Cybersecurity Tips
Best practices for keeping your business data safe, and protecting your company from a cyber attack.
There are three things we know when it comes to cybersecurity and cyberattacks:
There will always be more large-scale vulnerabilities.
Hackers will find and use these vulnerabilities in attacks.
The weakest links targeted will often be people.
Industries at Heightened Risk
These realizations have only been made clearer based on recent events. All organizations are targets for potential cyberattacks, and the current state of international affairs has heightened that likelihood. Adversaries are using cyberattacks aimed at essential infrastructure, including:
Energy, Transportation, Power, Utilities, and Healthcare
What can you do to prepare for an attack?
Cyber attacks can happen to any company at any time. Continue to perform actions that support an effective cybersecurity program, such as:
Make sure your organization takes this threat seriously.
Your organization should have a cybersecurity response plan for any incidents.
Use Multi-factor authentication wherever possible.
Direct your organization’s users to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.
Remind users not to interact with suspicious emails. Plan for vendor disruptions and develop backup options.
Preventing Ransomware
The key safeguard is making sure your data is regularly backed up. Make sure to verify those backups are actually taking place. Don’t connect the backups to your computer, or the backups might also be affected! Be careful of which links you click on and which files you download. Use antivirus protection.
*The link above leads to the FBI information page on understanding Ransomware.
Preventing Phishing
Be careful when doing anything that involves money changing hands. Many organizations require all money-related changes have another method of communication besides email or text to confirm. Make a practice to pick up the phone and call the other person to confirm changes. Don’t just rely on the email chain.
*The link above leads to the FBI information page on understanding Spoofing and Phishing.
What can you do as an Individual?
Implement multi-factor authentication on your accounts.
A password isn’t enough to keep you safe online. By implementing a second layer of identification, like a confirmation text message or email, a code from an authentication app, a fingerprint or Face ID, you’re giving your bank, email provider, or any other site you’re logging into the confidence that it really is you. Multi-factor authentication can make you 99% less likely to get hacked. Enable multi-factor authentication on your email, social media, online shopping, financial services accounts. And don’t forget your gaming and streaming entertainment services!
Think before you click.
More than 90% of successful cyber-attacks start with a phishing email. A phishing scheme is when a link or webpage looks legitimate, but it’s a trick designed by bad actors to have you reveal your passwords, social security number, credit card numbers, or other sensitive information. Once they have that information, they can use it on legitimate sites. And they may try to get you to run malicious software, also known as malware. If it’s a link you don’t recognize, trust your instincts, and think before you click.
Want to understand how Veris Global protects your data?
At Veris Global, we continually re-evaluate our protective measures and see to it that you have the best software security available. Contact our team today to learn about our business management apps, and how they keep your company’s information safe.