Why Your Business Needs A Cyber Security Risk Review
Since the onset of Covid-19, businesses big and small have become exponentially more vulnerable to cyber threats. Our ever-increasing reliance on technology, networks, software, and even social media can inadvertently invite cyber attacks that can lead to catastrophic loss of business and personal data.
So, what’s the biggest threat to your business’s cyber security?
You and the people you work with.
You may think we’re talking about disgruntled employees. They certainly can be a concern but it’s much more likely you and your trustworthy coworkers are the risk.
Consider this.
Malicious emails are up 600 percent since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, thirty-seven percent of organizations were affected by ransomware attacks in the last year, and, according to Cybersecurity Ventures, a ransomware attack occurs every 11 seconds.
Research shows that the most common IT security threats are: untrained employees, not having a security policy, employees bringing their own devices or working from home, using cloud-based applications, and not having a disaster recovery plan.
Taking just a few preventative measures can significantly reduce the risk to your business from these threats. Let’s take a look at how each of them breaks down.
Untrained Employees
Employees put their company’s data or systems at risk when they don’t have the required training it takes to understand the latest cyber threats. In fact, 46 percent of cyber security incidents last year were due to employee error.
So what should your employees do to make your company safer? Here’s the shortlist:
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links in emails or texts;
- Don’t open or download email attachments from unknown senders;
- Never click on pop-ups;
- Use a strong password system, with two-factor authentication;
- Don’t visit unsecured websites (check for the lock icon in the search bar).
No Clear IT Security Policy
Your IT security policy should be the go-to resource to mitigate threats. A comprehensive policy should cover employee education, protocols for a threat or breach, and how employees should protect valuable data both on-site and remotely.
Your IT Security Policy should also address issues around bringing your own device (BYOD) to work, establish cyber security regulations, and include step-by-step instructions for facing a threat.
A cyber security policy should cover:
- A list of confidential data;
- Device security measures for company and personal use;
- Email security;
- Data transfer measures;
- Disciplinary action if the rules are ignored.
Bring Your Own Device and Remote Working
Many people use their own devices in the workplace or when working from home. But when they download and access data and sensitive information it can compromise IT Infrastructure if their device lacks the same level of security as your business.
Here are some steps your employees should take to safeguard company data:
- Connect to secure Wi-Fi through a Virtual Private Network (VPN) whenever they access company data;
- Install a firewall, antivirus, and advanced endpoint protection;
- Make sure software and operating systems are automatically updated;
- Never link a business account to a personal account;
- Enable two-factor authentication on their devices and platforms.
Cloud Applications
The cloud offers considerable advantages over traditional on-site storage: from significantly increased data storage capacity and cost-effectiveness to easy accessibility and collaboration. But hackers can access all of the information you store in the cloud.
What can you do to ensure data security in the cloud? In addition to the tips we’ve already listed, you can also:
- Read the user agreement thoroughly before you sign up, including the type of encryption the service provides;
- Don’t upload personal information (like your birthday, your mother’s maiden name, your children’s school, or activity schedules) to the cloud;
- Don’t store sensitive information (credit card numbers, passwords, passport info) in the cloud.
No Disaster Recovery Plan
Should a breach take place and your data is wiped, corrupted, or held for ransom, a disaster recovery plan ensures your company can minimize losses. A disaster recovery plan – in addition to an IT security policy – helps your business respond quickly, recover as soon as possible, and minimizes damage and costly downtime.
At minimum, your disaster recovery plan should do the following:
- Identify your assets;
- Use data replication redundancy. That means storing data on hard drives, saving it in the cloud, exporting it to encrypted flash drives, and utilizing hybrid cloud storage;
- Test backups and restoration of services regularly.
These preventative measures go a long way but nothing can substitute for the help and expertise of trained cyber security professionals.
It’s no longer enough to rely on traditional technology protection. There is a clear need to perform threat assessments and implement cyber security measures to reduce your organization’s risk of cyber attacks.
At Adaptive Office Solutions, cyber security is our specialty. We keep cybercrimes at bay by using analysis, forensics, and reverse engineering to prevent malware attempts and patch vulnerability issues.
By investing in multi-layered cyber security, you can leverage our expertise to boost your defenses, mitigate risks, and protect your data with next-generation IT security solutions.
To schedule your cyber security risk review, email us at [email protected]
This story was sponsored by Adaptive Office Solutions.