Tag Archive for: ransomware

How Much Cybersecurity Is Enough?

Cybersecurity investments can be infinite: Here’s how to find your floor.

You can make unlimited investments in cybersecurity and still never achieve that nirvana of being “totally secure.” At the same time, service interruptions or losing customer data are so detrimental to your company’s reputational trust and financial bottom line that security is paramount. So, just how much time, effort, and money should your organization invest to ensure it’s secure?

Because cybersecurity perfection is elusive, it’s important to first determine your floor–the minimum amount of security your organization needs to meet your base-level requirements. These should include:

  • Recoverability of data and systems should a catastrophic breach occur
  • Meeting foundational security best practices for current threats, such as employing multi-factor authentication (MFA), deep packet inspection, lateral movement defenses, stringent password hygiene, and security operations center services/endpoint detection and response tools
  • Adequate security to meet ethical responsibilities (and be able to demonstrate due diligence in) protecting organizational/customer data
  • Meeting all regulatory requirements around data protection and privacy, pertaining to your specific industry and organization

Recoverability: The importance of backups

In our experience, few companies understand that backups are one of the most important security controls for an organization’s future. All breaches end with data exfiltration, backup/mass destruction, or both. To disrupt the breach pattern, organizations must first assume it is impossible to prevent all breaches. Threat actors target backups for encryption or destruction 93 percent of the time in attacks like ransomware, so it’s essential to ensure you can recover without resorting to paying ransoms (because even ransom payments don’t guarantee recovery).

Prioritize having stringent controls within and around your backups while also ensuring that threat actors cannot move laterally in your network to access, damage, or destroy these data stores. Also take great care that these safeguards are well-orchestrated, secure, resilient, redundant, and complete, which protects against the risk of total loss. Backups must also be “immutable,” meaning incapable of being changed, deleted, or moved outside of set retention policies or strict access procedures.

Protect sensitive data and meet regulations

Every company has–at a minimum–an ethical obligation to protect the data they hold in trust about their employees, customers, partners, and operations. Law firms must protect their clients’ private and sensitive legal case information; healthcare organizations must maintain patient data privacy; critical infrastructure and government entities are the custodians of highly sensitive data, the loss of which can have serious consequences for people’s lives and national defense.

Most industries also have a varying number of legal obligations to protect data. Regulatory frameworks like HIPAA, GDPR, FedRAMP, and others outline standards that applicable companies must meet to ensure data security and privacy. The cybersecurity rules adopted in July 2023 by the SEC further mandate additional governance, policy, and process requirements for publicly traded companies, holding C-level officers accountable. Your organization should meet applicable requirements and be able to demonstrate due diligence against ethical goals and frameworks.

Insurance carriers and clients may also dictate minimum security requirements.

How can you meet your minimum requirements?

The key to security efficiency is understanding how breaches progress, including tactics and patterns (“breach context”), and then working to disrupt the breach context with highly prioritized investments and efforts.

There is a pattern to breach progression: The attacker compromises credentials; creates persistent network access; elevates access; and then moves laterally in the environment to execute malicious acts (including exfiltrating data, encrypting, and/or destroying backups).

Effective security requires moving backwards in the chain. First, ensure that your backups are impenetrable and recoverable. Next, secure systems so that lateral movement is impossible (by rigorous application of MFA on all administrative controls). Then, focus on locking down credentials and endpoint access (and so on).

To keep this process scalable, it is important to do all these tasks with full knowledge of the tactics, techniques, and procedures of today’s threat actors–how they are compromising organizations today in real-world breaches–so you can prioritize your efforts and focus your dollars. Security frameworks like NIST and many organizational security programs are too blind to current threat patterns, tactics, and methods to be effective. By focusing on defending against in-use threat tactics and patterns, companies can hone their efforts. It’s equally important to only buy tools and solutions you or a third-party team have the skills and breadth to fully utilize, rather than purchasing expensive and complicated tools that sit idle or underutilized.

