Just when you think it is safe, another global hack hits the headlines, and the cycle of frustration and worry begins anew. Are my systems safe? What would I do if our data was compromised? Is my IT prepared for a full-scale hacker attack? 
o help raise awareness about the ongoing global implications of hacks, October has been declared National Cyber Security Awareness Month. It’s a countrywide program designed to highlight the tools and resources available to prevent cyberthreats and mitigate cyberattacks.
As IT professionals, it’s our role to focus on threat intelligence every day. The recent announcement of a massive headline-grabbing attack at Equifax reminds us of this message loud and clear:
No one is safe.
October is just another month, but this “holiday” is a perfect reason to remind your staff and teams that the threat is real.
In 2015, ransomware costs were around $325 million. In 2017, global ransomware is expected to cost companies $5 billion– a stunning increase over just two years.
Even if you work for a small business, you are not immune. Hackers are actively targeting SMBs, of which only about 20 percent consider themselves well protected. Hackers attack those least prepared, those with outdated systems and disparate protections, as they actively look to exploit vulnerabilities. Hackers love small systems due to the general ease of access, using them as a jumping point to gain entry to high-value partners. So, what can you do?
Safeguard Against Insider Threat
Since your best offense is always a good defense, Cybersecurity Month is the perfect time to introduce (or reintroduce) the concepts of threat intelligence for employees before it is too late. It means going the extra mile to ensure end-to-end protection, particularly from within. Employees should be well educated about the risks and how threats like phishing schemes and malware are introduced, and what they as individuals can do to help prevent them.
Teach employees to understand the risks they may introduce – intentionally or not, including:
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Check URL links for validity before clicking on them
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Look for the padlock symbol to designate a secure site
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Avoid opening emails, attachments or clicking on links from unsolicited emails
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Use multiple sources of protection, including firewalls, antivirus, spam filters and more
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Safeguard mobile devices and avoid unsecured WiFi
Or, it may involve some dedicated, structure training efforts by your IT or HR organizations.
Partner for Strong Protection
VLCM is proud to be recognized for our comprehensive IT security services. As recipients of the 2016 US/Canada Fortinet Growth Partner of the Year, our security experts understand the current threat landscape and the complexity of solutions required to manage risk. The only real solution is end-to-end protection, like that provided by our software partners at Fortinet, who have developed a highly sophisticated suite of products that can keep you covered from every angle.
Together, we can help you customize an approach to minimizing your security risk, developing an ironclad security program—from deployment to monitoring – expressly designed for your organization. By leveraging best-in-class tools with our in-house cybersecurity experts, we can work to ensure your secure this month – and every month.
Contact us to learn more.
