In the last two years, 60% of companies have had a security breach. Do you know what is a company’s greatest security asset? You! Now, do you know what is a company’s worst security asset? You guessed it, it’s also you! Employees can be a double-edged sword when it comes to cybersecurity, so organizations better be prepared or be held accountable.
There are three ways to protect against cybercrime:
- Education
- Awareness
- Preventative Habits
Knowledge is Power
Before cybercrime can be prevented it’s important to get a grasp of what is lurking in the ether during everyday business activities. Sir Francis Bacon said it best, “Knowledge is power”. Without the knowledge of what kinds of cybercrimes are out there, it is impossible to prevent them.
Cyber threats come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes these present themselves in the form of an online scam in a pop-up message on a website or they can be malware embedded on a personal device through a public free wifi connection. Whatever the method, you can be sure that hackers have already thought of it, tried it and are continuously refining it to target new victims every day.
Be Aware
Once you become educated on the different types of cyber threats encountered on a day-to-day basis, always be aware. Cybercrime can happen anytime:
- Checking email
- Clicking on a web ad
- Downloading software on a PC
- Accessing the internet via FREE wifi
- Opening a document that has been emailed or texted
Hackers are clever, so the best rule of thumb is to be cautiously optimistic. You do not need to live in fear that a cyber threat is lurking behind every corner, but a heightened awareness is essential. If something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t – so trust your gut instincts and engage in preventative habits.
Practice Preventative Habits
Now that you are aware of the kinds of cyber threats out there and your awareness is heightened, it’s time to act accordingly. This is done by adopting habits that prevent you from becoming a target of cybercrime.
Developing preventive habits involves:
- Paying attention (i.e. is your computer inexplicably slow after downloading something online?)
- Being disciplined (i.e. always use strong 10 character + password protection for all devices)
- Using caution (i.e do you know the sender of an email that asks you to click on an unfamiliar link?)
- Using good sense (i.e don’t utilize a public wifi to pay bills or transfer sensitive documents)
These are a few preventative habits that protect against cybercrime. Overall, it is best to error on the side of caution. Emails can always be resent; legitimate online opportunities will still be offered if the page is exited. If something doesn’t feel right delete it from the device or exit the application or web page. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Be Proactive or Be Held Accountable
“Computers” are the culprit in cybercrime, but human interaction with the computer makes the crime possible. Hackers and cybercriminals count on the ignorance of the user to give life to a cyber threat. If preventative habits are not adopted, be prepared to be accountable if associates become victims of cybercrime due to your negligence.
Remember:
- Professionals can be sued for negligence if hacking occurs
- Professionals can be held liable if a client becomes victim to a scam as a result of ignored red flags, or the failure to take basic safety precautions
The best protection is prevention! Educate, be aware, and practice preventative habits to combat cybercrime.
SACS Can Help You Be Proactive Against Cybercrime
Don’t be a victim of cybercrime! Contact the experts at SACS Consulting & Investigative Services, Inc. for unique insight and training. SACS Consulting can provide cybersecurity services and Prevention Methods for Cybersecurity Threats training for your organization. Be proactive, by preventing cybercrime from impacting your organization. Contact or call us at 330-255-1101 to speak with one of our security or training professionals today.