In recent months, we have posted several times about the risks associated with ransomware. That’s partly because clients often ask about them, and also because they continue to strike American companies to the tune of billions of dollars per year.
In today’s post, though, we want to turn to a lesser-known form of hacking: denial of service (or DoS) attacks. These are very different from ransomware in a technical sense. While ransomware involves locking organizations out of their own machines until payment has been offered, DoS attacks are about overloading servers so that legitimate requests can’t get through. Think about jammed phone lines that apply to all of your email, ecommerce, and support channels and you’ll get the picture.
Another unique aspect of DoS attacks is that they are typically pointed towards specific organizations. The hackers may have a social issue or personal grievance they want to advance, so they select a target based on those criteria rather than spreading malware around indiscriminately.
In the end, though, whether you are dealing with ransomware or a DoS attack, the effect is roughly the same – you are suddenly unable to conduct business because your technology has been compromised.
For that reason, it’s crucial to your business that you be prepared to fend off and deal with these types of issues. Here are some steps we take to make sure our clients have their bases covered…
Assess All Risks to Your Tech
Businesses shouldn’t be preparing for ransomware or DoS attacks. Instead they should have strategies in place that protect them from all types of potential threats and eventualities – including cyber crimes, natural disasters, and other sources of disruption.
In other words, we don’t tell our clients to worry about the latest issue that’s in the news. We simply look at the spectrum of possible issues and get ready for as many types of crises as we can think of. You and your IT team should do the same.
Have 24/7 Helpdesk Monitoring in Place
Usually, when a big IT disaster strikes it’s because the response wasn’t fast or strong enough. It could be that the company didn’t recognize the severity of the problem at first, or that there was confusion about the steps that needed to be taken.
When you have a 24/7 helpdesk and monitoring service in place, you can always be aware of what’s happening with your servers, applications, and communications systems. Better yet, you can have professionals keeping an eye on things in case you need to prevent a small problem from becoming a bigger business disruption.
Keep Restoration Plans in Place
Even the best preparations can be overwhelmed, particularly if the threat you’re facing is well-coordinated. For instance, even large Fortune 500 firms have been slowed down by DoS attacks in the past few years.
That doesn’t mean your business needs to grind to a halt, though, even when you’re facing a tough challenge. If you have good backup and continuity plans in place, your IT partner can keep your business running smoothly. The catch, of course, is that these systems have to be in place before you need them.
Does Your IT Strategy Prepare You for the Unknown?
Good IT care isn’t just about fixing machines or installing software. A great provider will help you anticipate future needs and guard against contingencies. If you aren’t getting that level of service from your current vendor, then maybe it’s time you talk to Fantastic IT. Contact us today to arrange an appointment with our sales team and see how we can help!