Technology has revolutionized people’s way of undertaking daily tasks. Businesses everywhere employ technology to market and sell their goods; sometimes, technology is the business. Technology-related enterprises have become increasingly sophisticated, which is also true for cybercriminals and hackers.
According to a CSIS report, cybercrime has been estimated to cost about 0.8 percent of the world’s GDP. This percentage amounts to around $600 billion. This figure is higher than in prior years and therefore signifies that the problem is worsening by the day.
It has become much easier for users who lack the technical know-how to hack, thanks to pre-made tools that one can download online absolutely free or at a minimal cost. There is generally a wealth of information on how to hack sites.
How To Apply Cyber Intelligence
Setting up a website for your business is not a walk in the park. Even with the help of professional services to set up a professional site, it takes a lot of hard work to establish your presence as a credible business online.
Being trustworthy and credible is the only way to draw traffic that translates to sales. For instance, if you are an online casino offering impressive offerings such as a Springbok casino bonus, gamblers will only take advantage of it if they believe that playing in your casino is safe and secure.
For that very reason, you could use cyber intelligence to secure your businesses from attacks. Sites can hire a Cyber Threat Intelligence provider to regularly work with their firm’s security team. Here is a list of some of the most common cyber threats today.
Common Cyber Security Threats
Cybercriminals will not likely reinvent the wheel when they try to hack your business. Criminals don’t necessarily change their hacking strategies unless they feel they have no other option. That means they will tap into already established and common hacking techniques, which have high success levels.
Here are some of the most common cyber security threats.
1. Botnets
A collection of internet-connected devices infected and controlled remotely by some common malware are called botnets. How botnet malware works is that it first hunts for vulnerable devices on the internet. The cybercriminal creating a botnet aims to infect all connected devices.
Once illegally connected to these devices, the threat actor can then use these devices’ resources and computing power to enable automatic tasks without the knowledge of the device users. Threat actors use email spam and other scams to generate malicious traffic to your organization’s network.
Pen testing and managed security services are equally important in helping to deal with malware such as botnets.
2. Insider threats
Insider threats activate when an individual close to your business with authorized access to your network; either knowingly or unknowingly abuses this access. This exploitation is usually aimed at negatively impacting your business systems or crucial data.
A careless employee who refuses to adhere to your business’ policies and rules may cause an insider threat. Suppose an employee shares their login details with others or email client data to unauthorized parties; they could potentially cause a security breach that will cost you.
An insider may bypass key security protocols as a shortcut to being more productive. Lastly, malicious employees may intentionally bypass these protocols to delete, sell or steal your data.
3. Worms and viruses
These are malware intended to destroy your organization’s data, network, and system. A computer virus will maliciously replicate and copy onto your computer’s program or host file.
It will remain dormant, and once someone activates it, either knowingly or unknowingly, it will bypass permission or system administration to spread this infection within your network. On the other hand, a worm doesn’t necessarily have to replicate onto a program or need a user to spread.
It mainly infects other computers while staying active on these infected systems. Worms typically spread using the sections of the OS that are invincible and automatic. They will infect any network or computer lacking adequate protection once it gets into your computer.
Cyber Intelligence For Organizations
Cyber intelligence takes two primary forms:
1. Operational intelligence
This is the collection and analysis of data performed exclusively by computers. It is the form of intelligent software and protocol that identifies signs of a threat before it occurs, stops it from happening, and finds its source. It is done automatically, and many businesses and organizations use operational intelligence to safeguard their data.
2. Strategic intelligence
Strategic intelligence refers to intelligence that is performed by human beings who are analysts. The approach involves a typical analysis of every aspect of your business model, dealing with the needs of customers, traders, workers, and infrastructure. Human analysts focus on compiling an in-depth analysis of the systems, pinpointing likely attack targets, and safeguarding operations.
This entire process aims to ensure that your website’s vulnerability to cyber attacks is significantly lowered, thus enhancing your security.
Take Away
Employing a credible CTI team for your site’s security will ensure that you keep providing the latest scoop for your client. Creating awareness about cyber threats and training your employees on standard attack methods is also essential. Finally, your staff needs to be well-versed with the required avoidance protocol.
Shashank