When it comes to keeping your data safe, there are a few pre-conceived notions that you want to disavow yourself of:
It’s obvious when you have been attacked
The scary fact is that some cyber attacks can go undetected for months, if not forever! Most malware works undercover, slowly collecting data and purposefully not attracting attention to itself.
We have all read about data breaches in the news, they happen to the biggest of companies – companies you would never expect it to happen to! If they had been aware of the attack, they would have put a stop to it immediately, but often you only become aware of an attack when you see your precious data leaked on the internet!
An antivirus program is all you need
Software alone is not enough. The internet has pervaded so many aspects of our lives and our businesses that you need a clearly defined business strategy in order to effectively implement cybersecurity.
Your strategy needs to include methods of detection, how you will respond and how you can prevent attacks.
Hackers only target big businesses and certain industries
For sure, certain industries are more attractive to hackers because they store the information that they need, but the bottom line is that a hacker is interested in ANY computer that holds personal information and banking details.
Forbes business magazine reported that two-thirds of cyber crime victims in the UK in 2018 were small and medium-sized businesses – not big corporates!
Hackers know that SMMEs don’t have the cybersecurity protocols that big businesses do, so they are easier targets.
Cyber security threats are external
In-house threats are not only as real and common as external hacking, they are also harder to detect. Insiders can potentially be more damaging than third-party hackers, because they often already have access to key applications and storage systems!
Sometimes the internal threats are not even purposeful. Employees who use personal devices at work need to follow the same safety protocols as they do for work devices. Hackers can install their malware on your staff’s personal devices, knowing that they will use them at work and in that way provide them with access to your internal systems.
Staff should also be discouraged from using devices that have been given to them for free by strangers. It sounds obvious, but sometimes devices with malicious code are handed out under the guise of marketing or sponsorship events – so they appear completely legitimate and therefore safe to use.
Passwords will protect you
Public wifi, in particular, is an easy way for hackers to gain access to your devices. Even public wifi that requires a password. The only way to make using a public wifi safe, is to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network).
Strong passwords on your devices are a good thing, but even complex passwords can be broken by the right algorithm. When it comes to your extremely sensitive information, set up a system so that you can control who in your organisation has access to specific information and insist on two-factor authentication on your devices.
Keeping your data safe is important and it is a job you need to pay attention to daily. If you need any assistance, then (we might have mentioned before) we highly recommend the services of IronTree. They are professional, reputable and helpful – and they have very good software too!
But you don’t have to chat to them to keep your data safe. Be vigilant, implement our tips and design your own safety protocols and keep them updated!
Your data is valuable, protect it.
