Top 7 IT Security Myths

Cybersecurity myths along with poor PC practices are amongst the main causes of most data breaches today.

It’s the lack of knowhow and awareness that contributes the most to these myths. If you or an organization you’re a part of believe in or adhere to any of the many misconceptions about online security, it’s in your best interest to update and inform yourself.

When it comes to security, cybersecurity stands firmly as an integral component of that, however, it’s the myths people want to stay clear of, as user are misled into believing falsehoods. Below you will find 7 security myths debunked.

1. More Protection Equals More Cybersecurity Tools

One of the biggest cybersecurity myths that’s been around for some time now, is the belief that having more security tools means, you’re more secure. Acquiring new tools isn’t something you should focus on, at first. What you want to do, is put all your efforts into meeting your cybersecurity requirements, then look for the tools that help you achieve that.

When it comes to properly securing your presence online, you want to make sure you’re only investing in the right things. You want to focus more on what the tools are capable of, rather than on how many of them you can actually acquire. When these strategies are properly implemented, they can help an organisation better adapt to the inevitable changes inherent to cybersecurity.

2. Cybersecurity Is A Simple One and Done Commitment

Cybersecurity is a topic that most people are unfamiliar with, so the mentality is typically, hire a security professional, use long complex passwords, and install firewall and antivirus software on every device. It’s at this point, most people believe that all their security needs have been met.

However, this is rarely ever the case. Cyberattacks are constant, consistent and forever evolving, with new innovative and sophisticated methods that are designed to get around your security, coming out on an almost constant basis. You’re cybersecurity efforts are a continuous process, one, that, for a company, would require the effort of every employee. The main objective should be to audit, monitor and create policies and new security tools so that you’re always a step ahead of any and all new threats that hit the scene.

3. It Is Easy To Detect a Security Breach

Many people operate under the misconception that they will be able to very easily tell when their system has been infected with a malicious file, with intermittent and sluggish system performance, leading to slower loading times, pop-up ads, and the occasional random crash. While, all of these things were true, just a decade or so ago, today, that is no longer the case. According to data compiled by IBM, it took the average company around 200 days to spot a data breach in the year 2020, with the average time from identification to containment of the malicious threat being more than 270 days. Which means, a virus can be lingering on your system, causing havoc for almost a year, before it’s identified and removed.

In the vast majority of cases, hackers want to remain undetected, so that they can carry out their nefarious activities for as long as possible.

4. Cyber Insurance Eliminates Risk

This kind of insurance will only cover damages to your business resources, however, it can’t cover any damages that may result from sensitive data being leaked.

It doesn’t cover any damages or costs that a company would be forced to mete out, in the event of a data breach, resulting in stolen customer data. And if the attack is derivative, liability costs will be even more.

Cyber insurance, in truth, will not protect you from the kind of damages you really need protection from. A vast majority of these cybersecurity insurance policies come with their own clauses, which could result in them not paying out anything, depending on the circumstances and nature of the breach.

5. You Can Automate Everything

When you have automated cybersecurity notifications in place, it will alert you to any breaches. However, in today’s arena, such tools aren’t nearly as effective and cybercriminals have developed methods of getting around such security measures.

Automation isn’t capable of eliminating threats that can occur due to lack of knowhow on the part of the employees. Furthermore, it’s possible for you to strengthen your cybersecurity efforts by using artificial intelligence.

If you want all round protection, then you’ll need a dedicated cybersecurity team in place, as they will be able to combat what automation cannot. In addition, you’d want the correct usage of security tools, routine audits, system-wide compliance, as well as third-party risk assessment, as they can all help in minimising threats.

6. Secure Only the Apps That Are Online

One thing is true, that the apps that are online, should be secured, with over 30% of all web applications being considered amounts the highest risks when it comes to security vulnerabilities. However, if you opt to focus solely on these apps, then it can leave you vulnerable to insider threats, such as issues that can arise from employee mistakes, i.e. installing an infected flash drive into a company machine.

7. Cybersecurity Threats Are Always External

That goes without saying, your main threats are always going to come from outside, especially to any organisation. But despite that reality, it doesn’t mean you should adopt the attitude that internal threats are non-existent, that they aren’t of any real concern. Current statistics puts the percentage of internal threats at 30%. These internal incidents can be the result of a number of things, from the malicious intent of a resentful employer, to simple ignorance on the part of the employees due to poorly implement cybersecurity measures. It’s very important that you make yourself hip to every kind of attack you can fall prey to. Internet attacks are a real possibility, and the sooner you realise that, the better. As it will ensure deterrents can be put in place, to at the very least minimise issues.

AUTHOR INFO

Uchenna Ani-Okoye is a former IT Manager who now runs his own computer support website https://www.compuchenna.co.uk.