Cybersecurity in the Digital World

The pandemic brought about a shift towards remote work and with it, a surge in cybersecurity threats. This has forced employees and security teams alike to think about security in a way that was not required in the pre-pandemic landscape when work was predominantly conducted in a physical workspace.

What is Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity refers to the protection of internet-connected systems, including hardware, software, and data, from attack, damage, or unauthorized access. It involves the implementation of technologies, processes, and policies to secure networks, devices, and sensitive information from cyber threats, such as viruses, malware, phishing attacks, and data breaches. In today's digital age, cybersecurity is crucial for individuals, organizations, and governments as the amount of sensitive information being stored and transmitted online continues to grow. Cybersecurity helps to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information, and protects against theft, disruption, or manipulation of data. A comprehensive cybersecurity strategy involves continuous monitoring, threat detection, incident response, and risk management.

The focus of cybersecurity in staffing is changing from solely trying to prevent data breaches to having a more comprehensive approach that includes risk mitigation, rapid response in case of a breach, and having adequate cyber insurance in place. This shift is driven by several factors, one of which is the increasing trend of remote work. With more employees working from home, organizations must examine the vulnerabilities in their technology stacks, which can be more complicated in this setup. The emphasis is on being proactive in addressing these risks, rather than just trying to prevent them.

Practicing Cyber Hygiene

Achieving adequate cyber hygiene to fend off the majority of cyberattacks doesn't require advanced technology or a highly skilled security team. It simply requires organizations to follow basic cybersecurity practices. This includes:

Multi-Factor Authentication:

The use of multi-factor authentication can effectively prevent most credential-based attacks. With the growing prevalence of password-less technology, enabling MFA is now easier than ever.

Keep devices up to date:

To secure devices on a network, it is essential to make sure they are properly configured and have the latest updates and patches from the manufacturer. Endpoint management software can be a helpful tool in maintaining this across the network.

Install Anti-Malware Software:

To further secure your devices, it is advisable to have malware protection in place in addition to standard anti-virus software. Not only does this software provide an extra layer of defense against attacks, but it can also give you early warning signs of potential threats.

Allowlisting/Blocklisting:

To maintain network security, it's important to control which applications, websites, and email addresses employees can and cannot access. One way to do this is through "allowlisting," which involves creating a list of approved applications, processes, and files, and "blocklisting," which involves creating a list of restricted items. These methods help regulate user access and prevent security breaches.

It is crucial to keep in mind that maintaining good cyber hygiene is not a one-time task. Rather, it involves a constantly evolving collection of habits, processes, and efforts by both organizations and individuals, with the aim of attaining and preserving the strongest possible security status.

At Xforia Global Talent Solutions , we understand the importance of being vigilant against sophisticated social engineering tactics, such as fake job applicants and false resumes. It is not enough to rely solely on internal measures, as cybersecurity also requires the involvement of clients and industry partners. As we get used to a more hybrid way of working, the introduction of cyber hygiene training into employee onboarding is likely to be a key part of ensuring that the disparate workforce is a secure workforce. Reach out to our experts to know more about our tailored services.