5 tactics on how to deal with cyber crime
We know we have talked a lot about how to deal with cyber crime and cyber crime in general, what it is, and given you a picture of what the current cyber threat picture looks like today. But the number of cyber attacks is climbing, and one of the prejudices we meet every day is that “it won’t happen to me”. Cyber crime is not something you think about, unless it has already happened to you. And that is a shame! The rise in cyber crime is not only scary, it is also an extremely expensive situation you put your business in. We can guarantee that a clean-up after a data leak or attack is much more expensive than being proactive regarding cyber defense.
But how do you protect your business? And your true customers? Is it even possible to stay clear of cyber crime? Maybe not, but you have to implement preventive measures. How to deal with cyber crime starts with a clear cyber security strategy:
Our quick guide
- Identify
- Protect
- Detect
- Respond
- Recover
Strategy 1: People ARE the weakest link, so use it to your advantage
You love your customers, right? We understand, but people are actually the weakest link, when it comes to data leaks and cyber attacks. (Maybe even your employees?)
This is something that is most often overlooked. Again, people are the weakest link and employees are no exception to that. Are the people you work with educated in cyber security?
- Discourage password sharing
- Train your employees in how they identify and react to threats.
Strategy 2: GDPR – it may be boring, but it’s here to help
Yes, we know – you know all about GDPR and you are probably pretty tired of hearing about it. Nevertheless, it is important to remember why we are even discussing it. GDPR, the General Data Protection Regulation, was rolled out in May, 2018, and is a legislation to protect data and privacy. The regulation outlines what is allowed and what is not. So, first things first – implement GDPR (it is also expensive not to) and make sure you follow the protocol, so you keep your customer safe and compliant.
Strategy 3: Remember to encrypt and back up your data
Imagine your company data or customers’ private information being leaked and ending up in the wrong hands. Not good, right? A cyber security strategy must consist of backing up important data and encrypting sensitive data. Encryption is still one of the best fixes to ensuring that if a fraudulent user gets access to your data, it cannot be used in a fraudulent way.
With ransomware hackers locking companies out of their own systems by encrypting their data and asking for a ransom to be paid before releasing the data back to the company, you are one step ahead of possible hackers by backing up your data and storing it separately.
Strategy 4: Install antivirus and firewall software
Think of antivirus and firewalls as your guards. They are out in the field all the time keeping you safe from harm. They will let the right ones through and deny access to unwanted visitors. Antivirus and firewall software are easy steps in securing your business.
Strategy 5: “A software update is now available” – it’s not a joke, just do it
Yes, we said it. We know that updating software on your work devices can be a pain, annoying and even time consuming, but believe me when I say that updating your software and hardware is one of the easiest things you can for your business, when it comes to dealing with cyber crime. Outdated or unpatched IT infrastructure makes your company extremely vulnerable to cyber attacks.
So what are you waiting for? Protect your business, before you get hacked …