Achieve a security program that’s just the right size

Most people in IT and security understand you can’t create perfect security. But with knowledge of threat actor tactics, as they change daily, IT teams can disrupt the breach pattern at every stage and achieve relevant, timely defenses where they are the most vulnerable. While access to real-time threat actor data can be challenging, some managed security services providers can help. Coupled with a solid focus on meeting regulations for your specific industry, you can arrive at a right-sized, focused security program.

Contact our team of experts to learn more about developing a comprehensive cybersecurity training program for your business.

If you are looking for an expert to help you find the best solutions for your business talk to GCInfotech about a free technology assessment

Published with consideration from Inc.com SOURCE

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How can businesses best mitigate against ransomware threats?

Ransomware casts a long shadow in today’s digital landscape, threatening businesses of all sizes with data paralysis, operational interruption, reputational damage and severe financial repercussions. The problem is particularly serious for mid-market organizations, with over half (57%) admitting they don’t regularly review and replace legacy systems, and a similar number (57%) failing to patch their systems regularly.

These security gaps create a wider attack surface and additional vulnerabilities that cybercriminals are eager to exploit. Thankfully, with a deeper understanding of ransomware and proactive cybersecurity measures, businesses can significantly bolster their defenses, and reduce the overall risk of data loss.

How does ransomware work?

Ransomware is a malicious software program designed to encrypt a victim’s critical data, essentially locking them out of their own files. Attackers will demand a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key, creating a huge dilemma for businesses. Either pay the ransom, and risk emboldening cybercriminals, or lose access to essential data, halting operations, exposing customers to unnecessary risk and creating significant regulatory and financial headaches.

There are several methods that attackers may employ in an attempt to gain access to a victim’s network. Phishing, and the rise of spear-phishing, looks to target employees with emails containing suspicious attachments or links that, when clicked, can eventually download malware onto a device. It’s reported that 91% of all cyberattacks begin with a phishing email, and 32% of all successful breaches involve the use of phishing techniques. Exploiting known software vulnerabilities and abuse of trust attacks are additional methods employed by attackers to gain entry into business systems. In addition, ransomware operators will also look to identify your backup solutions and will either delete or encrypt these to ensure businesses cannot quickly recover and therefore avoid payment of the ransom.

The evolving threat landscape: New tactics and targets

The cybersecurity threat landscape is constantly evolving. In 2024, both businesses and individuals must be aware of novel and emerging threats, including the risks posed by new ransomware groups. Attracted by the lucrative nature of ransomware, these groups seek innovative ways to gain access to the systems that are crucial in maintaining day-to-day business operations . 

This lucrative nature can be exemplified by recent data which shows payments from ransomware victims exceeded $1bn last year – a record high. And that’s just for the cryptocurrency wallets forensics analysts were able to track. While authorities work together to take down the most prolific groups (such as the recent takedown of LockBit), these victories are often temporary, with new operators quickly filling the void.

Furthermore, attackers are shifting tactics. While data encryption remains a common method, some ransomware variants now steal data and threaten to expose it on the dark web, creating a double extortion threat. Malicious QR codes, a new variant called “Quishing,” are emerging as another potential entry point. Due to shifting tactics, user vigilance is paramount.

The focus is also shifting towards smaller businesses. BlackCat and Lockbit are two ransomware groups specifically targeting SMBs, particularly in growing economies. SMBs often lack the dedicated resources for robust cybersecurity, making them more vulnerable.

Building a fortified defense: Strategies for businesses of all sizes

While there’s no foolproof way to prevent ransomware attacks entirely, businesses can take proactive steps to significantly reduce their risk and limit the impact if an attack occurs. Cloud security solutions can be a powerful ally in this fight.

Building a strong defense against ransomware requires a layered approach. The cornerstone of this defense is a robust backup strategy. Regularly backing up critical data to a secure, offsite location, ideally managed by security professionals in the cloud, provides a safety net in case of an attack. Cloud backups are geographically separate from on-premise infrastructure, offering an extra layer of protection against ransomware targeting local systems. However, backups are only useful if they function correctly. Regular testing and training your team on the restoration process ensures a swift recovery if a ransomware attack disrupts your operations.

