4 Common Misconceptions about Cyber Security You Should Know

To look at cyber security in 2017 as an issue only IT ‘nerds’ should care about is a really bad idea. Look around you and you’ll see everything passes in one way or another through the Internet.

Dealing with problems and security breaches is both the customer’s and the provider’s job. It’s one of the reasons why businesses need to follow a strict set of rules to be able to perform online activities like eCommerce, for example.

But the biggest problem consists in a series of misconceptions and myths surrounding cyber security. It’s not their existence which stops progress, but the fact business owners take them as true. So in the following lines, we take four of these misconceptions and debunk them.

Myth #1 Humanity Is Not Ready for This Challenge

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Taking into consideration how fast technology and information networks are progressing, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But it’s nothing new for humanity. The industrial revolution caused similar dilemmas.

In fact, every big achievement in humanity’s history was based on innovation. We, as a species, need the guts to face unique challenges in order to improve our lifestyle.

It’s the same with cyber security and humanity is ready to face it. Most cloud hosting providers offer awareness and education for their clients. They constantly push for measures of prevention and mechanisms which increase data safety.

Myth #2 Million of Cyber Attacks Occur Every Day

Granted, it’s not a myth, but rather a misconception. It surfaced because the press keeps quoting military and intelligence cyber operations chiefs.

While the data is true – millions of cyber attacks occur every day – it doesn’t tell us much. An attack should always be defined by the impact and the source. A cyber attack which is stopped by the first cyber security measure implemented is just an attempt.

Security experts don’t focus on press releases, but on new ways of finding vulnerabilities and securing them. More often than not prevention is the best weapon. It’s why experts focus on analyzing online threats by weighing the risks and prioritizing how and who should address them.

Myth #3 Cyber Security Is Just a Technology Problem

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Actually, online security is all about people. Security experts and white hat hackers are the ones constantly looking for new ways of security sensitive data stored online.

It’s more about incentives. If organizations – from SMBs to corporation – and individuals don’t see the point in investing to secure the data they store or process, data breaches are inevitable.

There are plenty of important technical fixes and new tools to adopt. But security policies and configurations need properly designed and implemented security protocols to ensure the network is secured from the inside out.

Myth #4 Cyber Offense Is the Best Defense

Stuxnet was a malicious computer worm identified for the first time in 2010. It attacked industrial computer systems and was responsible for causing substantial damage to Iran’s nuclear program. A digital weapon.

Many have a wild misconception any kid can do something similar from his parent’s basement. It’s completely false. Just think of the advanced knowledge you’d need to create, such an advanced program which is able to disrupt complex processes.

It’s the same with the idea offense is the best defense. When it comes to cyber security, the best defense is… a solid defense.

So any business owner should first stay away from such misconceptions and myths or simply dismiss them. Then, they should search for the right IT services partner.

At LEAP Managed IT, we take a keen interest in everything related to technology and make it work for you, not against you. Working with us gets you a hardworking and proactive team passionate about their field of expertise.

You can always get in touch with us if you’d like to learn more.