Posts in category: Cybersecurity

In a world of digital-centric approaches, digital frauds have risen over time, especially with the COVID-19 outbreak. Worldwide, the escalating threats of ransomware attacks made the digital world and its operations anxious as untold numbers of digital frauds and rising stories of digital scams made Americans lose $13.4 million. Just hold tight, even Google claims that they are up to confront almost 240 million spam messages daily with viruses and frauds to extend the digital frauds. Organizations can contact professionally IT managed services provider to handle ransomware attacks.

What Exactly Is Ransomware?

Gone are the days when robbers physically came to the houses or banks and stole whatever they wanted to do. In 2023, the entire game is different, and robbery turns into a ‘Digital Heist,’ and robbers become ‘Cyber Attackers.’ The information could be fascinating as a fictional story, but it has dark sides. 

Along with modern techniques and digital approaches, cyber attackers know how to do digital heists sophisticatedly and target businesses, individuals, or organizations to utilize their networks, information, etc. 

Ransomware typically employs encryption or elevated access controls and prevents users from accessing their information, cloud services, or workstations. After the ransomware attack, the users must pay some amount to regain access. It’s not a robbery film script but a hard reality of today’s digital world. 

A single wrong click may lead the users or organizations towards situations where they have to pay a significant amount of money as ransomware. Beware of infected links to stay away from hackers from your organization and systems.

So, Where Exactly Did Ransomware Pop Out From? 

It’s been 30 years since the first ransomware attack. In 1989, After the World Health Organization’s AIDS conference, fearlessly, a genius Harvard-educated biologist named Joseph L. Popp sent out 20,000 floppy disks to all the lucky attendees. He was actually dissing, not disking out like a pro.

The entire packaging even claimed that the disks contained a questionnaire to assess the chances of contracting HIV. The next part is more enjoyable when a message suddenly appears on users’ screens demanding them to mail $189 to a P.O. box in Panama to regain file access. The idea of ransomware was raised in Russia and spread worldwide in Europe and the USA; even hackers started using the malicious extortion software.

Ransomware Turns Businesses Into A Hot Mess

Did you know? The average ransomware amount in 2023 skyrocketed to a staggering $1.54 million, leaving the previous year’s $812,380 in the dust. Check out how ransomware affects business in so many ways in no time.

• Exposure or loss of 
• Service interruption.
• Decline in productivity.
• Loss of revenue.
• Damage corporate reputation.
• Decreased employee morale.
• Loss of customer trust and loyalty.
• Future attacks threats.

Understanding the Mechanics Behind a Ransomware Attack

• The attackers have dispatched a deceptive email with malicious intentions.
• The user is presented with a link and proceeds to click on it.
• Malware unloads and runs its code.
• The attackers acquire control of the “public key” necessary for encrypting files.
• The files become encrypted, and the user is given a ransomware screen.
• The attacker typically requests ransomware payment in the form of Bitcoin.
• The attacker may provide the “private (decryption) key when the ransom is paid.

Potential Targets of Ransomware Attacks

Attackers, with their arrogant and egotistical attitudes, fear no one. They are relentless in their pursuit of fulfilling their desires, stopping at nothing to target and attack any organization. Well, certain industries are always in the target zones of cyber attackers;

• Education.
• Construction and property.
• Central and federal government.
• Media, entertainment and leisure.
• Local and state government.
• Retail.
• Energy and utilities infrastructure.
• Distribution and transport.
• Financial services.
• Business, professional and legal services.
• Healthcare.
• Manufacturing and production.
• IT, technology and telecom.

Annual Malware Attacks Count (Billions) 

• 2015:    8.19
• 2016:    7.87
• 2017:    8.62
• 2018:    10.52
• 2019:     9.91

How To Confront The Rising Threats Of Ransomware Attacks

Here are some mind-blowing steps to prevent the rising ransomware threats and save your businesses. Sensitive information and a large amount of money without being trapped or digitally fooled. 

