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Antivirus and XDR (Extended Detection and Response) are two different cybersecurity solutions that serve different purposes. Antivirus software is designed to detect and remove known malware and viruses from a system. It works by scanning files and comparing them to a database of known malware signatures. If a match is found, the antivirus software will quarantine or delete the infected file.

On the other hand, XDR is a more advanced cybersecurity solution that goes beyond traditional antivirus software. XDR is designed to detect and respond to advanced threats that may evade traditional antivirus software. It works by collecting and analyzing data from multiple sources, such as endpoints, networks, and cloud environments, to detect and respond to threats in real-time.

One of the key differences between antivirus and XDR is their approach to threat detection. Antivirus software relies on a signature-based approach, which means it can only detect known threats that have a matching signature in its database. This makes antivirus software less effective against new and unknown threats.

XDR, on the other hand, uses a behavior-based approach to threat detection. It analyzes the behavior of files and processes to detect suspicious activity that may indicate a threat. This makes XDR more effective against advanced threats that may use sophisticated techniques to evade detection.

Another difference between antivirus and XDR is their scope of protection. Antivirus software is typically limited to protecting endpoints, such as desktops and laptops. XDR, on the other hand, provides a more comprehensive approach to cybersecurity by protecting endpoints, networks, and cloud environments.

In conclusion, while antivirus software is still an important cybersecurity solution, it is no longer enough to protect against advanced threats. XDR provides a more advanced and comprehensive approach to cybersecurity that is better suited to the modern threat landscape.

Zero Trust is a security concept in the computer world that requires all users to be authenticated before being granted access to apps and data, even if they were authenticated earlier. It is a strategic approach to cybersecurity that eliminates implicit trust and continuously validates every stage of a user’s access request.

The Zero Trust model assumes that individuals, devices, and services that are attempting to access company resources, even those inside the network, cannot automatically be trusted. This approach enhances security by verifying users every time they request access, regardless of their location or device.

Zero Trust differs from traditional security models in that it verifies a user’s identity each and every time they need specific system access, regardless of their location or device.

In contrast, traditional security models rely on a castle-and-moat cybersecurity model, in which anyone outside the corporate network perimeter is suspect and anyone inside gets the benefit of the doubt. The traditional model assumes that internal users are inherently trustworthy, known as implicit trust, which has resulted in many data breaches.  Zero Trust, on the other hand, eliminates implicit trust and continuously validates every stage of a user’s access request. While traditional security models focus on blocking, the Zero Trust model focuses on thorough and continuous verification.

The core principles of Zero Trust policy are based on the principle of least privilege, which permits access to various resources based on a strict set of standards to only allow authorized users. The Zero Trust model assumes that every user, device, and service that attempts to connect to a network is hostile until proven otherwise.. The fundamental principle of Zero Trust is to secure an organization’s data wherever it might live, while allowing only legitimate users and devices to access it. Zero Trust is designed to protect modern environments and enable fine-grained access control.  Security policy is applied based on context established through least-privileged access controls and strict verification. The Zero Trust model eliminates implicit trust and continuously validates every stage of a digital interaction.

Cybersecurity insurance protects organizations against the dangers caused by data breaches, ransomware extortion payments, theft, system hacking, and other attacks. While it’s a policy in itself, some insurers allow business owners to apply it as an add-on to their general business insurance. 

Naturally, it’s up to owners whether they purchase cybersecurity insurance or not. However, Kenny Natiss explains that any company that stores sensitive information digitally (i.e., online or on a computer) should certainly carry some type of cyber insurance coverage.

Types of Coverage

Typically, cybersecurity insurance comes in two forms — first party and liability. Both protect companies in different situations.

First-Party Coverage

With first-party cybersecurity insurance, businesses are financially protected for certain costs, including:

• Lost revenue from business interruption
• Risk assessments of cyber incidents
• Incident investigation
• Notifying customers about the cyber attack
• Offering customers anti-fraud services like credit monitoring
• Ransomware attack payments as per policy limits

Liability Coverage

Liability coverage, also known as third-party cybersecurity insurance, protects businesses in the event that a third party sues them for damages due to a cybersecurity breach. 

