5 Ways You Can Reduce Cybersecurity Risk Right Now

Cybersecurity's importance cannot be overstated in our highly connected world. With cyber threats continuously evolving, organizations must implement proactive strategies to protect their data and systems. 

Alarming Statistics

The landscape of cyber threats is ever-changing, and the numbers speak for themselves:

1. Email Phishing: A staggering 90% of successful cyberattacks start with email phishing. Cybercriminals exploit human vulnerability to gain unauthorized access. Cloudflare's 2023 phishing threats report
2. Phishing Websites: On average, a new phishing website is created every 20 seconds. These fraudulent sites mimic legitimate platforms, luring unsuspecting users into divulging sensitive information. Phishing Statistics & How to Avoid Taking the Bait (dataprot.net)
3. Data Breach Costs: The average cost of a data breach has reached a record high of US$4.45 million. Organizations must be prepared to mitigate financial losses. Cost of a data breach 2023 | IBM

Security Philosophy: Zero Trust and Shared Responsibility

Zero Trust Approach

• Never Trust, Always Verify: Zero Trust is a holistic approach to network security. It assumes no inherent trust, regardless of the resource’s location.
• Strict Identity Verification: Implement robust identity verification mechanisms.
• Resource Protection: Zero Trust safeguards resources, whether physical or digital.
• Avoid Default Trust Assumptions: Challenge assumptions and verify access requests.

Who’s Responsible?

The responsibility for security in companies is a frequently debated or neglected topic. Assigning blame is not productive; everyone should understand their role in mitigating cyber risks. There are various levels of vulnerability, and ensuring that all parties are aligned on their responsibilities to achieve the highest level of protection is crucial. 

1. Executives: Set the tone for security awareness. Understand your organization’s security posture.
2. Users: Learn to identify potential threats. Be vigilant and report suspicious activity.
3. IT Teams: Establish proactive security policies. Monitor network activity.
4. Vendors: Secure access controls to protect sensitive data.

Signs You’re at High Cyber Risk

You may not realize that you are at a high cyber risk stage. To ensure your security, review the following bullet points. If you're unsure when your disaster recovery plan was last tested, it's advisable to prioritize this task before it's too late.

1. On-Premise Servers: Migrating to cloud-based solutions for enhanced security.
2. Lack of Cybersecurity Insurance: Protect your organization financially.
3. No Disaster Recovery Plan: Develop and test comprehensive recovery procedures.
4. Reactive IT Approach: Shift to proactive security practices.

Insights from Our Recent Cybersecurity Survey

In our survey of 50 executives:

Confidence Levels:

• None: None of the executives expressed being “very confident” about their cybersecurity approach.
• Somewhat Confident: 84% indicated they were “somewhat confident.”
• Concerned: 16% expressed concern, stating they were “worried about it.”

Cybersecurity Insurance:

• Yes: 69%
• No: 31%

Top Concerns:

1. AI – The increasing use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in cyberattacks.
2. Information Theft – Protecting sensitive data remains a top priority.
3. Mitigation Tools – Ensuring proper cybersecurity tools and strategies are in place.
4. Financial and Reputational Impact – Executives worry about fallout from data breaches.
5. User Education – Educating employees to prevent human error.
6. Staying Up to Date – Keeping pace with evolving threats.
7. Data Leaks – Preventing unauthorized data exposure.
8. Policy Implementation – Ensuring robust cybersecurity policies.
9. Human Error – Acknowledging that mistakes can happen.
10. Unknown Vulnerabilities – Fear of the unknown.

5 Most Important Things You Can Do Right Now!

1. Cloud-Based Security:
   • Leverage cloud services for robust protection.
   • Ensure data encryption and access controls.
2. User Training (Insider Threats):
   • Educate employees on identifying phishing attempts.
   • Implement Zero Trust principles to prevent insider threats.
3. Cybersecurity Insurance:
   • Evaluate your coverage against data breaches.
   • Be prepared financially in case of an incident.
   • Know what your policy covers and ensure your environment complies with best practices.
4. Disaster Recovery Plan:
   • Regularly test your recovery procedures.
   • Cloud-to-cloud backups for critical data.
5. Proactive Cybersecurity Process:
   • Review and enhance security practices regularly.
   • Monitor endpoint protection and patch levels.
   • Conduct penetration testing.

Bonus Tip: Password Management

• Use a password manager to store complex passwords securely.
• Consider options like Keeper, NordPass, RoboForm, LastPass, or Dashlane.

Techify – Cyber Risk Assessment Offer (Ends May 7th)

What is the Techify Cyber Risk Assessment?

We will conduct a straightforward review of your cybersecurity risk based on your technology and processes. We will then communicate to you in non-tech speak what you need to do to reduce the risk of cybersecurity breaches. 

Why Take the Assessment?

• High-level discovery of what technology and applications you have in place 
• Analyze your setup vs cybersecurity best practices 
• Identify the biggest risks 
• Provide you with a high-level roadmap and action plan to mitigate those risks 
  
  

Don’t miss out on Techify’s limited-time cyber risk assessment offer. Assess your organization’s security posture and stay ahead of cyber threats.

Remember, cybersecurity is a collective effort. Stay informed, stay secure! 😊