When it comes to protecting your business and its informational assets, understanding cybersecurity is of utmost importance.  Proactive measures must be taken, as threats and breaches in this day and age are almost inevitable. So, are you prepared?

Cybersecurity involves taking measures to protect and recover networks, devices, programs and applications from any type of cyber attack.  Such attacks pose a great threat to everything from your organization and its systems, to your employees, and especially your consumers. Each and every day, someone (or something) somewhere is working to gain access to and destroy sensitive data.  Some cyber attacks even aim to extort money. Such acts can destroy entire businesses and even people’s financial and personal lives.

But, what can be done to protect such sensitive information?  Well, you need to have a strong cybersecurity system in place with multiple layers of protection across all networks, programs, and computers (including tablets and other smart devices).  It also helps to understand the different types of cyber threats out there so that you can better strategize and implement security measures. It’s all about learning to recognize and avoid threats before they’re able to infiltrate your system.

Types of Cyber Threats

Cyber threats come in many forms and from all directions.  But, they generally fall into three common categories:

  • Availability – Attacks on availability aim to block users from accessing their own data.  Often, attackers threaten a fee or ransom to get your own information back.
  • Confidentiality – Attacks on confidentiality aim to steal personal information, from your identity to your bank accounts and credit cards.  Often, when this happens, your information is taken to sell on the dark web for others’ use.
  • Integrity – Attacks on integrity are essentially leaks.  They involve company and/or personal sabotage.  The goal is to access and release sensitive information, expose the data, then use it to influence public opinion toward an organization.   

How You Can Protect Your Assets

There are many things that you can do to help protect your business and its systems from cybersecurity attacks.  For instance, to ensure cyber safety, you can start by taking the following steps in your day-to-day actions:

  • Never open emails or click on attachments from an unknown source.  People and businesses alike are most often attacked through emails disguised as trusted sources.  
  • Keep all devices updated with the latest software, as these updates contain important security fixes.  Cyber attackers hone in on outdated devices with lax security.
  • When providing personal information, only use trusted sites.  Secure sites always include the https:// in their URL.  If, however, the “s” is missing, and it’s just http://, then do not enter any sensitive information.  
  • Conduct regular file backups to protect from cyber attacks.  This way, should you experience a breach, your valuable information will already be held in a separate and safe location.

Keeping up with cybersecurity can be tricky, as it’s always evolving.  But, if you take proactive measures to stay informed and employ cautionary practices, you can better protect your business and all of its assets, including your people, from potentially devastating attacks.  Remember, the best defense is a good offense.