Corporate IT cybersecurity recommendations by Benjamin Dynkin today? Being a business owner can be pretty overwhelming in that respect, but there are plenty of steps you can take to protect yourself against ever-present security threats. Some are simple actions you can carry out on your own, and some might require professional help. But don’t hesitate to improve your systems and fix weak spots — it’ll be well worth the time and effort. Here are some tips. It isn’t possible to defend yourself completely against online attacks, but complacency is probably the No. 1 reason a business becomes a victim of a cybercrime. Many business owners make the mistake of assuming that their company is too puny for hackers to bother with. Hackers are very familiar with this way of thinking — they know that most small businesses aren’t helmed by information technology experts with an unlimited security budget. They know “small” usually equals weak and easily exploitable. Discover additional information at Benjamin Dynkin.
Enable Secure Email Communication and Training to Mitigate Risk of Phishing Attacks. Email continues to be a weak point in cybersecurity, with data loss/breach and phishing attacks being two of the bigger threats. You should seek an email security solution capable of encrypting messages in transit and at rest, with the ability to verify message origin so it is easy for employees to spot spoofed emails and not fall for phishing. Ease of use for the end users is another important factor to consider.
Disable Bluetooth Connectivity. Just like your phone’s automatic Wi-Fi connectivity, Bluetooth connectivity can present problems. Bluetooth signals can come from anywhere. If your Bluetooth is left on, nearby assailants can connect to your phone and potentially hack into your device. Keep Bluetooth disabled as much as possible while traveling abroad. In addition to implementing these eight cyber security tips for travelers, you should also check out the laws and regulations governing cyber security in each country you plan to visit. By remaining vigilant during your business travels, you can greatly reduce your risk of suffering a cyber threat.
Use Two-Factor or Multi-Factor Authentication. Two-factor or multi-factor authentication is a service that adds additional layers of security to the standard password method of online identification. Without two-factor authentication, you would normally enter a username and password. But, with two-factor, you would be prompted to enter one additional authentication method such as a Personal Identification Code, another password or even fingerprint. With multi-factor authentication, you would be prompted to enter more than two additional authentication methods after entering your username and password.
Benjamin Dynkin on data breaches: A Malicious Insider. This person purposely accesses and/or shares data with the intent of causing harm to an individual or company. The malicious insider may have legitimate authorization to use the data, but the intent is to use the information in nefarious ways. Lost or Stolen Devices. An unencrypted and unlocked laptop or external hard drive — anything that contains sensitive information — goes missing. Malicious Outside Criminals. These are hackers who use various attack vectors to gather information from a network or an individual. Since malicious data breaches result from cyberattacks, you should know what to watch for.