Cybercriminals work hard every day to gain access to your network. Whether it’s through network hacking or seizing your files through a ransomware infection, they will find any way to get what they want. One of the preferred methods of getting into your network is by using your own employees against you. Prevent your staff from becoming victims of a cyber attack by boosting your group’s cyber security awareness.
Why Do We Need Cyber Security Awareness?
It doesn’t matter if you own a large, medium, or small business, all companies are targeted by cybercriminals. The biggest mistake you can make is to think your organization is safe simply because of its size. To keep your network safe and secure at all times, you need strong cyber security.
Often, many organizations tend to approach cyber security with the mindset of improving their security software. That’s fine—improving your security software and keeping it updated is a necessary step in the fight against hackers. However, you can’t forget about the human factor. If your employees aren’t able to identify cyber threats when they see them, they could be putting your company’s network in jeopardy.
The Human Factor
Believe it or not, the biggest liability to your network security is your staff. Even the world’s strongest firewall is no match for an employee who unwittingly opens the door for a cyber-criminal. That’s why a key step in achieving strong cyber security is having your employees be aware of the cyber risks that your corporation faces. Building up your human layer of defense can greatly enhance your security efforts.
Social Engineering
The primary method cybercriminals use to trick people into compromising their network is social engineering. This is a malicious tactic where the hacker manipulates people into divulging sensitive information. Social engineering is considered to be an extremely dangerous type of breach because it’s designed to prey on the natural helpfulness of people or exploit their perceived personality weaknesses.
The most common form of social engineering is the phishing attack. During a phishing attack, the attacker masquerades as a trusted entity, sending the victim a message urging them to act in some way. This could be clicking a link, opening a file, or even sending personal information. It’s crucial that your team is able to spot social engineering attacks when they happen.
Other Social Engineering Tactics to be Aware Of
Social engineering comes in many forms. Outside of phishing, here are a few threats you should be aware of:
- Scareware: Scareware is an attack that’s meant to scare a target into thinking that their system is infected with malware. This software tends to send false alerts to get a user to visit a harmful site or download a malicious tool. The most common example of this is popup banners that claim your computer is infected.
- Pretexting: In a pretexting attack, a cybercriminal pretends they are a senior member of your company or someone like a business contact. Abusing your trust, they contact you through a phone call or message and present a false motive to get you to give up information. The attacker may even use the real knowledge they’ve acquired about you to make the ruse more convincing.
- Spear Phishing: This is a specific type of phishing where the attack focuses on a certain individual or group. Before performing this attack, a hacker usually gathers information on the target to make the message more convincing.
- Baiting: In a baiting attack, the cybercriminal sets up bait to fool people into installing malware on their computer system. This type of attack can be done in the digital or physical world.
How to Improve Cyber Security Awareness
Social engineering is indeed one of the biggest cyber security threats facing companies today. While your staff may not be trying to compromise your network, their lack of knowledge could cause problems down the road. Properly educating your team not only on workplace security threats but also on remote working security risks can dramatically improve your overall security.
Improve Your Cybersecurity Awareness
To keep a network safe and secure requires strong security measures that take everything into account. This includes maintaining security software, finding vulnerabilities, and training your staff. At Stability Networks, we provide a variety of cyber security services to enhance your network’s protection inside and out.
For more information on how to protect your company from cyber threats, contact us today!
