NCSAM: Are You Protected from Threats?

NCSAM: are you protected from threats?

The threat of cybersecurity issues continues to grow in 2020, which means that now more than ever before your business needs to be taking cyber threats seriously. 

Cybercriminals don’t just target large firms, they also target smaller ventures; in fact, research has shown that cybercriminals tend to target smaller businesses rather than larger companies because smaller ventures often take shortcuts on their cybersecurity. According to research from Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, 58% of cyber attack victims were smaller businesses. This shows just how vital it is that businesses of all sizes take cybersecurity seriously. 

Cybercrime is often linked to weak passwords, links in phishing emails being accidentally clicked on, and failing to keep on top of device updates, among other techniques. Being the victim of a cyber attack is not something that you want to experience, which is why it’s so important to take your cybersecurity seriously. 

Bearing that in mind, the question is: what can you do to increase your cybersecurity? 

Take Advantage of MFA 

One way that you can enhance your cybersecurity is to use multi-factor authentication, also known as MFA. This security authentication method requires more than just a password to allow access to an account or system, it uses two or more verification factors in order for access to be granted. Wherever possible, make sure that you are using MFA to help strengthen your cybersecurity. 

Be Password Smart 

When it comes to your passwords, it’s essential that you are password smart. What does that mean? It means not using the same password for multiple accounts. It also means creating strong, secure passwords that have no pattern to them. Ensure that your passwords are not easy to guess, in fact the more random they are, the better. You can even use a password generator to create them, as long as you have a safe place to keep a record of them to remember. The most secure passwords are not only random but also include a combination of lower and upper case letters, numbers, and punctuation. 

Keep Software Up To Date 

One of the most important steps that you can take to protect your digital security is to make sure that all software and systems are kept up to date. You need to make sure that all applications and systems are kept up to date, to help make them harder for cybercriminals to penetrate. You can easily check which version of a product you are using within the settings, if there is an update available, you should be able to find it. 

Ensure IT Is Up To Date 

When it comes to your IT systems, it’s important to ensure that they are all up to date. A key aspect of your cybersecurity practices is making sure that your IT systems are consistently updated, as well as being monitored regularly for any suspicious activity. 

When it comes to cybersecurity, you cannot afford to mess around and not take the threat that you face seriously. That’s why it’s so important to ensure that you are properly protected from cyber threats, in order to reduce your risk of falling foul of a cyber attack.