With cyberattacks skyrocketing, more companies are taking a closer look at their cybersecurity practices to ensure their data is protected. Small businesses are particularly at risk, with 43% of attacks aimed at them, in part due to their lack of resources to defend against malicious actors. Complicating the issue is the continuing coronavirus pandemic, which has forced many businesses to rely on remote workers or a hybrid office environment to survive — broadening the attack landscape significantly.
An attack can result in direct monetary losses, but perhaps more insidious are the long-term issues such as a besmirched brand reputation, data loss, system downtime, and the potential for lawsuits. While such an attack can significantly impact a company’s ability to recover and remain competitive, there are ways that companies can protect themselves, combating cyberattacks and even preventing them from occurring.
Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities by Industry
The increase in cyberthreats has touched many industries over the past year, with no sign of relenting as we move through 2021. The top ten industries targeted in 2020 were:
- Finance/insurance
- Manufacturing
- Energy
- Retail
- Professional services
- Government
- Healthcare
- Media
- Transportation
- Education
As you can clearly see, all these industries have access to data that can be considered personal and/or sensitive — and attractive to cybercriminals. Financial institutions manage assets and have access to identifying information. Hospitals and healthcare providers retain data including social security numbers, health records, and billing information. Corporations have data on employees and customers. Manufacturers and energy companies may have proprietary information that is valuable to competitors or even other nations.
Regardless of the type of vulnerability, applying cybersecurity best practices is one way to minimize the potential for cybercrime to affect your business.
Protect Your Business with Cybersecurity Best Practices for 2021
As markets shift and the economic landscape changes, more companies are moving toward a digital transformation in order to remain competitive. While digital technologies definitely help any organization gain visibility, agility, and a firmer foothold in the marketplace, they can also open your business up to attack by cybercriminals if you are not adequately protected. To stay safe, consider adding these cybersecurity best practices into your 2021 digital strategy:
Consider Minimizing Transfers of Data
With more mobile devices than ever being used for business purposes and employees splitting time between remote and in-house locations, it is difficult to prevent the transfer of data that must necessarily take place to keep productivity humming. However, smart companies use cybersecurity technologies such as software that provides access control to minimize transfers and provide assurance that data is shared on a need-to-know basis.
Keep Hardware and Software Updated
Developers are keenly aware that hackers are constantly evolving new ways to overcome vulnerabilities in existing technologies. That is why they work hard to release security patches and updates on a regular basis. Make sure that your IT team is downloading and implementing any patch as soon as it is available for the best protection.
Use Encryption Where You Can
Encryption can help protect sensitive data from modification, unauthorized access, theft, and disclosure, so it has become the gold standard for protecting data during and after transmission. In addition to encryption, protect endpoint assets with strong passwords and, where possible, two-factor authentication.
Monitor, Monitor, Monitor
The best way to prevent data theft is to have real-time remote monitoring capabilities that can help alert you to suspicious activity and a possible breach. Remote monitoring is done around-the-clock, so your systems are protected even when the lights go out in the office.
For better overall system health, connect with a competent third-party Managed IT service provider whose sole objective is to keep your system healthy — and safe.
Let Blue Technologies Guard Your Data with Leading-Edge Technologies
Blue Technologies has a Managed IT program that is built around the principles of strong cybersecurity. Not only do we offer remote monitoring of your system health 24/7, but we provide routine and preventative maintenance to ensure your system is up to date with the latest security protocols.
Our team of IT professionals can assess your current infrastructure for vulnerabilities and develop a strategy to improve overall productivity and efficiency while protecting your data with the latest leading-edge technologies.
Stay protected with the company that understands cybersecurity best practices. Contact a Blue Technologies consultant and learn how our team of experts can help keep your data safer.
