Cyber-attacks increased at an alarming rate after the Russian-Ukrainian war began, where several government sectors were targeted as well as major companies that hold vital information and data. These incidents make businesses wonder how they can be safe in any targeted attack, especially if they store confidential information about their clients such as law firms or accountants. Here we discuss five main areas that any firm can focus on to reduce the success rate of any cyber-attack, and protect their organization.
Focus On Certification
Assuring your clients that cybersecurity is a priority within your organization can be achieved by earning Cyber Essential Certificates. Such certification reassures customers that you are focused at securing your data against cyber-attacks, and it will also attract new clients who carry sensitive information and seek professional companies that know how to store them well. This assurance can be given when you have the right certifications such as ISO 27001, which indicated that you have the correct cybersecurity measures in place.
Upgrade Your Network Security
Upgrading your network security requires that your firewall and web security are updated. A firewall is the software that protects your network, by acting as a filter that monitors everything coming in and out of your network and blocking everything suspicious. This ensures outsiders are kept from accessing the private data on your computers. Your firewall should be always updated to have the correct rules, with the filter working to decide whether to allow or block a certain connection. As for web security, it is essential to protect your company from malware, phishing, and denial of service attacks. Choosing the appropriate web security software will assure the security of your business from all cyber-attacks.
Endpoint Threat Detection and Response
Dig deeper and work on the security of each device, especially when you have several devices in your business. Sometimes typical anti-virus software won’t be enough, which is why it’s better to approach this situation through Endpoint Threat Detection and Response (ETDR), which is a cybersecurity technology that continually monitors an endpoint, such as a mobile phone or a laptop. Another suggestion would be to prioritize network access by ethernet, rather than wireless access, and when wireless access is inevitable and unavoidable, then it is better to be via a VPN along with multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Education
Identifying the source of threats is crucial to preventing them. Your staff need to be ready and aware of cyber-attack types, in order to defend against them. If your staff are not familiar with the terms ‘ransomware’ or ‘phishing’, then they will easily fall into a cybercriminal’s trap. However, when everyone in your firm has general knowledge about these cyber approaches, then they will know what to expect and how to defend the organization and themselves.
Work With Managed Service Providers
Managed Service Providers (MSPs) can remotely manage your IT infrastructure and end-user systems. The MSP monitors your security network, and they can even offer remote firewall administration and other security offers. Using trusted experts means you know your business is always in good hands.
Contact us today to find out how our cyber protection solution can help keep your firm secure.
Author: Mahdi Kobeissi, Cyber Security Consultant