7 tips for keeping your organization cyber safe
Robbers do not knock on the front door, and neither do cybercriminals. Like robbers, cybercriminals are opportunists. They’ll take advantage of any open or unguarded entry points to infiltrate your organization and take whatever valuable assets they find, usually data.
Cyberthreats are becoming increasingly ingenious, making it harder for individuals and cybersecurity systems to detect and stop them. This is such a worrying issue that the World Economic Forum ranks digital dependencies and cyber vulnerabilities among the top three global risks.
And rightfully so, reports indicate increased concern, attack volume, and success rates in nearly every cyberattack category over recent years.
But the good news is that you can safeguard your organization, employees, and customers against cyber threats by taking proactive security measures. Here are some of the things you can do today to ensure cyber safety:
Think twice before clicking
Be cautious about opening email attachments or following links from unknown senders. Don’t interact with websites, links, or emails that look suspiciously sketchy or too good to be true. Cybercriminals have a habit of embedding dangerous malware and crafty phishing techniques in random or targeted emails, social media posts, instant messages, and malicious websites.
Back up your data 3-2-1-1 style
Keeping a data backup is crucial in combating cybercrime. But not just any backup system will do. A dependable data backup and disaster recovery plan should follow the 3-2-1-1 golden rule. This rule has four simple clauses:
1. Keep at least three separate copies of data.
2. Use at least two media formats.
3. Store at least one copy offsite.
4. Ensure at least one copy is offline.
Enable MFA
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds a crucial security layer to your identity and access management (IAM) system. It eliminates the inherent unreliability and risks of password-based access control and immunizes your organization against potential damage from credentials theft.
According to Microsoft, implementing just 2FA can prevent 99.9 percent of attacks on your accounts.
Update everything
Older software, hardware, operating systems, firmware, and anti-malware are more susceptible to vulnerability-based attacks such as zero-day exploits. So, ensure that you only run the most current software versions with the latest security patches and updates. You may also need to upgrade your computers, servers, and devices regularly to accommodate newer security protocols and software.
Be careful what you share online
The information you share online may have a greater impact on your personal and organization’s cyber safety than you realize. Avoid sharing any sensitive information about yourself, your company, colleagues, or customers on social media, forums, or the company’s website, where just anyone can see. Sensitive information can range from personal contact information and photos of IT systems to security details and business logistics. Cybercriminals can use sensitive information posted on public domains to fabricate highly targeted attacks.
Train your employees on cyber safety
The human element is the weakest link in any cybersecurity framework. Despite all the advanced security systems you might have, employees can still ignore security guidelines, fall for cyber scams, and take actions that jeopardize cybersecurity.
Turn your employees into a valuable security asset by educating them on threat awareness, cybersecurity best practices, cyber hygiene, and the importance of following the laid-out security procedures.
Consult the experts
Cyber safety is an ongoing and hands-on pursuit. It also takes a multifaceted approach involving a variety of tools, policies, and active procedures. But you don’t have to go at it alone. You can bring in cybersecurity experts to advise you on the best course of action and equip you with cutting-edge security tools.
Speaking of leveraging security expertise and tools, Huntress would be a welcome and vital addition to your cybersecurity arsenal. Huntress enables you to detect and stop any threats that slip through the defenses. It combines automated tools and real humans in detecting, analyzing, responding, and reporting threats.
And remember, a trusted IT services provider, like GB Tech, is always on hand to provide cutting-edge tech solutions to boost your security, productivity, and competitiveness. Contact us to learn more.
