Cybersecurity matters because it deals with protecting all data categories from theft and malicious damage. Some of the data it assists in safeguarding include:
Without a good cybersecurity program, you’ll be unable to defend yourself and your business against potential data breaches. This will, in turn, make you an ideal target for cybercriminals.
Being self-employed goes beyond knowing how to use freelancers, as it requires you to learn how to protect your investment.
One way to do this is by allowing an ITAD company to help you protect your data. Did you know that poor recycling and hard drive shredding policies can also lead to data loss and theft?
Why Does Cybersecurity Matter?
Millions of entrepreneurs in America use the internet to share personal information each day. They do this when making an online purchase, completing financial transactions, and when working remotely.
This makes cybersecurity a priority, especially for the self-employed. Below are reasons for this:
1. Cybercrimes are on the Rise
Cybercrimes can cause untold disruptions in an interconnected and increasingly digitized world such as this one. For example, studies have established that cyberattacks skyrocketed by a whopping 400% in 2020 when more people began working remotely due to the pandemic.
Apart from an increase in the number of attacks, the nature of the attacks has also grown. Today, a DDoS, phishing, or malware attack can easily take down a large corporation. If it can do this to large corporations, it means your private data is also at risk.
2. Your Business and Personal Data Is Valuable
Cyberattacks don’t discriminate against individuals and large/extensive computer systems. Cybercriminals will collect any data they can find, whether personal or business. Most of these criminals are mainly interested in financial data, as it’s quite valuable.
For example, if they get access to your social security number, it will become easier for them to take out credit cards in your name and up as much debt as they want. The same applies to those who target home/office addresses, credit card information, and dates of birth.
3. Cyberattacks Can Have Real-World Effects
It’s possible to view cybercrime as a distant problem that only affects a small section of the population. But the reality is that these attacks not only target information security but they can also compromise critical infrastructure that can affect your employees and partners.
4. Hackers May Exploit Your Devices
Hackers are always trying to find new ways they can use to hack into computer systems and exploit the available devices. A good example is crypto-jacking. Here, hackers will target your devices to help them mine cryptocurrency.
You can add this to the long list of other cybercrimes such as malware, password attacks, and proxy phishing which can weaken your security and expose you to further threats.
5. Cybercrimes Often Result in High Economic Costs
A look at the economic costs of cybercrimes shows just how expensive these attacks are to the victim and the country. It’s estimated that the global economy loses an average of $1 trillion yearly to cybercriminals.
Ransomware attacks can, for instance, tank your personal finances, bankrupt your startup, disrupt local and international financial markets, and lead to massive data loss. The high cost of these cybercrimes makes it crucial to implement a security system in your business.
While at it, make sure to enhance your internet safety and educate your personnel on ways to protect themselves against common cyberattacks.
How Can You Protect Yourself and Your Business Against Cyberattacks?
As a self-employed professional, you can take numerous simple steps to assist you in preventing cyberattacks and protecting your data from hackers. Some of the recommended practices include:
- Following password best practices
- Installing antivirus software in all internet-enabled devices
- Learning to identify phishing attempt
- Ensuring you change your password often and immediately after a suspected breach
Conclusion
Cybersecurity is vital for every person, even if your business or line of work isn’t heavily reliant on technology. While at it, you will need to remember that almost all aspects of modern living involve sharing information online.
It’s why you need to take cybersecurity seriously, regardless of your industry. Use the above tips to protect your personal and business data from current and future threats.