Investing in effective cybersecurity is critical when you rely on online tools and platforms to run a successful membership club. But what does that mean? What sort of online dangers does your club face today?
In this post, we’ll explore cybersecurity, different cyberattacks you need to know about, and how professional cybersecurity services can help you fight them.
What is Cybersecurity?
Here’s a simple cybersecurity definition: cybersecurity refers to a wide range of technologies, practices, and processes designed to protect users against numerous threats.
IT specialists providing cybersecurity and data protection services can safeguard your club against risks and associated issues, including costly downtime and reputation damage.
What are the Different Types of Cyberattacks?
Suffering a successful cyberattack and a resulting data breach can be devastating for businesses of all sizes. Attackers could access vital data and disrupt a company’s operations, ultimately costing them money.
For example, according to an IBM survey, the average recovery cost of a data breach in Canada was $7 million. Compromised or stolen credentials were the most common entry point for a hacking attack, and businesses took an average of 48 days to contain a data breach.
Before you can plan and implement an effective cybersecurity strategy, you must know what risks you face. Some of the most common types of cyberattacks include:
- Ransomware
- Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)
- Brute-force hacking
- SQL injection attack
- Phishing scams
- Spear-phishing
- Whale-phishing
- Man-in-the-Middle
- Malware
We’ll explore some of these in detail below. Regardless of the method used, any hacking attack that results in a data breach can disrupt a membership club’s operations for days or weeks.
Implementing a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy will reduce your membership club’s risk. However, handling cybersecurity in-house can be complicated and time-consuming. Cybersecurity and knowledgeable IT talent are hard to hire and even harder to retain. Working with a team providing cybersecurity services is a more convenient option, and it will ensure that your club is protected with the latest mitigation strategies and technology solutions.
What are the Biggest Cybersecurity Threats Facing Membership Clubs?
Here are five of the most common cybersecurity threats facing membership clubs:
Phishing Scams
Phishing scams are one of the most common types of cyberattacks and the most prominent attack surface. While scammers may use SMS to target prospective victims, email remains a popular method.
In their emails, scammers may pretend to represent a trusted, well-established business or institution. Criminals perpetrating phishing scams will try to trick recipients into divulging sensitive information, such as credit card numbers or login details. Scammers could use this information to undertake fraudulent activities before the victim even realizes that something is wrong.
Attackers could pose as an equipment supplier, caterer, bank, or other entity providing services relevant to your membership club. If they have researched your business, they may have the knowledge to create a legitimate, convincing email. Vigilance and reliable cyberattack prevention services are essential to staying safe.
SQL Injection Attack
During a Structured Query Language (SQL) Injection attack, the perpetrator will inject a code into a search box on a website. The aim is to prompt a server to reveal sensitive information and allow the attacker to manipulate online databases and content.
As a result, targeted businesses may suffer a severe data breach, and valuable details could fall into the wrong hands. Attackers can also modify and destroy sensitive data instead of simply stealing it. Recovering or correcting that information may be a considerable undertaking, including paying a ransom.
As a membership club, your site will likely include registration or contact forms. Attackers may use these to launch an SQL injection attack. Using tailored protection and input fields that prevent visitors from entering text directly (e.g., drop-down menus) and updating all software components are two simple steps to preventing SQL injection attacks.
Ransomware Attack
Ransomware has become a common type of hacking attack. Perpetrators attempt to extort money by locking victims out of crucial files, programs, or systems until they pay the ransom demanded. Payments are usually requested in cryptocurrency to make attackers harder to trace.
More than 61% of organizations in Canada experienced a ransomware hacking attack in 2021. Specialist cyberattack prevention services can monitor your network round the clock for signs of harmful activity and take action to prevent ransomware attacks.
Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attack
During a DDoS attack, multiple compromised systems target networks, systems, or servers with overwhelming traffic. Servers cannot accommodate the sheer number of requests, and the targeted website will experience severe performance problems or go offline.
As a result, a business could only sell products or provide services through the affected website once solving the problem. Existing and prospective members may need help to sign up, book activities, or perform other key tasks on your site after a DDoS attack.
Monitoring your website traffic, dedicated web application firewalls (WAF), and content distribution networks (CDN), increasing your bandwidth, and migrating to cloud-based software can reduce the risk of DDoS attacks targeting your club.
Brute Force Attacks
A brute-force attack or credentials stuffing revolves around guessing the target’s login credentials to gain system access. Brute-force attackers tend to use AI-assisted writing and bots to enter possible credentials until they get it right. A successful brute-force attack on your membership club’s website or app could give them unrestricted access to its backend.
Fortunately, a strict policy on password creation — e.g., avoiding birthdays, children’s names, etc. — can make your club’s login credentials much more challenging to guess. Additionally, a team providing cyberattack prevention services can implement methods to fight off brute-force attacks and keep your login credentials safe.
How Do You Make Sure Your Club’s Data Doesn’t Get Compromised?
Membership clubs must take action to keep their own data and that of their members safe. Knowing the risks is vital, but working with an expert security service provider is the simplest, most effective solution.
Club Support Inc., a reputable cyber protection service provider, will secure your membership club with cutting-edge technologies and effective methods. We will provide a complete security audit, risk management assessment, end-point security, and more, coupled with 24/7 support.
Don’t leave your security to chance. Contact our team today to learn more.