Back-Up Is The Best Way  

Always have a decentralized backup that could easily be used and then disconnected. External physical backups such as hard drives or online/cloud-based backups allow organizations to power down and again restore data from the previous backup; no worries, even if your system is being hacked or gets threats of ransomware. Backup is the best way to run your business smoothly and experience seamless recovery.

Use Endpoint Detection and Response Software (EDR) 

EDR is a full-fledged and advanced threat protection software. It’s not like antivirus, as antiviruses only protect against known threats; however, EDR is an expert in detecting and responding to stop emerging attacks. It helps organizations to see malicious behaviour signs and works by collecting data from workstations.

Test Your Backup And Recovery Plans

Why don’t you test your backup files and have recovery plans? You can’t afford the loss of your systems, organizational data, and cloud services at stake. To tackle this problem and avoid ransomware attacks, you can return to a previous restore point and ensure your backup is all good and working fine. And you know what? The same applies to your disaster recovery plans if you have any.

Keep Personal Information Out of Emails

Social engineering is the clever technique cyber attackers employ to breach servers. Don’t leave sensitive communications or personal information in emails; it invites cyber attacks. Safeguard your organization by staying one step ahead and avoiding the 100% success rate of phishing emails.

Employee Awareness Program

Regularly organizing employee awareness programs is a great idea to educate and empower your team against ransomware, phishing emails, and the significance of safe browsing habits. Training your teams on handling accidental falls for phishing scams or suspicious emails can further protect them from ransomware attacks. Stay vigilant and keep your organization safe.

Enhanced Security Measures

Traditional cybersecurity measures can identify only familiar forms of ransomware, whereas cutting-edge protection technologies can safeguard against more sophisticated attacks. Consider exploring advanced tools and strategies like extended detection and response (XDR), managed detection and response, Secure Access Service Edge, SIEM, user and entity behaviour analytics, zero-trust security, and cyber deception to strengthen defences.

Tools for Behavior Analysis

Behaviour analysis tools such as AI, machine learning, big data, and analytics to counter abnormal and malicious behaviour from attackers. This could be achieved by comparing real-time data to the organization’s typical patterns and standard operating procedures. The organization can benefit from this tool by improving the detection of sophisticated cyber threats and reducing false positives.

Conclusion Of The Day

Ransomware attacks have become a popular choice for cyber attackers. However, only IT-managed service providers and their skilled professionals possess the expertise to handle these threats effectively. The practices we have shared are essential for safeguarding your organization against cyber attacks, ensuring smooth operations, seamless customer experiences, and increased ROI.

Hacking is the word that makes people scared and insecure. Still, it has something to do with businesses, especially in the digital age. If we go through the digital brands and their business modules, sometimes they need to be more balanced in terms of sales, strategies, marketing, and cyber defenses. Security comes first for any business because secure business practices and managed security service providers are necessary for businesses to have secure and straightforward business growth.

What Is Penetration Testing In The Digital Age?

Security is the key to keeping things private from the outside world. There are several ways discovered to make businesses smooth and reliable, primarily focusing on security purposes. To secure business from cyberattacks, here we go with ethical hacking, aka ‘Pen Test,’ a kind of ethical hacking used by IT professionals to determine the weak areas of business security. Let’s have a look at penetration testing and its overall positive effects on businesses in the digital world.

The Users Of Penetration Testing And It’s Dynamics For Businesses 

Companies that aim to maintain their business modules by implementing advanced technologies utilize penetration testing. IT professionals create strategies through ethical hacking procedures to identify the weaknesses of the company’s computer systems, sensitive data, networking, and web application processes. It is one of the dynamic approaches to determine the business vulnerabilities by doing ‘Pen Test’ (ethical hacking) to make the businesses more robust, secure, and unbreachable.

Types Of Penetration Services

There are three major types of Penetration Testing. Every level provides different kinds of information to the tester according to the desired needs. 

White Box 

White Box testing provides information regarding the organization’s networking capabilities and helps in determining the secure infrastructure of the products or services. 

Black Box 

Black Box testing provides deep information regarding the organization’s problems, bugs and issues that must be solved as a priority. 

