Employee Cybersecurity Training
Cybersecurity issues are a growing threat to business, despite numerous technological advancements. Workers are still working remotely, even as life returns to a pre-pandemic normal. Companies find it difficult to implement and maintain satisfactory cybersecurity practices in current financial recession. The organizations’ data is still unprotected, which makes them vulnerable to data breaches and cyberattacks. Why you need employee cybersecurity trainingHere are reasons why cybersecurity awareness training programs should be offered to employees. These programs are essential in today’s workplace, both at the office and at home. Learn seven essential ways to improve the effectiveness of your employee program. Human error is the culprit A recent Stanford University study found that human error is the greatest threat to cybersecurity. According to this study, 88 percent of data breaches were caused by employee errors. The study found that younger employees are more likely to be phished and to admit to making mistakes than older employees. A study by IBM that examined thousands of customers across 130 countries found that human error was a significant contributor to 95 percent of all breaches. In other words, 19 of the 20 data breaches that were analyzed in this IBM study could have been prevented if human error was not present. These results show that even the most advanced technical security measures are not stronger or more resilient than those who apply them. The first step to protecting your company against cyber threats is understanding the importance of human error. A proactive approach is essential to successfully reduce risk in 2021. 7 essential steps to cyber security awareness training#1. Cybersecurity education for employees is ongoing Your employees will be more successful in protecting your company and assets from phishing, malware, and other threats if they are more educated about cybersecurity risks. By investing in cyber literacy, your employees will be more aware of the importance and motivated to do a better job. Cyber security awareness training is not enough to raise awareness. Top-performing cybersecurity training use a variety of scenarios to help employees understand what they need to be aware of and why. These programs don’t come on a one-and-done basis. They are held regularly, while continually integrating new and relevant knowledge. #2. A hands-on learning approach Your employees are only as effective as the theories they teach them about cybersecurity awareness when they actually put it into action. Your cybersecurity awareness program must go beyond mere training to ensure that your employees are able to prevent attacks such as phishing emails. Training is not enough. It’s just a way to get educational materials. Instead, make sure that your employees learn the knowledge you intend to impart through your program. Employees will learn how to apply that knowledge and follow the lessons. This hands-on strategy combines procedural learning with contextual, highly-relevant, as well as the immediate feedback. All parties involved will gain a better understanding of the subject and form memories that can change their habits or eliminate mistakes. #3. Determining Risks Cyberattacks can be more dangerous to certain employees than others. Statistics show that less than 20% of employees are responsible for the majority of human error-related loss. Simulating employees at high risk is a good way to identify them. Next, use a specific formula and algorithm to measure risk effectively. You’ll be able to create and implement highly targeted interventions that are tailored to each employee segment based on their risk level if you have a better understanding of the microsegments in your employee base. You can get a better understanding of your risk groups by micro-segmentation. These insights will help you to:
#4. Comprehensive Analytics Predictive insider-persona analytics takes your targeted persona groups up to the next level. Analytics allows you to identify high-risk individuals and monitor them using specific markers. This will allow you to identify groups and individuals that are most likely to pose threats to your organization before they appear. Then, you can take preventive action. #5. Real-time feedback Real-time feedback, as we have briefly mentioned, is an effective way to engage employees. It allows them to internalize and recall why they are doing what they do, and helps them avoid making mistakes. By providing feedback,
#6. Change in the Culture A deeper method to cybersecurity awareness training will eliminate the co-opting and negligence that can lead to human error. It encourages cultural change by addressing employee attitudes and beliefs head-on. This is a highly personal task that addresses the motivations for malicious behavior and how employees see them. Instead of employees just going through their daily routines, you foster an environment of employee engagement. Continuously delivering the previously mentioned awareness “bites” will help transform your organization’s cybersecurity culture. You must make sure they are easy to understand, engaging, and effective. #7. Scientific training method For long-term, optimal results, you should adopt a scientific training methodology. This method combines learning expertise, data science and automation to make security awareness training simple and efficient for businesses. This platform leverages your data to maximize the learning experience for each employee every day. You can use a scientific training platform to:
This combination of tips will give you complete security awareness. Final thoughts These seven principles will help you reduce the number of malicious attacks that are caused by employee error. This will increase employee engagement and empower them to protect your valuable assets and your bottom line. Call SpartanTec, Inc. now if you are interested in training your employees about keeping your network secure and keeping cyberthreats at bay.SpartanTec, Inc. Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence, Charleston via Blogger https://ift.tt/npj3Deo March 30, 2022 at 04:02PM
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Cybersecurity: Your Workplace is the Next Frontier
