Whether you’re C-Suite, management, staff, or field team, your job depends on the security of your business. Unfortunately, cyber attacks are at all-time highs and more sophisticated than ever. No matter what level your position in a company, you can help protect your business from cyber attack.
Use pass-phrases instead of pass-words. The best passwords are more than 16 characters and completely random, but without a password manager, that can be tough to remember, especially if you’re also following best practice of having a different password for every application you use. Consider using pass-PHRASES instead of passwords. Passphrases should combine uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. (ex: My-Mom-is-my#1Fan).
Avoid mixing work and leisure activities on the same device. Using the same device for work and leisure increases the chances of cyberattacks. Make sure you are using your personal device for online shopping, personal social media use, and other personal applications (and only during a break of course!).
Slow down and apply critical thinking to all emails. Email is the highest attack method because not only can several types of attacks be accomplished, but also we are so inundated and busy, it’s very easy for us to make a mistake. Through email, a bad actor can attempt to collect your login credentials, get you to download malware, or fraudulently collect money from you. Take a closer look at the sender’s email address (looking for typos or wrong domain). If there is a sense of urgency from someone you don’t typically interact with or a request you weren’t expecting, report that email to your superior without taking any other action within the email. Right-click on links to view the address to make sure it is taking you to an expected and legitimate website.
We are all busy, many of us are overextended and unfortunately, bad actors are taking advantage and relentlessly attacking the companies we own or work for. One distracted or careless click, weak passwords, or sharing devices can destroy the business and our jobs. Regular security awareness training is a good tool to keep yourself or your staff up to date on the latest attacks and how to avoid them in our everyday workflows. Pearl Solutions Group can help you implement the comprehensive security training necessary to empower you and your entire team with the knowledge to identify security threats and become an active component of your security defense strategies.
