Cybercriminals around the globe are using the web to ensnare private citizens, companies, and government agencies. The Pentagon, for example, rebuffs 36 million virus/malware-laden emails daily.
On average, a small company loses 3 to 50 % for each attack in direct operating costs. Indirect costs like losing future clients, lost reputation, and system reconstruction add to the trauma.
Here is a simple checklist to help safeguard your company, and intellectual property, from bad actors.
Test your Defenses
There are many different types of tests you can run on your security, including network assessments and penetration testing.
Network Assessments
A network assessment provides a visual framework of what your network consists of and aspects that are causing issues or can be improved. Regular network security audits are critical to finding and diagnosing internal and external security threats and helping you get the most out of your system.
Penetration Testing
Penetration testing, also known as pen testing, is a cyberattack simulation launched on an organization’s network. The goal of the pen test is to evaluate the security of an IT infrastructure by safely trying to exploit it.
You'll want a third party to conduct the test. You do NOT want to invite a random guy off the street to poke around your network. Likewise, you don’t always want your IT department to conduct these assessments as they can be biased. You’ll want to look for a qualified security team.
Educate your Employees
Cybersecurity awareness training teaches employees how to defend company data from cybercriminals.
Security experts are the best candidates for leading these training sessions; and the classes can come in many forms, like in-person lectures or interactive online videos.
For a cybersecurity awareness training program to be effective, it must teach employees the following topics:
- How to recognize a security threat
- How to abide by corporate policies
- How to follow security procedures and protocols
These training sessions should be frequent enough to keep employees fresh on best practices.
Review cybersecurity policies and procedures
At the heart of robust cybersecurity practices lies a foundational document: the cybersecurity policy.
A cybersecurity policy is a comprehensive document outlining a company’s security protocols, controls, and activities. It serves as a guiding light for ensuring that sensitive data remains protected and operations remain uninterrupted.
A cybersecurity policy should be treated as a living document that grows, evolves, and adapts with the times. With every shift and tweak made to your IT infrastructure and network, the corresponding policies must undergo updates as well.
Given the fluid nature of technology and cyber threats, we advocate reviewing your cybersecurity policies at least annually. This ensures that your defenses remain current, your organization's assets are protected, and demonstrates a commitment to adaptability and resilience in an ever-evolving digital world.
If your business needs help with cybersecurity, please fill out the form to the right.
