How important is IT security?
For many companies, IT security remains a marginal topic. Small and medium-sized companies in particular neglect them. Those responsible often cite a lack of budget or overworked IT staff as reasons. Some decision-makers are also still convinced that their own company might not be a worthwhile target for cyberattacks.
In fact, are also interestedcybercriminals are also interested in SMEs. Often, the barriers to network intrusion are lower there due to security vulnerabilities. In this article, you will learn about the methods you can use to improve your IT security. We also explain why IT security is particularly important for SMEs and which solutions make sense and are affordable at the same time.
Why is the topic of IT security particularly important for SMEs?
Small and medium-sized enterprises often do not have the resources or know-how to implement complete IT security. Cybercriminals are also aware of this. For this reason, these companies are increasingly becoming the focus of cyberattacks.
Meanwhile, virtually every company is an interesting target for hackers. The main thing is to blackmail the intended target. Ransomware is used. The attackers use this to encrypt the data on your servers and hard drives. Ransomware is used. Such Ransomware attacks are on the rise, especially in the banking sector.
So, the criminals are trying to cripple your entire IT infrastructure. If backups are missing, data loss can no longer be avoided. The criminals then extort large sums of money and promise to release the data in return.
The risk of becoming a victim of such an attack has increased enormously in recent years. Statistics clearly show that Cyberattacks on the rise are. This is mainly due to the fact that attackers derive direct financial benefits from ransomware attacks.
SMEs are popular targets of such extortion. On the one hand, this is due to the weaknesses in IT security. On the other hand, the extortions are more often successful, precisely because backups are often missing. For this reason, it is even more important that you strive to maintain a high level of IT security.
What does comprehensive IT security look like?
An effective protective shield in IT consists of several components. Nur wenn alles vorhanden und optimal umgesetzt ist, wird ein hohes Niveau Ihrer IT-Sicherheit erreicht.
The individual building blocks can be partially implemented with software solutions. Other areas require employee training or involve manual controls. This is what makes modern IT security so complex and expensive. Comprehensive IT security consists of the following building blocks:
- Antivirus
- Firewall
- Anti-Ransomware
- Patch-Management
- Backups
- proactive monitoring
Why do small and medium-sized enterprises in particular have problems with IT security?
Implementing optimal IT security is a challenge for every company. Größere Gruppen verfügen über ein entsprechendes Budget, um die notwendigen Punkte umzusetzen.
Large companies are also aware of the dangers posed by cyber attacks. The potential damage clearly exceeds the costs of prevention. In SMEs, this awareness is sometimes lacking.
Proactive monitoring serves as an example. Here, real-time monitoring of all activities on the network is necessary. Hier ist eine Echtzeitüberwachung aller Aktivitäten im Netz erforderlich. Real-time monitoring of all activities in the network is required here. It has no other task than to monitor the network around the clock.
Accordingly, the personnel costs for a SOC are high. It is, of course, financially impossible for small and medium-sized companies to operate a SOC. This is where the advantages of external IT service providers become apparent. They take on such tasks and provide solutions based on cloud concepts. Thus, IT security is affordable and represented at a high level.
What IT security solutions do we offer at redIT?
We at redIT have specialized in digitalization and advise you in the area of IT security. We find the right solutions and strategies for your company. The focus here is on IT security and outsourcing.
On the one hand, we offer solutions in the cloud with which you increase your security level. On the other hand, we also find weak points in your network or help you train your employees.
Sensitize your own staff
One of the biggest vulnerabilities in IT security is people. The best software systems are helpless if an employee falls for the cybercriminals’ methods. For this reason, it is important to provide the best possible training for employees.
We offer specifically redCLOUD Phish Threat for this purpose. This service focuses on the reactions of your employees. We send realistic mails that resemble those of phishing attacks. Then we observe how your employees react to these mails.
Based on the analysis, you can see whether your employees are secure in dealing with phishing emails. Based on the findings, training is possible to address the weaknesses. Matching to this we organize for you a Security-Awareness-Training. In this, we sensitize your employees to dangers that lurk every day.
Backup solution from redIT
The topic of data backup is neglected in many companies. Outdated methods offer only apparent security. In case of an emergency, you need a backup solution that you can rely on 100 percent.
Cybercriminals are now able to spy on your entire network topography before the actual attack begins. It often turns out that attackers also identify and compromise local backup systems. Then your own data backup is worthless and the loss of digital information is a reality.
We offer you as a solution a redCLOUD backup . This is a data backup in the cloud. The storage takes place on our security servers in Switzerland.
With this solution, your network is separate from the backup. If hackers penetrate your corporate network, your backup in the redCLOUD is safe from the attackers. So even if the cybercriminals manage to encrypt your systems with ransomware, you will not suffer any data loss. You simply restore all your system via the backup.
The redCLOUD backup has even more advantages in practice. Thus, the data backup takes place fully automatically in the background. This makes administration easier for you. At the same time, you always have an up-to-date backup.
Finding and eliminating vulnerabilities in IT
The IT infrastructure is becoming increasingly complex. Ongoing digitization ensures that you use more and more software and systems. This makes infrastructure management increasingly complicated. This increases the dangers that exist due to vulnerabilities.
As a basis we lead on a Security Assessment through to holistically assess your security and compliance. This is based on the components employees, network, identities, devices, applications, data and infrastructure. We will then provide you with expert advice on how to improve your routines and IT security in a sensible and sustainable manner. We also support you in the implementation of these improvements.
One of the topics we highlight in the security assessment is the vulnerability management process.. If deficiencies are discovered in this process, we offer our IT vulnerability management as a solution. It starts with a complete analysis of your IT infrastructure. In doing so, we look for existing vulnerabilities. For example, the focus is on patch management and password security.
Are you interested in individual solutions for your IT security? Then use our Contact form and we will get in touch with you as soon as possible.