As technology continues to advance, so does the need for heightened awareness and proactive measures to safeguard sensitive information. Cybersecurity can seem like an insurmountable task for everyday people. After all, cybersecurity can be a full-time job! But your IT team will thank you for playing your part in keeping your business’s or organization’s data safe. Not to mention your own personal data.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. It serves as a timely reminder that there are many ways to safeguard data. Following are some basics suggestions from Hop-A-Long IT to make a big difference in how secure your network remains.
What Is Cybersecurity Awareness Month?
Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CAM) is an annual initiative held every October. It promotes cybersecurity awareness and education. It aims to empower individuals and organizations by giving them knowledge and resources to strengthen their defenses against cyber threats.
CAM started as a U.S. initiative, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Then, it quickly spread around the globe. It’s led by two agencies:
- National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA)
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
This collaborative effort involves various stakeholders such as Government agencies, industry leaders, and cybersecurity experts. The goal is to raise awareness about cyber risks and best practices as they continually evolve.
This Year’s Theme
This is CAM’s 20th year. To celebrate, the theme revolves around looking at how far cybersecurity has come, as well as how far it has to go. This year, CAM focuses on four key best practices of cybersecurity.
These are:
- Enabling multi-factor authentication
- Using strong passwords and a password manager
- Updating software
- Recognizing and reporting phishing
Let’s take a closer look at these four best practices of good cyber hygiene.
Essential Cyber Hygiene: 4 Keys to a Strong Defense
Central to Cybersecurity Awareness Month is the promotion of essential cyber hygiene practices. Cyber hygiene is similar to the hygiene that we follow for our physical health. Just like we brush our teeth every day, we can do ongoing security hygiene practices to secure a healthy online environment. These practices form the foundation of a strong cybersecurity defense. They help both individuals and organizations. The four key practices that we discuss below can become habits that encourage good safety hygiene.
Enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Implementing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) adds a vital layer of security to all logins. In most cases, a hacker can’t breach an account protected by MFA. This is the case even if the cyber crook has the password.
According to Microsoft, MFA can block 99.9% of attempted account compromise attacks. With that strong track record, everyone really should be using it. Every login should have MFA if available!
Strong Passwords and a Password Manager
Passwords remain a critical aspect of securing online accounts. Despite the increased use of biometrics, passwords are still ubiquitous and a crucial part of security. Encourage your team members to use strong, unique passwords for each account. A good rule of thumb is to avoid easily guessable information like birthdays or names.
Companies can help by setting strong password enforcement rules. This requires a strong password before it’s accepted in a system. For example, you could set up a policy that requires a password to have:
- At least 12 characters
- At least 1 upper case letter
- At least 1 lower case letter
- At least 1 number
- At least 1 symbol
Even when a strong password isn’t required or enforced, it is always a good idea to use a strong password. Using a password manager can help you track and store those more-complex passwords safely without resorting to simple or easy-to-guess passwords.
Updating Software
Outdated software creates vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit. Regularly update operating systems, applications, and firmware to ensure the latest security patches are in place.
Automating updates is a good way to ensure they’re done promptly. Companies can use endpoint device managers to handle updates across all employee devices. If you aren’t sure if a update is a good idea for your business, reach out to your I.T. company! Hop-A-Long I.T. helps handle questions about updates and changes, and even manages security as a way to give you peace of mind.
Recognizing and Reporting Phishing
Phishing attacks are a common vector for cyber threats. Train yourself and your team to identify phishing emails, suspicious links, and unsolicited attachments. Encourage everyone in your business to verify the sender’s email address before interacting with an email. And never provide sensitive information unless certain of the recipient’s authenticity.
It’s also important to educate employees about phishing beyond email. Phishing via text messages has been increasing significantly. Some criminals have also started phishing via direct messages on social media platforms.
Another important aspect of phishing awareness is to report phishing. Most email applications have a way to report spam, but it can also be a good idea to report it to your I.T. team so they can mitigate the threat. Letting your employees or fellow colleagues know about the phishing scam can alert them to look out for the trap. Be sure to let employees know how they can report a phishing email when they suspect one.
We Can Help You Put the Best Cyber Hygiene Practices in Place
CAM offers a valuable opportunity to refocus on the significance of cybersecurity. Prioritizing essential cyber hygiene practices and building a culture of cybersecurity awareness within your team is important. It can be the difference between vulnerability and resilience for your business.
Need some help ensuring a more secure and resilient future? Our team of experts can review your current security plans, and get you going on the basics. Hop-A-Long I.T. offers managed security plans for those looking for the true peace of mind of knowing the experts are keeping an eye on your security!
Give us a call today at (785) 877-7001 to schedule a chat and keep YOUR security up-to-date.
Article adapted with permission from The Technology Press.