During these unprecedented times of the pandemic, businesses are having a hard time managing cybersecurity risks and threats. Considering that the work environments are more scattered, it is important to do everything possible to avoid an unexpected breach. The consequences of a security ban or breach can be devastating, both financially and otherwise. Cybersecurity starts with understanding these concerns, and in this post, we are sharing the biggest threats that loom large on businesses in 2021. 

Social engineering

Social engineering basically involves tricking users into divulging critical information, or asking them to take immediate action, like downloading a file or clicking a link. A large number of security breaches in 2020 were related to Social engineering, and hackers relied on standard tropes, such as phishing, quid pro quo, and scareware. There is a constant rise in spear phishing attacks, which means that employees and insiders are at a greater risk. The best step to avoid social engineering attacks is to train employees. They are on the frontlines of ensuring cybersecurity, and they must know how hackers are targeting them. 

Ransomware

The second serious threat is Ransomware. Ransomware is basically a type of malware, which once installed on a system can encrypt files. The hacker will typically ask for a ransom, in exchange of a promised decryption key. Ransomware is scary, because businesses often do not know if they should respond to the ransom call or just take other steps. Regular backups, ensuring data protection, and using antimalware suites are some of the best steps for preventing ransomware attacks. A lot of ransomware attacks are related to trojans. Employees need to know the dos and don’ts of downloading files and clicking links. 

Threats related to cloud computing

As more businesses move to the cloud or try a hybrid mix of options, the threats and risks related to cloud computing increase manifold. When it comes to cloud computing, hackers are often targeted unprotected resources or weak passwords, and it is extremely important to have a plan in place for monitoring and checking cloud resources. Also, cloud storage configuration should be prioritized by organizations. 

The best part is businesses don’t have to spend a fortune on cybersecurity – They just need to be proactive. Even small businesses can manage these cybersecurity concerns quite easily. What is more important is to have the guard up at all times. Also, having an incident response plan is critical.