The recent data breaches and information security attacks have global organizations on a red alert. The sudden switch to remote work has added to the cyber risks significantly. With cyber threats becoming more rampant than ever, businesses need to go the extra mile with security. After all, no organization can afford to lose its confidential information because it can impact customer trust and reputation in the long run. Also, a breach of applications and networks is expensive to address. Penalties for non-compliance are another reason to worry. There are enough valid reasons for companies to strengthen their infrastructure, applications, data, and networks.
Cybersecurity requires a lot of effort and investment, and you cannot undermine the requirement for your business. You need to enforce strong protocols and policies, secure networks with firewalls, manage applications and devices, and keep track of employee activities. But there is a need to think beyond the conventional measures right now. Cyber attackers are smarter than ever, and you need to think like them to stay one step ahead. The best way to do it is to hire an ethical hacker to safeguard you from a dishonest one. Here are some valid reasons you must do it to keep your business secure in 2021 and beyond.
Play offense against hackers
Hiring a certified ethical hacker makes sense because they empower your network with a viable layer of defense against cyberattacks. More often, IT security relies on a defense strategy against known threats. They adjust firewalls and update anti-virus and anti-malware software consistently. However, a professional hacker focuses more on offense rather than defense. They have the relevant skills to detect flaws and vulnerabilities before hackers do. You can use the knowledge for proactive steps that ramp up security even before you have a problem. Further, you have an assurance that everything is taken care of by an expert, leaving you stress-free to focus on other priorities.
Stay ahead of the cybersecurity loopholes
Most businesses already have some form of cybersecurity in place at present, regardless of the size, scale, and domain they operate in. Consider your current system, and you will probably see the lags. You may have taken the best precautions to secure your business, but it is seldom enough. There will always be gaps in your system, and attackers can easily find their way inside. Having a hacking pro in your team keeps you a step ahead of the loopholes in the existing system. They specialize in penetration testing, so you can trust them to test your security and find the holes that can be exploited. Once you know these gaps, your team can take relevant measures to patch them for good.
Find out about the existing attacks
If a skilled hacker initiates an attack on your system, there are good chances of missing out on the incident for some time. It can even take a long time to detect the security breach, let alone resolve it. Even worse, the theft gets harder to resolve if the attacker is smart enough to penetrate your security without making it obvious. Fortunately, having an ethical hacker in your team keeps you in a good place. Even as you hire them, they work just like a company resource. You can rely on them for checking your systems and updating regularly. It means they can detect the slightest signs of breaches as soon as they happen. Discovering the breach early enough can save your company from a lot of pain and loss. You can also stop the attackers before they steal more information or do more damage.
Get actionable advice on future changes
Beyond testing and finding gaps in your system, ethical hackers can play an advisory role for your company and provide guidance on the requisite future changes. They can offer actionable insights about alterations in your network or suggest future additions to enhance cybersecurity. Your programmers and security experts can use this valuable information to revamp your platforms. They can even help with designing new ones that are secure at the core. With such systems, your IT team will never have to worry about patching up weaknesses later. It can translate into massive cost savings for your business in the long haul.
Establish a strong network
A sturdy network infrastructure goes a long way in safeguarding your business against cyberattacks. It can lower vulnerability to information breaches and give you peace of mind so that you can focus on growth. Finding a reliable hacker for hire sets you on the right path. These professionals have a good understanding of different types of network infrastructure. They can assess your requirements and risk factors and recommend the best option for your business. You can rest assured about having an accessible, quick, and secure system in place. Further, they can examine the existing cybersecurity measures and policies and suggest how you can improve on them.
Limit your liability
Another valid reason to collaborate with a professional ethical hacker is that they can help you limit your liability regarding breaches and attacks. Even if the breach does occur, you can validate your preventive stance to the authorities. Having outside testers for verifying business security is an indication of due diligence. It also shows that you are committed to security, making things tilt in your favor in the face of disciplinary action. You can also disclose the fact to clients. If they have concerns regarding the security of their confidential data, having a hacker around makes them confident.
Reduce losses and risks
Having a professional hacker on board can save you from massive financial losses in the event of a breach. They can help you pick and address the vulnerability at the earliest, preventing an ongoing attack and downtime. The last thing that a business wants to deal with is downtime because it results in loss of revenues and reputation. Your customers may return, only never to come back again. Additionally, regulatory authorities can slap hefty penalties on your business for letting the breach happen. Paying a hacking professional is a far better alternative to bearing the financial risk and loss caused by a breach. It is a small price to pay for saving your revenues and preventing heavy fines.
Educate employees about security best practices
Professional hackers think beyond only safeguarding your business, but they can educate your employees as well. They understand precisely the high-risk activities by employees that can open threats for the organization. You can trust them to train and educate your team about the best practices they must follow and the activities they should steer clear of. For example, they can share insights on the safe usage of personal devices for business and secure file sharing. Further, they can help you revamp cybersecurity policies according to the latest threats and trends in the industry. You end up with a trained and educated team capable of safeguarding your company from cyberattacks.
Be always on alert
Ethical hackers never wait for your privacy to be hacked and information to be stolen. They are always on alert with a proactive approach that keeps your business on the safe side. From uncovering existing flaws to addressing unprecedented risks, they do everything to prevent issues in the first place. There are good chances they will evade an assault before it occurs. You need not worry about keeping track of your systems and networks to detect and prevent threats. Your in-house IT team can pick initiatives that need attention and take your organization a step ahead towards growth and profitability.
Have access to the latest technology and measures
With an ethical hacker on board, you can have the latest cybersecurity technology and measures for your business. You cannot rely on your IT team for the same because it gets hard to keep pace with the latest when they are already burdened with other tasks. But a hacker will have only the latest recommendations for technology, methods, and best practices. They know how real attackers operate on the dark web and have the right solutions to address the threats. Consider them an insider who knows the smallest concerns and helps you resolve them even before you come across them.
The frequency and complexity of cyber threats have grown over the years. The pandemic has fueled it further as risks and vulnerabilities run high in remote settings. Not surprisingly, more and more businesses want to hire hackers as a part of their routine operations. It is the wisest decision you can take to implement robust cybersecurity for your company.
Everything boils down to finding a skilled, experienced, and committed professional who understands the value of ethical hacking. Even as these professionals replicate the behaviors of dishonest attackers, they want to do only the best for their clients. From finding vulnerabilities to sharing advice on addressing them and staying one step ahead of threats, they have you covered on all fronts. Make sure you have them on board, and you can breathe a lot easier even as cyberattacks ravage businesses around the world.
