Monthly Archives: October 2020

Become Aware, Get Prepared. October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October 14, 2020SMB Technology, SMB Technology, SMB Technology, SMB Technology, Technology NewsCyber Securityclikcloud

October brings to mind cool days and crisp leaves. Another hallmark of this month is cybersecurity awareness. Government and industry have collaborated to “raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and to ensure all businesses have the resources to be safer and more secure online.” Read on to learn how to make your business more aware of and proactive in protecting its network, data and systems from cyberattack. 

 

Take Stock of Your Network’s Health

 

Cybersecurity awareness is always vital, not just at a particular time of year. One way to move beyond simple awareness is to take stock of your network’s health. A company’s network is only as strong as its weakest point. Do you have a map of your network, with all devices connected to it? Are there holes in your operating system where cyber criminals can get in and steal or compromise data? Do you have the most current operating system patches to prevent this? Also consider whether antivirus and antimalware definitions are current or if they need to be updated. Is your network being monitored? Remote monitoring helps you stay aware of the health of your network, and can solve small problems before they become big issues. 

 

Keeping an Eye on Cyber Threats

 

Another aspect of cybersecurity awareness is knowing the threats to your network. From ransomware to phishing schemes, cyber criminals are keeping pace with the growth of technology, especially during these unusual times. Do your workers know what a phishing email looks like, and do they know what to do and not to do if they get one? Your workers can be a good source of information when trained to recognize attacks. In addition, password management is another way to keep your system safe. Having unique passwords that are changed on a regular basis can help to keep attackers out of your network.

 

Let this month of cybersecurity awareness be a wake-up call to your business, and spur you to be as well protected as possible. For assistance in developing a plan or strengthening your network’s security, contact us today. 

Plan Now to Protect Yourself from Cyber Threats

October 5, 2020SMB Technology, SMB Technology, SMB Technology, SMB Technology, Technology NewsCyber Securityclikcloud

Imagine an external cyber attack occurring in your business, or an employee getting exploited by a phishing email. Will you know what you’ll do in the event of a data breach, and are you prepared to act immediately? Read on to learn more about how planning your response to a cyber attack can help you respond quickly and calmly.

 

What to Consider When Developing Your Cybersecurity Plan

 

Your business may have a plan in place already to cope with the latest cyber threats–ideally, this is the case. Or else, you have a plan that needs to be revisited and updated, reflecting the changed work environment brought about by remote workers caused by the pandemic. This is a good time to take an inventory of your IT assets and network security. Starting with the basics, look to see if there are any vulnerabilities that need to be patched with the most up-to-date operating systems patches. Are your antivirus and anti-malware definitions current? Also, can you account for all devices connected to your network, such as laptops used by remote workers? Going beyond the basics your  plan should include training your employees to remain safe while remote by knowing how to identify phishing schemes that could result in a ransomware attack. Additionally, evaluate advanced security risks related to compliance requirements, sensitive data or high cost of unplanned downtime. 

 

Planning Now Helps You Respond Quickly Later

 

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Plan your work and work your plan.” This definitely applies to your plan for keeping your network secure. What if your company experiences a cyber attack that leads to a data breach? You’ll need to know the deadlines for notifying customers and other parties of a data breach, as well as any data protection regulations to follow. If a remote worker experiences an attack, they’ll need to know what to do immediately. Ideally, they will know best practices and follow your incident response policy. Having your network security plan ready means you can act immediately to remediate damage to your network and your business.

 

Planning your response before an attack will position you to act quickly and calmly to an attack. For help in developing or refining your network security plan, contact us today.