Cybersecurity readiness has become essential for ensuring uninterrupted technology services, much alone company operations, amid the constantly changing threat landscape that we now face.

Because there are new hacks, breaches, and attacks every day, having insufficient cybersecurity preparedness could have disastrous effects. So, how do you stay in the lead? First, by being aware of the difference between fact and fiction.

Despite the rising emphasis on company security, a number of cybersecurity myths and misconceptions all too frequently prohibit the necessary degree of safeguarding the technology an organization needs. To make sure you’re appropriately approaching and lowering your risk related to cybersecurity, here are some of the more prevalent cybersecurity fallacies that need to be dispelled.

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• The Strength of the Password

Most businesses assume that their staff members are using secure passwords. This is untrue, though. Concentrate on developing a robust password policy. Make sure your staff members are using secure passwords. To resolve this issue, you can use a password manager program like LastPass. Complex passwords will be generated by this program.

Additionally, you ought to use multi-factor authentication. By doing this, you can make sure that hackers cannot access your network even if they have your password. They must first establish their identity. Access restrictions should also be used to restrict your employees’ access.

• External attackers are the source of cyberattacks.

The majority of cyberattacks come from outside sources. This does not, however, imply that you should fully disregard insider threats. More systems and information are available to your staff. They have the ability to simply release your info if they choose to.

Security lapses may result from malevolent activity, ignorance, or incompetence on the part of employees. You must make sure that you are also safeguarding your company against insider threats. Attackers typically aim at your staff. Therefore, it’s crucial to make sure you’re keeping an eye out for insider threats on your network.

• We now have flawless cybersecurity.

It’s critical to realize that cybersecurity is a continuous effort. Cybersecurity cannot be viewed as an outcome. Cyberattacks are always changing. Attackers are constantly looking for fresh ways to target businesses. Your company is thus always in danger.

Your IT infrastructure and network should be constantly monitored. Make sure you periodically carry out internal and security audits. This will assist you in locating network problems. You ought to check your security guidelines as well. Make sure to periodically update your security procedures. Your security procedures should be integrated into your core company operations. It’s crucial to make investments in fresh security methods and equipment. This will assist you in defending your company against fresh attacks.

Small and medium-sized businesses are not the targets of cybercriminals. Because “we’re too little” or “nobody wants our data,” the majority of Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) frequently believe they are immune to cyberattacks and data breaches. This is a major cybersecurity misconception that has to be dispelled right away because it couldn’t be further from reality.

SMBs may not be specifically targeted, but they are frequently the targets of spray-and-pray attacks. Attackers don’t target specific enterprises; instead, they target anyone and everything, and those they can injure suffer as a result. Small firms are sometimes lacking in sophisticated security tools and knowledgeable security personnel, making them easier targets for fraudsters.

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• The IT division is in charge of security.

Unquestionably, managing an organization’s cybersecurity is a major job for IT. However, it is not primarily in charge of security. The culture change required to handle this in a true and meaningful way comes from leadership, while genuine cybersecurity preparation is the responsibility of every employee. This is because a security compromise can potentially have long-lasting impacts on the entire firm.

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• Everything will be secured by a third-party security firm.

Even if a managed security services provider (MSSP) or cybersecurity firm handles the implementation and review of security policies to keep the business safe, it is essential that you comprehend the cyber dangers to your corporation and how they are handled.

Regardless of the skills and certifications of the security provider, it is your moral and legal obligation to protect important assets. Make sure the security supplier keeps you updated on their roles, responsibilities, and capabilities in terms of security, as well as any breaches that may have occurred.

• Only larger businesses are targeted by cybercriminals.

A common misconception among small and medium-sized businesses is that hackers won’t be interested in their data. However, small and medium-sized businesses are among the most sought-after targets for hackers. A recent study found that hackers almost always target small businesses. However, just 14% of these businesses were able to defend themselves in such a situation.

Software against viruses or malware is sufficient to protect my company.

The anti-virus program is a crucial component of any cybersecurity strategy. It only protects one point of entry into your system, though. Hackers use ransomware and other assaults like targeted phishing to penetrate networks and get around anti-virus software. Therefore, hackers will have plenty of room to conduct an assault even with anti-malware software in place.

