Discussion – Cyber Threats

Discussion – Cyber Threats

Looking at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) “Cyber Threat Source Descriptions” webpage maintained by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, it is clear that small businesses and organizations must be on the lookout for various cyber threats. There are three categories of security risks that they need to be ready to counter or lessen, including phishing attacks, ransomware, and insider threats.

Phishing Attacks

Phishing attacks rank among the most common and harmful online dangers. They use dishonest methods to coerce people into disclosing private information, credit card details, login passwords, and other sensitive data (Dhirani 21). In addition to establishing reliable email filtering systems, small businesses and organizations should train their staff to spot phishing emails. Regular training sessions and simulated phishing exercises might be beneficial to increase awareness and enhance response readiness.

Ransomware

Attacks using ransomware have increased recently, resulting in significant financial losses and delays to operations. Cybercriminals encrypt a victim’s files or systems with malicious software in these attacks, then demand a ransom in exchange for the decryption key. Small businesses must ensure that their critical data is frequently backed up and stored offline safely. To identify and stop ransomware infestations, they should also use sophisticated endpoint protection solutions, enforce strict access rules, and update software often.

Insider Threats

Insider threats are when workers, contractors, or business partners—current or former—misuse their rights and access to undermine an organization’s security. This can include deeds that lead to security issues or data breaches, whether they are deliberate or not (Ghelani n.p). Strict access controls, extensive background checks, and frequent user activity monitoring should all be implemented by small organizations. Insider threats can also be reduced by teaching staff members about security best practices and fostering a security-aware culture.

In conclusion, companies and small businesses must be ready to prevent ransomware, phishing scams, and insider threats. To protect against these common cyber threats, it is imperative to put in place a multi-layered security plan that incorporates preventative measures, technology solutions, and education.

Works Cited

Dhirani, Lubna Luxmi, Eddie Armstrong, and Thomas Newe. “Industrial IoT, cyber threats, and standards landscape: Evaluation and roadmap.” Sensors 21.11 (2021): 3901.

Ghelani, Diptiben. “Cyber security, cyber threats, implications and future perspectives: A Review.” Authorea Preprints (2022). Retrieved from https://www.cisa.gov/

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Access and review the information on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) “Cyber Threat Source Descriptions” web page. From this information, what do you foresee as three types of security threats that small businesses and organizations should prepare to defend against or mitigate?
Your discussion posting in each lesson has two parts, each of which is scored separately but in one point total.
1. Your main discussion posting is a response to the question or request made by the discussion description. Your response must be at least 75 words in length, not including any quoted or sourced content, such as cutting and pasting from other sources.