At Adept Networks, we know how important cybersecurity has become to business owners in the last 20 or so years.. Not only do you need to make sure to lock your business's doors from intruders, you need to make sure your networks are properly locked up as well.
Keep reading to learn a bit more about the 12 greatest threats to your network's security and how your team can help keep everything, and everyone, safe. Like most things with your business, teamwork is vital!
Watch this VIDEO to see how Training Your Team Can Stop Cyber Security Threats
Here is Our List of 12 Common Threats to Your Cyber Security
1. Human Error:
A good fence is only as strong as its weakest link, and unfortunately human error is the weakest link in any cybersecurity system. From clicking on phishing emails, falling for social engineering tactics, or accidentally sharing sensitive information, simple human error is the leading cause of security breaches. Often, these mistakes are made by well-meaning, but untrained employees who are just trying to do the right thing.
Since your employees are all so unique, combating human error requires as much effort as getting everyone to agree on a lunch order. Training and educating your employees to identify and report potential cybersecurity breaches can turn your greatest cybersecurity threat into a strength. If you'd like to sign your team up, remember we have training for IT cyber security in Spokane and Medford.
2. Phishing Attacks:
Phishing is a common cybersecurity threat that involves deceptive emails from nefarious forces acting as a trusted source. These are aimed at tricking trusting people into sharing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card details.
The key to stopping phishing scams in their tracks is to educate your employees on identifying them. Often, these emails will include spelling errors, create a false sense of urgency, or include sketchy attachments or links.
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3. Ransomware:
Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts data and holds it hostage until a ransom is paid to the attacker. This thread spreads quickly throughout a system and can paralyze unprepared business operations.
Proactivity is key to defending against ransomware. Regularly backing up essential data and keeping systems updated is key to minimizing vulnerabilities. Most importantly, educate your team about suspicious email attachments and links, which are common entry points for ransomware.
4. Malware:
Malware is an umbrella term used for a variety of malicious software, including worms, Trojans, and spyware. These are designed to infiltrate your business' computer systems, compromise data integrity, and cause all sorts of chaos in your digital workspace.
Outside of training your employees to spot suspicious activity, there are a number of back-end ways to protect against malware. Make sure you have robust cybersecurity software, regularly update your systems, and invest in firewalls.
5. Data Breaches:
When your employees or your company's vital data is leaked, it's called a data breach. To prevent a data breach, it's important to fortify your basic cybersecurity defenses. Encourage your employees to maintain and change strong passwords, recognize phishing attempts, and follow good security hygiene. IT security is crucial in preventing breaches that could devastate your business.
People from Inside and Outside Can Threaten Your Cybersecurity
6. Insider Threats:
Similar to human error, though much more malicious, someone inside your organization or even a contractor with access to your system could cause all sorts of havoc. Keeping an eye on this is a delicate balance, because it is so important to trust your employees.
But, it's also important to remain vigilant. Be sure to cultivate a positive work culture, promote open communication, and provide avenues for your employees to express their concerns. Further, it's wise to limit data access to only trusted employees who require access for their jobs.
7. Social Engineering:
Social engineering exploits the human desire to help in order to manipulate kind-hearted folks into revealing confidential information. A common phishing tactic, social engineers will often pose as someone close to their target in order to trick them.
Train your team to be on guard against social engineers by coaching them in awareness and healthy skepticism. Remind them they should always verify someone's identity if something seems off!
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8. Cyber Espionage:
Depending on your industry, you're likely not high on the list of "cyber espionage" targets — but, that doesn't mean you aren't. Cyber espionage involves state-sponsored or financially motivated attackers intent on stealing proprietary information, trade secrets, intellectual property, or sensitive data.
There's no one way to defend against cyber espionage, but the basics we've discussed above all apply. Make sure you have robust firewalls, a robust detection system, and encrypt your most sensitive data. Further, make sure you develop stringent security policies and protocols for your team.
9. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attack:
DDoS attacks involve flooding a system or network with an influx of malicious traffic that renders it inaccessible to users. To protect against DDOS attacks, make sure your IT team implements traffic filtering and rate limiting mechanisms to block strange traffic patterns. You might also consider using cloud-based DDoS services that automatically detect and hinder attacks in real-time.
New software is usually better, but is it safer?
10. Zero-Day Exploits:
Software designers do their best to make sure their software is safe, but it is always at its most vulnerable on launch day, before they have had time to develop patches. This is why it's important to have your team regularly update their software, especially when it is brand new.
Too much Technology Can Lead to Cyber Security Disaster
11. IoT Vulnerabilities:
Especially important if you have a remote team, "Internet of Things" devices, such as smart home devices and sensors, often are lacking in security measures. This leaves them open to cyberattacks. Encourage your team to change default passwords and immediately update their firmware. If you use these devices in your office, be sure to set them up on a separate network from your servers.
12. Supply Chain Attacks:
Supply chain attacks target vulnerabilities within your suppliers, vendors, or partners' systems to gain unauthorized access to your systems. Since they involve so many external factors, they can be difficult to mitigate. Make sure your cybersecurity team conducts a thorough security assessment of external vendors and partners before integrating them into your supply chain!
The Most Effective Tool to Prevent Threats is Employee Training
When it comes to cyber security, your biggest weakness is still human error. Luckily, Adept Networks offers training in IT cyber security in Medford and Spokane. We can help train your team to spot and prevent all of these threats. Not only will we educate your team on the ins and outs of cyber security, we'll also walk them through common situations, and even test their skills!