Business Continuity Archives

This Is Killing Your Cybersecurity Strategy

January 3, 2019/0 Comments/in Business Continuity, Cybersecurity /by James Wagner

Culture is more important to your cybersecurity strategy than you realize.

In organizations where transparency is minimal and employee training is infrequent, you likely have many people who are ready to pass the buck if something goes wrong.

They want convenience when performing their job duties, and without the proper information, cybersecurity becomes the concern of the IT department.

“It’s not my responsibility” is killing your cybersecurity strategy.

So what can you do to make sure everyone in your organization is carrying the responsibility of securing your networks?

What do you do if you don’t have an IT department?

Employees are your biggest security risk

Your employees probably have little or nothing to do with the decision-making in your cybersecurity strategy. Outside of your IT department, there may have been no brainstorming forums about the best types of firewalls or which multi-authentication strategy to implement. Employees simply use the products that have been passed down the management chain. Without a culture of cybersecurity, then, there is no guarantee they will use the products as intended. How will they know what a phishing scam looks like? It only takes a single click for malware to infiltrate your entire IT infrastructure.

Educate end users to be your first line of defence

You have to end a threat before it begins by mitigating human error. This starts by instilling responsibility in every employee and making sure they know that the designated IT person or team can’t handle it all. Cybersecurity is a group effort, and if you want to defend against hackers, everyone must be on board. This is what makes culture so important because an employee that cares about the organization will be invested in protecting it.

Don’t become complacent

Even the most seasoned professional can make mistakes. Regular training and practice are essential, with frequent reminders and updates on new information. Opt for more than the boring PowerPoint presentation and apply gamification strategies or real-time tests. Format your own phishing email and see how many clicks on it; you might be surprised at how many top executives your trap catches. Your organization can’t afford to be complacent when hackers are constantly attempting to access your private data.

Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility because it can quickly become everyone’s problem. The end users may not play a role in establishing a cybersecurity policy, but they are the first to enforce it. Your organization must create a culture that recognizes the importance of cybersecurity and that also encourages employee buy-in. It must come from the top-down because if you don’t care about cybersecurity, your employees won’t either.

The ITeam understands the cybersecurity issues facing Canada businesses. We are committed to helping Calgary- and Alberta-based businesses develop proactive, cost-effective IT strategies that minimize risk and maximize efficiency. Contact us to learn more.

The Future of Cybersecurity Will Be Shaped by AI and Big Data

October 17, 2018/0 Comments/in Business Continuity, Cybersecurity /by James Wagner

The future of cybersecurity is coming at us quickly.

It’s almost impossible to be off-grid.

Virtually everything is somehow connected to the internet, from the smart fridge in your kitchen to satellites in space.

There are now more devices in the world than there are people, with billions of access points.

Technology is now a given for newer generations, yet cybersecurity can’t keep pace as it currently exists.

As our level of connectedness continues to advance, it will be AI and big data that shape cybersecurity.

Every device has a vulnerability

All forms of technology have inherent weaknesses.

This became incredibly apparent with the emergence of IoT.

Many new technological platforms had no security built into them, and even if defence measures existed, they were easily forgotten.

When no upgrades or future installments are made, we forget as consumers who are behind the devices in our homes and offices.

It is essential that we have the ability to retrieve updates in real-time because otherwise, the vulnerabilities are considerable.

It’s easy to assume that no one is interested in your Wi-Fi baby monitor, without realizing that hackers can patch themselves from one device in your home to another, such as a home security system.

Hackers have been successful in gaining access to major company databases, simply by accessing the air conditioning system.

Unrelated devices still function along the same networks, and the risk is very real.

There are too many security events for humans to handle

It’s not realistic to expect that every person will update every technological device as needed.

Even the most efficient IT departments struggle to handle the thousands, and sometimes billions (if you’re a powerhouse like IBM), of security events that occur daily.

Some events are minor, such as lost passwords, while others are suspicious activities indicative of a data breach.

If humans were to handle this influx alone, the backlog would greatly hinder any cybersecurity strategy.

This is where AI can augment, prioritize, and automate cybersecurity protocols.

AI can be programmed to handle low-level priority incidents, as well as send high-priority alerts to the right personnel.

AI will become a crucial component of cybersecurity as technology continues to dominate our world.

Soon, there will be no other acceptable another option.

