Corporate cybersecurity: eliminate the IT risk that threatens your business

Cyber security has become a major issue for businesses. What can I say? A vital issue! Yes, it is. At a time when data is in the cloud and information systems are connecting a whole ecosystem of applications, IT threats are multiplying.

In 2024, 4,386 security incidents were recorded in France, 37% of them involving businesses - figures that demonstrate the extent to which SMEs, VSEs and even major groups need to invest in their IT security.

To help you understand the challenges of cyber security for businesses, we've put together a full report on the subject.

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What is enterprise cybersecurity?

Corporate cybersecurity: definition

Corporate cybersecurity is a response to a single imperative: to protect the organisation, its members and its equipment against cyberthreats. It covers a number of complementary disciplines, such as network, desktop, cloud, mobile, Internet of Things (IoT) and application security.

The main threats it faces are as follows:

• Phishing: a social engineering technique in which cybercriminals impersonate a trusted entity in order to extract personal information via email and text messages.

• Malware: malicious software that infiltrates a computer system without consent. This category includes viruses, Trojan horses and spyware.

• Ransomware: type of malware that attacks your files by encrypting them. The cybercriminal then demands a ransom to restore your access to the data.

• Denial of service attacks (DDoS): attack aimed at overwhelming an organisation's computer systems with a massive volume of traffic. The aim is to halt its activity.

• Other risks: internal negligence, application vulnerabilities, identity theft, etc.

What are the 3 main objectives of cyber security?

In cybersecurity, ICA is the basis of everything. This acronym does not refer to the American intelligence agency, but to the three pillars on which all IT security strategies must be based: confidentiality, integrity and availability.

Confidentiality

The confidentiality aspect of cyber security concerns everything to do with protecting information and accessing it. For example, multi-factor authentication for logging into an account falls into this category.

This is an essential aspect, particularly in a web ecosystem where the massive use of the cloud and the proliferation of endpoints tend to increase the risk of threats. Quite simply, the more entry points there are, the greater the vulnerability of a system. At the same time, the collection and exploitation of data (big data) has taken on considerable importance for businesses. If your data is recovered by a third party, the consequences for your business can be devastating.

Data integrity

Data integrity is the second pillar of an effective cyber security strategy. You need to be able to rely on reliable information to make strategic decisions. With this in mind, your data must be protected from potential unwanted modifications (e.g. internal errors) and alterations (e.g. encryption attacks).

To guarantee data integrity, cybersecurity experts set up modification detection and checksum systems.

Availability

In the age of "everything connected" and 24/7 online commerce, a service interruption immediately translates into financial losses. The availability of a service, an application or a site is essential to maintain your company's competitiveness. This aspect of cyber security involves putting in place business continuity plans and crisis management procedures adapted to all situations.

What is the difference between cybersecurity and IT security?

Cyber security and IT security have the same objective: to protect data, devices and people.

• IT security protects systems, networks and data against attacks and potential damage. It concerns information technologies and their integrity, and applies to both external and internal threats.
• Cybersecurity is a sub-area of IT security. It focuses on external threats to networks (malware, ransomware, etc.).

Don't neglect cyber security in your business: here's why

Today, no business is immune to IT risks. SMEs, VSEs, the self-employed and large groups all face specific threats that jeopardise their business.

A simple ransomware attack can lead to redundancies, a loss of confidence on the part of customers, and even the total liquidation of the business.

However, by putting in place good digital hygiene with high-performance cybersecurity tools and backup and restore systems, it is possible to protect yourself against most risks.

Budget? It all depends on the size of your business and the number of terminals you need to protect. But there are affordable security solutions for small businesses. They offer all the protection you need, while minimising investment in human resources.

What measures should you put in place to protect your data against cyber risks?

Protecting your IT systems requires a combination of two approaches. A human approach, with appropriate training, and a technological approach, with essential tools. It is only through this synergy that you will be able to protect your data effectively.

Making your teams aware of online threats

To defend yourself against a threat, you need to be aware that it exists... 😅 It's essential that your teams undergo cybersecurity training so that they are aware of the risks to which they are exposed on a daily basis.

• Password management,
• opening emails,
• unprotected browsing,
• disclosing data without checking the recipient...

Every member of your team needs to be as vigilant as possible. The best defence against cyberthreats is not technology, but people!

What tools should you use to limit the risks?

In addition to a corporate culture based on digital security, you need to strengthen your arsenal of protection with a cybersecurity solution. But which tools should you choose? Here's our list of the essentials:

• Antivirus: basic protection is essential, but no longer sufficient.

• An EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) solution for better detection of suspicious behaviour on workstations.

