Cyber security must become proactive with network monitoring

Too often these days, companies are reactive when it comes to cyber security incidents. Not until after an intrusion occurs do they take steps to improve the protection of critical systems and sensitive information.

Instead, according to a recent Dark Reading report, they should implement a network monitoring tool to better detect and prevent issues.

"Companies need to implement routine activities to identify security incidents. Your staff will need to do daily log reviews to look for anomalous activities, do IDS event reviews, and follow up on user reports of abnormal system behavior," the report stated. "Events that surface from these reviews may prove unimportant, but they could provide the first hint of a serious incident in progress."

Furthermore, monitoring tools can also help companies deal with the increase of data produced in unstructured formats, according to Dark Reading.

Also recently, InformationWeek contributor Govind Rammurthy noted that monitoring solutions are needed to prevent sophisticated cyber attacks. He said the number of such attacks continues to rise with each passing year, and companies can no longer afford to ignore them.