The number of companies that fall victim to cyber attacks steadily increases every year. A report from Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that global cybercrime damage will hit $10.5 trillion annually by 2025.
While falling victim to such attacks is not necessarily in direct correlation with an organization's lack of security, there are ways to improve organizational and individual habits to help bolster security and significantly lower risk. In this article, we have outlined 5 ways to reduce the risk of cyber attacks.
Minimize Data Transfers Across Devices
With the widespread adoption of hybrid and remote work models, the transfer of data between corporate and personal devices has become commonplace. This practice can inadvertently create security vulnerabilities.
While it may seem convenient, storing work-related data on personal devices or external storage can significantly increase the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks. To mitigate these risks:
- Implement robust cloud-based solutions that allow secure access to work data from any device.
- Use enterprise-grade virtual private networks (VPNs) for remote access.
- Utilize mobile device management (MDM) solutions to secure and monitor company data on personal devices.
- Regularly train employees on best practices for data handling and cybersecurity.
Collaborating with a reputable cybersecurity firm can help identify vulnerable endpoints and develop a comprehensive strategy to secure your organization's data ecosystem. This approach not only protects sensitive information but also ensures compliance with evolving data protection regulations.
Verify Downloads
Downloading files from the internet remains an everyday activity, but it carries evolving risks that demand increased vigilance. Without proper verification, seemingly innocent downloads can expose your devices to sophisticated security threats.
Today's landscape includes advanced ransomware that not only encrypts files but also exfiltrates data and targets cloud storage. Sophisticated adware has evolved beyond annoying pop-ups. It now captures personal data and serves as a gateway for more malicious software. Scareware has become more convincing, employing AI-generated content and exploiting current events to manipulate users.
To protect yourself, adopt a proactive approach:
- Use AI-powered antivirus solutions capable of detecting novel threats.
- Implement a zero-trust security model, verifying every download regardless of its apparent source.
- Consider using sandboxing technologies to test downloads in isolated environments.
- Keep all your software and operating systems updated to patch known vulnerabilities.
- Most importantly, stay informed about the latest social engineering tactics used to distribute malware.
Remember, in our AI-driven world, cybercriminals are leveraging advanced technologies to create more convincing and dangerous malware.
Implement Modern Password Strategies
Strong password practices remain crucial for protecting against cyber threats. While complex passwords are still important, modern best practices have evolved beyond simple character combinations. Experts now recommend using unique, long passphrases (20+ characters) that are easier to recall but difficult to crack.
Additional protections include:
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Password managers
- Biometric authentication
- Single sign-on (SSO)
These measures collectively enhance account security in the modern digital landscape.
Keep Software Updated
While software updates are often free and automatically offered by providers like Microsoft, Apple, and Google, some users may still ignore or postpone installing them due to busy schedules or concerns about disruption. These updates are crucial for cybersecurity. Software companies continuously provide patches to address newly discovered vulnerabilities and enhance product security. Delaying or skipping these updates can leave devices highly vulnerable to evolving cyber threats.
Modern best practices include:
- Enabling automatic updates whenever possible
- Promptly installing critical security patches
- Regularly checking for updates on devices and applications that don't offer automatic updates
- Being cautious of unsupported software that no longer receives security updates
Remember, cybercriminals often exploit known vulnerabilities in outdated software. By staying current with updates, you significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to cyber attacks.
Develop a Breach Response Plan
Breaches can still happen for companies with security checkpoints and security guards. Establishing an incident management plan helps any type of organization determine how to respond in a real-life scenario and how to contain the damage.
Align’s subject matter experts leverage over three decades of experience to provide award-winning Managed IT Services and Cybersecurity Risk Management Solutions.
Align’s Customized Cybersecurity Programs, Managed Threat Protection and Education Models can help your business identify and mitigate cyber risks. Our unique end-to-end cybersecurity solution and collaborative approach allow us to detect risks and identify threat points embedded in virtually all business functions across the cybersecurity risk management spectrum.
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