Such policies usually pay for:

• Court and attorney fees associated with the case’s legal procedures
• Regulatory noncompliance fines
• Court judgments and settlements

Many companies make the mistake of thinking that their general liability insurance covers cybersecurity-related claims, but most general liability coverage excludes them. Therefore, organizations that store customer data should consider obtaining a separate cyber policy. 

Cybersecurity Insurance Exclusions

Like other insurance types, cybersecurity coverage won’t cover absolutely everything related to cyberattacks and data breaches.

The common exclusions are as follows:

• Intellectual property — IP losses and lost income related to the cyber incident are normally excluded from coverage. 
• Proactive preventive measures — From training employees on cyberattacks to setting up VPNs (virtual private networks), preventive measures aren’t paid for by cybersecurity insurance. 
• Self-inflicted cyber incidents or crimes — No cybersecurity policy will cover businesses charged with committing a related crime or causing a cyberattack. That being said, companies can purchase commercial crime insurance to protect against employee theft. 
• Property damage — Property damage related to cyberattacks, like hardware problems, isn’t covered. Businesses need commercial property insurance for that. 

Do All Businesses Need Cybersecurity Coverage

Regardless of the company’s size, virtually any business can be at risk of cybercrime. So, many would argue that, yes, all organizations should prioritize cybersecurity coverage. 

However, it’s worth noting that this type of insurance is particularly important for the following:

• Companies with massive customer bases — Cybersecurity insurance covers regulatory fines that may occur following data breaches. Since notifying customers is required by state law, the cost is much more significant for bigger organizations. 
• Businesses that store sensitive information on computers or online — Whether they’re phone numbers, Social Security numbers, or credit card numbers, businesses that store these kinds of information are at risk of cyberattacks. Data breach insurance is essential here, as well as cyber liability coverage if they store sensitive customer information. 
• Companies with valuable digital assets or high revenue — Cyber incident costs are hard to predict. Those with valuable data and higher revenues will likely come with more expenses. 

Experts suggest that technology businesses also consider purchasing technology errors and omissions coverage — it’s different but related to cybersecurity insurance and potentially just as important. 

Modern life is difficult to navigate without access to the internet. Social media usage is increasing exponentially every year and computers and laptops have become vital for people at work and in school. According to Statista, as of July 2022, there are an estimated five billion internet users globally and every single one is susceptible to cybersecurity risks.

In the following article, Kenny Natiss will advise how to effectively manage cybersecurity risk, concentrating on four predominant tips. 

Encrypt and Back-Up Data

Sensitive data can be valuable for hackers, so any important information that you may need to access certain internet sites, or payment information used for online purchases should all be encrypted. This information can be accessed by others if you misplace your device or get hacked online.

Most modern devices come with encryption techniques already installed, however, using an older or outdated device may require full-disk encryptions (FDEs), which can be completed on any device. FDEs will ensure that no information is accessible without your chosen PIN code or password.

Cloud devices such as GoogleDrive, OneDrive, iCloud or DropBox are all legitimate storage services that not only back up your data, including photos, documents and files but also encrypt the data, protecting any data from unauthorized access.

Use a VPN

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are easily installable and are effective in redirecting hackers away from your IP address. When using the internet, the exact location of the user is identifiable for those who are IT-aware. This means hackers can detect the internet user’s exact location and more experienced hackers may even be able to track future internet usage.

To protect against this, many people use VPNs, which allow you to select an alternative address from anywhere in the world. This disables the hacker from identifying the correct address of the user. Users should change their chosen IP address every time the VPN is used to make sure they are almost impossible to track.

Use Strong Passwords

Hackers can guess passwords more often than many people believe, so using a strong password which includes a combination of letters, numbers and symbols is a good way of preventing hackers from accessing your data. 

Email addresses may be visible to hackers, so ensure that the data used in your email does not correspond with that in your password. For example, if using the email john.smith148@exampleemail.com, it would not be recommended to use ‘john’, ‘smith’ or ‘148’ in your password. This makes your password easier to guess and leaves you more susceptible to cybersecurity risk.

Install Firewalls

As hackers become more intelligent and innovative, cybersecurity threats are becoming increasingly harder to prevent. Installing a firewall can protect your network from a cyber-attack. Firewalls monitor network traffic and identify potential threats or suspicious activity. 

Firewalls are successful in preventing access to data via intricate spyware systems, which additionally help to divert hackers and ensure data privacy.

