Cyber Threat Landscape Overview

Even though government-sponsored attacks have gained widespread media attention, cyberattacks from independent Threat Actors and Ransomware Groups continue to be a growing concern for small to medium-sized businesses. Factors like budget and IT staff limitations can leave small businesses vulnerable to cyberattacks. Not only is this harmful to your business, but it will also disrupt the flow of your daily operations, which diverts your attention away from the essential tasks of your organization.

The Semperlinc Team has compiled a list of cybersecurity measures that small and medium-sized businesses can utilize to protect the IT infrastructure, critical data, and assets.

Process of A Cyber Attack

Threat Actors utilize phishing campaigns to access business-critical infrastructure such as servers and employees’ computers. Phishing is a type of scam that tricks people into clicking links that appear legitimate but are malicious, and clicking the link infects the employee’s device with malware. Once infected, the malicious code will spread across the organization by encrypting all platforms, making them unavailable and disrupting operations.

In addition to encrypting an organization’s platforms, Threat Actors expose employees’ Personal Identifiable Information to the Internet or the Dark Web. The Dark Web is only accessible through special software that allows the Threat Actors to remain anonymous and untraceable. The intention is to publish stolen data from the victims if the hacked organization chooses not to pay up in exchange for decryption. Hackers will use decryptor keys to unlock the files.

Adopt a Cybersecurity Framework

Adopting a cybersecurity framework protects and prepares an organization’s critical data, platforms, and applications from unintended or unauthorized access, malicious change, or destruction. When done right, this framework should optimize business operations, protect intellectual property, and, more importantly, protect your valuable assets. There is no cookie-cutter protocol for businesses that are adopting a cybersecurity framework. However, the framework should align with the organization’s goals.

Here are three principles that are useful for starting off:

1. Institute a roadmap to harden the organization’s overall cybersecurity security footprint, including vulnerability testing, security scanning, and immediate patching known vulnerabilities on all servers and computers.
2. Adopt and embrace a culture of heightened awareness toward cybersecurity and the current threat landscape, including education sessions and employee phishing testing.
3. Plan and prepare in case of a cyberattack by implementing an incident response plan aligned with the organization’s business continuity plan.

Prevention and Preparations Tips:

Here are some additional tips to help you in preventing these incidents from occurring:

• Enforce a firm password policy and enforce multi-factor authentication wherever possible.
• Secure business Wi-Fi Networks with strong passwords.
• Use highly reputable anti-malware and antivirus software.
• Use highly reputable backup software or platforms to back up all critical platforms and data.
• Turn on the automatic software update feature on all computers, mobile, and other connected devices wherever possible and pragmatic.
• Refrain from opening untrusted links and email attachments without verifying their authenticity.
• Use a reputed Service Provider that provides managed security, detected, and response services and internet security software.

Our Mission

The Semperlinc Team is committed to providing our clients with innovative solutions which allow them to focus on their core business operations. This is achieved through a highly efficient and secure cybersecurity solution that aims to provide stellar service to our clients. STRIKE is our specialized response team created to combat attacks from hackers. The team is proficient in restoring all critical applications and platforms. We act swiftly, so that your business isn’t experiencing too much downtime.