According to a report from IBM called “Cost of a Data Breach Report 2021,” it takes just over nine months for the average company to detect cyber threats, which might be why it is often said that no system is secure from ransomware. The average cost of a data breach globally is now topping $4.2 million, but in the U.S., the average cost among the 17 industries surveyed is $9.05 million. Another startling statistic from the survey is that the number of data breaches rose 10% between 2020 and 2021, so it’s obvious that more needs to be done to prevent data breaches.
Keeping up with the latest risks associated with cyber criminality can be a chore, even for security teams that make it a priority to be in the know. It can be even more confusing to keep up with the cyber security solutions that keep the bad actors out of your network. Fortunately, cyber threats can be contained by educating your employees, auditing your network, and working with the right agent to arm you with the security solutions that fit your needs.
Risky Business
An up-and-coming malware has been titled man-in-the-middle (MITM) because it essentially eavesdrops on traffic going to and from your network. MITM is so effective that it is now able to successfully target HTTPS-protected websites. It’s a scary tactic that can go undetected for a long time, perhaps even months. Any unencrypted data can be compromised.
By implementing virtual private network (VPN) solutions, you can significantly reduce your exposure to such an attack. You can take it a step further by implementing server name indication and application layer protocol negotiation protections, which is highly recommended by most cyber-threat experts.
The Weak Link
Even when security teams have established a robust plan and installed the latest tech, it’s the user with access to the network that is often the weak link. Simply clicking on the wrong link can let in some of the cyber criminals who know their way around various security walls. The education component is critical in making sure this doesn’t happen. When users are kept in the know and are reminded that they will be held accountable for their activity, there are fewer problems associated with notorious and unintentional insider threats.
Another weak link is third-party software. Think back to 2017 and the NotPetya cyber attack. In this scenario, metro systems, banks, and power plants, among others, were hit with an attack that was delivered through updating accounting software. The same occurred more recently with what has been deemed the “SolarWinds” attack. When cyber security is given a priority, these kinds of attacks are less likely to be successful.
At Cloud Source, we make cyber security a top priority. When you make an investment in a security solution, we’re the team that will help you get what you need and not what a salesperson pushes on you. Contact us and find out more about our approach to a robust and secure environment.
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