October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and it gives businesses an opportunity to share new ideas about the importance of cybersecurity. Cybersecurity is not only the job of one person or the IT team; it is everyone’s. If there’s one common thing, it is the fact that anyone can be a victim of a cyber-attack,such as phishing, ransomware, and more. According to the National Cybersecurity Alliance, about 60% of small companies are out of business six months after a cyber-attack. With its increasing volume, the need for cybersecurity awareness cannot be over-emphasized.
As a result, since 2004, the month of October has been set aside to raise awareness about cybersecurity and its importance. This awareness was brought about by the U.S Department of Homeland Security and the National Cybersecurity Alliance. Since then, the awareness program has grown and has helped individuals and businesses gain a better understanding and new ways to handle cybersecurity and protect themselves online.
Important Security Tactics Worth Sharing
Here are 4 important security strategies to share during Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
1. Secure your Data
One of the worst mistakes a business can make is to focus only on preventive security measures, using technologies like antivirus, firewalls, etc. But these technologies are only designed to block attackers and defend your device’s perimeter. Although they are essential, they should not be the only line of defense.
What happens when a hacker slips past those preventive measures and steals confidential data? Securing your data is one of the best security tactics to incorporate. Here are some tactics to secure your data.
- Use Strong Passwords
Password security is a simple but often overlooked cybersecurity plan. Unfortunately, passwords are one of the effortless ways for cybercriminals to breach a company. This is because many employees use simple or commonly used or recognized passwords that can be easily guessed.
Using random words, letters, or symbols creates a strong password that makes it difficult for cybercriminals or hackers to guess. This gives an extra level of security to your business. You can get a password management tool to help keep track of your passwords.
- Use a password manager
Remembering passwords created for different websites or applications is one of the reasons people prefer using simple and easy-to-remember passwords for all their websites or applications. But this is doing more harm than good. This can lead to hackers guessing the passwords and using them to open other websites.
The solution: Get a password management tool (password manager). This tool will help you generate strong and unique passwords and safely stores them in one place. It can easily be retrieved when needed. This option is much better than writing down the passwords in a bid to remember them.
- Multi-factor Authentication
Nothing beats having double protection, and that is what multi-factor authentication gives. This security tactic requires two or more forms of authentication before getting access to the system. Not only is it a great form of user verification, but it also makes using stolen passwords very difficult.
If you also have remote employees logging into your business data, cloud apps, and interfaces daily, MFA implementation is very important.
Using passwordless logins is also a way to secure your data. It is used with MFA to provide better security. Passwordless login allows users to access apps or IT systems without imputing their usernames or passwords. They only require another form of evidence, including a token code, biometrics, and others.
2. Protect your Networks
The ability to work flexibly has improved thanks to the changing landscape of IT technologies and networks. Here are ways to protect your networks better:
- Mobile Device Protection
With employees having the option to work remotely using their mobile devices, this comes with a high risk of security breaches. If these devices connected to your business networks are not protected, cybercriminals may access all your data and financial information using one of your employee’s mobile devices.
Solution: Using strong passwords, MFA, or passwordless logins should be mandated. This strengthens your network security.
- Invest in a VPN
VPNs (Virtual Private Network) encrypt your network and ensures online privacy. This way, your IP addresses are masked, making your online activities untraceable. Also, your browsing history, data, and other personal information are blocked. It also protects files when an employee is using a public Wi-Fi network.
3. Phishing Awareness
This is one of the areas business leaders, executives, and employees need to be aware of. Phishing is one of cybercriminals’ favorite because it is easy to hide the malware or other attack forms behind fake emails or attachments.
Phishing attacks have become more rampant since COVID, with many businesses reporting security incidents based on phishing attacks. As a result, employees need to be trained to assess emails, SMS, and chats from unknown sources and avoid clicking links or opening suspicious attachments.
- Think before you act
Phishing emails ensure you act without thinking. Often, you will get a pop-up warning that if you don’t click the link, something bad will happen. Therefore, any unknown links or suspicious emails should be immediately reported to the security or IT team.
- Use Protective Software
Have good antivirus software and other protective apps, such as a DNS filter installed on your laptop or mobile device. This protects against malicious links. Also, ensure the software and apps are regularly up to date to catch the most recent phishing threat.
4. Employee Training on Cybersecurity.
The training of employees on cybersecurity is a strategy that can’t be emphasized enough. According to the World Economic Forum, 95% of cybersecurity problems result from human error. Therefore, training and retraining your employees is a big part of developing an excellent cybersecurity posture and curbing cyber-attacks. This enables them to recognize the signs of attacks and call the security team’s attention before it is too late.
Training your employees on the importance of strong passwords, the use of MFA, recognizing phishing attacks, securely sharing data, keeping their systems updated, and more can reduce ransomware and other cyberattacks that could cost you dearly.
B-Comp Services is Here to Help You.
Being informed about the best security tactics for your business is essential. It is not only needed for Cybersecurity Awareness Month but year-round. Want to secure your cyberspace and business data better?
Contact us at (303) 282-4934 or go through our website for further information.