If you go back just five years, cybersecurity companies provided a desktop computer loaded with antivirus software. It took a long time for the machine to start up. Laptops followed by smartphones, and then tablets. With them came a constant connection to high-speed internet. It was not enough to keep the hardware safe. Anything, from your desktop computer to your smartphone, can become a liability within seconds. With constant online security scares–and devastating consequences–companies must rethink online security in the workplace. Companies are now more focused than ever on protecting their employees and their data from sophisticated attacks over the past few years. Shared best practices are now common across industries. Companies also educate their employees about how to keep safe in the workplace. Cybersecurity in Charleston SC is becoming an integral part of company culture. Many companies are increasing their resources to protect employees from cyberattacks. Cybersecurity Tips: Here are the secrets of what companies do behind-the scenes:Adding an extra layer of safety: Cyber security is often performed behind closed doors. Find a managed IT service provider that offers breach security plan and privacy expert advice from selected vendors to help companies better manage a data breach. Utilizing outside expertise: Many companies are using outside contractors like SpartanTec in Charleston SC to assess their ability to respond to a breach. Companies want to know where potential lapses could occur and how they can be prevented or minimized. Change in culture: Companies are training employees to understand the implications of cyber attacks and now integrate cyber security into the workplace. This has led to employees being more aware of their actions at work and home, and assuming the responsibility for keeping the company’s systems and data safe. Collaboration across industries: Data breaches are more common than ever because of the ease of doing business. Many businesses will share their best practices. This is particularly important for small and medium-sized businesses, where cyber crime is more common. According to research, more than 90% of small and medium-sized enterprises experienced a cyberattack that had a serious impact on their business. SpartanTec, Inc. will helps companies such as yours to avoid security breaches. SpartanTec, Inc. Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence, Charleston via Blogger https://ift.tt/jWM0sVx March 24, 2022 at 07:10PM
Will Artificial Intelligence Affect The Future Of Malware
The prospect of artificial intelligence driven systems becoming more attractive as we move towards the future. Artificial Intelligence could assist us in making decisions, provide power to smart cities, but also infect computers with various nasty malware strains. Let’s look at what the future holds for malware. What is Artificial Intelligence in Malware?It’s easy to picture an AI-driven malware-like case where the AI is “gone rogue” and causing chaos. A malicious AI-controlled program would not send robots back in time. It would be more sneaky. AI-driven malware refers to conventional malware that has been modified by Artificial Intelligence in order to be more efficient. AI-driven malware uses its intelligence to infect computers faster or make attacks more efficient. AI-driven malware is not a program that follows pre-written code. Instead, it can think for itself. How can AI help to reduce malware? Artificial Intelligence can be used to enhance malware in many ways. Some of these methods can be figurative while others are real-world. DeepLocker Demonstrates Targeted Ransomware Deeplocker is an AI-driven malware that has been deemed one of the most dangerous. Deeplocker was created by IBM Research as a proof of concept so it won’t be out there in the wild. DeepLocker was created to show how AI can infiltrate ransomware onto a target device. Although ransomware developers may be able to launch a “shotgun blast” against a company, it’s unlikely they will infect all the computers. The alert might be too early for malware to reach most prominent targets. DeepLocker was a teleconferencing program that smuggled in WannaCry. However, it didn’t activate any payload. Instead, it performed its duties as a Teleconferencing Program. It would scan faces of people who used the software as it performed its task. It was designed to infect one person’s computer so it watched everyone who used the software. It would detect the target’s face and activate the payload. WannaCry would lock the computer down. Adaptive Worms that Learn from Detection AI is one possible use of AI in malware. A worm that “remembers each time an antivirus will detect it” is one example. Once it has learned what actions caused an antivirus to detect it, it stops performing the action and looks for another way to infect the PC. This is especially dangerous because modern antivirus systems tend to follow strict guidelines and definitions. This means that worms don’t need to find a way into the system in order to set off alarms. It can then inform other strains about the weakness in the defense so that they can infect other computers more easily. Independence from the Developer Modern malware is very “dumb”. It can’t think for itself and make decisions. It does the tasks the developer assigned it before the infection occurred. The developer must broadcast the next set of instructions to the malware if they want the software to do something else. This communication center is known as a “command & control” server (C&C). It must be kept secret. If the server is found, it can lead to arrests. A C&C server is unnecessary if the malware is able to think for itself. The malware is released by the developer and the developer can just relax while the malware does the rest. The developer does not need to be careful about giving commands and can simply “set and forget” his malware. Monitoring User Voices to Get Sensitive Information An AI-driven malware can gain control of a target’s microphone and listen to what is being said nearby. The AI takes what it has heard and transcribes it into text. It then sends that text back to the developer. This makes it easier for developers who don’t need to listen to hours of audio recordings to discover trade secrets. How can a computer “learn”? Machine learning is a method by which malware can learn from its actions. This is an area of AI that deals with how computers learn from each other’s efforts. Because they don’t have to code for every situation, machine learning is a useful tool for AI developers. They tell the AI what is right and what is not and then allow it learn by trial and error. AI-trained by machine learning faces an obstacle and will try different ways to get past it. It will initially fail to overcome the challenge. However, the computer will report on what went wrong and how it can improve. It eventually learns and tries many times to get the