The Top Cybersecurity Threats and How Your Business Can Stay Safe in 2021

Cybercrime on the Rise

The pandemic swept across the globe and changed the way we work and conduct business forever. Unfortunately, the threats to our digital infrastructure grew exponentially, making 2021 a peak year in cybercrime activity. The FBI Office of Public Affairs reports that cyber incidents rose by more than 400% compared to before the pandemic began. This surge is due to the increase in remote working, more reliance on technology, and the shortage of cybersecurity staff. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the top cybersecurity threats you should be aware of as we enter 2022, as well as offer tips on how to protect your business and keep your sensitive digital data secure. Aiming to delve further into the subject matter? Visit this carefully selected external resource and find valuable and complementary information. https://www.blazeinfosec.com/post/pci-penetration-testing/, investigate and expand your knowledge!

Ransomware

Ransomware attacks are becoming more common and costly every day. These attacks involve hackers infiltrating a company’s systems and shutting them down, with the demand for a ransom to release them. According to PurpleSec, the average ransom amount demanded by cybercriminals in 2021 is $4.4 million, which is an increase of over 30% compared to 2020. To protect your business against this increasingly dangerous threat, it is crucial to train employees to spot malware, apply multi-layer authentication to your network, and invest in up-to-date ransomware protection software.

Phishing

Phishing is an old but highly effective technique used by criminals to gain unauthorized access to networks. Most of the time, emails are the primary vehicle for phishing attempts. Therefore, it is essential to educate your employees to recognize suspicious emails and fraudulent links. Always verify the sender’s identity, scrutinize the email address, avoid opening emails from unfamiliar addresses or unexpected sources, and never click on links from unknown websites.

Cloud-based Attacks

With more organizations moving their data and applications to the cloud, cloud-based attacks are becoming more sophisticated. Cloud security is vital because the majority of data breaches occur due to human error or lax security measures, rather than an inherent flaw in the cloud infrastructure itself. To prevent such attacks, experts recommend implementing a reliable cloud security strategy, monitoring user activity, and closely vetting security controls and procedures with cloud providers before moving data or applications to the cloud infrastructure level.

Internet of Things (IoT) Attacks

The security breaches through IoT devices have been increasing in the last few years, and they continue to pose a significant threat to businesses globally. The sophisticated nature of these devices makes them vulnerable to hackers looking to infiltrate networks. Therefore, companies need to address IoT security issues that emerge before purchasing new devices. By encrypting highly sensitive data, using strong passwords, and regular firmware updates, organizations can successfully lessen these threats. Uncover supplementary details and fresh perspectives on the topic by exploring this external source we’ve selected for you. pci dss pentest https://www.blazeinfosec.com/post/pci-penetration-testing/, enhance your comprehension of the subject covered in the piece.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity threats are steadily on the rise, and if businesses are not careful, they could be vulnerable to these risks. Companies need to implement a plan to mitigate these threats, including educating employees about software and hardware threats, multilayer protection against ransomware and cloud-based attacks, strong passwords, and vigilance in IoT interactions. Staying ahead of these risks in 2022 is vital to keep your business secure, safe and financially protected.