In a world that’s becoming more dependent on technology every day, organizations must invest in sophisticated cybersecurity, including scrupulous cybersecurity training. Without proper protection, it can be alarmingly easy for cybercriminals to steal valuable data or money from a business. This can be particularly devastating for small businesses, as they often have much less funding than larger companies to deal with the financial consequences of data breaches. So how do you properly prepare your business for cybersecurity threats?
A high-caliber cybersecurity company will offer Onsite Security Awareness Program Training once a year, ensuring that all employees have access to training that meets their needs and level of understanding. This cybersecurity training should be job-specific and look at both general security and risks to the particular industry. It should also comply with data compliance regulations, following the government laws that protect personal data, such as HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI.
This is not to say that yearly training should be the one time when employees are reminded about the importance of cybersecurity. Companies should stay up-to-date with regular awareness newsletters that cover topics like current scams, cyber threats, phishing attacks, and other security topics. Penetration testing, which is a series of simulated cyberattacks performed by the cybersecurity company, will ensure employees are consistently putting their knowledge into practice. These will occur throughout the year.
Why Is Cybersecurity Important for a Company?
Cybersecurity is a vital component of any company’s operations, as it helps protect sensitive data and systems from potentially damaging cyber threats. Without adequate levels of security, companies are more vulnerable to attacks that could disrupt critical business functions or expose confidential information to malicious actors, leaving the company devastated. Companies need to invest in anti-virus software, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, strong password policies, network segmentation, patching practices, and monitoring systems to ensure adequate cybersecurity.
But what about when the target of an attack is your employee? You’ve probably heard of phishing: a type of cyberattack that uses fraudulent emails or websites to trick users into revealing sensitive information, such as login credentials or financial data. Attackers can use this information to access your company’s systems and data, causing serious damage. It’s an incredibly popular method of cybercrime; in 2020, 1 in every 4,200 emails sent in the USA was a phishing email.
Is My Organization at Risk of a Phishing Attack?
Unfortunately, there’s no telling when a cyber attacker will strike. In a recent survey, 48% of CEOs said that a cyberattack is now a case of “when” instead of “if,” suggesting a level of inevitably. For this reason, the safest thing a company can do is train its staff on how to protect themselves from phishing attacks. Good training will educate employees about the dangers of clickjacking and phishing emails and how to spot potentially fraudulent messages.
Why Do I Need To Worry About Data Breaches?
Data breaches are a serious threat to businesses, as they can expose sensitive customer and business data that is crucial to your company’s success. This data includes things like credit card information, addresses, contact details, and login credentials – all of which are valuable to cybercriminals who want to gain access to your customers’ accounts or commit identity theft. The only company that doesn’t need to worry about data breaches is one with no employees or clients!
The average cost of a breach for an organization with less than 500 employees is about $2.74M. In addition to these financial losses, your company’s reputation will also take a hit if customers lose trust in your ability to protect their information. This can lead to a loss of business and damage your long-term prospects for growth. A recent survey found that 85% of customers will not do business with a company if they’re concerned about its security practices.
How Else Can You Prevent Phishing Attacks?
Penetration testing comprehensively scrutinizes the security measures taken by all your employees to protect the organization. A good cybersecurity business performs simulated phishing attacks once a month, using real-life attacks as the template and even offering the option to make them more targeted to the individual (spear phishing). If they do manage to “hack” a member of your team, companies should view this mistake empathetically, treating it as a learning experience and potentially offering additional cybersecurity training.
What Can Edafio Offer That Other Cybersecurity Providers Cannot?
Edafio’s business model revolves around respect and humility for both its team and its clients. We believe this sets us apart from our competitors; we are committed to seeing our clients succeed, so we are relentlessly focused on integrity and providing excellence to help them prosper. We work holistically and are always available for thorough, considered consultation. We give each of our clients the same level of attention and care regardless of their size.
We also go fiercely beyond the criteria of simply a “cybersecurity business,” offering strategic IT management. We are a cost-effective alternative to an in-house IT department for small to medium-sized businesses, offering high-quality tech alongside a wealth of specialized expertise. We can provide these services on a full-time or consulting basis, becoming your single point of contact for any and all IT concerns: everything from network interruptions to security breaches to corrupt data.
Train Your Team, Improve Your Cybersecurity, and Enjoy Peace of Mind
Businesses must be vigilant about cybersecurity and how their employees interact with it. To thrive in the digital age, partner with a cybersecurity business that will be communicative, attentive, and always put you and your company’s success first. Edafio Technology Partners has been in business for more than twenty years and has been ranked as one of the top managed service providers in the USA, so there’s truly no better option. To get started, call Edafio Technology Partners today.