Data is becoming decentralized

With the emergence of the blockchain, AI is even more crucial.

All transactions, all personal and professional data, cryptocurrencies, and more will be stored securely and accessed from anywhere in the world. Big data is the new technological reality, and it won’t be long until blockchain is commonplace.

With the future of cybersecurity promoting more connectedness than ever, it has become more apparent that security updates are not enough.

In fact, even AI and big data won’t be enough to mitigate risk.

The wider the technological landscape becomes; the more opportunities hackers will have.

As technology advances, it will be essential that cybersecurity is powered by hardware.

Rather than an afterthought, cybersecurity will have to be embedded into our devices to be efficient.

Otherwise, there is simply not enough human or artificial power to protect every device out there.

Cybersecurity Solutions For Alberta Small Businesses

September 25, 2018/1 Comment/in Business Continuity, Managed IT, Small Business IT /by James Wagner

Compliance is a concern on an international level, especially in matters of digital privacy and mandatory breach notifications for consumers.

Adoption of new policies is little more than a headache for larger businesses.

However, for smaller businesses, fewer affordable options are available and technical teams tend to be less skilled, if they exist at all.

Regardless, small businesses can’t afford to ignore the persistence of hackers and how susceptible they are to cybersecurity breaches.

The average small business owner loses $180,000 in a cyber attack

Losses of that size are large enough to sink a small business that suffers often irreparable damages and a tarnished reputation.

A ransomware attack can hinder operations for several days, and the affected business may sustain further financial losses as a result of government fines and consumer settlements.

Establishing an effective cybersecurity strategy starts with an understanding that every small business is at significant risk.

Implementing a solution for cybersecurity before disaster strikes is crucial.

Why are small businesses at risk?

The obvious reason small businesses are such lucrative targets is that historically, they do not invest in cybersecurity.

They are easy to exploit, and advanced techniques are unnecessary to gain access to critical data.

Research has also demonstrated that small businesses are more likely to pay the ransom because they are desperate to save their data.

With half of the small businesses shutting their doors in the six months after a cyber attack, a cybersecurity strategy is a serious and necessary investment.

Improving cybersecurity must be an industry-wide effort

Interestingly, Canadian restaurants are now being offered security assessments as part of an industry-wide initiative.

Restaurants are hot targets for cyber attacks because of the sheer amount of consumer credit card information that is stored.

Although these security assessments only highlight the risks and do not address a solution without additional cost, it is a step in the right direction.

Awareness of the problem and the depth of security risks will help small businesses prioritize cybersecurity appropriately.

Education and training are part of the solution

Regardless of business size or industry, internal threats continue to be a primary challenge.

Employees could be inadvertently opening phishing emails, using unsecured devices remotely to access private networks or using their credentials maliciously.

Human error results in the highest number of cybersecurity breaches, yet few small businesses address the lack of training that could minimize, if not eliminate, these risks.

Best cybersecurity practices stem from possessing the available information, and cybersecurity organizations are recognizing that access to cybersecurity strategies is beneficial to the entire economy.

Small businesses must take action to protect themselves from security breaches and malicious attacks; otherwise, they could lose everything.

Small businesses may be a prime target, but there is no reason to be defenceless.

4 Global Cybersecurity Risks Your Business Should Know in 2018

May 8, 2018/0 Comments/in Business Continuity, Cloud Hosting, Cybersecurity, Email Security /by James Wagner

The world is connected to a variety of diverse digital landscapes, ranging from app usage to credit cards, and this level of connectivity is such that it is unwise for any organization to ignore global cybersecurity risks.

Regardless of industry, every organization is at risk of malicious attempts to enter a private security network, and the location is irrelevant.

The Equifax breach is an excellent example: Although the cyber attack predominantly affected those in the US, millions in Canada were susceptible to the breach as well.

All businesses must prepare against the inevitability of malicious cyber attacks, particularly as technology continues to advance on a global scale.

Organizations aren’t prepared for GDPR

Despite advanced warnings regarding the implementation of new cybersecurity standards, many organizations are still unsure of how to manage changes that will ensure compliance with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The new regulation – scheduled to take effect on 25 May 2018 – demands that organizations handle personal data differently, but how those organizations ensure compliance is another matter entirely.

Resources are being pulled in different directions, and time will need to be set aside to educate stakeholders.

