Cyber security is the practice of protecting internet-connected networks, computers, mobile devices, software, applications — and the sensitive data that is stored on or travels through a network — from malicious attacks.

The various technologies and procedures that make up the full suite of cyber security measures are designed to mitigate breaches and defend against attackers seeking to gain access to, alter, destroy, or extort sensitive customer information. It’s also a key safeguard in recovering quickly and efficiently from attacks that aim to block, disrupt, or disable an organization’s ability to operate its own systems.

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.

Some industries are at greater risk of cyber threats due to the nature of their business (e.g., healthcare, financial, and education). But when it comes down to it, all organizations should have mitigation measures in place to protect their networks and customers’ sensitive information.

With the advances in technology, expanded connectivity, and criminal creativity, cyber attacks will continue to skyrocket at an exponential rate — and at great cost. According to a recent study, cyber crimes will cost the world more than $6 trillion by the end of 2021, and $10.5 trillion annually by 2025.

One would think that cyber criminals would primarily target major businesses and enterprises. Unfortunately these bad actors have discovered that small businesses (SMBs), especially those that are part of a supply chain to larger enterprises, are more susceptible targets.

In fact, a Global State of Security report shows that 71% of SMBs worldwide have experienced at least one cyber attack since their company’s inception, and 66% were attacked in the past year alone.

One of the biggest challenges currently facing businesses is staying educated when it comes to cybersecurity and being aware of the ever-evolving cyberthreats.

Most often, hackers initiate cyberattacks after finding a way to steal an employee’s username and password. We use “steal” lightly since 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.

In most cases, the 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.

Whether it’s to steal data, disrupt network activities, or inflict device damage, cyber attacks often happen in stages: 1) by scanning for vulnerabilities; 2) initiating the compromise and; 3) executing an attack.

While there’s no way to completely protect against all attacks, knowing what your system is up against and understanding the current threats can help organizations create a more comprehensive cyber security plan.

Social engineering

This term covers a broad range of malicious activities aimed at exploiting human error to lure unsuspecting users into exposing data, spreading malware infections, or providing access to restricted platforms.

Phishing

A type of social engineering, Phishing is particularly effective because the message or email appears to come from a credible source. Attackers are most commonly seeking to install malware or access sensitive information like credit card details and login credentials.

Malware

“Malicious software” includes spyware, viruses, worms, and ransomware that gets installed into a system when a user clicks a dangerous link or email. Once inside, the virus can block access, damage systems or devices, and gather critical data in an effort to extort money.

SQL Injection
Cyber criminals inject malicious code into vulnerable servers and applications using Structured Query Language to gain access to sensitive data and perform commands or similar actions that the user didn’t request.

Man-in-the-Middle Attack

Cyber criminals insert themselves in between two legitimately communicating hosts to distribute malware that gives the cyber criminal access to a user’s browser and the data it sends. Once in control, the attacker can redirect users to a fake site that looks like the intended site where they can steal or modify information.

Denial of Service (DoS)

These attacks bombard servers or networks with simultaneous requests to create heavy traffic and deny the ability to fulfill legitimate requests. When attacks compromise multiple devices to launch attacks on the target it’s known as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS).

Advanced Persistent Threats

Also known as Domain Name System tunneling, ATPs use continuous, sophisticated techniques to gain access to a system that allows the attacker to remain there for a prolonged period of time.

Ransomware is one of our biggest concerns at this time. It is a specific type of cyberattack where hackers deploy specialized malware, then force you to pay them a ransom in order to regain access to your system.

We’re also very concerned with monitoring and preventing lateral phishing takeover attacks. Through these types of cyberattacks, hackers first gain access to an employee’s email account, they, then set up rules to extract valuable data and information. Once the hacker finds a piece of information they can exploit, they will 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.

Malware is short for malicious software, is a program or a file that is intentionally harmful to your computer, network, or website. These types of cyberthreats infect your system to gather sensitive data, spy on your digital activity or disrupt operations.

Common examples of malware include viruses, ransomware, Trojans, spyware, keyloggers, and worms.

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.

We outline everything you need to know about ransomware here, including how to protect yourself from ransomware attacks and what you should do if you fall victim to ransomware.

A cyber security breach is one of the earliest stages of a cyber security attack.

You can consider a security breach as a virtual break in, where an unauthorized user gets around security and is able to access protected data, applications, services, or devices on a network.

If the attacker steals, disrupts, or damages any of the above, the security breach is then deemed a data breach.

With the frequency, sophistication, and audacity of cyber attacks today, businesses are under more scrutiny than ever to protect their data. A robust cyber security plan should include layers of tools, risk management approaches, technologies, and best practices.

