Preventing Cyber Attacks
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Workplace Lessons: Preventing Cyber Attacks
I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Nancy Werteen at WFMZ to discuss the influx of cyberattacks on businesses in our community. In this article, we go a little more in-depth on the seven key takeaways from our cyber-focused conversation to help from becoming one of the millions of cybercrime victims.
Key Takeaway #1 - Many businesses have a false sense of security
A cyber attack on a small firm is rarely reported in the media. In fact, most local attacks are not reported at all, leaving local businesses with an impression that they are in an area exempt from cybercrime and not a target. This is a false sense of security that leaves them to believe that only large corporations are attacked. The reality is that cyber-attacks on small businesses are a serious problem.
Small and medium-sized enterprises are increasingly the primary targets of cybercriminals — not because they are lucrative individual targets, but because technology enables mass attacks on them. Criminals know smaller businesses lack necessary cybersecurity defenses making far too many of them easy targets.
Years ago, a simple firewall might have kept you safe; nowadays, sophisticated, proactive cybersecurity with ongoing efforts is essential. Business owners must safeguard themselves online by partnering with a reputable and well-known organization such as Lehigh Valley Technology Company.
Key Takeaway #2 - Cyberattacks are prevalent and have been going on for years
Just because your newscast is not saturated with cyber-attack media does not mean attacks do not occur. In an age of fast-moving and non-stop news, we are often overwhelmed with the amount of content that crosses our screens. This leads to us either not giving serious enough weight to cybersecurity threats and warnings or bypassing it as white noise. My clients know that we keep you both alert and protected so you can work on your business instead of in it. Over the past ten years alone the amount of cyberattacks and attempts on small businesses has increased substantially. Not only in the amount but in the level of sophistication as well.
The world I see is completely different from what is visible to the public. Beyond the scope of the naked eye and within networks, there is a constant barrage of bad actors infiltrating and using our data against us.?
Key Takeaway #3 - Combating cybercrime takes cybersecurity professionals with certifications & experience
A tech employee is not a cybersecurity expert. This is where a lot of businesses fall short. Many have the misunderstanding that IT personnel can maintain their business' cybersecurity efforts and it is possible that IT personnel believe that too. However, the unfortunate truth is that they fall short of the necessary training and certifications to understand what they are up against.?
Cybercriminals can penetrate and lurk around your network for weeks and even months before being discovered. Many times that discovery is during disaster recovery. Businesses small, medium, and large need well-trained, cybersecurity experts with the experience and knowledge to work with growing networks, recognizing threats and weaknesses.??
As a business owner myself, I understand what it takes to operate an organization and I understand that a small business does not always have the means of acquiring such talent. Not to mention the talent shortage that our country is experiencing. By utilizing an outsourced IT provider with a team of cybersecurity professionals you are able to have the protection your business needs without all of the expert salaries on your bottom line. It only takes one attack to take down a business.
Key Takeaway #4 - Free Wi-Fi is not free
When you're on the go, a free Wi-Fi connection in a public location can seem like a lifeline. With ubiquitous public Wi-Fi, what appears to be a convenience can actually put you at risk. Free public Wi-Fi is a hot spot (pun intended) for hackers looking to steal personal information.?
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One of the risks associated with public Wi-Fi is that data transmitted over this type of open connection is frequently unencrypted and unprotected, making you exposed to a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack. This is when a hacker has the ability to sniff out any information transmitted between you and the websites you visit – details of your browsing activities, account logins, and purchase transactions. Your sensitive data, such as passwords and bank information, is therefore at risk of identity theft. If you utilize public Wi-Fi, you must use a VPN.?
Key Takeaway #5 - Treat data like any other sensitive information
While we browse, we leave bits and pieces of our personal data all over the place. It is important to recognize what data needs to be protected and how to safeguard it.
What is considered sensitive data? In business, sensitive data refers to confidential information that must not be shared outside the organization or accessed without authorization. This may include consumer personal and financial information, as well as critical trade secrets or methods that competitors may use.
Utilize secure passwords and common sense when surfing the web. Avoid clicking on dubious links or advertisements and avoid accessing suspicious emails or websites. Additionally, it is critical to train your employees and maintain a cyber secure culture within your organization. As a business owner, it is important to remember that you are only as strong as your weakest link. One-click from one untrained employee could cost you your business and livelihood. This is not an exaggeration.
Key Takeaway #6 - Small businesses have a harder time recovering from attacks, if at all
The U.S National Cyber Security Alliance found that 60 percent of small companies are unable to sustain their businesses over six months after a cyber attack. Most small businesses wouldn't survive a week after getting hit by a ransomware attack. Imagine not being able to operate for any significant amount of time, then add in the cost of disaster recovery, reputational damages, and employee loss. Businesses hit with cyberattacks are hit from all angles.?
Key Takeaway #7- Why prevention is most important
Simply put - recovery is more costly than prevention. Anticipate that a breach will occur. It’s not a matter of if, but when. Unfortunately, too many businesses are willing to forego long-term gains for immediate perceived cost savings when it comes to cybersecurity prevention. However, this is a decision they may regret over the course of an active breach.
Most often the cost of cyber security is factored into the IT budget regardless of what it comprises, but the expense of resolving a security breach is not. When you consider the many costs that could be incurred as a result of a breach — from fixing the IT problem that caused the breach, to lost business and reputation damage — one must estimate the price of recovery at the highest conceivable cost. When you look at it this way, you can feel confident you are making the right choice to budget for prevention.?
Lehigh Valley Technology Company
Lehigh Valley Technology Company is a well-known, trusted cybersecurity company staffed with experts that protect companies like yours from daily cyber threats, malicious online attacks, computer viruses, spyware, internet scams, and more.?
While based out Pennsylvania, we work with businesses both nationally and internationally to fulfill their IT and cybersecurity needs including, but not limited to;
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your business's cybersecurity, don't hesitate to reach out today.?