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We love digitization. We have access to absolutely everything, markets are opening, barriers disappear, processes are streamlined, we have a greater capacity to collect and analyze data... And a lot of possibilities that are being amplified by the trend of everything is interconnected.
In short, and how we like it in Bookker: to be able to manage everything from one place and with a single movement.
However, as in any great revolution, all that glitters is not gold and cybersecurity becomes a service of first necessity for companies. Threats lurk around every corner and, with the same ease with which we peek outside, external agents can sneak in to “snoop” inside our business.
Surely we are all familiar with the hit a few years ago at a casino, where the hacker sneaked through a fish tank with an internet connection. And, like this one, so many other stories that accumulate without us paying the necessary attention.
Don’t panic! Progress goes on unstoppable and to join the bandwagon, facing risks with the head, is what will take us on the road to success.
Why is business cybersecurity so important?
Cybersecurity is responsible for protecting all systems, networks, devices, data and programs from any digital attack. Given the current situation, and with the exponential increase in cyberattacks, it is vital that companies begin to become aware of this new need. Failure to do so will expose ourselves to multiple threats such as:
- Sensitive data extraction
- Data manipulation
- Corporate espionage
- Activity sabotage
- Robbery and extortion
During the last year, with the coronavirus pandemic, the number of cyberattacks has grown considerably. The process of digitization at forced marches has been a great incentive, but it goes further.
According to the Informe Escudos 2021, the main vulnerability in cybersecurity tends to be caused by human failures. It specifies that, in Spain, these errors are associated with 95% of cyberattacks. What are the most common vectors?
1. Internet browsing
2. Click on links received by email, social networks, websites or files.
3. Open images under the same conditions.
4. Tricks that seek the extraction of sensitive data.
5. Lack of update in operating systems, devices or applications.
By remote working and increasing the digitization of all processes, cyber threats have increased by 2,000%, especially ‘ransomware’ attacks (hijacking data and requesting a ransom for them). This is due to the lack of employee training and the lack of security measures in the remote work model.
By way of awareness, we bring you some essential tips to make your company a more cyber-safe place:
Cybersecurity tips for businesses
1. Train employees
Given the current situation, and with the data we have, this is one of the most important facets when it comes to increasing the cybersecurity of our companies.
We must provide the teams with information on the various threats that exist and a guide to good practices in order to avoid them, even more so now that there is a good part of the population working remotely or in a mixed way.
Some issues such as logging off at the end of work, distrusting emails whose origin they do not know or using strong passwords, are some of the measures that they should implement in their day-to-day life.
2. Make backup copies and deletions
If we are faced with a security breach, having all the information collected will facilitate the continuity of the company's activity. It is therefore recommended to make daily copies.
On the other hand, all information that is no longer useful should also be safely erased, periodically.
3. Limit access
It is appropriate that sensitive data is encrypted and that its access is through a security key. To do this, special attention must also be paid to passwords and that they have adequate consistency.
Passwords, to be robust, must be random, combine numbers, letters, and symbols, and be changed frequently.
4. Apply robust authentication solutions
There are different authentication options beyond a simple password that provide extra security. With biometric technology, for example, companies can maintain tighter control of access. The application of the digital signature, on the other hand, allows them to protect themselves against fraud.
5. Keep the software updated
Hackers are always looking for vulnerabilities in systems, which is why software manufacturers are constantly working to fix those security problems. The latest versions usually include patches to fix these vulnerabilities, so it is essential to keep the software up to date.
Cybersecurity plan
These are just a few tips, but maintaining a cyber-safe environment encompasses much more. Creating action and contingency protocols against cyber attacks is one of the first steps, as well as assessing the possibility of contracting specific insurance for these situations, and maintaining a corporate awareness based on the importance of cybersecurity.
