The world of cybersecurity is one that’s never “finished,” per se – threats and the approaches we take to avoid those threats are constantly shifting and evolving, and each passing year seems to come with new trends here. What are some of the key areas that businesses and other entities are paying some of the closest attention to in the year 2023?
At Elevated Networks, our IT and telecom solutions feature a huge range of programs provided to Salt Lake City businesses, from cybersecurity to connectivity, cloud services, IOT, managed print, and much more. We take a proactive approach to assisting our clients with cybersecurity needs, helping them address potential threats and take steps to prevent them ahead of time. What are some of the key risks facing businesses in today’s cybersecurity settings, and which approaches should you be closely considering to limit them? Let’s take a look.
Increasing Mobile Attacks
One area that’s already been on a major rise in recent years, and is expected to continue doing so in 2023, is the threat of mobile attacks. As more and more businesses start to adopt a mobile-first approach, allowing employees to work remotely or access sensitive materials via their phones or tablets, the need for comprehensive protection against malicious actors is becoming increasingly important.
Investing in reliable malware scanning technology for all devices connected to your network should be a top priority, as well as ensuring your employees have received the proper training to spot any suspicious emails or links. You should also be sure to keep your mobile applications and devices regularly updated, as this can help minimize the chances of a successful attack.
Other Smart Devices
Another major risk in 2023 is the threat of malicious actors accessing other “smart” devices connected to your network, such as voice assistants, medical equipment or even smart TVs. Such devices tend to have weak security protocols and are often targeted by hackers for this reason.
It’s vital that you implement strong cybersecurity measures for any of these smart devices connected to your network, such as robust firewalls and encryption technologies. You should also consider disabling any unnecessary features that your devices may have and setting up a regular schedule to review the security settings on these devices.
Cloud Security
Cloud storage is becoming increasingly popular among businesses of all sizes – and presents its own unique set of risks. It’s important to ensure that your cloud storage is adequately protected from malicious actors, as this is often a prime target for cyber-attacks.
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to mitigate the chance of a successful attack on your cloud storage. Make sure your security protocols are up to date and use multi-factor authentication whenever possible. Additionally, you should establish clear policies for your cloud storage and make sure all employees are aware of them.
Finally, be sure to back up any data stored in the cloud regularly, as this will help minimize the chances of losing crucial information in case of an attack.
Larger DDoS Attacks Than Ever
The realm of DDoS attacks, which refer to attempts to overwhelm a system or network with traffic from multiple sources, is not a new one – but is expected to become even more serious in 2023. These attacks can cause major disruptions and downtime if not properly addressed – potentially resulting in millions of dollars lost in revenue and productivity.
To help mitigate the chances of such an attack occurring, it’s important to invest in reliable DDoS protection and regularly scan your networks for any vulnerabilities. You should also maintain a detailed log of all incoming traffic and suspicious activities, as this can help you quickly identify any potential attacks.
Problems With Third-Party Access
We mentioned the cloud above, and one related risk is the possibility of malicious actors gaining access to your systems via third-party vendors. It’s important that you have a comprehensive understanding of the security protocols employed by any third-party vendors you use and verify that these measures are in place before allowing them access to your networks or data.
You should also keep an up-to-date record of your vendors and the services they provide, as well as regularly review their security protocols to ensure that they stay up-to-date with the latest threats.
As you can see, cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field – and one of the key things businesses must do in 2023 is remain diligent and aware of the ever-changing threat landscape. By staying up-to-date with the latest trends and taking proactive steps to protect yourself, you can help ensure that your business is safe from any potential cyber threats.
For more on this vital area, or to learn about any of our other IT and telecom solutions for clients in Salt Lake City or nearby areas, speak to our dedicated team at Elevated Networks. We’re standing by to assist you today!
