As much as businesses rely on and benefit from the connectivity and convenience of the digital world, it’s still a dangerous place. Cyber-attacks may originate from outside your business in the form of ransomware, DDoS attacks, or network takedowns. But threats can also come from within, be that as a result of poorly educated employees downloading trojans, or acts of corporate sabotage. No matter the size, scale, or nature of your business, there’s too much at stake not to protect yourself. It’s not a case of “should I have cybersecurity?”, but rather “who will handle my cybersecurity?” This article delves into why cybersecurity is important, and how to choose the protection you need.

A Dangerous Online World

In the post-pandemic landscape, more and more businesses are migrating part or all of their operations to the online world. But the threats facing them are growing. In the past five years, the FBI’s IC3 has received on average around 758,000 complaints about various cybercrimes such as ransomware, phishing, tech support scams, etc. And those are just the reported incidents in one country, the U.S.

Worse still, there are fears that machine learning and AI tools will increasingly be used to perpetrate these crimes. So, Cybersecurity has never been more important.

Cybersecurity as a Holistic Service

Gone are the days of protective software that could be bought as a once off package in physical form. These days, the speed of technology requires nearly all software, security or otherwise, to be constantly updated in an ongoing service-like fashion. Cybersecurity is a typical example, evolving from purchasing an anti-virus CD to a service offered by a managed service provider (MSP) that keeps your business safe in multiple ways constantly.

It pays to have the right cybersecurity partners for the job, who will protect your business in all the ways it needs. Every business is different and needs protection tailored to its individual requirements. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of some branches of cybersecurity that your business might need:

Mobile Security

It’s fairly straightforward to secure office computers and printers, but what about the mobile devices that your employees use? Many business setups allow access to networks and hardware by external devices that can (knowingly or unknowingly) become points of infiltration or sources of malware.

Seeing as most of these devices aren’t subject to the same protection measures as in-office equipment, the challenge with mobile security is ensuring that all corporate data and networks remain safe while interacting with these devices.

Network Security

Most business devices will be connected to the internet and to each other through localized networks. These networks are prime targets for infiltration. Should a hacker gain access, your entire business operation could be taken down, and your most valuable data could be lost.

Given the volatile, ever-changing nature of networks, it pays to protect your networks proactively. Network security constantly monitors the flow of information and data over your network channels, and ensures that the right access permissions are in place.

Cloud Security

When some or all of your data is stored in the cloud, it’s vulnerable. Both the network and the devices connected to it are at risk of being compromised. This branch of cybersecurity focuses on securing online data and ensuring that it’s compliant with any data protection mandates and privacy acts, like Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Identity Management and Data Security

Identity theft remains a major issue in cybersecurity. Biometric scans, two-factor authentication, and regularly changing passwords are all effective methods of protecting personal data and profiles. These strategies often help to save employees from themselves, by preventing them from giving away their access information too easily.

Keeping tabs on user profiles also helps protect data and systems that are more sensitive and confidential, thereby reducing the risk of accidental or intentional access.

Cybersecurity Philosophies

A cybersecurity expert will tie all these separate branches together into a unifying philosophy to keep you safe. There are many different approaches, and some services will mix and match different methodologies in their offerings, including:

  • User education and training – Sometimes your employees are their own worst enemies – and yours too. Proper training in cybersecurity and best practices is essential to ensuring staff members understand the importance of data and ID protection, and what’s at stake if they don’t take their individual cybersecurity seriously. This philosophy educates users about the threats, and guards against them by restricting access.
  • Zero trust – Overlapping with the previous approach, this philosophy assumes that no-one who has access to company devices and networks can be trusted, whether they’re malicious or not. This approach combines preventative actions that treat everything inside and outside the company as a threat. For example, data could be segmented across a network, or all end-point devices could be secured.
  • Continuity planning – Many different adverse events can affect a business, including both natural and man-made disasters. It’s a great idea to have a comprehensive plan in place that lays out the best steps to take in case of emergency. A good cybersecurity provider can help draft a continuity plan to follow in the event of various cyber threats, which will include the key players and steps involved.

How to Choose the Right Expert for the Job

There’s no shortage of managed service providers out there offering cybersecurity protection. But it can be hard to choose the MSP that’s right for your specific business needs. Here are some factors to consider:

  • Budget and pricing – At the end of the day, price will always be a major factor in your choice. Look for the best value available within your budget from different providers.
  • Scalability – Will a provider be able to accommodate your business as it grows? A provider with flexible solutions will save you the stress and expense of having to change providers down the line.
  • Expertise – How long has the provider been in the business? Consider the track record and reviews of a company in addition to their offerings.
  • Services offered – What range of cybersecurity does the provider offer? You may not need some kinds of protection, which may affect either the overall cost or your final choice of service provider.
  • Response time – If things go wrong, how quickly will the provider respond? Don’t be shy to ask the cybersecurity provider about the steps they take to address different issues, and insist on some form of response plan.
  • Security compliance – One objective marker of quality in a provider is its compliance with data protection regulations and security standards and frameworks. The organizations that manage these regulations and standards often have strict requirements for awarding compliance certification. So, proper certification adds legitimacy to a provider’s claims.

Proper Protection

If you’re in St. Louis, Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, or anywhere in Western Illinois, then identifying the right cybersecurity partner is a cinch. Not only do we at Da-Com offer a wide range of IT support and other services, but our cybersecurity experts have all the knowledge and experience you need to keep your business safe. Since 1948, we’ve built our relationships with clients on trust and expertise. Let us do the same for you.