Believe it or not 2019 is right around the corner. As we get ready to ring in the new year, don’t let the ball drop on your business’s cybersecurity for 2019.
According to Experian, cybersecurity threats in 2019 will target biometrics, financial institutions national network, major wireless carriers, top cloud vendors, and online gaming communities. The short of it … no business or industry is immune to cyberattacks and threats are not going away anytime soon.
IT administrators certainly have their hands full, but there are ways to increase security and reduce your chances of being a victim of a data breach. Prioritize these resolutions to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals in 2019.
Resolution #1: Be proactive
When dealing with cybercriminals, a proactive approach is a must. Take time to create a cybersecurity plan that will reduce the chances of a devastating security breach. Business 2 Community suggests starting with a risk assessment to gain an understanding of your “business’ unique threat profile.” From there, determine the best cybersecurity solutions for your business and continue to keep that proactive mindset by planning ahead.
Resolution #2: Take time to educate employees
Phishing, blacklisting, and ransomware are terms that get a lot of attention in the world of IT, but for many employee’s these terms are nothing more than technical jargon. IT administrators must do their part to educate employees about cybersecurity threats.
Employees are often an easy target for hackers as many are not familiar with phishing schemes and don’t know how to identify risky websites. Create a blog post, flyer or webinar to help employees gain an understanding of the types of cyberattacks that are out there and offer tips to help identify scams or illegitimate websites that may lead to ransomware viruses.
Resolution #3: Gain control and visibility of employee and user access
While cybersecurity plans should involve employees at every level, IT administrators should lead the charge. What if an employee unknowingly forgets to logout of a business app? What if an employee leaves the company? Invest in tools to help administrators take control and gain oversight of user access to prevent hijacking of logged in sessions or continued use of business apps by a former employee.
Resolution #4: Make two-factor authentication the standard
Just as you need an extra layer to stay warm, your business accounts need an extra layer to increase security. Two-factor (2FA) authentication is a bit like a security blanket, increasing password security by requiring an end user to provide something they know (the user name and password) and something they physically have (information sent to a separate device) before being considered authenticated. 2FA should be the standard for your business accounts.
To make the process less daunting for multiple business accounts, Scooch offers a single-click sign on with two-factor authentication using Google and LinkedIn.
Resolution #5: Review third-party vendor security policies
With the growth in software as a service (SaaS), more and more businesses are relying on critical web-based applications to conduct business. The use of third-party vendors often makes it easy for cybercriminals to access sensitive data if vendors are not employing security policies that are current and up-to-date.
Be sure to manage this risk by identifying potential threats, reviewing vendor security policies and implementing the proper security controls to mitigate your chances of a data breach occurring through a third-party vendor.
Resolution #6: Implement early detection tactics
Uncovering risky behaviors or potential threats should be your first line of defense. Take advantage of tools that offer real-time cybersecurity screenings, notifications of risky passwords, warnings about phishing sites that lead to harmful ransomware viruses, and block downloads with harmful files.
Resolution #7: Create secure password policies
Weak passwords are like an unwrapped gift for cybercriminals. Employees overwhelmed with passwords often resort to risky password behaviors such as reusing passwords, creating easy to hack passwords (a pet name or favorite sports team) and continuing to use a default password.
Eliminate risky behavior by establishing password policy best practices to guide employees through creating a secure and easily remembered password. Even better, consider a password management tool like Scooch that requires just one password and a single click to sign-on to all daily business apps.
Start the year off on the right foot and make your business more secure in 2019. To learn how Scooch can help you ring in the new year with added security, contact us to arrange a free demo.