Cyber security is a hot topic right now, and for good reason. Businesses are at risk every day of being hacked, losing customer data, or having their entire network brought down. While it’s important to take cyber security seriously, there are a number of myths out there that can put businesses at even greater risk.
To help you keep your business safe, we will debunk seven of the most dangerous cyber security myths.
Having cyber security tools is enough to protect your data and networks
Having cyber security tools is undoubtedly necessary for any organization, but they are only a part of the solution. Cyber criminals are targeting people more than IT systems, which is why it is just as crucial to factor in the human element in any IT security solution.
In addition, cyber criminals are constantly finding new ways to circumvent security measures, and they are often successful because of human errors such as mistakenly clicking on a link to a phishing website or enabling a macro that activates malware. That’s why it’s so important to have a comprehensive cyber security strategy that includes both technology and people.
You don’t need to worry about cyber security unless you’re a big company
Another myth that can put businesses at risk is the belief that only big companies need to worry about cyber security. This simply isn’t true. Hackers will target any company, regardless of size, if they think there’s something to gain. In fact, because smaller businesses often lack the same level of security as bigger companies, they are seen as easy targets.
You don’t need to worry about cyber security if you’re not handling sensitive data
Even if you’re not handling sensitive data like credit card numbers or social security numbers, you are still at risk of being hacked. Hackers will target any business that they think they can get information from.
You don’t need to worry about cyber security if you have nothing to hide
Just because you believe you have nothing to hide doesn’t mean you’re not at risk. They may be interested in your customer data, your financial data, or even just your email addresses.
Cyber security is too expensive and it’s not worth the investment
While it’s true that investing in cyber security can be costly, the cost of not investing can be even higher. A single data breach may cost a firm millions of dollars in direct expenses, but the indirect costs are far greater. There are also indirect costs like lost customers and damage to your reputation. When you consider all of these factors, it’s clear that investing in cyber security services is well worth the cost.
You don’t need to worry about cyber security if you’re not using the internet
If you think cyber criminals are only targeting businesses with an online presence, think again. Even businesses not connected to the internet are susceptible to hacking. For example, they could target your point-of-sale system or your ATM.
Cyber security is too complex and it’s not worth the effort
Developing an effective cyber security plan may be complex, but no business can afford to neglect it. Some businesses find that securing their systems is daunting, particularly if they don’t have sufficient budget, manpower, and time. They may then leave things to chance because of the misguided belief that cyber security is too complex for them.
But while there are many different aspects of cyber security, there are also many different tools and resources available to help businesses. Basic cyber security measures, such as using strong passwords and keeping software up to date can shield them from various threats. Although it may seem like a lot of work, investing in cyber security is well worth the effort.
There are a variety of myths about cyber security that can put businesses at risk. But by being aware of these myths and taking steps to protect their business, they can reduce the chances of being hacked.