correct answer. Machine learning is used by malware developers to find the best way to attack a system. The system logs any errors and makes a note of what caused them. The malware will continue to adapt its attack methods in the future for better results. How can we defend ourselves against malware-driven AI? Machine-learning AI exploits the way antiviruses currently work. This is the big problem with machine learning AI. Antiviruses like to follow simple rules. If a program falls within a certain niche, the antivirus blocks it. AI-driven malware will not work according to hard and established rules. It will continue to probe the defenses in an attempt to get through. Once it is in, it will be able to perform its task without any interruption until the antivirus has received updates that are specific for the threat. What’s the best way of fighting this “smart malware”? AI-driven antivirus programs are a great way to put out fire with fire. These programs don’t rely on static rules to detect malware like the current ones. They analyze the program’s behavior and stop it if it is acting maliciously according to the antivirus. Malware attacks will not be defined by simple rules or instructions in the future. They’ll instead use machine learning to adapt to any security threats they face. Although it may not be as thrilling as Hollywood portrays malicious AI as, the threat is real. Call SpartanTec, Inc. if you want to boost your cybersecurity to protect your network from malware and other online threats.SpartanTec, Inc. Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence, Charleston via Blogger https://ift.tt/WelDyMQ March 24, 2022 at 07:09PM
Tips On How To Run A Cybersecurity Audit
To ensure your company’s network security, you will need more than just the most recent antivirus software. An audit of cybersecurity can help you get a full picture of your security strategy. Cybercrime is now a major epidemic. In 2018, 812.67 millions cases of malware infection were reported. In 2020, cybercrime grew 600%. Ransomware attacks could cost companies $6 trillion annually by 2022, according to estimates. Cybersecurity in Charleston SC is a goal that you should prioritize. This puts you and your company at high risk. It’s possible that you have already put in place strategies to fight hackers and other cyber criminals. You must also ensure that your measures are adequate. This is where a cybersecurity audit comes in handy. What is a Cybersecurity Audit?An audit is a thorough examination of all cybersecurity strategies you have in place. The audit has two purposes. 1, You can identify any gaps in your system and fill them. 2. To demonstrate your ability to protect yourself against cyber threats, create a detailed report. A cybersecurity audit typically consists of three phases.
During the assessment phase you will examine the current system. It involves examining your company’s servers, computers, software, and databases. This includes reviewing how access rights are assigned and examining any hardware or software that you have in place to protect against attacks. You will most likely be able to see security holes that you need to fix during the assessment phase. Once that is done, you can move on to the assignment. This is where you will assign the appropriate solutions to the identified issues. You may need to assign professionals to help you implement these solutions. The audit is the final step. After you have implemented the solution, this audit is done to ensure that everything is in order before you return it to your company. This audit will focus on ensuring all patches, upgrades, and installations work as they should. THE THREE TIPS TO A SUCCESSFUL CYBERSECURITY AUDIT Once you have mastered the basics of a cybersecurity audit, it is time to learn how to conduct an effective audit that provides you with the information you require. An ineffective audit can leave your systems vulnerable to attack, and could miss critical security gaps. These tips will assist you in conducting a successful cybersecurity audit within your company. TIP #1 – ALWAYS CONTACT THE AGE OF EXISTING SECURITIES SYSTEMS There is no one solution that will work every time. Cyberthreats change constantly. Hackers are always coming up with new ways of breaking into security protocols. Every system that you have already implemented has an expiration. It will eventually become ineffective against new cyber threats. You should always check the current cyber security solutions in place at your company. When a manufacturer releases an update, make sure you update your company’s systems. If the manufacturer discontinues support for the software that you are using, it is your signal to make the necessary changes. This applies to all software, not just cyber security solutions. Software that is not supported or up-to-date can pose a serious security risk. It is important to eliminate it as quickly as possible from your business! TIP #2 – IDENTIFY YOUR TREATS Ask yourself which areas are most likely to be affected by cyber-attacks as you audit your company’s cybersecurity. Data privacy is an important concern when auditing a system that holds a lot customer information. This situation presents threats from malware, phishing attacks, weak passwords and other vulnerabilities. Internal threats can be more serious, whether they are from malicious employees or employees who have access rights that allow them to see data they shouldn’t. Sometimes, employees may even be unaware of data being leaked. Allowing employees to connect to the company network from their devices is a risk. You have no control over how secure they are. Before you can implement any solutions, it is important to fully understand the risks. TIP #3 – CONSIDER HOW YOUR EMPLOYEES WILL BE EDUCATED You have identified the threats and created plans to address them. But, these plans are meaningless if employees don’t know how they should be implemented. The cyber security audit will not be useful if you have an emergency such as a data breach and your employees don’t know how to deal with it. This can be avoided by educating your employees about cyber security threats and what to do to avoid them. The following are some of the details that you might need to include in your plan: How to spot the various threats you have identified To find out more information about a threat, employees can go to the following location:
