Nowadays, it’s a must for companies to build an online presence that allows them to connect globally with customers. This is done with several methods and strategies, for example, creating a website or using social media. However, with fame comes risks, building an online presence can lead you to get your website cyber-attacked.
These cyber-attacks can mean a great loss for your company since its data can be stolen and used by the perpetrators. Alongside the data, customers may not feel safe interacting with your site, causing you to lose your customers’ trust. That´s why you need to know how to strengthen your IT security.
In this article, we´ll go over all the necessary information for you to protect your company from cybercrimes. We´ll go into detail about:
1-What is a cybercrime?
2-Types of cybercrime
3-What is cyber security?
4-Benefits of cyber security
5-Usual trends that can complicate IT security
6-How can Connectech help you with your cyber security?
1-What is a cybercrime?
Before talking about IT security, we must know what cybercrime is, to know what we are protecting ourselves from. Cybercrime as implied by its name is a crime where the main tool used to commit it is a computer. People who do this are known as cybercriminals.
A cybercriminal uses their device (like a computer) to obtain confidential information (from the customers or the business) and sells it. They can also disable other devices and hack into people´s accounts.
You can divide cybercrimes into 2 types of crime:
- Those that target network devices: Viruses, Malware, DDoS attacks, etc.
- Those that use their computers/devices to partake in criminal activities: Phishing emails, identity theft, cyberstalking, etc.
You can also divide cybercrime into 3 categories. The methods they use vary depending on the category to which it belongs:
Property
Similar to real life, in this category, a cybercriminal steals a person´s bank account or credit card details. With it, they gain access to the person´s funds and use them to make purchases online. They also use them to run phishing sites to obtain more information from other people. They also use their software to access a website´s information or a website with customers’ information.
Individual
In this category, the cybercriminal distributes malicious or illegal information through the internet. This includes cyberstalking, trafficking, and distribution of pornography.
Government
This is the type that you will least meet, however it is the most serious offense out of the 3 categories. Also known as cyber-terrorism, it includes hacking government and military websites or distributing propaganda. The ones who commit this kind of crime are usually terrorists or enemies of the nation affected.
2-Types of cybercrime
We talked about the types of cybercrime, and before we talk about cyber and IT security, we must speak in-depth about some of them.
DDoS attacks
As mentioned before, these fall into the “target network devices” category. Cybercriminals use DDoS attacks to take a network down and make the service unavailable. They do this by overwhelming the site with traffic coming from various sources. After they take the service down they hack into the system.
Botnets
They are networks from devices that hackers control and use to send spam or attack other computers. They also use them to act like malware, and with it, do malicious tasks.
Identity theft
This crime occurs when a hacker gets access to a user’s personal information. With their data, they steal funds, access private information, or participate in tax/health insurance fraud. They also use the person’s data to open various accounts. In addition to this, they can also find out the user’s password (through hacking) and retrieve more personal information.
PUPs
Potentially Unwanted Programs are a type of malware. Their main objective is to uninstall necessary software, including pre-installed software and even search engines. They can also have spyware and adware, so it’s good to consider having IT security software to avoid it.
Phishing emails
Finally, we have phishing emails. In this type of attack, hackers send malicious emails or URLs to other people, to gain access to their computers. They became more established over time since the emails they send don’t get flagged as spam.
These hackers usually trick people, claiming they need to update their information and this way they get access to it.
3-What is cyber security?
After cybercrimes, it is important to know how to protect yourself against them. Cyber security or IT security is the process to protect your computer against cybercrimes. These processes allow you to recover and protect computer systems, networks, and devices.
IT security is necessary if you want to operate your business since, with it; you protect your customers’ data. They implement IT security solutions to prevent unauthorized access and keep said data protected.
There are 4 main types of IT security:
Network security
Firstly we have network security. You apply this type of security when you protect your network from inside and outside attacks. Furthermore, they use several protocols to block attacks but a user can access the network with authorization.
This type of IT security employs numerous tactics and methods to protect your network. One of these methods is the Firewall, which acts as a barrier between your network and other networks. Based on their settings, they block/allow traffic with other networks.
In addition to firewalls, there´s also email security. They consist of a program that scans incoming and outgoing messages to control any potential phishing attacks.
Application security
Secondly, we have application security, which refers to protecting private information at the app level. They involve tactics like strong passwords from the user, two-step authentication, security questions, etc. In general, they include measures to ensure the user is who they say they are. They implement most of them before the app is deployed.
