simulated attacks. Employees learnt how to react quickly. When a real ransomware attack attempted to penetrate, the system recognised it within two minutes. The company was able to protect 99 per cent of its systems. The damage was minimal compared to typical industry incidents.
The NIST Framework: A proven framework for cyber threat protection
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is internationally recognised[6] and was created by the US authority NIST as a guide. It consists of five core functions. Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond and Recover.[6] These functions cover the entire life cycle. They are considered best practice[6].
Identify means: Your company needs to know what it has.[6] Which systems? Which data? Which critical processes? Protect means: Protect these assets.[6] This is prevention and attack surface reduction. Detect means recognising attacks.[6] That is our detection system. Respond means: Acting quickly, in a coordinated and efficient manner in the event of an attack[6]. Recover means: Returning to normality after the attack.[6] This is disaster recovery.
The role of employees in cyber threat protection
Technology alone does not protect. People are often the weakest link.[12] An employee clicks on a suspicious link. A hacker sits in the system. This happens worldwide every day. That's why training is central to cyber threat protection[1].
Security awareness training must take place regularly.[12] Employees must recognise phishing. They must use strong passwords. They must be informed about current threats. Simulated phishing campaigns help. They show who needs to be trained.[4] This is not punitive, but instructive. Companies that invest in their employees have fewer successful attacks[12].
The human firewall is real. Trained employees recognise suspicious emails. They report strange activity. They follow security guidelines.[4] This costs less than a data leak. A company should treat cyber security as a leadership issue.[12] The CEO needs to understand this. Resources must flow. Otherwise, cyber threat protection will remain on the surface.
BEST PRACTICE at the customer (name hidden due to NDA contract): A catering company carried out comprehensive security awareness training. Together with a specialist, it launched a programme with simulated phishing attacks and regular training sessions. The proportion of employees who clicked on phishing emails fell from 34 per cent to eight per cent. The company strengthened the human firewall. The number of successful cyber attacks on the company fell by 76 per cent within a year. The investment in training quickly paid off.
Compliance and legal requirements for cyber threat protection
NIS2 is more than just a set of rules. It is a mindset change.[2] The directive obliges companies to document their security. They must report incidents.[2] The penalties for non-compliance are significant. Managers can be held personally liable. Cyber threat protection is becoming a compliance issue. It is no longer an optional add-on.
The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) is relevant for the financial sector.[10] It harmonises cyber security across Europe.[10] Banks and insurance companies must meet certain standards.[10] This creates competitive fairness. It also protects customers. SMEs should keep an eye on these developments. The requirements will come for them too[2].
Cyber insurance can play a role.[10] It covers certain types of damage. However, they do not pay for negligent lack of security. Insurers are increasingly demanding proof of good cyber threat protection[10], which creates financial incentives for more security. Companies should have their insurance reviewed[10].
Practical steps for implementing cyber threat protection
Step 1: Assess the status quo and evaluate risks
Every company needs to start with an honest inventory[10]. What systems do we have? What data do we protect? Where are the weak points? An external risk assessment often helps. Experts sometimes see what insiders overlook.[10] This phase is uncomfortable, but necessary. It reveals the reality.
Step 2: Set priorities and allocate resources
Not all assets are equally important. Companies should identify their crown jewels:[12] Which data is business-critical? Which systems cannot fail? These areas receive the highest level of protection.[12] Resources are limited. They must be used intelligently. This is strategic thinking in cyber threat protection
Deutsch 
English (UK)