The Importance of Recognizing Cyber Security Threats

Threats to computer security are headline news everywhere. People working in non-technical fields which still require the use of computers, such as the design industry, often view cyber security issues as an afterthought. If you own a business though, you're at risk of cyber attacks no matter what field you work in, and the costs of ignoring the danger can be immense. Here are a few things to consider when thinking about cyber security protocols.

1. Understand the Threat

You can't protect your operation against a threat that you don't comprehend. The question "What is a cyber attack?" seems straightforward, but comprehending the danger posed by malicious users and hackers goes well beyond just knowing the lingo and jargon associated with computer security. You need to understand not only how attacks happen but why they happen. Many would be surprised to learn that small businesses comprise 43% of cyber attack targets. Hackers often consider them vulnerable because they know that oftentimes small businesses don't have the resources or knowledge to deal with the threat that they pose. Don't become a statistic. Know your foe.

2. Train Workers in Security Measures

Cyber security measures are only as effective as the people enacting them. It's important to have a well-coordinated response to cyber threats within your company; as such, all workers should be trained in basic online safety protocols. Every employee should have an individual user account so that each person is accountable for the responsible use of company computers. Another good idea is to ban employees from opening emails and email attachments from unknown senders, a common source of malware and phishing attacks. Remember, don't casually dispose of important physical documents either; you never know who might be rummaging through your trash!

3. Install the Right Countermeasures

According to a study last year, the average cost of a data breach for businesses in the United States was $242 per record breached. For small businesses operating on a limited budget, the cost of having customer data compromised can be devastating. The most immediate measure that you can take against hacking is to install antivirus and firewall software on every device connected to the internet. Remember also that these countermeasures are only as good as they are current. Whenever an update or security patch becomes available, make installing them a habit. Also, keep your Wi-Fi connection hidden if possible, and make the password something hard to guess, not a phrase associated with your business or mission.

4. Backup Everything

This is one of those blind spots that many of us have when it comes to cyber security, yet data loss from simple mechanical error is incredibly common. Mechanical damage to a hard drive accounts for about 44% of all data loss, but electrical issues such as power surges from storms or power failure from faulty wiring take a toll too. Regular backups of all data are the solution to this. Having information backed up on the cloud is a good idea, but data there is still vulnerable to online attacks. Storing data on a CD or flash drive is better; even if it's time consuming, you'll be glad you did it when the power goes out.

5. Physically Secure All Networked Devices

Another area that gets overlooked is the physical security of devices. Online defenses mean nothing if your information gets physically stolen. Investing in office security systems like closed-circuit cameras is always a great plan, as is considering further measures like biometrics if that's affordable. Simply keeping all of the office computers stored securely behind locked doors is ultimately the best solution. Don't forget to keep any backups of your hard drives equally secured, and even limit employee access to secured areas to prevent the possibility of a disgruntled worker becoming a malicious user.

As technology becomes more sophisticated and our lives become more networked, the risk of online attacks becomes a greater issues. Thankfully, the technologies and techniques we can use to defend ourselves and our enterprises become more potent over time as well. Leveraging that knowledge to keep the online world safe and free is everyone's responsibility.