In a world where digital boundaries become increasingly blurred, cyberattacks are no longer a possibility but a certainty. Open networks, hybrid environments, remote users, and decentralized applications have created an ecosystem where security can no longer be treated as a product but as an ongoing business strategy.

According to Check Point Research’s third-quarter 2024 report, Brazil saw a 95% increase in the volume of cyberattacks, with over 2,700 incidents weekly. This data is not only alarming but also reflects how digital security structures remain inadequate against the sophistication of modern threats. Additionally, compared to other countries, the cost of cutting-edge technological solutions in Brazil is high, significantly impacting the percentage of investment allocated to cybersecurity.

As a result, many companies lack access to highly granular solutions, often opting for simplified alternatives or even forgoing systems altogether if the appropriate solution is beyond their budget. This creates vulnerabilities, leaving room for attacks in environments with low-complexity protection.

This reality underscores the need for a minimum viable security approach, with solutions tailored to the technological maturity and financial realities of each operation. While these measures may not prevent all threats, they significantly reduce the attack surface.

Vulnerabilities: Where Do Breaches Come From?

Today, software is generally designed with standard security requirements in mind. However, for new applications, bespoke solutions are often needed to meet specific demands. In such cases, a small window of time—sometimes hours or a day—is created during the development of this new structure, making it a prime target for breaches.

In this context, attacks can be categorized as internal or external. Internal attacks are often more dangerous, as they exploit known vulnerabilities within the organization. In these cases, the first layer of access control has already been breached, leading to more severe consequences due to the sensitivity of the targeted information.

To address this, companies frequently hire a Red Team—a group of ethical hackers who understand the organization’s security and emulate the tactics and techniques of real attackers. By mapping system weaknesses, these specialists assist IT teams in strengthening specific defenses.

External cyberattacks, on the other hand, are generally easier to control, particularly in companies with physical offices, as their security often relies on fewer layers, primarily centered around the device and a perimeter firewall. However, the pandemic accelerated office decentralization, exposing a new need: protecting not just the perimeter but the entire digital ecosystem, including endpoints, cloud connections, and distributed data flows.

This new security demand requires tailored solutions, like those developed at heimr, suited to the specifics of each case. Resilience must be at the core of the strategy, and effective security is not just about preventing attacks but ensuring operations continue during a crisis. However, it’s critical to reiterate that, even with these measures, breaches are inevitable. Companies must adopt a structure that ensures data security during attacks.

The two greatest concerns during cyberattacks are operational downtime and data leaks. To mitigate these, beyond an efficient predictive system, a high-availability structure is essential—one capable of isolating or compromising a part of the system without disrupting overall operations.

Security Is Also About Reputation

A successful attack can not only compromise systems but also destroy brand value, undermine customer trust, and damage the credibility of operations. In a competitive and hyperconnected market, the response to a threat is as critical as prevention. Thus, solutions that provide support during an attack are as strategic as firewalls or antivirus software. A structured crisis response can determine a company’s survival and future.

Ultimately, cybersecurity cannot be delegated solely to IT. It must permeate the organization’s culture, processes, and mindset. Interoperability between systems, cross-departmental communication, real-time visibility, and risk-based decision-making are the building blocks of a resilient structure.

At heimr, we believe that protection goes beyond shielding—it’s about ensuring that, even in the face of the inevitable, your company continues to operate with confidence and control.