Cyber security is not just the domain of IT support providers. This is a constant concern that everyone in an organization must be aware of. You can strengthen your defense against future attacks by educating your employees about possible threats and how to deal with them. Call SpartanTec, Inc. now and let our team of IT experts help improve your company’s online security.SpartanTec, Inc. Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence, Charleston via Blogger https://ift.tt/SUOPxjI March 18, 2022 at 06:32PM
6 Reasons Why A Firewall Is An Essential Part of your Business Cybersecurity
You need to be extra careful when it comes to your organization’s cybersecurity. And when you’re employees are using the internet, your cybersecurity strategy must include a firewall. Managed firewalls in Charleston SC are not only tools that are useful for protecting hardware and digital assets. You can also use them to stop your employees from accessing sites that are prohibited and also to filter the web traffic. Some firewall configurations could even inform or alert you to a data breach and to prevent cyber attacks. This is extremely important because rapid response time could reduce the damage when you encounter a data breach or other cybersecurity threats. Let’s discuss what a firewall is, how it works, and why you need it to be part of your cybersecurity strategy. What Is The Function of A Firewall?You’ve probably heard about the term firewall. As a matter of fact, you most likely have an idea that it’s used to protect the network of a business from cybersecurity threats. However, a lot of businessmen don’t know that it firewalls are crucial and extremely versatile. A network firewall is a device that can be configured to block unauthorized internet traffic from entering your network. A physical firewall will protect an area against fire while a digital firewall will serve as a barrier between malicious traffic and internal network. It will check the traffic that enters and exits your network, using a certain set of rules to know what traffic should be allowed. Your business could also make the most out of more complex firewall configurations as well as add-ons to stop employees from accessing certain websites, protect files, log network usage, as well as secure your network whenever team members remotely access it. 6 Benefits Of Firewall ProtectionA firewall is a very useful tool to stop as well as manage cybersecurity events, unwanted network use, and data loss. Here are the six main reasons why your business needs a firewall.
Cybersecurity is the main reason why you should use a firewall. It can block malicious programs from getting installed on the computer of users. They could be used as a part of a cybersecurity strategy multi-layered so that your business is protected against what they refer to as distributed denial of service attacks. During this case, a hacker will flood your network with unwanted traffic. 2. It Detects Threat Your firewall can be configured by a managed service provider so that you will receive an alert when there’s something wrong within the network. 3. It Helps You Become Compliant If you work in law, finance, or healthcare, your business need to follow the guidelines that governs digital use such as PCI or HIPAA. If you belong in this type of industry, you will definitely need a firewall.
Even though it is almost impossible to operate a business without the internet, the web is likewise home to a lot of unsafe and distracting websites. SpartanTec, Inc. can help you program your firewall settings so that it will block websites that you do not want your staff to visit such as explicit content and social media platform.
You can program firewall settings that will let you look inside the files that have been downloaded from, or transferred into your network. This way, files that may have been accidentally deleted by one of your employees or moved by malicious entity will be spotted.
A lot of companies these days have workers that are accessing internal networks outside the office. But when a user goes outside your ISP, it could be a lot harder to protect your network. A firewall could help secure the connections between your internal network and external users. By doing so, other users that are using an unsecure or shared connection cannot interrupt or listen in to your web traffic. Call SpartanTec, Inc. in Charleston SC now if you need help in the installation or configuration of your firewall system.SpartanTec, Inc. Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence, Charleston via Blogger https://ift.tt/3RQXLn5 March 15, 2022 at 03:58PM
How to Hire the Right IT Professional for Your Business
As your business grows You will require an IT professional to manage and oversee your technology. It is crucial to make efficient use of your time and protect company data. This is why it is important to hire the right IT professionals to ensure that everything runs smoothly. An IT professional is more than just able to fix a problem. They also monitor your technology in order to prevent future problems. It can be difficult to attract and retain the best IT team. You can help yourself by learning what to look for. Continue reading to learn how to hire IT professional in Charleston SC to your company (and to ensure that you hire the right ones). Four Questions to Consider when Hiring IT Professional Support for Your Business
1. What are the Best Times to Hire an IT Professional? When is it the right time for IT professionals to be hired? Some people prefer to wait until they reach certain milestones like when their company has reached a certain number. But that is not the only indicator of need. If the patchwork solution that you are using is not sufficient to meet your daily needs, it’s time to hire IT services Charleston SC. Skilled IT professionals are in high demand, so it’s best to act quickly. But, this doesn’t mean you should hire the first person you meet. How to Find Candidates Networking is the one way for you to find out who’s available and willing to do the job. To gauge the state of the job market, talk to people from your industry and attend conferences. Make an offer if you find someone you like who has all the skills that you are looking for. It is time-consuming to research and create a hiring strategy. You might consider hiring a professional recruitment agency to assist you. They can help you locate the right resources and contacts. It is a costly investment, but the savings you make by allowing them to sort through the applications will pay off. Their expertise allows you to focus on your core business: running your company. 2. What are my current IT needs? Consider your needs when hiring IT professionals or teams. You will get the right people if you know what you are looking for. Here are some things to consider When determining your IT needs, consider:
