We all live in a digital world. As a result of new technologies and global digitalisation, companies face enormous data breaches and cybersecurity incidents. Even though attacks have always been here, the amount and the outcomes are getting bigger every year.
And this is the reality of organisations of every size and in every industry. Cybercrime is rising, targeting sensitive data of personally identifiable information (PII) or something similar that every modern company has and operates with.
Even though cyber-attacks may seem like they come from the left field, it’s essential to identify the commonalities. Based on the 2019 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, approximately 70% of cyber-attacks are financially motivated, while 69% are perpetuated by outsiders.
Although attackers develop new ways of stealing data, methods by which data is breached are usually common. However, modern companies lack cybersecurity measures, which results in weak spots in their organisation’s systems and software. Below we will show 5 of the most common cybersecurity mistakes companies make and how to solve them.
Underestimating Hackers
If you’ve ever wondered why attacks are still happening even on large enterprises with in-house security teams, the answer is underestimating hackers. However, it is worth mentioning that modern hackers use a vast range of tactics, such as phishing, open source intelligence, and social engineering, which are even hard to notice. Hackers can ruin the business by stealing personal data through force or pretending to be trusted services. The best way to check how vulnerable your business is due to the underestimation of attacks is penetration testing.
In addition, some believe that only well-known large companies are at real risk of being hacked. However, it is the biggest myth in the industry which opens many doors for cyber criminals who know that small and midmarket organisations do not have enough security in place.
SMBs and midmarket businesses are those who can face the biggest and most dangerous attacks. Cybercriminals know that they are usually unable to invest in the latest security solution or may even not have an in-house security team to protect data. To put it simply, the smaller a business is, the higher chances it has security gaps. And it is exactly the thing hackers look for – easy and quick access.
Disregarding Security Awareness Training
Even though some “insider attacks” occur thanks to malicious insiders and disgruntled employees, most of them happen simply due to human error or lack of knowledge. A phishing email is one common method of hackers stealing credentials. So by clicking on these emails, engaging in shadow IT, or sharing data via social media, both users and employees give a chance to cyber hackers to realise their attacks.
However, this mistake can be solved by providing Security Awareness Training. As the name implies, this training is used by all organisations to better understand methods hackers use and boost knowledge about modern attacks for better defence.
Even if you have built a strong security posture at your organisation, a lack of knowledge in your employees and users can cause the majority of attacks. Therefore, if you want to properly protect your business from unwanted visitors, it is always best to invest in security training as a vital layer of that posture.
You Lost Track of Your Critical Data
Smart organisations know that every department should be aware of implementing security strategies to boost the protection of sensitive data. However, that requires a company to always know where data is stored, in what amounts, who has access, who doesn’t and why and so on.
Since data is the essential asset for your company as well as the most appealing target for hackers, your team should always know the defensive capabilities of the organisation’s software, where your data is and what the risk associated with it is. In addition, companies now work with third-party vendors who may not have enough security and develop apps or provide services. This can also make you lose data since it is not often easy to understand what these vendors are doing in your network.
Overconfidence And Threat Relegation
Experts say that there are two common misconceptions:
- Companies believe they are secure
- Companies don’t care if they are secure
The first also relates to underestimating hackers. Businesses often believe that what they do for their security is always enough, regardless of whether they usually update their security posture or forget about it many years ago.
In addition, organisations think that since they have a firewall or perform regular phishing training, the business is secure. But in most cases, it is not. This is because even with the latest methods, you can’t always be sure that you are safe. Hackers will always develop new technologies and methods to steal your company’s information, but using cybersecurity services and several strategies can help boost security posture and reduce the chances of being hacked to a minimum.
You Rely on Antivirus Software
Even though antivirus software can be beneficial in some cases as an additional layer, you don’t need to rely on it solely or too much. Even if you have a firewall, an email will still remain an open door for hackers.
It is vital to understand that one successful phishing email, about which you have lots of control, can become an excellent way for hackers to steal your information. This is because phishing attacks bypass the majority of corporate cybersecurity defences. Therefore, only one person in your company clicking on the wrong link or opening an attachment shouldn’t give hackers the needed doorway.
Even though the average malicious file identifies most antivirus programs on the market, some software still doesn’t detect it, causing many troubles to the company. That is because not all antivirus programs are made equal. If you want to rely on these software programs, it is best to first consult with specialists and choose the high-quality one.
Final Thoughts
Cybersecurity threats are increasing every day. This is why companies should properly secure their data to save the business. However, most organisations make common mistakes that make them vulnerable and can lead to costly mistakes. Luckily, these mistakes can be solved, and organisations can better protect their data.
