Top Cybersecurity Threats to Guard Against in 2021

About 90% of cybersecurity experts have seen an increase in attacks over the past year. The attacks have become more sophisticated as cybercriminals are using the fear and uncertainty regarding covid-19 to trick victims into compromising systems.

The pandemic forced many organizations to reorganize their work processes in order to accommodate the new normal. This gives hackers more opportunities to perpetrate cyber attacks against businesses and employees.

The lockdown and work-from-home options instituted for safety reasons have caused an unprecedented rise in the use of cloud services and remote networking tools.

From distance learning to social connection with loved ones, and seeking online entertainment, all these activities increase the chance of being exploited online.

We have compiled a list of cybersecurity threats that organizations and employees should expect in 2021 so they can be better prepared for it.

1. Business Compromise

A successful hack is not just about discovering vulnerabilities in applications or software. Cybercriminals can also find loopholes in business processes to steal company funds. This form of attack is expected to increase in this new year.

Operational weakness in an organization’s processes such as procurement could allow an unauthorized party to inject themselves into the system to divert a company’s resources.

They do this by tricking employees or high-ranking officials to include an attacker-controlled account in the company’s automatic invoice book.

This exploit requires deep knowledge of the business control process to pull off and attackers are motivated by the potential reward.

2. More Cloud Attacks

Cloud adoption has been boosted by the covid-19 pandemic. This change in business IT infrastructure has not gone unnoticed by cybercriminals. Small businesses usually lack the resources to have a dedicated cloud security team for monitoring and securing their cloud resources. This may result in misconfiguration which is the major cause of cloud security breaches.

Cybercriminals will continue to target cloud-based services and storage to find vulnerable targets. A hijacked cloud system may be used to deploy system-wide exploits to steal data and cause disruption.

3. Phishing With Pandemic

Cybercriminals use the latest incidents for phishing campaign themes. Major events are often used to trick victims who are trying to respond to an uncertain situation.

While employees scramble to adopt new technologies and devices for work, hackers are designing phishing schemes to infect businesses and hijack servers. The stress associated with lockdown, the relaxed environment of a home also make it more likely for employees to fall for malicious phishing links related to covid-19 or to deploy ransomware on victims’ PCs.

4. Mobile Payment Apps

Mobile payment apps offer convenience for paying for goods and services and receiving funds. Attacks against mobile payment systems are expected to increase as hackers take advantage of increased mobile payment adoption and the ease of successful scams against victims.

Scammers would also exploit rising technologies such as QR codes. With the aid of social engineering to gain access to a business’ data by distributing malicious QR code apps. This attack can result in stealing business owners’ data as well as customers’ information databases for further attacks.

5. More Fileless Attacks

Cyberattacks that don’t generate new files will become more popular in 2021. This form of exploit uses existing system tools such as Windows PowerShell as backdoors to gain system privileges. Malicious payloads are downloaded and run directly in the hijacked computer’s memory.

Since no files are saved on the target system, traditional security software is ill-equipped in tackling this kind of threat. This attack will increase against businesses as it lets cybercriminals operate undetected on target machines.

6. Increase Targeted Attacks

It is common for hackers to engage in indiscriminate mass campaigns in hopes of scoring a few successes. However, this approach is riddled with uncertainty. For this reason, a custom approach where attackers carefully select their victims is gaining momentum.

Even though this method requires more time to research victims, the payoff is enough to offset cybercriminals’ time investment.

A bad actor can discover a lot about your organization and management from the company’s website, social media, and employee posts on forums. This information makes customizing attacks in spear-phishing campaigns easier. A target may easily be tricked into installing malware because the attackers sound familiar and know their online routines.

7. User Devices Target

Even with the security policies in place in many organizations, hackers still exploit vulnerabilities in user’s devices and connected networks. In an informal setting such as the home, cybercriminals can find more attack opportunities to compromise employees and business devices.

Employees working outside an organization premise may use devices that aren’t probably updated and secured. They may also be less concerned about cyber threats. These factors increase the risk of being compromised and sensitive business data stolen from them.

Organizations must continue to monitor the ever-changing threat landscape driven by the sophistication of cybercriminals. A holistic IT strategy that combines elements of firewalls, antivirus, backups, device management, and employee education is needed to counter cyber attacks.

Get in touch with us at SDTEK to discuss cybersecurity options to protect your business against cyber threats in 2021.

