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We are more online than we ever have been. For the most part, that’s a good thing. Access to most information we need or want is at our fingertips in an instant, and concepts like the Internet of Things make connecting our devices and software to exchange data the norm.
But, with these modern advances comes an increased risk of cybersecurity threats. So, because we live with these elevated concerns, it’s important to understand exactly what cybersecurity is, why it’s important, and what steps we can take to put it into practice at our own organizations.
Let’s start with a definition.
Cybersecurity is a practice used by companies and organizations to protect against phishing schemes, identity theft, data breaches and potential financial losses.
All of these cyber crimes can potentially harm digital systems and programs, with varying degrees of severity. For instance, just one successful data breach can put sensitive personal data of thousands if not millions of people at risk. So, it should go without saying that cybersecurity is absolutely essential to protecting businesses and their customers and employees from spammers, hackers, and other bad actors.
According to Cybercrime Magazine, the growing global cybercrime cost predicted by 2025 “represents the greatest transfer of economic wealth in history, risks the incentives for innovation and investment, is exponentially larger than the damage inflicted from natural disasters in a year, and will be more profitable than the global trade of all major illegal drugs combined.”
But now that we understand the ramifications, how does it work?
The practice of cybersecurity encompasses various technologies and methodologies to defend computer systems and their networks from attack. There are different tactics at play here, so let’s dive into a few.
Application Security
This sub-category of cybersecurity starts with secure coding, strong data input validation requirements, and the broader goal of minimizing the chance of unwanted modifications made to any owned application resources.
Identity Management
Security measures at play here involve putting robust information storage systems into place that can secure data, no matter where it happens to live or be accessed. That means that regardless of the server, data and information can be transferred without risk of interception.
Network Security
Network security protects your assets from threats either within or outside the organization. This covers hardware, software, and anything that works to protect your company’s infrastructure from disruption or attack.
User Education
Giving your staff thorough, proper training on the basics of cybersecurity is invaluable, and can help to raise critical awareness about industry best practices, why certain policies exist, and exactly how to report suspicious activity.
Now that we know some of the important ways that organizations can fight against cyberthreats, let’s get into what some of the most common threats are.
Cyberterrorism
This form of cyber attack likely won’t affect your business due to its politically-based motivations. However, when used against a foreign state, cyberterrorism used attacks on computers to cause widespread harm on a population. This is absolutely the most damaging of all the potential cyber threats.
Trojans
Rooted in history (obviously), a Trojan is a diversion. Once it has fooled its targeted user, a seemingly harmless file can turn into a full-fledged attack on your systems, giving cybercriminals access directly from the inside.
Adware
Otherwise known as advertisement-supported software, this form of malware installs a PUP or potentially unwanted program without your permission, spamming you with unwanted online advertisements.
Phishing
Hackers phish by using fake communications like email to fool users into opening emails that ask for personal information, oftentimes using the answers to steal sensitive data or cause financial harm. Sometimes, they also take the opportunity to install malware onto your device.
As data breaches and cybercrime like the examples listed above become more prevalent and more damaging, companies are increasingly turning to cybersecurity experts for help identifying these potential threats and putting a stop to them.
Staying vigilant against these threats is absolutely essential to protecting your company’s digital assets. It’s also a full-time job. That’s why contacting cybersecurity experts like Access One can help you detect and defend against threats like these.
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