Identify risks before damage occurs

For most people, it is hard to imagine everyday life without the Internet. It offers many possibilities and provides comprehensive information, but there are also many risks. Cybercriminals are becoming more and more creative and are coming up with new scams. In order to avoid damage caused by cyber attacks, digital security is important.

Why is digital security so important?

Digital security is a complex topic and is just as important for private individuals as it is for companies. Cybercriminals cause a variety of damage that has serious and often costly consequences. Entire corporate networks or administrative networks can be paralyzed by cyberattacks. Sensitive data from companies and private individuals can end up in the hands of attackers.

It is therefore important to recognize the dangers early and ensure digital security. Using antivirus software and creating strong passwords are just a small part of cybersecurity. It is important to acquire the necessary knowledge to be prepared against attacks from cybercriminals. Since criminals are constantly using new tricks, frequent upgrades to existing security technologies are important.

Malware introduced by attackers can destroy or spy on data.

It is therefore important to invest in cybersecurity and carry out a malware scan regularly. This allows malware to be detected and combated.

Data loss, network failures and the spying of highly sensitive data are just some of the damage that can result from hacker attacks. The financial consequences are particularly serious for companies. Devastating intangible damage such as damage to reputation and loss of customer trust are also associated with financial losses.

The success of a company can be severely damaged by cybercrime. Companies can lose competitiveness. In order to avoid this, it is important to recognize the risks early on.

What types of cybercrime are there?

Cybercrime can come in many forms and changes over time as criminals use new techniques. Artificial intelligence (AI) can help detect attacks, but also opens up new attack opportunities for criminals.

These are the most common forms of threats online:

• Malware: Malware is malicious software programs that hackers use to penetrate and damage computer systems without users' knowledge. The term malware includes worms, Trojans, viruses and other forms of malware.
• Ransomware: Ransomware is a dangerous form of malware. It can prevent victims from accessing important data or encrypt data. The hackers who inject such ransomware demand a ransom from the victims in order to release the data again. Ransomware is a direct attack on the integrity and confidentiality of corporate and private data.
• Phishing: Phishing tricks victims into revealing sensitive private information such as bank details, social security numbers or passwords. The scammers often use genuine-looking websites or fake emails, making it difficult for victims to recognize the scam.
• Denial of Service (DoS) und Distributed Denial of Servide (DDoS): In such attacks, criminals attempt to overload the system's capacity so that new service requests can no longer be processed. With DDoS, attacks come from multiple directions.
• Man-in-the-middle attacks (MitM): Man-in-the-middle attacks are eavesdropping attacks in which hackers interrupt ongoing communication or data transmission. The attacker in the middle poses as an authorized participant.
• Advanced persistent threat (APTs): An attacker penetrates the network and remains hidden for a long time. These are targeted and lengthy attacks.

All of these types of cyberattacks are unique. Each individual form of attack requires a different strategy to defend against the attack or limit the damage. To counteract and combat the attacks, it is important to understand the threats.

Fighting cyber attacks as a complex process

Cyber ​​attacks are constantly taking on new forms and are also presenting digital security professionals with new challenges.

It is important to identify and mitigate the threats to avoid serious damage.

In order to identify and combat digital threats, comprehensive risk management is important. This requires the following steps:

• Identification: The first step is to identify the risks. Companies need to take stock and determine what needs to be protected.
• Schutz: Once what needs to be protected has been determined, companies must provide the resources to protect against cyberattacks. You must set access restrictions, encrypt data, and provide regular employee training.
• Recognize: In order to prevent cyber attacks, it is important to detect irregularities and possible threats early. Companies need to monitor their network activity and examine trends in user behavior. Alarms can be configured to alert you to suspicious activity.
• Reaction: Despite all the security precautions, cyber attacks cannot always be prevented because cyber criminals are constantly coming up with new methods. In the event of a cyberattack, companies must have a response plan. The attack must be analyzed. Those involved must communicate with each other to isolate the affected systems. It is important to repel the attack quickly and effectively and limit the damage.
• Recovery: The system must be restored to be fully usable after the attack. Companies must learn from the incident and strengthen defenses to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The role of AI in digital security

AI is changing the security landscape and is leading to new forms of attacks due to the growing amounts of data. AI can pose a threat, but it can also be a key to proactive IT organization.

Network data can be analyzed in real time using AI systems. The systems can detect anomalies and stop threats before damage occurs. Machine learning can be used to identify patterns that indicate threats. The defense speed is significantly increased.

Modern AI solutions can react autonomously to attacks and isolate the affected systems. They neutralize the malware without human intervention.