Práctica 2 Riesgos
Práctica 2 Riesgos
To mitigate the threat of phishing attacks, companies need to implement multi-layered security measures. These include employee training to recognize phishing attempts, deploying email filters to detect suspicious messages, and promoting the use of multi-factor authentication to secure access. Educating staff on identifying fake emails, messages, or links is crucial in preventing these attacks. Additionally, technical defenses like email and web filters can block fraudulent messages before they reach users. Promoting multi-factor authentication provides an extra security layer, ensuring that even if credentials are compromised, unauthorized access is not automatically granted .
Amid digital transformation, it is crucial for companies to have a solid information security management system (ISMS) to safeguard sensitive data against evolving cyber threats. A robust ISMS should include risk assessment procedures, security policies, and incident response plans. It encompasses protection strategies like employee training, malware defense, and network security measures to ensure data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. A well-structured ISMS allows companies to systematically address cybersecurity risks, conform to regulatory requirements, and maintain trust among stakeholders .
Human error can significantly impact cybersecurity by unintentionally compromising data integrity. This can occur due to a lack of awareness, insufficient training, or simply mistakes in handling information systems. Errors could lead to incorrect data entry, misconfiguration of security settings, or falling victim to phishing attacks, all of which can expose systems to unauthorized access or data breaches . Inadequate user knowledge and training are key issues that increase the likelihood of human error affecting cybersecurity .
The three key concepts that define a risk in computer systems are vulnerability, threat, and risk itself . Vulnerability refers to a known weakness in a system that could be exploited during an attack. A threat is an incident or a potential event that could damage a system. Risk is the potential for loss when a threat exploits a vulnerability, leading to financial, reputational, or privacy damage. These concepts interrelate as a vulnerability can be exploited by a threat, thus realizing a risk, leading to negative impacts on an organization .
Ransomware is considered one of the principal cybersecurity threats because it involves the malicious encryption or blocking of access to a user's data or entire system, demanding a ransom for release. This type of attack can cause immense disruption and financial loss. Ransomware commonly exploits system vulnerabilities to gain access and install itself. Once installed, it extorts users by demanding payment, although paying does not always guarantee data recovery . Variants of ransomware include cryptographic, blocker, doxware, and scareware .
Focusing on threats rather than vulnerabilities for a resource-limited company allows prioritization of managing the most likely and impactful risks first. By concentrating on threats, companies can direct their limited resources towards preventing and mitigating those threats that have a higher probability of occurrence and potential for damage, rather than spreading resources thinly across numerous potential vulnerabilities . This strategy could result in a more efficient allocation of resources and better overall protection for the organization .
The Sony cyberattack in 2014 illustrated the impact of inadequate cybersecurity measures by showcasing extreme financial and reputational damages. Attackers accessed and stole sensitive data, including emails and unreleased films, which led to disruptions in the company's operations. This breach demonstrated that insufficient cybersecurity could not only result in direct financial losses and production delays but also legal challenges and damage to corporate reputation. It emphasized the need for comprehensive security strategies to protect against diverse cyber threats .
Risk in cybersecurity extends beyond external threats and includes any circumstance that could decrease the safety or benefit of a system. It encompasses factors such as internal mismanagement, lack of access control, improper data handling, and system vulnerabilities that can be exploited. These risks are not limited to external attacks but also include internal oversights and human errors that could compromise the system from within. Effective risk management therefore requires a comprehensive approach that includes external and internal factors to ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the information systems .
Identifying the probability of occurrence and the impact of threats is essential in risk analysis because it enables organizations to prioritize resources appropriately. By understanding which threats are most likely to occur and could cause the most harm, companies can focus on deploying mitigating measures effectively. This approach helps in designing targeted interventions to reduce the likelihood or impact of potential incidents and avoiding the inefficient use of security resources on less critical threats .
Social and natural causes can pose significant risks to information security, particularly during crises. During natural disasters or social crises, organizations may have reduced vigilance and control over their information systems. This reduction creates opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities and conduct malicious activities unnoticed. Such situations may also lead to unintentional information exposure or weak implementation of security protocols, compounding the risk of security breaches .