You may have already checked put up firewalls, installed anti-virus software, and fended off malware. However, there’s one particularly dangerous type of breach that you need to watch out for: targeted attacks. These attacks are so bad that they could spell the end for your company due to the massive damages you would have to pay for.
Before you can gear up to keep hackers out of your network, though, you’ll need to learn a bit more about basic network security. In this post, we’ll discuss how targeted attacks work, how to prevent them, and how to detect and stop them immediately.
Why Targeted Attacks May Be Worse Than Malware
Unlike other types of breaches, a targeted attack involves three main criteria. Firstly, the attackers have a very specific target in mind. They also set up a complex plan over an extended period of time so that they can successfully breach the target company. Secondly, the goal of the hackers is to sneak into the network undetected and get away with sensitive data stored on unprotected servers. Lastly, the attackers don’t just make one attempt and then give up if they fail at first. They’ll keep trying, over and over again, until they succeed. Once they get in, they’ll keep getting as much information as they can for as long as they can. This means that, as long as the attackers remain undetected, you could be handing over sensitive information for years without even knowing it. An attack detection platform is, thus, essential for detecting suspicious activity before any damage can be done.
Your Employees May Not Be Aware of Targeted Attack Strategies
Unfortunately, the average employee is much more concerned with finishing important tasks for the day without much regard for the company’s cyber security. They may not even realize that they are creating security holes in the business network. Attackers can take advantages of these security gaps and enter your servers with relative ease, all without setting off any alarms in your pre-existing systems. Thus, you’ll need to invest some time and money into training your employees so that they can learn the best cyber security practices possible. You or the appropriate department will also need to keep them up-to-date on the latest types of threats. By keeping them aware of these strategies, your staff will be less likely to fall for common cyber attack tactics.
Investing in Secure Solutions May Be Your Best Bet
Most start-ups may balk at the initial costs of setting up a secure network. However, it will pay off in terms of the breach-related damages your company can avoid down the line. Thus, one of the first things you can do is to make sure that all of your computers and devices are using up-to-date programs. While sticking to legacy programs may mean you don’t have to spend more on the latest editions, older applications are much more prone to breaches. This is because legacy software may stop receiving crucial security updates after a certain amount of time. This means older programs are incredibly vulnerable to newer forms of hacking. But if you just can’t afford to purchase newer applications just yet, investing in a network security solution can still help protect your confidential data.
The prospect of defending your enterprise from vicious targeted attacks can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Begin securing your network by taking small steps. You can start by alerting the appropriate departments about possible threats and working on a cyber security training program for all employees to undergo. The sooner you start, the sooner you can protect your business from potentially massive data breaches.
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