October brings to mind cool days and crisp leaves. Another hallmark of this month is cybersecurity awareness. Government and industry have collaborated to “raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and to ensure all businesses have the resources to be safer and more secure online.” Read on to learn how to make your business more aware of and proactive in protecting its network, data and systems from cyberattack. 

 

Take Stock of Your Network’s Health

Cybersecurity awareness is always vital, not just at a particular time of year. One way to move beyond simple awareness is to take stock of your network’s health. A company’s network is only as strong as its weakest point. Do you have a map of your network, with all devices connected to it? Are there holes in your operating system where cyber criminals can get in and steal or compromise data? Do you have the most current operating system patches to prevent this? Also consider whether antivirus and antimalware definitions are current or if they need to be updated. Is your network being monitored? Remote monitoring helps you stay aware of the health of your network, and can solve small problems before they become big issues. 

 

Keeping an Eye on Cyber Threats

Another aspect of cybersecurity awareness is knowing the threats to your network. From ransomware to phishing schemes, cyber criminals are keeping pace with the growth of technology, especially during these unusual times. Do your workers know what a phishing email looks like, and do they know what to do and not to do if they get one? Your workers can be a good source of information when trained to recognize attacks. In addition, password management is another way to keep your system safe. Having unique passwords that are changed on a regular basis can help to keep attackers out of your network.
 
Let this month of cybersecurity awareness be a wake-up call to your business, and spur you to be as well protected as possible. For assistance in developing a plan or strengthening your network’s security, contact your trusted Focalized Networks advisor today.