Cyber-attacks
A new security report has revealed some alarming trends.
First, cyber-attacks are becoming faster than ever. Breakout times (the time it takes for a criminal to move within your network after first getting in) have dropped significantly. We’re talking an average of 62 minutes compared to 84 last year.
This is not good news.
Not only are these attacks faster, but they’re also becoming more common. The report has identified a whopping 34 new cybercriminal groups, bringing the total to over 230 groups tracked by the company.
And guess what? These cybercriminals aren’t sitting around twiddling their thumbs. They’re getting smarter and more sophisticated. The report highlights a new record breakout time of two minutes and seven seconds. That’s barely enough time to grab a coffee and mount a defense.
But here’s the real kicker: The human factor is increasingly becoming the main entry point for these cyber-attacks.
They will try to get your people to click a link in a phishing email, which will take them to a fake login page. Once your employee enters their real login details, they have inadvertently handed them over.
Or they pretend to be someone your team trusts. This is called social engineering.
So, how can you protect your business from these cyber threats?
- Educate your employees – Ensure your team knows the latest cyber threats and how to spot them. Regular training sessions can prevent costly mistakes.
- Implement strong password policies – Encourage using complex random passwords generated and remembered by password managers. Use multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security (this is where you use a second device to confirm you are logging in).
- Keep your systems updated – Ensure all software and systems are updated with the latest security patches. Cybercriminals often exploit known vulnerabilities, so staying current is key.
- Invest in cyber security software – Consider investing in reputable cyber security software that can help detect and mitigate threats in real-time (we can help with this).
- Back up your data – regularly and store it in a secure location. In a cyber-attack, having backups can help minimize downtime and data loss.
When it comes to cyber security, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If we can help you to stay better prepared, get in touch.