In today’s interconnected world, cybersecurity has become more important than ever. With the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats, it’s crucial to take proactive steps to safeguard your digital assets. In this blog, we’ll discuss seven essential cybersecurity tips to help you protect yourself and your organization from potential cyber attacks.
Keep Software Up-To-Date: Software companies typically provide software updates for 3 reasons: to add new features, fix known bugs, and upgrade security. Updating your software to the latest version is always advisable to protect yourself from new or existing security vulnerabilities.
Business Email Compromise: Business email compromise is a type of scam that can cost companies millions of dollars. The most common type of BEC scam is when an attacker poses as the CEO or another high-ranking executive and asks you to run personal errands for them, like buying them gift cards. They will insist that it is urgent but require you to use your credit card. To protect your organization and team from BEC scams, make sure to require multi-factor authentication (2FA) before performing any sensitive tasks, enforce consistent security training on all employees, and utilize a DNS filtering security solution that prevents malicious communications from reaching your users’ inboxes.
Enable Multifactor Authentication: Many platforms now support multifactor authentication to help keep your accounts more secure. This security feature requires you to enter a code sent to your mobile device in addition to your password when logging into your account. Enabling this feature whenever possible is highly recommended for additional protection.
Social Engineering: Social engineering is a method of hacking via humans. A threat actor will often use social engineering to manipulate a person into handing over sensitive information or to gain access to their network. Stop and think before giving away information. It may be practical to verify the individual before completing the request.
Post-it Notes: To protect your company’s data, using strong passwords and changing them regularly is important. A post-it note containing your network password sitting on your desk? You have made it easy for unauthorized users to hack your network. You should invest in a password manager that encrypts your passwords and keeps them stored safely, rather than writing down or saving them on your computer. Another benefit of password managers is: It is easy to create stronger passwords and click to fill them. No more reusing passwords because you can’t remember them all.
Wi-Fi: Offering free Wi-Fi at your organization can be great for customers and businesses. In fact, about 80% of Americans say they’re more likely to frequent businesses with guest Wi-Fi. But public Wi-Fi networks come with risks—unsavory content, botnets, and employee filter circumvention to name a few. Secure your guest network with DNS protection and content filters to ensure that your hotspots aren’t putting your business at risk.
Endpoint Security: With more employees working outside of traditional office settings, organizations must adjust their security protocols to accommodate the new environment. In-house server rooms are no longer sufficient; organizations need to implement decentralized solutions that can secure their employees no matter where they are working. You can secure your end users by using different security measures, such as DNS security, VPNs, DLP, and antivirus.
By following these seven essential cybersecurity tips, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to cyber attacks and protect your digital world. Remember to enable multifactor authentication, keep your software updated, beware of phishing attempts, use strong passwords, secure your Wi-Fi network, implement endpoint security measures, and stay informed and educated about cybersecurity. With a proactive approach to cybersecurity, you can safeguard your digital assets and enjoy greater peace of mind in an increasingly connected world.
Bonus Tip!
Compliance: It’s critical for organizations to differentiate between compliance and security. Healthcare data is particularly vulnerable due to the personal and sensitive information included. A breach in healthcare has the potential to put real, human lives at risk.