Beyond backups, minimizing your attack surface is crucial. This involves security hygiene practices that reduce potential entry points for attackers. Educating employees through regular security awareness training equips them to identify phishing attempts, a common tactic used to deploy ransomware. IBM’s ‘Cost of a Data Breach’ report, suggests that employee training is a particularly effective mitigator against data breaches saving organizations at least $232,867 per attack.

Regularly reviewing and tightening access controls for applications, networks, systems, and data helps minimize potential damage. The principle of least privilege should be followed, granting users only the access they need for their job functions. Taking advantage of built-in security features on devices and operating systems, such as firewalls, malware detection, and automatic updates, further strengthens your defenses. Reputable cybersecurity resources can provide easily digestible, jargon free guidance on establishing best practices for different systems. By implementing these measures, businesses can significantly reduce their vulnerability to ransomware attacks.

Cloud’s role in the fight against ransomware

Cloud security services provide additional layers of defense against ransomware. These services can continuously monitor your network activity for suspicious behavior, acting as a vigilant guard that utilizes the power of cloud infrastructure to identify and block potential threats before they can cause damage. Furthermore, cloud providers typically encrypt your data both at rest and in transit, adding an extra shield against unauthorized access. Disaster recovery services offered by cloud providers can also ensure business continuity by minimizing downtime in the event of an attack. Finally, segmenting your network using zero trust principles acts as a series of walls within your digital castle, containing a ransomware attack to the specific compromised segment and preventing it from spreading throughout your entire network.

By understanding how these attacks work and adopting a proactive approach, you can significantly bolster your defences. Regular backups, preferably stored securely in the cloud, are the cornerstone of any ransomware defence strategy. Cloud solutions offer additional benefits like continuous monitoring, data encryption, and disaster recovery capabilities.

However, defense goes beyond technology. Implementing security hygiene practices like employee training and strong access controls significantly reduces your attack surface. Leveraging built-in security features and multi-factor authentication further strengthens your posture. Remember, ransomware is constantly evolving, so staying informed about the latest threats and updating your defenses regularly is crucial. By taking these simple steps, you can transform your business from a vulnerable target and be prepared for and mitigate against ransomware attacks.

Get in touch with one of our experts today and ensure that your business stands resilient in the face of cyberthreats.

If you are looking for an expert to help you find the best solutions for your business talk to GCInfotech about a free technology assessment

Published with consideration from TechRadar.com SOURCE

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SMBs are being hit with more malware attacks than ever, and many can’t keep up

Between infostealers, ransomware, and BEC attacks, SMBs are having a hard time remaining secure

Information-stealing malware, ransomware, and business email compromise (BEC), remain the three biggest cyber-threats small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) are facing, a new report from Sophos has warned.

The company claims almost half of all malware detected on SMB endpoints last year were either keyloggers, spyware, or infostealers – all malicious programs used to steal sensitive data and login credentials. 

For the researchers, this makes sense as the abuse of legitimate accounts is more difficult to spot, while opening the doors to many more criminal opportunities.

Ransomware and BEC

“The value of ‘data,’ as currency has increased exponentially among cybercriminals, and this is particularly true for SMBs, which tend to use one service or software application, per function, for their entire operation,” says Christpher Budd, director of Sophos X-Ops.

“For example, let’s say attackers deploy an infostealer on their target’s network to steal credentials and then get hold of the password for the company’s accounting software. Attackers could then gain access to the targeted company’s financials and have the ability to funnel funds into their own accounts.” 

Infostealers may be the most wide-spread threats, but ransomware remains the biggest. Fortunately for SMBs, the number of ransomware attacks “stabilized”, Sophos said, suggesting that growth slowed down. At the same time, ransomware attacks continue to evolve. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of remote encryption attacks rose by almost two-thirds (62%). Remote encryption happens when threat actors use an unmanaged device belonging to the victim organization, to encrypt files on other systems.