• Scams and phishing are obvious.

With time, phishing scams get more convincing and sophisticated. Attackers might withhold private information about your employees. They’ll compel your staff members to install malware on company workstations. Attackers could pose as your top executive. They have probably breached the data they are using to contact you. Even social media accounts can be accessed by some attackers.

As a result, it’s critical to make sure that you are safeguarding your company from phishing assaults. Training your staff is the most effective approach to accomplish this. Ensure that your staff is aware of the finest IT security advice. They ought to be able to spot phishing emails. This will aid in phishing scam protection for your company. It will guarantee that your staff members are able to recognize phishing emails.

• Hackers target large corporations.

No company is safe from a cyberattack. Smaller businesses believe they are secure because they are hidden from view. This is undoubtedly not the situation. Every 30 seconds, a cyberattack occurs, demonstrating that the real question is not “Will I be attacked?” but rather “When will this happen to me?”

Businesses that hold the opinion that they will never be compromised tend to invest less in cyber security, which makes them even more accessible to scammers.

• BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) is safe

Although BYOD policies are unquestionably a cost-effective strategy, they are fraught with numerous dangers. The threat environment is expanded when employees bring in their personal devices and connect to the company’s network.

Therefore, the security measures put in place on the company’s computers should be applied to personal devices, such as smartphones, laptops, wearables, and IoT devices.

• It’s doubtful that there will be a security breach.

Because of their industry or type of business, many firms believe they are unlikely to face a security breach. On the other hand, a security breach is quite likely to happen to every firm at some point, so be ready.

To lessen the impact on the business, every organization needs to be prepared to respond rapidly to cyberattacks and have a cyber incident response plan.

To keep a firm safe, compliance with industry regulations is sufficient.

To conduct business, build trust, and avoid legal repercussions, compliance with industry data regulations is crucial. However, regulations frequently only make the most basic security standards. Being secure does not imply that you are compliant.

Businesses need to decide if the requirements are important enough and if their scope includes all of the important systems and data.

One such example is PCI compliance, which frequently ignores other important data managed by the firm in favor of protecting credit card data.

• What steps may be taken to stop this?

Locking down access to highly sensitive information or customer information is one strategy to stop these insider assaults. Second, it is critical to limit employee access to information. Regarding unintentional breaches, there should be a policy that attempts to mitigate the harm or works to stop the harm from occurring. Policies should specify that removable devices must be encrypted. An Insider danger could be indicated by excessive downloading.

• How can this problem be solved?

Always pick a lengthy password because it will be more difficult for hackers to guess. Use a line from a movie or book that you can recall whenever possible. Two-factor authentication, often known as multi-factor authentication, is the second approach to guarantee security for a specific account. In this manner, if the hacker also has your password, a confirmation will be issued to you over the phone at the number you provided.

• Our productivity will suffer if we increase security.

One prevalent misconception among manufacturers is that increasing cybersecurity will reduce their output. Cybersecurity can occasionally put a strain on production by necessitating significant cultural changes within companies, and information access might impede operational procedures necessary for day-to-day operations. However, if your company becomes less vigilant about avoiding cyber hazards, you run the possibility of falling victim to one another and suffering monetary damages.

You must decide for yourself what to do and whether to prioritize productivity over data security as a member of the leadership team. Business Process Management is one technique that can assist manufacturers in balancing information security and productivity (BPM).

Business process management is described by OutSystems as “the activity of developing, carrying out, observing, and optimizing business processes.” The daily business processes that are required must be modeled by manufacturers and business owners and must adhere to the established security policy.

Process managers can better grasp this process’ constraints and create goals for maximizing those processes safely by modeling the relevant business processes through the specified security policy.

FINAL COMMENTS

In the current digital sphere, cybersecurity myths pose a serious hazard since they frequently allow enterprises to downplay real threats by letting their guard down, allowing cybercriminals to cause havoc.

The first step in achieving the proper cybersecurity maturity level required to ultimately safeguard your firm at the level it requires is realizing that “cybersecurity myths are really illusions.”

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