Tips and Tools to Improve Your Cybersecurity
While cybercrime comes in many forms, ransomware has become the No. 1 type of cybercrime affecting small businesses. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3) cataloged over 3,729 complaints in 2021 with adjusted losses of more than $49.2 million. The victims range from governments and utilities to small, independent businesses. So improving cybersecurity is important to everyone.
New tactics and targets
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) noted in a February 2022 release that ransomware gangs were changing their patterns in the wake of the pandemic.
In addition to “big game hunting,” going after large organizations, they began targeting mid-sized and small businesses. Ransomware incidents rose 104% in North America in 2021, according to the 2022 Cyber Threat Report from cybersecurity company SonicWall. Small to medium-sized businesses made up 20% of that increase.
An ounce of prevention
The 2022 Verizon Data Breach Report shows that 85% of data breaches happened as the result of mistakes by people operating business computers. Phishing emails are opened. Bogus websites are visited. Deceptive links are clicked.
Cybersecurity experts around the globe say awareness is the first step in preventing any attack. That’s why October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Ever since 2004, CISA and the National Cybersecurity Alliance each October champion the effort to raise awareness both nationally and internationally.
How can individuals and businesses protect themselves from ransomware and any attack?
Keep computers up to date.
Regularly back up files.
Educate yourself and your employees.
Secure and monitor remote workers and access.
Report the incident and don’t pay the ransom.
Consider professional help.
Most SaaS providers offer some form of security management. Like many retail software providers, Paladin Data Corporation Managed Services offers a variety of products that improve a store’s network performance, reliability and security. Insurance to protect against cybercrime is also available.
Here are some resources that can help you and your business improve your cybersecurity.