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.

The role of employees in corporate cybersecurity

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).

Are employees really the weakest link in the cybersecurity chain?

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.

How can you make your employees the driving force behind your cybersecurity?

1. Educate and train your employees

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.

2. Set up password policy

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.

3. Use of data and the Internet

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.

4. Invest in a security solution

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.

To remember

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.

Open file sharing can be very useful for facilitating collaboration and communication between members of a company, especially for those working remotely or in dispersed teams. It enables quick and easy access to files, which can improve business efficiency and productivity. However, using cloud file-sharing services can pose data security risks. That's why it's important to put in place robust security measures to minimize the risks associated with open file sharing, particularly in terms of confidentiality and data protection.

In this article, we'll look at the risks of using open file sharing in the cloud, and the security measures you can put in place to avoid them.

The risks of open file sharing (cloud)

Open file sharing in the cloud can pose data security risks. Before implementing robust security policies, it is important to highlight these risks so that they can be better identified and addressed:

1. Unauthorized access to files :

One of the most common risks associated with open file sharing is unauthorized access to files. If files are not properly protected, anyone with the sharing link can access them. This could include outsiders, competitors or even hackers.

2. Data loss :

If files are poorly protected, they can easily be deleted or modified by unauthorized persons. This can lead to the loss of important company data, with disastrous consequences for operations.

3. Violation of privacy:

Open file sharing can also lead to a violation of privacy. If files contain personal or confidential information, unauthorized access can lead to privacy violations and legal problems.

4. Malware risk:

Open shared files may also contain malware or viruses, which can be inadvertently downloaded by users accessing these files. This can cause damage to company computers and networks.

5. Loss of data control:

By using open file-sharing services, companies can lose control of their data. Cloud providers can retain user data, and it's difficult for companies to guarantee that their data is secure and not shared with unauthorized third parties.

How can you limit the risks associated with open file sharing?

To minimize the risks associated with open file sharing in the cloud, companies need to implement robust security policies and use file management tools that offer access control and data protection features. Here's a closer look at what you need to do:

1. Limit access to files: The first security measure to take is to limit access to files to authorized persons. This can be done using access rights management tools, which allow administrators to define access permissions for each user.
2. Encrypt files: File encryption is another important security measure to protect sensitive data. Encryption prevents unauthorized third parties from reading or modifying files without the appropriate decryption key.
3. Use strong passwords: Companies should encourage their employees to use strong passwords to access files. Passwords should be long and complex, and users should be encouraged not to reuse the same passwords for multiple accounts.
4. Educate employees Companies need to make their employees aware of the risks associated with open file sharing in the cloud. Employees need to be trained in good security practices, such as checking sharing links before opening them, monitoring account activity and reporting suspicious activity.
5. Use additional security tools: Companies can use additional security tools such as antivirus software and firewalls to protect files against malware and external attacks.

In summary, to minimize the risks associated with open file sharing in the cloud, companies need to implement robust security measures such as limiting file access, encrypting files, using strong passwords, raising employee awareness and using additional security tools.