CYBER MERCENARY!
Is your website, network or cloud infrastructure vulnerable to a cyber attack?
What is Cyber Security?
Cyber Security is a set of standards and practices organizations use to protect their applications, data, programs, networks, and systems from cyber-attacks and unauthorized access. Cyber Security threats are rapidly increasing in sophistication as attackers use new techniques and social engineering to extort money from organizations and users, disrupt business processes, and steal or destroy sensitive information.
To protect against these activities, organizations require technology cybersecurity solutions and a robust process to detect and prevent threats and remediate a cybersecurity breach.
Why Is Cybersecurity Important For Enterprises?
Cybersecurity is crucial for enterprises because, according to a recent IBM report, the average cost of a data breach in the United States is $9.44 million. Worldwide, the price tag of an enterprise breach is $4.35 million. Enterprises need cybersecurity to protect themselves from the hordes of opportunistic hackers and thieves looking to steal data, sabotage systems, and extort funds. If they successfully penetrate an enterprise system, the payout can be significant. For example, attackers can earn, on average, $9,640 from selling access to a hacked network.
In the event of an attack, the damage can expand to include:
Monetary losses
Sullied business relationships
A poor reputation among customers and across your industry
This Can Be Secondary Heading
What Are the Different Types of Cybersecurity?
Various types of cybersecurity enable organizations to defend their various systems. Tools for cybersecurity include: 1. Network Security Network security is the use of devices, processes, and technologies to secure corporate networks. Organizations’ increasingly complex networks introduce new vulnerabilities across various areas, including applications, data, devices, locations, and users. Network security tools can prevent threats, close potential vulnerabilities, prevent downtime, and avoid regulatory noncompliance. 2. Application Security Application security is the process of enhancing the security of mobile and web applications. This typically occurs during development to ensure apps are safe and protected when deployed, which is crucial as attackers increasingly target attacks against apps. Application security tools enable organizations to test apps, detect threats, and cover them with encryption. 3. Information Security Information security, also known as InfoSec, secures data from unauthorized access, deletion, destruction, modification, or misuse. It involves using practices and processes to protect data when stored on devices and in transit. 4. Operational SecurityOperational security (OPSEC) is a process that protects sensitive information and prevents unauthorized access. OPSEC encourages organizations to look at their infrastructure and operations from the perspective of an attacker. It allows them to detect unusual actions or behavior, as well as discover potential vulnerabilities and poor operation processes. Addressing these threats and weaknesses enables companies to implement security best practices and monitor communication channels for suspicious behavior. 5. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Disaster recovery and business continuity enable organizations to regain full access and functionality of their IT infrastructure. Disaster recovery relies on data being backed up, allowing the organization to recover and restore original data and systems. 6. End-user Education Employees are organizations’ first line of defense against cyberattacks. It’s therefore crucial that users understand the importance of cybersecurity and the types of threats they face. Organizations also need to ensure employees follow cybersecurity best practices and policies
What are the Types of Cybersecurity Threats?
Recent cybersecurity statistics show that organizations face a growing range of threats, including
1. Malware: Malware is a term that describes malicious software, which attackers use to gain access to networks, infect devices and systems, and steal data.
2. Virus: Viruses are one of the most common forms of malware. They quickly spread through computer systems to affect performance, corrupt files, and prevent users from accessing the device. Attackers embed malicious code within clean code, often inside an executable file, and wait for users to execute it. To prevent viruses from spreading, it’s important to educate employees regarding which kind of files they should and should not download on their computers while connected to your network. For example, some companies choose to discourage employees from downloading files with .exe extensions.
3. Trojan Horses: Trojan Horses appear as legitimate software, which ensures they are frequently accepted onto users’ devices. Trojans create backdoors that allow other malware to access the device. Because Trojans can be very hard to distinguish from legitimate software, it’s sometimes best to prevent employees from installing any kind of software on their computers without guidance.
4. Spyware: Spyware hides on a computer to track user activity and collect information without their knowledge. This allows attackers to collect sensitive data, such as credit card information, login credentials, and passwords. Spyware can also be used to identify the kinds of files that hackers hunt for while committing corporate espionage. By using automation to pinpoint their cyber bounty, attackers can streamline the process of breaching your network, only targeting the segments where they’ve located valuable information.
5. Ransomware: Ransomware involves attackers blocking or locking access to data and then demanding a fee to restore access. Hackers typically take control of users’ devices and threaten to corrupt, delete, or publish their information unless they pay the ransom fee.
Each ransom attack has to be handled differently. For example, while it’s always a good idea to contact authorities, in some cases, you may be able to find a decryption key on your own, or your cybersecurity insurance policy may provide you with a financial parachute.
Five Cybersecurity Best Practices to Prevent Cyber Attacks
How does cybersecurity work?
Here are some of the best practices you can implement to prevent cyber attacks.
1. Use frequent, periodic data backups.
In the event a system gets destroyed or held for ransom, you can use your backup to maintain business continuity. Also, by frequently backing up, you provide yourself access to the most relevant data and settings. You also get a snapshot of a previous state you can use to diagnose the cause of a breach.
2. Use multi-factor authentication.
With multi-factor authentication, you give hackers at least one extra step they must go through to fraudulently misrepresent themselves. And if one of the measures involves a biometric scan, such as a fingerprint or facial scan, you hoist the hacker hurdle even higher.
3. Educate employees about cyber attacks.
Once your employees understand what the most common cyber attacks look like and what to do, they become far more effective members of your cyber defense team. They should be taught about how to handle, malware, phishing, ransomware, and other common assaults.
4. Encourage or mandate proper password hygiene.
Leaving passwords unprotected or choosing ones that are easy to guess is essentially opening the door for attackers. Employees should be encouraged or forced to choose passwords that are hard to guess and keep them safe from thieves.
5. Use encryption software.
By encrypting the data you hold, you make it virtually impossible for a thief to read because they don’t have the decryption key. Also, with encryption, you make it easier for remote employees to safely use public networks, such as those at coffee shops because a snooping hacker won’t be able to read the data they send or receive from your network.