Small Businesses Combat Cyber Threats

Companies of all sizes need to take cyber security seriously. There are, however, a number of small businesses which assume they are not vulnerable to cyber-attacks. One of the reasons why small firms are vulnerable to cyber-attacks is because they are more digitally connected than individuals but less secure than larger businesses. If you run a small business, cyber security companies advise that you don’t take cyber security for granted.

Here are a number of ISO 27001 consultants recommended ways a small business owner can protect themselves from cyber-attacks:

Having an understanding of new risks

According to cyber protection companies, you cannot fight cyber-attacks if you do not understand how your business can be exposed. You need to know the different ways hackers can gain entry into your systems and how to identify points of vulnerabilities. Cyber security consultants have identified hacking, phishing, social engineering, key-logging, malware, and identity theft as some of the methods used by hackers.

Having a security policy

ISO 27001 consultants recommend that the best way to mount a defence is to be offensive. Defining security protocols for your company is the first thing you should do. According to cyber security companies, the protocols should be an integral part of your general business strategy. Make sure you address data backups and security audits. Don’t forget cloud computing, social media policy, and the internet of things which are emerging issues of great importance.

Keeping your systems up-to-date

It is the view of cyber protection companies that you keep your software, hardware, and security measures up-to-date. That includes your security applications and anti-virus software. Your company will not just be protected from new threats but your entire software will remain secure. ISO 27001 consultants recommend that you connect to the internet through a firewall, install and regularly update anti-malware, download and install software updates, and continuously monitor your systems for any problems.

Educating employees

The online behaviour of your employees can be very risky to the company. That’s why cyber security companies recommend that you educate them about best practice, warning signs, and what to do in the event of an attack. Cyber security shouldn’t just be the concern of the IT department. If employees come in with their own devices, make sure they are secure when connecting to your office network.

The fact that you are a small business doesn’t necessarily mean you are safe. Give cyber security the seriousness it deserves.

Who Is Responsible For Cyber Security

When it comes to being responsible for a company’s cyber security, it is the IT department that carries the most weight. For such companies, cyber security becomes a second-tier priority. As cyber security consultants have noted, such businesses rarely set aside a substantive budget for securing their systems.

Of course, some roles played by the IT department, cannot be delegated to someone else. The work of coming up with innovations that provide the rest of the employees with the best apps and interface is best left to them. Cyber protection companies are of the view that the IT guys should play a central part in fostering knowledge sharing and collaboration. However, when it comes to cyber security, everyone in the company should be involved.

Cyber Security In The IT Department

As much as the IT department is responsible for ensuring the company’s cyber security procedures and policies are followed, they might not be held accountable for every incident or breach. It is the view of cyber security companies that every employee is responsible for the company’s cyber security. If anything, employees pose the highest risk to cyber security, given the type of activities they engage in. it is not, therefore, good when companies heavily rely on the IT department. Instead, they should equip employees with the resources and knowledge to be responsible for cyber security.

It is not the view of ISO 27001 consultants that you do away with cyber security tool. By all means use firewalls, machine learning mechanisms, and anti-virus software. But know that over 65 percent of threats and from those within the organization. That’s why everyone should know they have a part to play in ensuring information security.

As such, HR needs to work with cyber security companies to train the employees on their role in cyber security. Even so, developers should factor security features into new products, apps, and technology. It is the role of the chief officers to ensure appropriate protocols, reporting practices, and policies are put in place. By working closely with HR, they will ensure that the employees are made aware of the stringent protocols and policies. Employees need to be made aware of their access rights even as they are taught how to use the available security tools.

The bottom line is that everyone in the organization has a role to play in cyber security. The company board should be made aware of what’s going on in the firm.

Cyber Security In 2018

2018 is expected to be another year that comes with increased concerns for cyber security. It will not be any different from 2017, the year when data breaches were reported in Kmart, Verizon, and Equifax. Cyber security companies will be more concerned with the growing size of attack incidents, even with reducing overall cost. Here is what’s in store for cyber security in 2018:

Enforcement of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

From May 25th, cyber protection companies will have to grapple with the European Union’s new GDPR, when the new rules come into force. The new rules are meant to protect the personal data of all citizens of the EU. It is expected that infringement of the rules will attract hefty fines. That’s why ISO 27001 consultants are busy trying to enable companies to conform to the standards.

Graceful handling of data breaches

Did you know that, as an organization, you have the power to lessen the impact of data breaches by handling it gracefully? You might want to avoid following the Equifax 2017 example. For once, they delayed disclosure, misdirected potential victims, and failed to fix a glaring vulnerability. That’s why any cyber security consultant will advise that you take any data breaches in 2018 more gracefully.

