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2020 is yet another year where you will need to implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect your data from cybercriminals and keep your business running smoothly. Security breaches on the web happen every day with the stakes gradually increasing every passing year and 2020 will be pretty much with the same trend. Well, in this article we will cover tips on cyber security that reveal what you need to do to secure your business in 2020.
For starters, website security otherwise referred to as cybersecurity, are simply ways to keep your website and assets safe. It is an important measure to protecting websites, especially in business setups. In fact, if the data by a repository like Web Hacking Incident Database is anything to go by then web security is growing even more important in any type of business as the number and types of cyber-attacks keep increasing. We are seeing even the ‘big fish’ in business struggle with the consequences cyber-attacks. That’s how devastating these attacks can be to a small business. Now, let’s look at some of the common cyber-attacks you should be wary of in 2020.
There are numerous technologies for making cybersecurity powerful in 2020. Let’s look at some of them:
Unless you realize how essential cybersecurity is, you won’t be able to make informed decisions on protection mechanisms.
Cybersecurity is that essential these days and it should receive undivided attention not just from the IT department but from everyone in a business. To emphasize the importance, think about the companies that have been forced out due to a damaged reputation or breaches after security attacks. Well, instead of looking at the matter in terms of measurable return, change the perspective and consider how costly it would be to repair a damaged reputation or a costly breach if you ever succeed.
It is only by realizing the urgency that you will commit to upgrading the security standards.
In any organization, everyone is obligated to ensure the reputation is in its best state. However, if you cluster your attention to the IT team, anyone else can get sloppy and let the hackers into the organization’s system unknowingly.
So, what should you do? Educate everybody in the team but not just by delivering seminars and presentations but also by giving practical sessions so that you can bring everyone on board. Be creative in your tutoring sessions and let everyone into the loop.
When striving to make your cybersecurity powerful, you should base your goal not only in reacting when a breach occurs but preventing it altogether. This puts you in a safe place because some of the cyber-attack damages are irreversible.
There are plenty of tools and measures at your disposal to protect your assets. So, act before you face an attack.
So, what should you do after the damage has been done? Quitting is not the first option and you can start by assessing the matter critically to understand the damage, define the objectives, and tailor the recovery process accordingly. It is advisable to have a disaster recovery plan in place to reduce the time and cost of bringing business back should any attack occur.
Read More: Need of the Hour: Artificial Intelligence in Cyber Security
Honestly, setting the password like your name, phone number, or a series of numbers like 1234 is a huge gamble that you and your team should avoid altogether. To be on the safe side, follow what many cybersecurity experts recommend- a combination of letters, alphabets, and symbols.
What if most of the team members can’t remember the combinations? You can use password managers to help, but you should know that they can be hacked as well.
Tip: Make sure that passwords are changed from time to time
Basically, a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encrypts data sent through the website. As a result, only the intended parties will be able to view it. Websites that are secured with an SSL certificate tend to reduce chances of cyber-attacks.
Security tools can help you a lot in dealing with some of the cyber-attacks we have mentioned. If your site is running on WordPress, for example, you can use some of the WP security plugins that can scan your site regularly, protect against DOS attacks, protect your data etc.
Different hosting providers offer various security levels. As a result, it makes sense to sort through the options to see what is right for you. Familiarize yourself with the offers in terms of security and the accompanying costs and settle for the most suitable options.
This is the collective term for viruses, Trojans, worms, and spyware. Hackers usually spread malware via avenues like email or link etc. When clicked by the unsuspecting user, they get installed onto the target device. Malware enables hackers to access data and steal, edit, delete, hijack, or compromise core computer activities.
Can you imagine your users, or you being locked out of your website? It can happen, especially if you haven’t implemented security protection against what’s known as a denial of service (DOS). Hackers can deny you access to your website by overloading the system, network, and servers. Denial of Service refers to the inaccessibility to the system or network and it means a complete shutdown of the system. It floods the network with traffic or requests that result in a crash.
This type of attack often involves sending fraudulent information by imitating a reputed source, usually via emails, to steal sensitive information or dupe targets into undertaking malicious actions. Phishing is an old but successful technique that hackers use especially during festival seasons.
Eavesdropping, also known as man-in-the-middle attack, refers to a scenario where hackers get themselves in unsecured connections thus tapping into the communication between the two parties. It is an act of sniffing the ongoing communication between two parties and trying to capture the information.
Powerful security measures in 2020 will be a continuous process just like in the past few years. So, keep tabs on the evolving cybercrime world and always stay on top of your own security.
