All companies, not just small and medium-sized ones, are prone to suffering a cyberattack for various reasons: ideological, financial, or even simply due to the challenge of accessing a system that is already very well protected. Perhaps, in this last case, it doesn't apply to small businesses, after all, among all of them, the vast majority don't think about cybersecurity, and if they do, they believe that it will never happen to them.
Below, you will see many reasons to be concerned about the dangers of the internet, especially in a business environment, and even worse if it is a small or medium-sized business.
What is a cyber attack?
A cyberattack is an attempt (successful or not) by a hacker to damage, hijack, steal, or destroy a network or computer system connected to the internet. In the vast majority of cases, the criminal's main objective is the breach of sensitive or confidential data belonging to companies or individuals.
The channels for such an attack are diverse, as are the possibilities, and can take the form of identity theft, viruses, malware, fraud, or extortion.
Companies are the main targets because they possess more sensitive data and, in most cases, have more funds available to pay a reward for the return or unlocking of the seized data, for example.
But make no mistake, a cyberattack can be more than just the loss of a few documents, as losing all company data can have a devastating impact on a company, regardless of its size.
Many companies claim they don't use data protection systems because they believe they are too small to be attacked. However, the cost of preventing an attack is much lower and requires little time and attention from the manager or responsible professional.
In the following lines, you will see how a cyberattack happens.
How does a cyber attack happen?
Cyberattacks can be characterized by various forms and motives, but most of them are difficult to detect.
The vast majority of attacks have their main entry point in clicks and access to inappropriate websites by inexperienced users within companies.
In another article here on the blog, I listed the 8 main cyberattacks with various information about them. A free PDF download
Among the most common are:
- Ransomware – Data hijacking by the company and a demand for "ransom" in cryptocurrency.
- Trojan horse – Malicious executable file attached to a fake email.
- Phishing – Theft of confidential data through a fake website.
- Malvertising – An attack using false and malicious sales advertisements.
If you look closely, in almost all attacks, the entry point depends on a click or action by an internet user, with lack of knowledge being the key to the attack's success.
What should you look for on a company's network to protect yourself?
As we saw above, the majority of attacks come from employees and internet users unaware of the numerous possibilities, clicking on harmful links and downloading malicious files. However, in addition to training employees and informing them about the importance of the topic, it is important to take extra precautions, as we will see below.
Mapping vulnerabilities
Identifying the sources of threats within your company's network is perhaps the first step, considering the possibility of a data security breach. Furthermore, mapping vulnerabilities can greatly facilitate the implementation of an information security system, providing valuable data about the company's network landscape.
To identify potential problems in the internet network, there are internet network security and vulnerability tests
Some of them are based on granting access to websites considered harmful, while others perform tests to open ports on devices and detect virus infections.
Furthermore, in the article " 3 tests to identify vulnerabilities in your network ", you can find more detailed information on the subject.
Software and systems
Equipment and systems undergo continuous technological evolution and need to be replaced and updated periodically. Furthermore, you must consider quality and performance aspects compatible with the company's use, ensuring they operate in a way that perfectly meets needs, without overloads, failures, or defects due to improper use.
Check annually, or in specific reports, whether the company's equipment is up-to-date and functioning without overload. Outdated equipment is an easy target for hackers.
Furthermore, there is the "originality" factor. Many companies today choose to use pirated tools to reduce costs. However, this option can lead to several problems, mainly regarding data security, since these are modified versions of the original, where security features and authenticity verification have been removed.
For operating systems, the logic is the same. Updated versions contain security improvements as well as new features, as new forms of intrusion and security vulnerabilities emerge.
Therefore, keeping company equipment and systems up-to-date is one of the key points for efficient data security in companies, as they are used massively every day.
Backups
Does your company have a reliable and regular backup system? If the answer is no, this is an extremely important point you need to pay attention to!
Backup systems make it possible to recover important data in case of any accident.
In some types of attacks, such as ransomware, which seizes data until a ransom is paid, the main way to solve the problem is to restore the company's data from a backup copy.
