Running a business and fending off competitors is tough enough, but mounting threats to your company’s data and processes make everything more difficult. How can one cope with more sophisticated malware and complex government regulations that add costs to operations? And how can a small- to medium-sized business (SMB) navigate the sea of solutions that’s as broad in choices as it is deep in technical jargon?
SMBs can begin by raising their awareness of the current and foreseeable landscape.
A password policy designed for federal agencies must be secure, right? Surprisingly, that hasn’t been the case, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The NIST created many of the password best practices you probably loathe — the combination of letters, numbers, and special characters — but it now says those guidelines were misguided and has changed its stance on the matter.
Personal data is collected from us all the time. eCommerce sites store our purchasing habits info to push products we’re most likely to buy. Healthcare organizations collect everything from our vital signs to our treatment histories so that practically any physician in any facility can know critical details about our health, such as drug allergies.
Newspaper headlines and Hollywood movies have shaped our understanding of computer hackers, but in the real world it’s not so simple. Some hackers are making massive contributions to the field of cybersecurity, it just depends on which hat they’re wearing that day.
Imagine using a baby monitor to keep an eye on your child while you're in another room. Now imagine a complete stranger doing the exact same thing. How about a hacker taking control of your car? While greater connectivity lets us enjoy more conveniences in our everyday lives, it also makes it easier for ne’er-do-wells to pose a danger to us and our loved ones.
If you’re thinking of transitioning your business to the cloud, consider the security of the platform. While providers would like us to believe that the friendly, fluffy cloud image used to market the service means it is automatically secure, the reality is far different.
Email is indispensable. Even if your line of work does not demand that you communicate via email, you still need email accounts to sign up for social media sites, shop online, access online financial accounts, subscribe to streaming services — you get the picture.
Do you spend hours obsessing about the inner workings of DNS-layer security, intrusion prevention systems, and data encryption? If you’re not a managed IT services provider (MSP), you probably don’t. Instead, you’re probably looking for a business partner to manage those nitty-gritty details for you.
If you’re a Mac user, data privacy and security should be your #1 priority. Without the right security measures, you’re inviting cybercriminals to steal your critical data. Are you willing to take the risk? Secure your computer and fortify your defenses with these six tips.
When it comes to cyberattacks, most business owners get hung up on the technical and logistical details, forgetting another important aspect: motive. Why are hackers attacking people and organizations? And whom are they targeting? By answering these questions, you’ll have a better understanding of which of your business’s resources need the most protection.