You should look for IT support professionals who are experienced in the areas that you require assistance. An IT professional with expertise in DNS-based security solutions is required if you are looking to improve network security. You can also look for hosted email solutions by hiring someone who has experience with solutions such as Microsoft’s Hosted Exchange. You must look beyond the immediate needs and consider what support you will need in the future. It will save you a lot of trouble down the line by planning for the future. 3. What should I look for when looking for IT help? Graduates can gain a solid foundation in the IT industry by earning a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Management Information Systems. There are also excellent two-year technical college diplomas which provide an IT education. These degrees and diplomas might not be necessary for IT professionals. These certificate or degree programs are not a waste of time. However, IT professionals who have experience are more in demand these days. Doug Garrard is the Senior Field Services Manager for Eastern Canada Critical Power and Cooling at Schneider Electric. He has extensive experience in hiring IT professionals. “When it comes down to education vs. IT experience, I tend towards the experience side.” Garrard believes education is an asset but real-world experience is far more valuable. “I need people who think quickly, can act quickly and are able to adapt to changing circumstances. This comes from experience.” You want the best experience possible How can you tell if someone has the experience that you need? You might consider adding a second part to your application that applies the skills you are looking for, even though they may appear impressive on paper. You could ask a candidate to set up a computer, configure and install software, establish IT security protocols and install a router. You should look beyond the ones who do the job and consider the ones who return with suggestions or questions. Soft skills are equally important as technical knowledge. Without communication skills, technical skills are useless. You want someone outgoing, confident, problem-solver, and eager to take the reins of a new project. Ask questions Practical tests are not always able to give you the right information in certain areas. It is important to ask specific questions when you are trying to determine if someone is the right match. Ask these questions:
Ask lots of questions to ensure you have covered all bases. 4. Do I hire in-house staff or a managed service provider? This is a fascinating question that sparks much discussion. There are certainly arguments for both sides. You will be impacted by the cost and quality of your services, so it is important to understand the differences between them. Cost differences
A Managed Services Provider (MSP), on the other hand, can be less depending on the size and complexity of the client. An MSP doesn’t come with employee overhead costs such as pensions, sick days, vacations, and benefits. There are no additional costs for remote monitoring or replacement of hardware or software. Outsourced IT teams have the added advantage of only getting paid as they work. This allows your company to grow incrementally and you only pay what you use. The cost of a new hire to an in-house IT team may be high due to the large leaps in salary. But cost is just one factor when deciding whether to hire an IT team in-house or a managed service provider. There are other considerations than cost Many companies believe that having an IT department in-house gives them greater control over their technical operations. They are able to gain a deeper understanding of the company’s infrastructure, immediate requirements, and internal politics. They can quickly respond to any problems that may arise. Many companies have complex systems that require a full-time staff to understand. In-house staff can be too inexperienced or too skilled to handle complex tasks. An MSP or managed service provider, on the other hand, gives you access to a wider range of people. This ensures that there is always enough staff to manage day-to-day operations as well as to work on other projects. The expertise you receive ranges from entry-level to CTO. An excellent MSP will have all the skills you need and will take proactive steps to avoid problems. This helps to reduce downtime and keep your business running smoothly. An MSP also has the purchasing power to access the best tools, as they manage multiple workstations. An MSP is able to provide remote support that is better than a head office IT department, especially if there are multiple locations. They will have both a dedicated remote team and a dedicated team in the field. You can have both! You may need to combine in-house support with outsourced assistance (co-managed IT Services). This combination could give you the level of support and efficiency that you require. While the internal team is responsible for managing systems and day to day operations, an external team assists them with their technical skills and monitors their technology. As not all skills are required, this framework allows you scale support according to your needs. Hire the right IT professional. You have many options when it comes to hiring IT personnel for your growing business. This is one of your most important business decisions. It is worth learning how to assess your options. It is important to be educated before you can make an informed decision about hiring IT professionals. The success of your business depends on smooth operations. A good IT professional can keep you from tech-related headaches or interruptions. For help in assessing your IT needs and exploring possible IT solutions, contact SpartanTec in Charleston SC today.SpartanTec, Inc. Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence, Charleston Woodhaven, Lighthouse Point, Farmington, Lynnwood, Hillside, Oak Forest, Oceanview, Mount Pleasant, Green Acres, Northbridge via Blogger https://ift.tt/WaXujI1 March 10, 2022 at 07:59PM
Top 3 Challenges Hindering SMB Cybersecurity
