Making Cybersecurity a Priority in Your Business
On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is cybersecurity to your organization? If you said anything less than 10, then you may be putting your business in harm’s way. As we continue to evolve in this technological world, we open ourselves up to new advancements as well as new threats.
Now is the time to beef up your security protocols and train your employees about how to deal with new and existing forms of cybercrime. While the proper software is key for maintaining security, your organization also needs bright minds that can understand new vulnerabilities and keep your company ahead of the curve. To that end, here are common threats to avoid and a look at the future of cybersecurity.
Regular Training Meetings
The best way to ensure your business is secure is by making sure to teach your security practices early and often. Create an atmosphere of security and learning around the office that will really enforce the importance of security in their everyday working lives. You can do this by having regular training meetings.
There are seemingly innocuous threats that can do your business harm, including baiting, where a hacker presents a piece of software that looks helpful, like a software update, but really it turns out to be a virus. There is also water holing, where a hacker attaches a virus to a specific website. During your training meetings, you can update the team on newly discovered baiting scams or websites they should avoid.
It is during these security meetings and training sessions that members of your organization may realize they have a passion for security, and that discovery could lead them to new job possibilities. The great thing about cybersecurity is that it does not discriminate, so men and women alike can be masters of this growing field. A report in 2013 showed that women made up only 11% of the cybersecurity workforce. It is time to make a change.
Security positions are set to grow by over 37% over the next eight years, and with the rise of new threats, comes a plethora of new positions. For instance, there is a lot of work to be done when it comes to security for our public services, as millions of people depend on what they provide. Analysts and system architects are needed to ensure that the infrastructure of these systems is secure. We are also seeing a rise in new technologies, including blockchain and cryptocurrency, so bright female minds are needed to ensure that new tech does not result in new security vulnerabilities.
The Importance of Cybersecurity
Because of the constant evolution of technology, it is essential that your business puts cybersecurity front and center, especially if you handle client or customer data. Something as simple as an email address can be used to send out viruses, and a credit card or social security number could enable a hacker to get unauthorized loans and put a victim in incredible debt. While client information is at risk, your business could also suffer.
While we have all heard of the cyberattacks at major retailers like Target and Home Depot, small businesses are just as at risk. The reason is that hackers know that smaller companies may not have the resources or know-how to put protections in place, so it makes for an easy breach. A single cybercrime could destroy your business. Reports state that as of 2019, every record stolen during a breach could cost your company upwards of $150 each. If you are a smaller organization, your company may not be able to overcome the damage.
That is why your company needs to make cybersecurity a way of life; start by creating a disaster recovery plan. The earlier you create this plan, the better because it will lay out all of the potential issues that could happen in order of likeliness to occur, everything from a malware infestation to a terrorist attack. The plan should also list what actions will need to be taken if the unfortunate scenario does occur and the responsibilities of each team member. A recovery plan not only helps if an incident does occur, but it can also lower the risk of a negative situation, as you take preventive measures during each workday to avoid a mishap. Make this plan part of your regular training meetings.
Start with the Basics
One of the reasons that hackers and other cybercriminals are able to continue their reign of terror is because they know that many businesses and their employees simply forget the basics of cybersecurity. Start with your hardware and software. You should have backup servers in place that are maintained and updated on a regular basis. They should be separate from your main systems, so if your computers are breached, you can recover important records. Then, you need updated antivirus software that scans your systems at least once per week to find any potential viruses or malware.
In our digital world, social engineering attacks are more prevalent than ever, so it is important that your staff is aware of the threats. One of the most common of these is the phishing email, which appears to be from a legitimate source, but instead, it contains a link or attachment, that when clicked or opened, unleashes a virus into your system. They are often sent to look like they are from figures of authority, like your bank or your boss, so the user believes that they must respond.
Keep an eye out for the signs of phishing emails, which may include:
● An email address that looks familiar but is off by a letter or number.
● An email filled with spelling errors (this is how they try to get past the spam filters).
● An email including a link or attachment that you were not expecting.
● An email asking you to provide personal information.
One of the most often forgotten security basics is proper password management. Passwords should be updated on a regular basis, and they should be difficult to guess, using a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. Also, important passwords should not be shared with those who do not need them. So, for instance, if you manage a social media account for your business, only a select few should have the password, so harmful information cannot be shared or received. Plus, terminated employees should lose access after they leave the organization.
The importance of cybersecurity in your business cannot be understated. This is as important now as it has ever been. If you have confidence in your skills, then ask your company for the support and guidance you need to become the next rising star in the world of cybersecurity.
