Archive for category: Managed IT

What Can Data Breaches Teach Us About Cybersecurity

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What Breaches Tell Us About Cybersecurity

Every breach offers both the organization experiencing the breach as well as everyone else a reminder of the importance of proactive security measures.

Any time a breach occurs, it reveals any weaknesses in security exploited by hackers.

The following lessons can help prevent further cybersecurity disasters.

Vigilance is necessary

What Can Data Breaches Teach Us About CybersecurityHackers become more technologically savvy each day, making vigilance essential.

Breaches in cybersecurity will occur, but as demonstrated by the many large corporations, including Equifax, that has been rocked by massive breaches, many of them are likely preventable.

Breaches in security are often exacerbated when organizations ignore basic security measures.

Only when businesses recognize that information is always at risk can they take a more proactive approach in employing measures that can mitigate the losses associated with, if not entirely prevent, data breaches.

A shared economy creates a higher risk

As the sharing economy continues to gain traction and disrupt, organizations must recognize that along with the benefits that may be realized, there is also a risk.

As the shared economy grows, it’s not only consumers who are at risk from data breaches but the companies they work for.

The reality is, breaches are costly and can result in more than simply financial loss.

Stakeholders and investors are wary of businesses that have experienced breaches, as well as are consumers.

A shared economy demands that there are strong cybersecurity protocols across channels.

Third-party vendors can be a risk

Target and Home Depot were both victims of the same malware, and investigations proved that their primary security systems were not the main point of failure.

Granting access to third-party vendors, like offsite HVAC vendors, can allow hackers to embed malware and exploit system vulnerabilities.

Breaches have taught organizations that their vendors must be carefully vetted and should not be given more access than necessary to complete their jobs.

Security connections, passwords, logs, and more must be consistently monitored to find evidence of and prevent breaches.

Everyone is responsible for cybersecurity

Cybersecurity professionals are gaining knowledge from every breach, to help them prevent loss of critical information in the future.

The most important lesson we can learn from data breaches is that everyone within an organization is responsible.

The organization must invest not only in proper security measures and infrastructure but also in policies and procedures that encourage safe practices.

Every person on the staff must be trained to be vigilant, to recognize phishing, to report irregularities.

Companies must develop an entire culture of cybersecurity awareness; otherwise, weaknesses in systems will continue.

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

Your Employees Are Your Strongest Cybersecurity Defence

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Cyber threats are consistently evolving, and despite what small- and medium-sized business owners may think, they are prominent targets.

Hackers can cause enormous financial losses that place the success of your entire business at risk, demanding an all-inclusive cybersecurity strategy.

However, the best cybersecurity defence will fail if you haven’t managed what should be your top priority: employees.

Without proper training and awareness, employees are your biggest threat.

But with the right strategy in place, employees can also be your strongest cybersecurity defence against cybercriminals.

Mandate Training for all Employees

Your Employees Are Your Strongest Cybersecurity DefenceEvery person within your organization should receive cybersecurity training and be made aware of all security policies, from C-level executives to entry-level staff.

This is particularly important when employees are accessing time sheets or work email accounts on personal devices.

A personal device could be the entryway that a hacker needs to access critical company systems because most of these devices do not meet security protocols.

Awareness of strict security policies will prevent mistakes and deter fraudulent activity from insider threats.

Ransomware is Intelligent

Training is an essential component of a strong cybersecurity defence involving employees because many hacking attempts are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

It can be hard to differentiate fraudulent access points or requests, and a single click can wreak havoc on your infrastructure.

Education, and relaying the importance of cybersecurity information, is how you can build a strong defence against hackers.

Threats Are Avoided Entirely

When employees are routinely trained, they are more likely to identify suspicious activities and prevent breaches altogether.

If a hacker does gain access to your infrastructure, employees working within the system can prevent further damage.

Your employees will also think twice about clicking on links within emails and will be less likely to open attachments that could contain ransomware.

Onboarding is an excellent opportunity to disseminate information regarding current and emerging threats, and ongoing cybersecurity training should update employees on anything new.

Key Elements of Training

Despite the push for initial and continued training, many businesses aren’t sure where to start.

Luckily, the initiatives that can establish a robust cybersecurity strategy are simple and easy to implement.

Communication should be where you start, encouraging employees to discuss concerns and ask questions if they notice anything awry.

Employees must also be aware of common threats and where they are most likely to encounter phishing attempts or malware.

Clear guidelines and standards will also make it difficult for breaches to occur.

When all employees are aware of the existing policies and are held responsible for security within the scope of their positions, threats are greatly reduced.

Employees may feel frustrated by some security standards, such as password strength and multi-factor authentication, but these strategies protect employee and business information.

When education is provided, employees become a partner in your overall cybersecurity efforts.

Your greatest weakness can also be your greatest strength if you invest the necessary time and resources in educating your employees.

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.

The Importance of Cybersecurity for Small Businesses

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The most common mistake a small business makes regarding cybersecurity is the assumption that their business will not be targeted.

Unfortunately, hackers do not discriminate based on size.

Small businesses often have vulnerabilities in their systems that can lead to billions in losses.

Cybersecurity should be a top priority for all businesses.

Most Common Hacking Methods

The Importance of Cybersecurity for Small BusinessesA comprehensive cybersecurity strategy requires more than the basic security package.

