Hacking Threat of Company’s Data
Nowadays it is not too rare to hear news on hackers cracking into corporations' database, taking valuable information. The twenty-first century is an age of information which is very important. Therefore, one of the most important tasks given to industries today is figuring out how to protect information. Although many companies are facing hacking threats, they are effectively handling such threats when it comes to keeping their database safe.
Many companies’ database is in danger. First, external hackers who is the most common and threatening committers of information theft is hacking the information targeting corporate database. Most incidents related to data leakage are the results of external hackers trying to acquire personal information to sell or use to commit additional crimes such as identify theft. There are more of these attacks then consumers see on the news, with the average number of attempts to infiltrate corporations' database by external black hat hackers has rose up to about 100 times a month these days (Kim). Next, companies mostly choose to depend on outsourcing when it comes to security. Contrary to common belief that leaving certain tasks in the hands of experts will bring an better result, over 40% of all major information theft over the last five years were committed by the hands of subcontracted security companies (Lee). SK Communications, Nonghyup card, and Lotte card have all experienced data theft that took over a hundred million dollars to put things back into order. Finally, the Staminus data breach occurred after hackers infiltrated the company’s server backbone, seized control of Staminus’ routers and then reset them to factory settings, which effectively brought down the company’s entire network (Mohit). Also, the company’s database was stolen by the hackers and then dumped online. Because hacking threats have incurred poor result, preventing hacking attempts is intensely important.
Thankfully, there are solutions about threats. Dealing with external threats is best done by hiring white-hat hackers. There is a famous saying like this in China. ‘You should know your enemy to win.’ This saying is also applied in data security. White hat hackers, friendly hackers, provide a hacker's view to industries, allowing a better preparation for the external hackers' attacks. First launching simulated attacks on the system occurred by white hat hackers. After the attacks, white hat hackers advise security agents on the weakness of the current security system, providing valuable resources on information security (Jeong). Thus by hiring hackers against hackers industries can significantly reduce the threat from their external enemies. In addition, Industries can stop outsourcing and develop their own security capabilities. Industries hire subcontract security agencies believing that doing so will cost less money and less risk. However, Outsourcing database is not particularly safe (Kwon). On the other hand, an internal security team is more trustworthy. So, they have to constitute internal security team. Lastly, one white-hat hacker called Dan Kaminsky prevents catastrophe. Kaminsky worked with Microsoft, Cisco and other technology companies to fix a flaw that would have allowed hackers to undermine the Domain Name System that underpins the Internet (Jordan). If he were a black hat, the information he uncovered could have been sold for potentially millions of dollars in the underworld. Typically, it is a good example that black-hat hacker was used very profitably. Although company do the best to prevent hacking, they can be hacked unexpectedly. In this situation, they should inform customer of this and handle it quickly. With these solutions, industries can prevent database from internal and external hacking threats .
In the age of information, keeping secrets and client information safe is a critical competitiveness. It is almost natural to say that company with well developed information security system is half way through to becoming a first-class corporation. Therefore, industries must strive to effectively protect their information, for the sake of both the industries and consumers.
Works Cited
Jeong, Taeil. “Incessant virtual attack & defense…White hat hacker cannot sleep.” Superich. 19 Apr. 2013. Web. 19 May. 2016. http://me2.do/GsSQFWRu
Jordan, Robertson “The top 10 white-hat hacks.” Bloomberg. 23 Jul. 2014. Web. 25 May.2016. < http://www.bloomberg.com/slideshow/2014-07-22/spectacles-of-insecurity-top-10- greatest-white-hat-hacks.html#slide6>
Kim, Kukbae. “Ransomware is the best cyber terror by 2015.” INEW. 20 Dec. 2015. Web.19 May. 2016. < http://www.inews24.com/search/search.php >
Kwon, Mansuk. “System design and implementation for strengthening internal information security management of public institutions.” Konkuk university library. Feb. 2015. Web. 19 May. 2016. <http://www.riss.kr/search/detail/DetailView.do?p_mat_type=be54d9b8bc7cdb09& control_no=62dcafe489461eb4ffe0bdc3ef48d419>
Lee, Hueonju. “Customer personal information leakage, Three card companies 100 billion lawsuit.” Asia economy. 1 Sep. 2014. Web. 19 May. 2016. http://view.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2014090110545365283
Mohit, Kumar. “Anti-DDos Firm Staminus HACKED!” The Hacker News. 14 Mar. 2016. Web. 19 May.2016. < http://thehackernews.com/2016/03/ddos-protection.html >
