What is Cyber Security?
Cyber security, sometimes referred to as information technology security or IT security, is the general term for technologies, processes and controls that are designed to protect systems, networks, devices, programs and data from cyber attacks. Essentially, it is the technology used to protect your business and its data from online threats.
What is a cyber attack?
A Cyber Attack is an attack initiated against a website, business or individual computer that compromises the confidentiality, integrity or availability of the computer or information stored on it. They can take many forms, from manipulating users actions to staying hidden and snooping on people and networks..
What are the consequences of a cyber attack?
Cyber attacks are on the increase, whether the motivation is financial or some form of activism, the end result is always catastrophic consequences for an unprepared business. The consequences of a cyber attack almost always include loss of assets, reputation and business, and you may face regulatory fines and litigation – as well as the costs of recovery. Under GDPR you have 72 hours to report a breach after it has happened or face a fine of up to a quarter of your turnover.
What are the average costs of a cyber attack?
The UK government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024 reveals that the average direct financial cost of a cyber security breach for medium and large businesses amounts to £10,830. However, it’s crucial to note that the direct cost often represents only a fraction of the overall impact, as businesses may face additional challenges such as operational disruption, damage to reputation, and loss of customer trust. Furthermore, these costs may be compounded by fines imposed under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for non-compliance with data protection rules.
Cyber Security consists of the following:
- Endpoint security – Endpoint security, also known as endpoint protection, is a cybersecurity practice that focuses on safeguarding computer networks accessed remotely by various client devices, including laptops, tablets, mobile phones, and other wireless devices. The primary components of endpoint security are anti-virus and endpoint detection and response (EDR) software, which help to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats. However, endpoint security can encompass a range of additional measures
- Disaster recovery/business continuity planning – involves preparing for unexpected events and ensuring a business can resume operations swiftly. Organisations typically have a Disaster Recovery Plan or Business Continuity Plan outlining recovery strategies. Effective backup systems and disaster recovery solutions are crucial for a successful recovery. Without such planning, a successful cyberattack could lead to severe consequences, including the potential closure of the business. Testing the plan is essential to assess its effectiveness and identify any gaps or areas for improvement. Regular testing ensures that the organisation is well-prepared and can respond efficiently in the event of a disaster or cyber attack, ultimately minimising downtime and reducing the impact on operations.
- Identity management – Also known as identity and access management (IAM) ensures that the right individuals have access to the right resources at the right times and for the right reasons.
- Monitoring – in a network setting involves examining log files and activity. It often includes maintenance and threat management performed by dedicated professionals. An unmonitored network is highly vulnerable to threats due to a lack of oversight. Continuous monitoring and analysis are essential at all levels and can be achieved through solutions like Managed Detection and Response (MDR), Extended Detection and Response (XDR), single-pane-of-glass utilities, and more.
- Perimeter security – simply the security that encircles your network. For smaller businesses this is normally the gateway to the internet, but for bigger businesses this also can include devices used as gateways between networks within a business. This should always include a dedicated security appliance protecting the network from the internet (and, to an extent, visa versa)
- End-user education – involves training employees on digital safeguards and best practices. This aspect is crucial in enhancing overall security, as proper training and awareness can significantly reduce the likelihood of successful cyberattacks.
Invicta Linux use and recommend Webroot Antivirus
Traditional security relies on outdated signatures and can’t keep up with zero-day attacks. Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus is more than antivirus software. It is antimalware. It stops the viruses and worms that exist in order to infect other computers, but it also protects you during web surfing sessions by blocking harmful websites.
Nearly half of all consumers worldwide have been victims of cybercrime. Every link clicked, email opened, app downloaded, and network joined is an opportunity for hackers to compromise your personal data. Even established threats like ransomware are continuously evolving, and new threats like cryptojacking are being added to an already diverse threat landscape. Webroot offers complete protection from viruses and identity theft for all your devices, without slowing you down.
Webroot won’t interrupt you.
And it’s quick: Webroot takes 20 seconds to check your computer – 60 times faster than the average scan time of tested competitor products.
Invicta Linux use and recommend Keiro Control UTM
Conventional firewalls only defend against threats from outside. This doesn’t protect your network from internal threats. Malware and viruses are still able to attack your network unless you invest in proper security measures.
We have worked with many firewalls brands over the years, Sonicwall, Juniper, Cisco, Netgear and Draytek to name a few. These units all have their place, of course; but as far as security, ease of management, cost and capability Kerio Control is hard to beat. Control is a unified threat management solution, features comprehensive network protection and intelligence and protects your network from viruses, malware and malicious activity.
The user-friendly Unified Threat Management system includes firewall, intrusion detection, antivirus, VPN and content filtering.
Kerio Control is available with GFI Unlimited
Invicta Linux use and recommend Vipre Email Security
Vipre’s Email Security with always-on email continuity. Spam accounts for 90% of all emails worldwide, threatening employee productivity, network security and your company’s bottom line. A single email virus can cost your organisation an enormous amount in damages, lost productivity and compromise your systems and data integrity. It is important to have a plan that ensures protection from email viruses, spam, phishing, email flooding, directory harvest attacks and denial of service attacks.
Vipre Email Security offers simple, secure administration that is entirely web-based, with no software to install. Users can define settings that allow/deny senders, domains, and IPs for any email to the domain; and our advanced policy options allow for sophisticated rule management, including support for regular expressions.
Email Security includes always-on email continuity. Email outages of even a short duration can create numerous issues for individual email users, as well as the business processes they rely on. Whether your downtime is planned or unplanned, Email Security means that your workforce always has access to email. They can use the web interface to send, receive and forward email while the server is down.
Invicta Linux use and recommend Barracuda Backup
Barracuda Backup appliance is available as a hardware solution or cloud backup solution ensuring the best backup solution for your business.
Backup does not have to be difficult and expensive. The award-winning Barracuda Backup was designed to simplify the backup and recovery of data in hybrid, multi-location environments.
Barracuda Backup lets you quickly recover files encrypted by ransomware. Simply eliminate the malware, delete the bad files, and restore them from a recent backup. Recovery can take as little as an hour—and the bad guys go home empty-handed.
Barracuda Backup’s hardened Linux OS is less vulnerable to threats than Windows-based backup solutions. Data is protected in transit and at rest in the remote location by 256-bit AES encryption.
Simple to configure and manage, Barracuda Backup is truly a “set it and forget it” solution for total peace of mind.