Final Thoughts

Many people experience cybersecurity risks as hackers grow more sophisticated and use more elaborate coding systems. There are additional ways in which data can be protected, whether a personal or work device is used. However, the four basic steps outlined above will create a foundation for safe internet usage and should prevent cybersecurity risks.

One simple cyberattack can uncover personal patient data and interrupt vital treatments. It can prevent doctors from accessing patient information and can even make hospital equipment shut down.

It can — and has been — so devastating that there has been a call from the government to create a federal healthcare cybersecurity leader and introduce incentives that reward those who make significant steps to improve cybersecurity in healthcare. 

Some doctors were even turning away patients, all because of ransomware.

Kenny Natiss explains how it’s a problem that’s not going away anytime soon — and significant investments are being made to fight it. According to the most recent Healthcare Cybersecurity Report, the global market for healthcare cybersecurity will reach $125 billion by 2025, growing 15% every year between now and then. 

Cyber offense, including major data breaches and hacks, is finally leading to an aggressive cyber defense. 

Cybersecurity in Healthcare

Healthcare cybersecurity covers a range of techniques to protect the medical industry from internal and external cyberattacks.

Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers in small offices and large medical corporations, medical device companies, and medical insurers are all coping with cyberattacks.

Cyberattacks in healthcare can compromise confidential patient information, the operation of medical equipment, and medical service availability

The reason for such safeguards is an enhanced frequency of healthcare industry cyberattacks. At the beginning of 2022, the government was by investigating 860 cybersecurity breaches.

One data breach impacted 3.25 million people. Such attacks usually cost the medical industry more than all other industries. In a report by the Ponemon Institute and IBM, the average cost of a healthcare cyberattack was $9.23 million. The average across all industries is $4.24 million.

Why Healthcare Cybersecurity is Such a Challenge

When someone steals a debit card, it’s easy to cancel it and obtain a new one quickly. But if information about diseases or laboratory test results is leaked, there’s no way to make that disappear.

Adding to the difficulty is that myriad technology and digital networks exist within just one hospital or clinic. This includes everything from ventilation and heating systems to online prescription managers and infusion pumps. All can become the victim of a cyberattack and each one is susceptible to different forms of cyberattacks.

Experts have identified the most prominent data breach format concerns for healthcare facilities. It includes phishing, attacks focused on specific network vulnerabilities, and ransomware.

What Can Be Done to Strengthen Healthcare Cybersecurity

Creating a federal cybersecurity czar has potential, but experts agree that prevention starts closer to home. Individual healthcare providers or companies can integrate several types of preventative measures to fight cyber threats to digital networks and medical devices. 

These include types of IT and cybersecurity training for personnel, as well as setting control over who may access certain data and launching systems that alert a clinic or company when there is authorized access to patient files.

Advanced cryptography to encrypt forms of data appears to often be necessary as are strict access protocols, including PINs, retina recognition, and even fingerprint access.

Most, if not all, security professionals view cyber security training as crucial for any successful company. Yet it often seems to benefit the employer only. Employees are expected to trudge through boring training to protect the company’s bottom line.

Employees get much more out of cyber security awareness than is initially apparent. After training, employees can utilize their new knowledge throughout their life, avoid complications for themselves and the company, and feel more competent around technology.

There is much behind these benefits to keep in mind when doing cyber security training. Below, Kenny Natiss explains the main reasons training is beneficial to both employer and employee.

Training Benefits Personal and Professional Life

No employee is only at risk of cyber-attack when at work. Each employee will be the target of cyber-crime and scams at some point. Realistically, this will be a frequent occurrence. In 2018, 14.4 million Americans were victims of identity theft.

When employees are trained to avoid scams and phishing attempts at work, they can translate this caution into their personal life. Cyber security awareness is doubly important for employees in their personal life as they will not be able to recover as easily as their company might.

Recovering from a cyber-attack costs time and money that employees might not have. Additionally, many companies have cyber insurance that employees likely do not.

Fewer Problems for Both Employee and Company

While a cyber security responsible company won’t punish employees for succumbing to cyber-attacks it can still lead to complications for the employee and their company. The fewer problems there are for the company the fewer problems there are for the employee.

