In today’s world where everything is being automated and reformed to the fit digital sphere of doing business, from cloud computing to the digitalization of every line of work, the question of the safety of our data arises and the concept of cybersecurity becomes more important than ever. Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and frequent, and businesses of all sizes are at risk. If your cybersecurity infrastructure is not up to date, you could be putting your business at serious risk. But you can’t assess the risk without knowing what exactly cyber attacks are. 

Cyber attacks can have a devastating impact on individuals, businesses, and governments. They can steal sensitive data, disrupt operations, and even cause physical harm. For example, a cyber attack on a hospital could disrupt patient care, and a cyber attack on a power grid could cause outages. 

In 2017, a ruthless cyberattack called NotPetya swept across the globe, crippling businesses and organizations in its path. 

The attack was focused on Ukraine, where it targeted major banks and government agencies, encrypting their data and demanding a ransom payment for its release. But NotPetya was far more ruthless in it’s approach, even if victims paid the ransom, their data was often unrecoverable. 

The symptoms of a weak cybersecurity system entails subtle, oftentimes unnoticeable changes which have little impact on your work until it is too late and the breach is done. So how would you know to check if your cybersecurity needs an upgrade and what are the telltale signs that indicate your cybersecurity being compromised?

Your systems are slow and unresponsive.  

If your systems are slow to load or respond to requests, it could be a sign that they are overloaded or outdated. Outdated software often has security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers. 

You are experiencing security breaches. 

 If you have experienced any security breaches in the past, this is a clear sign that your cybersecurity infrastructure needs to be improved. Even if the breach was minor, it shows that your systems are vulnerable and need to be patched or upgraded. 

You are not able to meet compliance requirements.  

Many industries have strict compliance requirements when it comes to cybersecurity. If you are not able to meet these requirements, you could be facing fines or other penalties. 

You do not have a comprehensive cybersecurity plan in place.  

A cybersecurity plan should outline your organization’s security policies and procedures, as well as how you will respond to security incidents. If you do not have a cybersecurity plan in place, or if your plan is outdated, you are putting your business at risk. 

You are not using the latest security technologies.  

Cybersecurity technologies are constantly evolving. New threats are emerging all the time, and new security technologies are being developed to address them. If you are not using the latest security technologies, you are leaving yourself vulnerable to attack. 

You do not have a dedicated cybersecurity team.  

If your organization does not have a dedicated cybersecurity team, you are not taking cybersecurity seriously enough. A cybersecurity team can help you to identify and mitigate risks, as well as respond to security incidents quickly and effectively. 

Shielding against known vulnerabilities is a surefire way of protecting your business from malicious attacks. But first, insight is required to arm your business against cyber threats. Most common kinds include malware, phishing, ransomware, and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks.  

“According to a recent report by IBM, the average cost of a data breach is now $4.24 million. This cost includes the cost of investigating the breach, notifying affected customers, and repairing any damage to systems and data.” 

But what can YOU do to form a defense against these assaults? Strong security solutions, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and antivirus software, prove to be essential in the line of defense against cyberattacks. These solutions can help to block malicious traffic, detect suspicious activity, and remove malware from your systems.  

On top of that, data backups, cybersecurity training, software updates and similar practices can prevent any data leak. 

By taking the time to assess your specific risks and implement tailored cybersecurity measures, you can help to protect your business from a wide range of cyber attacks. This is where ITCS comes into the picture with our Integrated Cybersecurity Framework, Security Focused Development, Preventive Risk Management and Managed Security Services which are designed to protect your businesses and drive them to growth and success.