Cybersecurity Archives

Lessons from Data Breaches

August 20, 2019/0 Comments/in Business Continuity, Cybersecurity, Disaster Recovery, Email Security, Managed IT, Mobile Device Management /by James Wagner

More than 6 million Canadians were impacted by the Capital One data breach that happened this year – and that was not even the biggest breach by any stretch. The biggest data breach is still Yahoo, whose breach impacted more than 3 billion people. Big or small, however, each data breach is costly and damaging – to consumers, to businesses, and to the economy. We can – and should – learn everything we can from these incidents to avoid repeating them. In analyzing security breaches that have occurred over the last 10 years, experts found that the main reasons data breaches occur are:

Failure to patch
Human error
Insider attacks
Poor mobile device management

Failure to Patch

Too often, a breach occurs because an organization has delayed patching, leaving them vulnerable to hackers. This often happens because the organization does not have a dedicated IT staff, leaving one or more employees responsible for IT on top of their other duties. Those other duties – their “real” jobs – take priority and patching jobs get postponed.

Partnering with a managed services provider (MSP) can help solve this problem and extend the strength of your IT team, whether your team is a whole department, or one person assigned with additional responsibilities. An MSP ensures patches are installed in a timely manner, but they’re also there to monitor your network 24/7.

Human Error

Clicking links and opening attachments in emails that appear to come from within your organization or from a trusted vendor cause more data breaches than we can measure. It’s possible your organization has malware sitting on your network right now that has been introduced by an errant employee and has yet to have been detected.

While we can never completely remove human error from the equation, we can drastically reduce the number of email-related data breaches by:

Developing, implementing, and enforcing strict zero-trust policies
Providing ongoing training to employees to help them recognize potential phishing scams
Limiting the data to which employees have access
Requiring multi-layer authentication that includes complex passwords and other access barriers

Download The ITeam Email Security Guide; then discover how you can transform your employees from your weakest link to your first line of defense through security training.

Insider Attacks

Insider attacks don’t account for many data breaches, but they can be the most devastating simply because of the betrayal involved. According to the 2019 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, insider threats are on the rise, accounting for 34% of data breaches. In one case highlighted in the DBIR, a hacker admitted that when all other efforts failed, he bribed an employee to get him inside the network.

Preventing insider attacks can be difficult; they are often only discovered after the fact during forensic analysis– and often after the employee is long gone. But you can minimize the risk of insider threats by having multiple layers of security, strictly limiting employee and third-party access to data, and by conducting regular audits. Often, insider attacks come from former employees whose access to the network was not terminated; make it protocol to immediately revoke all access to employees who leave – whether they leave on good terms or not.

Poor Mobile Device Management

Mobile phones are being used to conduct business whether you authorize it or not, so your best bet for protecting your organization is to have a highly sophisticated MDM security plan in place that includes the following:

Strict usage requirements that include installing your security on the device being used and requiring the use of a secure network when conducting business
Remote wipe capabilities to disconnect the device from your network in the event that it is stolen, or the employee leaves the organization
A no-tolerance policy for any employee who refuses to comply with the security requirements

Data breaches are not going away, but you can minimize the risk to your organization with strong IT security and a comprehensive disaster recovery plan. You can’t just address one of these issues; you must have a comprehensive, proactive data security program that addresses all of these risks and more.

The ITeam understands the IT security issues facing businesses in 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.

Without IT Security, Digital Transformation is a Waste of Time

March 19, 2019/0 Comments/in Cloud Security, Cybersecurity, Mobile Device Management, Small Business IT /by James Wagner

Ever-changing technology is revolutionizing how organizations conduct business, but IT security must be more than just an afterthought during these changes. There is considerable push to meet consumer demand and adapt technologies for higher productivity and better customer experiences, but it all means nothing if your network isn’t secure. As technology catapults business into the digital era, organizations must consider how to make security a part of every step.

Organizations are adapting technology but leaving IT security behind.

The cloud, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and mobility are all driving business initiatives. Many organizations consider these adaptations priorities for remaining competitive. Unfortunately, every technological innovation reveals a new vulnerability that can be exploited by hackers. It takes more than patchwork protection to effectively secure your changing infrastructure, and as your network expands, so does the attack surface.

Everything is connected.

Hackers only need to gain access to one of your perimeters to reach the depths of your network. Improving visibility can mitigate risk, but sophisticated attacks are becoming harder to see. Continuous monitoring and diligent maintenance are required to protect your data. Organizations are now expected to offer all consumers better risk management, heightened privacy protections, and acknowledgment of fault if a data breach occurs. If businesses fail to meet compliance guidelines, they could face severe fines from governing bodies and an overall loss of business from a disappointed consumer base.

IT Security first.

Although businesses are eager to implement new tools that improve their processes, attract new customers, and retain loyal customers, that same technology will be their downfall if security isn’t a priority. Organizations must act immediately to mitigate risk and prevent data breaches, and with every technology innovation adopted, a comprehensive cybersecurity solution that protects you should also be implemented and updated. To do otherwise leaves your organization vulnerable to attack and financial ruin.

IT managed services can help immensely in securing all end-points, ensuring compliance, monitoring for data breaches, and other challenges related to a digital transformation. If cybersecurity is not a part of the conversation as you innovate and update, you’re wasting your resources.

