5 WAYS TO BE CYBER SECURE AT WORK

5 WAYS TO BE CYBER SECURE AT WORK

Your cyber security is only as strong as the weakest link in your organization. Cybercrime is a fulltime – and very lucrative – job for hackers who thrive on exploiting gaps in your security and gaps in the knowledge and judgement of your employees. One inadvertent link click can cost tens of thousands of dollars and take down your company for days.

This is why the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has launched a campaign called “Do Your Part – #BeCyberSmart.”

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and the team at Roanoke is committed to doing our part to help your company #BeCyberSmart.

For the next few weeks we’ll be sharing information and resources to help raise the awareness and education level of your organization. Today’s tips for the “5 Ways to be Cyber Secure” come courtesy of the National Cybersecurity Alliance and The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency.

Businesses face significant financial loss when a cyber attack occurs. In 2019, the U.S. business sector had 17% increase in data breaches: 1,473 breaches – per Identity Theft Resource Center, “2019 End-of the Year Data Breach Report”.

Cybercriminals often rely on human error—employees failing to install software patches or clicking on malicious links—to gain access to systems. From the top leadership to the newest employee, cybersecurity requires the vigilance of everyone to keep data, customers, and capital safe and secure. #BeCyberSmart to connect with confidence and support a culture of cybersecurity at your organization.

SIMPLE TIPS:

1. Treat business information as personal information. Business information typically includes a mix of personal and proprietary data. While you may think of trade secrets and company credit accounts, it also includes employee personally identifiable information (PII) through tax forms and payroll accounts. Do not share PII with unknown parties or over unsecured networks.
2. Don’t make passwords easy to guess. As “smart” or data-driven technology evolves, it is important to remember that security measures only work if used correctly by employees. Smart technology runs on data, meaning devices such as smartphones, laptop computers, wireless printers, and other devices are constantly exchanging data to complete tasks. Take proper security precautions and ensure correct configuration to wireless devices in order to prevent data breaches. For more information about smart technology see the Internet of Things Tip Card. Read the Internet of Things Tip Sheet for more information.
3. Be up to date. Keep your software updated to the latest version available. Maintain your security settings to keep your information safe by turning on automatic updates so you don’t have to think about it and set your security software to run regular scans.
4. Social media is part of the fraud toolset. By searching Google and scanning your organization’s social media sites, cybercriminals can gather information about your partners and vendors, as well as human resources and financial departments. Employees should avoid oversharing on social media and should not conduct official business, exchange payment, or share PII on social media platforms. Read the Social Media Cybersecurity Tip Sheet for more information.
5. It only takes one time. Data breaches do not typically happen when a cybercriminal has hacked into an organization’s infrastructure. Many data breaches can be traced back to a single security vulnerability, phishing attempt, or instance of accidental exposure. Be wary of unusual sources, do not click on unknown links, and delete suspicious messages immediately. For more information about email and phishing scams see the Phishing Tip Sheet.

For more information about how you can Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart, visit www.cisa.gov/ncsam