AI can help to boost response time, detect potential malicious threats early, generally improve the efficiency of your cybersecurity and reduce burnout. However, AI works best when used to augment and improve the security systems that are already in place. It is still unclear how efficient 100% AI-powered cybersecurity plans are. 

It is best to combine the human aspect and AI so that one can counteract the weaknesses of the other. Cybersecurity experts can use their expertise and pinpoint any gaps or weaknesses in the AI system. An AI system can also be hacked and start working against your company and making decisions that are based on corrupted information. Cybersecurity experts should be there to ensure this doesn’t happen.

Tap into the potential of an AI-Human blend and ensure that your business is protected in every possible way.

Network security encompasses all the policies, actions, and practices that are used to detect and prevent system breaches. Network security includes both hardware and software solutions and any processes that are related to network usage. 

Network security involves the following:

• Endpoint security
• Web security
• Wireless security
• Firewalls 
• Antivirus software, and more

Every piece of technology has both a good side and a bad side. As IoT expands, the risks also expand. 

IoT connected devices are expected to reach 30.9 billion units by the year 2025 overtaking the non-IoT connections which are projected to reach 10.3 billion units by the same year.

Threats to IoT devices include:

• Zero-day exploits where hackers take advantage of a flaw or weakness that is only known to them. This means that security experts would be unaware of the existence of this flaw and, therefore, will not be taking strides to fix it.
• Malware attacks 
• Denial of Service/Distributed Denial of Service 
• Passive wiretapping is where data is monitored or recorded without being altered.
• Structured query language injection uses malicious SQL to manipulate databases and access restricted information.

Let’s discuss some of the ways IoT influences cybersecurity.

A cyber attack refers to assaults that are launched by cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to a computer system or device with the intent to cause harm. The purpose of cyberattacks ranges from blocking access to information, weakening computer systems/networks, deleting or stealing important data, altering information, and extorting the victims. Cybercriminals are always looking for weaknesses in existing computer systems, this is why businesses need to invest in cybersecurity. A cyber attack can be launched from anywhere in the world using some of the strategies we will address below.

Let’s discuss some of the most common cyberattacks that affect businesses in greater detail.

1. Ransomware

Ransomware is a form of malware attack used by hackers to infiltrate an organization or business and block access to important data. Hackers use vulnerabilities in your system as pathways to gain access to company data. To regain access, businesses are forced to pay large amounts of money as ransom. More often than not, hackers demand payment via untraceable methods like cryptocurrency. It is possible that even after paying the stipulated amount, the affected business may still not be able to regain access to its data and this has devastating consequences. Ransomware attacks target both big and small businesses and financial institutions have been hit the hardest. Hackers also target businesses or organizations with sensitive data they don’t want to be leaked. Another common target is organizations that provide critical services like healthcare. 

Ransomware attacks that targeted businesses rose from 55.1% in 2018 to 68.5% in 2021. This rise in ransomware attacks was the highest figure reported in the past years and some experts believe that the pandemic contributed to this unprecedented increase. 

2. DoS and DDoS Attacks

The purpose of DoS attacks is to disrupt the normal running of a business by flooding the business with false requests and traffic and making it next to impossible for employees to perform routine tasks like accessing emails and websites. The flood of traffic causes the targeted system to crash, which stops operations in their tracks. DoS attacks are not initiated with the goal to extort money from the victim, they are just meant to disrupt business operations. Disrupting business operations for even just 24 hours can be devastating for any business. More downtime translates to more lost revenue. DoS attacks usually target high-profile organizations that are likely to be hit hard by even just a few hours of downtime. This includes banking, health, or government organizations. 

The difference between DoS attacks and DDoS attacks is the source. DoS attacks originate from a single source and they are easier for a business to contain. Downtime with DoS is usually way less than that experienced with DDoS. DDoS attacks or Distributed Denial of Service attacks originate from multiple sources and are, therefore, very difficult to contain. 

3. Phishing

Phishing attacks are one of the most common types of cyberattacks. This is mainly because they come through emails, SMSes, and calls and every organization uses these communication channels. Employees tend to be lax when it comes to cyber hygiene. Most click on emails without checking the source. Phishing emails redirect the user to phishing sites where users are coaxed into sharing personal information such as passwords or account numbers. If an employee visits a phishing site using a company device or shares passwords, this could put your business at risk and provide pathways for hackers to attack your business. It is essential to train your employees on cybersecurity best practices and cyber hygiene to reduce the chances of your business falling victim to phishing attacks. 

A phishing email has the following characteristics:

• It attempts to entice the recipient or cause panic.
• It comes with attachments to tempt users to download.
• It asks for sensitive information like passwords and account numbers.
• The URLs will not match.

Phishing emails have one or more of the characters highlighted above. Train your employees to look out for these red flags and invest in email security scanning.

4. Malware

Malware, or malicious software, includes but is not limited to ransomware, Trojans, spyware, worms, viruses, and more. By 2020, the known number of malware types had reached 678 million. The purpose of malware is to harm a computer system in one way or another. Malware can slow down your computer system, delete files without authorization, and weaken your system to make it easier for hackers to infiltrate. Malware attacks are continuously evolving and hackers are constantly trying to find ways around the existing defenses. Cybercriminals have turned to using fileless malware to attack businesses. This malware works by embedding corrupted code into a native scripting language such as JavaScript or Python. Fileless malware can also be written straight into memory. 