Last year has been a tough year especially when it comes to security. It seems like security leaders are doing their best to keep the pandemic under control, ransomware continues to rise, the cost of the breach continues to increase, and now we have a war in Europe. A lot of companies are being forced to focus on and bolster their cybersecurity. There’s also a need to balance the provision of incentives to workers who’ve been working remotely for two years as they return to the office. The old ways of doing things is no longer sufficient and organizations can no longer ignore cybersecurity. IT security has become one of the top priorities of companies and that is expected to continue. Unfortunately, coming up with an effective security strategy isn’t easy. Here are the challenges that companies may face. Cybersecurity Challenges Companies FaceTalent It’s difficult to find professional and talented IT support staff. Not only that, it may cost a lot to train good employees. Every company has had talented staff resign after they were offered with higher salaries and better titles by a different employer. Should you consider paying agencies to help find excellent employees or should you pay for the one that you have sourced yourself? Should you hold out for months just so you can find the right candidate? Companies today want to lower the risks of cyberattacks or in a worst case scenario, mitigate a successful cyberattack before the company suffers extensive and real damage. To help you do that, your security needs to have the appropriate resources. This isn’t a problem with bigger companies but it may not be a good option for small and medium sized businesses. Smaller companies most likely will go for an external option. They could leverage third-party managed IT services as well as managed detection and response vendors might be able to assist in finding the talent that a company can’t source. Budget Cybersecurity in Charleston SC is receiving board level exposure although IT budgets are currently under pressure because of the rash of cybercriminals always making the headlines. Ransomware gangs are upskilling themselves and because of that companies are increasing their budget for IT security as well. The challenge that most companies face is finding out what investments would pro0vide the best returns and where the money should be spent. It’s no secret that it’s insufficient to only have a security strategy that is developed solely on prevention tools. You need to know how to balance prevention, handle common threats, and detect threats. You should consider endpoint detection and response tools (EDR) as well as XDR tools. With the right IT people, processes, and tools will help create more actionable outcomes that could help in boosting your company’s cybersecurity. Changing Environment Changing environment isn’t a new problem. It has something to do with the insufficient processes that are created between the security and IT teams. In the past decades, the stakes increased as well. Ransomware has become more sophisticated and cyberattackers can easily target companies of all sizes and get what they want through untraceable cryptocurrencies. Ransomware will continue to be a problem in 2022. Misconfigurations and compromised credentials will still be the vectors used by cybercriminals. You need to:
Call SpartanTec, Inc. now if you need the help of IT support specialists in boosting your cybersecurity measures.SpartanTec, Inc. Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence, Charleston Local areas served:Woodhaven, Lighthouse Point, Farmington, Lynnwood, Hillside, Oak Forest, Oceanview, Mount Pleasant, Green Acres, Northbridge via Blogger https://ift.tt/jsFKyGY March 08, 2022 at 06:53PM
Cybersecurity Guide – Cyberattacks on Small Businesses
Cyberattacks can disrupt your business. This cybersecurity guide will help you to avoid online threats. 61% of data breaches directly impact small businesses. As part of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, you must
There are many types of attacks. The most popular are distributed denial-of-service (DDoS), and man-in the-middle attacks (MitM). Every second, the internet receives more than 77 Terabytes of traffic. The internet has evolved into a digital Silk Road, facilitating almost every aspect of modern life. Just as the Silk Road’s merchants had their troubles, so can today’s entrepreneurs be hounded by cyber-malcontents who seek to disrupt and steal your company’s assets. Recent headlines have focused on crippling cyberattacks on major corporations. Although each cyberattack on a major corporation has resulted in massive damages in the millions, many stories neglect to mention smaller businesses that are also vulnerable. According to Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report 43% of breaches affected SMBs. While you may not be able to predict when the next attack will occur, taking precautions can help stop hackers from gaining access or even completely block them. SpartanTec in Charleston SC information on how to prevent your SMB from falling prey to hackers. Why cyberhackers target small businessesNew owners face many decisions when it comes to starting a business. Many neglect cybersecurity measures. If they don’t focus on strengthening their defenses, hackers may be able to gain entry points. This can pose a serious problem. According to the U.S. National Cyber Security Alliance, 60% of SMBs will fail within six months after a cyberattack. Towergate Insurance found that SMB owners often underestimate their risk levels. 82% of SMB owners said they are not targets for attack. Researchers found that they believe this because they don’t feel they have anything to steal. Stephen Cobb, senior security researcher at antivirus software firm ESET, stated that SMBs are in hackers’ cybersecurity sweet spot because they have “more digital assets to target than an individual consumer, but less security than larger enterprises.” Add to that the cost of implementing effective defenses and you’ve got a recipe for intrusions. Security breaches can cause severe damage to SMBs, so owners will be more inclined to pay ransom to retrieve their data. SMBs are often used as a way for attackers to gain access into larger companies. Cybersecurity attacks to be on the lookout forHackers, regardless of the target, aim to access sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, to gain access to companies. An attacker can exploit an individual’s identity in a variety of ways if they have enough information. Understanding the various methods hackers use to access information is one of the best ways you can prepare for an attack. This is not an exhaustive list, but it is something that business owners need to be aware of in order to avoid cybercrime. APT: APTs (advanced persistent threat) are long-term targeted attacks that allow hackers to penetrate networks in multiple stages in order to avoid detection. Once they gain access to the target network, the attackers work to stay undetected and maintain their control over the system. If an attack is