Guide To Cyber Security Terms That Are Often Confused

Summary: This 3-minute article explains why a clear understanding of basic cyber security terms is crucial to operating a small to mid-sized business. Knowledge of basic terminology is essential in the planning and installation of robust SMB cybersecurity. Contact DIGIGUARD CYBER SECURITY at 833-33-CYBER (833-332-9237) or visit www.DIGIGUARDsecurity.com to schedule a cyber risk analysis and discuss the best cyber threat protection possible for your SMB before a cyberattack.

IT innovation continues to unfold all over the world. Every day, new smart devices are added to the rapidly expanding IoT (Internet of Things). Unfortunately, each new connection increases the target landscape for cybercrimes. As the tech world evolves quickly, it is understandable that many SMB owners would be confused by ever-evolving cyber security terminology. Here are some of the most confused terms:

• Cyber Security – Ironically, cyber security has become a blanket term for computer and network security, including virus and malware protection, data protection and privacy. There are many variations of definitions for cyber security. However, the term generally refers to protecting data and private information from cyberattacks.
• Data vs. Information – Information is composed of bits of data. For example, if someone asks for the information, “What is the weather right now?” A complete answer contains the data: temperature, humidity, precipitation and wind. The combination of those data points supply the necessary information to answer the question.
• Spoofing vs. Phishing – Spoofing is a cyber scam in which the cyberthief disguises an email address, domain or display name to trick the user into believing they are communicating with a trusted source. Phishing uses emails that present “bait” to the unsuspecting user, offering things such as contest winnings, claims that money is owed or locked out accounts to prompt the user to react to the “click bait” impulsively.
• Assessment vs. Audit – In the IT world, an assessment is done by a professional IT third party with the goal of affirming that a computer system is secure. An assessment is often a “self-check” initiated by a company to have an outside party certify that their system is secure. In the process, an assessment can uncover cyber vulnerabilities, which can then be addressed. Audits are generally done after a data breach to assess the damages of a cyberattack.
• Encryption vs. Encoding – The difference between encryption and encoding is simple: With encryption, data is converted into a code, with the cyber security goal of protecting it from unauthorized access. Encoding is merely the converting of characters and numbers into a digital format.
• Security vs. Privacy – In IT, security protects your personal information from malicious cyberattacks. Privacy is control over your personal information, who can use it and how it is used.
• Data Breach vs. Identity Theft – Although data breaches and identity theft are related issues, there are some subtle differences:
  • A Data Breach is a security event during which confidential data is accessed without the user’s permission.
  • Identity Theft is when a hacker uses private information such as a driver’s license or social security number without the owner’s permission to gain illicit access to other sensitive personal data such as bank accounts and credit cards.

Home users and SMBs should stay versed in current cyber security terminology. In addition, you can better understand and communicate computer issues to professional IT experts by staying up to date on terms.

Get a DIGIGUARD Cyber Risk Analysis for SMBs

As your small to mid-sized business grows, expands its network and adds more devices such as smart controls, wireless access and remote access, your network vulnerability grows, too. Therefore, SMBs need to stay up to date with their basic understanding of IT issues. DIGIGUARD specializes in proactive cyber security and network security and has a wide array of solutions for small and midsized businesses to defend against cyberattacks and other network data breaches. They are cyber security experts who can ensure your confidential business and financial data has the best protection possible. Furthermore, they can establish cyber security best practices and train your employees so they do not inadvertently open your company to a cyberattack. That training will work in tandem with your BCP and DRP so that everyone knows exactly what to do in the event of a cyberattack. DIGIGUARD’s services in cyber security are up to the minute and cost-effective. They will enable SMB owners to concentrate on operating their businesses without fear of a data breach crippling their operations.

Cyber Threat Protection

In addition to helping you defend against or recover from cybercrimes, DIGIGUARD can provide robust solutions that offer early detection of potential cyber threats before they happen. Furthermore, DIGIGUARD can assess your cyber vulnerability and work with you to ensure you have the best network and data protection solutions for your business and help you and your employees be prepared in the event of a cyberattack.

Contact DIGIGUARD CYBER SECURITY at 833-33-CYBER (833-332-9237) www.DIGIGUARDsecurity.com to discuss the Business Continuity plans, Disaster Recovery Plans and other cyber defense protocols to protect your SMB’s business data and stay current as new and more powerful protections are developed.