This Cybersecurity Toolkit Could Help Save Your Business

This Cybersecurity Toolkit Could Help Save Your Business

Finding your way through the wealth of cybersecurity resources that are available online can be difficult, especially if you’re not focused on the challenges of IT security on a daily basis. The dangers of not having a robust cybersecurity initiative in place are significant as hundreds of millions of records are stolen on an annual basis. Fortunately, the government’s Department of Homeland Security has worked with IT security experts from across the country and around the globe to put together a new toolkit that contains materials for everyone from students to older Americans, law enforcement to small business leaders. This STOP. THINK. CONNECT. (TM) Toolkit provides a range of best practices that are targeted to help individuals in all walks of life stop cyberattacks in their tracks. Here’s a quick overview of some of the best resources available for businesses.

How to Find the Right Cybersecurity Resources for Your Business

While each business is unique, there are some primary cybersecurity rules that most businesses should consider: staff training, having a robust firewall, actively filtering web traffic and creating a comprehensive backup and disaster recovery solution. Not every cyberattack is the same, and hackers can attempt to infiltrate your business in a variety of different ways. Some of the most popular include:

• Malware or ransomware attacks. Cybercriminals send a message to many individuals within your organization with an attached file that looks friendly but actually contains malware or ransomware that runs as soon as the file is opened. These malicious programs can worm their way through your business data and systems, wreaking havoc and leaving your business unable to function.
• Phishing or whaling emails. While also delivered via email, this type of attack is much more targeted than a malware or ransomware attack. With phishing and whaling emails, hackers are specifically sending messages to individuals in power within your organization and attempting to get them to send money, buy gift cards or take other actions that will defraud your organization. According to CSO Online, 92% of malware is delivered via email.
• Direct infiltration. Email-based attacks are generally more primitive, but there are times when cybercriminals have your business directly in their sights. This is often the case with healthcare or financial organizations due to the high quality and value of the personal data that is stored within your archives. Hackers look for poorly-developed passwords that can be guessed or servers that don’t have the correct level of security applied.
• Insider threats. While no one wants to consider it, there are times that individuals within your organization do not have your best interests at heart. The lure of quick money or the ability to “get back” at an individual or organization for some real or perceived wrong leads people to make bad decisions. Combat this type of threat by ensuring that you only allow individuals to access your secure systems when they absolutely need that access — and quickly revoke access if someone changes job roles or leaves the business.

This is certainly not an exhaustive list, as everything from mobile payments and banking to identify theft and scams are rampant in business today.

Cybersecurity professionals are often able to recommend an additional layer of security for your business that will help ensure you’re able to maintain operations even after a data breach or significant cybersecurity incident. See how you can enhance your IT security posture today by contacting the security technicians at Nexus IT Consultants at 801-839-7006. You can claim your free cybersecurity analysis that includes an action plan for your business by booking a consultation time online or calling us anytime.