16 Best Cybersecurity Tools

Anwita

Anwita

Sep 13, 2024
cyber security tools

Cyberattacks are more frequent and sophisticated; it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the need for robust protection. 

You know you need the right tools, but how do you choose without spending a fortune? 

Fortunately, there are powerful cybersecurity tools that can provide the defense you need without the high costs. 

Experts trust these tools to help secure networks, monitor threats, and protect sensitive data. 

In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best options to strengthen your cybersecurity without breaking the bank. Let’s get started!

TL; DR
Cybersecurity tools help protect networks and systems from cyber threats and they help you safeguard all types of data against data breaches and loss.
We have listed the 16 best cybersecurity tools that we think will help you monitor your cybersecurity posture—Sprinto, Kaol Linux, Cain, Abel, and Metasploit being prominent examples.
Safer practices with cybersecurity tools ingrain confidence in an organization’s employees as well as stakeholders and customers. 

What are cybersecurity tools?

Cybersecurity tools help you monitor and fix potential security concerns. These tools are aiding companies and individuals in maintaining their online privacy and security. Cybersecurity tools continuously monitor computer systems or networks and warn the user of potential risks the moment it detects them.

They are the ultimate line of defence against various forms of cyber-attacks, such as unsanctioned use of resources, data breaches, and hacker attacks to defend an organization’s system, network, or intellectual property. They also offer protection against cybercrime, such as password trafficking and identity theft.

Why is cyber security important?

Cybersecurity tools are crucial for any organization because they help safeguard all types of data against data breaches and loss. These can be health records, customer data, intellectual property, or sensitive business data.

Globally, an enterprise breach costs an average of $4.35 million. Companies need cybersecurity tools to defend against evolving threats and malicious actors eager to steal data, disrupt systems, and demand ransom. 

For example, a cybersecurity tool with automation capabilities is required for incident detection and response to protect organizational interests. Three common elements are people, technology, and processes.

Moreover, governments worldwide impose legal obligations to protect customer and user data from theft or loss and from falling into the wrong hands.

Types of cybersecurity tools

Different types of cybersecurity tools are tailored to counter specific threats. Some of the most popular cybersecurity tools are:

Types of cybersecurity tools

1. Network security monitoring tools

Network security monitoring tools are essential for monitoring all traffic flowing through your network. They help you spot potential issues and threats before they escalate into serious problems. 

These tools monitor your network in real-time and send instant alerts if they detect anything unusual. 

2. Security compliance tools 

Security compliance tools scan your network, tools, and processes to evaluate them against the requirements of regulatory frameworks. It detects non compliant activities and security failures and notifies system administrators to take corrective actions.

3. Web vulnerability scanning tools

Web vulnerability scanning tools continuously monitor the potential security risks of web applications to reveal security flaws and vulnerabilities by scanning websites, analyzing each file and displaying the website structure to find vulnerabilities within web applications. 

4. Network defence wireless-tools

Network defense wireless tools are software utilities and techniques designed to secure and protect wireless networks from unauthorized access, attacks, and vulnerabilities. It is required for controlling access to a network, combining both hardware and software to do the job. They help identify and block threats before they can infiltrate a company’s computer network.

5. Encryption tools

Encryption tools are designed to protect your data from being stolen, altered, or compromised. They work by scrambling the data into a secret code that can only be unlocked with a unique digital key. 

With secure encryption, the number of possible cryptographic keys is so vast that it’s nearly impossible for an unauthorized person to guess the correct one. This makes encryption a powerful way to keep your sensitive information safe.

6. Firewalls

Firewalls prevent unauthorized users from accessing the company intranet and can be implemented as hardware, software or a hybrid of the two.

7. Packet sniffers

A packet sniffer is a tool used to monitor network traffic. It examines the data packets that move between computers on a network or between linked devices. While hackers often use packet sniffers to collect information about a network illegally, they are also used by ISPs, advertisers, and governments. For instance, hackers may use packet sniffing to track your online activities, such as:

Streaming activities like watching videos or listening to music

  • Who you’re emailing
  • What you download
  • The websites you visit
  • What you look at on those sites

8. Antivirus software

Antivirus software is primarily designed to scan, prevent, and remove viruses from your computer. Once installed, most antivirus programs automatically run in the background, offering real-time protection against potential threats.

When you have antivirus software on your computer, you take a proactive step in cybersecurity. It helps protect against many cyber threats, including keyloggers, browser hijackers, adware, botnets, phishing emails, and ransomware attacks.

9. Managed detection and response services

Managed detection and response services (MDR) are third-party services that aid organizations in monitoring, addressing, and removing threats. 

10. Public key infrastructure services

PKI services enable you to distribute and identify public encryption keys. It permits computers and individuals to communicate data over the web securely while also verifying the sender’s identity.

11. Penetration testing

Penetration testing helps in the detection of vulnerabilities in a company’s network that hackers could exploit with the use of tactics and tools available to them.

Automate cybersecurity compliance effortlessly

Top 16 Cybersecurity Tools in 2024

The market has a wide variety of options that cater to different aspects of cybersecurity. The key is to find the right tools that match your unique vulnerability surface, risk profile, and business requirements for a clearer view of security and maximum coverage. After consulting with our internal experts and engineers, here are the top 16 cybersecurity tools you should keep an eye on in 2025.

We have identified the following top 16 Cybersecurity tools in 2023:

  • Wireshark
  • Metasploit
  • Sprinto
  • Kali Linux
  • Cain and Abel
  • NMap
  • Nessus Professional
  • Aircrack-ng
  • John the Ripper
  • Nikto
  • Tcpdump
  • KisMAC
  • NetStumbler
  • Splunk
  • Forcepoint
  • Nexpose

1. Wireshark  

Wireshark is an open-source console-based tool used to analyze network protocols. Cybersecurity professionals use it to asses network security weaknesses by continuously capturing and analyzing data packets.  

Key features:  

  • Compatibility across different platforms such as Windows, Linux, OS X, FreeBSD, etc.
  • Open-source architecture with relatively easy integration,
  • Data is captured and analyzed in real-time data
  • Multiple networks and various output formats are supported by decryption protocol supports,

2. Metasploit

Metasploit specializes in penetration testing. It covers a range of security objectives, such as designing strategies to improve the company’s Cyber Security defenses and discovering vulnerabilities in systems and networks, among others.

Key features:

  • Tests system security of online and web-based applications, servers, networks, etc. 
  • Offers capabilities to uncover the slightest emerging weaknesses and provide high-level security around the clock.
  • Compatible with a range of different systems, including web-based or online-based applications, networks, and servers, among others. 
  • Helps evaluate and update IT infrastructure security against vulnerabilities reported earlier.

3. Sprinto

Sprinto is a cybersecurity and compliance automation tool that runs fully automated checks at granular levels to ensure airtight security across functions. It helps scope out security gaps and implement controls to remediate them.

How does Sprinto enable cybersecurity management?

Sprinto supports 100+ integrations with a number of cloud providers, ticketing systems, HRMS tools, etc. We get audit-related read-only permissions for these products.
Based on your active integrations, a list of assets is automatically created, and control checks are run 24×7 on these critical assets. Automatic alerts are raised in case of deviations.
Sprinto ensures you stay