The threat of cyberattacks grows daily and diverse as more companies witness attacks from different sources. Despite perfecting virtual and software protection, companies are growing concerned about how to protect key software and hardware from physical attacks. The threat of physical attacks mainly arises from sources like employees, company break-ins, or proximity attacks. These factors make critical systems vulnerable to attacks as the attack already has physical access.
Due to the concerns to protect the system physically, companies are resolving to hardware security modules for protection. These modules are a layer of physical safety, mainly tamper, weather, and attack-proof systems.
They are used primarily to protect software that performs essential activities like security authorization, which is the main target for attackers. Companies with HSM enjoy many benefits, mainly cost-saving, efficiency, regulatory, and security benefits. Here are more reasons to implement HSM for every organization.
1. Ultimate Security Guarantees
The first rule is to ensure extensive protection when securing key company assets and vulnerable resources. The protection should be in software and hardware to secure critical assets like networking, communication, authentication, and security systems. This is because all systems can also be susceptible to physical attacks. Therefore, you need HSM to protect all the physical from all forms of physical access by unauthorized personnel.
HSM is fitted with various capabilities to guarantee ultimate physical protection. For instance, the systems are tamper-proof, meaning one cannot break the glass to gain access. All the systems stored within cannot be accessed as long as the glass and protection layer are not tampered with. If someone penetrates the tamper-proof levels, security alarms are automatically triggered.
In case one penetrates the security layer, other actions can be triggered, like self-destruction. Such security measures are ideal when transporting critical techs vulnerable to hijacking. Some HSM security systems include a Hardware Security Module box, which is tamper, heat- and weather-proof to protect the tech. Since these boxes are made from durable and damage-proof materials, they can also be essential for securing technologies in areas like laboratories.
2. Faster Performance
Having a system secured by HSM means it is only dedicated to a specific function like generating cryptography keys and authentication needs. An HSM-secured system is isolated from other systems; hence, it is linked only to a few, improving performance and functionality. Such systems are mainly dedicated to one function and are fast and efficient.
Generally, it is much easier to track the origin of the problem and fix it since the experts only focus on one system. This reduces problem diagnostics, further improving the time needed to fix the problem and get the system running again.
Regardless of the volume of data handled and requests, the system maintains a higher speed as it is dedicated only to one function. HSM also ensures the system is attack-proof and secure; hence, nobody can access or tamper with the system’s functionality and performance. Therefore, an HSM system should be a key consideration if you need a system that performs at peak.
3. Meeting All the Regulatory Standards
Before deploying any system, you must prove it is secure and hack-proof. Regulators are concerned with physical and virtual access; hence, you must have the best security layers. Such regulations ensure consumer data is safe and data breaches and attacks do not affect the system, especially when dealing with high-level security data.
HSM is necessary if you need a protective layer that meets NIST, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and other legislative security measures. With HSM in place, you can demonstrate your measures to protect consumer data, thereby avoiding fines related to less secure systems. With HSM, you can also gain more customer trust and belief. Most are concerned with the security of their private data; hence, if you can prove your systems are attack-proof, most are likely to trust you with their full data.
Therefore, when communicating with your customers, you can easily link the hardware security systems as part of the protective systems you guarantee clients. Regardless of your operations, having an HSM system proves how much you abide by the regulations and your willingness to protect your consumers. Such gestures shield you from frequent regulatory audits and suspicion.
4. Scalable and Flexible Systems
Despite being considered rigid due to the physical security, HSM protective systems are scalable. You can easily upgrade and downgrade based on the system needs. As the business grows and attracts more data and clients, you can upgrade the system to meet the growing needs.
Initially, HSM was used to secure communication, security, and networking systems. However, you can currently use them for needs like payment security. You can use a single HSM system to perform multiple roles, i.e., generating authentication codes for security access, payment authorization, and system access,
As your company grows, you can explore other ventures like cloud-based and hybrid HSM security services. With such upgrades and updates, you can support more functionality than on-premise services and systems.
5. Cost Efficiency And Reduction
Security breaches can be expensive to companies, especially when the private data is in the hands of attackers. Any company data breaches can also lead to more costs, significantly when the services are disrupted, and the company loses business due to downtime and uninterrupted services. Even air-gap systems can be attacked if one accesses the system; therefore, you can secure all systems through a physical proof layer.
With the HSM, you can forget about other worries like fines and lawsuits from regulators. Once installed, the system can help you protect the systems for years, avoiding unnecessary costs. Since it is scalable, you can lower operational costs for setting up newer, expensive systems.
Virtual data security is expensive, but you can ensure private security systems are air-gap with an HSM system. Hence, it helps you enjoy more benefits of an air-gap system for your company. This saves you the costs of cloud and other security systems. Once the HSM system is installed, you can forget about hardware, software, additional costs, and purchases needed to guarantee company and data security.
Bottomline
Companies should be dedicated to securing systems from online and physical access, and HSM can help with both. It is more beneficial than other security measures due to the cost, operation, and efficiency. It also allows companies to abide by regulatory guidelines and boost the system functionality based on the dedicated purpose.
