Most of the time, IT and cybersecurity professionals count down the days to cover expiring security measures and aging software. But occasionally, you’ll find that your software has expired and that your system is already accessible to criminal actors through vulnerabilities referred to as zero-day exploits.
It’s almost impossible to cover all security risks, and these exploits become more common if you are not proactive about updating your software or maintaining cybersecurity best practices. You can be safer with frequent security patches and advanced cybersecurity technology. Consistent risk management and frequent vulnerability assessments are so important for businesses to prevent zero-day exploits from ever happening.
What is a Zero-day Exploit
Cybersecurity researchers prioritize vulnerabilities and exploits in terms of time. A one-year exploit would be something that will become a problem a year from now, so a one-month exploit would be a more pressing matter. So, from this, a zero-day exploit is a vulnerability your IT department needs to manage immediately because a hacker could readily use it for data breaches, ransomware attacks, and other cyber threats.
If your IT or cybersecurity team discovers that your system contains software vulnerabilities currently open for outside hackers to attack, they need to develop cybersecurity defense strategies ASAP. If they don’t then this zero-day exploit could become a zero-day attack.
What Can Hackers Do With a Zero-Day Exploit?
Because zero-day exploit just means that your vulnerability is a present danger, the actual results of a hacker taking advantage of this exploit could be nearly anything:
Data Breaches
Your business data could be anything from secret formulas to specific marketing techniques and strategies that give you an advantage over the competition. Zero-day exploits and data breaches leave your business at risk of information theft!
Steal Financial Assets
The end goal of nearly all hackers and cyber threats is to make money for themselves. A zero-day threat could provide them with access to your personal or professional financial information, leading to your loss and their gain!
Take Personal Information
Personally identifying information (PII) is incredibly valuable on the darknet, and can be quickly stolen and sold when a zero-day exploit is discovered. Protecting your employees and customers is always a security priority.
Disrupt Your Business
Ultimately, any hack requires you to double-check information and upload your backups to ensure that it is still consistent – this disruption can cost you hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars – but prevention is much more affordable.
Avoiding these damages from a zero-day exploit can be far more straightforward with an IT management company that understands the value of a vulnerability assessment.
What Can You Do About Zero-day Exploits?
Tackling zero-day exploits is difficult because by definition they are surprises. A zero-day exploit is simply one that has gone unnoticed and is an immediate priority for your IT team. But you can get ahead of these by taking a more proactive approach to your IT systems:
Educate Yourself and Your Employees
Your employees can be both your strongest defenses and your most risky vulnerabilities, depending on their knowledge and education. Taking the time to ensure your employees are well-versed in protecting their workstations and accounts from hackers is step one for keeping hackers at bay.
Update Your Software Regularly
Updates are critical to your software’s security because they cover vulnerabilities that security researchers have worked to find in their systems. While many people put off updates for various reasons, it’s far safer to apply them and cover these dangerous vulnerabilities immediately.
Use All Available Security Tools
A simple answer to zero-day exploits is zero-trust architecture. Simple tools like 2-factor authentication (2FA) and more restrictive access privileges can help close doors that hackers could slip through.
Regularly Backup Data
When a zero-day exploit appears due to a new update, the simplest answer is to revert to a safer backup until the new software vulnerability is covered. Regularly backing up data and maintaining a good business continuity plan can provide faster response times in situations where a zero-day exploit is truly catastrophic.
Use a Knowledgeable IT Management Company
Even if you are a larger company, having the support of an outside IT Management company can be invaluable, thanks to the larger base of knowledge, more hands-on monitoring and maintenance duties, and access to tools or services that can help you create airtight cybersecurity defense strategies against hackers and viruses.
Get the Professional Aid You Need
Choosing professional help can make the most sense for small and mid-sized businesses. IT management companies are cheaper than a full-time IT department, can provide all of the services you need, and can tailor their services to your exact needs.
The EZComputer Solutions team is here to help you grow a robust IT security structure that doesn’t just respond quickly, but will proactively protect your business from dangerous zero-day exploits. The fear, stress, and frustration of these harmful vulnerabilities aren’t a risk to our customers, thanks to our full-service plans and robust cybersecurity services – call now, before you find yourself at the mercy of malicious hackers!