Issues of cybersecurity are becoming a major concern by the day. In a world where everything goes through the internet, no one is safe. The worst part is that even when it is only businesses that have been attacked, other people can get affected. Take the Colonial Pipeline attack, for instance, which led to increased gasoline prices, panic purchasing, and shortages after hackers shut down the company’s pipelines. Cyber attacks can be disastrous. And the more technology advances, the more hackers try to up their game. In the article below, you get to learn some of the challenges facing modern cybersecurity and how businesses can overcome them.
The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policy
As much as the BYOD policy has brought many advantages to businesses, it has also come with some downsides. According to experts, there are some risks that come with allowing employees to use their own computers at work. If an employee’s computer is not well protected yet has access to sensitive business data, then the whole company is at risk. That does not mean the policy has to stop. But having measures in place can lower the risk of cyberattacks. Some common measures that can help include role-based access control, network access controls, and enabling two-factor authentication. It is also important for employees to have strong passwords on their computers to lower the risk of being hacked. If an employee is leaving the company, there should be an exit process that clears all company data on the employee’s PC.
Remote Working Security
A lot of companies are embracing remote work as it comes with a lot of conveniences that promote productivity. Many tools that remote workers depend on for video calls may have some flaws or vulnerabilities. In addition, trying to manage people using different networks on devices that are possibly unsecured has some challenges. Fortunately, the number of remote monitoring platforms that one can use to monitor remote workers’ traffic is growing. Various access controls such as two-factor authentication can intercept cybercriminals trying to get into your system by posing as remote employees. It is also advisable to segment your network as that can secure remote access and reduce the impact of a breach.
Assuming That You Cannot Be A Victim
This is a challenge for small businesses. They assume that large corporations are the only ones that can be a target. However, no matter how small your data or assets are, you can still be a victim of cyber threats. As long as an attack can disrupt your day-to-day operations and lead to financial loss, you need to have a cyber risk management plan in place. In this modern economy, most businesses have things that cybercriminals want, whether it is money or information. Investing in cyber security best practices is a good step in the right direction. Always know that you can be a target, then put the right measures in place.
The Rate Of Cyber Crimes Is Increasing
One of the major challenges facing modern cyber security is that cybercrimes are not only on the rise but more severe than before. In fact, when you look at the statistics on cyber security, you will notice that now, more than ever, cyber attacks have become frequent. To overcome this challenge, companies need to prioritize cyber security. That means budgeting for it and incorporating it into daily operations. In addition, the IT department needs to be vigilant, scrutinizing all activities happening thoroughly within the company’s network.
Insider Attacks
Even though most cyber security challenges originate from external sources, there are instances where it can be an inside job. Some workers with bad intentions may export or leak confidential information to other individuals or your competitors. This can lead to financial losses and a bad reputation for the business. Such challenges can be avoided by monitoring outbound and inbound data in your network. Installing firewall devices will help you with this to lower the risk of attacks from within the company.
Talent Shortage
It is estimated that there are more than 600,000 unfilled positions in cybersecurity. As much as more businesses are aware of the risks of cyberattacks, there is more demand for talent than supply. One of the ways to overcome this is through specialty occupation visa programs that allow international talents to fill in those gaps. In addition, you can outsource IT services instead of hiring an in-house team. It is easier to find a managed IT services provider to handle your IT needs than to hire an in-house team. You can also automate some things like network monitoring, so that you can still accomplish some things even with fewer workers.
Cyber attacks do not seem to be going anywhere any time soon. In fact, if current trends are to go by, the issue may just become bigger. That is why businesses and individuals need to be aware of what issues they can anticipate and how they can overcome them.