The frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks are on the rise, making cyber security terms knowledge essential for everyone. The significance of cybersecurity continues to grow. Here’s why you should be concerned:
Understanding cybersecurity fundamentals is crucial as cyber threats like data breaches, phishing attacks, and more sophisticated cybercrimes become common. This blog will introduce you to the basic terms and concepts, explain the terms related to common threats you face.
Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. Measures are designed to combat threats against networked systems and applications, whether those threats originate from inside or outside an organization.
Threats can be any circumstance or event that could harm a data system or network. They can be intentional, like a hacker attack, or unintentional, like the possibility of a computer crashing.
A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It typically establishes a barrier between a trusted internal network and an untrusted external network, such as the Internet.
A cyberattack that uses disguised email as a weapon. The goal is to trick the email recipient into believing that the message is something they want or need — a request from their bank, for instance, or a note from someone in their company — and to click a link or download an attachment.
Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user, process, or device, often as a prerequisite to allowing access to system resources. It can involve passwords, biometric data, or other identity verification methods.
An Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) involves long-term, targeted cyberattacks often sponsored by nation-states. These attackers covertly infiltrate a network to steal sensitive data, monitoring and extracting information over months or years. Unlike typical cyberattacks, APTs persistently lurk within the network to continuously gain strategic information.
A botnet is a computer network infected with malware controlled remotely by a hacker without the knowledge of the devices' owners. These networks are commonly used to send spam emails, spread viruses, attack other systems, and commit other cyber mischief and crimes.
A data breach occurs when confidential information is accessed without authorization. This can involve the theft of personal or corporate data such as Social Security numbers, credit card details, personal health records, or other sensitive information. Data breaches can lead to significant financial losses and damage to personal and professional reputations.
Data exfiltration is the unauthorized transfer of data from a computer or network. This cyber threat involves extracting valuable data such as trade secrets, sensitive corporate information, or personal data, which can be used for financial gain or competitive advantage. Exfiltration can be done manually by an individual or automatically using malware.
Deepfake technology uses artificial intelligence to create convincing fake audio or video content, where people appear to say or do things that never happened. This technology can be used to misinform, manipulate public opinion, impersonate individuals, and commit fraud.
A Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack aims to disrupt normal web traffic and take targeted websites offline by overwhelming the system with internet traffic. These attacks are performed using botnets, which send massive traffic to overload systems, resulting in service interruptions that can damage a company’s reputation and lead to significant downtimes.
Exploits are attacks that take advantage of software vulnerabilities. Hackers use these weaknesses to gain unauthorized access or cause other harmful effects on the system. Software developers usually know about these vulnerabilities and may have patches available, which makes timely system updates crucial for protection.
Exploit kits are pre-assembled tools that cybercriminals use to exploit known system vulnerabilities. Available for purchase on the dark web, these kits enable even those with minimal technical skill to launch attacks on multiple systems, searching for and exploiting weaknesses.
Malware, short for malicious software, refers to various harmful programs designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system. Common types of malware include viruses, worms, and trojans. Each type has a different method of infection and can lead to serious problems such as data loss, privacy breaches, and system failures.
Adware is a type of malware that automatically delivers advertisements. It is often bundled with free software and can be intrusive, displaying ads without the user's consent and potentially redirecting browser searches to advertising websites. While not always malicious, adware can undermine system performance and security.
Spyware is malware that secretly observes the user's computer activity without their consent. It tracks and steals internet usage data, personal information, and other sensitive details. Spyware can lead to significant privacy violations and is often difficult to detect.
Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts a victim’s files, making them inaccessible, and demands a ransom payment to restore access. It can affect any user and is known for its capability to cause severe operational disruptions and financial losses. Victims are often threatened with permanent data deletion if the ransom is not paid.
A virus is a type of malicious software (malware) that, when executed, replicates itself by modifying other computer programs and inserting its code. When this replication succeeds, the affected areas are said to be "infected." Viruses can disrupt systems, damage files, and spread across networks to infect other devices.
A vulnerability is a flaw or weakness in a system's design, implementation, operation, or management that could be exploited to violate its security policy. Vulnerabilities can result from improper computer or security configurations and programming errors, which can exist in software, hardware, or processes.
A web shell is a malicious script used by attackers that can be uploaded to a web server to enable remote machine administration. With a WebShell, attackers can execute commands, steal data, and essentially control the server, often maintaining this control over time to facilitate further exploitation and attacks.
Antivirus software detects, prevents, and removes malware, including viruses, worms, trojans, and other malicious programs. It scans your computer and incoming files or programs for malicious activities and blocks them, helping to protect your system from damage or unauthorized access.
