Hacking is the unauthorized entry into a computer or network with the individuals engaged in these activities referred to as hackers. Hackers alter system or security software and/or hardware of the computer or network to accomplish a goal that differs from the creator’s original purpose.
An organization is affected by hacking in many ways – some universal, others specific to the nature of the reason for hacking and the business in question. Hackers use a variety of methods which may vary depending on the size and type of the organization. Some of the more common ones are vulnerability scanner, password cracking, packet-sniffer, spoofing attack, root kit, Trojan horse etc.
Types of hackers
While there are many types of hackers, there are seven which deserve special mention. They are script kiddie, white hat, black hat, gray hat, red hat, green hat and blue hat. White hats hackers are also known as ethical hackers and break into the security system without malicious intent. A black hat hacker, or a cracker, is a computer professional with deep knowledge in computer networking. Black hat hackers use their skills for unethical reasons with malicious intentions.
Size doesn’t matter
It is easy to assume that large organizations with complex and vital data would be the target of hackers. But there are various other factors which come into play when a cyber-criminal decides to hack into a system. As Jody Westby, the CEO of Global Cyber Risk, wrote, “It is the data that makes a business attractive, not the size – especially if it is delicious data, such as lots of customer contact information, credit card details, medical information, or valuable intellectual property”.
Big conglomerates, government departments and agencies and big media houses may be rich powerhouses of information, and are often on the crosshairs of hackers. But considering the prevalence of hacking attack nowadays, arger organizations have also started taking counter-measures. They have adopted sophisticated cyber security technologies, employing better professionals and constantly upgrading their security protocols making it difficult for hackers to break in.
SMEs must also take note
This is a point on which smaller and medium-sized enterprises (SEMs) often miss out on. At times, SMEs may not be able to implement the specialized technology and end up being easy targets for hackers. Most experts agree that SMEs are more attractive targets because they tend to be less secure and because automation allows modern cyber criminals to mass produce attacks for very little investment.
Entrepreneurs who own SMEs can also make the incorrect assumption that their business would be too insignificant to attract the interest of cyber criminals. That may have been true in the past, but not now. Hacking attacks are automated now and it is possible to attack thousands or even millions of small or medium level organizations at the same time. SMEs have thus become the low hanging fruits and a survey suggested that 86 percent of SMEs are under-funding cybersecurity.
Everyone’s a target
Another important change that has happened recently is that the SMEs have become much more interconnected. Another reason SMEs have become more attractive is that they are viewed as an entry point into a larger, more lucrative, target, thus serving more as a means than as an end.
Thus while large MNCs and governments will always be most lucrative target for cybercriminals, SMEs are proving to be more financially rewarding. However, neither of them can afford to be complacent in the current scenario and hence both sets of organizations should invest in strong endpoint security solutions. Seqrite’s Endpoint Security (EPS) solution can be considered which integrates innovative technologies like Anti Ransomware, Advanced DNA Scan, Behavioral detection system and others.
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