October Is Cybersecurity Awareness Month

The year is just about to end, but not until businesses celebrate cybersecurity month. National Cybersecurity Awareness Month was launched in 2004 by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Cyber Security Alliance. The initiative promotes cybersecurity awareness among businesses to enable them to protect their networks from hackers.

The Need to Create Cybersecurity Awareness

Cybersecurity remains a considerable concern in Canada and worldwide. Estimations reveal that cybercrimes could cost the world over $10.5 trillion annually. These are staggering figures, and it’s a worrying trend for all companies. Hacking, cyber theft, and phishing remain the top cybersecurity crimes worldwide.

The crimes also lead to costs from lost productivity, theft of data, and damages to hardware systems. The good news is that cybercrimes are steadily going down, but the cost is still relatively high. 2021 recorded a 10% increase ($4.24 million), the highest ever. These figures show there is still a lot to do to promote cybersecurity among businesses.

What Can You Do to Improve Your Business’ Online Security?

This year’s cybersecurity awareness theme is ‘Be Cyber Smart.’ Even if you haven’t experienced any significant breach, it’s time to act. As always, preventive measures are better than dealing with the aftermath of a cyber incident. Here are things you can do.

Be Aware That Your System Can be Hacked

The first step is to convince your brain that you are indeed vulnerable to cybersecurity incidents. Hackers are everywhere, and they will continue to take advantage of any vulnerability in your system. It would help if you always understood what’s at risk to take preventive measures, especially on your websites and networks.

Hold a Training Session Over Lunch Hour

A brief yet informative lunch hour session should do the trick. Bring in an expert who can address your employees’ security issues and concerns. You can do it once every year or bi-annually.

The training should last for one hour to cover all critical cybersecurity measures, like having strong passwords and updating antivirus software programs regularly. Let employees ask any questions they may have.

Conduct a Detailed Assessment

Conducting a detailed assessment of all your networks and websites is an excellent way to determine what areas need improvement. You can perform a self-assessment or hire an expert to do it for you. During the assessment, establish the following:

•       What devices are on the network and have access to it?
•       How is data transmitted?
•       Are you following any security policies when communicating?
•       Is there firewall protection?
•       Are security updates regularly downloaded and installed?
•       How frequently are passwords changed?

What Can You Do to Protect Your Company’s Data?

A good cybersecurity scheme starts with proper data storage and management. Store all sensitive information in a secure offline location, especially when not in use. Also, set up separate servers for emails, customer records, software applications, databases, and financial reports.

Doing so makes it easier to keep track of the information circulating among employees and other stakeholders. You can further safeguard data transfer by following a set procedure when accessing files from remote computers or shared folders in your networks.

If you discover that your cybersecurity systems need improvement, be sure to take the necessary steps. You can also seek help from an expert who can repair any issues without delay. These experts have comprehensive knowledge of current cybercrimes, and one of their goals is to keep your systems safe.

What Do You Gain When You Involve an Expert?

Because cyberattacks are a serious threat to business continuity, it’s best to involve a professional right away. There are several benefits you’ll get from hiring an expert.

Increased Efficiency

You have improved operational efficiency by preventing expenses related to downtime or damage caused by cyberattacks. The company can provide backup services that allow you to continue your operations at the soonest time possible.

Fast Solutions

In case of a data breach, you can rest assured that they will take care of it right away and restore all systems to normalcy as fast as possible. You don’t have to worry about costly fines or legal issues because they’ll handle all the problems quickly.

Protected Brand Image

A cyber-attack can weaken your business’ brand and public image. Hiring a cybersecurity company allows you to improve your security protocols, making gaining and retaining customers easier. Additionally, there will be fewer complaints if the company handles all cyberattack concerns and client questions.

These experts work closely with their clients, so you can expect customer service to be top-notch. The last thing you want is your business websites or networks to be at risk because you didn’t address any issues right away. How do you ascertain the cybersecurity company is highly experienced?

Look at their Certifications

If you have a business or an IT department, there is nothing more valuable than hiring a company that knows what they’re doing. Are they duly registered and vetted by the concerned bodies? What measures do they take to keep up with the evolving world of cybersecurity?

Look at their Cybersecurity Infrastructure

The best companies are the ones that are always ready to handle cyber threats. Not only do they employ experts, but they also have vital infrastructures in place to ensure their clients’ data is safe. For example, they have a 24/7 monitoring system, so any potential cyberattack can be detected right away, limiting damage and securing your data.

Look at their Vulnerability Assessment

The best companies also provide vulnerability assessments to find out where the weak points in your business are. These experts can then help you implement any necessary changes to eliminate the vulnerabilities that hackers love to exploit. Doing so ensures that businesses remain protected from cyber threats, no matter how big or small.

They Have a Readily Available Customer Support Network

The best cybersecurity companies have a customer support network that you can tap anytime. Should anything happen, they will be there to help you resolve any issues quickly and efficiently. They also provide different options for contacting them — phone, email — so clients can choose what works best for them.

The cybersecurity company also works flawlessly with your employees. They follow a strategic plan to train business owners and upper management to protect data from outside threats and internal vulnerabilities.

Schedule a Consultation with 365 Technologies

A consultation with 365 Technologies will open your eyes to why you need to protect your business from cyberattacks. With our expertise, you’ll know that your data is in good hands.

To learn more about our cybersecurity services, call us today.