Are you concerned about your company's security footprint? In the first half of 2022, cybercrime affected more than 53.35 million Americans.
Running an organization is challenging in itself. Cyber threats are on the rise, and they can have a devastating effect on your business. The good news is that there are numerous cybersecurity improvement practices you can easily put in place today.
In this blog, we will share different types of cyber-attacks and what easy steps you can take to take to secure your organization’s network.
Types of Cyber Attacks
Cyber-attacks come in many forms. In recent years, they have increased exponentially in frequency and sophistication. Here are some of the most common types of cyber-attacks:
- Phishing Attacks
- Ransomware
- Malware Attacks
- Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attack
- SQL Injection Attack
- Password Cracking
- Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
- Zero Day Exploit
- Man in the Middle (MITM)
Cybersecurity Tips
Here are basic cybersecurity best practices to create a more secure organization. While a successful cyber-attack is always possible, implementing these best practices will significantly reduce the risk of your company falling victim.
1. Use a Firewall
The FCC advises small and medium-sized businesses to install a firewall as an initial safeguard against cyber-attacks. A firewall acts as a barrier between your data and unauthorized access. It is important that the firewall be properly configured and to delete any generic Admin user IDs and passwords.
2. Install Encryption Software
Using an encryption program if you're working with sensitive information such as credit card details, bank accounts, PHI, and PII is a sound business decision. Encryption transforms data into unreadable code, ensuring the security of the information.
In case your data gets stolen, encryption is designed to make it useless to hackers without the decryption keys.
3. Document Your Security Protocols
To help ensure your organization is safe from cyber-attacks, all employees must understand the company’s cyber security rules of the road.
It is vital to not only have policies and procedures in place but also to document and share them so that everyone involved is aware of what steps need to be taken to protect the company, and what to do in the event of a security breach or attack.
Documenting these protocols will ensure that all employees understand the importance of following established network and data security guidelines.
4. Encourage Safe Password Practices
Although changing passwords can be inconvenient for employees, this step will help ensure the security of the organization. All passwords should be required to be changed every 90 days or sooner as a large portion of data breaches occur due to weak passwords or other password-related issues.
It's imperative to enforce password protection on all employee devices connected to the organization’s network. It's especially vital in a Bring Your Own Device or BYOD environment.
The most secure passwords should be made up of a combination of the following:
- Upper & lowercase letters
- Numbers
- Special characters or symbols
- 8 characters minimum
5. Perform a Risk Assessment
Create a strategy to address security vulnerabilities by identifying and evaluating potential risks that threaten the integrity of your organization's networks, systems, and data.
To assess the risks you face, consider the storage location and accessibility of your data and who might attempt to access or obtain it.
If you store your organization's data in the cloud, this also needs to be assessed. Determining the likelihood of possible events and the level of threat they pose, including how any breaches might impact your company, both operationally and financially is mission critical.
After finishing the analysis and identifying threats, utilize the gathered information to create or improve your security strategy. Review and update this strategy regularly and every time you modify any aspect of your data enterprise including adding or removing any hardware/software.
This will help protect your data and infrastructure to the best of your abilities.
6. Use Multi-Factor Identification
Enabling multi-factor identification as part of your business strategy is a must these days. Having multi-factor authentication in place makes it challenging for an unauthorized person to access your data/systems since they are required to have 2 types of identification such as a password and passkey.
Every employee must prioritize cyber security, as cybercriminals are becoming more advanced daily. Staying updated on the latest trends in attacks and the newest prevention technology is essential for protecting your data and ensuring the longevity of your business.
7. Limit Access to Critical Data
It is essential to limit access to critical data to a small group of trusted staff, including the CEO and CFO. Access to all information should be restricted on a need-to-know basis in order to enhance security. This helps prevent insider threats and makes it more difficult for outsiders to gain access to your entire network.
Create a detailed plan for your business by specifying which team members are authorized to access sensitive information. This plan should be considered confidential and kept under lock and key.
Need More Cybersecurity Tips?
Security breaches have become increasingly common and it’s a matter of when, not if. Fortunately, there are many steps that you can take to reduce the risk of a successful cyberattack. By implementing these cybersecurity tips, you can lower the risk of a successful attack.
If you're looking for support with business resilience or cybersecurity training, JANUS is here to assist you with a no-charge consultation.
At JANUS Associates, our mission is to improve the information security of our clients, and society at large. In business since 1988, JANUS offers a full range of high-quality cyber security, privacy, and regulatory compliance services at affordable costs.
We understand the challenges that organizations of all sizes face. We can help you achieve your information security goals regardless of your size. To learn more about how a team of affordable professionals can help you secure your organization, contact us today.