Hackers’ techniques continue to evolve, and potential threats are surfacing from virtually every angle.

The following is a list of the most common hacking methods:

  • APT (advanced persistent threats) – long-term targeted attacks that attempt to access networks in multiple phases to avoid detection
  • DDoS (distributed denial of service) – hackers intentionally overload a system to force a network shutdown
  • Insider threats – the misuse of network credentials by an administrator or previous employee, to access confidential information
  • Malware (malicious software) – any type of program that is introduced to your system to damage or gain unauthorized access
  • Password attacks – a variety of means by which hackers can attempt to crack your passwords, including mass theft, Wi-Fi monitoring, and brute force.
  • Phishing – an attempt to gain confidential information via what appears to be a legitimate website or email source
  • Ransomware – akin to malware, but hackers will demand ransom in return for the release of confidential information or unlock a system

Although you cannot predict what breach your small business is most likely to experience, the best strategy is to be prepared for any attempts to gain access to your system.

Strategy Depends on the Nature of Business

Your cybersecurity strategy will also reflect the nature of your business.

Defining the best security solution will involve an understanding of the risks specific to your organization.

How much does your business rely on e-commerce?

Do you have sensitive customer data stored on cloud servers or laptops?

Do your employees rely on Wi-Fi or personal networks to conduct business matters?

Knowledge of these factors, among others, will help give you a better understanding of which resources should be delegated to cybersecurity.

Establishing the right framework will help minimize the amount of risk to which your business is exposed.

Implement Best  IT Practices

Applying best practices related to cybersecurity is an important tactic that every small business should employ.

Rather than rely on certain security recommendations, establish formal security policies to ensure that every department and all personnel are in compliance.

This will help reduce insider threats as well as password attacks. Additionally, keep all your software current, including security patches and updates.

Failure to do so could create a gap in your security wall could make it easy for a hacker to install malware.

Most importantly, educate your employees on cybersecurity strategies and prevention, which will reduce the number of successful attacks.

Do not fall victim to the misconception that small businesses are not a target for hackers.

A company with 50 employees is not going to make headlines if their business is attacked due to cybersecurity weaknesses, but it is a common occurrence nonetheless.

It is important to recognize that your current security systems may have gaps, and there should be frequent audits of your IT infrastructure to ensure consistent functionality.

Make cybersecurity one of your top priorities, regardless of the size of your business. Don’t be the next target.

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.

Build a Strong Foundation For Your Business with Cybersecurity

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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

Build a Strong Foundation For Your Business with CybersecurityEmployee 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.

3 Important Steps To Improve Your Cybersecurity in Canada

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The Canadian government has its doubts about the necessity of eradicating Kaspersky Lab products from U.S. vital programs.

The apprehensions over Russian interference in the U.S. election, proving to be more valid as the investigation continues, have prompted the Trudeau government to improve Canada’s own cybersecurity.

Protecting sensitive data from cyber threats is a constant battle for any organization.

Considering recent global concerns, now is the time to address your own preventative cybersecurity measures.

Understand Your Vulnerabilities

Important Steps To Improve Your Cybersecurity in CanadaOne of the most prominent issues that organizations face is the lack of resources designated to address cybersecurity, as well as a complete lack of understanding of the technological processes necessary to alleviate risk.

By better understanding the vulnerabilities that exist, whether they are specific to your industry or unique to your business, you can address the changes that need to be implemented to ramp up your cybersecurity strategy.

You can also reduce vulnerabilities by identifying personnel who are capable of navigating threats that do occur, as well as investing in an insurance policy in the event of a security breach.

Incorporate Industry Standards

Taking a wait-and-see approach, or simply doing the bare minimum, is not enough.

The Canadian government recognizes that to avoid a breach similar to what has occurred in the U.S., preventative measures must be put in place.

It is no longer enough to incorporate damage control into budget discussions.

Organizations must be one step ahead of potential cyber threats.

To do so, appropriate governance and compliance must be issued as an industry standard.

Risk management should be a pivotal component of a progressive cybersecurity strategy, and employee cybersecurity training must be a requirement.

Hackers are too advanced for organizations to take chances, and lack of awareness is no longer an excuse.

Develop a Response Plan

Does your cybersecurity strategy include a response plan?

Although the goal is to avoid a breach altogether, cyber attacks are inevitable, and it is critical that you have a plan in place to rectify and minimize ensuing damages.

A strong response plan involves a team of IT personnel dedicated to fixing the problem, monitoring for further intrusion, and containing the existing data breach.

Information gained can then be used to prevent future breaches and adjust your strategy to strengthen the weaknesses that were exposed.

The interference of Russian propaganda exposed a critical weakness in the U.S. electoral system.

An entire year later, officials are only truly beginning to understand the extent of the breach.

Malicious access to your systems can have devastating consequences, particularly if it goes undetected.

Hackers will not wait for the challenge of a strong cybersecurity policy to test their abilities.

They will exploit every weakness, reaping the benefits of a forgotten update or lax firewall.

Now is the time to improve cybersecurity for your organization.

As Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale stated, “In an interconnected world and an interconnected society and economy, you are only as strong as your weakest link.”

The ITeam understands the cybersecurity issues facing Alberta and Canada, and we are dedicated to helping Alberta businesses strengthen their cybersecurity. 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.

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