Do you use the right cybersecurity tools as a Sysadmin?

Cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving, as a sysadmin, it's your job to stay ahead. Using the right tools can mean the difference between a secure environment and an incident. Relying only on the default security features is not enough these days, proactive defence is key.

Essential Cybersecurity tools for Sysadmins

A well-rounded cybersecurity strategy should include tools for:

1. Active Directory Security

Active Directory Security tools are used for on-demand secrity assessments of the environment these tools can prevent misconfiguration of an AD Environment.

✅ Recommended tools:

• PingCastle
• BloodHound

2. Vulnerability management

Provides Centralised reporting for all potential vulnerabilities in a companies system.

✅ Recommended tools:

• Nessus
• Qualys
• OpenVAS

3. Patch management

Allows SysAdmins to deploy regular patches to company hardware.

✅ Recommended tools:

• Patch ManageEngine
• WSUS (Windows Server Update Services)

4. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Ensures users are protected even if their passwords are breached.

✅ Recommended tools:

• Duende Identity Server
• Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD)
• Okta
• Duo Security

5. Privileged Access Management (PAM)

Protects companies most sensitive systems and ensurses that they only have the necessary level of access to complete tasks.

✅ Recommended tools:

• CyberArk
• BeyondTrust

6. Automated Backup Solutions

Automated backup solutions and backup solutions that promote immutable backups can protect companies from ransomware attacks.

✅ Recommended tools:

• Veeam
• Acronis
• Azure Backup

7. Endpoint Security Suites

Endpoint security tools help protect companies from currently infected devices.

✅ Recommended tools:

• Microsoft Defender for Business
• Bitdefender
• Sophos

8. Email filtering & phishing protection

Email and phising tools prevent organisations from receiveing malicious emails.

✅ Recommended tools:

• Microsoft Defender for Office 365
• Proofpoint
• Mimecast

9. Penetration testing

These are specialised tools used to test a wide variety of scenarios

✅ Recommended tools:

• Metasploit
• Nmap
• Kali OS

10. SIEM (Security Information and Event Management)

SIEM tools allow us to create a centralised view of all security and event logs in an organisation

✅ Recommended tools:

• Microsoft Sentinel
• Splunk

11. EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response)

EDR Tools allow us to identify systems at risk and run automated fixes for known issues.

✅ Recommended tools:

• Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
• CrowdStrike Falcon

12. Adversary Simulation

Specialised tools to simulate cybersecurity threats in an organisation

✅ Recommended tools:

• Cobalt Strike
• Havoc Framework

13. Web Auditing tools

Tools to audit web security.

✅ Recommended tools:

• SSL Labs
• DNS Inspect

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Implementing a strong cybersecurity strategy

Simply having these tools isn’t enough, sysadmins should:

• Conduct penetration testing both internally and externally
• Regularly review logs and security alerts
• Train users on security best practices to reduce human error

By using the right cybersecurity tools and adopting a proactive approach, sysadmins can keep their companies ahead of evolving cyber threats.