Today's digital security issues are having increasingly drastic consequences for companies. Since the first data breach controversies, such as the Facebook data breach scandal in 2018, which resulted in a R$6.6 million fine, many companies have been seeking smart and efficient solutions to help keep their data safer.
Our daily lives are increasingly connected to the internet. With the advancement of digital transformation, it became necessary to seek tools and alternatives that help increase the security of devices, networks, and information . It was in this context that the LGPD (General Data Protection Law) was created and implemented, establishing essential parameters for companies to ensure greater security for their information and resources.
With that in mind, we've listed essential tips that can help you stay even safer and contribute to digital security at your company.
What is digital security?
Simply put, digital security consists of a set of practices, processes and measures aimed at protecting devices, servers and networks , in order to mitigate and control possible threats.
Many people confuse this concept with information security, which is a very common mistake. However, information security is a methodology focused on protecting data and information , while digital security is a bit broader, protecting operations and activities carried out in the digital environment.
Therefore, we can understand that there is no information security without digital security, since if your devices and networks are compromised, your stored data and information will be too. Understand these differences better with this explanatory video:
There's no point in relying on data protection solutions, such as private clouds and encryption, if your network isn't prepared to protect itself from threats.
Cyberattacks can cause immense damage to your business, which is why establishing a digital security protocol in your company is much more than an alternative: it has become essential. Today's cyberattacks focus heavily on leaking, destroying, and controlling confidential information , which can significantly jeopardize the continuity of your operations.
IBM releases an annual digital security report detailing the cost of data breaches for companies and businesses across all sectors. The 2022 survey, conducted by the Ponemon Institute and IBM Security, reported that in March 2022 alone, 550 organizations worldwide suffered cyberattacks, with an average cost of R$6.45 million per data breach, representing an increase of nearly 10% compared to recent years.
This report also presented very important information, for example:
- The average time to identify and contain a data breach is 347 days ;
- One of the main violations is those applied through vulnerabilities in third-party software ;
- Only 25% of national businesses have fully implemented security automation
Major security issues today
Every day, cybercriminals find more cunning and efficient ways to compromise systems and steal information. Because of this constant evolution, it's important to stay up-to-date on the main cyber risks that can jeopardize your company's digital security. Below are the main current threats:
Data leak
A data breach is the unauthorized access to a person's or company's confidential and sensitive data . This data can be collected, disclosed, or passed on to other companies or cybercriminals.
This type of attack has gained significant attention, primarily due to the risks it poses to its victims. Individuals can have confidential information leaked and be subject to various types of financial scams, and companies can have their reputation damaged by information leaks.
The most commonly leaked data are access credentials (such as passwords and usernames) , financial data, bank account and credit card numbers, personal documents, contacts, among others.
2023 has already begun with a major data breach on the Deezer platform . Deezer, one of the world's leading music streaming services, suffered a massive data breach two days ago. More than 220 million users were affected, including 37 million Brazilians.
Cybercriminals leaked email addresses, IP addresses, and dates of birth of users on the platform. Although the Deezer team reported that no sensitive data was leaked, they also recommended changing your login details to ensure the security of your information.
DDoS attack
A DDoS attack , also known as a distributed denial-of-service attack, is a growing threat. Its main objective is to exploit a server vulnerability and render a page or network unavailable by overloading it .
To do this, it sends requests from multiple sources simultaneously, causing the network to overwhelm the access. No matter how good your infrastructure, servers can only handle so many requests, so when this number is excessive, responses are slower than usual or even ignored entirely.
Ransomware
Ransomware attacks are among the most damaging to companies. This is because, more than just collecting unauthorized data, cybercriminals demand a ransom to restore access to information that has been blocked or encrypted.
This ransom is usually demanded in cryptocurrency, causing immense financial loss to its victims and making it much more difficult to track.
In early 2023, CPTM suffered a Ransomware attack , where cybercriminals demanded the amount of US$500,000 as a ransom payment.
Malware and viruses
Malware is a cyber threat that consists of a set of tools and resources whose purpose is to infect devices, causing them to perform unsolicited functions.
Malware can infect all of a company's machines without users even realizing the threat, and can come through a variety of paths, such as:
- Through corrupted files received via phishing email ;
- Web pages that are not secure;
- Malicious links in false advertising;
- And much more.
