Technology evolves at hyper speed—and so do cyber threats. Whether you’re a bank, school, or small-medium sized business, these next‑generation security essentials will help you stay resilient. Backed by Cisco, delivered locally by Network Center Inc., here are the 10 IT security must‑haves for 2025.

1. Zero Trust is the New Default

Trust no one. Verify everything. Zero Trust isn’t optional—it’s mandatory across networks, users, and devices. NCI helps build this foundation.

2. Cloud-Savvy Security

Cloud drives agility—but also risk. Secure SaaS, hybrid deployments, and IaaS with Cisco Umbrella and secure access tools managed by NCI.

3. Behavior-Based Threat Detection (XDR)

Static rules are dead. Cisco XDR’s AI-driven monitoring spots anomalies instantly, cutting dwell time and damage.

4. MFA Everywhere

Passwords alone don’t cut it. Cisco Duo brings MFA to every login—user, admin, or customer.

5. DNS-Layer Defense

Block threats before they hit your network—rapid, effective, invisible. Cisco Umbrella with NCI stops malicious traffic at the source.

6. Secure Email as Standard

Phishing and fraud target inboxes. Cisco Secure Email prevents these threats before they hit staff or customers.

7. Segmented & Hardened Networks

Limit attacker movement. Cisco Secure Firewall and network segmentation keep breaches contained for faster recovery.

8. Regular Security Training

Human error is still the leading cause of breaches. NCI-led, Cisco-supported training keeps staff sharp and phishing-resistant.

9. Resilient Incident Response

When something goes wrong, every second counts. NCI helps you build, test, and refine an actionable, effective incident response plan.

10. Continuous Compliance Alignment

Regulations never sleep. NCI ensures your security posture meets FDIC, FFIEC, HIPAA, or other requirements through proactive checks and updates.

In 2025, security isn’t a checkbox—it’s a constant. NCI + Cisco brings real-world protection tuned to your industry and community. Learn more about these security essentials and how they can back your team today. Contact us today here.