Whether you run a large company or own a small startup, cybercrime has hit record highs and the threat of attack is real. Cyber criminals are incredibly smart. If there are signs of a vulnerability in your digital security, an attacker will look for it. Using nifty ways to steal your data, you need to make sure your cybersecurity leaves little room for attack. Here’s a quick guide to cybersecurity and how to keep your business safe.
Cyber crime
According to the National Crime Agency, cybercrime threatens national security and costs the UK billions of pounds each year. Cyber attacks often target companies that have a lot of personal data and try to steal the data by various means. Cyber criminals use cumbersome methods to find vulnerabilities in your digital security, and an attack can come in many different forms.
Frequent attacks
The most common types of attack include hacking, phishing, malware, and distributed denial-of-service attacks on websites. As a company, you and your colleagues need to be careful of all types of attacks. The most common way that criminals try to breach your security is through your employees. Reports show that 72 percent of employees receive fraudulent emails, 33 percent of companies have been affected by viruses and malware, and 17 percent by ransomware.
Different types of cybersecurity
There are several types of cybersecurity you can use to prevent criminals from gaining personal information. These include perimeter security, intranet security, and human security:
Perimeter security
Perimeter security includes spam protection and firewalls and is the easiest way to protect your network. With these protections, you can create a barrier or perimeter around your network to protect it from external threats.
Intranet security
If the threat tries to infiltrate your network from within, you must have intranet security in place for protection. The threats can be caused by a virus or malware uploaded to the work computer from a USB stick. Without realizing it, employees can unwittingly pick up harmful viruses at home and transmit them to the company network. These types of attacks can be shielded by downloading anti-malware software onto the computers at work. This type of software can prevent known malware from uploading. However, if the malware is brand new and unknown, your anti-malware software will not be able to protect your network.
Human security
Organizations are often subject to cyberattacks due to human error. Violations occur when employees are deceived by scams, when they choose weak passwords, and when they use insecure networks. Basic IT training can help your employees understand how cybercrime occurs and teach them how to protect themselves from attacks.
Cyber Essentials Certification
Cyber Essentials is a government sponsored program. Essentially, it helps you protect your business from common cyber attacks. You may be wondering: What is a Cyber Essentials Certification? Certification in Cyber Essentials gives your customers the peace of mind that you are proactively combating cybercrime. Certification shows that your company is trained in cybersecurity and that your employees are trained to protect personal data.
Cyber essentials badge
You can get two types of Cyber Essentials Badges: Basic and Plus. The basic includes that people fill out test questionnaires. Your answers will then be verified by certification authorities. The plus is the highest level of certification and includes an external exam that checks your office for certification requirements.
Benefits of Applying for Certification
In addition to gaining certification status through a government sponsored program, applying for certification can reassure your customers that their personal information is in safe hands. Customers can also make an active decision to do business with you based on your certified status. With the Cyber Essentials certification, you will always know where your company stands in terms of the level of cyber security in your company. In addition, certification is required in some government contracts.
How do I protect my company?
For starters, you can contact the IASME consortium to begin the process. You need proof that your current IT infrastructure meets the standards set by the program; then your knowledge of your software and systems will be assessed.
Expert advice
Cybercrime is constantly evolving and there are many factors to consider. If you are unsure where to start, contact a professional IT service provider who can give you expert advice and answer your questions about cybersecurity.
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