What is a Cyber Attack?

A cyber-attack is when someone deliberately targets a system or website with the intention of gaining something such as money, email, personal information or access to confidential information. Hackers, hackers’ groups and cyber criminals could use malware, phishing and adware to gain access to systems. If criminals know how to exploit the flaw in a system, they could be rewarded with an illicit profit. Cyber-attacks can be more dangerous than physical attacks because they rely on something that can be left and unattended. Cyber criminals can wreak havoc on the digital world without any fear of being caught. The cyber range platforms like CDeX are designed to help technicians and other business gems by training to tackle with the situations of cyber-attacks.

Cyber Attacks on Critical Infrastructure

Cyber-attacks can also target critical infrastructure such as energy, transportation, water, health, safety and more. Major power plants in the US had their control systems compromised by Russian hackers. Hackers were able to gain remote access to the controls, steal valuable data and cause power outages. Similarly, hackers in South Africa were able to gain access to the Tor network and hack into a few government websites including the Minister’s website.

The prevalence of cyber-attacks on the critical infrastructure has been documented by PwC. Companies should prepare to take on cyber-attacks. So, what can businesses do to prepare themselves?

Ø Adopt a Culture of Cyber

In order to prepare for the increasing number of cyber-attacks, businesses need to adopt a culture of cyber to boost their cyber security capabilities and prepare for future attacks. The expectation is that IT teams are always on hand to quickly resolve any issues that arise. In some cases, this may mean adopting a “just in time” policy where the business can react to an issue to fix it as soon as it is discovered. The CDeX company provides an assessment tool that can help companies and other organizations assess the level of cyber security in place and the process to become an authorized security auditor. This gives organizations the confidence that they have the right people and processes in place.

Ø Don’t Wait to Fix Issues

The first step that businesses should take is to review their systems to ensure there are no vulnerabilities that could lead to a cyber-attack. Each company should conduct a cyber security audit to identify any potential weaknesses in their systems and make sure they are fixed. All too often companies wait for a critical vulnerability to be detected by hackers before they act. Cyber-attacks could still be ongoing and unknown. One of the most reputable cyber security companies is CDeX that you can contact them and get training and services.

Ø Develop a Plan

A plan is essential if businesses are to successfully deal with cyber-attacks. Businesses need to assess their weaknesses and develop a plan on how they will prevent a cyber-attack from taking place. This can be done through testing different detection methods, such as firewalls, to determine if a cyber-attack has been launched and who has been compromised.

Ø Limit the Danger of Cyber Attacks

Businesses should also protect their networks. Businesses should limit the number of devices connected to the networks. Make sure the network is designed to be isolated from the Internet. However, a firewalled network is also acceptable as long as it has been tested to ensure it is able to block out outside signals, such as data from hackers. Businesses can even use a virtual private network (VPN) to secure their networks. A VPN can offer a secure means to hide the information a company has about their customers from other users on the Internet.

Wrapping – Up!

PwC advises that businesses should develop an incident response plan, implement a strong cybersecurity strategy and have a solid security posture. A cybersecurity plan should include information about their security structure, how they’re protecting data, and emergency responses. By adopting a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, businesses can strengthen their defenses to protect their valuable data and prevent future cyber-attacks. Last but not the least, you can contact to CDeX company for getting more security against cyber-attacks!