Top 5 Cyber Security myths

Last week, the Las Vegas hotel and casino giant, MGM Resorts confirmed it was victim to a cyberattack and data breach incident that will cost them an estimated $100 million.

Is your business secure? Here are 5 Cyber Security myths that could end up costing you big.

Myth 1 — Cyber Security is (only) IT's job

IT undoubtedly play a central role in implementing Cyber Security solutions; however, the reality is that cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and subtle. A particularly effective tactic is targeting individual employees. In many cases, the phishing emails we see today are almost indistinguishable from official company communications. Unless employees are adequately prepared to recognize these threats, your organization remains vulnerable.

Therefore, it is crucial that your company's management takes responsibility for Cyber Security and implements a comprehensive company-wide security policy to address all relevant risks.

To achieve this, you may be interested in the ISC2 Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) certification. This accelerated course can help your team keep on top of the latest Cloud Security topics, protecting your company's data from breaches. Find out more.

Myth 2 — Hackers only target big companies

Small companies may not be covered by the media, but they're attractive targets!

In fact, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting small and medium-sized businesses because they often have fewer financial resources to invest in Cyber Security solutions. According to research by the Ponemon Institute, 61% of small and medium-sized businesses were victims of cyberattacks last year.

Cybercriminals are opportunistic, and smaller companies in particular often have more security holes that can be exploited. Therefore, hackers prefer this approach where they can break into a larger number of small to medium-sized companies with less effort.

If you're facing this issue, one course that may benefit your team is the EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). What better way to identify a company's vulnerabilities than to penetrate its Cyber Security measures yourself? Find out more.

Myth 3 — Firewalls and Antivirus Software alone guarantee protection against hackers

Firewalls and Antivirus Software are good tools; however, when used on their own, they can't completely protect you. What they do is block threats, but newly developed viruses or Trojans can penetrate unnoticed, whether through clicking a link or saving an e-mail attachment.

A holistic security concept requires more than just technical solutions. Sensitized employees are a crucial factor. The safety of a chain ultimately depends on its weakest link.

Hackers are constantly looking for vulnerabilities, be it in applications or in the human psyche. If they manage to successfully manipulate an employee, this can open access to the network and render all security measures ineffective. In addition, they can exploit vulnerabilities in applications if companies do not regularly install software updates.

To deal with this issue, we recommend you research the Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies certification (SCOR 350-701) by tech giant Cisco. It can help your team develop the skills to implement core security technologies such as network, cloud and content security. Find out more.

Myth 4 — More security measures mean greater security

When you're on a plane, do you wear a helmet?

Having more security measures in place doesn't automatically mean better security. Security measures work best when they're adapted to individual requirements and specific risk profiles. 

In companies, employees, processes and technologies must complement each other in order to build effective protection against cyber attacks. Regularly take stock of your company's threat situation and implement protective measures that address them specifically.

If this issue is on your mind, your team might benefit from the ISC2 Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP) certification. This course helps them incorporate all security practices into the software development lifecycle, from authentication to verification, for all-round peace of mind. Find out more.

Myth 5 — Once-a-year safety training is enough to protect employees

This sounds like something Homer Simpson would say.

The main method used in cyberattacks is social engineering. It typically involves psychological manipulation and is often used by cybercriminals to trick unsuspecting users into disclosing sensitive information, infecting their computers with malicious software, or opening dangerous websites.

As these scams are constantly evolving, a single, annual Cyber Security training session is simply not enough to keep up with them; you need ongoing Cyber Security training. In addition, you need to ensure ongoing monitoring of compliance with Cyber Security measures so policies don't become ineffective.

The good part is that this training can be fun. You can use engaging videos, real-world scenarios, quizzes, and real-world phishing simulation tests to ensure your team can spot attacks at first glance.

For example, using MetaLearning Fusion, you can create customized e-learning courses for your team; the courses can be individually branded to make the content even more relevant.

If you're looking for a more comprehensive solution, you can't go wrong with the ISACA Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification, which trains your team to design, manage, and monitor your corporate information security. Take a look.

Is your business secure? We may be able to help.

For the past twelve years in a row, we’ve been named one of the Top 20 IT Training Companies in the World. At Firebrand, we take Cyber Security very seriously, making it a core component of our accelerated courses, Apprenticeships, and Skills Bootcamps.

Whether you're a pro or just starting out, we've got something for you.

See all our Cyber Security courses.