Cybersecurity Nightmares: How To Win The War in 2023

Currently, the world is experiencing the worst cybersecurity nightmares in recent times, no thanks to unscrupulous hackers.

Owing to the ever importance of cybersecurity, in today's technology review, the searchlight is being focused on it for ways out in 2023.

Businesses have seen spiralling trends in cyberbullying and putting in place robust security solutions is an absolute necessity.

As an indicator of the critical effects of cyber malpractices like hacking, enterprises, and corporations have been brought down to their knees in paying huge fines or Ransomes.

We have all heard of enterprises paying huge fines or even going out of business because of a simple hack into their systems. 

The list of cybersecurity issues such as ransomware, phishing, etc. is simply becoming inexhaustive and costly to livelihoods. 

Going by the mantra, 'prevention is better than cure', we can safely infer that winning the cybersecurity challenges will be hinged upon well-orchestrated preventive measures.

Giving Perspective to Cyber Attacks

Every deliberate attempt at exploiting information and communication technology systems or networks to shortchange the owners and managers is a cyber attack. 

Cyber attackers are mischievous programmers who design malicious codes with which they can hold, corrupt, leak or steal data.

This way computers, logic, codes, apps, or even whole data can be compromised.

Every institution, corporation, business, or organization ought to do everything possible to pre-empt and thwart cyber attacks.

Let us briefly review a few examples of familiar data breaches and cyberbullying below: 

 

• Password sniffing
• Stolen hardware, such as laptops or mobile devices
• Intellectual property (IP) theft or unauthorized access
• Denial-of-service and distributed denial-of-service attacks
• Breach of access
• Password sniffing
• System infiltration
• Website defacement
• Private and public Web browser exploits
• Instant messaging abuse
• Malware, phishing, spamming, spoofing, spyware, trojans, and viruses
• Identity theft, fraud, extortion

 

Priceless Strategies for Winning Against Cybersecurity Challenges

Enough Cannot Be Said About Backing Up Data.

Efforts must not be spared in putting automated, second-by-second backups of data to pre-empt any unforeseen cyber disasters.

Enforce Protection of Terminal Hosts and Devices (endpoint protection)

Endpoint protection implies protecting networks that are remotely bridged to devices.

When laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc. are allowed to be connected to protected networks, such devices must be forcefully protected.

Corporate gateways must be configured in such a way that using endpoint protection software enables them to swiftly detect devices and request their login IDs before connection.
 
IT Systems and Software Must be Fully Updated

When the IT systems and installed software are not fully up-to-date, cyber attacks exploit arising weaknesses to occur.

Once the attackers gain access, it's a lot more difficult to curb their attacks.

Staff Training is Key

Cybercriminals can surreptitiously forward malicious emails impersonating respected management personnel to employees. 

Well-trained employees are sensitive enough to avoid or delete such emails. 
 

Highly Monitored Access Control to Networked Systems

It is detrimental to rule out the possibility of physical attacks on the system.

This makes it very critical to regulate who accesses the network. 

When outsiders casually stick USB devices (with infected files) into the network, this could be very disastrous.

Wi-Fi Security.

Wi-Fi-enabled devices are now rife and consequently very serious means of also breaking the hedge for 'serpents' to bite in networked ICT systems.

The system can get infected by malware, ransomware, and viruses when 'uninitiated' hosts and devices hook up with the corporate network. 

Counting Losses from the Metropolitan Opera Cyber Attack
 

Imagine the business losses suffered by Met Opera while it took them nine days after an audacious unscrupulous cyberattack to bounce back. 

Before the remedy came, the Metropolitan Opera lost its ability to sell tickets.

These losses in thousands or millions of US dollars are better imagined!

According to December 15, 2022 reports by The New York Times, “After suffering a cyberattack that temporarily impacted our network systems, we’re pleased to announce that the Met is now able to process ticket orders through our website and in person at our box office,” noted the Met through a website message that reassured customers about the safety of their credit card details.

Conclusion

Although the ability to accurately predict where, how, and when the next cyber attack will occur can be an albatross, however, proactive and pre-emptive measures can become a priceless trump card.

AllNews Nigeria recommends nothing but proactive and pre-emptive solution approaches toward winning the war against cybersecurity issues.

Every business needs unique solutions tailored to it and its employees.

There is a serious need for regular cyber security assessments.