Business and computers go hand-in-hand today. Technology empowers enterprises but that doesn’t mean it’s not complicated. That’s coming from IT professionals!
It’s important to have a baseline understanding of the cybersecurity threats facing businesses. However, we want to emphasize that the best way to face a cybersecurity challenge is to have a proactive and comprehensive plan already in place that includes a dedicated team to manage your IT, specifically your data back-ups, network firewall, risk mitigation, and disaster recovery.
Below is an overview of the top cybersecurity challenges you may experience. There are immediate actions you can take if and when you face any of these situations.
Stolen Hardware
Unfortunately, computer theft is not out of the question. Besides the financial implications, if a business is broken into, company information on any stolen devices is a concern. If your laptop has been stolen, (hopefully your IT team encrypted it!) then you’ll need to secure your identity and other highly important information stored on that device right away.
To ensure that the culprit cannot access your info, you’ll want to immediately log out of sessions remotely and contact your financial institutions to alert them of the situation. Be sure also to report the theft to your local police to initiate an investigation into the theft.
Hacked Data
From passwords to banking information, hackers illegally access computer systems to steal personal data. Changing passwords regularly is a preventative measure that you can use to avoid a data breach.
However, if you suspect that your data has been hacked, you’ll need to change your passwords immediately. In the event of a significant data breach, you also need to monitor your accounts, consider freezing your credit, and watch for company updates to ensure that you’ve wholly addressed the breach.
Computer Viruses
Computer viruses can enter your system by disguising themselves within legitimate programs and documents that execute their codes. To guard against virus threats, be sure to keep all your website and network protection up to date, as well as other software and your browser.
If you think there’s a virus on your computer, there are immediate steps you can take to identify and resolve the issue. First, run a virus scanner to check for virus presence. If your software run detects a virus, it may identify files that you should delete. Then, you’ll want to disconnect from the internet and reboot your computer.
Ransomware Attacks
Ransomware is one of the most dangerous software threats that a company can face. It acts as a block to computer system access until a ransom is received. If you’ve been attacked by ransomware, it’s crucial to assess the attack as quickly as possible, and we can’t stress enough the importance of looking to the experts.
In the case of a ransomware attack, your Cybersecurity Insurance provider will engage a forensic team and likely Federal Law Enforcement. If you are reading this and do not have a Cybersecurity Insurance policy, please get one ASAP! Ransomware is a malicious technology that’s constantly evolving, and so it is also vital to already have someone who specializes in the threat on the line. While you may be able to retrieve your data from backups, some ransomware is more advanced and could affect those too.
Be proactive!
These are not comprehensive instructions, just immediate steps you may take. As mentioned, the best move is a proactive one. You can face cybersecurity challenges with confidence if you’ve established three operations standards:
- Complete a comprehensive assessment of your IT framework and possible weaknesses.
It’s important to know exactly what you’re working with. A comprehensive assessment of your IT framework and its possible weaknesses can help you to analyze your entire network infrastructure and make updates and security improvements where needed.
- Focus on implementation and management of effective security controls.
The analysis of your IT framework then shifts to a focus on implementing and managing effective security controls. Your company can use the data to build and improve upon the security measures already in place to ensure an extensive and thorough safeguard for your valuable information.
- Have a plan for handling and responding to security incidents.
Like we’ve stressed: being proactive is key. From malware to data theft to service outages to ransomware, you need to understand the threats to your security and be able to swiftly react if they occur. Having a plan for handling and responding to security incidents is the best way to ensure that your business’ digital operations are prepared to not only detect but respond to and recover from security breaches.
Our dedicated team provides you with support and proactive technology services to reduce friction and frustrations caused by technology in the workplace so that you can focus on your business. If you’re in need of a comprehensive cybersecurity plan, take the first step here.
