As we’ve continued to progress the internet’s capabilities, more important information has been moved into the digital realm. With that transition, we’ve made ourselves more vulnerable to nefarious attempts to compromise that information, making cybersecurity an imperative to securing communication and data.
At Cre8tive Technology & Design one of our main goals is to keep your interests safe from harm. We’ve created a guide to keep you informed about cybersecurity best practices and why it is vitally important to your protection.
What is Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity revolves around the preemptive measures taken and process of recovering computer systems, networks, devices, and programs from all forms of cyber-attack. These cyber-attacks occur with the intent to corrupt or steal sensitive information off your computer, and have grown in danger and sophistication with the prevalence of the internet.
Even companies with a low internet presence are not safe from cyber-attacks. Hackers will target small, local websites because they know the site will have few, if any, cybersecurity measures in place and aim to exploit that fact.
Why is Cybersecurity Important?
If cyber-attackers, malware, or viruses are able to gain access to your system, it can have disastrous effects for you and your clients. Once they are in, attackers can wipe your entire system clean, alter files, use your computer to attack others, spread their viruses to every computer in your system, and steal your, or your clients’, information.
Breaches resulting in stolen information are no longer able to be brushed aside; a single data breach today can result in millions of compromised users and the consequences are more severe for everyone involved. While the United States has no national laws addressing data breach disclosure, all 50 states have their own data breach laws. There are some discrepancies between states, but all of them include:
- A requirement to inform those affected immediately.
- A requirement to notify the government as soon as possible.
- Pay a fine, the amount of which is unique to each state.
Implementing cybersecurity best practices does not guarantee complete safety from attacks, but it will significantly reduce the chances of an attack successfully breaching your defenses.
Cybersecurity Threats and Best Practices
The best defense against cyber threats is to dispel ignorance. By knowing what threats are lurking you’ll have a better understanding of how best practices can protect against them.
Cybersecurity Threats
Social engineering: Social engineering attacks target human susceptibility by manipulating victims into offering up confidential or sensitive information by carrying out an action that violates security protocols. Typically, this is done through emails, or calls, requesting information, such as social security numbers or account passwords.
Malicious code: Malicious code, known as malware, are programs that can harm your computer or compromise data stored on it. Viruses, worms, and Trojan horses are all considered as classifications of malware. Some malware requires you to complete an action for it to infect your computer, like open an email attachment or click on a specific webpage.
Vulnerabilities: Vulnerabilities are weaknesses in software, firmware, or hardware that can be exploited to gain access to a system and perform unauthorized actions. In this case, exploit is a technical term referring to faults in programming that can act as entry points for cyber-attacks.
Best Practices
These best practices include a few simple things you can do to minimize the risk of cyberattacks:
- Keep software up to date
- Implement up-to-date antivirus software
- Use strong passwords
- Enable multi-factor authentication
- Install a firewall
- Be wary of unexpected emails
Following basic cyber hygiene is one thing your company can do to begin growing into a more secure organization. In order to execute more advanced cybersecurity techniques, it is best to contract a trusted organization that will ensure a smooth transition.
How Cre8tive Can Help?
Cre8tive Technology & Design specializes in developing cybersecurity solutions for government contractors who need to establish Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) security controls. Our goal is to help your company achieve compliance with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) regulations, and custom-tailor our solutions to your company’s needs.
Get started today to ensure your clients’ safety.