It’s like Christmas time for us in the IT world, because…
October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month!
This is the time of year we get out the megaphone and shout the importance of protecting your company, your clients, your employees, and yourself.
Businesses face significant financial loss when a cyber-attack occurs. In 2020, a sharp increase was reported in cyberattacks that target businesses using stolen logins and passwords.
Cybercriminals often rely on human error—employees failing to install software patches or clicking on malicious links—to gain access to systems. From the top leadership to the newest employee, cybersecurity requires the vigilance of everyone to keep data, customers, and capital safe and secure.
Here are some tips you can use to support a culture of cybersecurity at your organization.
Some Simple Tips
- Treat business information as personal information. Business information typically includes a mix of personal and proprietary data. While you may think of trade secrets and company credit accounts, it also includes employee personally identifiable information (PII) through tax forms and payroll accounts. Do not share PII with unknown parties or over unsecured networks.
- Don’t make passwords easy to guess. As “smart” or data-driven technology evolves, it is important to remember that security measures only work if used correctly by employees. Smart technology runs on data, meaning devices such as smartphones, laptop computers, wireless printers, and other devices are constantly exchanging data to complete tasks. Take proper security precautions and ensure correct configuration to wireless devices in order to prevent data breaches.
- Stay up to date. Keep your software updated to the latest version available. Maintain your security settings to keep your information safe by turning on automatic updates so you don’t have to think about it and set your security software to run regular scans.
- Social media is part of the fraud tool set. By searching Google and scanning your organization’s social media sites, cybercriminals can gather information about your partners and vendors, as well as human resources and financial departments. Employees should avoid oversharing on social media and should not conduct official business, exchange payment, or share PII on social media platforms.
- It only takes one time. Data breaches do not typically happen when a cybercriminal has hacked into an organization’s infrastructure. Many data breaches can be traced back to a single security vulnerability, phishing attempt, or instance of accidental exposure. Be wary of unusual sources, do not click on unknown links, and delete suspicious messages after reporting or forwarding all phishing attempts to a supervisor, so that any necessary organizational updates, alerts, or changes can be put into place.
For anyone working from home
- Only use approved tools. Only use organization-approved software and tools for business, including company provided or approved video conferencing and collaboration tools to initiate and schedule meetings.
- Secure your meeting. Tailor security precautions to be appropriate for the intended audience. Plan for what to do if a public meeting is disrupted. Take precautions to ensure your meeting is only attended by intended individuals.
- Secure your information. Tailor your security precautions appropriately to the sensitivity of your data. Only share data necessary to accomplish the goals of your meeting.
- Secure yourself. Take precautions to avoid unintentionally revealing information. Ensure home networks are secured.
Take these tips and look for ways you can be proactive about how you put them into practice in your business. It could make the difference between being safe and being the victim.
Be #cybersmart this month and every month!
For more information about Cyber Security services for Wilmington businesses, click HERE and learn what Atlantic Computer Services can do to protect you.
Information courtesy of cisa.gov.