With the growing reliance on technology, the risk of being compromised by security threats grows with it. Businesses that operate almost entirely online or through digital tools must be far more careful than ever before to avoid these dangers.
Cybercriminals continuously create more advanced methods to target organizations. Knowing these 5 common network risks enables your organization to develop more comprehensive strategies and procedures to protect itself against these threats.
What is network security?
Network security is a term used to describe measures taken to protect a computer network from unauthorized access, misuse, or damage.
Network security entails the installation and tracking of cyber security measures to safeguard an organization’s IT systems from cyber-attacks and intrusions. It also involves regulations concerning the management of classified data.
Network security involves the following solutions:
1. Internal security risks
Nearly all cyberattacks can be traced back to human mistakes. These could be phishing attempts, bad choices, inadequately secure passwords, or other actions. When people within a company cause problems with their network and confidential information, it can lead to financial losses, service problems, and disappointed customers.
2. Ransomware
Malicious software known as ransomware can encrypt documents and make them inaccessible until a fee is paid to get the decryption key. Ransomware attacks are on the rise and damages from these attacks are expected to reach beyond $30 billion worldwide in 2023.
This type of malware is also available as a service, referred to as ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS), which functions similarly to software-as-a-service (SaaS). Sellers of RaaS generate code that buyers can utilize to construct their malware and conduct cyberattacks. Examples of RaaS include BlackMatter, LockBit, DarkSide, and REvil.
3. Distributed denial-of-service attacks
DDoS attacks are a type of cyberattack that attempts to overwhelm a system with an immense amount of data, making it unreachable, and thus denying access to legitimate users.
When a DDoS attack happens, websites can become inoperable, experience technical difficulties, or take an extended time to load. Cybercriminals are responsible for such incidents by infecting internet-connected gadgets (e.g. mobiles, computers) and converting them into robots. The hackers then send the bots to the target’s IP address, which brings about a flood of web traffic to the website, making it unable to respond to legitimate traffic.
4. Phishing attacks
Fraudulent attempts to gain access to sensitive information are known as phishing attacks. Hackers masquerade as trustworthy individuals or organizations to obtain confidential data, such as credit card numbers. These scams are usually communicated through emails, texts, or phone calls. Similarly to fraudulent security programs, phishing attacks are presented to make them appear genuine to potential victims. This is done to entice them to click on dangerous links or download malicious attachments.
5. Viruses
Malicious computer programs, known as viruses, are often attached to downloads which can be received through emails or websites. If the file is opened, the virus can get into the computer and cause disruption to networks, steal information, and more.
Safeguarding your organization's IT systems
Companies can adopt different approaches to safeguard their data and network from network security threats. Although a managed service provider can handle these precautions, your employees should also be conscious of potential security threats.
Keep your network security front of mind with these practices:
- Backup data and files
- Prioritize comprehensive cyber security awareness training across all departments of your business
- Promote a security-first work culture
- Ensure access to network security controls is restricted to authorized staff
- Upgrade all security solutions and secure endpoints with multi-factor authentication, strong passwords, and so on.
To secure networks, your business should prioritize cybersecurity to reduce the incidence of data breaches and the associated losses of time and money.
Ensure the safety of your network with network security specialists
Network security is not a trend, it is necessary for conducting business ethically and safely. Your business systems should take advantage of the latest technology to improve security and business practices. The network security professionals from Aquarius IQ have experience in protecting business networks with the most recent software and hardware. Reach out to them today to have them strengthen your cybersecurity, give your employees the most up-to-date expertise, and ensure optimum corporate safety.
Recent Comments