As the global technology community looks forward to Black Friday and the festive season, there is no better time to protect yourself and your business against the increasingly sophisticated threats to your data.
Jaco Oosthuizen category head for the mobility division at Rectron, looks at these basic, yet effective steps that users and organisations can take to ensure always on cyber security and cyber security hygiene.
Spurred on by rapidly evolving threats across an expansive tech landscape and the emergence of AI, cybercrime is projected to cost the world $10,5-trillion by 2025.
Cyber security affects everyone, from large organizations to all citizens who own or use a computer connected to the internet. Having a robust and thorough plan and policy – along with a systematic approach to implementing security measures based on assessment of requirements, development, and maintenance – can not only mitigate attacks, but ensure swift recovery should one occur.
Malvertising
A tried and tested tactic by hackers of all scales is serving malware-filled ads, even onto the most trusted and credible sites on the web, a practice called malvertising.
With a variety of networks at the home and connectivity on the cloud, clicking on unverified links can inject a variety of malware, including trojans, ransomware, spyware, adware and browser hijacking.
To protect themselves, businesses and their people need to explore a variety of adblockers such as Microsoft Windows for home and professional.
Secure your business with the latest software and security tools
Cyber security is a moving target – software and security updates are vital to overall system health, because they often include critical patches to security holes.
Keep your software updated with the latest version available, and not just operating system updates, but firmware updates from the device manufacturer as well.
Rather than the old way of buying a range of antivirus packages, organisations can find a multitude of monitoring and anti-malware tools on the market that help them to protect their entire network. These include mobile device management, such as Microsoft 365 and Gravityzone Advanced Business Security.
Review policies
Implementing policies that limit users’ ability to install unauthorised software on work devices and requiring users to update passwords regularly can go a long way in protecting the network of a business.
Additionally, users who manage company work on their devices must be required to employ a mobile security tool trusted by the organisation to minimise the most common vulnerability, the individual.
AI
While AI enhances cybersecurity efforts, it also presents new challenges. Advanced phishing attacks are leveraging AI capabilities to become more convincing in targeting people.
As AI systems continue to expand and evolve in often unpredictable ways, so are the cybercriminals who are increasingly using AI to develop sophisticated attacks, driving organisations to think more broadly than ever about their cyber security strategies.
The rapid launch of various artificial intelligence platforms into the mass consumer environment in the past year has forced organisations to look at how to balance the AI’s advantages with its potential risks is crucial for effective cybersecurity management.
Businesses need to empower themselves with advanced security options that will prevent business data from being compromised, providing a secure environment.
Cyber hygiene
Ultimately, organisations can practise “cyber fitness” by implementing a holistic set of healthy habits in the workplace, such as password protection software and limitations on file uploads.
In addition to implementing advanced threat protection strategies and tools (anti-spam, anti-phishing, safe links, etc), users should be regularly trained and informed on security best practice.
Some of the biggest risks organisations face involve phishing threats, the onus of cyber hygiene is not just on IT and cybersecurity practitioners, but a shared responsibility that sits with all employees and users.
Being cybersecure needs a multi-layered approach to reducing the risk of privacy breaches and enhance online security.
By protecting your data, you can ensure that your business maintains its reputation as a trusted supplier. Jaco recommends the Windows 11 Professional and additional security software to assist devices. These enhance security and improve customer experience and include additional security layers.