Debunking Top CS Risks

The world is an ever-evolving threat landscape, and cybersecurity has never been more important. The average cost of a data breach is $3.86 million, and in the past 15 years, there have been over 12,000 breaches. Business protection has never been more important, so your organization must understand some of the top myths surrounding security and how to manage your business protected.

• Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Aren’t Targeted: Most SMBs think they won’t be targeted in an attack because only Fortune 500 company breaches are featured in the news; however, small and medium-sized businesses are often more targeted, and the side effects are more costly. 43% of SMBs lack any sort of defense plan, and online criminals are cashing in.
• Strong Passwords Are Enough: Organizations need a multi-layered approach. A strong password is just not enough to keep out today’s savvy criminals. A strong and unique password is only the start of a formidable defense. At a minimum, organizations need to be using multi-factor authentication (MFA), which requires users to have two forms of authentication. Typically, MFA uses a password as the first form of authentication and will request a one-time code via text or email.
• Protection Is Only One Team’s Responsibility: While your IT support team has a majority of the responsibility of defending your organization, it is not solely their responsibility. An ample defense needs to be embedded in the culture of the entire organization, and every employee plays a role. 95% of all breaches are caused by human error, so it is important for all employees to be trained in basic protection practices. This includes how to spot a phishing attempt or malicious email and how to create a strong, unique password.
• You’ll Immediately Know When Your Device is Infected: On average, it takes an organization 200 days to realize its systems have been compromised. Some breaches, like the one with Marriot, took four years to find. Modern malware is stealthy, and hackers are getting more sophisticated.

There are several steps your organization can take today to be better prepared to take on the threat landscape of 2021 and beyond. Contact us today for a free assessment of your current systems and how you can be better protected.