How many times have you heard phrases like: "Your employees are the weak link in your cybersecurity ", "Employees are the major access point for cyber attacks ", etc.? You know, this doesn't have to be the case. On the contrary, your employees can be your company's greatest security asset. That is, of course, if you train them properly in cybersecurity policies and practices.
Find out how your employees can be the weakest link in your cybersecurity chain, and how you can turn them into your strength.
Although companies in Switzerland and around the world are constantly protecting their data from hackers, the greatest cybersecurity threat remains the human factor. Indeed, human error is almost at the root of all reported data breaches.
Hackers target frontline employees and sometimes even the most diligent CEOs with highly sophisticated and often personalized attacks. For example, the company's LinkedIn profile and website contain a treasure trove for a spear-phishing attack. It's all there: e-mail addresses, domains, employee relationships and the CEO's agenda, for example.
These details make it easier for hackers to create a credible point of contact to exploit. For them, unsuspecting employees represent an easy target, but it's the keys they hold on the corporate network that are the ultimate objective.
These are just some of the reasons why the human factor threatens corporate security. In addition to phishing and social engineering, there are also viruses and malware such as ransomware, or the accidental loss of equipment used at work (telephone, computer).
Before taking any action, companies need to ensure that their employees are part of their cyber planning to strengthen their resilience.
All the evidence suggests that employees are always at the forefront of cybersecurity issues. However, it must be stressed that employees' lack of awareness of corporate security is the responsibility of the organization's culture. Because if you make your employees aware, they will be your most important line of defense.
Do your employees know your company's cybersecurity policies? Are they familiar with password best practices? Do they have unique identifiers that they change regularly? Are they aware of the latest cyber threats, such as malware and phishing attempts? For example, do they know what to do when they receive an e-mail designed to look like their supervisor's? The first step is to raise employee awareness and provide ongoing training on cybersecurity issues.
Employees often prefer simple passwords that they can easily remember, but this should not be practiced.
Implement 2FA authentication for an extra layer of protection. In addition, to ensure that employees generate or create strong passwords that even they can't remember, provide them with password management tools that allow them to store and quickly access their accounts with the added security feature. Also, it's not just about having strong passwords, but changing them frequently. Here's another step you can take to protect your company's security.
Ensure that clear rules are established when employees are connected to the company network. Establish policies that guarantee the protection of company data. Firstly, make it clear that business e-mails must only be used for work purposes, and that personal e-mails must be restricted.
Secondly, storage devices such as external hard drives or USB sticks should be prohibited, unless they are supplied and/or analyzed by the company.
In addition, unless it's necessary for work, you can restrict employee access to websites that aren't important, such as social networks or online video streaming. This will help employees avoid going to fraudulent websites that could potentially break into your network.
Today, malicious software (malware) exploits advanced techniques to bypass network security tools and equipment. The effects on a company can be disastrous, especially if the malware is ransomware that locks your computer and prevents you from accessing it until you pay the ransom.
To guarantee your cybersecurity at the highest level, EVOK partners with several suppliers of the latest security equipment, including Palo Alto NetworksJuniper Networks and Fortinet.
Our certified staff are able to draw up a security strategy that reflects the constraints of your profession. Our equipment secures your applications, protects your identities, and detects and prevents advanced threats, even in encrypted traffic. They use cutting-edge technologies such as Machine Learning, which can detect variations in threats, predict the next stages of an attack, and implement protection in near-real time.
So keep in mind that all companies are potential targets for data breaches. Hackers don't care about your industry, sales or number of employees. They're only interested in the data you possess, and will stop at nothing to get their hands on it. That's why, as a company, it's incumbent on you to have a solid data confidentiality strategy, even when it comes to your employees.
By understanding social engineering attacks, and recognizing that true protection against them requires both people AND technology, you can protect your organization from the consequences of these types of practices.
The article looks at risk areas and how you can improve the safety of your operations.
