As technology advances, unfortunately, so does cybercrime. Cyber attacks are on the rise – especially in the Middle East. Ransomware attacks targeted over 40 companies in the Gulf Cooperation Council in 2021-2022 (Middle East Monitor). Regrettably, cyber attacks are still continuing to rise; Forbes reported that cyber attacks in the first half of 2022 rose by 42% compared to 2021. So, it is more important than ever to ensure that your business has proper cybersecurity measures and is protected against modern cyber threats.  Cybersecurity should always be at the forefront of your business plans. If you only react to the threats once they present themselves, your organization is at risk of not being perceived as competitive or financially secure in the broader market.

In this article, we look at the different types of threats and vulnerabilities in cybersecurity, how best to safeguard your business, and how stc can help with our extensive cybersecurity playbook.

What is vulnerability in cybersecurity?

Vulnerability in cybersecurity is any flaw in your processes, technologies and people. Simply put, cybersecurity is protecting your infrastructure (networks and computer systems) people or employees from any form of attack. So, any issues in these elements can pose a threat and make you more vulnerable to cybercrime as attackers routinely look for weak spots to exploit.

Types of vulnerability in cyber security

Below is our cybersecurity vulnerability list; it categorizes cybersecurity risks into 4 main areas.

Process Vulnerabilities

Process, or procedural vulnerability, is when inadequate security measures are in place. Broken authentication would be an example of this.

Human Vulnerabilities

Human vulnerability is anything that a user – a person – can do to make your business more vulnerable to cybercriminals. This can be anything from a weak password, storing personal or confidential data in an unsecured location, to accidentally opening a malicious email attachment. In particular, improper email conduct can result in cybersecurity issues. The FBI has reported that over $43 Billion has been stolen through Business Email Compromise since 2016.

Network Vulnerabilities

Network vulnerabilities include any weaknesses in software, hardware infrastructure or data communication channels. These weaknesses make it easier for attackers to gain access to your network. An example is insecure WI-FI.

Operating System Vulnerabilities

Any issues in your operating system would count as an operating system vulnerability. Cybercriminals are looking for any weaknesses they can exploit and then try and break into the operating system to obtain access and cause harm.

Examples of vulnerability in cybersecurity

We've categorized vulnerability types in cybersecurity, but what does this actually mean in practice? Many people inadvertently put themselves at risk of cybercrime every day just by undertaking their daily tasks. Below we've listed five common examples of cybersecurity vulnerabilities:

Accessing or handling malicious files

This is a risk as the file could contain malware and attack your applications or infrastructure.

Missing data encryption

If your data isn’t encrypted, in both transit and rest, then it is much easier for hackers to gain unauthorized access to that data.

Weak and compromised passwords

A weak password is easy for cybercriminals to guess and there are many tools to generate the configured password. An unauthorized user may already have access to a compromised password. Often, a password is flagged as compromised if it's been used by a location, device, or user that is out of the ordinary.

Websites without an SSL certificate

A SSL certificate ensures that a website has secure encryption – the S in HTTPS at the start of a website address signifies certification. If your business has a website, then obtain an SSL certificate to protect yourself and your customers from data breaches.

Software vulnerabilities

This is a problem, flaw, or glitch in software code that online attackers can easily exploit. If you do have any software issues, make sure you fix them as soon as possible. Failure to do so could result in a zero-day attack. Cyber Security must be a consideration in all stages of the software development cycle.

A zero-day attack in cybersecurity is when hackers attack systems that have a flaw that hasn't been discovered yet or is only newly discovered by the business. Zero-day refers to the time span; this is because the company – usually the developers or IT team- has zero days, or no time at all, to fix the issue before cybercriminals strike.

How to prevent vulnerability

The best way to protect your business against the threat of cybercrime is to  activate 24/7 security monitoring. The monitoring should include advanced threat intelligence, automated threat hunting, and incident response for all your infrastructure. It should also enforce cyber security protection at all layers of your infrastructure and carry out periodic proactive security testing to identify any loopholes in existing prevention mechanisms.

Or you can partner with a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) that offers managed security. This helps organizations address any security issue without overwhelming their internal existing IT/Security staff. By outsourcing your security needs, an organization can focus on generating more business instead of protecting its digital assets. According to the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, or (ISC)², there is currently a workforce gap in the cybersecurity industry, meaning it’s more important than ever to find the right cybersecurity partner for your business.  

Did you know that stc Bahrain is the leading cutting-edge Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) in Bahrain stc Bahrain is part of stc who workacross the Middle East? Our recent blog details how stc is revolutionizing cybersecurity as we know it. Whether you are an SME, a ME, or even a global enterprise, stc's advanced cybersecurity playbook contains many solutions to fit your organization's bespoke security needs.  If you choose stc Bahrain's cybersecurity services, your business will benefit from our expert cybersecurity knowledge, extensive experience, and advanced industry-leading technologies. We offer continuous real-time monitoring, fast incident response, and properly meet compliance requirements from regulators.    
Our playbook offers a range of fully managed services:

Managed Detection and Response Services

• SOC as a Service​
• Network Detection and Response Service​
• Extended Detection and Response Service​​
• Attack Surface Management Service ​
• ​Managed Threat Intelligence Service​

Infrastructure and Endpoint Security Services

• Web Application Firewall​
• End Point Detection and Response Service​
• Email Security As a Service​
• Business Email Compromise Protection ​
• DDoS Mitigation Service​
• Virtual Firewall Service​
• Web Protect Service 
• Web Security Services​

Proactive Prevention Services ​

• Vulnerability Management​
• ​Penetration Testing ​
• Crowdsourced Penetration Testing Service (Vulnerability Operation Center) 

Security Awareness Services 

• Cyber Security Awareness​
• Human Firewall Service​

Crisis Management

• Digital Forensics and Incident Response Service

Together, these solutions form a complete cybersecurity protection package. 

Our Security Operation Center Capabilities are as below:

• 24 x 7 x 365 security monitoring and reporting for critical customer assets
• Locally deployed SIEM platform and locally based SOC team
• Integrated Advanced Cyber Threat Intelligence Feeds (Commercial and Open-Source feeds)
• PCI-DSS and ISO 27001 Certified Infrastructure
• Access to security expertise from global talent pool​
• Cybersecurity Academy for training and nurturing local talents

We are on a mission to build a safe and resilient digital infrastructure in Bahrain that enables businesses to thrive.
Why chose stc Bahrain as your preferred Managed Security Service Provider?

1. Invest  
   Invest on ICT services for national infrastructure development​
2. Innovate  
   Innovate to secure the infrastructure and communication
3. Drive  
   Instrumental in driving Bahrain cybersecurity index forward
4. Grow  
   Grow Bahrain cybersecurity ecosystem with best practices

Our value propositions are:

• Comprehensive service offering built on world class Security Operation Center
• Best in class customer service with 24-hour support and strong SLA’s ​
• Strong Partner eco system to provide highest level of quality of service ​
• Customer focused engagements across solution design, delivery, and support​

Are you looking to add an extra layer of security to your business in 2023? Visit our dedicated cybersecurity landing page to discover our solutions and see how stc can help your organization.

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