5 Cybersecurity Myths That Need Debunking in 2023

October 31, 2022
Cayley Wetzig, Head of Marketing Communications

Did you know that cybercriminals compromise about 68 records every seconds? These could be records of businesses of all sizes or government bodies. Such figures are why cybersecurity is a hot topic, with data breaches making headlines almost daily.

With so much news about data breaches and cyberattacks, it’s no wonder people are concerned about their online safety. However, there are a lot of cybersecurity myths floating around, and many of them are preventing people from taking the necessary steps to protect themselves.

This article debunks 5 cybersecurity myths to help you understand what you need to do to stay safe online. Ready to get started? Let’s dive in!

1. The Antivirus Software Market is Still Relevant

Cybersecurity has come a long way since the early days of antivirus software. There are many more sophisticated ways to protect your devices and data these days.

That doesn’t mean that antivirus software is no longer relevant. The software market for antivirus is expected to reach $4.02 billion by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of 3.6%.

But with solutions like endpoint security, your business has more and better options when it comes to cybersecurity.

Endpoint Security Will Always Be Relevant, but Not What It Used to Be

Endpoint security is a cybersecurity measure that involves securing entry points of user devices such as mobile devices, smart watches, printers, servers, and desktops. The goal is to prevent malicious actors from exploiting vulnerabilities in these devices to gain access to corporate networks.

But as the sophistication and volume of attacks increase, there has been a need for more advanced endpoint security solutions.

One trend gaining popularity is endpoint detection and response (EDR). This type of endpoint security uses artificial intelligence (AI) to continuously monitor, detect, and respond to threats in real-time.

More organizations are also using machine learning for endpoint security. This type of AI gets better over time as it learns from new data.

Machine learning can be used to detect anomalies and patterns in huge data sets, making it an effective tool for detecting cyberattacks.

2. Cybersecurity Staffing Will Always Be Plentiful

You might be consoling yourself with the thought that even if you’re not knowledgeable about cybersecurity, you can always hire someone to do it for you. After all, there’s no shortage of cybersecurity professionals, so businesses should have no trouble finding qualified staff, right?

Wrong. That is one of the biggest cybersecurity myths circulating around.

The truth is that even though the frequency of cyber attacks is mind-blowing, there’s insufficient cybersecurity staffing to deal with the problem.

A recent report shows that in the U.S. alone, there are over 700,000 positions for cybersecurity workers that are yet to be filled. This huge talent gap exists even with over 1 million cybersecurity workers already serving in different organizations.

The report shows that the number of unfilled cybersecurity jobs worldwide increased by 350% between 2013 and 2021. Industry analysts project that these positions will remain unfilled for the next five years.

Causes of Cybersecurity Staffing Shortage

One factor contributing to the current talent shortage is the lack of enough professionals with the necessary credentials. Furthermore, the skill requirements for cybersecurity jobs are always evolving because every technology requires a different component of digital security.

Even when potential candidates have undergraduate and graduate degrees, these are not enough to guarantee they will have the skills required for the job. Most of them lack certifications such as CISSP, which is necessary for most top-level cybersecurity positions.

And as the cyber threat landscape continues to evolve, employers are unwilling to reduce the education or credential requirements for their open cybersecurity positions.

The Response

Most companies are responding to the cybersecurity staffing shortage by building their own talent pipelines for all cybersecurity roles. An example is Deloitte, which has over 22,000 employees working under its global Deloitte Cyber program.

Deloitte and other companies are embracing a train-to-hire program to train candidates in cybersecurity issues to ensure they are qualified to fill different positions. The idea is to equip these candidates with the skills they need to fit into diverse roles.

This approach is vital today as the world is undergoing a digital transformation that requires hyper-speed in deploying new technologies.

So if you want to add more talent to your organization’s cybersecurity team, you should consider building your own talent pipeline. Otherwise, the staffing shortage might make it difficult for you to find the right professionals when you need them.

3. IT Security Pros Don't Fall for Cyber Attacks

Although IT professionals are supposed to be the first line of defense against cyber attacks, they are not immune to these threats. Even with their level of expertise, they can make mistakes that put their organizations at risk. 95% of security breaches result from human error, including errors made by IT security pros.

IT security pros are more likely to make mistakes when cybercriminals launch a new or sophisticated attack. These attacks are designed to exploit human weaknesses and often succeed because cybersecurity professionals are unfamiliar with them. So remember that even if you have the most qualified IT security team, they are not infallible.

4. Cyber Attacks Only Happen to Large Businesses

Cyber attacks can happen to any organization, regardless of size or industry. But small businesses are more vulnerable to them because they often lack larger organizations’ resources and security infrastructure.

A recent report shows that 61% of cyber attacks targeted small and medium-sized businesses. So, if you’re not securing your systems just because you think you’re too small to be a target, you’re risking your business. Your business could be the next victim.

Cybercriminals are familiar with the small business owners’ mentality that they don’t have anything valuable to attract hackers. But the truth is, all businesses have data that could be valuable to cybercriminals, and attackers will exploit every opportunity to get their hands on it.

So don’t let your small business become an easy target for cyber attacks. Make sure you have the necessary security measures in place, no matter how small your organization is.

5. My Wi-Fi has a Password, Therefore it's Secure

Here’s one of the more common cybersecurity myths to be aware of: Just because your Wi-Fi has a password doesn’t mean it’s secure. A Wi-Fi password only protects your network from unauthorized users who don’t have the password.

It does not protect your network from hackers and other cybercriminals. And cybercriminals can easily hack your Wi-Fi password if it’s not strong enough.

You should be especially wary of public and shared Wi-Fi platforms, as these are more insecure. Hackers can easily access these networks and intercept the data being transmitted.

So if you’re using public Wi-Fi, debunk the myth that your data is safe just because the network is password-protected. Most importantly, avoid accessing sensitive information or logging into your accounts.

Debunk These 5 Cybersecurity Myths

Enhancing cybersecurity in your enterprise will require more than just debunking these 5 cybersecurity myths. You will need to invest in security awareness training for your employees to empower them to identify and avoid potential threats.

This is where ThriveDX comes in to offer customizable, relevant, and realistic training. The goal is to ensure that your employees know what it takes to keep your organization safe. For more information on ThriveDX Security Awareness Training, please visit here.

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