Gray Box 

Gray Box testing is the hybrid of White Box and Black Box that solely provides knowledge to ethical hackers regarding systematic knowledge ranging from low-level credentials to weak infrastructure characteristics by exposing the major functionality problems. 

What Kind Of Business Can Utilize Penetration Testing?

It is not associated with some specific businesses; however, any organization can easily implement penetration testing and evaluate how safe the organization’s IT environment is. It helps businesses look out for vulnerabilities that are breachable by unauthorized persons, hackers, competitors, etc. It provides businesses with the actual knowledge of cyber-attacks on various business operations. 

Companies with sensitive information, such as financial businesses, healthcare sectors, and some government sectors, hold sensitive information. Also, the digital industry and digital brands solely rely on their digital assets such as websites, web portals, and web applications to generate more considerable revenues. In this domain, you can consider e-commerce, SaaS-based companies, and media companies. 

Companies that have already experienced cyber attacks also utilize the power of the ‘Pen Test’ to make their business security stronger.

Some Major Benefits of Penetration Testing In The Business Sector

Penetration testing helps businesses make the security flowcharts stronger by fixing the flaws and weak entry areas. After having penetration testing, some companies work on their security systems by reinventing their security systems from point A to Z. It makes their security defended and sheltered from cyber attacks and indicates them not to revise the same mistakes they had made in the past.

• Simply, companies redesign their software and systems to eliminate all sorts of dangers and security flaws. Pen Test ensures companies can easily achieve their security goals and bring out the best in their security purposes. 

• Pen Test also helps organizations fix the open areas where hackers and unauthorized persons can easily breach and utilize their sensitive data by crossing the borderline. 

• It also helps organizations to identify the power of controls over the security software. 

• It provides digital support to companies with data privacy requirements and security instructions (e.g., PCI DSS, HIPAA, GDPR)

A Glimpse Of Pros And Cons Of Penetration Testing In The Digital Sector

• Penetration testing is the best way to determine and efficiently resolve companies’ system vulnerabilities and attacked areas.
• It helps organizations gain actual insights and fix security issues in their digital systems. 

• It makes the company more robust and creates a strong image in the eyes of the customers.

• It saves the company’s sensitive data and overall assets and prevents it from cyberattacks, no matter how strong they are trying to breach the security lines. 

• It helps the company to work according to the prior security measures and run the systems smoothly. 

It would help if you also considered some cons of penetration testing, as it also comes with negative outcomes. Sometimes mistakes can cost you a lot because sometimes IT professionals make repetitive mistakes instead of determining and fixing the issues. Penetration testing can make you lose sensitive data and information that can easily encourage hackers to do cyberattacks continuously without any fear. Some IT professionals don’t have enough knowledge of penetration testing tactics and they might leave loopholes.  It can easily expose the company’s data and networking practices to cyber hackers to inform them of weak penetration testing actions.

Security Is Responsibility For Productive Change

In today’s digital world, businesses rely on penetration testing and focus on requiring regular security assessments. Penetration testing allows organizations to fulfil compliance requirements by confirming a commitment to maintaining robust cybersecurity measures. It is also responsible for building security awareness by mitigating cyber attacks and preserving a secure environment.

Penetration testing enables organizations to constantly enhance their cybersecurity stance for productive change towards successful endeavours. Once the IT professionals identify the shortcomings, penetration testing allows them to overcome the cyber threat and grow smoothly.

Penetration Testing: Vital For Digital Brands

Penetration testing is like a heartbeat of digital brands, confirming their pulse remains active in the face of cybersecurity threats. By actively finding weaknesses through penetration testing, digital brands can strengthen their defences, safeguard client trust, and find the safest digital landscape with confidence and resilience. Digital brands must go through the ‘Pen Test’ to have a competitive advantage by exhibiting a dedication to cybersecurity excellence and safeguarding their sensitive user data. That is why organizations must embrace email security best practices to be the king of the digital throne.