Network Security

Controls incoming and outgoing connections to prevent threats from accessing or spreading across the network. Vital layers of network security can include antivirus programs, antispyware, and a network firewall to control traffic based on security settings and permissions.

Application Security

Applications these days are more accessible than ever over various networks, software, and devices. Measures such as requiring a strong user password, antivirus programs, firewalls, and encryption services are most effective when implemented before the application is deployed.

Information Security

A crucial part of overall cyber security that refers to the processes and tools designed to protect sensitive information from modification, disruption, and destruction. The three primary tenets of “InfoSec” include confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Cloud Security

The “always on” connectivity that businesses require today in turn require more advanced methods and techniques to keep their networks safe. Cloud security measures focus on building and hosting secure applications, enabling data recovery in case of loss, storage and network protections against malicious attacks, identity and access management (IAM), and reducing human error that can result in data leaks.

Data Loss Prevention (DLP)

DLP software tools monitor and control endpoints, filter data streams on networks, and protect data while at rest, in motion, and in use. Once a breach is detected, DLPs alert IT professionals and provide encryption to prevent end users from maliciously or accidentally putting sensitive data at risk.

End User Education

One key and cost-effective step to securing sensitive data is to implement cyber security training for internal teams to understand their role in device security, network responsibilities, and how to identify signs of malicious activity.

Limited resources can hinder most medium to small businesses from monitoring and maintaining proper cyber security. But there are cost-effective measures that can be implemented.

While there is simply no way to ensure 100% prevention from cyber attacks, these 10 best practice tips can help minimize exposure and prepare your team to rebound when an attack occurs.

• Adopt a Zero Trust Approach: There is no longer a well established security perimeter around your network or sensitive data. Assume bad actors are actively trying to break into your system — authenticate every access request.
• Update Software: There are typically three main reasons software companies offer updates: to add new features, fix known bugs, and to upgrade security. Having proper patch management is critical to your organizations security.

• Update Hardware: Outdated hardware may not support the most current software security upgrades, and can also inhibit your team’s response to cyber attacks. For example, your business should not have any computer systems that are over five years old.

• Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN): Create a more privatized network to mitigate dangers by requiring employees — especially those working from home — to use a VPN to access company resources and data.

• Install a Firewall, Antivirus, and Anti-malware: As long as your network is connected to the internet, it’s impossible to completely protect against all malware attacks. Installing a firewall, an antivirus and at least one anti-malware solution can significantly reduce vulnerabilities.

• Create Data Backups: In the event of a security breach or attack, backing up data minimizes downtime and ensures any data loss is not a total loss. Since there are now malware attacks which delete all local backups, having a properly configured cloud backup is essential in keeping your business data safe.

• Use Secure File Sharing: Adopt a secure file sharing solution and policies to encrypt files in transit and at rest to prevent unauthorized access.

• Avoid Public Networks: Connecting to a public network puts all your information at risk. Avoid using them, or employ a VPN when doing so.

• Enable Multi-factor Authentication: Many platforms today allow for this extra layer of protection to require a second piece of information beyond username and password to verify who is accessing accounts. This typically includes 2-Step Verification methods such as using Google Authenticator.

• Train Everyone: An essential step to guarding against cyber attacks is to provide cyber security awareness training about the measures in place, and steps everyone from the C-suite down to interns need to take to maximize safeguards. It can also help reinforce basic policies, like ways to identify suspicious emails or messages to avoid increasingly sophisticated phishing attempts, ensuring links are from credible sources before clicking, and boosting password strength.

While research indicates that 90% of cyber claims stem from some type of human error or behavior, the flipside of that coin is this: humans, when given the proper tools and training, can play a key role in protecting their systems and sensitive information as well as the business reputation of their employer.

The bottom line is, be vigilant and have a plan. Consistently monitor for data breaches and be prepared with procedures when they occur to minimize damages and to help your business recover quicker.

Your organization should have a good cyberattack remediation plan in place. Having such a plan in place could save your business money and its reputation if a cyberattack occurs. If you are caught unprepared, immediately shut down the effected systems and contact us so an cybersecurity professional can be dispatched to your location ASAP.

As much as we’d love to give you a perfectly round number, it’s not that simple. Cybersecurity solutions depend on your organization’s individual needs. We would need to determine your specific security requirements, so that we can help design the perfect multilayered solution to help keep your business safe and secure.

Managed IT Professionals is well equipped to design, implement, and support cybersecurity requirements ranging from basic firewall installations to advanced HIPAA and PCI-compliant solutions.

By combining our IT and cybersecurity expertise, we can help keep your businesses safe.

Managed IT Professionals can offer a customized cybersecurity solution for your business and/or technology consulting services to help you uncover and understand your business’s needs.

Contact us to learn more about how Managed IT Professionals can help keep your business safe.