"It's only a matter of time before you get hacked or exposed to ransomware!"
For some time, cyber researchers have warned of a large increase in the number of cyber attacks against companies in the form of data breaches and ransomware. During the pandemic, cyber attacks increased by a frightening 600%! In the past month, state-sponsored cyber activity has also increased significantly in connection with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has further aggravated the situation. Moreover, these state-sponsored attacks do not leave ransom demands, which makes it even worse.
For some time, cyber researchers have been warning about a digital Pearl Harbor. During the pandemic, cyber attacks increased by a staggering 600%!
The pandemic has affected cybercrime
Due to Covid-19 over the past two years, the opportunities to work both at home and in the office, so-called "Hybrid workers", have increased sharply to keep operations going. Of course with both advantages and disadvantages. If you look at the disadvantages, safety often comes second. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are well aware of this and cyber attacks have increased sharply in recent years.
The best protection against IT attacks is a complete security strategy
It is more relevant than ever to make sure you take the steps necessary to keep your business information and data secure, and the ability to recreate it.
Risks include; Cryptovirus, Identity Theft, Leaked Passwords, Phishing) and therefore we who work in IT security want to tell and remind that cyber security is more important and more current than ever! For your sake.
Larger companies usually have more control over security, but are still exposed. Smaller companies often assume that they are not attractive prey but ransomware changes everything. - Anderas Jönsson
Cybercriminals know this. So even if you are a small business, or sole proprietorship, you are a very attractive prey. Maybe because smaller entrepreneurs concentrate more on their business and intend to take "it" on occasion? or do not know how serious the situation is.
Security researchers have estimated that a large proportion of Swedish companies have already been or are being hacked at the moment. But you can still grab it and be prepared.
Hackers work smarter and organized
Hackers have become so smart now that they look at your finances and based on that information, they prioritize if you are a valuable target or if you end up on the list to do later.
The organized hackers are one as a company in itself. Ransomware, ie the ransom that companies are exposed to, is then usually just so that the company survives completely without profit. Many times the company needs to shut down large parts, sometimes the whole when the attack takes place.
How do they get my information?
Through compromised public services or e-commerce, criminals can access your account information. On the website https://haveibeenpwned.com/ can you check if services where your e-mail address has been exposed to a data breach.
By accessing your systems (Computers, websites, financial systems)
By hacking your computers, website, financial system, printers, etc., cybercriminals can change, sabotage, delete or encrypt your information. They can change your passwords and email addresses. This is one of the most common breaches (Ransomware) that occurs today and costs companies a lot of money to both manage and in many cases they have to pay to regain access to data.
According to the GDPR, you are also obliged to inform all your customers about infringement and that their information has been compromised and what the consequences are. You can e.g. receive a fine for not having protected yourself well enough (up to SEK 200 million, or 4% of global sales, whichever is higher).
What obligations do I have to secure my IT environment and my customers' data?
Inventory, risk analysis and action plan as well as implementation
Knowing what equipment and information you have and where it is located is critical to being able to protect it. If you do not know exactly what is where, you can not protect it.
After inventory, the next step is a risk analysis followed by an action plan and implementation. It may sound big, but depending on the size of the business, number of employees, etc., it can go relatively quickly and efficiently.
At Compliq, we make sure you get the help you need, of course in relation to your needs and size, and your existing IT. If you need help building your IT environment, we can of course help you with that.
We at Compliq give you solid tips about security
1. Secure passwords
A password with 8 randomly chosen characters (Uppercase+lowercase+numbers+special characters) takes a computer approx. 30 minutes to crack.
We have several effective ways to create and manage passwords, as well as tips on how you can remember a 30+ password without major problems.
2. Multifactor, Multifactor, Multifactor
Much more important than passwords is to use multifactor authentication everywhere you go. Today, it is even possible to use multifactor for VPN connections to the company on certain firewalls.
3. Limited access
Does everyone need the same access to all information? There are many factors that can be forgotten. Examples are even if staff work temporarily, or quit.
Are there routines for managing access even within the IT environment?