Email Security Best Practices: Safeguarding Your Business Communications

Social media is the best medium to reach the 5.3 billion internet users worldwide; emails are still considered the backbone of digital businesses. Every time we log in to new applications, websites, and software, they demand our email addresses, but I wonder why. Because it is the safest and most secure medium of communication without making things complex.Brands need to adopt professional services as a priority and execute their business procedures through email security best practices to sidestep cyber attacks.

Still, In the digital age, email security must be considered a priority when it comes to securing businesses and their sensitive data. The digital age has adopted many cybersecurity systems, but still, emails may pose some cybersecurity threats for any business. Stealers always strive to be innovative and find a way to take advantage, so the housekeeper must have the best locks to keep the robbery at bay, no matter if it’s physical or digital. 

Cyber attackers come up with techniques for breaching the organization’s security through email routes, such as sending ransomware, spam, and viruses. Still, digital brands do not need to worry because they can win this heist game by implementing email security best practices and reducing the risk factors.

Why Is Email Security Important In Today’s Digital Age?

In an evolving digital landscape, email security holds the responsibility in protecting sensitive data from cyber threats and ensures a seamless communication flow. Email security helps organizations to protect itself from unauthorized access, data breaches, phishing attacks, ransomware, viruses, and financial loss. It helps organizations in maintaining regulatory compliance and protecting corporate reputation. 

With the prevalence of remote-working and continuous increased digital communication and operations, implementing email security practices is vital to save confidential emails. Innovative organizations always utilize the dynamics and importance of email security to run their businesses without fear of being leaked or hacked.

In 2023, there are so many innovative and dynamic email security practices that digital brands are utilizing to safeguard their sensitive assets. We have shared the best practices here to enhance your knowledge so anyone can easily use these practices according to their primary business needs.

• It Is A Good Idea To Strengthen Your Password Stronger Like Superman

If you are running a digital business, don’t think like a child who doesn’t care when it comes to choosing passwords. When it comes to securing your assets, here are some tips to make your passwords stronger than ever. 

Your passwords must have these characteristics as a priority. 

• Your password must contain at least more than 12 characters
• Your passwords must contain Upper and lowercase letters
• It must have numbers and special characters

Tip Of The Moment: 

You can set various passwords for your various digital devices or mediums. It will stop the cyber attackers from accessing your entire data. 

Password Example: NeWyOrkCity@Am3rica321

• Authentic wifi Networks Is Your Savior

Do not trust public wifi connections because public wifi connections are weak and like a window for hackers to breach your sensitive information. Always rely on a secured and trustworthy wifi network to keep things secure for your business desires. It is good if it has WPA protection, whether you are running a digital branding agency or working at home on a fiction novel; using a secured VPN service could add some security chunks, too.

• Antivirus Software Is The Best Choice For Security Purposes

Always install antivirus software to maximize your asset’s protection. Antivirus works as a security guard, indicating the companies or users regarding suspicious emails. It has the ability to block Trojans, viruses, and spyware before you click on those suspicious links you received [especially in spam folders].

• Don’t Be A Digital Fool Because Phishing Emails Are Intimidating

In 2020, consumers reported losing over $3.3 billion to fraud, with a notable increase in online scams. Sometimes, we receive emails from authentic resources like banks, service providers, insurance companies, discount coupons, and mortgage companies to catch our attention at first sight. Sadly, users are asked to share their personal information when they click on the links. After sharing their personal data, users can receive viruses and cyberattacks and lose their sensitive data. So don’t let cyberattackers or hackers make you a digital fool and have anti virus softwares to avoid these digital mistakes.

• Encrypted Connections Can Save You From Digital Fraud 

Have you ever realized why Whatsapp uses end-to-end encryption? It is to ensure users that the information they share is secure and just between them; no third party can listen and access that conversation or communication. 

Tip of the moment: 

Public networks like coffee shops, restaurants, airports, and shopping malls are unsecured. Ensure that you are using an encrypted connection to make your emails more secure and safeguard you from cyber attacks.

• Take A Moment Before You Click

Sometimes, we need to think before doing unimportant things, too. We should consider suspicious emails seriously. Sometimes, hackers play with the user’s mind and send emails that contain phishing scams. Sometimes, they use the familiar email addresses of familiar colleagues or organizations to trick users. 

