Securing digital systems is as important as implementing them

Companies both large and small turn to digital systems to streamline their processes and improve efficiency. Securing these systems is just as important as implementing them. Over 43% of cyber security threats are directed at small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), so even smaller companies are at risk - not just large enterprises.

On average, it takes a company 197 days to detect a hack or data breach. By this time, customer records, financial documents and intellectual property may have already been exposed or secured behind robust ransomware. While digital systems serve incredible benefits for companies, they need to be properly secured at every level.

Working with a trusted and reliable cyber security partner is the easiest way to ensure that your IT systems are fully protected and up-to-date at all times. This includes various security systems for cloud servers, endpoint devices, websites and networks. It’s all well and good to implement IT software that improves efficiency, collaboration and the customer experience, but if these are vulnerable to threats then it can cause massive problems for your business.

Understanding digital security

Cyber security breaches are extremely expensive, not just in terms of ransom or legal payouts, but also for lost productivity, downtime and reputational damage. Companies that do not proactively invest in securing their digital systems may find themselves in hot water at some point in the future.

Being proactive with cyber security begins with a fundamental understanding of what it entails and why it’s important. There are many forms of cyber attack, but these are the most common:

• Hacking of servers, websites and cloud environments.
• Phishing and social engineering.
• Malware and ransomware.
• SQL injection attacks.
• Distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks.

If you’re aware of the various threats posed to your digital systems, then you can implement effective security software and protocols. Business owners often want to make their digital ecosystems easy to use for employees and customers, but this can leave gaps in security through which hackers and cyber criminals can launch attacks.

Companies have a responsibility

Cyber attacks can compromise customer data, personal information, business records, financial documents, intellectual property and prototypes that are stored on digital systems. Data breaches lead to privacy breaches, so companies have a responsibility to protect this information from a variety of potential threats.

Many countries around the world, including South Africa, have implemented new laws and compliance regulations, such as the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act, to ensure that consumer data is kept safe. Businesses need to be aware of these laws and play their part in securing their digital systems to avoid being liable for any resulting damages and penalties caused by data breaches.

Improving the security of your digital systems

The first step to securing your digital systems is to work with an expert service provider that can offer advanced software and solutions for your specific needs. This will ensure that your cyber security tools are up-to-date and effective. The security service provider will be able to give recommendations and advice on multiple services, as well as ensure that they are properly installed and implemented.

Basic cyber security is easy to set up, such as implementing a secure sockets layer (SSL) certificate on your website or a firewall for your network. However, companies should not stop at the basics. More advanced tools, such as DDoS protection, endpoint protection, anti-malware programmes and secure access service edge (SASE) networks should be considered too.

Multifactor authentication (MFA) and zero-trust security policies will ensure that only verifiable employees have access to IT networks and back-end digital systems. Automated alerting tools are also necessary to keep IT managers informed of any threats or suspicious activity on the network.

Conduct regular scans of digital systems and perform security tests to ensure that all software and tools are performing as expected. Simulated attacks can also be a great way to expose vulnerabilities and show you where potential weak links lie. Implementing these protocols and solutions will greatly improve the security of your digital systems.

Seacom Business offers various cyber security solutions to SMEs and enterprises in South Africa. These are backed by industry-leading service level agreements (SLAs) to ensure maximum protection and a proactive response to various threats. For more information about our security services or to get a quote, email us at marketing@seacom.com or leave us a message.

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