10 Signs Your Business Should Be Concerned About Cybersecurity

For a lot of businesses, cybersecurity is not the first thing on their minds. But it should be! In this post, we’re going to discuss 10 signs that you should be concerned about your cybersecurity and what to do if these signs are present in your business. We’ll also include some quick tips for how to get started with safeguarding your business from cyber attacks – so read on!

Cyberattacks can range from mere annoyances to devastating events. The worst-case scenario is that someone has malicious intent and could bring your business down, costing you time and money – not to mention the fallout of bad reviews!

What are some signs your business should be concerned about cybersecurity?

1. Not checking your network for vulnerabilities means hackers will be able to get in much easier.

The first step is to update all software and operating systems. Especially those which may not be as popular, but still run key parts of the business. As a result of this vulnerability, it’s crucial that businesses implement stronger password protection for their customers (and employees). Make sure you use a strong mix of letters and numbers.

• Test all software and operating systems for vulnerabilities
• Increase password protection for customers (and employees)
• Password strength should include a mix of letters and numbers

2.Your company doesn’t have a team of experts to run scans and manage your network security.

Cybersecurity is a tricky subject. It’s also not one that you can easily leave to an outsider or low-level employee to handle without oversight from someone with more knowledge and experience in the field. In order to keep hackers out, your company should have teams running scans and managing network security on a daily basis.

• Keep your company safe from hackers
• Stay on top of cybersecurity threats
• Increase productivity and efficiency with streamlined IT security
• Prevent data breaches before they happen

3.No protocols for bringing personal devices to work.

A company that has a culture of bringing personal devices to work and connecting them to your business’s network is essentially opening up the door for hackers. Hackers can use these devices in order to get inside, steal data or do more damage if they find any vulnerability in your system. It’s important that every employee understand this risk before bringing their personal devices to work.

• Protects your data and privacy
• Peace of mind about keeping your company’s secrets safe
• Keeps important information safe from hackers, viruses, malware and other security threats
• Provides a better work-life balance for employees by letting them bring personal devices to work without the worry of being compromised

4.You have not yet trained your employees on cyber security policies.

If you’ve never talked to your employees about cyber security policies, it’s likely that they’re not aware of the risks. Make sure they understand what a breach looks like and how to spot one before they bring their devices into work. The first thing an employee should do is check on whether or not there are any cybersecurity protections in the work environment.

• Understand the cybersecurity risks at work
• Protect oneself from breachages by embracing policies in place to prevent them

5. No IT protocols set for employee termination or departure.

In order to minimize the risk of a company’s data being breached, it is important for IT staff to have protocols in place when an employee leaves. This way, any sensitive information on their devices can be easily wiped and returned before they leave so that employees no longer have access.

• Minimize data breaches
• Protect sensitive information from departing employees
• Save time and resources by wiping employee’s devices before they leave
• Keep up with the latest in data security protocols

6.If your business is governed by cybersecurity regulations, you should be concerned.

It is important to understand what regulations apply in your industry and how they affect the way that you should protect your company. A good starting point for understanding which cyber security standards are applicable to a business can be found from consulting with local authorities or an IT professional.

7.Businesses who work with third-party vendors should be more aware of cybersecurity risks.

If a business contracts with third-party vendors for services, it is important to have an agreement in place that outlines the vendor’s responsibility. This could include items such as:

• The type of data being transmitted and stored
• Thoroughly vetting new providers before they are hired
• Defining what will happen if the provider needs

8.If you have no visibility over your network, there is a major lack of cybersecurity.

A business’s network can be segmented in many ways. The security of the system is greater when a company has visibility over its entire infrastructure and controls which users have access to certain areas of their network. A lack of visibility means that it may not know where vulnerabilities are, or even if there are any gaps at all on their IT infrastructure.

9.You collect personally identifiable information.

It is imperative to know what your business does with sensitive information such as social security numbers, credit card data, and driver’s license numbers. If you are not sure how this information is being used or stored within your company, then it becomes a potential risk for fraudsters trying to access that personal data.

10. You conduct financial transactions.

The more services you offer, the greater your exposure to cyberattacks. If a hacker is able to access sensitive financial information of employees and clients, then it can be disastrous for both customer retention as well as bad publicity within the press.

We all know that cybersecurity is a major concern for businesses in 2018. In fact, you may even be governed by certain regulations like GDPR or the NIST Framework Security Principles. But if your business doesn’t have an IT team to run scans and manage network security, then hackers will find it much easier to get into your system than they would otherwise. Worse yet, there are no protocols set up for bringing personal devices onsite, training employees about cyber policies or having any precautions in place regarding termination of employees who might potentially leak sensitive information after departure from their job. It’s time to take care of these issues before something bad happens – contact us!

Do You Need a Professional Cybersecurity Team You Can Trust?

Cantrell’s Information Technologies has been providing cybersecurity to business owners throughout the San Francisco Bay Area for over 20 years. We provide multiple layers of security for HIPAA, FINRA, and PCI compliance as well as training against IT threats when it comes to computer viruses. We also provide local classroom and small group training, web-based training and simulated phishing attacks to help end-users better understand and defend against cyber threats. Many of our customers initially work with us to help them improve the way they store, access, and protect their critical business data from cybercriminals. We also help them move or expand their offices. We support the needs of our East Bay customers including businesses located in Concord, Martinez, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, and Pleasant Hill. Contact us today for your free consultation!