Main monitoring activities for a strong data security posture worldwide 2024

As organizations strive to fortify their data security posture in 2024, monitoring unauthorized access attempts emerges as the top priority for 58 percent of companies worldwide. This focus on detecting potential breaches underscores the growing awareness of cyber threats and the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures. Data exfiltration attempts and overprivileged access for humans also rank high on the list of key activities to monitor, highlighting the multifaceted approach required for comprehensive data protection.

Evolving security technologies

To address these security concerns, companies are implementing various application and data-centric security technologies. Database firewalls lead the pack as the most widely adopted solution, with web application firewalls (WAF) close behind, utilized by over 60 percent of organizations. Looking ahead, many firms plan to acquire bot management tools in the next 12 months, signaling a shift towards more advanced threat detection and prevention mechanisms.

Investing in cybersecurity following data breaches

The importance of data security is further emphasized by organizations' responses to breaches. A significant 63 percent of companies plan to increase their cybersecurity investment following a data breach, marking a 12 percent rise from the previous year. This proactive approach extends to specific areas such as Incident Response (IR) planning and testing, with 55 percent of firms intending to boost investment in this crucial aspect of cybersecurity. Additionally, over half of the surveyed companies aim to enhance their threat detection and response capabilities in the wake of a breach, demonstrating a commitment to learning from security incidents and strengthening defenses.