National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October is national cybersecurity awareness month

Is your business up to date on its cybersecurity for National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM)? Technology has a major impact on industries all over the globe. It’s more important than ever to take measures that will help you manage and protect that technology.

At Morefield Communications, we care about the safety and quality of your IT and communications technology. We want to make sure that you are informed about the importance of cybersecurity this National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

Cybersecurity Facts You Need to Know

NCSAM, which takes place every October, is all about raising awareness of cybersecurity threats and the risks they pose to organizations and individuals. Although businesses across industries have started to implement cybersecurity measures, many people still struggle to see cybersecurity for what it is — an essential step in securing a business’s most important assets.

When you understand the scope of the challenge your organization faces, you can take informed action to prevent cybersecurity breaches. Here are three cybersecurity facts to keep in mind:

  1. Hackers attack constantly: Cyber attacks can seem like distant or rare threats to people who haven’t experienced them. In reality, attacks happen constantly. Hackers attack poorly secured computers every 39 seconds on average, according to one study. Many hackers use simple software that targets thousands of users simultaneously, attempting to break in by guessing rudimentary usernames and passwords.
  2. Data breaches are costly: Data breaches caused by inadequate cybersecurity are costly to the organizations and individuals they affect. The average cost of a business data breach is expected to exceed $150 million in 2020.
  3. More devices equal more threats: As people add more connected devices to their networks, cybersecurity risks increase too. Although Internet of Things (IoT) devices are convenient, they’re often also easy to hack. The average IoT device could be compromised in as few as five minutes after connecting to the internet. Each device acts as a vulnerable entry point that you need to secure.

If these cybersecurity statistics concern you, consider your business’s own cybersecurity. Are you taking action to prevent data breaches? If a breach does occur, are you prepared to address the problems that arise? As awareness spreads, businesses of all sizes are investing time and resources into cybersecurity.

What Does This Mean for You?

Many famous data breaches have targeted large corporations, including Yahoo!, Equifax and Facebook. However, small businesses and organizations are also vulnerable to cyber attacks. Many small businesses have less advanced cybersecurity practices, making them attractive targets. Because of the valuable personal data they store, governments, retail businesses, healthcare organizations and tech companies face attacks regularly, but businesses of all kinds can be affected.

No matter what market you serve, cybersecurity is vital to your organization’s long-term success. Some steps that organizations can take to prevent attacks include changing passwords regularly, training employees on cybersecurity fundamentals and consulting a cybersecurity expert like Morefield Communications.

How to Improve Your Cybersecurity

Interested in using NCSAM to your advantage this year? There are many steps you can take to improve your business’s cybersecurity. Try the following strategies:

  • Install firewalls and virus protection: Firewalls help prevent unauthorized access to your computer systems from remote locations. Anti-virus software can detect and remove malware, spyware and other dangerous files you might pick up online.
  • Use data backup and recovery strategies: Anything can happen when you store your data on a computer system or network. That’s why it’s crucial to have a plan for backup and recovery in case of a corruption or system failure.
  • Host cybersecurity training: Training sessions will ensure that your team members are all on the same page about cybersecurity. If everyone has the necessary knowledge and skills, they will be better equipped to handle any security issues or threats that arise.
  • Implement multi-factor authentication: Passwords and other identity authentication strategies will protect unwanted users from accessing your network.

Integrating these security measures will help protect your IT systems during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and beyond. If you’re ready to start optimizing your cybersecurity, Morefield Communications offers services that include all these strategies and more. Contact us today for a consultation!

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