October is our favorite month, not only because of the changing leaves and fantastic fall weather but also because it's National Cybersecurity Awareness Month! That's right; an entire month dedicated to our greatest passion—cybersecurity. Since Q-Net's inception, our team of scientists, entrepreneurs, and engineers has dedicated itself to protecting critical networks from cyberattacks. It is only appropriate that we take this opportunity to talk about the importance of cybersecurity and what hardsec technology can do for you.
When looking for the right solution, remember the CIA triad of cybersecurity: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Confidentiality refers to pertinent information being available to the proper individuals. The crucial role of cybersecurity systems is to protect data, or information, from those who should not be accessing it. There should be measures to ensure that those privy to specific data sets are the only people receiving said information. Maintaining data integrity means that you're keeping your data clean both when it's uploaded and when it's stored. That means allowing access only to those who will need to modify said data in order to prevent data leaks, malicious data, and accidentally altered data.
Remember, you have nothing if you don't have availability. Onerous cybersecurity protocols tend to limit productivity, and it's essential to make sure employees still have access to the necessary data to do their job correctly. Only the correct personnel must have access to the crucial information, but security measures cannot be so intense that it is difficult for even select personnel to do their jobs. You need to find a balance between accessing data and running your business. The security you implement will be pointless if your business comes to a halt because of it.
Software security cannot fully protect your system. Any code, by definition, can be re-written, and people discover new software vulnerabilities every day. To keep up with hackers and evolving threats, software companies must release ongoing patches and updates, which continually put your network at risk. Thankfully, hardsec technology can eliminate these risks through its encryption and decryption methods. A hardware-based cybersecurity approach provides solutions to:
Patches are software code that repairs broken functionality, adds new functionality, or fixes security holes in software. The patch management process distributes and updates the software necessary to fix vulnerabilities: operating systems, applications, and embedded systems (i.e., network equipment).
The issue with installing patches is that it takes time, and added software can make your computer run slower than intended. Even after installing all necessary patches, there can still be vulnerabilities within your systems that could leave you susceptible to a cyberattack. So, what is the best way to avoid patches? Your solution is simple with hardware technology.
Hardware technology, like our Q-Box, runs without software, so there are never any updates or patches to install. It's the most straightforward cybersecurity solution technology has to offer. Don't waste hundreds of hours on patch management and wondering if you're protected enough from nefarious threat actors. With a Q-box, know that you're safe from various cybersecurity threats, with no updates needed!
A legacy system refers to outdated computing software or hardware that is still in use. In general, these systems meet the needs they were initially designed for but leave no room for growth. With an ever-changing virtual environment, development is paramount for companies and organizations to stay safe from threat actors.
One major issue with legacy systems is their age. When first implemented, legacy systems may have been up to date with cybersecurity best practices, but over time, they become outdated. As companies grow, merge, and experience corporate restructuring, these legacy systems often become "orphaned." That "orphaned" hardware or software can continue to exist in the background without any notice until, one day, an IT change inadvertently results in its exposure to the external world. This creates an unguarded door for threat actors to get into.
Another issue with legacy systems is that they typically cannot implement additional security layers quickly. It's essential to know that legacy applications cannot do any type of real-time security monitoring. This is especially dangerous if the legacy application connects to both the internet and the internal corporate network. This is unfortunate because the translation of modern cybersecurity techniques to older legacy systems is often much too expensive or impossible to execute. That's why it's essential to look at hardsec solutions such as our Q-Box. The Q-box can be dropped in front of legacy systems, effectively securing your data from threat actors.
Cybersecurity often focuses on network information technology (IT), but your operations technology (OT) also needs protection. OT involves controlling and monitoring the physical devices and machinery associated with computing, while IT is responsible for ensuring data delivery between multiple networks, offering support when issues occur, and maintaining network connections. IT typically requires careful monitoring and updating. You'll most likely find IT in a business setting where companies rely on emails and VPNs.
While these two types of technology once worked independently, we've entered an age where the two work together. Now, one can access hardware associated with OT remotely. That means your OT needs more protection than ever.
Many times, businesses are unaware of the value of their operations technology (OT). It is more common to find them in an industrial environment, where large pieces of machinery operate on their own. Very few, if any, updates occur for OT devices. With that explained, do you think many companies can afford to have their OT network held for ransom? Learn the actual cost of a cyberattack—it's more than you might think!
In 2020 alone, the estimate for how much a cyberattack cost businesses of all sizes was $200,000 on average. In five years, the projected cost to businesses due to cybercrime is about $5.2 trillion! Not only do you lose money during the initial attack, but additional expenses occur after the attack too.
For starters, it causes a loss of productivity. Cyberattacks can bring companies to a grinding halt, depending on the severity of the attack. Every minute your staff is working to address and fix the cyberattack, its aftereffects translate to devastating financial losses. You can also suffer a loss of trust and reputation, hurting further business ventures and your company's future.
Q-Net Security can help you protect your business and personal information today. Our Q-Box is the most robust yet simple-to-use hardware-based cybersecurity device to implement into your computer, server, IoT element, or network device. This hardsec device is especially appropriate for at-home employees who need to securely connect to approved endpoints (i.e., on-site servers). With an established on-site target, Q-Net Security can create a secure tunnel to company and online resources. Contact Q-Net for a live demo (remote or in-person) or schedule a no-obligation proof-of-concept or pilot program for your business today!