Businesses all over the country should be wary of cyber-attacks. However, the truth is that businesses in certain locations seem to be more vulnerable.
Chicago is a prime example considering shocking stats revealing how much cyber-attacks businesses in this location have had to deal with. For a credible report about the increase in cyber-attacks in this location, you can see: https://www.fox32chicago.com/.
Utilizing certain cybersecurity services is therefore a requirement. To this end, this article discusses some of such services for Chicago businesses.
Must-Have Cybersecurity Services for Chicago Businesses
Managed IT firms into cybersecurity offer a wide range of services. However, some of these services are more important for businesses in Chicago considering the demand for operating in this location. Having established this, some of the services that need to be utilized by enterprises in this city include the following:
1. Data Encryption
Data encryption can be likened to the actions required for ensuring that the content is safe inside the container. In more industry-relevant terms, it is all that is required for the secure transmission and storage of data. Data in this context refers to things like:
- Customer Information
- Proprietary Business Details
- Financial Records
These details are too sensitive to make their way into the wrong and even unauthorized hands. Data encryption is all that it takes to ensure that this does not happen.
2. Network Security
Internet connectivity is important for several things. As a result, compromises in internet connectivity can cause downtimes and affect in several other ways.
Against this backdrop, network connections are supposed to be secure as unsafe connections can be the gateway for cyber-attacks. This is why network security is one of the services offered by Chicago Cybersecurity managed IT companies and a very important one at that. By the way, network security is an elaborate service as some of the services under it include:
- Network Segmentation – It is about preventing the spread of sensitive data through strategic data isolation
- IDS (Intrusion Detection Systems) – This is about ensuring that these businesses are not caught unaware by cyber attackers. This happens through the constant monitoring for suspicious network activities
- Firewalls – It is the design of the network in such a way that unauthorized network access is prevented
- VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) – This is the side of network security that takes into account the fact that remote network access will be required. However, it is about ensuring that things remain secure despite this
All of the aforementioned are important aspects of network security. They should therefore be well executed for enhanced cybersecurity.
3. Endpoint Protection
Network security is an important aspect of cybersecurity as seen above. However, it is not all there is to ensuring that a business is cyber threat-free. There is also a need to ensure that vulnerability is not possible through devices connected to the network.
This could be mobile devices and computers for instance. Endpoint protection involves the installation of things like anti-malware and antivirus to prevent breaches through connected devices.
4. Cloud Security
Many businesses deal with large amounts of data. As a result, there is a need for a solution that allows for the storage of large amounts of data. Fortunately, cloud solutions like Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and AWS come in very handy. However, this still requires:
- Strategic Access Control – Such that unauthorized access to cloud-stored data is prevented
- Data Encryption
- Regular Audits – Ensuring that cloud storage setups are not vulnerable
Cloud security is that aspect of cybersecurity that ensures that the above-listed are actualized, at the very least.
5. Email Security
Sadly, emails remain a common way cyber attackers get through to their victims, including Chicago-based businesses. For better context, a reliable source gathered that 9 out of every 10 cyber-attacks emanate from emails.
One of the reasons for this is the possibility of various kinds of cyber-attacks happening through this simple but highly vulnerable approach. By the way, some of the cyber-attacks that can happen through emails include:
- Phishing
- Whaling
- Spear Phishing
- Email Spoofing
- BEC – Business Email Compromise
- CEO Fraud
- Credential Harvesting
- Malware Distribution
- Extortion Emails
- EAC – Email Account Compromise
- Clone Phishing
- Malicious Links
- Attachment-Based Attacks
Frankly, the list goes on, which is why email security is one of the major highlights of the services rendered by Chicago-based cybersecurity experts. Besides putting certain measures in place to avoid any of the above-listed through emails, employee training is also a crucial part of what email security service entails.
These experts inform employees on how to identify suspicious emails and not fall for them. You can read this article for more information on this.
Conclusion
Chicago-based cybersecurity professionals offer a wide range of services. However, some of them are more required by Chicago-based businesses. Five (5) such services have been discussed here and the hope is that businesses in this location make the most of them.
