Ransomware versus Cyber Security Course

30-Nov-2022

The citizens of India woke up to the alarming news of the country's top medical institute reporting an IT disruption as a result of a possible ransomware attack on November 23, 2022. The server crash impacted the whole of the Hospital's digital services including the smart lab, billing, report creation, and appointment system.

News such as this is not a new occurrence, as cyber threats of this nature have taken place in times before. However, given the colossal danger, this incident is possibly headed to is quite alarming. A news source indicated that the cyberattack may have exposed the hospital records of up to 40 million patients. PPIs of patients and healthcare professionals, as well as information on blood donors, ambulances, vaccinations, carers, and employee login credentials, are feared to have been included in the AIIMS database that was compromised.  Speculations associated with the incident brought further that this cyber attack comes with a ransom amounting to INR 200 crore. It is plausible to say that cyber threats are evolving much more dynamically and that the world needs far superior security measures. 

This alleged ransomware comes against the backdrop of the precursor AIIMS facility preparing to fully install the e-hospital system next year as part of its transformation to a paperless hospital at the same time as this significant cyberattack.

Defining Cyber Security Threat

A cyber-attack is any attempt to gain unauthorized access to a computer, computer system, or computer network with the goal of doing harm. A cyber attack aims to change, block, destroy, modify, or steal data from a computer system as well as to cripple, disrupt, destroy, or seize control of the system. Any individual or group can start a cyber attack utilizing more diverse attack strategies from any place.

In the AIIMS Cyber attack, Cybercriminals have released ransomware, a type of software that prevents a user or organization from accessing files, on AIIMS. To guard against unauthorized access to data, databases, or apps, sensitive information for a person or organization is encrypted. By encrypting these files and demanding a ransom amount for the decryption key, cyberattackers put organizations in a scenario wherein paying the ransom is the fastest and least expensive alternative to regain access to their files. The AIIMS has been advised to get ready for negotiation by those responsible for the cyberattack.  A protonmail address has been left for communication with the institute. Reports are also surfacing that an undisclosed demand has been made in cryptocurrencies in exchange for a key that may decrypt the data.

Measures to prevent Ransomeware and other Cyber Threats

This is the age of Cyber threats where everything on the internet is possibly hacked. Cyber security threats are on an unprecedented rise from phishing to malware to ransomware, all intensifying with technological growth at an almost unbeatable rate. While technology can be regarded as an amplifier of anything on both ends - positive as well as negative, everything that involves technology will grow and advance on the premise of Cyber security. Hence, to prevent this surmounting threats, it is crucial to take significant steps. There is a surmounting need for cyber security experts and the importance of cyber security courses for our metaverse to advance. 

Understanding Ransomware

Ransomware is one of the major cyber security threats that has frequently been exploited by cybercriminals. In this method of threat, Data is held captive until a ransom payment is made in a sophisticated form. For businesses, ransomware poses a serious risk because noncompliance might expose sensitive data or result in permanent loss. Phishing emails, broken websites, and malicious extensions are some of the most typical ways that ransomware enters businesses.

Ransomware has become a mainstream issue. The more urgent need now is the question of how to safeguard online information, identity, and secure information, doing away with online scams and frauds, ransomware, etc. Governments, Tech Startups of all kinds, International Organizations, Banking, and Finance Industries, are all buried deep in the need of securing themselves through robust cyber security policies. 

Importance of Cyber Security Courses

Why are Cyber security courses an emergent field that is continuously gaining traction? While the Business industry perhaps has been armored with the biggest number of cyber security services and products, Health care institutes, Banking, and Financial Institutes, Insurance corporations, and Educational Institutions are challenged even now with the lack of a solid armor that can outpace the menace of cyber crimes and cyber security threats. 

Cyber security courses work as an antidote for businesses, governments, Public institutes and Organizations, students, and any individual to combat cyber security threats. The first and primary step to navigating through this web of cyber security threats is to be aware of the technologies that have become an established way of life. 

Cyber Security Courses for Intelligent Use of Technology

Cyber security courses are designed to breed awareness about the intricacies of cyber threats and security measures and how various methods are employed to prevent cyber security threats. Let us consider a few more points to authenticate why awareness is important in this ‘Phygital’ (Physical world & digital) era. 

• We are living in an era where state-sponsored Hackers now exist who are paid handsome amounts of salaries to snoop and intrude into another country's confidential data. A business/Organization/ Institute/ person is at risk of being a victim of such programs.
• Hacker as a service (HaaS) has become widespread where a hacker can be hired for a hacking service by anyone for ulterior motives.
• Imagine the number of apps that almost every individual downloads without an in-depth awareness of and how these apps are tracking daily activities to the most minute detail. For Instance, an Uber app that has access to your location. 

Why Cyber Security Courses are a Necessity?

Businesses continuously guard their valuable business data and information. Any company that lacks proper security in its database, technologies, or network will be vulnerable to attack, which could have a detrimental impact on the company and ultimately lead to its failure. Therefore, maintaining a strong security program is essential for an organization to safeguard its assets. In order to secure the data and information of an organization, these security programs are typically created, executed, and managed by cybersecurity specialists.

While purchasing the most recent cybersecurity hardware and software is essential, providing employees with continuing security skill training is another critical aspect that will help assure the long-term security of your company's data.

Ninety percent of data breaches in 2019 were the result of human mistakes. This colossal number of data breaches could have been prevented had the staff members have awareness of threats and been trained on recognizing and accurately reacting to the cyber security threats. Such training initiatives might also raise the value of all investments in cybersecurity solutions since they would stop personnel from carelessly disabling costly security measures to aid in cybercrime.

Businesses operating online must not only take the utmost precautions to protect their data from hacking attempts and other risks of data loss, but also implement strong security measures to safeguard their resources.

To secure the data and information of an organization, these security programs are typically created and implemented by cyber security specialists. Because of this, cyber security experts are essential in enhancing a company's data protection. They keep an eye on the network systems used by the business, keep track of activities, plan and put in place any security measures required to safeguard computer networks against cyberattacks, and handle incident response.

Cyber Security courses for Excellent Career Prospects

The gravitating need for cyber security measures implies the need for experts. This surging importance of cyber security translates into a promising career prospect for people interested in pursuing a cyber security profession. Cybersecurity-trained professionals are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and competence to help organizations set up secure enterprise IT frameworks. Because of this, certificates in cyber security show that you are competent, enabling you to stand out from the competition and attract the attention of employers.

As organizations across the globe are harnessing an efficient workforce, entrusting their data and networks in safe hands is the number one priority. Acquiring remarkable skills and knowledge through cyber security courses can set your professional dreams right on track.

Begin your cyber security training now and be a prominent cyber security leader capable of bringing quick solutions and protecting organizations from losing their money, reputation, and privacy. 

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