When it comes to the thought of potential cyberattacks, the motto says is: “Be prepared.” In other words, make sure you’re always in a state of readiness. This is especially true when you’re talking about installing multi-component security solutions.

It’s no longer enough to simply harden an organization’s network infrastructure. Now companies must also consider hardening all of the smart devices and other IoT (Internet of Things) technology that connect to the network and are used to maximize the value of the security solution. It’s important to safeguard these ancillary devices because today’s hackers are turning their attention from the well-protected “big fish” and going after many of these secondary, more vulnerable systems and components as a way to breach the network and gain access to a company’s valuable digital assets.

So how should an organization protect its network, systems and devices from potential cyberattacks? While no one can fully mitigate cyberattacks (there are new ones everyday), there are some basic steps that everyone from the manufacturer, to the integrator, to the user can take to provide a level of protection for themselves and their network.

The best defense is a good offense. Partner with manufacturers who proactively post CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) on their websites and regularly issue software and firmware updates that eliminate outdated code which may be susceptible to attacks. You also want manufacturers who are always keeping a vigilant eye out for new forms of malware, dedicating resources to learning how these are used to exploit devices vulnerabilities, and immediately taking steps to test and verify that their devices are not affected. Cyberattacks are a constantly evolving phenomenon. So you need to make sure that your cybersecurity measures keep pace. It’s an ongoing battle, make sure you are in the best position to fight it.