Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity

What is cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is a series of measures, technologies, and processes designed to protect computers, networks, devices, and information from unauthorized access, malicious activities, or accidental damage. These cyber-attacks are usually aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information, disrupting businesses, and extorting money from consumers through ransomware. It is also known as information technology security or electronic information security. Security measures are essential in protecting digital assets from cyber threats. Measures to improve cybersecurity can be compared to health checks, which must be carried out regularly and routinely. Practicing good cyber hygiene is also an imperative part of effective cybersecurity.

Why is cybersecurity required?

Today, more and more information, both personal and business, is stored online. This makes it easier for unauthorized persons to access this information, which can cause damage in various ways. Cyberattacks can, for example, lead to the leakage of personal information, credit card details, and other valuable data. This information can then be used for identity theft, fraud, extortion attempts, and other crimes. Attacks can also hamper business operations, create data losses, and cause damage that can be both financial and brand-related. Therefore, cyber security is highly essential for safeguarding people and companies against spammers and cybercriminals.

What do the most common cyberattacks look like?

Many varieties of cyberattacks take place in the world today. Understanding the different types of cyberattacks makes it easier for us to protect our networks and systems against them. A cyberattack can be carried out in different ways. Some of the most common forms of cyberattacks are:

Malware (Malicious Software)

This is one of the most common types of cyberattacks. For example, malicious software can be distributed via email, social media, or other online channels and, in the next step installed on a computer without the user being aware of it. Malware can cause damage to computers and devices in a variety of ways, depending on the type of malware, such as viruses, adware, worms, trojans, and spyware.

Ransomware attacks

This type of attack involves a specific type of malware called ransomware, which utilizes malicious code to encrypt files on a computer or network so that they cannot be used. In the next step, the attacker demands a ransom to provide the decryption key to restore the files or network.

Phishing

Phishing attacks are the main source of ransomware distribution. This attack method involves a fraudster sending an e-mail message that appears to come from a trusted sender. For example, it can be designed as an email from a bank, an authority, a company, or even a private person. The purpose is to trick the recipient into giving out sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, or other login details.

DDoS attacks

DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks aim to overload a website or server with traffic so that the website cannot be used. This can affect the company’s ability to do business and also cause reputational and brand damage.

Man-in-the-middle attacks

This type of attack involves an attacker exploiting insecure network configurations to gain access to communications between two devices. In the next step, the attacker can spy on communications and read the shared information. This can include both internal and external communications.

It is important to understand that cybersecurity is a continuous process within an organization. It is possible to compare cybersecurity with maintaining health and wellness, which is also an ongoing process. Similar to people getting vaccinated to prevent illnesses and be healthy, there are several concrete measures you can take to be secure in the case of cybersecurity. However, getting vaccinated is simply not enough to be healthy. Similarly, installing security software or using strong security equipment is not enough. It also requires wellness in the form of education and knowledge from users about the various threats that exist and how to avoid them. Companies and organizations should therefore develop a cybersecurity policy tailored to their specific needs.

What is the difference between cybersecurity and IT security?

IT security and cybersecurity are two terms that are often confused, but there is a certain difference between them.

IT security aims to protect the information technology (IT) used within the organization. This may include, for example, protecting computers, networks, servers, applications, and other digital devices from unauthorized access, malware, and other threats. IT security focuses on protecting the physical infrastructure used to support the organization’s digital operations.

Cybersecurity, on the other hand, is a broader concept that certainly includes IT security. It encompasses the protection of digital resources that are not necessarily part of the organization’s IT infrastructure. This can include the protection of cloud services, social media, mobile phones, and other devices used to manage your organization’s digital assets. Cybersecurity focuses on protecting your organization’s digital assets from threats, regardless of the source or type. Thus, cybersecurity has a broader scope than IT security and therefore has the widespread task of protecting the organization’s digital assets.

How can you improve your cybersecurity?

There are several relatively simple steps to take to increase your cybersecurity. Some of these are:

Use strong passwords

Use unique passwords for each account and use a combination of numbers, upper- and lower-case letters, and special characters.

Continuously update all software

Make sure that all applications on your computer, mobile phone, or other device are up-to-date with the latest security updates.

Use antivirus software

Install antivirus software on your computer and mobile phone, and make sure that they are up to date with the latest updates.

Use two-factor authentication(2FA)

Enable two-factor authentication on accounts for extra security.

Pay attention and be cautious with e-mails and links

Do not open e-mails from unfamiliar senders, and do not click on unknown links. A certain amount of caution is recommended.

Securely backup files

Regularly back up important files and documents to an authorized external location.

Be careful with personal information

Don’t post personal information, such as social security numbers or bank details, on the internet. Again, a certain amount of caution is recommended.

Use secure networks

Connect only to secure and reliable networks and avoid connecting to open and public Wi-Fi networks.

Be alert to social engineering

Beware of fraudsters trying to obtain personal information or steal money.

Self-education

It is important to educate yourself on cybersecurity and how to protect yourself and your equipment. This can be done by attending courses, reading blog posts, and cybersecurity news. Once again, this brings us back to practicing good cyber hygiene all around.

How can eBuilder Security help you with your cybersecurity?

eBuilder Security has several services to improve your cybersecurity level:

• We can help you implement an EDR solution to protect your devices. We’ve partnered with market leaders CrowdStrike and Cybereason to provide the best possible protection for all types of devices, from cloud to mobile. This can be combined with active threat hunting, where we connect 24/7 human threat hunting to your environment.
• We perform vulnerability scanning on your applications to find possible vulnerabilities, this is part of the health checks and continuous evaluation and improvement of their security culture.
• We perform penetration tests on your applications, which is a more advanced test than a vulnerability scan, as we test what we find and try to break into the application.
• We perform automated network penetration tests, which are useful in finding and testing the vulnerabilities in your network setup, and we also perform manual network penetration testing when more detailed testing is required.
• We can help you evaluate your security posture by conducting IT security-related reviews and audits.