The main cyber security threats of 2018
2017 saw a large increase in the volume and intensity of malicious cyber attacks. That’s why it is more important than ever for companies to have effective security systems in place to protect themselves from this threat. The past decade has shown that even the largest corporations and government institutions are vulnerable to malware and ransomware. The NHS, Apple iCloud, Sony Pictures, eBay, Yahoo and Adobe are just some of the most high-profile examples. It is crucial that businesses know the 3 key threats of 2018:
DDoS
A denial-of-service attack forces a user’s computer to be unusable by overloading the system with superfluous requests. It is fast becoming one of the most common forms of cyber attack. It is also one of the trickiest ones to stop. A distributed DoS attack invades from multiple sources. This means even if you manage to cut off access by one source it will not stop any damage being done. An effective defence will employ a number of cyber security tools. The aim of the defence is to cut off any malicious traffic while still recognising legitimate users and allowing them access to the system.
Hacktivists
Often an individual or hacking group will target a specific company in order to deal as much damage as possible. All systems need to have up to date anti-malware software in place. To further decrease any damage caused it is also important for businesses to have an effective damage recovery system. Data backup is an essential part of the modern office. Cloud computing is an ideal method to utilise for this purpose. By storing a backup of important company data off-site a business will have a good contingency plan in place. This will give them the peace of mind to know that if the system is compromised their data will not be irretrievably lost.
Hostile nation-states
Sadly, cyber attacks are not just increasing in intensity but also sophistication. State-sponsored hacking projects are theorised to be behind some of the most high-profile cases. The notorious EternalBlue security exploit has been linked in origin to the NSA. There is well-publicised evidence of Russia’s research and development into the advanced cyber attack. Likewise, the 2014 Sony Pictures Hack is widely believed to have been sponsored by North Korea.
These kinds of high-profile attacks may not be seen as of any concern to smaller businesses. However, if such advanced hacking capabilities exist then all businesses should do everything they can to protect their confidential data and cyber systems. The key to these sophisticated hacks is early detection. Frequent monitoring of the computing system should be undertaken and any detected threats must be fought off using next-generation security tools. In these cases, a multi-layered approach is best in order to completely eradicate the threat.
