Information Technology (IT) is only becoming more important to companies as time progresses: it speeds communication and decision-making, makes important documents easy to locate and retrieve, and constantly enhances interconnectivity and cooperation. That said, new security risks come with companies’ growing dependence on IT services. Bad actors, like hackers and scammers, want to steal important information so that they can profit off their victims’ hard work. They especially target small businesses, whose information is more valuable than the average individual’s, but is not guarded by less security than are large corporations. To combat these bad actors, IT security companies provide defenses for clients’ network systems against intrusion. Abel Solutions is one such IT security provider — we act as the wall between our clients and the hackers that want their critical information.

The Importance of Data Security

Without adequate IT security, companies stand to have their sensitive information stolen. Bank records, account numbers, client information — bad actors obtain this data and use it to enrich themselves to their victims’ financial loss. Cyber-crime is costly to the victims; in fact, the average data breach cost effected companies over $3 million last year, a cataclysmic loss for a small business. Knowledge is an imperative step toward protecting your IT network from cyber-threats, and although the following list is not exhaustive, it does detail some very common forms of attack bad actors employ:

• Inside Attacks:
  • Sometimes, the cyber threat who threatens a company’s data security is someone who already has access to the network
  • Disgruntled former employees are the most common perpetrators of this cyber-crime, as they have the passwords and authorizations to get around network security
• Man-in-the-Middle Attacks:
  • A scammer exploits a non-secure network connection to interfere in the victim’s online correspondence
  • The bad actor receives all messages and can use them to impersonate each party to the other to discover or manipulate sensitive information
• Password Attacks:
  • A hacker uses a program to guess the victim’s password (does not require them to install any malware on your computer or do anything to your network)
  • Can be accomplished through multiple processes (like guessing every possible password, guessing against a dictionary as a reference point, etc.)
• Phishing:
  • A bad actor posing as a trusted third party, trying to trick the victim into giving up sensitive information (like account numbers, passwords, social security numbers, etc.)
  • A type of spoofing — uses similar deceitful tactic, but convinces the victim to willingly act against their own interests (download a file or program from a seemingly reputable source that carries a virus)
• Ransomware
  • A malicious program that restricts users’ access to critical files, demanding a cash ransom for those files’ release (a form of online extortion)
  • Specific type of malware (malicious software installed on the victim’s computer or network, often remotely)

Abel Solutions — A Leader Among IT Security Companies

During our 20+ years of providing IT services to our clients, Abel Solutions has built up a proven track record of delivering significant network security enhancements to companies in the Greater Atlanta area. We distinguish ourselves from other IT security companies by taking a multifaceted approach to preventing data breaches. Our team of IT experts deploy the most relevant measures to keep our clients up to date against ever-evolving threats against the security of their data: a combination of employee preparation, IT administration, and security software will keep your network in fighting shape. With a shared commitment to the protection of your valuable information, Abel will give your security network the shot in the arm it needs to fight off invaders.