detected and fixed, attackers will have other ways to gain access to the system. DDoS is an acronym for distributed denial-of-service. DDoS attacks are when a server is deliberately overloaded with requests, and the server shuts down the target website or network system. Inside attack: When someone with administrative privileges (usually from within the company) purposely misuses their credentials to gain confidential company information. If former employees leave the company on poor terms, they can pose a threat. It is important that your business has a procedure in place to immediately revoke access to company data if an employee is fired. Malware: A generic term that refers to “malicious code” and includes any program installed on a target’s computer with an intent to damage it or gain unauthorized access. There are many types of malware, including viruses, trojans, ransomware, spyware, and worms. This information is crucial because it will help you decide what kind of cybersecurity software you require. Man in the middle (MitM attack): In a normal transaction, two people exchange goods or, in the case e-commerce, digital data. Hackers who employ the man in the middle technique of intrusion use malware to interrupt the flow of data and steal sensitive data. This happens when one or more people conduct transactions over an unsecure public Wi-Fi network. Here, attackers have installed malware to help sort through data. Password attack: There’s three types of password attacks. A brute-force attack involves guessing passwords until the hacker gains access; a dictionary attack uses a program that tries different combinations of words; and keylogging which tracks keystrokes of a user, including passwords and login IDs. Phishing: Phishing is the most common form of cybertheft. It involves stealing sensitive information such as login credentials and credit cards information via a legitimate-looking website. These details are often sent to unsuspecting people in an email. Spear Phishing, a sophisticated form of this attack, requires deep knowledge about specific individuals and social engineering in order to gain their trust and penetrate the network. Ransomware: Ransomware infects your computer with malware and demands payment. Ransomware can lock you out of your computer, demand money to gain access, or threaten to publish your private information if it doesn’t pay a certain amount. Ransomware is one the most popular security threats. SQL injection attack: Web developers have used structured query language (SQL), as their main coding language, for more than 40 years. Although a standard language has been a huge benefit to the internet’s development it can also make it easy for malicious code or other code to get onto your website. SQL injection attacks on servers can allow bad actors to access sensitive information, modify databases, download files and manipulate devices. Zero-day attack: Zero day attacks can be devastating for developers. These are exploits in software or systems that attackers discover before security personnel and developers become aware of them. These exploits may go undiscovered for many months or years before they are discovered and fixed. How to protect your networksAs more businesses expand online, so will the demand for strong cybersecurity measures. Small businesses need to make sure their networks are protected against all types of attacks. This generally means that they should install any of the basic security software on the market. Each one has a different level of effectiveness. Antivirus software is the most popular and can protect against all types of malware. An additional layer of protection can be provided by a hardware- or software-based firewall. It prevents unauthorized users from accessing computers or networks. Cobb recommends that businesses take three additional security measures in addition to the more basic tools.
Best practices in cybersecuritySmall businesses must not only implement a software-based solution but also adopt certain technological best practices to protect themselves.
All of this can be daunting for a small business owner or manager. SpartanTec in Charleston SC is here to assist you. Call SpartanTec, Inc. to discuss how you can protect your company from cyberattacks. It is not a matter of if but when an attack will happen.SpartanTec, Inc. Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence, Charleston via Blogger https://ift.tt/ALpEfqg March 07, 2022 at 09:11PM
What is a Managed Firewall Service? Benefits and Features
Even though a managed firewall service could be fitted with all the security features needed to keep cyberthreats away, they are only as efficient and effective as their managers. You must properly manage a firewall to get the best out of it. What is a managed firewall service?Monitoring your network can take up significant time, resources, and cost. Managed firewall services, which are provided by security experts, offer solutions that cover administration, operation monitoring, maintenance, and monitoring of your firewall infrastructure. The managed firewall service may include an assessment of your security risks and monitoring network traffic, depending on the offer. Any abnormal traffic patterns that are not “normal” can be detected and corrected once the MSSP has established what normal traffic looks like. Managed firewall solutions typically include network monitoring, set-up, maintenance and modification of firewall rules. They should include
Firewalls are not plug-and-play devices. It is not possible to just install a firewall on your network perimeter and expect it to do its job. Managed firewall Charleston SC requires extensive knowledge and constant monitoring. It is just the beginning of a long process. Common firewall problems and complexitiesOnly a small portion of the complexity involved in managing a firewall is represented by the resources needed. Companies should also be aware of other less obvious issues. Balance between security and user-friendliness If protocols are too restrictive or don’t allow users to access specific data or applications, firewall rules can be a business inhibitor. Companies can be vulnerable to data theft and security breaches if they have access to more information than is necessary to perform their job duties. Auditing is not necessary Although it is a good practice to analyze firewall rules on a regular basis, many companies overlook this critical step. Incapability to keep pace with changing threats The complexity of managing a firewall increases as the threat landscape changes and the company’s attack surface grows. Even