Because it deals with preventing theft and harmful damage to all data categories, cybersecurity is important. Some of the data it helps protect include:
Intellectual property, industry information systems, personally identifiable information, government information systems, and protected health information.
You won’t be able to protect yourself and your company from potential data breaches without a strong cybersecurity programme. You will thus become a prime target for cybercriminals as a result.
Being self-employed entails learning how to preserve your money in addition to knowing how to use freelancers.
Allowing an ITAD business to assist you in data protection is one method to achieve this. Did you know that improper hard disc and recycling disposal procedures might result in data loss and theft?
The Importance of Cybersecurity
Every day, millions of American business owners disclose personal information online. They carry out bank transactions, shop online, and work remotely while doing this.
This elevates cybersecurity to a top issue, especially for independent contractors. Here are some justifications:
1. Cybercrime is increasing
In a linked and more digital world like this one, cybercrimes can wreak immeasurable disruptions. For instance, research has shown that when more people started working remotely due to the pandemic in 2020, cyberattacks increased by a startling 400%.
In addition to an increase in attacks, the attacks’ nature has also changed. Today, a huge organization can be quickly brought down by a DDoS, phishing, or malware attack. Your personal information is at stake if it can do this to major corporations.
2. Your Personal and Business Data Is Important
Large/extensive computer systems and individual users are both equally vulnerable to cyberattacks. Criminals using the internet will gather all data they can, whether it is personal or commercial. The majority of these thieves are primarily drawn to financial information because it is so valuable.
For instance, it will be simpler for them to open credit cards in your name and incur as much debt as they like if they have access to your social security number. The same is true for individuals who target dates of birth, credit card numbers, and home or business addresses.
3. Cyberattacks Can Affect the Real World
You might think of cybercrime as a far-off issue that only has a minimal impact on the general populace. The truth is that these assaults not only aim to breach information security, but they also have the potential to impact your partners and employees by compromising vital infrastructure.
4. Your Devices May Be Exploited by Hackers
Hackers are constantly looking for new techniques to break into computer systems and take advantage of the tools at hand. Crypto-jacking is a prime illustration. Here, hackers will attack your hardware in order to use it to mine cryptocurrencies.
This can be added to the extensive list of other cybercrimes that can erode your security and expose you to new dangers, including malware, password attacks, and proxy phishing.
5. Cybercrime Can Be Lucrative, But Not For You
Cyberattacks are extremely costly for the victim and the nation, as can be seen by looking at the economic expenses associated with them. Cybercriminals are thought to cause a $1 trillion annual loss to the world economy.
Ransomware assaults, for example, have the potential to ruin your personal finances, wipe out your business, disturb regional and global financial markets, and cause significant data loss. The necessity of installing a security system in your company is driven by the high expense of these cybercrimes.
While you’re about it, make sure to improve your online security and instruct your staff on how to defend themselves against frequent cyberattacks.
How Can You Prevent Cyber Attacks on Yourself and Your Company?
You can take a number of easy steps as a self-employed professional to help you prevent cyberattacks and safeguard your data from hackers. Several of the advised actions consist of:
Following recommended password practices, installing antivirus software on all internet-connected devices, learning to spot phishing scams, and changing your password frequently and right away after a security breach are all good ideas.
Conclusion
Everyone needs to practise cybersecurity, even if their industry or line of work doesn’t substantially rely on technology. While you’re doing it, keep in mind that virtually every facet of contemporary life involves exchanging information online.
Regardless of your industry, you must take cybersecurity seriously. Use the advice above to safeguard your personal and company data from potential attacks.
Author bio: Charles Green is an ITAD Business Development Manager for Wisetek UK, a leading global provider of IT asset disposition services such as hard drive disposal and data destruction.