subject: The Three Biggest Threats To Modern Businesses [print this page] The three biggest threats to modern businesses are hackers, employees, and regulators.
Hackers:
Todays hackers arent just a couple of kids who live at home and have too much time on their hands. Theyre hardened criminals, living all over the world, and theyre in it for the money. Theyll use sophisticated, automated tools to try to infect your computer with spyware, viruses, Trojans and other so-called malware. Their purpose? To take over your computer and steal your identity. To use your PC to infect other machines and send out SPAM; to collect your IDs, your passwords, and the details of your bank account..To take anything and everything of value thats currently stored on your computeror in your internet browser.
Employees:
Hopefully, weve all got employees who are both competent and trustworthy. So whats the problem? Carelessness, inattention, or even simply ignorance about how they should protect themselves. Common risks include:
Employees who engage in peer-to-peer file sharing
Employees whose laptops or home computers, which contain valuable customer data, are stolen
Employees who lose backup tapes, CDs or DVDs
Companies who lack a proper IT staff due to budget cuts or other reasons, and whose computer networks are haphazardly serviced by an assortment of consultants, nephews, and friends
Regulators:
Information security is important, and thats exactly why state and federal lawmakers are growing more concerned about it. But navigating the complex body of rules and regulations theyve set forth is no easy task. Will your own networks hold up under scrutiny?
HIPAA, Gramm-Leach-Bliley, and PCI/CISP Credit Card Security Compliance laws & rules affect almost all small businesses.
21 states have now passed data breach or Personal Information Privacy Act (PIPA) laws .
The IRS and the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets are thinking about applying the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to non-profits.
Federal Data Breach laws that would protect Social Security Numbers, Driver License Numbers, and Credit/Debit/Checking account numbers are being discussed in the U.S. Congress.
Sound scary? Unless your business is adequately protected and prepared, it can be.
Brainlinks expert IT security team can evaluate your networks and make sure the right defences are in place. Well spot the problems. Well fix the mess. Well do it quickly and effectively, and well even help you save money in the process.