BEC attacks are the second-highest type of attack, right after ransomware, Sophos concluded. The attackers engaged in BEC are growing increasingly sophisticated, and often engage in a series of conversational emails with their victims, and sometimes even phone calls, before deciding to strike.

If you are looking for an expert to help you find the best solutions for your business talk to GCInfotech about a free technology assessment

Published with consideration from TechRadar SOURCE

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5 Seemingly Innocent Download Habits Your Employees Must STOP Now To Avoid A Ransomware Attack

Once upon a time, you could install antivirus software and go about your merry way online and in your inbox, opening, clicking and downloading files without a care.

Today, antivirus alone cannot and will not protect you, especially if you INVITE the hack by downloading a file that is infected with a piece of code designed to circumvent your security protocols. Whether it’s a personal computer, phone or a laptop you use for business, here are 5 things you need to STOP doing now to ensure you don’t get hacked.

  1. STOP downloading apps from unknown sources. There are thousands of free apps available online that are very tempting to download. Hackers are masters at curiosity and “clickbait” designed to nail you in a moment of weakness. To prevent rogue apps and programs from installing, configure your devices to disallow the installation of programs from unauthorized sources. On your phone, ONLY download apps from your device’s respective app store that are tested and forced to meet the store’s security and privacy requirements. Business owners: while I’m sure all of your employees are trusting souls, it IS possible (and recommended) to have business machines locked down, preventing your employees from downloading any applications (or files) that could harm you and compromise your security.
  2. STOP surfing the web unprotected, particularly when accessing downloads. This is particularly true if you are on public WiFi. Starbucks is not going to guarantee your Internet connection is safe, nor is any other business, restaurant or location offering free Internet access. Talk to your IT company (that’s US!) about installing more than just antivirus, but endpoint protection solutions, like a VPN, that will “hide” you from cybercriminals and filter out nefarious websites and attacks so you CAN use public WiFi without the fear of inviting a hack.
  3. STOP opening and downloading files e-mailed to you without extreme caution. Phishing attacks via e-mail are still the #1 way hackers gain access to a network. It’s very common for an attacker to hack into someone’s e-mail and get their list of friends, colleagues, coworkers and their boss to send e-mails that appear legitimate on “their” behalf, even using their actual e-mail – these are are highly sophisticated phishing attacks. So, before you open or download ANY file e-mailed to you, make sure it was one you were expecting. It’s far safer to use IT-managed file sharing like OnDrive, SharePoint or Citrix ShareFile to send attachments. But bottom line, if ANY file “feels” wrong or suspicious about a file download, including a weird extension or suspicious file name, CALL the person who sent it to verify. If it’s important, they can send it again.
  4. STOP downloading “bloatware.” It’s common for legitimate, reputable apps to sneak in other applications or toolbars you don’t need. They sell this as a sponsorship to make more money every time one of their users downloads an app. The best way to spot these is to look for checkboxes when installing that automatically opt you into services by default. So, before you hit “Next” and keep rolling to get your app installed, take a second to really read and review what you’re agreeing to when installing that new app.
  5. STOP downloading music, software, games, movies and the like from websites like BitTorrent, RARBG, 1337x and similar peer-to-peer file-sharing sites. It’s very common for file-sharing networks to be breeding grounds for hackers who post files infected with malicious software for people to download. Some of the ads on these sites are malicious as well. Don’t feel “safe” just because you have antivirus – because you’re not.

Business owners: after showing this to your team for both their work and personal devices, click here to schedule a quick 10-minute call to find out how we can implement security systems that will give you stronger protections against hackers and against employees who accidentally click on or download a malicious file.

If you need professional solutions and expertise to keep your devices safe, we can help. Contact us today to learn more about our security services and get the peace of mind you deserve.

If you are looking for an expert to help you find the best solutions for your business talk to GCInfotech about a free technology assessment

Published with consideration from TechAdvisory.org SOURCE

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Improve Your Cyber Security Awareness

Learn About Today’s Most Common Types Of Cyber-Attacks

If you’ve turned on the news sometime during the past few years, you’ve probably heard of more than one instance where a business closed due to a cyber-attack. You may think your business is small enough and hackers won’t target you, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Every business is at risk of experiencing a cyber-attack and should be well-prepared to defend against these threats. With the right type of attack, a cybercriminal can gain valuable information about your business, customers and employees, which can be used to damage your reputation and hurt you financially.

