Understanding the Risks of Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity, computer networking or information security is basically the protection of networks and computer systems from unauthorized access, data loss or damage of their hardware, programs, or personal data, and from the interruption or misdirection of their services. When a system has been compromised by an outside source, then the entire network is compromised and all of its stored information is at risk. Cybersecurity is a growing area of study and concern in both IT and business fields. In the private sector, there are more cases of cyber espionage in which a hacker gains access to a company’s proprietary information and use it for their own benefit. The intruders often use the information they obtain to hack into and access to company networks and personal data.

In a broader sense, we mean to say that any system which holds personal or confidential information about a person or organization, such as credit cards and financial statements, or websites visited by employees must have some form of cyber awareness and security measure to protect against outside threats, otherwise known as cyber attacks. There are many different types of cyber-attacks, but the most common are: phishing, which is conducted by sending spoof emails that are designed to trick the recipient into clicking on a link that leads to a fake or false site; worms, which are malicious software downloaded onto a computer without the knowledge of the user; and hackers, who deliberately attack a network to send confidential information, bank passwords and other forms of payment through the web. While most incidents of these attacks occur online, there are also a growing number of reports that they are now happening offline as well.

All businesses need to take a holistic approach to combating cyber crimes, and should consider the risk management of their overall data centers. A high-quality intrusion detection and prevention system will be able to help identify and stop attacks before any monetary cost is incurred. Additionally, by educating your staff and providing training on the latest trends in cloud computing, you can help them understand what is happening in the field and how it can affect their own jobs. It is estimated that the cyber crime risk to UK businesses is between five and seven billion pounds a year, with more than half of this brought on by the theft of information. By taking an active role in protecting your company from these attacks, you can protect your business and your data.