The Importance of Cybersecurity

The cybersecurity field covers an evolving set of tools, risk management approaches, technologies, training and best practices that protect networks, devices and programs from attacks or unauthorized access. It also ensures the integrity, confidentiality and availability of information — a vital asset for any organization.

With data creation surging, companies now store a huge amount of information on computers and other systems like smart devices, routers, networks and the cloud. Many of these devices have vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers to compromise security. These breaches can have serious consequences for organizations and their stakeholders. For example, a recent survey showed that 86% of respondents would not patronize a business that experienced a credit card breach.

While most cyber breaches are caused by human error, educating employees about common vulnerabilities and the importance of cybersecurity can help reduce them. Employees armed with knowledge are less likely to bypass security protocols and more likely to take quick action when they see something suspicious. They’ll also be less likely to waste time debating their actions or waiting for IT to respond to a question.

A regular risk assessment is another essential step to ensuring your business’s cybersecurity. In addition, frequent backups of critical data can be used to restore lost files or even a whole system if a hacker takes it hostage and demands a ransom payment. And, adding multi-factor authentication can increase the hurdles hackers must clear to gain access to your information. Managed Detection and Response