8 Key Cybersecurity Tools

Cybersecurity attacks pose a serious risk to businesses. A successful attack might result in the exposure of sensitive data, business outages, loss of customer trust, identity theft, and even extortion. Cybersecurity tools are key parts of a larger security framework designed to help your business manage compliance while safeguarding it against cybersecurity attacks, ensuring that private data and other information remain secure.

Learn more about eight key cybersecurity tools, how these tools can benefit your business, and the types of cybersecurity roles that typically work with these tools.

Why are cybersecurity tools important?

Cybersecurity tools are important because they help safeguard businesses from the often devastating consequences of a successful cybersecurity attack, such as data breaches, phishing attacks, malware, insider breaches, and more. Many businesses now have an online presence in some capacity, which exposes their customer data and confidential information to potential hacks. Statista estimates that by 2028, the global cost of cybercrime may reach $13.82 trillion [1]. Credit card companies and even government secrets can be susceptible to cyberattacks. Cybersecurity tools help minimize these risks and allow businesses to safely navigate online spaces without falling victim to breaches or attacks.

Cybersecurity tools list

Cybersecurity tools such as penetration testing, encryption, and vulnerability scanning work together to address a wide range of cyber threats. Take a more detailed look at eight common cybersecurity tools:

Penetration testing

Penetration testing is the practice of “ethical hacking,” where someone tests a computer system for security vulnerabilities by simulating a cyberattack. This helps to identify where potential weak spots are and what the chances of a real breach might be. Cybersecurity professionals can also use this technique to identify the most effective aspects of the security system.

Examples of penetration testing brands include Kali Linux, Wireshark, and Hashcat.

Firewalls

Firewalls monitor the flow of data as it goes out and comes into a computer system. They evaluate the quality of the data and make sure it follows the right rules for authorized movement. Firewalls tend to have a default setting of denying all traffic, so every business needs to determine its own rules for what type of data traffic to allow and then implement those rules in its system.

Examples of firewall brands include McAfee, Bitdefender, and Norton.

Encryption

Encryption is the use of mathematical models to scramble information so only those who have the right key can unscramble it. The unreadable format of the information is called ciphertext. When someone with the encryption key accesses the ciphertext, it converts back to its readable form.

Some examples of encryption brands include AxCrypt Premium, Folder Lock, and EncryptionSafe.

Anti-virus software

Anti-virus software works by scanning the different files and programs you download for known viruses. Because viruses change all the time, your anti-virus software needs consistent updates. Once it identifies malicious software, the anti-virus software blocks it.

Examples of anti-virus software brands are Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, Malwarebytes, and McAfee Antivirus.

Packet sniffers

Packet sniffers are programs that record every data packet as it travels through a computer system. They record what kind of data is being sent, who is sending it, and who is receiving it. Packet sniffers help network security professionals identify any suspicious activity, such as port scanning and denial-of-service attacks, or malware that might attempt to breach a system.

Examples of packet sniffers include Wireshark and SolarWinds.

Vulnerability scanners

Vulnerability scanners examine a network for flaws or other weaknesses that might expose it to a cybersecurity attack. Businesses can use a wide range of these scanners to provide a comprehensive understanding of where their systems might need improvement and protection.

Examples of vulnerability scanners include Rapid7 and Tenable Nessus.

Network intrusion detection

Network intrusion detection tools help automate malicious activity detection by sending alerts to a centralized tool or your security administrators. This helps speed up the response time. These systems often include both intrusion detection systems (IDS), which automate detection, and intrusion protection systems (IPS), which help block attacks.

Network intrusion detection tools include AIDE, Fail2Ban, and Check Point Quantum IPS.

Anti-malware software

Anti-malware software helps protect against malicious software, which gathers sensitive information and can monitor your activity. The three types of anti-malware software include: 

• Behavior-based: Identifies malware through its suspicious behavior and eliminates it

• Sandboxing: Filters out malware to an isolated location before deleting it

• Signature-based: Finds the malware’s signature and deletes everything containing it

Examples of anti-malware tools include Malwarebytes, Avast One Essential, and Bitdefender Antivirus Plus.

What are some must-have features of cybersecurity tools?

Some must-have features many businesses choose to opt for include extended detection and response (XDR), cybersecurity tools that apply to both in-office and remote computers, and AI-based tools.

Benefits of cybersecurity tools

When implemented correctly, cybersecurity tools provide many benefits to a business. The largest is the protection of sensitive data from exposure or hacks. Examples of this important data could include protected health information (PHI) and personally identifiable information (PII). More specifically, secure data can also refer to how your customers trust you with things like their credit card information and bank account details.

Cybersecurity tools also increase productivity by minimizing the downtime employees experience due to viruses or data breaches. Many regulatory bodies also require some sort of cybersecurity measures, so these tools help keep your business in compliance and avoid penalties.

How to choose the right cybersecurity tools for your business

To choose the right cybersecurity tools for your business, conduct a thorough examination of your current security network. Identify any potential weak spots or areas where you’re lacking the necessary protection. For example, maybe you need to improve security around email, or you require better protection against phishing attacks.

Then, look at your business’s future needs. Are you hoping to expand or change the way you handle data? Finally, examine your budget and what you feel is the most important security aspect to invest in—this will help lead you to the right tools.

Jobs that use cybersecurity tools

Several different IT professional roles, such as cybersecurity engineers, cybersecurity architects, and security software developers, use cybersecurity tools regularly. Some of these include:

Cybersecurity engineer

Average annual salary: $128,759 [2]

Cybersecurity engineers use their IT expertise to identify different weaknesses and vulnerabilities within a network or computer system. They design solutions to address cybersecurity threats and are often responsible for creating cybersecurity policies and procedures for other employees to follow.

Cybersecurity architect

Average annual salary: $159,304 [3]

Cybersecurity architects are professionals tasked with the planning, designing, and implementation of a business’s cybersecurity infrastructure. They have a deep knowledge of an organization’s tools, needs, and goals, and use that information to develop a tailored system that addresses the different factors required for a secure network.

Security software developer

Average annual salary: $126,941 [4]

Security software developers use their software development skills to create new security programs to stay current with the changing cybersecurity landscape. They also enhance existing systems with new features and integrate different software to address developing needs.

Learn more about cybersecurity on Coursera

Cybersecurity tools play an integral role in a robust cybersecurity system by monitoring, protecting, and defending sensitive data from potential breaches and attacks. 

Explore a career in cybersecurity by developing your skills with courses and Professional Certificates on Coursera. With options such as Microsoft’s Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate and Google’s Cybersecurity Professional Certificate, you can build job-ready skills and learn core cybersecurity concepts, such as penetration testing, network security, threat modeling, and more, while gaining relevant experience.