6 Tips for Better  Cybersecurity Management

Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly more important and not just for large corporations. Businesses of every size need a strong cybersecurity posture. Cybersecurity management plays a large role in ensuring that your business stays out of cybercriminals’ grasp. Here are six ways you can ensure good cybersecurity management. 

1. Stay Current on Updates

Software updates may not seem like a big deal. Maybe you’re ignoring them thinking that you are only missing out on a few new features. However, most software updates also come with security updates. Companies routinely test for vulnerabilities in their software and if they are found, the companies will come up with patches. Those patches are generally released as software updates. Updating your software shuts the door on cybercriminals trying to find a way into your network.

2. Leverate Endpoint Security Software 

A device that is used to access your company’s network is called an endpoint. Endpoints can include:

• Tablets
• Desktops and laptops
• Phones
• Internet of things, aka IoT devices
• Servers

This type of security solution is antivirus or antimalware. Both of these solutions can monitor all endpoints connected to your network for suspicious behavior and then promptly alert the correct person or team. 

3. Phishing Protection 

One of the easiest ways cybercriminals gain access to your network is by tricking your employees into either giving up their information or downloading malicious software to their device. These requests often come through phishing emails.  

These are our top tips for spotting email scams:

• Hover your mouse over any links in the email to see the actual web address. Does the URL look correct? 
• Click on the sender email to see the full email address and avoid any company misspellings (i.e. [email protected]) or senders that claim to be from a company but use personal emails (i.e. [email protected]).  
• Contact the person or company to ask about the legitimacy of the email. Never use the phone number given in the email or text message. If it’s a company, use the number on their website or one you know is legitimate. 

In cybersecurity management, you’ll see a lot of other scams related to phishing emails. The first is requests for money transfers or gift cards. This type of scam often involves someone pretending to be from a company and sending a message that your account has been compromised. A legitimate company won’t make you pay extra for a compromised account or ask you to purchase gift cards for support. 

Another one we see often in the cybersecurity management world is word document phishing. The attachments sent over from bad actors will contain macros. When that attachment is opened, the macros infect your device with nefarious things such as viruses, ransomware or keystroke loggers. Never allow a file to run a macro!

4. Be Wary of Hackers’ Emails

Cybercriminals try to stir up panic by saying your account has been hacked. They can try to blackmail you into doing what they ask of you. Luckily, there are tools to see if your email address is published on the internet.  

If you receive this type of panic-inducing email, the best thing to do is to ignore it, talk to your IT department if it is a work email or contact customer support if it’s a personal one. 

5. Keep Passwords Safe

One of the best ways to keep your passwords safe is by using any one of the numerous password management services available. These tools help you set strong passwords and manage them, as well as offering multi-factor authentication methods to further protect your account logins. 

As another reminder, do not ever reuse the same password across accounts; especially accounts that hold onto sensitive data like your bank account.

6. Look For the S in HTTPS

Many organizations require forms to be filled out online. It can be safe to do so if one little letter is included in the web address. You may be used to seeing “http://” in front of URLs, or website addresses. When filling out a form or sharing personal information online in any way, ensure the web address has “https://” or a lock icon in front of it. The “s” signifies there is a security layer on their website. 

If you don’t even see “http://” in your browser, copy the web address into a document. It should reveal that information. When you do that, and there is still not an “s” consider another option for filling out the required form. 

We’re Here to Help

Cybersecurity is vital to any business because it can help prevent data breaches from occurring.  Effective cybersecurity management can be tackled by your internal sources or we can take it off your plate. Ready for support? Book a meeting with us.