The world of cybercrime is becoming incredibly complex, with new styles of attacks being created and catching people out every single day with catastrophic effects. The risk of a cyber attack is increasing all of the time, and it is essential that organisations are protected and well-prepared for attacks. If your organisation isn’t secured, you could be vulnerable to devastating cyber attacks. Which types of organisations are at risk from cyber-attacks? 

Small And Medium Businesses…

Up to 45% of small businesses think that they are not a target for hackers, believing instead that only large organisations are victimised. Yet, shockingly to most small business owners, the fact is that up to 74% of SMEs have experienced a cyber attack, with the average cost of an attack for an SME being well over £10,000. Essentially, if your business has any online element – from banking to email – you are at risk.

Types Of Cyber Attack…

You may be at risk from a variety of cyberattacks. The most common are:

Ransomware…

This is a type of malware that can encrypt your data then demand a ransom for an unlock code to be able to access your data again. This is generally delivered through emails.

Phishing…

This involves attempting to gain sensitive information while posing as someone trustworthy. A great example of this is an email from what appears to be your bank asking you to log in to approve payments. 

Data Leakage…

This can easily happen when portable devices such as laptops, tablets, and mobile phones are not adequately secured. This could mean that they are missing antivirus software, connecting to open unsecured wifi networks such as public transport wifi, or simply just not acting with due diligence with their devices.

Hacking…

This is the term given to gaining access to IT systems from outside an organisation. Hackers could try to gain access to bank accounts or credit card information.

Insider Threat…

Whenever a business has staff, there is always the possibility that data could be leaked either by mistake or maliciously. Of course, there isn’t a lot that can be done about this except for extra security training measures within your organisation made mandatory for all staff. 

Large Businesses…

95% of all cyber attacks hit three industries – government, retail and technology. The larger the business, the higher the cost of a cyber attack, which is why the worldwide cost of cybercrime in 2019 was estimated to be an enormous $5.2trillion. 

Protecting Your Organisation From Cyber Attack…

It is absolutely vital to ensure that your organisation is protected from attack. Many businesses are unable to reopen after a cyber attack, due to either the enormous cost, or diminished trust from customers, or a culmination of the two. 

Whatever the size of your organisation, having a secure defense in place – and that doesn’t just mean firewalls on PCs – and a plan for if things go wrong is imperative. Cybercrime is one of the greatest risks to companies across the world.

If you need help with your cybersecurity, Acrylic IT can put together a comprehensive security package for your business, along with 24/7 support. Book a free audit below or contact us today…