Cyber Security Awareness – 4 Cyber Security Tips to Keep Your Business Safe and Secure

Keeping information safe and secure is challenging developments for businesses of all sizes over the last few years. Remote working and using cloud hosted services forced healthcare practices to change, or at least reexamine, their cybersecurity practices and protocols. According to CyberEdge’s Cyberthreat Defense Report, 85% of organizations suffered from a successful cyberattack in 2021.

Now, businesses who have suffered cyberattacks along with companies who’ve been fortunate enough to avoid being a victim of breaches and hack are looking at ways they can bolster their defenses and safeguard their data. But which plans, practices, and services should these organizations invest in?

Below are 4 steps businesses of all shapes and sizes can take to better protect themselves against cyber attacks:

Identify “Crown Jewels” of Your Business

Understanding what information cybercriminals are after most is essential to combating cyber attacks. Know where your patient, employee, business, financial data is collected and stored in your practice and by your vendors. Create a written inventory of your data and the hardware and software you use to manage and store the data. Review who has access to important data and end outdated user access to anyone who does not need access to the data to do their job. This practice will ensure that business leaders have a track record of accessibility so that they know where to look in case of a vulnerability or breach.

Protect Assets by Updating and Authenticating

Protecting your data and devices from malicious actors is what cybersecurity is all about. Make sure your security software is current. When you invest in the most up to date softwares, web browsers, and operating systems you defend against a host of viruses, malware, and other online threats. Furthermore, make sure these devices have automatic updates turned on so employees aren’t tasked with manually updating devices. Additionally, make sure all data is securely backed up in a remote location.

Another important way to keep your assets safe is by ensuring staff are using strong authentication to protect access to accounts and ensure only those with permission can access them. This includes strong, secure, and differentiated passwords. According to a 2021 PC Mag study, 70% of people admit they use the same password for more than one account. Using weak and similar passwords makes a hacker's life a lot easier and can give them access to more materials than they could dream of. See “How Does Unique User ID Protect Patient Information In Your Practice?” 

Finally, make sure employees are using multi-factor authentication. While this may result in a few extra sign-ins, MFA is essential to safeguarding data and can be the difference between a successful and unsuccessful breach.

Monitor and Detect Suspicious Activity

Companies must always be on the lookout for possible breaches, vulnerabilities and attacks, especially in a world where many often go undetected. This can be done by investing in cybersecurity products or services that help monitor your networks such as antivirus and antimalware software. Moreover, make sure your employees and personnel are following all established cybersecurity protocols before, during, and after a breach. Individuals who ignore or disregard important cybersecurity practices can compromise not only themselves, but the entire organization. Paying close attention to whether your company is fully embracing all of your cybersecurity procedures and technology is incumbent upon business leaders.

Have an Incident Response Plan Ready

No matter how many safeguards you have in place, the unfortunate reality is that cyber incidents still occur. However, responding in a comprehensive manner will reduce risks to your business and send a positive signal to your customers and employees.  Regular cyber security awareness training will help prevent incidents and help you to quickly respond to an incident when it happens. Therefore, businesses should have a cyber incident response plan ready to go prior to a breach. In it, companies should embrace savvy practices such as disconnecting any affected computers from the network, notifying your IT staff or the proper third-party vendors, and utilizing any spares and backup devices while continuing to capture operational data.

Here's a great no-cost opportunity to provide cyber security awareness training to your team!

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, a global effort to help everyone stay protected whenever and however you connect. The overarching theme for the month is, ‘Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.’ and Information Managers is proud to be a champion and support this online safety and education initiative this October.

Events This Month

Ask your questions live with Cybersecurity and Data Privacy experts in an interactive webinar format.

Join us for the first “Ask Me Anything” style webinar for healthcare professionals, practice managers, privacy officers, and owners on Friday October 21 at 1pm EST. It’s free to attend. Once you register, you’ll have access to the Zoom link on the day of the event.

We know that when we train our teams to identify cybersecurity risks, that we can reduce our risk of a business disruption and privacy breaches. And, when an incident occurs, we can identify the problem more quickly and reduce the harm and the cost.

It all starts with better understanding cybersecurity.

Click the button to hop over to the Myla Training website for more information and to register right away!

CyberSecurity Champions

Information Managers Ltd has been a CyberSecurity Champion for many years – and now you can, too!

We want to help you, your family, friends and our community stay protected all year long, too. We encourage you to sign up as an individual Cybersecurity Awareness Month Champion. After signing up, you’ll receive a toolkit of free resources, including simple online safety habits and steps you can take to #BeCyberSmart.

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is co-led by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. For more information about ways to keep you and your family safe online visit https://staysafeonline.org/cybersecurity-awareness-month/ and/or cisa.gov/ncsam.

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