What is cybersecurity? The ultimate guide (for dummies) with examples and action plan

Ah, cybersecurity.

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Another word that's on everyone's lips, but you don't quite understand what's at stake yet?

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Don't worry, we've all been there. Yes, even those of us who write these articles. To help you understand what it is, but more importantly, why it's so important, we've put together a comprehensive guide, including real-life examples and recommendations from our experts.

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How about it?

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1. What is cybersecurity?

Let's start with this! 

Cybersecurity is simply the set of practices that protect your data, your computer systems, and everything to do with your digital business from external threats. These threats can be hackers, viruses, or even internal errors that expose your information without you even realizing it.

So far, so good.

Rest assured, even without being an IT expert, it's possible to understand the basics and adopt practices to secure your business.

But to go further and protect your entire organization, the rzilient offer includes comprehensive services to optimize your cybersecurity. Don't hesitate to contact our teams for more information and to find out how they can help you.

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Resume!

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2. The main threats: What can happen?

Cybersecurity is about protecting ourselves from threats that could potentially come our way. So, before we talk about cybersecurity solutions, let's understand what we need to protect ourselves from:

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Here are a few cyberattack techniques:

• ‍Phishing: You receive an email that looks legitimate, but asks you to click on a link or provide your information. Once you've taken the bait, hackers can access your accounts or steal your data. That's a pretty graphic concept! 
• ‍Ransomware: A hacker has encrypted certain files on your computer and is demanding a ransom to unlock them. ‍
• Malware: These are viruses that infect your systems to steal data or damage your infrastructure.
• DDoS attacks: they overwhelm your servers, making your services inaccessible. Remember those celebrities whose phone numbers are made public? They receive so many incoming calls that their phones become unusable. It's the same concept here! Your digital workspace receives so many requests that it can't handle them all, blocking you from using it too.
• Shadow IT: The use of unauthorized services, such as cloud applications not validated by the IT team, which can be entry points for cyberattacks. This is a common source of attack in companies, where we tend to use our work computers for personal purposes too.

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3. Concrete examples : Mistakes not to be repeated

To understand why cybersecurity is so important, let's take a look at what can happen if we don't take the necessary precautions. Here are a few stories that show what not to do:

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‍Marie, owner of a small online store, clicked on an email that appeared to be from her bank. In reality, it was a phishing attack. The result? Her bank account was compromised and she lost a large sum of money.‍

Lesson: Always check the e-mail address and never click on suspicious links.

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Jean, manager of a service company, didn't have a regular backup of his files. One day, he fell victim to ransomware and all his files were blocked. He had no choice but to pay the ransom.

Lesson: Have regular backups so you can restore your data without having to pay hackers.

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Lucie, director of an SME, let her employees install unapproved software on their computers (the famous Shadow IT). One of these programs contained a virus that gave hackers access to her confidential data.

Lesson: Always check the software installed on your company's systems.

You see? Even small mistakes can have disastrous consequences. But you can avoid them by taking the right steps now.

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4. Simple action plan to secure your business

Now for the solutions! 

Because, yes, all the above-mentioned threats are preventable thanks to certain processes.

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Here's a simple action plan that everyone can implement:

1. Identify your vulnerabilities

Start with a systems audit. You don't have to do it alone! rzilient can help you analyze your infrastructure for security vulnerabilities.

2. Update your systems

Keep your software and systems up-to-date to close security loopholes. Updates often include patches to prevent hackers from exploiting weaknesses.

3. Train your teams

The weakest link in cybersecurity is often the human element. Organize training courses so that your employees learn how to spot suspicious emails and secure their access. Rzilient offers training programs for all levels of staff.

4. Secure your access

Two-factor authentication is an excellent way of securing your accounts. This means that, even if someone has your password, they'll need a second piece of information (such as a code sent to your phone) to log in.

5. Back up your data regularly

Ransomware attacks can freeze your files. By regularly backing up your data (to a secure cloud, for example), you can restore it quickly in the event of an attack.

6. Prepare a cyber-attack response plan

It's not a question of "if", but of "when". Have a clear plan of what to do in the event of an attack. This includes quarantining affected systems, communicating with customers, and restoring data.

And if you're feeling overwhelmed by it all, don't hesitate to call on experts like rzilient. They can guide you through the process and make sure you're protected.

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5. Cybersecurity and legislation: What you need to know

Cybersecurity isn't just about protection, it's also about legal compliance. In 2024, several important regulations apply to corporate IT security, such as:

• ISO 27001 International standard for information security management. Discover in particular the feedback from Boond Manager who successfully passed ISO 27001 certification with the help of rzilient teams. ‍
• DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act): requires financial companies to strengthen their resilience to cyber threats.
• NIS2 (Network and Information Systems Directive): Covers critical sectors and imposes high cybersecurity standards, whether for energy, healthcare or digital infrastructures.

rzilient helps you to comply with these regulations by assisting you in implementing all the necessary safety measures.

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6. Conclusion: Ready to protect your business?

You see, cybersecurity isn't as complex as it looks. With the right reflexes, some training for your teams, and the help of experts like rzilient, you can protect your systems against the majority of cyber-attacks.

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So, are you ready to take action?

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