Cybersecurity is a major concern for businesses of all sizes. A staggering 98% of U.S. executives say their organization has experienced at least one cybersecurity incident within the past year.
But for those professionals outside of the IT world, there’s always a common question popping up: Is cybersecurity hard?
The truth is that when you’re not in the know, cybersecurity can seem incredibly complex and difficult to put into practice. Let’s cover what makes cybersecurity hard to understand and see how it’s properly implemented.
Is Cybersecurity Hard?
When you think about the concept of cybersecurity, put simply, it refers to preventing cyber attacks. And most importantly helping your business recover from any incidents. So if you think about the concept of it and get to know common cybersecurity terms, no, cybersecurity is not hard.
And in terms of managing a career in cybersecurity, it’s not difficult to enter and grow as a professional. There are many career paths within the cybersecurity world that require extensive education. However, there are other paths that require less training and certifications.
To simplify starting and managing your cybersecurity career, it’s important to adopt some common sense tips, including the following:
- Assess your level of passion for cybersecurity to ensure you’re prepared for all the obstacles along the way.
- Join relevant communities and online groups to discuss cybersecurity topics and keep informed on trends.
- Pursue employers who provide continuing education and on the job training.
- Find the right cybersecurity career path that excites you, then complete the educational requirements.
As a cybersecurity professional, when you’re equipped with the right tools and training, you wouldn’t consider it difficult.
That’s not to say that putting cybersecurity into practice doesn’t come with any obstacles.
Common Difficulties of Putting Cybersecurity Into Practice
When you’re developing and implementing your cybersecurity program for your business, there are several challenges that you may face.
Filling Knowledge Gaps As New Tech Is Adopted
Technology is changing and launching new tools constantly. Existing platforms are updated and evolved on a regular basis.
Additionally, new threats and vulnerabilities arise all the time, which is why continuing education is crucial when implementing your strategy
Addressing the Rise of Mobile Malware
In a post-pandemic world, where a lot of employers have shifted to a fully remote or hybrid work environment. As a result, the usage of mobile devices for daily operations is on the rise. And with that, mobile malware is also becoming more prevalent.
Mobile malware targets operating systems in mobile devices and disrupts their performance. A hacked phone can result in a breach of sensitive data.
And unfortunately, the primary reason for this rise in mobile malware is due to the fact that people are using unsecured wifi and other internet networks, leaving business vulnerable to all kinds of malicious websites, links, and more.
Preventing Social Engineering
When employees are not aware of what to expect from hackers, they may unknowingly provide sensitive information, like passwords, to a cyber criminal. Social engineering is a common type of cyber attack that involves hackers tricking people inside your organization.
This may include phishing emails and other tactics that are very convincing to employees. Business leaders are aware of this vulnerability — 28% of U.S. executives say their top cyber threat is unintended actions of well-meaning employees, and 15% say they have no way to detect or mitigate employee risk factors.
Follow Cybersecurity Best Practices
As you can see, there are several challenges making it hard to put cybersecurity into practice. Fortunately, there are several tips and best practices you can use to address these common obstacles.
Provide a Security Education, Training, and Awareness (SETA) Program: This is essential for keeping your employees informed about how to identify cyber threats and report them.
Adopt the Principle of Least Privilege: Only assign the fewest privileges possible so you don’t give too much access to sensitive information.
Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Passwords alone simply do not cut it — you need to use MFA to add extra layers of security, like requiring a security token or sending a code to the individual’s mobile device.
Implement Biometric Security Measures: Verifying identity through voice and facial recognition, fingerprints, and more is a best practice because it’s difficult for criminals to spoof biometrics.
Stay Protected With Smart Eye Technology
When you’re looking to enhance your cybersecurity efforts, look for solutions like Smart Eye Technology, which provides all kinds of tools, including:
- Secure document and file sharing
- Continuous biometric authentication
- Muli-factor biometric authentication
Learn more about how biometric authentication works and see the Smart Eye Technology platform in action by booking a free demo or signing up for a 14 day free trial.