Acting ahead of a ransomware attack

The last few years have seen growth in the threat of ransomware. Given the number of high-profile victims it has claimed so far, not much has been learned from this bludgeoning threat. Cyber security companies are expected to advise their clients to carry out regular backups, system updates & patchwork, and put in place real-time defences. There is no reason why ransomware should continue being such a big issue.

Using AI and machine learning to boost cyber defences

Artificial Intelligence and the closely-related machine learning have been making a huge impact in a number of industries. Any sane cyber security consultant should be thinking of how they can use AI to enhance cyber security. Machine learning can be used to predict and accurately identify possible attacks. No need to fear that the attackers will be the first to exploit AI. Cyber security companies should just get to work.

Shortage of skills

There aren’t many ISO 27001 consultants to help fight the growing cyber security threats. A number of cyber security companies have seen a shortage of qualified professionals, even in the midst of soaring wages. There is expected to be a growth in the need for the services of cyber protection companies.

 

Emails Are An Issue For IT Security

Email mishaps are all too common. As a cyber security business Cyber Security suggest being extra careful when sending emails…

We’ve all been there, dozily sending an email to the wrong person, leading to some embarrassment, or for a business, serious, serious problems. For the most part sending an email to the wrong person is usually harmless, but if you are an employee at a firm and you send an email containing sensitive information to do with the business to the wrong recipient it can lead to very big complications. The exploitation of your business’ cyber security being the biggest of them all.

If private files to do with your business are sent to the wrong person it can lead to the loss of money, the copying of the business plans, the upset of clients and many more issues. As much as it is a massive problem recognised by all companies, it is inevitable, that emails will be sent to the wrong people, it is an innocent mistake made by countless workers at all levels of a business and is always going to happen.

An innocent accident should not be confused with a malicious act. A darker issue that a large amount of firms are facing is the deliberate sending of important private files to rival businesses, unauthorised third parties or simply a fraudster for example, aiming to steal corporate data in the aim of copying ideas, stealing resources, or simply causing upset. This is a serious breach of confidentiality and the law. Any firm who finds themselves having to deal with such a problem should take it very seriously and if a worker is to send an email containing sensitive files to an unauthorised recipient, you should take all precautions necessary to figure out whether it was an innocent mistake or whether more needs to be done. For cyber security services and a cyber security consultant you can rely on Visual Cyber Security are the best in the business!

Cyber Security Is Becoming More Of An Essential…

In the UK there is a huge demand for skilled cyber security services and ISO 27001 consultants, a demand, that isn’t being met. The government are well aware of this. The government believe that the development of a cyber security professional body is absolutely vital for the growth of future responses to cyber threats, and to the continued development of the profession… 

The way in which you look after and use company information can mean the difference between success and failure for your business. Get it right and you’ll grow your customer-base.Get it wrong and the risks and penalties can stop you in your tracks. ISO 27001 certification demonstrates that your business has systems in place to protect corporate information and data, whether this is online or offline. By gaining ISO 27001, customer and stakeholder confidence is increased and your company’s reputation is improved, allowing you to stand out amongst competitors. To help you do this there are many ISO 27001 consultants working for cyber security businesses who can advise you on how to achieve this. By allowing a cyber security consultant to help you structure the digital side of your company, not only will you be protecting yourself as best as possible from any cyber threats that may be a danger to your business files, but you are assisting in the development of the cyber security profession which even the government has pointed out as crucial to today’s society. Reason being, we are living in an ever increasing digital world, so it is massively important that we gain the knowledge of how to protect ourselves from the threats that lie out there. Not everyone however will be able to get a complete understanding of how best to ensure that they are not exploited by hackers for example, so for their sake, it is in their best interest to gain the help and assistance of a cyber security service, and protect themselves and their business from harm.

Improve Cyber Security At Your Business With 3 Simple Tips

Cyber security companies can make sure that your online security remains secure. One suggestion to improve cyber security in your business would be to train your employees, enforce a policy for your business’ cyber security, include cyber security services that you would like your workers to follow. Design these procedures to ensure that they keep employees, vendors, and the customer safe. Your cyber security business should also contain protocols that employees must follow in the result of a breach of your systems. You should request that your employees create strong passwords for all of their accounts and mobile phones in the business, and make sure that business accounts all have very strong passwords too.

Another tip would be to update your computers. You need to be frequently checking that all of your computers and other electronic’s software is up to date with the latest technology, the effect of this would be that your systems will be able to protect themselves from new threats that may be coming about, that old software may not have been able to do. Doing this will protect your files or other private information from being accessed by people who shouldn’t be able to.

A third and final tip would be to ensure that you back up your files. The backing up of files is where you install software that allows you to have copies of all of your digital information that is stored elsewhere, whether that be on another application on the computer, or on a memory stick that you can look after. This is an important factor when trying to look after your digital information because in the result of either a breaching of your cyber security services, where the information could be stolen, or simply not being able to find certain files, you will have copies every piece of information stored somewhere else that you can access easily.