This primarily affects those businesses that engage in international trade, and an understanding of what is necessary to comply with the GDPR will help enhance cybersecurity when doing business with international clients.

The Internet of Things (IoT) poses a threat

Concerns surrounding the level of security among IoT devices has been discussed many times, but there is little forward progress in addressing the problem.

Although such devices add a level of convenience, they could provide the opening that a hacker needs to gain access to sensitive information.

Organizations that utilize IoT devices without the proper security infrastructure are susceptible to unmanaged risks, as it will become harder to track what – and how – information is transferrable.

IoT compromises security and no organization is immune.

The supply chain remains a weakness

Many organizations have a firm grip on their own cybersecurity practices, but knowledge of the existing infrastructure of third-party vendors is not as common.

Hackers are capable of taking advantage of this weakness in the supply chain, thereby gaining access to your IT infrastructure.

Unfortunately, when it comes to global business, the supply chain is a critical component of a successful operation.

Organizations must address the security risks between their international suppliers and take proactive measures that will prevent or at least minimize breaches.

The advance of breakthrough technology surpasses security spending

One of the most prominent concerns relating to international cybersecurity is the global tech war.

Individual countries are determined to produce the best in technological advances, without addressing security concerns applicable to those devices or systems.

Information security teams are expected to keep up with such developments, but the development of a robust cybersecurity strategy takes time.

Risks must be assessed holistically within the organization to close any gaps that hackers could leverage.

Stakeholders are demanding results, but they must understand that the best technology will pose a threat to the entire business if the end result is not secure.

International preparedness is the only way to mitigate international security risks. Individual organizations are only single elements of the global economy, and in a digital world, there are virtually no limits to the damage a single breach can cause. Malicious cyberattacks are an international concern, particularly as criminal organizations become more prominent. The international sharing of technology can boost the world economy, but the cybersecurity risks will grow as well.

Build a Strong Foundation For Your Business with Cybersecurity

December 12, 2017/0 Comments/in Business Continuity, Cybersecurity, Managed IT /by James Wagner

At a business’s inception, leaders are occupied with matters such as finances, leases, ROI, and related goals.

Setting realistic targets and optimum goals are key components of a growing business strategy, but one area that some business owners – old and new, in businesses large and small – may overlook is cybersecurity.

To build a strong foundation for a successful business – and for that business to flourish over time – you must have a solid cybersecurity framework.

Employee Cybersecurity Education

Employee training is an essential aspect of business growth, and cybersecurity should be an essential and ongoing part of every employee’s training and development.

Educating all staff, including yourself and your leadership team, is a simple proactive measure that can help mitigate the risk of falling victim to ransomware or other malware attacks.

If neglected, your business is almost guaranteed to experience loss of data and subsequent financial losses that would otherwise have been preventable.

Everyone in your organization should be aware of the risk that cyberthreats represent, and everyone should promote a culture dedicated to sustainable cybersecurity management.

Not only does such a culture ensure that employees avoid certain threats, such as phishing attacks, but it also ensures that everyone on your team is able to identify active threats and prevent irreparable damage by containing breaches.

Include Flexible Risk Management Goals

Although it can be tempting to establish firm risk management policies within your cybersecurity framework, this is one component of your strategy that should remain flexible.

Your vulnerabilities will depend upon your industry and how you do business.

Whether you are in the earliest stages of development or a well-established industry giant, your primary vulnerabilities can and will change as the security landscape changes and as technology evolves.

Risk management should be an ongoing process that can easily reflect updated policies.

Implement Industry Standards

Cybersecurity is a valid concern for consumers and businesses, but with the development of a strong business foundation, knowing where to start can pose challenges.

The Canadian government considers the protection of sensitive data to be the top priority and encourages business owners to become familiar with Canada’s Cyber Security Strategy.

Small businesses are just as likely to be victims of cyber threats, and it is in everyone’s best interests that private data is kept secure.

The existing reliance on technology adds an additional layer of compliance to business management.

Establishing and growing a business is no easy task, but without a strong foundation built on solid cybersecurity strategies, your organization will be susceptible to security risks that could completely halt progress.

The ITeam understands the cybersecurity issues facing Canada. We are committed to helping Calgary- and Alberta-based businesses develop proactive, cost-effective IT strategies that minimize risk and maximize efficiency. Contact us to learn more.