Because it consists of a set of malicious programs, malware also includes viruses , which infect machines and spread , impairing functions, performing unsolicited tasks or corrupting files and documents.
Essential Digital Security Tips
Much of the activities we routinely carry out are done over the internet , which is why it is necessary to rely on resources that help keep this environment safer.
While it offers numerous advantages, the internet can also be a gateway to various financial scams that have a significant impact on individuals and businesses.
For this reason, we've put together some digital security tips that can help you ensure even greater security in this digital environment and help you protect your data and information.
1. Use reliable connections
With the rise of home office, many people are using residential and public networks to carry out their activities. However, not just any Wi-Fi network is secure , and it can pose a significant threat to businesses, especially free connections.
For this reason, it's crucial to be extra careful with network connections. These networks can corrupt data, collect information without the user's notice , and create vulnerabilities that favor the application of various other scams.
For companies needing a more secure connection for remote workers, a VPN is an efficient solution. A Virtual Private Network is a type of connection that allows employees to securely access the organization's systems remotely. This is because only devices with the necessary security credentials can access these networks.
2. Strengthen your passwords
Although this is already considered a “basic” tip, it is always important to emphasize the importance of using secure passwords for all your accesses and applications.
It's essential that passwords are difficult to guess, avoiding birth dates, pet names, and repetitive characters. These can make it easier for cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to your data. Always use uppercase and lowercase letters, special characters, and numbers to increase your password's security.
The November 2022 Passwords and Biometrics in Brazil report, conducted by Mobile Time/Opinion Box , showed that more than 18% of Brazilians have reported some security issue with password-related tools and services. This report also provided a list of the most commonly used (and, of course, least secure) passwords, including:
- 123456
- Brazil
- 123456789
- 12345
- 12345678
- 102030
Check out the full list of common passwords in this Olhar Digital article .
Additionally, two-factor authentication can also be used, meaning you can add a layer of security that will make unauthorized access even more difficult.
3. Keep software and applications up to date
Device, system, and software updates aren't random. The main goal of these processes is to make these tools even more secure, always in line with the most efficient digital security resources available.
Just like technology, cyber threats evolve every day, and available updates help keep your network and devices even more secure.
4. Control internet access
The IT sector can efficiently control user access access permissions to the company's devices, systems, applications, networks, and services.
This control helps bring more efficiency, security, and practicality so that there is no interruption to activities or an excess of vulnerabilities created by the high number of accesses.
People who are not involved in a specific activity do not need access to certain documents, so access control can be implemented to reduce the chances of failures and information leaks.
5. Use firewall and antivirus
These security tools are essential for companies looking to improve their digital security and provide greater protection for their data.
Depending on your company's profile, it's important to choose the tool that best suits your needs and offers the essential features for your processes. These features will help block key threats and enhance your business's digital security.
6. Have a conscious internet usage policy
There are numerous websites and pages on the internet that were created specifically for scams. Therefore, internet use within the company must be conscious and secure, contributing to the company's digital security strategy.
responsible internet usage policy can be implemented . Through this policy, companies can educate their employees about the importance of safe online behavior and the consequences that a lack of awareness of current threats can have on the business.
7. Completely manage your internet with Lumiun Box
Lumiun Lumiun Box is a complete internet control and security solution for businesses. Here are some features that make Lumiun Box a truly essential solution:
- Website Blocking – Block potentially harmful websites and applications and identify devices connected to the company network, separating them into groups and assigning different rules to groups or users;
- Enterprise Firewall – Protect entry points from the most common cyberattacks;
- Business VPN – Keep remote connections controlled and secure by managing users and access permissions;
- Unified control panel – Manage all company users, connections and branches from a single panel;
- Simple and fast – Generate reports, make changes and see everything in real time on a simple and intuitive dashboard;
- Installation in 15 minutes – No technical knowledge required and with full support, the Lumiun Box can be installed in just 15 minutes;
In addition to these, there are several other features and benefits of using Lumiun Box Lumiun Box pricing is made according to the number of devices connected to the company network .
Get a quote or request a free trial and make your company's network more secure and your employees more productive online.
Until later!
