Cybersecurity attacks pose a significant threat to businesses and their security. The impact of such breaches is substantial and continues to rise over time, estimated to cost $8 trillion this year and increase to $10.5 trillion by 2025. These attacks harm businesses by causing loss of data, damaging brand image, and hurting reputation.
However, despite best efforts to protect against cyber threats, there are still some blindspots that are often overlooked. These blindspots can leave organisations vulnerable to cyber-attacks and compromise sensitive information.
In this article, we’ll explore the top cybersecurity blindspots to watch out for, so you can stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.
#1: Lack of employee cybersecurity training
One of the most significant cybersecurity blindspots is a lack of employee cybersecurity awareness. Employees are often the weakest link in the cybersecurity chain, as they may not be aware of the latest threats or how to prevent them. Cybercriminals often use social engineering tactics to trick employees into clicking on malicious links or giving away sensitive information. Without proper training, employees may not recognize these threats and inadvertently compromise their organisation’s security.
#2: Outdated software and hardware
Another common cybersecurity blindspot is outdated software and hardware. Cybercriminals are always looking for vulnerabilities in software and hardware that they can exploit to gain access to systems or steal data. When software or hardware is outdated, it may not have the latest security patches, leaving it vulnerable to attack.
#3: Poor identity and access controls
The issue of identity and access management is a critical aspect of a robust cybersecurity posture for any organisation. Unfortunately, several cybersecurity blindspots can arise due to the lack of comprehensive measures to manage user access. It is not uncommon for users to have too many system and network privileges, which can leave an organisation’s network vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
Moreover, relying on manual provisioning and de-provisioning procedures can increase the chances of losing track of users’ access rights. This can create a significant cybersecurity blind spot and make it hard for administrators to manage access rights effectively. Hence, it is essential to take a proactive approach towards identity and access management, which can help improve an organisation’s cybersecurity posture.
#4: No network segmentation
A strong cybersecurity posture is essential for any organisation to protect its enterprise attack surface. One key aspect of this is network segmentation, which helps to create separate zones and restrict access to sensitive information. A lack of network segmentation allows threat actors to easily move from the initial entry point across the network. This increases the risk of data breaches and other security incidents, as attackers can gain access to critical systems and data.
Therefore, organisations need to implement effective network segmentation strategies to strengthen their cybersecurity defences and reduce the potential impact of cyber-attacks. By doing so, they can create a more secure environment for their employees, customers, and partners, while also ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
#5: Lack of data encryption
Data encryption is an important cybersecurity practice that can help protect sensitive information from cybercriminals. When data is encrypted, it is converted into a code that can only be deciphered with a key. This makes it much more difficult for cybercriminals to steal sensitive information. Despite the imperative to protect data against cyber threats, there still exists a large amount of unencrypted or incorrectly encrypted communications within many companies. This poses a significant risk to the enterprise attack surface, leaving valuable data vulnerable to potential breaches. In addition to this, data is often stored unencrypted or improperly encrypted, further increasing the likelihood of a cyber-attack.
#6: Third-party security risks
Many organisations rely on third-party vendors for services like cloud storage, office applications, and payroll processing. However, these third-party vendors can create significant cybersecurity blindspots. If a third-party vendor experiences a security breach, sensitive information can be compromised.
To address this blind spot, it’s important to thoroughly vet third-party vendors before doing business with them. This includes checking their security practices, certifications, and track record for security incidents. It’s also important to include security requirements in contracts with third-party vendors and regularly monitor their security practices.
#7: Lack of visibility
To establish a strong cybersecurity posture, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the assets that require protection. This involves identifying all the devices, applications, and data repositories that are part of your network, and assessing their relative importance and value to the organisation. An accurate inventory of these assets is the foundation upon which you can build an effective visibility program, which is essential for identifying potential areas of weakness, or cybersecurity blindspots. These blindspots are areas of vulnerability that may not be immediately obvious, but which can be exploited by cybercriminals seeking to penetrate your network defences. Therefore, it is critical to have a clear and up-to-date understanding of your organisation’s assets, to minimise the risk of cyber-attacks and maintain the integrity of your systems.
#8: Poor password management
Unfortunately, one of the most common cybersecurity blindspots is also one of the easiest to overlook – weak, default and reused passwords. Almost all organisations have instances of such vulnerabilities in their systems, making them susceptible to cyber attacks that can cripple their operations and compromise sensitive data. Therefore, organisations must take strict measures to ensure that their employees use strong and unique passwords that are changed frequently, to mitigate the risk of cyber threats.
#9: Insufficient security measures for remote work
Remote work has become increasingly common in recent years, but it can also create cybersecurity blindspots. When working remotely, employees may use unsecured devices or networks, making them vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
To address this blind spot, it’s important to implement sufficient security measures for remote work. This includes providing employees with secure devices and networks, implementing VPNs, and ensuring that all devices are up-to-date and protected with antivirus software. It’s also important to provide regular cybersecurity training for remote employees and encourage them to report any suspicious activity.
Address your security blindspots
To overcome the issue of cybersecurity blindspots, it is crucial for companies to regularly and thoroughly identify their attack surface across the enterprise. With the help of the managed security specialists at Intelliworx, your organisation can achieve true cybersecurity visibility and protect against the ever-evolving threat landscape.
