If you have ever experienced a virus on your computer or identity theft, you know how frustrating it can be. Cybersecurity measures are designed to prevent criminal and unauthorized use of electronic data. This month, Technology Ground School is bringing attention to the issue of cybersecurity. 

IT’S GONNA COST YOU. When you get “hacked,” losing data is not the only thing that can hurt your business. The expense of downtime, lost revenue, damage to your reputation, and legal repercussions can also have a negative impact on your business.

Cybercriminals often target customers’ personal information, including addresses, Social Security numbers, and credit card information. A breach will eventually occur if you do not have adequate cybersecurity in place.

DON’T FEEL INVINCIBLE. Cybercriminals are often insiders – malicious individuals within your organization. Additionally, all industries are at risk. No one is immune to these attacks. With the use of technological advances such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices and cloud environments, cybercriminals are constantly finding new attack angles. That’s why it’s important to be aware and proactive.

Cyber threats are everywhere, but our intention is not to scare you. We want to bring awareness to this issue so you can prevent heartache, loss of money, and time. Here are some common cyber threats you may face:

• Malware – This refers to malicious software that provides unauthorized access or damage to your computer. This can include worms, viruses, spyware, and Trojans.
• Ransomware – Similar to malware, but it will lock down your system and you will receive a threat to delete or release information unless a ransom is paid. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY!
• Phishing – Users can be cleverly tricked into providing sensitive information from companies that look legitimate. There has been a surge in this method, especially with so many remote workers.
• Inside Threats – Former and disgruntled employees, contractors, and anyone who has ever had access can abuse their permissions and cause mayhem.

WHAT CAN WE DO RIGHT AWAY TO PROTECT OURSELVES? There are several ways cybercriminals can penetrate your organization, but here are some things you can implement immediately to deter an attack:

• Protect your networks (wired and wireless) by implementing security measures and malware protection software.
• Confirm that your cloud servers comply with regulatory standards and encrypt data (in rest and in motion).
• Use information security measures like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to secure sensitive data from unauthorized access or theft.
• Educate your users on security awareness, such as the danger of suspicious email attachments and more.
• Develop a Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) so you can proceed with minimal disruption. https://advantageroute.com/2022/12/05/how-to-create-your-own-disaster-recovery-plan/

HOW DO WE PROTECT OURSELVES FOR THE LONG RUN? To protect yourself in the long run, consider implementing these three things:

1. Identify and Access Management (IAM) – This defines roles, access levels, and privileges for each user on a system. There are many authentication and security protocols to monitor end-users. This will also help contain and speed up an investigation and response time to a breach.
2. Data Security Platform – A comprehensive platform protects sensitive data across multiple environments, including cloud platforms. The best data security platforms provide visibility into data vulnerabilities and risks before they become breaches. To keep your data protected, backups and encryption are also vital.
3. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) – This smart solution uses advanced analysis methods and artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically detect suspicious behavior and trigger preventative responses to cybersecurity incidents.

Our businesses are more connected than ever before. With multiple users in different environments, implementing security controls within your organization can be complex. The first step is to make sure you have daily backups kept in a secure location. You can then branch out to other security measures.

At Advantage Route Systems, we are dedicated to offering you technological tools and information to aid you in achieving success. If you are interested in the first step of backing up your data, please contact us. We can also guide you in the appropriate direction to implement further measures to enhance cybersecurity for your enterprise.