Cybersecurity has become an important topic, with many businesses going paperless and digitally storing essential and sensitive information. If business owners don’t protect their systems from digital attacks, they risk losing valuable data or having it end up in the wrong hands.

Here, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about cybersecurity to ensure your company is protected.

What Is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity, also known as IT security, is the practice of protecting networks, systems, and programs from cyberattacks. Since technology has developed rapidly, attackers are becoming more innovative and dangerous. If you don’t have effective cybersecurity measures in place, your company’s information can be accessed, destroyed, or changed in only a few minutes.

The cybersecurity industry frequently changes to ensure maximum protection against cyberattacks.

Types of Cybersecurity

You may be surprised to learn that there are several types of cybersecurity. Here are the most common ones:

Network Security

Since most cyberattacks happen over the network, network security measures are designed to protect it from unauthorized entries. This type of cybersecurity combines hardware and software technologies that act as a wall between your network and potential threats.

There are several subtypes of network security:

Firewall

A firewall is a system that monitors outgoing and incoming network traffic based on different security rules and criteria. It’s a barrier between an internal and external network to filter out potential threats.

Email Security

Many security breaches occur via email, so paying attention to email security is vital. Effective email security prevents cyberattacks through email and ensures your data is secure and safe.

Anti-Malware and Anti-Virus Software

These programs scan your files for irregularities, identify malware, and remove it to prevent damage to your system.

Data Loss Prevention

Another important subtype of network security is data loss prevention. It stops you and your employees from sharing sensitive information outside the network, whether on purpose or by accident. Thanks to data loss prevention, you can be sure your company’s data won’t end up in the wrong hands.

Application Security

Many businesses use different apps and programs that improve productivity, optimize workflow, and enhance team collaboration and communication. Unfortunately, not all apps are 100% safe. They may contain vulnerabilities that can infiltrate your network and cause many issues. Application security prevents this infiltration and minimizes the risk of security breaches.

Information Security

Information security, also called InfoSec, is targeted toward data security. It involves different tools that protect your company’s data from alteration, damage, and destruction. These tools ensure that only authorized users can access and alter information.

There are several subtypes of information security:

Cloud Security

Cloud security is a must for those who use cloud-shared environments. It prevents vulnerabilities and ensures protection from breaches.

Cryptography

Cryptography represents a method of protecting files and messages using codes. Only authorized personnel can access these codes, guaranteeing confidentiality, security, and reliability.

Incident Response

Incident response is a set of technologies and processes for detecting and reacting to cyberattacks. The main goals of incident response plans and measures are to prevent cyberattacks and take proper steps if they have already occurred. Another reason this type of information security is important is that, in case of a cyberattack, you’ll have the evidence preserved to take appropriate steps.

Vulnerability Management

Vulnerability management is vital for all companies, but especially the growing ones, which often add new programs and apps to their system. This process involves constantly analyzing, identifying, assessing, managing, reporting, and remediating cyber vulnerabilities. In other words, vulnerability management pinpoints weak spots and risks and takes care of them before they become bigger issues.

End-User Behavior

End-users can identify, address, and prevent many security issues. However, end-users must know their roles and responsibilities to implement this effectively.

The best way to ensure your employees understand cyber threats, the importance of strong passwords, device security, and phishing scams is education. You can organize seminars or training sessions where your employees can learn more about cyber threats and how to act if they identify one.

Infrastructure Security

Infrastructure security protects hardware and software assets like networking systems, data center resources, cloud resources, and end-user devices from physical and cyber threats. The goal of infrastructure security is to lower the risk of vulnerabilities.

Types of Cyber Threats

Understanding different cyber threats can help you and your employees monitor, identify, and manage them. Here are the most common types of cyber threats:

Malware

Malware is code or software created to harm computers, systems, or networks. This is the most common type of cyber threat, and different subtypes fall into this category, including ransomware, spyware, Trojans, viruses, bots, worms, etc.

Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks

DoS attacks represent targeted attacks that flood a network and make it inaccessible to its intended users. During a DoS attack, users can’t complete routine tasks like accessing email, online accounts, websites, or other services the compromised network provides.

It’s important to mention that DoS attacks don’t result in compromised or lost data. However, companies that experience DoS attacks need to spend time, money, and other resources to restore normal operations.

Phishing

Phishing is a type of cyberattack where scammers use email, SMS, social media, phones, or social engineering to get people to share sensitive information or install a program containing viruses.

As technology develops, phishing attacks are becoming more frequent and sophisticated. That’s why business owners and their employees need to stay on top of innovations. Common types of phishing are spear phishing, whaling, SMiShing, and vishing.

Spoofing

Spoofing is a situation in which a person identifies as a trusted and reliable source to gain access to a system or network, ask for money, or steal data. There are different types of spoofing, including domain spoofing, email spoofing, and ARP spoofing.

Cybersecurity Protects Your Business

Cyberattacks can damage your company’s reputation and lead to losing customers, sensitive information, and money. You should invest in exceptional cybersecurity to protect yourself, your business, and your employees. Since cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated, it may be wise to consult an experienced and reputable company that can help secure your organization.

If you need managed cybersecurity services in the Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, and Mansfield areas, reach out to OIT.