Cyber security is a huge issue for businesses since the growth of the internet. With cyber crime on the rise, it is important for companies to take necessary steps to ensure their data is secure. There are many different ways that a business can protect themselves from cyber crimes. This article will explore five of the most common cyber security concerns and what you can do to protect your company against them.
1. Malware and ransomware:
Malware is a type of software that is installed on a computer without the user's consent and typically performs malicious actions, such as stealing data or damaging the computer. Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts the user's data and demands a payment to unlock it.
2. Phishing and social engineering
Phishing is a technique used by cybercriminals to try and steal your personal information, such as your username, password, or credit card details. They do this by sending you an email or text message that looks like it's from a legitimate organisation, such as your bank, and asking you to provide your personal information.
Phishing emails and texts can be very convincing, so it's important to be aware of the signs that they may be fake. For example, the email may ask you to click on a link, which could take you to a fake website where you're asked to provide your personal information.
3. Data breaches:
A data breach occurs when someone gains access to your company's data and steals sensitive information such as customer records, financial records, or intellectual property. This information could then be used in further crimes against your company or sold on the black market for profit.
4. Unsecured networks and devices:
Unsecured networks and devices are those that do not require a password or other authentication to access. This includes open Wi-Fi networks and devices that are not password-protected.
5. Poor password management:
Poor password management is the use of weak passwords, the reuse of passwords, and the lack of password protection measures.
6. Lack of user awareness:
Lack of user cyber awareness is a term used to describe the state of users who are not taking the necessary precautions to protect their online information and devices. This can include not using strong passwords, not being aware of phishing scams, and not updating their software regularly. A lack of user cyber awareness can leave users vulnerable to cyber attacks and data theft.
7. Outdated software:
Outdated software is software that is no longer being developed or supported by its creator. Outdated software can be dangerous to use because it may have security vulnerabilities that have not been fixed.
8. Insufficient security controls:
Insufficient security controls is a term used to describe a situation where an organisation's security measures are not adequate to protect against a specific threat. This may be due to a lack of resources, or because the security measures in place are not effective enough.
9. Third-party risks:
Third-party risks are the potential risks that are posed by a third party to an organisation. These risks can come from a wide variety of sources, including suppliers, customers, and business partners. They can include financial risks, such as the potential for fraud or for a supplier to go bankrupt, as well as operational risks, such as the risk that a supplier will not be able to meet its delivery commitments.
10. Business continuity and disaster recovery:
Business continuity is the ability of an organisation to continue conducting business functions in the event of a disaster. Disaster recovery is the ability to resume operations after a disaster.
Comments