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In recent years, cybersecurity attacks have become increasingly common, with hackers targeting businesses of all sizes. Data breaches are one of the most common forms of cyberattacks, and they can result in the loss of sensitive information, revenue, and customer trust.
But how do these data breaches happen? What vulnerabilities do hackers look for, and what tactics do they use? In this article, we'll explore the intruder's perspective of a data breach and discuss why small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are particularly vulnerable to these attacks.
Understanding How Data Breaches Happen
The first step in a successful data breach is identifying vulnerabilities in a company's security systems. Hackers look for weaknesses in an organization's infrastructure like:- Outdated software
- Unpatched systems
- Weak passwords
What Types of Data Breaches Are Most Common?
Data breaches can take many forms, but the results are always the same: sensitive information falls into the wrong hands. Here are some of the most common tactics used by cybercriminals to gain access to valuable data:- Phishing Scams: Hackers often use fraudulent emails disguised as legitimate messages to trick users into revealing sensitive information or installing malware onto their computers. By clicking a link or opening an attachment, users can unintentionally grant hackers access to their computer and confidential data.
- Brute-Force Attacks: Cybercriminals use automated tools to guess passwords until they succeed in entering a system. Weak passwords are particularly susceptible to these attacks, which can give hackers control over user accounts and sensitive information.
- Malware Attacks: Malware is a type of malicious software used to infiltrate a computer system and steal sensitive information. Malware can be distributed via phishing emails, social engineering, and unsecured websites. Once installed on a victim's computer, it can compromise connected systems and steal data like login credentials or credit card numbers.
- SQL Injection Attacks: These attacks target websites with vulnerable code and exploit security gaps to inject malicious SQL statements into a website's database. This can allow hackers to access, manipulate, or delete sensitive data and even take control of the entire website.
Why SMBs Often Succumb to Data Breaches
SMBs face a significant risk of cyberattacks due to limited cybersecurity resources. SMBs may lack the budget to hire dedicated IT staff or invest in advanced security software, leaving them vulnerable to attacks. Additionally, many SMBs have employees who are not trained in cybersecurity best practices, increasing the risk of phishing scams and other social engineering tactics. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are exploiting these vulnerabilities, making SMBs an increasingly attractive target for cyberattacks. In fact, according to the Ponemon Institute, 76% of SMBs experienced a cyberattack in 2019, resulting in an average cost of $1.24 million per attack. It's clear that SMBs need to implement effective cybersecurity measures to protect their systems and data from breaches. 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image_id="27710|full"]https://forsyteit.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Security-breach.-Corporate-data-leakage.-Hacker-attack.-Multilevel-network-protection_.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" align_self="auto" content_layout="column" align_content="flex-start" valign_content="flex-start" content_wrap="wrap" center_content="no" column_tag="div" target="_self" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" order_medium="0" order_small="0" hover_type="none" border_style="solid" box_shadow="no" box_shadow_blur="0" box_shadow_spread="0" z_index_subgroup="regular" background_type="single" gradient_start_position="0" gradient_end_position="100" gradient_type="linear" radial_direction="center center" linear_angle="180" lazy_load="avada" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_blend_mode="none" sticky="off" sticky_devices="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" absolute="off" filter_type="regular" filter_hover_element="self" filter_hue="0" filter_saturation="100" filter_brightness="100" filter_contrast="100" filter_invert="0" filter_sepia="0" filter_opacity="100" filter_blur="0" filter_hue_hover="0" filter_saturation_hover="100" filter_brightness_hover="100" filter_contrast_hover="100" filter_invert_hover="0" filter_sepia_hover="0" filter_opacity_hover="100" filter_blur_hover="0" transform_type="regular" transform_hover_element="self" transform_scale_x="1" transform_scale_y="1" transform_translate_x="0" transform_translate_y="0" transform_rotate="0" transform_skew_x="0" transform_skew_y="0" transform_scale_x_hover="1" transform_scale_y_hover="1" transform_translate_x_hover="0" transform_translate_y_hover="0" transform_rotate_hover="0" transform_skew_x_hover="0" transform_skew_y_hover="0" transition_duration="300" transition_easing="ease" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" last="true" border_position="all" first="true" min_height="" link=""][fusion_text columns="1" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_delay="0" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" sticky_display="normal,sticky" fusion_font_variant_text_font="400" fusion_font_family_text_font="Cantarell"]How Can SMBs Combat Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities?
Many data breaches occur due to simple mistakes made by employees, such as falling for phishing scams or using weak passwords. By providing comprehensive cybersecurity training for their staff, SMBs can help prevent these mistakes from happening. However, that’s far from the only preventive measure your business can take. Here are a few other strategies SMBs can use to combat cybersecurity vulnerabilities:- Multi-Factor Authentication: This security measure adds an extra layer of protection against brute-force attacks and stolen passwords by requiring users to provide multiple forms of identification before gaining access to a system or application. For example, users may be required to enter a password and then enter a code that’s sent to their phone.
- Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems: These systems continuously monitor network traffic for signs of suspicious activity and can block potential threats before they cause damage. Intrusion detection systems detect attacks, while intrusion prevention systems block them from entering the network.
- Encryption: Encryption is the process of converting sensitive data into a coded language that can only be deciphered with a key. By encrypting sensitive data, even if it’s stolen by a hacker, it will be unreadable without the key. Encryption is effective against data breaches and theft of sensitive information.
- Firewall: A firewall is a security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic. It can help prevent unauthorized access to a network by blocking potentially dangerous traffic.
- Regular Software Updates: Regular software updates secure systems by patching vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. It's important to keep software up to date to ensure that any security holes are patched as soon as possible.
Don't Wait for a Breach—Secure Your SMB Today
Data breaches are a growing concern for businesses of all sizes, and the consequences can be devastating. At Forsyte IT, we understand the importance of protecting your business from cyber threats—and that's why we developed Guardian 365.
With real-time security alerts available 24x7x365 and detailed reports on demand, you can rest easy knowing that your systems are monitored around the clock. Even better, our platform allows you to view your total security health at the click of a button, giving you complete transparency into your cybersecurity posture. Contact us today to learn more about how Guardian 365 can defend your business from cyber threats.
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