To put it simply, cybersecurity is the way you prepare for an attack on your business network. It is the actions, systems, and processes you implement to become more defensible in the face of a “cyber event.”
A cyber event typically refers to a digital cyber attack in some capacity.
Cybersecurity is so important because cyber attacks pose an extreme business risk. A ransomware event could permanently close your doors in a matter of days. Not only are cyber-attacks dangerous, but they are also becoming increasingly common (and sophisticated). In 2022, you have to treat cybersecurity as a business risk and adjust your budgets and operations as such. Being the proverbial “low-hanging fruit” is like asking the thieves to walk in your front door and steal your stuff.
If you really need convincing here are a couple of stats that might change your mind:
Stopping cyber attacks from happening entirely is a fruitless pursuit. The best you can do is to greatly reduce your risk by following best practices and working with cybersecurity professionals.
Protect your files and devices:
Tip: MFA is almost always a requirement to get or renew a cyber insurance policy in 2022.
Protect your wireless network:
Operate with a security-first mentality:
Tip: If you ever working with a vendor/cybersecurity provider and they claim they can make you “completely secure” they are either lying or are ignorant.
Develop a response plan:
Important: Don’t say anything until you have spoken with an attorney. Speak with your cyber insurance agent as soon as possible. Your insurance agency will likely get you in contact with a breach coach. A breach coach will help guide you through the process of returning to operations and helping you to pay a ransom (if need be).
You may have a legal obligation to disclose information related to a breach. If this is the case, follow the law. We (Techfive and its constituents) are not legal experts and this is not legal advice.
Control who can access different items within your network:
Commonly known as “access control”. Access control allows you to granularly control who has access to which parts of your network/which hardware they can access. Access control is designed help protect your business both from internal threats and external threat actors by making it more difficult to move laterally within your business systems.
Staff & external providers typically do not need full access to all of your business data and accounts. You should restrict access whenever possible.
You should give users the bare minimum permissions and work from there rather than the opposite. Your employees rarely need administrative access and distributing it freely will leave your business more vulnerable.
Remember to delete accounts when employees leave (especially if the exit is particularly nasty) or if you change providers. Most companies we work with find that they still have active accounts of employees that have been gone for quite some time.
Protect your data offline
Always follow standard security practices. Remember that a threat actor can get access to your business network in person as well.
Don’t write your passwords on sticky notes, don’t let random people access your network, keep your server room locked, etc. You get the picture, use common sense and avoid costly and easy to avoid mistakes.
Get your employees on board
Your employees are both your biggest asset and your biggest cyber liability. Training them to follow best practices can provide immense value and prevent cyber events from ever occurring. Here is our practical 11 step process to helping your employees significantly improve their cyber hygiene (and subsequently, your businesses as well).
Insider Insight: Most ransomware events start as a result of human error. Making sure your team are aware and are actively training around the best cybersecurity practices is a necessity to consider your organization cyber-secure.
Protecting your business from cyber threats is vital in 2022. The risk is greater than ever and it’s not showing any signs of slowing down. It’s time to get ahead of the curve and improve your organization’s cybersecurity posture. If you need help with this process, be sure to reach out to us. We would love to get you up and running, it’s what we do for our clients every day.
Thanks for reading!
WRITTEN BY
Marketing Manager @ Techfive | Working to make B2B brands more personable & human.
Let's upgrade your tech game
Get great tips, answers to big questions, and expert advice right to your inbox 2x a month.
Up Next
5.0
"Always prompt on response whether in person or by phone! Very nice and friendly employees and very helpful!"
Ashley Harrison