The Biggest Threats To IT Security This 2021
A cyber threat can be described as a malicious act that is committed through the use of computers and the internet. Cyberattacks are usually done by hackers, criminals, terrorists, or nation states.
They can take many forms like ransomware, malware, trojans (malicious software), phishing (fraudulent email attachments), social engineering (fabricated data designed to convince someone to disclose sensitive information).
Cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and can cause serious problems for organizations big or small. So we invite you to read further as we’re going to talk about some of the biggest threats to IT security this 2021 and be informed about these things in order to protect your company’s digital assets and other valuable information that can lead to the demise of your organization, should they ever fall into the wrong hands.
Get To Know These Threats Before You Become A Victim
Cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and can cause serious problems for organizations big or small. With the rapid advancements in technology and software, hackers and criminals continue to create new and complex methods of infiltrating systems and networks. Some of the biggest IT security threats this year include: ransomware, phishing emails, malicious social media posts, and trojans. Cyber-attackers are also becoming more organized, often times working together to launch attacks.
Ransomware is one of the biggest cyber threats this year. Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files or systems on an infected device, rendering them inaccessible even if the computer is connected to the internet. After infecting a system, the cyber-attackers will restore access only after receiving a ransom payment. Ransomware is usually distributed through spam or phishing emails, and has been known to infect networks connected to the internet.
On the other hand, phishing is another popular way for attackers to gain access to sensitive information such as credit card details, bank account numbers, and user names and passwords. Many of these phishing emails appear to be from a legitimate organization, but links in the email direct the user to a fake website where they are prompted to enter their sensitive information. Often times, cyber-attackers will have already compromised an organization’s network and harvested all of their data before users get suspicious of the emails.
Malicious social media posts are another common cyber-attack that is growing in popularity. Hackers will often use popular hashtags to spread harmful content, such as videos and images designed to infect a computer.
Moreover, trojans are often distributed through an infected email attachment or a script disguised as a helpful utility. Once installed on a system, the trojan can steal information or cause damage to systems and programs.
In addition, a Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack is an attempt to make a network or resources unavailable to authorized users. Hackers may launch DoS attacks as a way to shut down a public website or cripple computer systems. This may be used as a diversion for other cyber-attacks, such as data theft. And this type of threat was also prevalent this 2021.
How To Protect Your Company From Trending Cyber Threats
As the number of cyber threats has increased dramatically in recent years, especially 2021, it is important to keep your company safe. It is recommended that you consider implementing an IT security plan by creating a risk assessment, preparing for data recovery if your data becomes compromised, installing anti-virus software, using vulnerability scanning software to make sure there are no exploitable vulnerabilities on your network, and investing in firewalls to block intruders from accessing sensitive information.
It is also important to be aware of other actors or threats that may affect your business, such as social media attacks and other types of malware. In addition, social media attacks can take the form of phishing scams, spam posts, hijacked accounts or fake news. Hacker groups are using bots to spread false information to influence public opinion about certain brands or events.
There are many steps an organization can take to improve their cyber security. First, organizations should create a plan for mitigating risk and improving the company’s cybersecurity posture. It is important that this plan covers areas such as data backup and recovery techniques, as well as enlisting third-party support from IT companies like LookingPoint in CA to monitor the company’s network activity. You can learn more about their IT security solutions by clicking on this link.
Your organization should also have a security strategy that both mitigates internal and external risks while responding to new threats. The company’s senior leadership should be aware of the plan and review it regularly with their team members to ensure everyone is on the same page. Also, organizations should maintain a list of designated roles and responsibilities so they know who is responsible for each step in the process.
Lastly, business companies like yours should use a risk analysis toolkit to help in creating and implementing their security plan and in meeting regulatory standards and compliance requirements. This will help prioritize areas of greatest risk while considering organizational goals. An additional consideration is to increase cyber awareness among employees, as hackers may take advantage of employee system access to infiltrate a network.