If you’re a business owner or leader and you want to ensure your business is well-protected, check out the most common cyber-attacks that are affecting companies today. From there, you can implement cyber security plans and tactics to ensure your business is protected from cybercriminals.

Phishing Scams

Phishing is a type of social engineering where an attacker sends a fraudulent message designed to trick a person into revealing sensitive information to the attacker or to deploy malicious software on the victim’s infrastructure. Phishing scams can wreak havoc on your business and personal life. You may have seen an e-mail from someone claiming to be Amazon or your credit card company asking for specific sensitive information. Often, the e-mail address does not line up with who the person is claiming to be.

When a phishing scam targets your business, they’ll likely request valuable information from your employees such as passwords or customer data. If your employees fall for the scam, they could give a cybercriminal unprecedented access to your network and systems. This may also allow the cybercriminal to steal private employee and customer information, leaving your employees vulnerable to identity theft. Phishing scams can be averted by using common sense and providing cyber security training to your employees. Most companies will not request private information over e-mail. That being said, if an employee receives a suspicious e-mail, they should do their due diligence to ensure the e-mail is genuine before responding in any way.

Malware

Malware is software installed on a computer without the user’s consent that performs malicious actions, such as stealing passwords or money. There are many types of malware, including spyware, viruses, ransomware and adware. You can accidentally download malware onto your computer by clicking on sketchy links within e-mails or websites. You might not even notice you have malware on your computer right now. If your computer is operating more slowly than usual, web browsers are taking you to random sites or you have frequent pop-ups, you should scan your computer for malware.

Prevention is key in stopping malware from affecting your business. Hiring and utilizing a managed services provider is the best way to protect your business, as they will continually monitor your network for exploitable holes. With malware, it’s always better to play it safe than sorry. If a cybercriminal is able to use ransomware on your network, your business could be stuck at a standstill until you pay the ransom. Even if you can pay the ransom, your reputation will still take a hit, and your business could be greatly affected. Be careful where you click on your phone, too, since malware attacks on cellphones have become more common over the past few years.

Attacks Involving Passwords

How do your employees access your network or computer systems? They most likely use a password to log in to their computer, access their e-mail and much more. What would happen if someone with bad intentions gained access to one of your employee’s passwords? Depending on the individual’s access, they could obtain sensitive information about your business, customers and employees.

Your team should be using long, complex passwords for their accounts, and each password for every account should be different. Encourage your employees to use password managers that will allow them to create the most complex passwords possible and keep track of them more easily. You can also incorporate multifactor authentication to ensure nobody can steal a password and gain access immediately. You should make your employees aware of this during your annual cyber security training.

If your business falls victim to a cyber-attack, it could have lasting consequences for everyone involved. Now that you know the most common types of cyber-attacks, you can start implementing plans to ensure you and your business stay protected.

If you are looking for an expert to help you find the best solutions for your business talk to GCInfotech about a free technology assessment

Published with consideration from TechAdvisory.org SOURCE

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Ransomware: Don’t Become a Small Business Cybercrime Victim

Be on guard against ransomware. Small businesses can fall victim to cybercrime even though many owners don’t think they are likely targets.

A little legal practice, a 35-person manufacturing firm, and a two-person charitable organization are all examples of technology-driven businesses. As much as any brand-name financial institution or international shop, their core operations depend on operating systems, software applications, and networks. And they have all been victims of ransomware.

However, small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) may be severely harmed, unlike large corporations, which are more likely to withstand a high-profile cyberattack.

A problem? Yes, but perhaps not as big as you think.

SMEs pay a high price for business disruption. They pay a high price for remediation and data recovery. They may lack the expertise and workforce to secure their essential IT infrastructure from cybercrime.

