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Cyberattacks cost more than just money and data

A serious cyberattack can cause various indirect damage to your business.

The lesser-known damages caused by cyber attacks

In today’s digital world, protecting your organization’s IT assets is crucial to avoid the severe consequences of cyberattacks. Hackers and cybercriminals are constantly on the prowl, looking for vulnerabilities in your systems to exploit.

Here are the potential consequences of not protecting your IT assets:

Loss of revenue and productivity

A cyberattack can disrupt your business operations and lead to significant financial losses. When your IT systems are down, your employees cannot work, and your customers cannot access your services. Downtime can result in a loss of revenue, damage to your reputation, and loss of customer trust. The costs of repairing the damages and recovering lost data can also be substantial.

Data breaches and theft

Cybercriminals often target businesses to steal sensitive data such as financial records, employee data, and intellectual property. A data breach can lead to financial losses, legal liabilities, and damage to your reputation. If you handle customer data, a data breach can lead to the loss of trust and customer attrition, too.

Regulatory compliance issues

Regulatory compliance is critical for businesses that operate in heavily regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, and government. Failure to comply with regulatory requirements can result in significant fines, penalties, and legal action. Compliance regulations often require businesses to have adequate cybersecurity measures in place to protect sensitive data.

Reputation damage

Cybersecurity incidents can lead to negative publicity and damage to your organization’s reputation. A data breach or cyberattack can make customers lose trust in your organization, leading to a loss of business. In today’s digital age, maintaining a positive reputation is critical to long-term success.

Loss of competitive advantage

A cyberattack can give your competitors an edge, putting your business at a disadvantage. Competitors can exploit your organization’s vulnerabilities and steal your intellectual property, customer data, and trade secrets.

Financial losses in different forms

When businesses fall victim to cyberattacks, they experience financial loss in various ways. Here are some of the different forms in which financial loss can occur due to cyberattacks:

Direct expenses

One of the most immediate financial impacts of a cyberattack is the cost of remediation and recovery. This can include expenses for hiring cybersecurity experts, forensic investigations, restoring systems, and upgrading security measures. These expenses can quickly add up and cause significant financial strain on businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Legal fees

Legal fees can also be a significant expense following a cyberattack. In addition to the cost of defending against lawsuits, businesses may also be required to pay regulatory fines and penalties for data breaches or other security incidents.

Loss of revenue

A cyberattack can also result in a loss of revenue or business. If a business is unable to operate for an extended period due to a cyberattack, it can lose significant income. Additionally, customers may lose trust in the business and take their business elsewhere, leading to long-term financial losses.

Theft of money

In some cases, cyberattacks can result in the theft of money. For example, hackers may gain access to banking systems or payment gateways and transfer funds to their own accounts. Alternatively, they may use ransomware to encrypt data and demand payment to restore access to the stolen information.

Latest statistics on the cost of cyber attack

Source: IBM

Be cyber smart

Investing in comprehensive cybersecurity solutions is essential to safeguard your IT infrastructure from attackers. Reliable Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) like Pathway offer a range of cybersecurity services that can help protect your business from a variety of cyber threats. These services can include risk assessments, vulnerability scans, intrusion detection and prevention, and more. By partnering with an MSSP, businesses can benefit from the expertise of cybersecurity professionals who can provide 24/7 monitoring and support. This can help businesses stay ahead of emerging threats and prevent significant financial and reputational damages caused by cyberattacks.

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