Everything You Want to Know About Cybersecurity
At DarkBox, we use technology to help keep businesses safe. Cybersecurity is a hot, continuously evolving topic. Some of the most frequent questions we get are around cybersecurity, cyberattacks, and data security. Here, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most common questions we get about cybersecurity for businesses
- What Is Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is a broad term that includes securing data and the technology systems responsible for moving, storing, and authenticating data. For businesses, cybersecurity encompasses the technology that’s in place to help keep your business safe, the people and processes that ensure your business stays safe, and the education to ensure your employees remain vigilant against potential cyberthreats.
A smart cybersecurity solution incorporates multiple layers of technology, processes, and education to help keep your business safe. Imagine it like stacking numerous layers of swiss cheese on top of each other. Alone, one layer has holes; however, you can cover up the gaps when you stack multiple layers on top of each other, making it more challenging to worm through the holes in the stack.
- What types of businesses are most at risk for a cyberattack?
You may think that big businesses with more endpoints are more vulnerable than small businesses. Or, businesses with attractive data, like financial services companies or those in the healthcare industry, would be easy targets. That’s not always the case—of course, they hold an incredible amount of data, but it’s like trying to rob the Federal Reserve gold vault versus robbing a regular Joe on the street. Bigger businesses or those that handle sensitive data typically have the technology, regulations, and processes to protect themselves from cyberattacks.
On the other hand, small and medium-sized businesses without dedicated IT expertise, cybersecurity technology, processes, or education are easy targets for hackers.
- What’s one of the biggest cybersecurity challenges businesses face?
One of the biggest challenges currently facing businesses is staying educated when it comes to cybersecurity and being aware of evolving cyberthreats.
Most often, hackers initiate cyberattacks after finding a way to steal an employee’s username and password. We use “steal” lightly—hackers typically trick users into handing their information over. Once the hacker gains access to the system, they can sit back and wait until they have a perfect, lucrative opportunity to execute an attack.
With proper cybersecurity education and best practices in place, businesses can help protect themselves from the most commonly executed information hacks and cyberattacks. One of the most effective forms of cybersecurity education is Security Awareness Training
- Are organizations doing enough to combat cyberthreats?
In most cases, the simple answer is no.
Cybersecurity requires consistent education, company-wide processes, and executive-level commitment. Generally, there needs to be more awareness surrounding how quickly hackers can initiate a cyberattack, how quickly cyberattacks evolve, and how businesses need multiple layers of cybersecurity to protect themselves—especially in modern workplace environments where employees are working remotely and sharing a ton of important data via digital communication channels.
- What are the most concerning cyberthreats right now?
Ransomware is one of our biggest concerns—it’s a specific type of cyberattack where hackers deploy malware, then force you to pay a ransom in order to regain access to your system—more on ransomware below.
We’re also always concerned with monitoring and preventing lateral phishing takeover attacks. Through these types of cyberattacks, hackers gain access to an employee’s email account. Then, they set up rules to extract valuable data and information. Once hackers find a piece of information they can exploit, they use it to create a genuine-looking email to everyone in the employee’s address book.
With advanced technologies and machine learning, hackers can make phishing emails look frighteningly legitimate. As other employees open and interact with the email, hackers gain access to more data and information until the entire organization is potentially affected.
- What is ransomware?
Ransomware is a specific type of cyberattack where the attacker forces you to pay a ransom fee to regain access to your system or files. Common types of ransomware attacks include scareware, lock-screen ransomware, and encryption ransomware.
- How can we build a safer cyberworld?
It all comes down to education, processes, and technology. Businesses need to invest in educating employees on cybersecurity best practices. Additionally, businesses need to effectively secure the data they’ve been entrusted with.
Users, internal and external, should make more informed decisions when interacting with technology.
- What should I do if I suspect a cyberattack?
Your organization should have a cyberattack remediation process in place. If you’re unsure, ask your IT provider or contact us and we will do the rest -it could save your business money and its reputation if a cyberattack occurs.
Ask Questions
Leave us a message if you would like to schedule your complimentary analysis report. If you would like further information, feel free to reach out to us with any questions, comments, or concerns.