Posted on November 4, 2020 in Cyber Security, IT Support

Cybersecurity – An introduction

Cybersecurity is the practice of defending internet-connected systems such as; computers, electronic systems, networks, and mobile data from cyber attacks. Cybersecurity’s sole objective is to prevent the loss or damage of personal information belonging to the owner or user. It also prevents harm to your computer networks, applications, data and devices.

 

Cybersecurity is constantly changing to keep up with the ever-evolving methods and technology used by hackers.

 

In the digital world, all the information cannot be guaranteed to be safe nowadays. Cyber attacks can and will happen and they can happen anywhere. Cybersecurity law in the U.S promotes three fundamental principles confidentiality, integrity and availability. Every element of an information security program (and every security control put in place by an entity) should be designed to achieve one or more of these principles. Together they are called the CIA Triad.

 

While there is no reliable data on this for the current year, data breach statistics from 2018 show that over 2.5 billion accounts were hacked in that year. That amounts to roughly 6.85 million accounts getting hacked each day or 158 every second.¹

 

Keeping your data safe is very important, but arguably more important is the data and information regarding staff and customers also.

 

The business benefits of having cybersecurity to a good standard

Customer interest

Customers will trust your company more knowing that the information they are trusting you with is being used safely and securely. Possibly bringing more customers in if you can offer a better standard of security than your rivals.

 

The potential cost to you

The average cost a small business incurs as the result of a cyber- attack has risen to $200,000². And with 58% of cyber attack victims being small to medium businesses³ you are more than likely to be one of those targeted.

 

Certification inspires adoption of security

Having proof from the cybersecurity program provider through certification will distinguish your business as one that cares about online security. It will ensure customers, suppliers and partners with proof that you are using their data in the correct secure way.

 

A start with cybersecurity

A good place to start with cybersecurity is by using best practices, here are 5 key controls for cybersecurity.

 

These include:

  1. Secure configuration
  2. Malware protection
  3. Patch management
  4. Firewalls
  5. Access control

 

There are many factors outside of these five controls to help the protection of your data, however, these are a good place to begin. In the following blogs, we will explore each of these controls and give you some tips and information on how to implement the best practices around each in your business.

 

We’re Elixis Technology

In the ever-changing, technology-centric world we live in, it’s vital to have an I.T. solution source you can count on. At Elixis Technology, it is our mission to help businesses — big and small — produce the results their customers demand, with technology that actually works.

 

For more information, feel free to send us a message.

 

https://review42.com/hacking-statistics/¹

https://www.theburnin.com/technology/small-business-cyber-attacks-cost-rise-2019-10/#:~:text=This%20weekend%2C%20CNBC%20reported%20the,after%20suffering%20a%20data%20breach²

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ivywalker/2019/01/31/cybercriminals-have-your-business-their-crosshairs-and-your-employees-are-in-cahoots-with-them/³