The growing prevalence of cyber security concerns in today's workforce
Modern businesses are forced to address a host of challenging issues that simply did not exist a handful of years ago. Not only must they find ways to cater to a global marketplace, but they need to ensure that daily operations run smoothly and without any technical hiccups. This is often easier said than done, as such requirements involve a synergy of experience and expertise. One particular concern which has gained a significant amount of attention in recent times involves cyber security. What threats currently exist, what hurdles will businesses need to face and how are they adapting?
Virtual Concerns Translated into Real-World Environments
Some of the most recent statistics behind these emerging threats is truly staggering. For instance:
- More than 1.94 billion personal records were compromised between 2017 and 2018 (so far).
- 75 per cent of these attackers were caused by external hacking.
- 71 per cent of companies within the United States alone have reported at least one breach during the past 12 months.
It is only logical to assume that these very same figures are just as applicable when referring to the UK marketplace. Spyware, malware, Trojan attacks and "phishing" are now very real risks. What is even more interesting is that while such instances tended to be limited to larger corporations in the past, they are now trickling down to small- and medium-sized enterprises. Why is this the case?
Attacking the Weakest Links
Large organisations such as Google and Amazon (generally) have robust cyber security measures in place. So, it only stands to reason that hackers and other malicious entities do not want to risk discovery by trying to breach such professional firewalls. They are instead now turning their attention to other firms which are either less capable of dealing with such threats or simply less aware of the dangers that they pose. Such opportunities are as attractive as honey to a bear. The good news is that things are beginning to change.
Ground-Up Training for Professional Personnel
Knowledge is power. This maxim will translate directly into the modern business community. Firms need to be made fully aware of the threats posed by online attacks and similar data breaches. This is why managers and stakeholders are now investing a significant amount of time in education. A thorough cyber security course will serve a number of benefits. It illustrates the vulnerabilities of an organisation and in turn, they can be countered. Such seminars also teach employees how to spot symptoms of potential data theft or corruption. IT departments and similar staff members will likewise be taught the ways in which the security of their organisation can be improved.
It seems as if the concept of cyber security is similar to a game of cat and mouse. As new threats emerge, professionals will need to find additional methods to thwart their effects. Informative courses and proactive approaches are two of the best ways to make certain that such progress occurs.