This kind of email has ‘Greedy Content’ such as free downloads and gift hampers. When you see these kinds of suspicious emails, always consider these things before clicking. Do you know the sender? Do you expect this email to include some attachments? Do you feel off regarding these emails? You can save your emails from the significant digital harms that can easily make you lose sensitive data.

• Staff Training Regarding Email Security Best Practices

Your staff also falls in the first row of soldiers that run your business’s operations. As a business owner, it is best to train your employees regarding the best email security practices to help them easily tackle and identify cyberattacks or email threats as the priority. Making employees aware of email security practices and security-related workshops can save your company from the cyberattacks your organization receives through emails.

Email Security Is Advantageous For Organizations 

We can name ‘Email Security’ as a strategic edge for organizations. By enforcing these practices, organizations can protect their data from cyber threats like phishing and malware by ensuring better communication without compromising. On the other hand, organizations can use some secure email alternatives, have various email accounts, review email security and privacy settings, experience customer trust, and update security and antivirus software to ease the tension of email security threats. 

The article intends to give organizations an idea to invest in professional services and keep them updated with the best email security practices to avoid hacking activities on organizations’ servers and email inboxes. Have a happy email ahead! 

Business Impact Analysis (BIA) is a crucial professional service process that helps businesses understand the potential effects of disruptions on their operations. It is essential to an organization’s risk management strategy, allowing businesses to identify critical functions and prioritize their resources to mitigate potential risks.

The importance of BIA cannot be overstated. By undertaking this process, businesses can:

Identify critical functions: BIA helps businesses identify the essential functions of their operations. By understanding these functions, businesses can prioritize and allocate their resources accordingly.

Determine the impact of disruptions: BIA helps businesses understand the potential impact of disruptions on their operations. This information can be used to develop contingency plans and minimize the impact of disruptions.

Develop recovery strategies: BIA helps businesses develop recovery strategies to restore operations after a disruption. This can include identifying alternate locations, Data backup systems, and communication channels.

Minimize financial losses: BIA helps businesses minimize financial losses by identifying the potential costs associated with disruptions. This information can be used to develop cost-effective recovery strategies and ensure business continuity.

Critical areas of IT Managed Services Provider to focus on during BIA

During BIA, businesses should focus on the following critical areas:

Business functions: Identify the critical functions essential to the business’s operations. This includes identifying the key personnel, processes, and systems necessary to maintain business continuity.

Dependencies: Identify the dependencies between different functions and systems. This includes identifying the interdependencies between different business units, suppliers, and customers.

Recovery time objectives: Identify each critical function’s recovery time objectives (RTO). This includes identifying the maximum acceptable downtime for each function and developing recovery strategies accordingly.

Data backup and recovery: Identify the critical data that needs to be backed up and develop recovery strategies to restore this data in the event of a disruption.

How Graphene Technology’s professional services can help Graphene Technologies services can help businesses with their BIA process in the following ways:

Expertise: Graphene Technologies has a team of experts with experience in conducting BIAs for businesses across various industries.

Tools and technology: Graphene Technologies uses state-of-the-art tools and technology to conduct BIA, ensuring accurate and reliable results.

Customization: Graphene Technologies can customize the BIA process through its IT consulting services to meet the specific needs of each business, ensuring that the critical areas are appropriately addressed.

Follow-up support: Graphene Technologies provides follow-up support to businesses to ensure that the BIA results are effectively implemented.

Conclusion: In conclusion, undertaking a BIA is a critical part of professional services for businesses to ensure they can maintain operations in the face of potential disruptions. Businesses can develop effective recovery strategies and minimize financial losses by identifying critical functions, dependencies, recovery time objectives, and data backup and recovery. Graphene Technologies services can help businesses with their BIA process by providing expertise, tools and technology, customization, and follow-up support. So, don’t wait any longer, and contact Graphene Technologies services today to ensure your business is ready for any potential disruptions.