To be Cyber Secure - you Have to Learn a New Word This Fall

The Security month of October is now a place of inspiration for us all - consumers and security professionals alike. It feels like ages ago when this initiative only raised eyebrows in IT-community. Now we are looking to advice - to secure the most valuable data in our Life. What’s on the phone.?

Cybersecurity is really expanding our vocabulary?- and when we finally learnt to pronounce Phishing, it is time to learn a new word. SMISHING. One company the is really putting an emphasis on cyber is the sport giant Decathlon - with its 100 000 employees around Europe.

The French company October - brings us some points on Smishing (SMS Phising) on their campaign:

• Contrary to popular belief, smartphones and mobile phones are exposed to viruses like computers and you have to be vigilant in the face of dubious or unknown applications that you want to install.
• A mobile must always be locked when not in use and provided with a PIN code.
• This PIN code must also avoid being too simple because it is one of the first elements attacked.
• We must remain vigilant against fraudulent SMS. Smishing is a fearsome attack that must be protected by immediately deleting dubious messages.
• You have to be careful about the authorizations you give on your mobile.

Do you Prioritize Security if business is slowing down??

With International business slowing down - companies in all branches are confronted with increased costs. In the same situation - the cyber threat is very much real. Putting time aside to prioritize security is a hard priority - even If it might be the price of doing business.?

On that note - we can all find inspiration from sport, as Decathlon are communicating that cybersecurity is like sports in their October campaign - in 10 different languages. As teammates - we should support each other.?And better win as well.

Communication security this way - you are building a security and a performance culture.

If it is a time for the CSO to collaborate with the other star players in the company - it must be right?now.?If we can align processes in organizational development and security - we can really start making some impact. The time you see security as a hassel - the important message that it conveys, will not get across.

Would You Give Your Phone to a stranger?

Throughout the years I have done a number of security awareness Keynotes and seminars. One time - with a (though) crowd of executives, I asked everyone to take out their phone. Then unlock it. And then to give it to the person on their left.?

I had been asked to give a speech to a firm - where the executives were prioritizing security low - in the eyes of the CSO. He was not getting his message across.?

A couple of years prior to the speech I was doing research for a book - that covered virtual threats and harassment. The findings were devastating - as very few reported such incidents to Law Enforcement. Why? Because we feel exposed. In a time were work and personal life is merging - so does our vulnerability

And the executives??

The firm became one of my first clients setting up an extensive awareness program.?