What is Cyber Security?

Cyber security is a subcategory of information security – specifically focusing on protecting computer systems and their components. This includes hardware, software, data and digital infrastructure. What are we protecting them from? They are protected from attack, unauthorised access, or being otherwise damaged or made inaccessible. Data centres, websites, programmes, servers, end user devices, or accounts can all be exploited through a ‘cyber-attack’.

In recent years, cyber security has come under intense media scrutiny due to the rapid development of cyber risks in both size and number, and the degree of impact on individuals, governments and organisations. Most well-informed organisations now consider cyber security a critical business issue.

In short, cyber security is the act of safeguarding and defending your business and customer from cyber-attacks.

While cyber security is important for individuals, it is crucial for businesses of any size. In addition to confidential company information, business deal with sensitive customer data, including credit card information, addresses, phone numbers and a wide range of other sensitive information. Many customers freely give you their information in exchange for goods and services. Often this is done with little thought as to how securely you are safeguarding their information. All may seem very well, until you suffer a cyber breach.

Even though your customers may be quick to trust you, they’re even quicker to take business elsewhere when something goes wrong. Customer trust is fragile, and there is no quicker way to lose that trust than to let their sensitive data get into the wrong hands. Data breaches are expensive not just in lost business but also in a very immediate monetary sense. In fact, according to the “2019 Cost of Data Breach Report” from Ponemon Institute and IBM Security, the global average cost of a data breach has grown by 12 percent in the last five years to $3.92 million.

When a cyber breach or attack occurs, the time of proactiveness has passed. Without a cyber security plan in place, businesses leave themselves vulnerable to hackers that thrive on sensitive information. If you haven’t considered, or revisited your cyber security systems or processes, now is the time. Do not neglect your security; become proactive towards cyber security and be prepared before a cyber breach or attack is performed against you.

Cyber security is made up of people, processes and technology. All three are vital in order to have an effective and proactive cyber security program. Sufficient cyber security in today’s environment also necessitates a holistic approach. This holistic approach to cyber security is proactive instead of reactive, and it includes incident response and remediation, prevention and detection. Visibility is also key. 

Superior cyber security technology and tools are of little importance if you don’t have the right processes in place or the right people overseeing those processes. Without a doubt, cyber security is a specialised effort. Hunting for and mitigating threats is only possible with focus and the right people, technology and processes all working together.

Cyber security threats are becoming more advanced. From the zero-day vulnerability attacks to WannaCry ransomware that hit the NHS, these threats pose a significant risk, both to businesses and their customers. Unfortunately, there are several avenues of unauthorized access cyber criminals can take advantage of. Here are a few of the more common types of cyber security attacks to be aware of:

 Malware (including ransomware, spyware, worms, viruses and adware)

 Phishing Emails

 Rootkits

 SQL injections

 Zero-day exploits

 Man-in-the-middle attacks

 Denial-of-service attacks

While it is physically and technically impossible to fully prevent all security threats, there are many ways to mitigate risk and improve your security posture. JC Cyber Security pride ourselves on valued customer service, taking the worry of cyber security away from you and your business. Through our Protection Plan we can do this. We ensure you have the correct cover, documentation, protections, and processes to be able to defend you against cyber-attacks. Additionally, we work tirelessly to uncover new threats and provide guidance and expert opinions through blogs, whitepapers, webinars and seminars to help you say on top of pressing cyber security dangers.

The time to address cyber security is now, and JC Cyber Security Services are here to help.