It is often months before an organisation realises that a
cybersecurity breach has occurred. Once you figure it out, you may be unsure
what to do next. Our research uncovered the steps taken by organisations to
recover from a cyber-attack.
Steps to recover from a cyber attack
Some of the fundamental steps taken to recover from a
cyber-attack are listed below.
Determine what was lost
“The first step you should do after a cyber-attack is the
most important, and also by far the most overlooked. If you are the subject of
a cyber-attack you need to determine exactly what information was stolen. The
reason for this is because the information stolen directly determines what your
next step is.
Start by drawing a spider chart after the cyber-attack. To
do this, you start with whatever was stolen and then make connections and steps
from that information. If email addresses were stolen, your flow chart of next
steps is going to look extraordinarily different than if social security
numbers were stolen.
Replace the old with the new
Consider replacing every existing security technology with
new technology and adding tools that improve your cyber-attack notification
capabilities. You will also want to balance preventive tools with detective
capabilities instead of one or the other.
Stop everything to find the virus
Yes, that’s right, “stop everything until the virus is found
and neutralised”. One company that experienced an email-based cyber-attack went
as far as
- Shutting down all internet access to prevent the
virus from spreading to other system-critical solutions
- Updating their anti-virus and malware software
protection
- Scanning all computers to remove the virus
The company then organised phishing training with mock scams sent to people to teach them not to open unauthorized messages.
Invest in proper software
Preparing for an attack starts with assuming an employee
will introduce malware into the network and taking steps to prevent its spread
when that happens. This is why organisations need security technologies that
prevent ransomware and spyware from spreading once the inevitable happens.
Ensure you have backups
A cyber attack is often launched from within an email and the scrambling of files can be catastrophic. This scenario has played out in many corporations around the world and the recovery process need not be hectic. If a data backup plan is in place, it is possible to recover all the corrupt data via the previous night’s backup.
Cyber Attack
It is often months before an organisation realises that a
cybersecurity breach has occurred. What you do after the breach is identified will
determine the ultimate cost of the breach and your survivability as a going
concern.
If you would like to discuss this in more detail us, contact
Ryan Danvers on 072 601 2858
ABACON IT
#cybersecurity
Windows 11 Upgrade - Will it work on your lapop?
So, you’re wondering about Windows 11, the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system. It looks snazzy and has some neat features. But can your current laptop actually run it? Don’t worry, you don’t need a degree in IT to figure this out! We at abacon IT in Cape Town are here to help you understand the basics.
Upgrading your laptop to Windows 11 can give it a new lease on life. However, Windows 11 has certain system requirements. These are the minimum specifications your laptop needs to have to run the software smoothly. Think of it like needing the right ingredients for a recipe – without them, it just won’t work properly.
One of the most important parts is your laptop’s processor, often called the CPU (Central Processing Unit). This is the “brain” of your computer. Windows 11 needs a fairly recent and capable CPU to function well.
Which Processors Work with Windows 11?
Here’s a simplified look at the processors that are generally compatible:
Intel Processors:
- Generally, Windows 11 requires an 8th-generation Intel Core processor or newer. You might see names like “Intel Core i5-8xxx” or “Intel Core i7-11xxx.” The first number after the “i” (or “i3”) usually indicates the generation. So, an “i5-8250u” is an 8th-generation processor.
- Intel also has its Pentium and Celeron processors. For Windows 11, only certain newer models are compatible.
AMD Processors:
- For AMD, Windows 11 requires Ryzen 2000 Series and newer. You’ll see names like “AMD Ryzen 5 2xxx” or “AMD Ryzen 7 5xxx”. Again, the first number after “Ryzen” indicates the series.
- AMD also has Athlon processors. Similar to Intel’s Pentium and Celeron, only specific newer Athlon models will work with Windows 11.
Important Note: This is a general guideline. There can be exceptions, so it’s always best to double-check your specific processor.
How to Find Out Which Processor Your Laptop Has
Don’t fret, Windows makes it pretty easy to see what CPU is inside your laptop:
- Right-click the Start Button: This is the Windows logo (usually in the bottom-left corner of your screen).
- Select “System”: A new window will pop up with information about your computer.
- Look for “Processor”: You’ll find this listed under the “Device specifications” section. It will tell you the name of your processor, including the manufacturer (Intel or AMD) and the model number, which usually indicates the generation or series.
Once you have this information, you can compare it to the general lists above.
Other Important Bits for Windows 11
Besides the processor, there are a few other things Windows 11 needs:
- RAM (Random Access Memory): Consider this your laptop’s short-term memory. Windows 11 requires at least 4 gigabytes (GB) of RAM. More is always better for smoother performance. Instead, consider 16 gigabytes (GB).
- Storage: To install Windows 11, you’ll need at least 64 GB of free space on your hard drive or SSD (Solid-State Drive). An SSD generally makes your computer much faster.
- TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module): This is a security feature. Most modern laptops have this, but it’s worth checking. You can usually find information on how to check for TPM 2.0 in your laptop’s BIOS settings (you might need to consult your laptop manufacturer’s website for instructions on accessing this).
- Graphics Card: Your graphics card needs to be compatible with DirectX 12 or later with a WDDM 2.0 driver. Most reasonably recent graphics cards will meet this requirement.
- Display: You’ll need a screen with a resolution of at least 720p (HD).
Still Not Sure? We Can Help!
Figuring out all these technical details can be daunting. If you’re still unsure whether your laptop is ready for Windows 11, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at abacon IT in Cape Town.
Our friendly team can quickly assess your system and give you straightforward advice. We’re here to help your SME thrive with reliable IT solutions! Contact us at 072-601-2858 or email info@abacon.co.za, and we will call you back.
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