As a top-rated IT security firm in Canada, we are committed to helping Calgary- and Alberta-based businesses develop proactive, cost-effective IT strategies that minimize risk, maximize efficiency, and build trust with Canadian citizens. Contact us to learn more.

Canadians Are Concerned About Cybersecurity

February 11, 2019/0 Comments/in Cybersecurity /by James Wagner

Cybersecurity is a major global concern as technology improves connectedness, furthering opportunities for both digital growth and malicious attacks. New research shows that most Canadians see cybercrime as a threat to the overall country, and they aren’t wrong. However, despite the fact that Canadians are concerned about cyberscurity and view cybercrime as an internal threat greater than other global challenges, such as terrorism and human trafficking, few people trust that the people who have access to their data are doing everything they can to mitigate risk.

The public wants to trust technology.

As technology becomes an integral part of our lives, there is growing concern that protection against cyber criminals is not what it should be. There are data breaches virtually every day, with businesses frequently coming forward to admit that private data has been lost. This impacts millions within the country, exposing citizens to risk of identity theft, damaging the economy, and confirming that cybersecurity is more important than ever. The trust erosion is significant.

Who is responsible for preventing cybercrime?

Should cybersecurity be a government-mandated industry? Legislation like GDPR holds businesses more accountable when in possession of private data and offers citizens more rights in regard to their private information. In Alberta, medical and dental practices are required to comply with the Health Information Act and submit a Privacy Impact Assessment. However, in many ways, cybersecurity is treated as an isolated risk, as if a data breach on a single device is not capable of affecting overall society. Unfortunately, that is not the case. A single click by one employee could crash an organization’s entire infrastructure, or one home device could grant access to financial networks. Cybersecurity is a societal concern and Canadians are noticing.

Why is cybersecurity important to individual citizens?

A strong cybersecurity strategy prevents more than financial loss for small-, medium-, and large-sized businesses. Once privacy and trust are lost, they are difficult, if not impossible, to regain. Identity theft could damage an individual’s life permanently, and family-owned businesses could face bankruptcy in the event of a data breach. By impressing the importance of cybersecurity upon individual citizens, the risk of cybercrime can be reduced across the board. By adopting best cybersecurity practices in personal and professional realms, prevention simply becomes a way of life. Like buckling up before you put your car in drive, the government can establish cybersecurity programs that promote good habits that will mitigate risk.

Cybersecurity is essential to the entire country.

Managed service providers can assist businesses in establishing the best strategy for their needs, and individuals can be more mindful of how they use technology. The role that authorities will play has yet to be determined, because cybercrime is continuously evolving. Eventually, legislation will have to be implemented to help both businesses and individuals protect their private information, and everyone will need to be mindful of how technology advances.

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, maximize efficiency, and build trust with Canadian citizens. Contact us to learn more.

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.

How To Manage Security Generation Gap in The Workplace

December 11, 2018/0 Comments/in Cybersecurity, Managed IT /by James Wagner

Organizations depend on a digital workplace for success.

A business operation relies heavily on IT to function seamlessly, which demands an IT security strategy that will support a secure network.

Unfortunately, few cybersecurity strategies address the generation gap that creates a disconnect between the technology used in the workspace and the existing security protocols.

When employee buy-in is essential to the success of any cybersecurity strategy, you need to address the concerns of different generations.

Different generations have different priorities

When analyzing Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, and Millennials, studies have shown that each of these groups has a different perception of how cybersecurity should be prioritized.

It’s no surprise that the younger generations are more willing to take risks, particularly when it comes to the ease of conducting work remotely.

n contrast, Boomers are much less willing to share information.

There is never a blanket approach to cybersecurity for any organization, but finding the right fit starts with understanding your employees.

Consider why employees are ignoring best practices

Think about why your employees are circumventing security best practices.

Many organizations make the mistake of implementing a cybersecurity strategy that accounts only for worst-case scenarios, resulting in measures that are too invasive and ultimately halt productivity.

Limiting access to certain programs seems like a good idea in theory, but the only thing you achieve is the ability to frustrate your employees.

There must be an approach that protects the best interests of your company yet still enables your employees to do their jobs.

Apply contextual access management for remote work

Technology is driving the remote workspace, and Millennials and Gen Xers expect this perk, even in smaller companies.

SaaS applications are becoming more common for managing out-of-network access requests, thereby providing safe platforms for work to be conducted with fewer barriers.

Multi-factor authentication has also been proven to improve security.

Monitor activity to ensure use of best practices

Monitoring the end-to-end use of individual access is not a Big Brother approach.

It can be hard to navigate the generation gaps and understand where mistakes are being made, which is where data analytics can be incredibly useful.

Management can identify usage patterns and risky behaviours of employees, establishing the need for additional training in the prevention of cyber attacks.

This visibility benefits the entire organization so that you can understand what best practices are being shirked and why.

Regardless of generation, maintaining a positive user experience within the workspace is crucial.

Your security infrastructure shouldn’t inhibit any of your employees, and there are benefits to managing different expectations.

Technology is not going to slow down, and it is unlikely that you will ever have an entire workforce on the same page.

By adapting to the needs of your employees, you’re creating a cybersecurity strategy that is moulded around the details of your unique infrastructure.

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.