As the many high-profile data security management breaches in recent years have shown, the need to continue improving cybersecurity is high. At the same time, an increasing amount of sensitive data is getting stored on corporate computer systems. It’s a recipe for potential disaster.
Businesses face a wide variety of threats, but the following seven are some of the most common. These are the top risks to data security management that every company should get addressed as soon as possible.
The Most Common Methods for Cyber Attacks
The following list comes primarily from the Forbes Technology Council and the Online Trust Alliance. Both have investigated the methods most cybercriminals use to infiltrate a private computer system.
IoT Devices
The number of unmanaged Internet of Things (IoT) devices continues to grow, and many of them have no endpoint controls and a lack of detailed understanding of how they communicate with a network. That offers hackers a vulnerable spot to attack a company’s systems.
Social Engineering
One of the most common entrances into a secure system is for hackers to trick employees into either revealing passwords or installing malware or ransomware. It’s imperative for businesses to train employees to recognize phishing, malware and other social engineering vulnerabilities.
Lost or Stolen Devices
When employees bring their laptops or other devices outside the office, it opens the system to vulnerabilities. In some cases, they may misplace the device that is later found with the user still signed on to the computer system. Or, criminals may steal a device, which is an attractive option for them because it’s easier than hacking a secure computer system.
Inside Jobs
Companies have taken to limiting the number of people with access to personal information because of the risk that someone on the inside will steal valuable personal data. It’s a temptation because criminals on the black market will pay a handsome price for the type of data businesses now store, including customer’s date of birth, address, location, contact information and income level.
Third-Party Applications
In many cases, a third party may oversee the transfer of information from one business to another. These applications represent another area of vulnerability, especially when businesses typically do not spend the same amount of money on securing third-party apps as they do the main network.
Lack of Training
Employees continue to represent the most vulnerable area of data security management. In addition to the social engineering vulnerability such as clicking on links in suspicious emails, employees who deal with sensitive information may not always have the training they need to handle confidential data securely. Training employees is one of the best investments companies can make in data security management.
Cloud Services
Transmitting data into the cloud requires another level of security, and the same protocols that work in a network won’t work with cloud services. Many companies have adopted cloud use without adopting the security measures the cloud requires. This requires using software to identify areas of potential vulnerability and addressing them as quickly as possible.
Property data security is critical for all types of businesses. To gain and keep the trust of customers, they must take all the necessary steps to make data safe. That’s why those who earn a degree in applied computer science and intelligence and global security will remain in high demand for years to come. These online degree programs can prepare graduates to take on the demands of providing the best data security management possible.