Enormous Ransoms for Small Businesses

According to NetDiligence’s Cyber Claims Study 2021 Report, ransomware has accounted for 40% of overall incident expenses connected to cyber claims in the last five years.

That is to say, the average ransom demand in 2020 was $247,000.

Research has estimated the cost of recovering from a cybersecurity breach affecting a small business to be roughly $352,000. These expenses do not account for the loss of client confidence due to the misuse of sensitive data.

Criminals know that small firms have weak or non-existent cybersecurity systems. As a result, they target them in large numbers, sending out repeated phishing attempts in the hopes of capturing a few victims in their automated nets.

Google has sent out 50,000 phishing or malware attack alerts as of October 2021, up 33% over the same month in 2020.

Since the Covid-19 epidemic, work-from-home and work-from-anywhere technologies have become more popular, exposing workers and small company systems to cyberattacks. According to one survey, approximately 70% of full-time workers in the United States started working from home during the Covid-19 epidemic.

Unfortunately, some small businesses infrequently take efforts to secure their remote employees. These efforts include implementing two-factor authentication (an additional login step) or encrypting computer disks. During the epidemic, millions of people lost their employment. Have they lost access to all of their email accounts and logins? Probably not.

Vulnerabilities in Small Businesses and Cybersecurity

Why are tiny firms such prey to predators? They could not have the operational know-how or staff to appropriately defend their IT systems and networks.

Meanwhile, here are a few examples of circumstances that put small companies at risk:

  • IT infrastructures are often outdated, are not regularly updated, and are poorly constructed.
  • The person in charge of IT — whether the CFO, the CEO, or a random employee — is seldom updated on the newest security risks and solutions.
  • Given the average pay of roughly $165,000, hiring a chief information security officer is often unaffordable.
  • A jumble of local hardware, networks, devices, and apps may make cyber protection difficult.
  • Employee cyber awareness training is poor or non-existent.
  • Backups may be unreliable or have not been thoroughly tested.
  • Business continuity and disaster recovery planning have not been emphasized.

Company executives may mistakenly believe that they are too tiny to be a cybercrime target, to their detriment.

Getting a Head Start On a Tough Situation

You don’t need any new gear or antivirus software to start boosting your company’s cyber security image.

Begin by taking a detailed inventory of your physical and digital assets, as well as a vulnerability assessment. It’s critical to create a “data governance” document that establishes guidelines for data management. People still record passwords on Post-it Notes on computer displays or taped on the bottom of mouse pads in small workplaces. Thus this technique is essential.

Above all, cybersecurity awareness training for employees is also necessary.

Phishing or other efforts at social engineering or getting individuals into vulnerable networks are a vital security threat vector for the ransomware outbreak. According to IBM’s 2021 X-Force Threat Intelligence Index, phishing was responsible for one-third of all cyberattacks. Ascertain that your personnel knows what to look for in these circumstances.

For example, penetration testing is another technique to go ahead with.

“Pen testing” ensures that your security measures are effective. Therefore, few small firms, in all experience, have the competence to undertake penetration testing. Therefore you may wish to hire an expert.

Finally, some experts recommend that every company establish real-time network and server monitoring. While strong passwords, two-factor authentication, encrypted data, and network firewalls are necessary and will slow down attackers, complete protection is neither cost-effective nor practicable.

Taking efforts to mitigate the potentially catastrophic effects of a cyberattack may be well worth the expense for small companies.

Are you interested in learning more about cybersecurity? Call us today and discover how our wide array of tech services can safeguard your business.

If you are looking for an expert to help you find the best solutions for your business talk to GCInfotech about a free technology assessment

Published with consideration from smallbusinesstechnology.com SOURCE

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Is My Small Business Vulnerable to Ransomware?

Businesses of any size can fall victim to ransomware. How will you protect your small business from it? And can you afford it?

The Business of Chicago

One Monday morning, 35 workers of a Chicago business board of directors turned on their computers. They were met by a desiccated head popping up and demanding nearly a quarter-million in Bitcoin. Hackers had shut off their internet access. Their databases had been scrambled and rendered unusable.

