In today’s digital age, businesses may face an invisible yet potent threat. Cybercriminals are successfully making their way into your technology and lying in wait for the perfect moment to strike.
How can a business find out if a cybercriminal has breached their systems? Conducting a cyber risk assessment will help expose hidden vulnerabilities before they become catastrophic.
But how do the cybercriminals make their way into your systems to begin with?
From phishing attacks to hidden backdoors, we’ll guide you on how they make their way in, and the kind of havoc they release, and we’ll show you how to flip on the light and get those monsters out from under your tech.
The Invisible Threat Lurking in Your Inbox
A staggering 94% of businesses have experienced an email security incident. Email is one of the most common gateways for cybercriminals to infiltrate your systems. These bad actors will gather information from the internet, and social media, and even make personal reconnaissance calls to create plausible identities and stories. Once they know enough to be dangerous, they will send general phishing emails or specific spear-phishing emails that can be very convincing. From there, they work to trick your employees and gain official access to systems, software, networks, servers, data, file systems, or networks.
Once they have access to your data or systems, they patiently wait for the most opportune time. Often, cybercriminals strike when employees are least vigilant, such as on a Friday afternoon. This timing gives them the longest window to wreak havoc undetected. They can lock employees out, encrypt and exfiltrate files, and shut down operations, causing significant cyber and damage to business reputation. They may even create hidden backdoors for easy re-entry in the future.
Real-World Impacts of a Cyber Attack
The effects of a cyber attack are far-reaching and devastating. IT teams must work around the clock to restore operations, often requiring the assistance of external cybersecurity experts and data recovery teams. Customer care teams go into overdrive to manage the fallout, while disaster response teams assess whether backups are sufficient or if they have no choice but to pay a ransom.
Financial losses can be crippling, and the damage to a company’s reputation can be long-lasting. This is why it’s crucial to discover if any monsters are hiding in your tech.
Conducting a Comprehensive Security and Tech Assessment.
Cybercriminals are crafty so relying on just any assessment won’t suffice. The most comprehensive audits are third-party cyber risk assessments performed by an expert team that passes security audits regularly and follows the NIST security framework. By following the NIST framework, each area of your organization will be examined resulting in no dark corner left for a bad actor to hide.
The Necessity of a 3rd Party Cyber Risk Assessment
A credentialed third-party cyber risk assessment will examine all layers of your organization’s hardware, software, and data. It searches every crevice of your cyber world to uncover vulnerabilities or hidden bad guys. Remember, cybercriminals are patient and will wait for the opportune moment to strike. It’s up to you to be vigilant and proactive. Enlist experts to search and smoke them out. A secure and regularly searched environment is hostile to cybercriminals.
Top Five Vulnerabilities a Risk Assessment Will Uncover
- Weak Technology
Outdated or unpatched technology is a goldmine for cybercriminals. A risk assessment will identify weak points in your tech stack, enabling you to update or replace vulnerable systems.
- Open or Hidden Doors
Cybercriminals often exploit open or hidden doors within your network. These can be anything from unsecured ports to outdated software. A thorough risk assessment will find and close these entry points.
- Untested Backup Systems
Your backup systems are your last line of defense in a cyber attack. A risk assessment will test the effectiveness of your backups, ensuring that your data can be quickly restored in an emergency.
- Handyman Specials, Lazy Code, or Workarounds
Previous technicians may have cut corners, creating vulnerabilities that are not immediately apparent. A risk assessment will uncover these “handyman specials,” allowing you to rectify them before they are exploited.
- Existing Intrusions
Sometimes, cybercriminals gain access to your systems through legitimate means but remain undetected. A risk assessment will identify any unauthorized access and help you take appropriate action.
What Should You Do?
Cybercriminals are a constant threat, but you don’t have to face them alone. Conducting a third-party cyber risk assessment is crucial for identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities within your organization. By taking proactive measures, you can create a secure environment that is hostile to cybercriminals.
Don’t wait for a cyber attack to expose your weaknesses. Take action now to protect your business, your employees, and your customers. For more information and to schedule a cyber risk assessment, contact our team of experts today.
Nathan Caldwell
Marketing expert, thought leader, speaker, and security awareness solution creator.