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC v2) is a standard all contractors must meet to work with the U.S. Department of Defense. It ensures that these contractors have the necessary controls to protect sensitive data, including Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
Cyber attribution is the process of tracing and identifying the source of a cyberattack. This involves analyzing the attack methodologies, tools used, and sometimes the intent to pinpoint the perpetrator or the nation-state behind the attack. Accurate attribution is crucial for taking legal actions and informing strategic cybersecurity defenses.
Cybersecurity as a Service (CSaaS) is an outsourcing model in which businesses hire external cybersecurity experts to manage their IT security needs. This service can include real-time monitoring, threat detection, incident response, and compliance management. CSaaS allows businesses to benefit from expert security advice and infrastructure without the overhead of developing these capabilities in-house.
Cyber Security Awareness Training is a formal process of educating employees about computer security. It includes teaching staff to understand potential cyber threats, such as phishing and social engineering attacks, and the best prevention practices. This training helps reduce risk and protect organizational data by fostering a culture of security awareness within the company.
Cybersecurity insurance is a policy that mitigates financial losses from various cyber incidents, including data breaches, business interruption, and network damage. These policies cover the costs of recovery efforts, legal fees, and any settlements or fines that may arise due to the breach.
Data Encryption involves converting data into a coded form that unauthorized people cannot easily understand. Encryption is a critical security measure that helps protect sensitive information, ensuring that even if data is intercepted during transmission or stolen, it remains inaccessible without the proper decryption key.
A Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) is a documented, structured approach with instructions for responding to unplanned incidents such as natural disasters, power outages, or cyberattacks. This plan aims to minimize downtime and data loss by restoring critical operations rapidly to ensure business continuity.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets the standard for protecting sensitive patient data. Any company that deals with protected health information (PHI) must ensure that all the required physical, network, and process security measures are in place and followed to protect the data.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a security enhancement that requires users to provide two or more verification factors to access a resource such as an application, online account, or VPN. Typically combining something they know (password), something they have (security token), and something they are (biometric verification), MFA significantly decreases the risk of unauthorized access.
Off-site backups involve storing data at a location separate from the organization's primary site. This strategy is crucial for data recovery in a disaster, ransomware attack, or other data loss incidents. It ensures that copies of essential data are preserved in a secure, remote location to facilitate recovery and maintain business continuity.
A passphrase is a more secure alternative to a traditional password. It typically consists of a longer sequence of words or a sentence, making it harder to crack but easier to remember. Passphrases offer enhanced security because they use more characters and often include spaces, adding complexity for improved resistance against brute-force attacks.
A Ransomware Incident Response Plan outlines the procedures an organization should follow during a ransomware attack. It includes containment, eradication, recovery, and post-incident analysis steps to minimize damage and quickly recover operations. Such plans are essential for organizations to respond effectively and limit the impact of ransomware.
A Security Posture Assessment involves a comprehensive evaluation of an organization's existing security status. This assessment reviews the policies, procedures, hardware, and software configurations to identify vulnerabilities and strengths. The outcome helps guide strategic improvements in the security measures protecting the organization's data and systems.
SOC 2 compliance is a component of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA)'s Service Organization Control reporting platform. SOC 2 focuses on a business’s non-financial reporting controls related to system security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. The audit confirms that a service provider manages data securely over time.
Vendor Risk Management (VRM) identifies, assesses, and mitigates risks posed by third-party vendors or service providers who have access to an organization's sensitive data or systems. VRM programs ensure that external partnerships do not expose the organization to potential security breaches, compliance issues, or other risks.
Maintaining strong cybersecurity measures for your business can be challenging due to the complexity and persistence of threats. Partnering with a managed IT services and IT support provider ensures your business stays protected and operational 24/7. Effective cybersecurity support typically includes:
With these measures, your business can significantly lower the risk of potentially devastating cyber incidents, ensuring that their operations and sensitive data remain secure.
iTeam Technology Associates specializes in developing customized managed IT services & IT support plans for your business. With a strong focus on preventing IT security issues before they disrupt your operations, iTeam Technology Associates ensures that your technology infrastructure operates seamlessly and efficiently. Here’s what we offer:
Whether you need comprehensive network security architecture design services, mobile device management services, or seamless cloud security integration, iTeam Technology Associates offers proactive IT security support plans that ensure your business remains efficient, secure, and ready for the future.
Don’t wait for IT issues to impact your business. Get in touch with us today to discover how our proactive IT services can safeguard your technology and drive your growth!