From the notorious PlayStation hack of 2011 to the scandalous leak of iCloud celebrity photos in 2014, the 21st century has experienced some of the biggest data breaches in cyber history. Although the victims were huge multinational corporations, this doesn’t mean smaller businesses are immune to similar attacks.
A data breach occurs when cybercriminals infiltrate a data source and steal sensitive information. This info can include employee addresses, credit card details and social insurance numbers too. Businesses are often left scrambling trying to close network vulnerabilities and reassuring customers not to panic.
Many organizations are vulnerable to a data breach, especially if cybersecurity is not a top priority. Poorly designed software, weak passwords and the loss or theft of a corporate asset can all trigger cyberattacks. And with the rising prevalence of mobile devices, it’s not just desktops and laptops that are affected.
Malicious software, often referred to as malware, is being embedded in our cell phones and tablets. According to Symantec’s Internet Security Threat Report 2018, the number of new malware variants for mobile increased in 2017 by 54%.
The infographic shows a timeline of the most sophisticated cyber attacks in recent history. It also identifies what type of data cybercriminals are targeting most, and how businesses can protect themselves in the future.
Protecting your business from data breaches often begins with internal training. Hire a dedicated security firm to teach employees how to identify suspicious activity on network servers.
By working with professionals, you can also conduct regular risk assessments to ensure vulnerabilities are addressed as they arise. It’s also important to install the latest security software to fix bugs and keep viruses off your devices.
