Final answer:
To safeguard a financial institution's infrastructure, a cybersecurity analyst should implement multi-factor authentication, encryption, and security awareness training, along with continuous monitoring and incident response planning.
Step-by-step explanation:
To enhance security for executing sensitive operations and protecting critical data in a financial institution's infrastructure, a cybersecurity analyst should consider a variety of technologies. Among these, the implementation of a multi-factor authentication (MFA) system, the use of encryption for data at rest and in transit, and the establishment of an intensive security awareness training program for all employees are essential.
Multi-factor authentication ensures that even if passwords are compromised, unauthorized access to sensitive information is still guarded against. Encrypting data ensures that in the case of a breach, the information is unreadable to unauthorized individuals. Moreover, educating employees about security best practices helps mitigate risks that can arise from human error or social engineering attacks. Additionally, continuous monitoring and incident response planning are critical in quickly identifying and mitigating actual breaches, as demonstrated by the Target data breach case. These technologies and strategies combined can significantly increase the financial institution's security posture.