To effectively defend against attacks, you need to know where those attacks are coming from and what parts of your business they target. Then, you can address the biggest mistakes most businesses make in their day to day cyber security management.
Types of Security Breaches
A cyber security breach typically refers to an exterior attack. This would include a hacker who breaks into your system and steals data, or a malware program that copies your data base. These are all too common, and most defenses are geared against them. It’s important to remember, however, that a single solution won’t defend against all assaults.
For instance, antivirus programs will keep most malware off of your computer, including those used by hackers to weaken a system in advance of a primary attack. However, these programs can do little against talented and determined hackers. They also protect very specific assets, usually a unique piece of hardware. They do not keep data safe online or in transit.
Encryption, another popular way to avoid a cyber data breach, don’t actually protect against data theft. It only prevents thieves from using the data. When data thieves raid a system with encrypted data, it’s like stealing an entire vault, but not having the key to open it. It’s an important secondary measure, but businesses really need more than just basic encryption to keep their data safe.
Cyber Security Vulnerabilities
Businesses and their employees typically engage in risky behavior without ever realizing it. These risks give data thieves opportunities. The same risks also hurt the overall effectiveness of paid cyber security solutions. You cannot simply rely on one or two programs to do all of the work for you. Staying safe requires vigilance and planning.
Most businesses’ greatest vulnerability comes from their employees. Without proper training and regular cyber security updates, employees are essentially working blind in a minefield of potential threats. Online activity in an office environment is inevitable. This leaves employees vulnerable. Many data thieves aim at employees in departments far removed from IT in order to steal secrets and gain access to your network. These attacks include phishing, malware, and more. If employees do not know about the specific threats they are likely to see, then they will not be adequately prepared to resist them. Employees need strict guidelines concerning data handling, too. These rules must be enforced. Just because a mishandled file doesn’t lead to a major cyber data breach doesn’t mean it’s unimportant. The next mishandling could. To prevent breaches, you must ensure your data is properly handled.
The best cyber data breach is one that never happens, but to keep your business safe, you must take many proactive measures. Enforce strict data handling policies now, and treat every accident with the same gravity you would use when addressing an actual breach. Always consider where you are weakest and remember that most data thieves won’t attack directly.
