What you don’t know CAN hurt you!
More than ever before businesses of all sizes need to stay ahead of the damaging technology that is being used and continually fine tuned to sabotage your company’s operations and financial success. Your only defense is to stay alert and use the latest in cyber security products and services before it is too late.
- Insider Threats: It might surprise you to learn how many threats are caused by current or former employees, partners, suppliers or anyone who has access to your company’s network. Sometimes a threat is inadvertently caused by someone clicking a download link that turns out to be a virus or malware. On the flip side, there will always be those who act with the intention to undermine confidential information. Is there a spy in your office or has someone left and gone rogue? Be advised, this type of threat is on the rise.
- Ransomware: This cloud-based threat can lock down and encrypt your computer files. Money is then demanded before digital keys are provided. If your data isn’t consistently backed up and protected, this can be disastrous. (Some of the strains: WannaCry, Reveton, CryptoLocker, CryptoWall, Petya, Bad Rabbit) Larger companies can afford to ramp up digital security by hiring the brightest in the industry, while smaller companies remain targets if not applying robust internet security measures.
- Spear phishing: This is a common ploy that has been developed in a variety of ways to trick people into downloading malware or Trojan-viruses. This can harm your device/PC and even worse, plant software that can steal sensitive information. Spear phishing has become very sophisticated and is customized to attack certain victims and groups. 80 percent of malware attacks come from phishing. Beware of employee impersonation, as a single fraudulent email can have serious financial ramifications.
- Computer processing power theft: Mining cryptocurrencies from digital currency holders has become much more prevalent. Because it requires a huge amount of processing power, hackers are tapping into companies and public wifi networks and stealing processing power. This recently happened to a Starbucks customer in Argentina whose laptop was hacked and edited to mine bitcoin. This is one simple example. As this greed for currency mining continues, the potential to take over hospitals, airports, hotels and other large networks grows. Stay a step ahead with confidence by employing state-of-the-art technology, such as our Managed Wireless Network solution.
- Crime-As-A-Service (CaaS): Yes, there are large criminal organizations continually developing sophisticated ways to make money. Many are existing criminal companies that are adding cyber hacking as a service, while other companies are emerging daily. It will become increasingly difficult to protect your network, servers and data without utilizing leading edge software and managed protection. Unless your company can withstand often irreversible disruptions at staggering financial expenses, do not play “chicken” with your business. You will probably lose.
- The loT (Internet of Things): Ever hear of the loT? The term has been around for a few years and has been described as the growing trend of interconnected devices. As SMART technology becomes a part of everything, including appliances, devices, desktops, vehicles and more, the risk factor mushrooms. The positive side is increased convenience in business and in homes. The negative aspect is that when all devices are interconnected they can be invaded in one fell swoop. It will be difficult to spot information that is being captured and dispatched through SMART televisions, phones and tablets. The SMART train has left the station and is not ever returning. Be prepared by staying current to this growing trend. Each time a new device becomes interconnected, make sure it is protected.
In summary, become acutely aware and risk management savvy. These negative trends will not stand still; they continue to be an aggressive force. Cyber security is becoming the single most important facet a company can use to defend their business against large losses and downtime.