Why Prioritising Cyber Security is Critical to Your Business
Written by: Domains.co.za Johannesburg Save to Instapaper
Cyber Security is non-negotiable! Cyber-attacks can affect businesses and individuals in a professional, or personal capacity, with disastrous consequences. While October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, the seriousness of cyber-crime should always take precedence; particularly in companies where a ‘work-from-anywhere’ culture is the order of the day.
Did you know?
Malware – It has been estimated, that South African businesses suffer 577 malware attacks every hour via online communications. Malware is malicious software such as a virus, worm, spyware, ransomware etc., which are designed to steal information and disrupt or damage a network.Phishing & Social Engineering – A Mimecast report found that social engineering tactics through phishing increased by 64% in 2020. Phishing is fraudulent emails aimed at getting the receiver to click on a link or download malware. Social engineering refers to the communication tactics a hacker uses to interact with a cyber victim (via telephone, email or social media) and persuades the person into sharing sensitive information, clicking on a link or downloading a file.Ransomware – The same Mimecast report found that 6 out of every 10 companies experienced a ransomware attack last year. Ransomware is malware that gains access to sensitive information, encrypts it and then sets a ransom amount for the release of said information.South Africa is a hacker hotspot – Hackers focus a lot of their attention on South Africa, taking advantage of internet users who have a lack of online security awareness. We experience the third highest number of attacks in the world, losing R2.2-billion every year.The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) holds you accountable – Companies have a responsibility towards their online customers and are required to follow certain protocols to ensure the protection of their personal information. When a company is successfully hacked the business not only suffers financial losses and a tarnished reputation but will also be liable to legal action.
The biggest treat
Securing a company’s network is only part of the solution. Due to cyber-attacks becoming more highly organised and sophisticated, and working-from-home (WFH) on the increase, employees have become a company’s weakest and biggest cyber security risk. According to the 2021 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) 85% of data breaches involve a human element such as phishing, stolen credentials or human error.
Lastpass, an encrypted password manager recently released research done on the password habits of 3750 professionals across seven countries. The Psychology of Passwords research results found that:
65% of respondents use the same or a variation of their password for most accounts;only 8% think it’s not a good idea to use a password that’s personal to them; and20% share pictures of their pets with their names on social media even though they use their pet names as passwords.
Even more alarming is that since working remotely, 47% did not change their online security habits whatsoever.
All it takes is one employee’s bad judgement to bring an entire organisation’s defence to its knees. Employees’ online behaviour is therefore a notable threat to businesses, and ongoing cyber security awareness is a must.
Domains.co.za takes cyber security seriously
“It is essential to appoint a cyber security officer that will help set-up and drive your company’s cyber security strategy,” says Laura Kruger, head of client operations at Domains.co.za
“We believe that the best way to combat this threat is to implement on-going training sessions and using practical, real-world examples. An employee who knows what to look out for will be more prepared when suspicious activity occurs. The best and most sophisticated software and scanners are useless if a company neglects to educate its employees. You are only as strong as your weakest link,” she adds.
Next week we will share practical tips for businesses and employees to better prepare against this growing concern.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to receive helpful cyber security tips during our 10 Days of Cyber Security Awareness social media campaign.
Domains.co.za is a domain name and website hosting company based in Johannesburg. We offer various value-added solutions to help our customers succeed online. Our domain validated and organisation validated SSL certificates can help your business secure its website and our ESET Anti-Virus solutions provide device protection.
Learn more about our products and services, here.
Domains.co.za is a domain name Registrar and hosting provider in South Africa. We are a division of DiaMatrix, which has been in business since 2001. Over the years we have continually strived to maintain our best in the industry by providing the best professional online products at affordable prices, superior service, and skilled support. We endeavour to continually revolutionise our product range with new, innovative solutions that are specifically designed for our clients’ online business goals.
Latest from
- Why Online Customer Reviews Should Matter To Your SME
- Domains.co.za Leads the Way with Free Domain Transfer Lock for .co.za Domains
- Women’s Month - How to become a significant entrepreneur
- Best Hosting in South Africa - 10 Reasons to choose Domains.co.za
- 4 of the Best Website Ideas for a .love Domain Name
- Small Business Tips - 3 Reasons to invest in the upskilling of your employees
- Website Metrics - What to track, Why they matter & How to fix them?
- From Hobby to Small Business in 5 Steps
- Four Cybercrime Trends that every South African must be aware of
- GREAT NEWS - The Registry has dropped the renewal price on .africa, .joburg, .durban and .capetown domains to R90.00* p/y
- What is Hosted PBX? Reasons to choose Domains.co.za’s Uncapped Voice Communication Solution
- It is MORE than just a domain name – it’s an Opportunity!
- 7 Best WordPress Plugins for 2022
- 7 Reasons to register a .joburg, .durban, .capetown or .africa alongside your .co.za
- What to consider when choosing your Web Hosting Provider
The Pulse Latest Articles
- Liezel Van Der Westhuizen On Why Winter Workouts Feel Harder And How To Stay Consistent (July 28, 2025)
- From Eastern Cape To England: Zintle Mpupha’s Road To The Rugby World Cup (July 27, 2025)
- Athini Magodla Reveals Why Modern Refreshment Fuels Performance Over Perfection In Today’s Wellness Culture. (July 27, 2025)
- Why More Mums Are Choosing Less Sugar - Not No Sugar (July 27, 2025)
- Scaling Hospitality: How Jimmy Eracleous Runs Two Of Moo Moo’s Top-performing Franchise Restaurants (July 27, 2025)