In the digital age, where data breaches and cyber threats loom larger than ever, securing business operations has become paramount.
With the glorious Nevada mountains behind me, I clicked into my virtual conversation with Sergei Dubograev, VP of Development for Clutch. Clutch is one of the fastest-growing global marketplaces of business service providers: 350,000+ B2B companies in 2,000+ categories, all spanning 157 countries. If you need support to guard against data loss, bot invasions, or account breaches, you can find trusted cybersecurity companies on Clutch. An online marketplace relies on ironclad security – and that is the topic Sergei and I explored.
Sergei is no stranger to tech. He founded and built Clowder. The mobile app platform for associations and nonprofits was acquired by Advanced Solutions International (ASI) in late 2023.
We got right into it and, suddenly, the sun-kissed landscape behind me faded away as we focused on more pressing mountains: How can businesses – like the ones found on Clutch – defend data and operations in the face of sophisticated cyber threats?
Phishing Attacks: Sneaky emails trying to steal your credentials.
Ransomware: Malware that locks your data and demands a ransom.
Denial-of-Service (DoS): Overloading systems knocking services offline.
Man-in-the-Middle (MitM): Covert intercepting communications.
SQL Injection: Exploiting database weaknesses to gain access.
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Injecting malicious scripts into websites.
Zero-Day Exploits: Attacking unpatched vulnerabilities.
DNS Spoofing: Redirecting users to fake sites by altering DNS.
Sergei and I unpacked cybersecurity policies and best practices, starting with the biggest misconception: IT is solely responsible for cybersecurity. This myth creates a false sense of security. Everyone in an organization is on the cybersecurity team because every department is vulnerable.
Face cybersecurity straight on with the superpowers you already have. Here are a few tips:
Promote Organization-Wide Involvement: Engage a range of professionals — from board directors to executives to mid-level managers and staff — in risk management discussions.
Mandatory Cybersecurity Training: Implement cybersecurity awareness training for all employees, not just the tech team.
Collaborative Decision-Making: Work together on cybersecurity decisions.
Recognize Departmental Risks: Identify each department’s cybersecurity risks and tailor solutions to their needs.
Emphasize Shared Responsibility: Foster a culture where every employee understands their role in maintaining the organization’s cybersecurity.
Artificial intelligence (AI) poses big benefits and big threats. Watch for:
AI-Powered Phishing: Imagine personalized phishing emails created by AI, pulling data from social media to make them super convincing.
Deepfake Technology: Criminals could create realistic audio or video impersonations, leading to fraud or unauthorized access.
Sophisticated Malware: AI might help develop malware that adapts to avoid detection, making it harder to catch.
AI-Driven DDoS Attacks: Attackers could use AI to coordinate massive DDoS attacks by finding vulnerabilities and overwhelming systems.
Automated Threat Hunting: Cybercriminals could use AI to identify and exploit weaknesses faster than human teams can respond.
Credential Stuffing: With AI, it’s easier for attackers to test stolen credentials across multiple sites, increasing their chances of success.
We’ve looked at 2024’s top cyber threats, the #1 cybersecurity myth, your cybersecurity superpowers and what we might expect in 2025, largely driven by AI.
The good news: while Cybersecurity Month ends, you can build a robust defense against cyber threats by making it a daily affair. Cybersecurity is evolving, all-encompassing and everyone’s challenge. Just like a well-equipped mountaineer, you’ll be ready to scale the daunting mountains ahead.
Time to climb.
Watch my full interview with Sergei for many other cybersecurity tips, trends and facts. https://bit.ly/48MIlUl