Safeguard Your Business from Cyber Attacks

In today’s world, cyber security is as important as ever. If you or your business haven’t been the victim of a cyber attack, consider yourself very lucky. However, do think you can maintain your immunity forever?

What is a Cyber Attack?

A cyber attack is a deliberate exploitation of your systems and/or network. Cyber attacks use malicious code to compromise your computer, logic or data and steal, leak or hold your data hostage. 

Here are some examples of common cyber attacks and types of data breaches:

• Identity theft, fraud, extortion
• Malware, phishing, spamming, spoofing, spyware, trojans and viruses
• Stolen hardware, such as laptops or mobile devices
• Denial-of-service and distributed denial-of-service attacks
• Breach of access
• Password sniffing
• System infiltration
• Website defacement
• Private and public Web browser exploits
• Instant messaging abuse
• Intellectual property (IP) theft or unauthorized access

Cyber attacks are on the rise because perpetrators have the edge and are highly motivated. Many enterprises are paying huge fines or even going out of business because of a simple hack to their systems. Therefore, having a robust security solution is absolutely essential. The following could help you to safeguard your business effectively.

• Tighten your current security system.Your system and all the software your organization uses offer guidelines for maximizing security controls that you should follow. Some are as simple as turning off unnecessary services or using the lowest privileges settings.
• Use patches.All it takes is a tiny hole in your system for hackers to poke their way in. It’s critical to run regular scans of your security system and all software to keep them updated with patches.
• Protect outbound data.Just as you protect your system from incoming malware and bots with a firewall, you need to make sure certain data never leaves your system. It’s important to focus on egress filtering, to prevent rogue employees or employees making honest mistakes from releasing sensitive data or malicious software from your network.
• Raise awareness.It’s important for everyone in the organization to be savvy and alert about security issues. This means watching for phishing scams sent through email and messaging apps that appear bonafide but are actually attempts to retrieve credentials or sensitive data or release malware into the system.
• Be smart about passwords.Most organizations have password policies that address reuse and strength of user passwords. But one area that often is overlooked is the local administrator’s PC password is the same as the password used on servers. It wouldn’t take a hacker long to infiltrate the entire system and create internal and external havoc with that information.
• Don’t ignore physical security.Just as you wouldn’t leave your car keys in the ignition of your car for thieves, you shouldn’t leave ID badges, credit cards, personnel and financial files, and cell phones/tablets lying around. Staff should be trained to keep these items on their person or locked away when not in use.
• Encrypt data.All PCs and personal information stored in databases and on servers should be encrypted. This is the best way to protect against hackers gaining access to sensitive data.
• Purchase a Cyber Insurance policy.If you do experience a cyber breach, a solid Cyber insurance policy will cover your losses and costs to repair the damage. A cyber insurance policy, also referred to as “cyber risk insurance” or “cyber liability insurance” coverage, is a financial product that enables businesses to transfer the costs involved with recovery from a cyber- related security breach or similar events.

Prevention is always better than cure. Do not wait for any devastating events to happen, have your insurance now. For more information, call or text Onyx Insurance Brokers, we provide the best services you need!