Find out why companies should invest in cybersecurity and data protection and why it is beneficial to invest in specialized training in this area.

It is well known that the digital transformation has created a wide range of new opportunities at all levels, and the work sector has been no exception, with the creation of new professions linked to Information Technologies.

At the same time, with the growth of these work environments, new risks have also emerged and cybercrime, which has increased in recent years due to the economic, political, and social context (the war in Ukraine has worsened this scenario), has risen to the top of many companies' concerns.

In April 2020, for example, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the beginning of the pandemic was followed by a large increase in cyberattacks targeting its employees and fraudulent emails aimed at the general public.
 

Like this entity, many national and international companies have suffered from this type of severe attack. In Portugal, according to the National Cybersecurity Center (CNCS), 2022 was one of the years with the highest number of cyberattacks "of great social impact and on infrastructures and services" since records began.

Why are there so many cyberattacks?

The CNCS points out that some of the cyber threats that most affected the cyberspace of national interest in the last year were:

• Ransomware, rogue software used to lock data from computers and servers and used by hackers to demand ransoms;
• Phishing, i.e. fraudulent emails, and smishing (fraudulent SMS): the main aim is to steal important personal data, such as login information or credit card details;
• Online scamming, which can happen in various ways. For example, from online purchases involving brands and stores known to the general public;
• Account compromise through login attempts.

According to the same entity, this type of crime has also grown due to the availability of Artificial Intelligence platforms for the public and "its potential for use in the development of useful tools in carrying out malicious actions".

Any organization is at risk of being attacked by hackers or leaks and suffering losses or malware threats - the leaders of Portuguese companies are aware of this possibility, stating in the study "The Vision of Portuguese Companies on Risks 2023" that the biggest risks that will directly affect them this year are cyber attacks.

This type of crime attracts attackers due to the enormous value and amount of information that the technologies can gather, including intellectual property, customer databases and financial records.

In this context, it is becoming increasingly more essential for organizations to invest in services related to cybersecurity and data protection, using experts in the field who, through different tools, help prepare the company for possible cyberattacks, minimizing risks.

Roles of a cybersecurity specialist

Cybersecurity experts must take concrete steps to ensure the protection of the company's information and data by:

• Implementing robust protection systems, conducting the reorganization of processes and a legal adequacy that manages to avoid major material damage;
• Creating a risk matrix for control and implementing processes that include risk mitigation measures: it is essential to develop mechanisms ready to detect a data breach in a timely manner and to quickly mitigate its negative effects;
• Regular staff training and cybersecurity awareness, with the aim of ensuring the necessary knowledge to detect threats and then mitigate the damage. This will enable all employees to do their part to keep the company prepared and safe from cyber threats.

Cybersecurity training at NOVA IMS
 

NOVA IMS offers, through the Association for the Development of NOVA IMS (ADNOVA),  training in Cybersecurity and Data Privacy in Information Management, an executive program with a very practical orientation.

This course aims to train internal cybersecurity and data protection managers/advisors, who interact with the various areas of the company and top management for the implementation of policies, technological measures, processes, and personal skills that aim to guarantee the security and correct management of information.

Find out more about our training offer on our website.