The Cybersecurity Illusion & What's Needed for True Data Protection 

If you were asked, “What is Cybersecurity like at your business?” your answer might be, “We’ve installed antivirus software on all of our computers and a firewall protecting our network.”

While both antivirus and a firewall are important foundational components of cybersecurity, these are just a fraction of what is needed to make your business truly cybersecure.

The reality is, there is no silver bullet to become 100% protected from a cyberattack. Whether we like it or not, cybersecurity must require multiple layers of defense that go beyond quick off-the shelf technology. To strengthen data security across the entire organization, here are 3 key cybersecurity approaches every business should look at:

Cyber-Solid Foundation

If you are already unsure of what cybersecurity is, or what it should be, at your business, than it is awfully hard to plan for what you and your company would do in the unfortunate event of a cyberattack.

A cyber-solid foundation means that you have a plan and policies in place that not only work to prevent any cyberattack from occurring, but, also give you a step by step guide for what you will do in the event of a cyber incident. Knowing who is responsible for what will significantly reduce the time for remediation, so you can get back to business faster.

Further Reading on Building a Strong Cybersecurity Foundation:

What is an Incident Response Plan?
What is a Technology and Data Use Policy?
What is a Cybersecurity Assessment?

Cyber-Smart Culture

It takes a team effort for a business to be cybersecure, so when employees are not regularly given cybersecurity best practices, they may not be as vigilant in identifying potential cyber threats.

A recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 69% of adults say they do not worry about how secure their online passwords are. This could spell trouble for a company if an employee’s information gets stolen and they have been using repeat passwords for both personal and work accounts.

To combat this lack of knowledge it is important that companies create a cyber-smart culture for their employees. This includes frequent cybersecurity trainings, awareness reminders, and even tests to ensure individuals know what to look out for, and do, to continuously protect the data and devices they work with.

One simple step is to require employees to create complex and unique passwords and/or pass phrases for every account that they have, and manage them through a password vault instead of memorization or writing them down. Enforcing Two-Factor Authentication is another simple approach to keeping applications safe from bad actors.

Further Reading on Building a Strong Culture of Cybersecurity:

What are Cybersecurity Awareness Training Videos?
What is a Phishing Simulation?
How to Know What Cyber Threats to Look Out For

Cyber-Strong Technology

Cyber threats are constantly evolving in sophistication, which is why simple antivirus and firewall technology may not be enough to effectively deter and alert you to potential incidents. Incorporating automated tools like password scanners that search the dark web to see if employee passwords have been stolen, website scanners that discover malicious activity that may jeopardize how your customers interact with your business, and network vulnerability scanners that identify security gaps on network connected systems, applications and devices are just some examples of how to build a stronger, and more easily managed, stack of cybersecurity technology.

Further Reading on Incorporating Stronger Cybersecurity Technology:

What is a Stolen Password Scanner?
What Does a Network Vulnerability Scanner Do?
How does a Website Scanner Look at Threats?

More than ever, stronger cybersecurity is needed in every business. Everyone, not just IT, must become aware of new threats, how to spot them, and what to do when discovered. That is why a modern cybersecurity approach must include multiple layers of protection across people, processes, AND technology.

It is important to remember that cybersecurity is a posture, not a project. Making cybersecurity a top priority is a choice everyone has.