Cybersecurity Myths Busted: Separating Fact from Fiction in the Digital Age
The cybersecurity industry is a technical field that provides crucial data protection services to companies and households across the country. Like many highly complex services, a number of myths tend to circulate in the cybersecurity field and falling prey to them can be almost as damaging as a cyberattack itself.
In this article, we take a look at some of the misconceptions surrounding data protection, compared to the true reality of things based on the latest data, and suggest alternative approaches to enhance online security.
Cybersecurity Myth 1: An antivirus package is enough
While having updated antivirus software is an important part of cybersecurity defence, it is certainly not enough to repel today’s sophisticated online attacks.
Social engineering, malware, and other types of unauthorised data access and theft often slip under the radar of antivirus programs, leaving your business exposed to major data loss and reputational damage. What’s more, outdated antivirus software can be a major risk for data breaches.
Cybersecurity Myth 2: Cyberattacks don’t affect South African businesses
While South Africa faces significant cybersecurity threats, it is a global issue with widespread impact. However, given the huge potential for data loss and reputational damage, South African companies must be hypervigilant when it comes to cybercrime.
If this myth was ever true, it hasn’t been valid for a long time. As South Africa’s connectivity levels increase and are comparable to those of many advanced countries, the frequency of cyberattacks has grown significantly.
In 2023, a Kaspersky report revealed that South African businesses experienced 300 cyberattacks in a single week, shedding light on the serious domestic cybercrime situation which has yet to improve.
Cybersecurity Myth 3: Cyber defence is too expensive
If you think cybersecurity is expensive, the cost of not having it can be astronomical. Data
loss and corruption can cost a fortune in downtime, lost productivity, and reputational damage.
When client data is involved, the risk of POPIA Act compliance violations becomes very real. A number of organisations, including the Education Department which was fined R5 million over a Matric results data breach, have learned this the hard way.
When compared to the potential costs of a cyberattack – ranging into millions of Rands – not to mention the fines incurred for failure to properly protect customer data under the POPIA Act, a monthly cyber defence package like our Total Data Protection offering is exceptionally reasonable.
Realistic solutions: how to keep your data safe
Now that we’ve busted some of the biggest myths about cyber defence, let’s take a look at some simple but powerful ways that your business can protect its data from cybercriminals.
Step 1: Limit access to sensitive files
Setting file permissions so that only users who absolutely need to access sensitive documents can view or edit them limits the potential number of employees that cybercriminals can trick into revealing sensitive data.
Step 2: Invest in professional-grade cyber defences
Secure cloud storage with advanced encryption technology and full customisability should be the benchmarks of any cyber defence system you choose for your business. By shopping around for the best suppliers, you’ll find that you can protect sensitive data without breaking the bank.
Step 3: Train your staff to become cybersecurity warriors
As cybercriminals increasingly target company employees to gain access to networks, every member of your staff needs to join the fight against hackers.
Investing in staff training for cyber risk management, so that your team is able to identify suspicious activity online and report it in time, could make the difference between a failed attempt to access your data and a huge, damaging data leak or cyberattack.
Find the solution that sets your business up for success
Not all solutions are equal, and not all are suitable for every company but there are a few questions you should consider in order to ensure that your security needs are fully met.
In asking the right questions you will be able to develop a cyber security strategy that is right for your business:
- What regulatory or governance requirements do we need to adhere to?
- Are we POPIA compliant?
- What is our risk tolerance?
- Can we afford the crisis our business would face in the event of a data breach?
- How would this affect our employees?
- Are we keeping our staff educated about cyberattacks?
- Do we need cyber insurance to protect the company?
- Have we made every effort to safeguard our data with reliable cloud backup and advanced encryption?
Soteria offers a range of affordable and cutting-edge cyber protection packages to meet the needs of any enterprise.
Head over to our services page for a full breakdown of our entire service offering, with rates tailored to suit every business.