though firewall rules and configurations may have been adequate weeks or months ago to block cyberthreats, they are no longer effective today. Multiple locations, multiple firewalls All of the above complexity can be too much for one firewall, but many organizations need multiple firewalls. Each firewall is unique and requires its own configurations and rules. Each firewall can multiply the work. Complexity of industry compliance standard Your firewall must be PCI DSS compliant if your company accepts online payments. But, simply installing a firewall to protect your network will not make you PCI DSS-compliant. As a guideline for how firewalls should install, be updated, and be maintained compliant with PCI DSS, there are more than 20 sub-requirements. The benefits of having a service provider manage the firewall A managed security service provider (MSSP), can help you manage your firewall. This goes beyond the problems and complexities described above. Managed firewall services provide a variety of benefits. Empowering digital transformation As organizations take in public clouds, hybrid cloud, and SaaS, the IT environments are evolving. Digital transformation might be delayed since conventional security controls may not even be able to adapt to the changing IT settings. Even worse, digital transformation can be slowed down by inadequate security controls. Monitor your network 24/7 Managed firewall services that are highly regarded will monitor and manage your firewalls from their SOC (security operation center). A fully redundant, secure SOC should be available to the MSSP. It should also have advanced security technology and emergency backup power. Threats can be better managed by collecting data, monitoring your network traffic, and analyzing for known vulnerabilities. Solutions customized to suit your environment You can have your firewalls managed whether they are on-premise, cloud-based, hybrid or virtual. You can choose to have a managed firewall service that is on-premises, which is usually faster and easier to set up, or you need a cloud-based firewall to protect your growing attack surface. An MSSP can customize their managed firewall solutions to your network environment, and offer all of the above benefits. Future-generation capabilities and features Managed firewall solutions that are proactive can offer next-generation security tools to improve their offering. These capabilities include Intrusion Prevention Systems, Web-Filtering and Anti-Virus. Access to the most recent threat intelligence sources While IT environments and tools are evolving, so are the tactics and tools used by malicious actors. It is essential that IT security teams keep abreast of the global threat landscape in order to stay on top. This may prove difficult for many teams. Close the cybersecurity skills gap A significant talent shortage still exists in the cybersecurity industry. According to ISC2, the cybersecurity workforce gap in the United States is close to 500,000. High demand for skilled security professionals is low supply. Security and IT teams often have a shortage of staff and are overworked. MSSPs like SpartanTec in Charleston SC are able to bridge this gap. Give us a call today.SpartanTec, Inc. Serving: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Wilmington, Fayetteville, Florence, Charleston Local areas Woodhaven, Lighthouse Point, Farmington, Lynnwood, Hillside, Oak Forest, Oceanview, Mount Pleasant, Green Acres, Northbridge via Blogger https://ift.tt/lEjZTwo March 03, 2022 at 08:11PM
How to Prepare Your Business for a Russian Cyberattack
While Russia’s conflict in Ukraine may seem far away, cybersecurity experts warn of a new kind of warfare that could be closer at home – Cyberattacks. Pablo Molina, Drxel University‘s chief Information Security Officer, stated that “I believe everybody should be ready for this — individuals and organizations.” Cyber Security & Infrastructure Agency issued a Friday “shields-up” warning to U.S. companies in order to prevent cyberattacks that could be associated with a Russian invasion. As of Tuesday afternoon, Russian hackers had already attacked the Ukrainian government’s websites and bank systems. This is a repeat of the attacks that were carried out last month and over many years. Molina believes that attacks on critical infrastructure will be the number one concern of the U.S. government. He stated that “certainly the power grid, internet connectivity and the financial systems, our capability to get money from an ATM in order to make payments using credit cards, water system, sewage systems and transportation networks” are key objectives. All of these are important objectives for any cyberwarfare anywhere on the planet. Prevent a cyberattack on your businessMolina stated that organizations should employ cybersecurity specialists to:
He advised that individuals also be prepared for possible cyberattacks by first securing their devices, accounts and information. Molina warned that fake news should not be believed or shared. He said, “Fake news and misinformation are the one thing we need to be very careful about.” “We are a divided society politically right now regarding vaccines and the economy, as well as race. It is not uncommon for Russian-sponsored trolls online to spread fake news and information, fueling those conflicts.” Molina also advised the public to be prepared in the event of cyberattacks, which could disrupt or disable essential services like utilities or banking services. Molina stated, “Imagine what would you do if the internet was not available?” What is your backup plan for contacting your loved ones? While I don’t recommend keeping thousands of dollars at your home, it is a good idea to have a small amount of cash in case an ATM is temporarily unavailable or you need money. Molina suggested that people may also consider emergency preparedness. “Should they have the ability to disrupt the power grid — how long can you function without electricity?” He said. “At the minimum, keep a flashlight and some gas in your car that you can use to charge small electronics should the wireless networks cease to work. Keep a small amount of water in your home just in case you lose water. Here at SpartanTec Charleston, we believe in being proactive with your cybersecurity. It is not a time for fear or panic to take over but a time to prepare. Now is the time to contact us for a complete and thorough analysis of your network security and employee preparedness.SpartanTec, Inc. via Blogger https://ift.tt/yf1AMbU February 24, 2022 at 07:46PM |
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