Technology has sought to investigate needs, simplify processes in organizations, automate, and reduce human error. During the 1950s – 2000s, as technology was evolving, owning a website that was down alluded to being out of business (*eTegrity). Today that isn’t the case. But back then, it was a common assumption because the website was the only source of information. Now, living without technology is unimaginable for meeting the demand for data. Since then, the reliance on data for pinpointing operational gaps to improve operations has only increased.
With this increase, comes a new threat: hacking. The infiltration of a network area creates data exposure and leaves networks unstable. Hacking can also drive financial and operational damage to many corporations each year by being susceptible to the demands of an invisible assailant. Using antiquated technology, computers, software, or unprotected systems is easy access for hackers looking for opportunities. So, one way to remedy this is to work with experts to bridge the gap in your current processes, ensuring you’re not saving information on local drives, and all of your information is password protected. Safely storing sensitive data and confidential information on the Cloud or a secure server will mitigate the risk as well.
All shapes, sizes, colors, and ages
Hackers are found all over the world; they aren’t a specific age, gender, or race – up and comers are learning the craft every day. You may be asking yourself why. Well, hackers are in the business to prove they are skilled at braking systems to make money anonymously.
There are so many variations a hacker can use to get what they want. Ransomware is the type of cyberattack that lets hackers lock up and investigate a company’s computer, and IT departments then proceed to demand payment to let them go free. This is one way hackers can easily earn over one million dollars in Bitcoin anonymously due to a lack of cybersecurity measures in a business. According to a report by Chainalysis, the total amount paid by ransomware victims increased by 336% in 2020, reaching nearly $370 million worth of cryptocurrency (CNBC).
Some specialists follow the art of hacking in order to prevent the next incident. Technology professionals who specialize in this are aiming to do two things, secure your systems and keep pertinent information safe. People make minor mistakes every day, such as not downloading data to their secure Cloud or changing their passwords regularly. It seems like simple tasks we can all do every day, but more often than not, we don’t take these precautionary measures and find ourselves in an unforeseen situation. Therefore, a layered approach to security is a necessity. By implementing endpoint protection (Antivirus, Anti-Malware), server-side firewall protection, and a recovery strategy to all servers and data storage locations, you will never become a hostage.
A Promise is a Promise. Why Take the chance?
Hackers are bringing systems to a halt, and that is a major concern along with the amount of money it can cost to be set free. But there are other things to consider after the clean-up begins. Business must stop when there is a hack of a company’s computer system. That means customers’ information is left vulnerable, orders are not being processed, people are not being served, and your employees aren’t able to work. There are several unknown pieces to this puzzle:
- What will our systems look like when we are set free?
- Will all of my documents be where I left them?
- Will the information on my systems be compromised?
They told you that payment would set you free. But what does that mean? Will they keep their promise? And how will you get restitution if they don’t? Do you want the truth? You lost your power in this equation when you let them into your systems in the first place. A hacker never needs to deliver what they promise, they have all the power, and they know it.
Cybersecurity is up 600%
Cybersecurity has been a hot topic in recent years, but it’s not a new concept. Hackers have found new, creative ways to exploit find vulnerabilities in unprotested systems. Companies or institutions simply believe they are not at risk. It is those very companies that are likely to find themselves in a circumstance involving malware or viruses. Advising cybersecurity and data management aids organizational growth and continuity for this ever-changing business landscape. These practices are a foundation for a sustainable, long-term business operations plan that includes monitoring and maintaining systems and vulnerabilities. According to ABC News, cybercrime incident rates have risen 600% since the beginning of COVID-19. Are you confident that your business is safe from these attacks?
You don’t want to be part of this statistic. Every business and its employees must continuously learn and search for creative technology solutions to fight back to prevent system vulnerabilities from happening. Investing time and effort into improving the security of your business will be a time well invested.
If you’re considering hiring a professional or unsure where to start, you can set up a free consultation with Cornerstone Paradigm Consulting. From creating a process map to re-engineering your processes, we will help you identify both steps you can take to create secure data and automate repetitive processes. We work with clients in every field to understand and meet your business goals – we fix what’s not working!
About the Authors:
Cornerstone Paradigm Consulting, LLC is an industry-agnostic business operations consulting firm working with companies to fix what isn’t working.
eTegrity allows your business to smoothly transition to technology platforms that allow access to business materials outside of the office and provides third party IT oversight.
