In this digital age, it is more important than ever to ensure your information technology security is up to date. Many companies don’t take the necessary precautions to protect their data, so that they can lose a lot of money. Here, we will discuss the importance of IT security and why you should make it your number one priority. We will also cover some of the most common attacks that businesses can expect and how you can protect yourself from them.
Importance of IT Security for Your Company
1. Security Makes You More Productive
You are more productive when you know your data is backed up and safe. This gives you peace of mind to focus on your work rather than worry about losing important files.
According to a study, 43% of workers said they spend at least an hour weekly dealing with personal security issues. This lost productivity can cost companies dearly.
In addition, if your company experiences a data breach, it can take months to recover the lost data and get back to business. During this time, your employees will not be able to work at their full potential, and clients may go elsewhere for their needs.
2. Protection of Your Company’s Reputation
A data breach can damage your company’s reputation and cost you and your customers. In today’s age of social media, news spreads quickly, and if your company is not seen as taking security seriously, you will likely lose business. If consumers know that a company is experiencing data breaches, they will likely stop doing business with it.
3. High Cost of Breaches
The average data breach cost is now $13 million, which is only getting higher. This includes the cost of lost business, damage to reputation, and legal fees. In addition, if you must notify customers of a breach, the costs can add up quickly. Notifying just 500 customers of a data breach can cost upwards of $100,000.
In addition, if customers know there is a breach, they can sue your company for negligence. This can lead to even more legal fees and damages.
4. Compliance
Depending on your industry, you may be required to comply with certain security regulations. For example, companies in the healthcare industry must comply with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability) and Accountability Act. regulations. These regulations are in place to protect patient data from being breached. If a company does not comply with these regulations, it can be fined up to $50,000 per violation. In addition, they may also lose their ability to do business with government agencies.
5. Security of Data
Another importance of IT security is that you can protect your company’s data. This is the most important thing for a company because, without data, companies would not be able to function. If this data falls into the wrong hands, they could use it to harm your company in a number of ways.
Notable Cases of Theft
According to a recent study, the total cost of cybercrime globally is expected to reach $12 trillion by 2025. This includes losses from identity theft, ransomware, and other attacks. This number is expected to grow as more and more businesses store their data online.
1. Equifax Data Breach
One of the most notable examples of this was the Equifax data breach in 2017. This breach exposed the personal information of over 143 million people and resulted in Equifax losing over $600 million. This shows how much money can be lost when proper security measures are not in place.
2. WannaCry Ransomware Attack
Another example is the WannaCry ransomware attack in May of 2017. This attack affected over 150 countries and caused billions of dollars in damage. Most of the damage was caused by businesses that did not have proper security measures.
3. Uber Data Breach
Uber data breach is another example that highlights the importance of IT security. In 2016, Uber suffered a data breach that exposed the personal information of over 57 million people. This led to Uber paying a $148 million fine and losing the trust of many of its customers.
4. Target Data Breach
Target is another company that has been affected by a data breach. In 2013, Target suffered a data breach that exposed the personal information of over 110 million people.
This led to Target losing over $148 million and their CEO stepping down.
Types of Attacks
1. Phishing
One of the most common types of attacks is phishing. This is where attackers send emails that appear to be from a legitimate source to get the recipient to click on a malicious link or attachment.
2. Malware
Malware is a type of software that is designed to damage or disable computers. It can be installed on your computer without your knowledge and can cause a lot of damage.
3. Denial of Service (Dos. Attacks)
A denial-of-service attack is where attackers try to make a computer or network unavailable to its users. They do this by flooding the target with requests until it can no longer handle the traffic and becomes overloaded.
Protecting Yourself from Attacks
1. Update Your Operating System
The best way to protect yourself from attacks is to keep your operating system and software up to date. Attackers are always looking for new vulnerabilities to exploit, and by keeping your systems up to date, you can make it much harder for them.
2. Install Reputable Antivirus Program
Another way to protect yourself is to install a reputable antivirus program and keep it up to date. This will help detect and remove any malware that infects your system. Examples of reputable antivirus programs include McAfee, Norton, and AVG.
3. Don’t Click On Links from Unknown Sources
One of the best ways to avoid being attacked is to be careful about what you click on. If you receive an email from an unknown source, don’t click on any links or attachments. And if you’re ever unsure, you can always contact the company directly to verify the email.
4. Use a VPN
Another great way to protect yourself is to use a VPN. A VPN encrypts all your traffic, making it much harder for attackers to snoop on your activities. A VPN is especially important if you’re using public Wi-Fi, as this is one of the easiest ways for attackers to access your system.
5. Backup Your Data
One of the best ways to protect your data is to simply back it up. This way, if you get attacked, and your data is lost or corrupted, you’ll be able to restore it from your backup.
There are many ways, like iCloud, Google Drive, and Dropbox. All you need to do is research and find one that best suits your needs.
What Should You Do In Case Of An Attack?
If you find yourself under attack, you first should try to determine what type of attack it is.
This will help you to know what steps to take next. If you’re unsure, you can always contact a professional for help.
Once you know what type of attack it is, you can take steps to mitigate the damage. For example, you can delete the email and any attachments if it’s a phishing attack. You can run your antivirus program to try and remove it if it’s malware. You can also outsource your IT security needs to a company like MyTek, who can also implement a comprehensive security plan to keep your company’s data safe.
And if it’s a denial-of-service attack, you can contact your ISP to try blocking the attacker’s IP address. However, remember, the best way to protect yourself from attacks is to be proactive and use the above methods to prevent them from happening in the first place.
Conclusion
IT security is a very important issue that all companies should take seriously. You can be vulnerable to many types of attacks, and the best way to protect yourself is to be proactive. Be sure to keep your operating system and software up to date, install a reputable antivirus program, use a VPN, and back up your data. And if you do find yourself under attack, try to determine what type of attack it is and take steps to mitigate the damage.