This NGO had vital infrastructure but no skilled cybersecurity professionals or even a proper data recovery and business continuity strategy, much like thousands of other ransomware victims whose tales never reach the news.

Company management believed that its data and networks were secure until they experienced that dreadful Monday morning return to work. The company also lacked the financial wherewithal to pay the ransom.

Productivity loss is the biggest price tag paid by ransomware victims. In addition, they suffered the time-consuming job of controlling and cleaning up after the assault.

According to Proofpoint and the Ponemon Institute study, a ransom payment generally amounts to less than 20% of the entire cost of a ransomware attack’s interruption.

The staff at the Chicago organization discovered too late that their data recovery methods did not actually back them up. The organization labored over finding paper documents in order to recreate its records from the ground up.

Businesses In a Bind

Many smaller businesses believe they aren’t vulnerable to ransomware. That is very clearly not the case.

According to the National Cyber Security Alliance, small and midsized firms are the target of the bulk of cyberattacks, with up to 60% of them going out of business within six months of the ransomware assault.

Three Simple Steps to Defeat Hackers

Some may reasonably question, if a $44 billion firm like Accenture can fall prey to ransomware, what hope does a smaller company have?

Everyone requires a reaction plan if no one is immune to an assault. Consider the following three essential steps:

1. Provide cyber awareness training to all staff.

PEBCAC stands for “problem exists between computer and chair” in the world of cybersecurity.

Because email phishing is by far the most common threat vector for ransomware, the first line of defense is to teach all employees not to open unfamiliar attachments or clickbait links — “You’ve just won $1 million!” — and to protect their login credentials, preferably with two-factor authentication.

Some employees, believe it or not, still retain passwords on Post-it Notes stuck to their computer displays. Every employee in today’s networked remote workforce is a member of the security apparatus. Employees play an essential role in data protection. However, they must be given the correct knowledge and training.

2. Update all of your applications.

An inventory of operating systems and software is the first step in any threat assessment.

Updates defend a computer network from known security flaws. Additionally, you must properly maintain and configure every firewall and server to stay safe.

Unfortunately, this seemingly simple task of data governance is a big undertaking. It’s made considerably more difficult by the abundance of endpoints. Think smartphones, industrial systems, IoT devices, and all the equipment used by work-from-home staff.

3. Put backups and recovery strategies to the test.

This is the one step that many companies skip. You shouldn’t.

Pick a day, perhaps a Saturday, when everyone “pretends” to be victimized by a hacker. Test the reliability of your backups and the amount of downtime you can expect to endure should you fall victim to ransomware.

How You Can Recover

To recover from an assault, every firm needs dependable backups and, equally essential, a business continuity strategy. Form a cyber incident response team and conduct penetration testing to ensure the safeguarding of vital infrastructure. Be proactive rather than reactive in your cyber response.

No one is immune to assault. These are merely the beginning of your defenses.

Monitor network traffic in real-time. Otherwise, your organization is extremely susceptible. Mechanisms must be in place to detect and respond to intrusions before you suffer damage. Be aware that 100 percent prevention is neither cost-effective nor practical.

Virus Software

Virus software and firewall hardware have come a long way. However, at the end of the day, the greatest defense is a skilled cybersecurity team.

A monitoring and incident response control center will allow speedy data recovery, reducing downtime for both internal and external cyberattacks. Outsourcing a security operations center may help businesses with limited resources reduce their risk.

Consider the cost of business disruption as the first step in making systems more robust. Governments, utilities, and even IT corporations are all vulnerable to assault. Put a solid data security strategy in place. Without one, it’s not a question of if, but rather when hacking will occur.

Make sure your cloud storage is secure.  It’s imperative that you do so ASAP. Without this safeguard, all sorts of malware, such as ransomware, can run riot through your systems.

Are you interested in learning more about cybersecurity? Call us today and discover how our wide array of tech services can safeguard your business.

If you are looking for an expert to help you find the best solutions for your business talk to GCInfotech about a free technology assessment

Published with consideration from smallbusinesstechnology.com SOURCE

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