With many people working from home, cybercriminals are more active than ever. According to the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, ransomware attacks escalate on long weekends like the 4th of July and Labor Day as cyber actors take advantage of the extra day or two to infiltrate networks.
In 2020 alone, more than 700,00 cybercrime incidents were reported, an increase of 69% from 2019. It wasn’t just large corporations that suffered from these attacks — it’s estimated that 70% of malicious hackers targeted small-to-medium-sized businesses.
Cybersecurity Calls for Vigilance
Ransomware accounted for the bulk of these attacks, but they didn’t suddenly appear. Cybercriminals typically take baby steps that include tactics like phishing and using stolen yet valid credentials to test the vulnerability of targeted networks.
No matter what type of business you engage in, you need to monitor the routine day-to-day usage of your network. Only by establishing a baseline of normal activity can you detect deviations, anomalies, and suspicious traffic patterns such as logins in the wee hours of the morning from far-off places.
The Importance of Employee Cybersecurity Training
According to a Verizon data breach investigation, hackers took advantage of human error to find their way into targeted networks in 27% of cyberattack incidents. While it’s always safe for businesses to periodically hold meetings to remind employees that the internet can be a source of network vulnerability, such sessions are invaluable, with many workers signing in from their homes. The topics to be covered should include the following.
Phishing
Never open attachments or links sent by unknown entities is a message you can never convey too many times. This is a common ploy used by phishers to access individual computers and the entire network.
Mobile Devices
Mobile devices can be useful in an era where several family members may be working or attending classes from home. However, they can be an open invitation to malicious hackers should they fall into the wrong hands. While you may not want to go so far as to forbid their use while conducting company business, you do want to emphasize the need to know where tablets and smartphones are at all times. Employees should also notify you immediately if their devices go missing.
Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are a must. The more unique, the better. And since hackers often employ password-bypassing software, you should emphasize the need to change passwords frequently.
Software Updates
Hackers never sleep. Fortunately, neither do internet service providers. They scramble to counterattack malicious incursions and issue software patches to close them. Updating software can be a pain, but you should emphasize the need for remote workers to bite the bullet and install them on their home computers and devices.
Network Cybersecurity Practices
It would be nice if you were omniscient and able to know where and how your remote workers are using their laptops and devices, but since you can’t, there are steps you can take to keep your network secure.
Anti-Virus Software
If you haven’t already downloaded software to protect you from viruses and malware, stop reading and do so immediately! Also, mandate that your employees implement it on any devices they use for company business. Without it, you’re all but inviting hackers to inject their malicious files into your network.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
If your employees go away on business trips, they probably already use a VPN. But if not, look into VPN software since it only takes one staff member working from a coffee shop with public Wi-Fi access to open up your network to cybercrime.
Utilize Your IT Department
Using data encryption and keeping your data backed up daily are just some examples of cybersecurity measures you can take to ensure your business is secure and can continue to function smoothly, come what may. For help and advice, speak with your IT department.
We hope this information will help you optimize your San Francisco company’s cybersecurity measures. If it has sparked any questions, or you’d like to learn more, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at Golden Gate Office Solutions so you can talk to one of our cybersecurity experts.