This is especially true for smaller companies. If the company faces hardship as a result of cybercrime it could result in negative effects on the employees. In extreme cases, it could even lead to layoffs or pay cuts. 

Additionally, frequent successful cyber-attacks can result in repeated cyber security awareness courses. No employee wants to repeat classes they have already completed. It takes away from the time everyday work can be done. Not to mention it isn’t any more engaging the second time.

Improved Competency

Furthermore, quality cyber security classes can provide a sense of confidence. When employees aren’t as concerned about avoiding scams and malware, they can be more focused on what they need to do.

This improved competency will reduce one source of anxiety in all areas of cyber security awareness. Employees can confidently go about their tasks without a reduction in productivity. 

This competency can also reduce an employee’s need to ask for assistance. Everything speeds up when employees don’t need to verify with others the security of an email.

Closing Thoughts

There are plenty of other benefits that come from cyber security awareness. Many are company-centric of course, but these and others are directly for the employee. Although many courses have been a trial to endure, many companies are finding ways to improve the courses.

With the personal benefits employees gain, all should look to become cyber security-aware experts.

In the digital age, businesses rely heavily on their websites to inform their customers about their services, as well as offer an accessible place for them to make transactions. However, with all the benefits that accompany this era of technology, Kenny Natiss says there are threats lurking with every click.

Being cognizant of these cyber-dangers, and taking the actions needed to protect companies from them, is a proactive way for leaders to run their businesses successfully.

Cyberthreats

Cyberthreats are a way for criminals to digitally access potent information from a company or businesses online presence. This could include acquiring crucial data, like customer addresses or credit card numbers. 

However, it’s not just the clients that are at-risk. Any and all company info, like metrics and bank routing numbers, can easily be obtained through any combination (or a single one) of the following cyberthreats:

• Adware will bombard a web page or link with a slew of ads that render the website unnavigable. Though some forms of adware aren’t dangerous, some of the advertisements may contain trojan horses- which can infect the computer system with viruses if clicked or interacted with.
• Ransomware is a type of cyberthreat that companies need to be very aware of. If infected with this form of software, the program will hold the business’ webpage for ransom until a certain amount of money is paid. If not paid, the webpage won’t be returned, and/or data about the business will be leaked. 
• Spyware is a form of malware that highlights that not all forms of cyberthreats are visual and loud. Companies will not be able to tell if their webpage is compromised – meanwhile, the software will follow clicks and inputs- sending the data to cyber criminals who will sell or leak sensitive information.

Cyber Security

Cyber security involves all of the different ways a company can approach protecting their computer systems and websites from these forms of malware.

This can involve using technology (like installed hardware, software, and programs) to combat these threats. It could also mean employing people to consistently search for these threats, and instilling procedures and protocols for the company to follow in order to reduce the risk of exposure to this threatening software.

Depending on the size of the business, the cost of hiring, installing, and monitoring a cyber security system or team can range from $100-$500 a month for a smaller company or network, but can raise to $15,000 (if a company is at higher risk, or is particularly large).

Of course, the cost can range depending on what the business considers most valuable. For example, if all that’s wanted is a firewall installation, it will generally cost $450 upfront, while antivirus installation can be as affordable as less than $20 monthly. 

Benefits Of Cyber Threat Technology

When protected, companies of all kinds, from retail to client-based services, can flourish without fear of threat. Installing technology to protect from these issues will lead to a slew of benefits, including, but not limited to:

• Preventing Fraud – Once a software has access to personal information, nothing is stopping them from committing crimes using your private data. This can range from financial fraud to embezzlement. 
• Increased Productivity –  If a website is consistently under forms of attack, employees have no choice but to cease work in order to deal with the issue at hand or wait until it’s resolved. With proper cyber protection, focus can instead be put on bettering the company, rather than remedying a preventable issue.
• Impressed Customers – Most protective technologies have banners that are visible to website visitors and clients. If customers and clients have the confidence that their information is secure, they’ll likely return- boosting one’s business reputation. 
• Website Protection – Ensuring the safety of a webpage is a small step, but one absolutely invaluable. If a website is performing at its highest capacity, it will increase traffic and business revenue. 

The previous facts name just a handful of benefits a business can expect with proper cyber threat technology being installed but is in no way an exhaustive list. In spite of that, the advantages showcase the point that cyber security notably outweighs the potential consequences of not having it.