Cybersecurity is not Information Technology (IT)

Your cybersecurity has to win every time, but the attacker only needs to win once.

A recent study published by Ponemon Institute found that 66% of SMBs worldwide reported a cyberattack within the previous year, with business email compromise and ransomware attacks leading the charge.

We’ve been hearing the term cybersecurity quite a bit over the past few years with all the media coverage of cyber and ransomware attacks. Often, it is lumped in as another responsibility for IT, but this is not the case.

Information Technology (IT)

Information Technology (IT) is tasked with implementing new technology to help an organization grow. This includes things like increasing network performance, improving communications, and facilitating the sharing of information. Within IT exists IT security, which is focused on the design and implementation of systems and procedures that protect your organization's data.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is the ability to protect networks, devices, and data from unauthorized access or criminal use and the practice of ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.  It involves safeguards against attackers gaining access to networks, computers, programs, and data.

This involves identifying where the data exists, and what it is, as well as creating ways to protect it. A significant portion of that data can be sensitive information, whether that be intellectual property, financial data, personal information, or other types of data for which unauthorized access or exposure could have negative consequences. 

Not all IT Companies are cybersecurity companies and not all have the same level of knowledge, certifications, tools, and standard operating procedures required to protect your business from ransomware attacks and cyberattacks.

Cybersecurity vs Information Technology (IT): Is There a Difference?

Both IT and cybersecurity are concerned with the protection of data.

However, IT and cybersecurity should be thought of as two different trades, much like police officers and firefighters. An IT professional’s daily activities focus on building and maintaining IT infrastructure, configuring the necessary applications, and supporting them and their users. A Cybersecurity professional’s daily activities consist of security and compliance for an organization by protecting and recovering networks, devices, and programs from any type of cyberattack.

When it comes to protecting your business, client/patient data, and reputation, you must engage with a company that understands the complex nature of this growing and evolving threat environment and that implements technologies and strategies to defend against cyber threats and ransomware attacks.

Cybersecurity is a Journey

Your cybersecurity has to win every time, but the attacker only needs to win once.

With COVID-19 in 2020, the bad actors and threats have increased astronomically. And there are so many more attacks going on right now and so many more breaches across all industries of organizations of all sizes.

2021 has already seen three of the most unsettling security breaches to date with the SolarWinds Orion supply chain breach, the Microsoft Exchange Server vulnerability which saw hackers racing to infect as many victims as possible before companies could patch and secure their systems, and most recently the Colonial Pipeline Ransomware attack that forced a shutdown of 5,500 miles of pipeline on the East Coast.

But the reality is that it doesn't have to be a big stress in your life. 

Cybersecurity is a journey, an ongoing process, and constantly changing. You can have that peace of mind, but it does take time, attention, planning, and strategy.

We recommend having a cybersecurity plan that includes vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, Security Awareness Training, Endpoint Security, an Incident Response (IR) plan, Managed Detection and Response, and regular assessments.

When thinking about your IT budget and how much to allocate towards cybersecurity, remember this. It’s less expensive to prevent cyber-attacks than it is to repair the damage when they happen.

Teknologize is a SOC 2 certified, Professional Technology Services company with clients throughout the Pacific Northwest. We have offices located in:

• Tri-Cities, Washington 509.396.6640
• Yakima, Washington 509.396.6640
• Bend, Oregon 541.848.6072

Questions about your IT or Cybersecurity? Give us a call today!