The backup strategy should be implemented in such a way that a backup copy is kept in a location disconnected from the original data location. If the backup copy is made on an additional disk constantly connected to the server or network where the original data is located, in the specific case of ransomware, it is possible that the backup files will also be locked at the time of the attack, rendering the backup useless. It is important to have a backup copy in a location separate from the original data location.
Backups are fundamental to the security of company information.
firewall
A firewall is a security device that controls the flow of data on a network. It allows you to filter traffic, configuring what should pass through and what should be discarded.
It is considered one of the basic data security items for companies. It is extremely important that you verify that you at least have an active firewall system on the company network.
When properly configured on a computer network, a firewall acts as an additional layer of protection against external attacks and increases the security of the network, equipment, systems, and company information. Typically, a firewall is one of the main defenses at the perimeter of a private network, being an essential component in protecting against unwanted traffic and intrusion attempts.
Remote access
With the large number of professionals working from home, it's quite common for companies to provide some support to these employees remotely. However, without the company's security systems working in favor of the employee, the data and devices involved will be at risk if secure remote support tools are not used.
Accessing company data remotely carries several risks. When not encrypted, it can be tracked by hackers and create opportunities for various attacks.
Furthermore, if employees access the computer remotely using their personal computers, these computers may not have the same security and protection tools as company equipment.
Therefore, if at any point one of the company's employees remotely accesses the company's internal data, it is extremely important to use a solution to protect the data being transmitted.
Among all the solutions, the most widely used is undoubtedly the Enterprise VPN.
The acronym " VPN " stands for Virtual Private Network, a networking technology that uses the internet to connect a group of computers and maintain the security of the data that travels between them.
The main advantage for a company using VPN is undoubtedly the increased information security when there is a need to transfer confidential data between branches or for employees who work remotely and need to access data on the local network.
In the next section, we will look at some solutions to the main data security problems in small businesses.
How to avoid cyberattacks?
It's never too late to protect yourself from cyberattacks, but even better is not waiting until you've been attacked.
Are vulnerability mapping, software and system updates, firewall rules, backup systems, and the use of a business VPN sufficient ways to keep company data secure? Maybe not!
Seeing the number of companies and professionals we talk to daily, we realize that the biggest "Achilles' heel" in companies is the lack of knowledge and training among employees.
Basic security systems are useless if the employees themselves open the doors and welcome hackers as "visitors" in their work environment.
But, to the relief of many, there are ways to prevent uninformed, unaware, or distracted employees from leaving such important company data on their desks for any hacker to seize, as we will see below.
Use a data security policy.
Establishing guidelines for organizational members regarding the rules for using information technology resources is perhaps one of the cheapest ways to improve data security.
These rules, listed in a document, signed and agreed to by the user before making any use of company equipment, serve to prevent uninformed, unprepared, negligent, and in some cases even malicious employees from putting company data at risk, at the mercy of cybercriminals.
Developing an information security policy within a company can reduce potential expenses and investments related to corrective measures resulting from cyberattacks.
Control internet access.
Controlling internet access is a common practice in companies and is becoming increasingly important and necessary. Unlike information security policies, access control does not require the employee's good sense and willingness to prevent access to harmful and non-work-related websites.
In most security incidents or breaches, the gateway for attacks or virus installation is users who fail to identify potential risks and end up clicking on fake links in emails, social media ads, and malicious websites.
internet access control system in the company can close the vast majority of entry points for cyberattacks.
Among those available on the market, some solutions for controlling internet access stand out, such as DNS Filter , Lumiun , NextDNS , and Cisco Umbrella .
Among those mentioned, only Lumiun has full support in Brazilian Portuguese and payment in the national currency, which is a major advantage, considering the rising value of the dollar.
Conclusion
Your concern for data security, and your presence here in this article, already sets you apart from most people responsible for security systems in small businesses.
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I hope I have contributed to improving processes and identifying security gaps on the internet in your company.
To the next!
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