When leadership teams talk IT concerns, cybersecurity is a consistent topic. Few things will give a CIO nightmares quite like the idea of a full-on data breach. The devastation of one successful cyberattack, in terms of revenue and reputation, is staggering, ranging from thousands of dollars on the low end to millions on the high end. Proactive leadership demands a forward-thinking view. Here are some key insights you need to consider as you scope out your cybersecurity strategy.
Why cybersecurity continues to dominate the conversation
First, let’s talk about why everyone is still obsessed with cybersecurity. The answer is painfully simple—because cybercriminals still pose a very real threat.
Consider, for example, some of the biggest cybersecurity breaches in recent years. WannaCry and Petya made worldwide headlines. If you didn’t already know what ransomware was before those attacks, you almost certainly know now. Voter fraud and campaign hacks were topics for both parties as accusations flew following the 2016 election. And the Equifax breach will continue to affect millions of Americans for decades to come.
To be completely candid, any leadership team that isn’t up to speed on cybersecurity risks is rolling the dice. Every single member of your company’s leadership should be aware of what it takes to keep your organization’s data safe.
“As we continue to rely on complex, outsourced business services like cloud providers and vulnerable, internal networks, businesses must build out a skilled security team to protect against a variety of attacks.”
– CIO
Ransomware hasn’t gone anywhere
Ransomware has proven to be wildly profitable for hackers. While tactics change over time, there’s no indication at this time that ransomware is on the way out.
Because that’s true, you need to get serious about ransomware protection.
One critical step here is employee education. The vast majority of cyberattacks begin with phishing emails. Phishing attacks only work when users don’t know which links are safe to click and which links could lead to compromised security.
That’s why it’s so important to make sure your employees know how to spot and stop phishing attacks. Employee education is an effective, low-cost preventative measure you can’t afford to skip. Not only that, but it’s one of the most effective ways to boost your overall cybersecurity immediately.
“People are always the weak link when it comes to enterprise cybersecurity.”
– TechRepublic
Backup & disaster recovery is essential
No cybersecurity plan is foolproof. In the world of network security, there are no guarantees. And that’s exactly why you need a backup and disaster recovery plan.
If your network is compromised, do you have secure backups to fall back on? Is your data backed up on and offsite? And if you do need to restore a backup, do you have a strategy for making that happen with minimal downtime?
There are several reliable options for enterprise-level backup protection. We recommend Veeam due to its ease of use, stability and unparalleled reputation. Whatever backup solution you choose, choose one—and don’t stop there. Develop a complete recovery plan so you’re ready should you ever need those backups.
“CIOs need to plan for technology disaster and they need to regularly conduct tests to minimize the chance of failure. Otherwise, organizations cannot put in place the learning to minimize the potential impact a serious systems outage will have on their business and reputation.”
– CIO
Don’t forget about wireless security
Wireless security is a growing concern for businesses at all levels. The convenience of Wi-Fi makes it inconceivable to operate without it. That’s the world modern businesses operate in. However, your wireless access points present cybercriminals with entry points to your network.
“The looser your Wi-Fi security, the easier it is for your wireless router to become a welcome mat for hackers.”
There are several factors to consider for Wi-Fi security. One of the easiest ways to improve your wireless security is to require multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA requires users to jump through a couple of simple hoops before they have access to your network. You’ve likely encountered it, even if you’ve never heard the phrase before.
If you’ve ever joined a Wi-Fi network and been greeted by a splash screen that required additional information (like your email address) before you could start browsing, that’s MFA. Particularly if you make Wi-Fi freely available to customers, clients and guests, MFA is a no-brainer. At no cost, you can immediately boost your wireless security.
“Given the position routers play in normal network operations, the ability to utilize these devices in man-in-the-middle attacks is extremely attractive for attackers.”
– TechRepublic
Cybersecurity in the cloud
Cloud computing is unarguably convenient. The cloud gives you the ability to work from literally anywhere, provided you have an internet connection. However, that convenience is hardly worth it if it means compromising cybersecurity.
But there’s good news here. Enterprise-level cloud services are largely very secure. If you’re partnering with well-established providers in good standing, you’re most likely safe. That said, we still recommend that you don’t make any assumptions.
You know the kind of data your business will keep in the cloud. You know the government regulations (if any) you’re responsible for upholding. And you know the kind of damage a security breach will create.
Before you embrace any cloud service, do your homework. Double- and triple-check to make sure potential cloud providers have the necessary security on the back end to keep your data safe.
“Cloud computing, once a top security concern among IT and security leaders, is increasingly seen as a critical ally.”
– CIO
What you need to know about device management
A final area of concern has nothing to do with your organization’s equipment. Instead, this is all about the gadgets your employees own.
More and more employees are bringing their personal smartphones, tablets and laptops to work. That’s great for lowering hardware costs, and it has the potential to make your workforce more efficient. However, there is a potential security trade-off.
The solution is a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy. BYOD policies create rules for when, how and under what conditions employees are allowed to access company data via personal devices. In today’s increasingly technology-driven environment, a BYOD policy is more or less essential for businesses of all sizes.
“Bring your own device (BYOD) has moved from organizational buzzword to must-have for many businesses. It’s easy to see why . . .”
– Forbes
This really can’t wait
Some of the above suggestions are easy to implement. Some will require time and thought. Some may even warrant expert-level help.
Across the board, we recommend that you give serious consideration to each and every topic.
Remember, your company’s stability hangs in the balance. Don’t wait until after you suffer a cybersecurity attack to recognize the importance of network security.