Cloud security
Thirdly, we have cloud security which refers to the protection of cloud-based services. Since most people rely on these services to save their information. Therefore, these services should be secured at all times, since they have massive amounts of data.
In addition to this, they can include business services stored in data centers. You need to consider the end-user interface, data storage security, backup plans, and human error that expose the network to ensure appropriate cloud security.
Operational security
Lastly, we have operational IT security. It refers to the risk management process for internal cyber security. This type of management employs several risk management officers to ensure a backup plan in case a user’s data is in danger. Moreover, this type of strategy ensures that employees are well educated to apply it.
4-Benefits of cyber security
Aside from just protecting a customer’s information, there are more business-related benefits:
Business protection
IT security solutions can provide online/digital protection to your company. This allows employees to navigate the internet when they need to, in a safe way, ensuring they aren’t at risk.
Personal information protection
What applies to clients also applies to workers, that is to say, they also allow you to protect your employees’ information. Hackers may try to sell said information or use it to steal money, that´s why it’s better to protect it.
More safety at work
Without an IT security software or strategy, your company and its employees are at constant risk of cybercrime. However, having a way of protecting your company´s devices avoids that. Because if a system or computer becomes infected, it hinders workflow and can force you to change computers.
Keeps your website up
A cyber-attack can force your company´s website to shut down if it infects your site. Consequently, the company will lose money from lost transactions and also lose customers´ trust. In addition to this, a virus can leave lasting effects on the website and cause damage to the system.
Denies spyware and prevents adware
Spyware is a type of cyber-attack that spy’s the action of the computer that receives it and sends said information to the cyber-criminal. However, a good IT security measure can avoid this to protect your company from it.
On the other hand, adware is malware that fills the victim’s computer with ads. These ads negatively affect productivity and open the door for more viruses to enter if you click on them. In the same way as spyware, a good IT security measure avoids it.
Maintains customer trust
If your website/app gets constantly attacked, your customers may start to lose trust in your company, since their information is compromised. However, if your site is protected, your audience will place their trust in you, which will allow you to win new customers in the long term.
5-Usual trends that can complicate IT security
While many organizations and companies follow good IT security-related practices, others overlook this aspect. That leaves them wide open for any potential attacks on their infrastructure, risking product safety.
Various current trends complicate industrial automation on IT security, 5 in particular. This drives the need for a standard-based approach. These trends are:
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
IIoT and the Internet of Things (IoT) are at the center of connected enterprises and the future of manufacturing. Despite this, the more connections there are, the more risks and security concerns there are. Apart from this, it also increases threat landscapes and other risks profiles.
This happens because they design these devices to be a connection between the internet and the world. This means that security breaches affect real life, since they won´t be contained within cyberspace and will spill over and cause malfunctions.
OT/IT convergence
Server performance and cloud computing power drive present productivity, but trouble actors can work IT-based ways to target OT networks. Efforts to control it incline to focus primarily on IT/ IoT devices and disregard the challenges that an IIoT system poses.
This is further complicated by the fact that IIoT devices are artificial settings. This leads to security consequences resulting from a vulnerability being exploited.
Legacy systems
We refer to legacy systems when we talk about outdated software that’s still in use. They are bad for IT security since they prioritize availability over security, leaving them open to potential attacks. The differences between IoT and IIoT are pretty clear, especially with legacy systems, complicating IT security even more.
IIoT technology presents a lot of problems and challenges to secure it. For example, they are not designed to support security measures, like advanced encryption or end-point security.
Multi-vendor environment
Without compliance, it’s difficult to integrate industry-based standards, since it produces risks and challenges to its security. The IIoT supply chain is difficult, making security get worse. It’s also difficult to make a participant take responsibility for weaknesses added by them. In addition to this, many vendors follow their own rules and principles, making them more susceptible to vulnerabilities.
Skill gaps
Lastly, we have the skill gap; its name speaks for itself. Since many companies increased their needs for contract workers, making consisting practices more difficult. This is made even more challenging because there aren’t enough employees with cyber-security skills and enough experience to meet the demand.
6-How can Connectech help you with your cyber security?
IT security is a must for companies to protect their services, without it, they leave them open for potential attacks. But taking care of it may seem complicated at first, so it’s best to look for an enterprise that can help you.
That’s why there is no one better than Connectech to help you with just that. With over 20 years of experience on the market, Connectech is the best partner you could choose. Let us work with you to protect your services and websites.
Do you want to contact Connectech to know more about Cyber/IT security? If you have any questions, feel free to call us on +97143316688. Or contact us via email at info@connectech.dev, and you will talk to one of our representatives who will gladly answer your questions.
