Update 4/14/2025:
Cyber Criminals are Experienced Professionals, Experts are Needed to Secure Data.
Many organizations assume that every IT professional knows how to keep IT systems safe from cyber criminals. Many organizations also assume that because their IT systems are working OK they’re not vulnerable to cyber-attack. Neither is true. Cyber criminals are smart and they take lots of money from their victims, making their efforts very well-funded. Annual revenue from cybercrime I greater than the annual revenue from Walmart and Amazon combined. Make no mistake- cybercriminals are in it for the money, not because they are bored. Your IT provider may be excellent at fixing things and answering how-to questions, but do they have experience with stopping the latest techniques used by criminals.
Cyber Criminals Target Small Business and Nonprofits
Cyber criminals are now explicitly targeting small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Large, enterprise-sized companies have hardened their defenses after being hit so many times in recent years. Many are now regulated to maintain strict levels of cyber hygiene. Cyber criminals have invested in ways to bypass traditional IT security defenses, so it follows that in addition to making new investments in time and resources to launch new types of attacks, criminals want to maximize their investment in existing techniques by going after organizations that haven’t updated their defenses. This means smaller organizations who haven’t deployed managed security solutions are at greater risk than ever.
Cyber attacks are malicious and intentional attempts to breach the information system of another person or organization. Typically, the attacker hopes to gain something from interrupting the victim’s network.
Cybercrime has the potential to disrupt and harm businesses. For example, did you know that the average cost of a data breach in 2021 was $4.24 million globally and $9.05 million in the United States?
These costs include finding and fixing security flaws, the cost of idle time and lost income, and the long-term damage to a company’s brand and reputation. Compromised personal information can lead to customer distrust, fines, and legal action. This is where managed security solutions enter the arena.
As a company owner, you’re probably always searching for strategies to safeguard your organization. Learn how managed security solutions can protect against attacks by reading on.
What Are Cyber Attacks?
Simply put, a cyber attack is an assault on your company’s IT assets. A malicious cyber attack can render computers useless, steal data, or use a computer that has been compromised as a springboard for additional cyber attacks.
The nature of the online threats that we face is constantly shifting. Cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated as cybercriminals gain knowledge and organization. This is where a managed security provider can help you safeguard your organization.
How Are Cyber Attacks Launched?
Hackers have a multitude of tools available to them to attack your company. Aside from this, hackers are aware of software and hardware vulnerabilities that can be exploited.
The list of attack methods is extensive, adding to the challenge business owners have to keep their IT environment secure.
Heard of Ransomware?
The attacker holds the victim’s system for ransom. After payment, the attacker gives instructions on how to regain computer control.
Ransomware demands a ransom from the victim. But paying the ransom doesn’t always mean your data will be released.
What Is Phishing?
A phishing attack is when a criminal tries to trick someone into giving up sensitive information via email from seemingly trusted, legitimate sources to steal sensitive information from the target.
Phishing attacks combine social engineering and technology to “fish” to access a forbidden area using a seemingly trustworthy sender as “bait.” Vishing is very similar but uses voice techniques. Hackers make calls that seem legitimate to gain access to privileged information.
Other attacks you may hear of include:
- DOS and DDoS
- Man-in-the-middle (MiTM)
- Whale and Spear Phishing
- Password Brute Force Attacks
- SQL and Cross Script Injections
- Web Application Attacks
- Driveby Attacks
The list of cyber-attacks is extensive. In addition, the list of attack types is continuously changing. This makes it more challenging for businesses to stay on top of the threat landscape.
Go With Managed Security Solutions
A managed security provider may help you manage and govern risk by aligning your security strategy with your business. It will also integrate managed security solutions to safeguard your digital users, assets, and data. Furthermore, it will install technology to manage your defenses against increasing cyber-attacks.
Safeguarding your business against cyber attacks is a daunting and intimidating task. So why not contact us today and find out how we can make your business technology work more smoothly?
Pegasus Technologies is the IT Team for organizations that don’t need a full-time IT department. Our technology experts build you a technology plan to keep your business running at its best. We have offices in Kennett Square, PA, Media, PA, and Wayne, PA to provide better computer support and IT services to you.
