Bigger cyber threats call for bigger cybersecurity solutions.
The digital landscape for businesses has changed, bringing a number of new challenges to overcome and new risks to address. There are more ways than ever for cyber criminals to gain access to sensitive data and deal a devastating blow to your company.
Simultaneously, new ways to defend against those threats have developed over time, and there are more ways than ever to keep your systems secure against potential breaches. Knowing how to use these cybersecurity solutions, though, requires that you understand your risk factors first.
That’s why in this blog post, we’re going to cover some of those risk factors, including an increasingly remote workforce, new ways for hackers to access your data, and how you can combat these threats with military grade computer protection.
Many companies have moved their employees out of the office and into their living rooms to continue their work. Whether they’re working from a personal or company-issued device, this situation can leave your workers vulnerable without proper preparations.
While working from a distance, an employee has less physical access to support in the event that something goes wrong with their device or they’re the target of phishing, malware, or another kind of attack. Without being directly monitored, they may also be less likely to actually seek or receive effective help for the problem.
Training employees in best practices for avoiding these threats is one effective way to combat them. Even more important, though, is making sure their devices, as well as any company-wide systems they can access remotely, are secured with the latest in cybersecurity software.
The vulnerability of a remote workforce can be taken advantage of in other ways, too. Ransomware is one that poses a particular risk.
Ransomware infects your computer with a virus that encrypts your files, locking you out of them until the attacker gets something they want. Often, what the hacker wants is money, but they may also be after your company’s data or something else entirely.
Depending on the nature of your business or the attack itself, this can create a situation that is, at best, a threat to your company’s financial wellbeing. At worst, it may be a situation that puts employees or customers in danger, particularly in industries like healthcare.
With remote workers operating in a degree of isolation, ransomware attacks can be especially effective and dangerous. A similar approach should be taken to these as with the previously-mentioned cyber attacks.
Devices for remote work like phones and laptops aren’t the only way in for cyber criminals targeting your company. Internet of things (IoT) devices also introduce additional risks.
It’s projected that 18 billion IoT devices will have been produced by 2022. Many of these, ranging from voice-activated audio devices to even connected household appliances like refrigerators, have been used by hackers to gain access to other devices, like computers, from which they can access network data.
The IoT also offers other avenues, like “digital twin” simulations using gathered data to create models of systems, for hackers to gain access to your data. It, like other elements of your organization’s digital infrastructure, should be addressed by the cybersecurity measures you take to secure your information.
Cyber threats are more sophisticated than ever at a time when your team may be more vulnerable than ever. When hackers are waging a digital war against people and business, don’t settle for anything short of military grade computer protection from The Baran Agency.
We’re a team of ex-military cybersecurity specialists on a mission to help businesses protect themselves and their customers against growing online threats. If you’re ready to work with us, we’re ready to help you keep your people and systems safe. Contact us for a free consultation now.