Common IT Security Compliance Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

June 17, 2025
Meeting IT security compliance standards is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive data, particularly in industries such as healthcare, finance, defense, and e-commerce. Regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and GDPR exist to help ensure businesses protect customer information and maintain robust cybersecurity practices. Unfortunately, many organizations fall short of these requirements, often due to common, avoidable mistakes. These gaps can result in costly fines, data breaches, and reputational damage, which can significantly impact the business's bottom line and customer trust. 1. Failing to Conduct Regular Risk Assessments The Pitfall: Many businesses overlook the importance of conducting routine risk assessments. Without these, it’s challenging to identify vulnerabilities or evaluate whether your current cybersecurity controls meet compliance standards. How to Avoid It: Implement a regular risk assessment schedule. Work with a qualified IT provider to evaluate your systems, identify weaknesses, and document remediation plans. These assessments should be performed at least annually, or whenever significant changes to the system occur. 2. Inadequate Employee Training The Pitfall: Your employees are your first line of defense—and often your most significant vulnerability. A common compliance issue arises when businesses fail to train staff on cybersecurity best practices or on handling sensitive data appropriately. How to Avoid It: Invest in ongoing cybersecurity awareness training. Ensure employees understand how to recognize phishing emails, create strong passwords, and report any suspicious activity. Training should be updated regularly to reflect current threats and compliance requirements. 3. Improper Data Handling and Storage The Pitfall: Storing sensitive data in unsecured locations, failing to encrypt information, or retaining data longer than necessary are significant compliance risks. These practices are often flagged during audits. How to Avoid It: Adopt data classification policies that define how different types of data should be handled; encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit. Establish clear data retention policies and ensure that obsolete data is disposed of securely. 4. Lack of Incident Response Planning The Pitfall: When a security incident occurs, time is of the essence. Many businesses lack a documented incident response plan, or their existing plan hasn’t been thoroughly tested. This can lead to delayed responses, increased damage, and regulatory penalties. How to Avoid It: Develop a formal incident response plan that includes roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and steps for containment and recovery. Run simulated breach scenarios with your IT team to ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively. 5. Using Outdated Software or Systems The Pitfall: Running outdated operating systems, software, or firmware is a common issue that can lead to compliance failures. Unsupported technologies are more vulnerable to exploitation. How to Avoid It: Keep all systems and applications up to date with the latest patches. Use automated tools to track software versions and receive alerts about end-of-life technologies. Schedule regular maintenance windows to apply updates and upgrades. 6. Insufficient Access Controls The Pitfall: Allowing too many employees access to sensitive data—or failing to revoke access when it’s no longer needed—can lead to data breaches and non-compliance. How to Avoid It: Implement role-based access controls and follow the principle of least privilege. This principle means that each user should have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure access is current and appropriate. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an additional layer of protection. 7. Neglecting Third-Party Vendor Risks The Pitfall: Businesses often overlook the fact that their compliance responsibilities extend to third-party vendors. If a vendor mishandles your data, you could still be held accountable. How to Avoid It: Vet third-party vendors carefully. Ensure they meet the same compliance standards as your business and include security requirements in your contracts. Conduct periodic audits or request compliance certifications from your vendors. 8. Failing to Document Policies and Procedures The Pitfall: Even if your security practices are strong, failing to document your compliance policies can result in audit failures. Regulators want to see evidence that you have formal processes in place. How to Avoid It: Create and maintain clear documentation for all compliance-related policies, including data protection, access control, incident response, and employee training. Make these documents easily accessible for audits and regularly review them to ensure updates are current. Conclusion Compliance with IT security standards is not a one-time project—it requires ongoing attention, regular updates, and a proactive approach to maintain effectiveness. By understanding and addressing these common pitfalls, your business can stay ahead of regulatory requirements, strengthen its security posture, and reduce the risk of costly incidents. This ongoing attention is crucial to maintaining your business's security and audit readiness. If you’re unsure whether your business is meeting current IT compliance standards, professional support can help. Contact SDTEK today to schedule a compliance assessment and learn how our IT services can keep your business secure and audit-ready. With our support, you can navigate the complex landscape of IT security compliance with confidence.

Why Cybersecurity and Business IT Support Are Crucial for Fort Wayne Businesses

April 9, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you run a small startup or a growing enterprise in Fort Wayne , protecting your business’s data, systems, and clients is essential for long-term success. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cyber threats are evolving every day, and the best way to stay ahead of them is by partnering with a reliable IT services provider that understands the unique needs of local businesses. Here’s why investing in professional business IT support is one of the smartest decisions Fort Wayne businesses can make—and how working with SDTEK helps protect your operations, your data, and your reputation.