In today’s boundaryless workplace, proper protection from cyber-attacks requires more than managing human risk. In honor of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we’ve got the most valuable takeaways to make your business cyber-resilient.
Takeaways from Cybersecurity Awareness Month
While there is no 100% way to ensure that you will not be the next victim of a cyber attack, there are several things that you can do to ensure that you position yourself as well as you can for success.
- Policies and procedures
- Long and strong passwords
- Communicate suspicious activity
- Be vigilant against phishing
- An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
Learn more about each of these below!
A Secure Remote Connection Does Not Guarantee Network Security
The common misconception that having a secure remote connection equals network security is a downfall for many organizations. Businesses need to enforce multiple security measures to ensure their strategy is effective. A secure network should include:
- Develop Cybersecurity policy for hybrid/remote workers
- Enforce Organizational-wide cybersecurity compliance policies
- Encrypted devices for hybrid/remote workers
- Monitor for malicious behavior
Knowing where your data is and how it is protected at all times is critical to the protection of that data.
Unsecure Devices on a Secure Network Can Create Vulnerability
Even on a secure network, insecure devices can create vulnerability. In the mere blink of an eye, a hacker can easily target these devices and acquire personal and financial information. Once the hacker has gained control of the device, sabotage can occur in an attempt to collect ransom. It’s crucial to enforcing the guidelines for securing devices to every employee to prevent vulnerability.
Suspicious Activity Should Always Be Reported
Employees at your organization should always be on the watch for suspicious network activity. Indicators include:
- Slow device performance
- Emails from an unrecognized sender
- Data or file corruption
- Getting locked out of your devices
Employees who use multiple lines of communication such as email, telephone, or other applications both in and out of the office are the most at risk for experiencing suspicious network activity.
Passwords Must Be Strong, Secure, and Frequently Changed
Password protection is a simple concept that many employees overlook. Employees should be encouraged to change their passwords frequently to prevent cybercriminals from gaining access to sensitive data. A strong password should include:
- a combination of lowercase and uppercase letters
- numbers
- symbols
- at least 16 characters in length
Multi Factor Authentication (MFA)
Employees should use multi-factor authentication when logging in and out of devices. Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection to your network by confirming that the employee is attempting a login. Additionally, you should employ MFA on all web based applications that support it, especially email at Microsoft and Google.
An Email from Your Employer Might Not Always Be Legitimate
Receiving an illegitimate email is a reoccurring occurrence for SMBs. With the sharp increase in phishing scams, employees must use caution when approaching suspicious emails. Risk factors include:
- an unfamiliar tone or greeting
- inconsistencies in an email address
- spelling errors
- suspicious attachments
Employees should be on the lookout for suspicious email activity from the moment they onboard to avoid an organizational-wide data breach.
Being Proactive is More Important Than Being Reactive
Cyberattacks are no longer a matter of “if”, but a matter of “when”. A common mistake is being reactive rather than proactive in their cybersecurity strategy, giving criminals the leverage to reach your sensitive data. A proactive approach to data protection includes identifying weaknesses in your network and adding processes to identify potential threats before they can evolve. A reactive approach fails to implement data-safeguarding practices and manages threats only after they have occurred.
Stay Secure with Kyber Security
As the cyber threat landscape constantly evolves, your security measures should be one step ahead. Kyber Security has dedicated professionals experienced in protecting your organization from ever-increasing cyber threats. We will work tirelessly to keep your company protected from cyber-attacks.
Ready to put security first?
