What is Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is the state of being protected against criminal or unauthorized use of electronic data. Cybersecurity is also the measures taken to achieve this, which is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. These digital attacks, often referred to as cyberattacks, are usually aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information, extorting money, or interrupting normal business processes.
Why is Cybersecurity Important?
Cybersecurity is important to all organizations because it safeguards all types of data against theft and loss. Sensitive data, such as protected health information, personally identifiable information, and intellectual property are all highly sensitive to both individuals and organizations. This data can be sold for a premium price. When it is stolen, i can negatively impact both people’s lives and the normal business operations of organizations.
Types of Cybersecurity Strategies
Cybersecurity for organizations, regardless of size, can be broken down into five distinct categories, each with its own importance and requirements. Those five key categories are critical infrastructure security, application security, network security, cloud security, and internet of things security. Security each of these areas will help organizations avoid embarrassing and costly data breaches.
Common Cybersecurity Threats
There are many different types of cybersecurity threats, each with their own unique dangers. Some of the most prominent cybersecurity threats are malware attacks, social engineering attacks, software supply chain attacks, advanced persistent threats, distributed denial of service attacks, man in the middle attacks, and password attacks. Organizations need to fully assess their vulnerabilities to these different types of attacks and then seek out products and services to help secure their business.
Cybersecurity Best Practices
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, it’s critical for organizations to adopt robust cybersecurity practices to safeguard their data and networks. Here are some best practices every company should implement:
- Use Strong Passwords: Encourage the use of unique, complex passwords and implement password management tools to prevent weak, easily guessable credentials.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adding a second layer of authentication makes it significantly harder for attackers to breach accounts, even if they manage to obtain login credentials.
- Regular Software Updates: Ensure that all systems, applications, and devices are updated regularly. Outdated software often contains vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit.
- Employee Training and Awareness: Employees are often the weakest link in the security chain. Conduct regular cybersecurity training sessions to help them identify phishing attempts, suspicious links, and other potential threats.
- Limit User Privileges: Use the principle of least privilege by only granting access to sensitive data and systems to those who absolutely need it.
- Regular Backups: Back up all critical data and systems regularly, ensuring these backups are stored securely and can be accessed quickly in the event of a ransomware attack or other data loss.
- Implement a Robust Incident Response Plan: Having a plan in place ensures quick action can be taken to minimize damage when a security breach occurs, reducing downtime and costs.
True Cyber Security Requires Cyber Resilience
As organizations make plans to defend against increasing cyber threats and attacks, there is a growing realization that true cyber security means focusing on cyber resilience.
In recent years, organizations have adopted many cyber security services and cyber solutions to try to prevent breaches and attacks. Cyber security efforts were focused on stopping viruses, spam, malware and data leaks. But as threats to cyber security continue to grow in number and sophistication, more organizations are building strategies for cyber resilience.
Where cyber security seeks to prevent attacks, the emphasis with cyber resilience is ensuring business continuity. There is a recognition that even the most potent cyber security measures will fail at times, and when that happens, cyber resilience measures will ensure that data remains available, replicated and safe.
Because the majority of threats to cyber security originate with an email, every cyber resilience strategy must include solutions for email security and continuity. That's why so many companies worldwide have chosen cyber resilience solutions by Mimecast.
Achieving cyber security and resilience with Mimecast
Mimecast makes email safer for business by providing cloud-based solutions for cyber security and resilience. Mimecast's fully integrated subscription services include best-of-breed solutions for email security, multipurpose archiving, business continuity and end-user empowerment through greater cyber awareness.
Built on a single cloud platform that lets IT administrators manage multiple cyber resilience technologies via a single pane of glass, Mimecast provides real-time protection with massive scalability. Administrators get tools for easier management of e-discovery, compliance, and data backup and recovery, while users can always count on having access to email, files and attachments – even during outages and disasters.
Mimecast services for cyber security, archiving and continuity
Mimecast promotes cyber resilience and cyber security through services that include:
- Business continuity tools. Mimecast services enable employees to continue using email during attacks, disasters, technical failures and other downtime events.
- Advanced email security solutions. Mimecast's services include leading-edge, patented technology for threat detection and prevention to defend against advanced threats like ransomware, impersonation fraud and spearfishing, as well as traditional threats like viruses, malware, spam and data leaks.
- A multipurpose archive. Mimecast's multipurpose archiving service provides independent, third-party storage of email, files and IM conversations to ensure that data is always available and to guard against data loss.
- End-user awareness and training. The threats to corporate cyber security often involve tricking unsuspecting employees into divulging information, data or passwords. That's why Mimecast offers end-user empowerment services to help enlist employees as a powerful frontline defense against threats.
Cybersecurity FAQs
Who needs cyber security?
Cybercrime is an increasingly serious threat in today’s world, affecting individuals, businesses, governments, and organizations of all types. Anyone who uses the internet or stores digital data is at risk of cyberattacks. Without proper cybersecurity measures, consequences can range from identity theft, financial loss, and reputational damage to operational disruptions, legal liabilities, and compromised sensitive information.
How does cybersecurity work?
At its core, cybersecurity includes technologies, processes, and practices designed to secure networks, devices, and data before cybercriminals or malicious software can exploit them. However, an organization’s employees also play a critical role in this defense. When employees are trained and aware of potential threats, they become an integral part of the cybersecurity layer, working alongside these tools to create a comprehensive defense mechanism that keeps sensitive information safe from cybercriminals.