In this short extract from the “Evergreens by Spuerkeess” podcast, Lars Weber, Chief Information Security Officer at Spuerkeess, talks about the importance of cybersecurity. He considers current threats and shares some practical advice on how to protect businesses. He also highlights the role played by artificial intelligence (AI) in the evolution of cybersecurity, and underlines the importance of staying informed and vigilant on an ever-changing digital landscape.
Evergreens Insights: Lars Weber on protecting companies against cybercrime
In this short extract from the “Evergreens by Spuerkeess” podcast, Lars Weber, Chief Information Security Officer at Spuerkeess, talks about the importance of cybersecurity. He considers current threats and shares some practical advice on how to protect businesses. He also highlights the role played by artificial intelligence (AI) in the evolution of cybersecurity, and underlines the importance of staying informed and vigilant on an ever-changing digital landscape.
Can you tell us what cybersecurity is and why it is so important?
Cybersecurity first and foremost involves protecting data and IT infrastructure against threats specific to the digital world. It covers preventing attacks, protecting systems and responding to incidents. For example, exploiting vulnerable passwords or system vulnerabilities are common threats.
What are the most widespread cyberattacks today, and how can businesses protect themselves against them?
The most common attacks involve “ransomware”: criminals encrypt a company's data and demand a ransom for its return. These attacks are often opportunistic, targeting a large number of e-mail addresses with viruses or malicious links. Denial-of-service attacks (DDoS) are also common, saturating systems and rendering them unavailable. Good basic cybersecurity hygiene is crucial. This means using complex passwords, enabling automatic updates and raising awareness of risky behaviour. Companies also need to put in place architectural measures to limit the impact of attacks and protect sensitive data. Such measures include rigorously managing access rights and having a high-performance backup system in place.
What about “zero-day” attacks and how can businesses prepare for such threats?
“Zero-day” attacks exploit very recent vulnerabilities that are unknown to software publishers and security researchers. These attacks are particularly dangerous because they are not detected by protection systems such as anti-virus software. It is therefore essential to remain vigilant and have robust protection measures in place. SMEs can start by using free, accessible tools to test the security of their systems, such as those offered by the National Cybersecurity Competence Centre (NC3). It is also important to make employees aware of the risks and to put in place simple but effective processes to minimise them.
How do you see the future of cybersecurity with the emergence of artificial intelligence?
Artificial intelligence can be both an opportunity and a threat. It enables defence tools to be improved by analysing large quantities of data and detecting anomalies. However, attackers can also use AI to perfect their attacks. It is therefore crucial to remain at the cutting edge of technology and to continue to innovate in the field of cybersecurity.
Any final words for our readers?
Cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field. It is essential to stay informed, undergo regular training and put in place protective measures adapted to your environment. Together, we can make cyberspace safer for everyone.