• A new-generation firewall (NGFW) to filter connections according to more precise rules.

• Strong authentication tools (MFA) to reduce the risk of identity theft.

• Back-up systems to provide a back-up in the event of ransomware.

• A SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) solution to centralise and analyse security events.

Analyse your IT security needs in detail to choose the most appropriate tools.

Among the all-in-one solutions that combine several of these security bricks, Bitdefender's GravityZone Small Business Security stands out as a particularly suitable choice for SMEs. This solution offers comprehensive protection for workstations, combining next-generation antivirus, firewall, intrusion prevention, application control and behavioural detection. A few highlights :

• its anti-phishing module, which blocks phishing attempts before they reach users,
• its behavioural analysis system detects unknown threats in real time,
• remote supervision of equipment, an advantage for companies with teleworking employees,
• It's easy to deploy, even with a very small IT team, requires few resources and is designed for professional use.

GravityZone by Bitdefender

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Multilayer cybersecurity for SMEs without in-house IT

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5 cybersecurity best practices for businesses

To help you establish a real culture of IT security, here are 5 simple tips to put in place within your organisation:

• Apply updates : update your software and defence tools as soon as a new version is released. It sounds very simple, but these updates provide patches against the latest security vulnerabilities discovered.

• Regularly test your defences: security audits, penetration tests and simulated attacks are essential to identify your weaknesses. Adopting this proactive approach will enable you to optimise your protection and anticipate future attacks by hackers.

• Draw up a business continuity plan: as there is no such thing as zero risk, you need to have a backup in case of a major incident. This is the role of the business continuity plan, which will enable you to keep interruptions to your services to a minimum thanks to an appropriate procedure.

• Include a cybersecurity contact: SOC (Security Operations Centre), single technician, external security company, etc. Whatever form it takes, you can't do without a cybersecurity consultant.

Top 10 cybersecurity companies in France and around the world

Discover the best French and international cybersecurity companies. We present their features and their security products for businesses.

1 - Norton LifeLock (Symantec)

Norton LifeLock (or Symantec) is one of the leading companies in cybersecurity. Founded by Gary Hendrix in 1982, it offers IT security solutions for both individuals and businesses. Its Norton Small Business and Norton™ 360 versions provide protection and confidentiality for your teams.

2 - McAfee

Founded in 1980 by businessman John McAfee, the cybersecurity solution of the same name has gradually become a market benchmark. Its flagship product, McAfee Antivirus, is natively integrated into Windows laptops. For businesses, McAfee offers McAfee Total Protection.

3 - Orange Cyberdéfense

Orange Cyberdéfense is part of the same group as the famous telephone operator. According to the PAC rankings, it is regarded as one of the best companies in cybersecurity. Its high-performance Cyber Protection solution is designed for SMEs and VSEs.

4 - Chack

Chack is a French company that is also a leader in cybersecurity. It offers a wide range of solutions to protect corporate information systems, including RGPD consulting, disaster recovery planning and penetration testing.

5 - Acronis

Acronis is an international company specialising in both cybersecurity and data protection. It has a worldwide reputation and has been based in Switzerland since it was founded in 2003. With its blockchain-based authentication technologies, artificial intelligence-driven antimalware and next-generation antivirus, Acronis innovates and protects all types of environment (cloud, hybrid, on-premise, etc.).

6 - Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks specialises in the development of firewalls, including PAN-OS, which offers innovative technology. Palo Alto Networks is also behind the creation of IS in the cloud. The company was founded by Nir Zuk, who previously worked as an engineer at Check Point.

7 - Thalès

Thalès is a world leader in high technology. The company operates in the Deep Tech sectors (Big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity). Active in the military defence market, Thalès also offers solutions for securing the cloud, cryptography, classified information management and consultancy services.

8 - Check Point

Check Point was founded in 1993 by Gil Shwed. This cybersecurity company offers protection solutions for both individuals and businesses. Its products currently protect more than 100,000 businesses worldwide.

9 - ATOS

Atos offers solutions to deal with absolutely every type of IT threat. Its AI, IoT and Big Data products have enabled it to achieve sales of more than €10 billion by 2023.

10 - Ercom

Ercom is considered the world leader in enterprise data security. A pioneer in the development of high-security mobile communications, it equipped the French presidential aircraft with a secure telephone back in 2002.

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Cybersecurity: is your company up to scratch?

Invest in your company's cyber security to guard against threats. In a changing digital environment where the risks are multiplied, allocating human and material resources to IT security is becoming a necessity.

Anticipate, protect and secure to ensure the long-term future of your business!