In some instances, hackers are hired to conduct malware attacks on a chosen target. This is called Malware as a Service (MaaS). It is a type of organized crime that is growing in popularity. This type of attack usually targets big organizations where the gains are likely to be massive. Malware as a Service can be accurately described as the criminal version of Saas. 

Protect Your Business From Cyberattacks 

Cyberattacks are a neverending struggle that businesses have to contend with. Investing in antivirus software will protect your business but it can only do so much. Train your employees on cyber hygiene and contact experts that will help you to design a cybersecurity plan that is best suited to your needs.

Stay Up To Date On Current Threats

Security threats are always evolving. Hackers refine pre-existing hacking software to make it more efficient or they come up with something new. This means that you, as a professional, need to be well-versed in each new threat and make sure that your business is fortified. You can focus on today’s emergencies while protecting your business from future attacks like ransomware and more.

Always Stay Prepared For Emergencies 

Even with tight cyber security, security breaches will still happen from time to time. It’s always a good idea to stay prepared in case the worst happens. Always backup your data and have early detection systems that alert you to threats speedily so that you can take the necessary steps like blocking or quarantining the threat.

Prioritize Strong Authentication

A business account with weak security provides an easy way for hackers to infiltrate your business and gain access to critical data. Multi-factor authentication requires the user to provide at least two login details to be able to access their account. This creates strong defenses and makes it harder for hackers to break through the walls of defense. You can also make it mandatory for your employees to have strong passwords. It is advisable for security experts and anyone with privileged access to important data to have multi-factor authentication.

Make Sure Security Policies Are Always Up To Date 

Most businesses often neglect to update their security policies. The most current security policies always factor in the most recent security threats and the latest technologies. 

With BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) becoming more popular, businesses have become more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Your security policy as a business should always cover BYOD to minimize risk. Before the pandemic, 95% of businesses already allowed employees to use personal devices for work. Since the pandemic hit, more and more employees have been working remotely and have been accessing sensitive company data using their personal devices. As a result, 85% of businesses have adopted BYOD policies to protect their data. 

Train Employees On Best Security Practices 

Most employees do not attach much importance to good cyber hygiene and this can prove to be devastating in the long run. In addition to giving them cyber hygiene tips, your employees need to understand why it’s important for them to observe good cyber hygiene. A voluntary shift in practices will have more impact than something employees feel obligated or pushed to do.

Security Tips For Employees

Practice Caution

Hackers have targeted unsuspecting victims just by sending a text or an email that redirects the victim to a phishing site. Practicing caution as an employee will keep both you and the business safe. Before opening an email or link, do everything possible to check its credibility. 

Do you know who the sender is? 

Does the URL in the link match the one that pops up when you hover your mouse above the link? 

Does the email or link look genuine?

These are just some of the things to consider before clicking on links or opening emails. Practicing caution will help you to steer clear of phishing sites where your personal information may be stolen and used to commit fraud or identity theft. In some instances, opening phishing emails also exposes your work system to attacks.

Use Private Networks 

If possible, use private networks whenever you need to access the internet. Public Wi-Fi might seem convenient, but it leaves your computer vulnerable to any lurking threats. When you have no choice but to use public Wi-Fi, make use of a military-grade VPN. A VPN masks your real IP address and if anyone is watching, they will not be able to see the sites you are visiting or any other information. A private network has firewalls or routers that block hackers and close direct access to your computer or other devices. This minimizes the chances of cyberattacks. A VPN is also invaluable if you are working remotely and need to protect company data. 

Use Anti-Virus Software

Even when using a private network, you can never be too secure. Always use antivirus software to block, eliminate, and quarantine any threats to your computer. Antivirus software will greatly reduce your vulnerability every time you are online and put your mind at ease. 

Always keep your antivirus software updated for the best results. Software companies introduce updates to upgrade security so they can combat new threats. Out-of-date antivirus software will not be effective against new and evolved threats. Always backup your data and comply with business policies in case an attack is successful. Always make it a point to check if your backups are still working. 

Always Be Prepared

In addition to using anti-malware software, always use a strong password that will be difficult for hackers to guess. A weak password is one of the easiest ways for hackers to access your device. You can use a password manager program like Dashlane. A password manager program will remember your passwords and help you to create strong passwords for each application, business, and more. 

Apply Cybersecurity Best Practices And Protect Your Business For 2022 And Beyond

Cybersecurity never stays rooted in one place for a long time. It is always evolving to match the threats that are always popping up. Security specialists, employees, and executives should always be vigilant when it comes to cybersecurity and cybersecurity best practices. Taking steps like having multi-factor authentication, updating security policies, and training employees can put your business one step ahead of most malicious threats. Prioritize cybersecurity best practices in your business and protect your business from cyber-attacks.

Every year, cyber-attacks multiply in number, so a continual rise in cyber attacks is to be expected. According to a study conducted by Michel Cukier, hackers attack computers with internet access every 39 seconds on average. Hackers use “brute force” attacks where they release corrupted and automated scripts that scour computers for weaknesses to take advantage of.

With tech becoming increasingly popular, more and more individuals are developing tech skills. This means that more people will be equipped with knowledge that allows them to hack your computers if they choose to and this is a worrying thought. 

The potentially great returns promised by cybercrime like ransomware are also attractive to some tech-savvy individuals looking to profit. Statistics show that since the pandemic started, ransomware attacks have increased by 148%, which is staggering. Ransomware is projected to increase even more as more and more organizations lean towards remote working.