Identifying Where Your Organization’s Cybersecurity Efforts Are Lacking

No organization can be successful without a solid defense, specifically digital defense. Cybersecurity defends an organization’s most valuable data by protecting an organization’s representatives. Cybercrime has evolved in such a way that most attacks look incredibly innocent, but often result in an organization’s future being put into jeopardy. The rate in which these attacks occur is on the rise as within this past year cybercrime, including phishing, ransomware, identity theft and fraud, has increased by 600%.

Web-based cyberattacks and malware such as ransomware are among the most expensive types of cybercrime. A company can spend $2.4 million or more to defend itself. Even with such tremendous spend, nearly one in three businesses attacked by malware will lose all access to their data for at least a week.

What’s even worse is that the professionals hired to deal with these issues are aware of their organization’s vulnerability. Nearly half of all IT professionals have indicated some form of cybersecurity weakness that their organizations are susceptible to. Despite these professionals’ work, nearly 75% of all organizations with up-to-date protection still fall victim to ransomware. In the past year, nine in ten organizations indicated they were the target of a ransomware attack.

Identifying the major threats and targets of these attacks is a great starting place for developing a method of defense. Executives and other high-tier members of organizations are often the most commonly targeted in regards to these attacks. Namely because they have so much access to an organization’s most sensitive data. Accessing this data could put an entire organization at risk, meaning prioritizing the security for these executives should be top priority.

One of the first essential steps to take is to evaluate the executive’s digital footprint. Where does information about the executive exist? Review social media and networking sites, but don’t stop there. What sites does he or she use to shop? Has he or she posted information on blogging sites? Scour all digital avenues and determine what data seems most vulnerable and wipe it.

It’s also imperative to educate these executives regarding the art of phishing. Unfortunately, with how far this technique has come, even the most sophisticated or savvy executive might still fall victim to a predatory e-mail. Insisting on executives to take it slow and pay close attention to detail when scanning their mailbox is essential. Avoiding any messages from unknown senders or any individual not within their contacts is key. Deleting any suspicious e-mails without opening them is also highly suggested.

If your organization is hoping to brush up its cybersecurity, be sure to take a moment to review the infographic featured alongside this post. Courtesy of Cancom Global Security.