7 cybersecurity myths debunked
The world of cybersecurity can be overwhelming upon first glance and there is a myriad of untruths circulating the internet. With this in mind, in order to help you protect your business’s valuable data from hackers and cybercriminals, we’re debunking a list of 7 popular cybersecurity myths that could jeopardise the success of your business.
1) Myth: Strong passwords are enough to protect businesses
Strong passwords are an essential part of building a foundation for your business’s cybersecurity, but strong passwords alone are not enough to protect your company’s valuable data. In fact, one of the most vital elements of cybersecurity that many businesses make the mistake of overlooking is selecting which employees are able to access sensitive data in the first place rather than controlling how they access it.
Strong passwords are important, but it’s even more important for companies to be aware of who has access to these strong passwords and therefore has access to important files. In a recent study, researchers found that 41% of companies had a minimum of 1,000 sensitive files available for all of their employees to access. The more employees that have access to sensitive data, the greater the risk to that data.
2) Myth: Anti-malware and anti-virus software protects businesses against all risks
Just as strong passwords are an essential part of protecting your business, anti-malware and anti-virus software are also essential, but the software alone will not provide your business with adequate protection. Software is one of the first steps you should implement into your business’s cybersecurity plan, but in order to protect your organisation from harm from every possible risk, you need an all-encompassing cybersecurity solution that takes precautions at every step. Other essential cybersecurity methods include insider threat detection, employee training and disaster protection.
3) Myth: Only large businesses are targeted by hackers
While only high-profile hacks and cybersecurity breaches are deemed important enough to reach the news, it is a mistake to assume that this means that small and medium-sized businesses don’t qualify as targets for an attack. According to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report made in 2018, 58% of victims of data breaches are actually small businesses.
There are a number of reasons for this, but one of the most common reasons for small businesses being targeted by cyberattacks is that they tend to have lower budgets and can therefore not afford more advanced data protection software and highly-skilled cybersecurity teams.
4) Myth: Employees don’t need to secure their personal devices in the workplace
Employees frequently assume that their mobile phones and other personal devices do not need to be subjected to any company security protocols, so Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) practices often leave companies open to potential cybersecurity risks they may not be aware of. If employees are using their personal devices to access work-related files and sensitive data, it is essential that they follow the same security protocols that the company’s own computers are subjected to.
5) Myth: You’ll know immediately if your computer has been infected
It used to be relatively easy in the past to spot if your computer had been infected with a virus, as browsers became slow to load, pop-up ads appeared or your entire computer system crashed, but now, malware is far trickier to detect. Depending on the virus your system is infected with, it’s possible that your business’s computers will continue to run smoothly for some time so that the malware can cause more damage before you are able to pick up on it.
6) Myth: Cybersecurity is the sole responsibility of the IT department
While your business’s IT department has a significant role to play in protecting your system with cybersecurity software, it’s important to remember that each one of your employees needs to implement cybersecurity practices in their day-to-day work activities. For example, researchers at Verizon found that 49% of malware is actually installed via email, so if your employees aren’t trained on how to avoid dangerous links or spot phishing emails, they could leave your business vulnerable to cyberattacks.
7) Myth: Only certain industries are vulnerable to cyberattacks
Just as businesses of all sizes have the potential to be targeted by cybercriminals, businesses in different industries are also vulnerable to cyberattacks. It is important to be vigilant with your cybersecurity protocols regardless of the industry that you are in, even if you think that your business does not have any data worth stealing. Any business that has access to sensitive data, such as personal information including addresses and credit card numbers, has the potential to be a target for an attack by cybercriminals.
Even if your business’s sensitive data is not eligible for resale via the dark web, ransomware can make it profitable to cybercriminals by rendering it unusable unless you pay the hacker a price for the decryption key.
If you run a business that is in need of IT security solutions from a reliable supplier, get in touch with our team of specialists at CARA Technology today and we can help you reach your business goals.
