Cyber attacks in the UK are increasing. Many companies think they’re safe since they haven’t been hacked yet. The reality is that if you don’t keep your company secure, it’s only a matter of time before hackers target you.
Of course, cyber security is a complex subject, and the average person doesn’t have cyber security certifications. This means people tend to miss some important aspects of keeping companies secure.
So what are some of the most overlooked aspects of cyber security? This article lists ten of them.
1. Failing to Keep Your Software up to Date
One of the biggest mistakes that companies make is that they don’t keep their software up to date. This doesn’t just apply to your cyber security software.
Any kind of computer app could have security vulnerabilities. Usually, the developer will quickly send out a security patch to address the issue. If you don’t update your software, it means you’re vulnerable.
2. Not Backing up Your Data Regularly
One of the biggest cyber threats that companies face is ransomware. This is when criminals encrypt your company data and demand a cash payment to get it back.
Thankfully, good cyber security companies can help protect you. You just need to have a good data backup system in place. Ask about immutable storage to make sure you are truly protected. In the event of ransomware, you can then simply revert back to a previous backup. On the other hand, if you don’t have a backup system, ransomware could be devastating.
3. Not Using Two-Factor or Multi Factor Authentication
Two-factor and Multi Factor authentication are both great ways to protect your company against hackers. The way it works is simple. When one of your workers logs on, they need to confirm their identity from another source.
This means if a hacker has a worker’s password, it’s not enough to log in. You might send a confirmation code to an email address, a phone or an app. This kind of security system means a hacker must compromise multiple devices or services before they can break into your systems.
4. Reusing Passwords
Another big cyber security mistake is reusing passwords. Your password for your company account should be completely unique. You shouldn’t use it on any other services.
This is because hackers often get their hands on databases of leaked passwords. They can then try these passwords out on other websites or organisations. A lot of the time, people use the same password for everything, so this kind of attack can be very effective.
5. Not Being Careful About Wi-Fi Networks
You also need to be careful about connecting to Wi-Fi networks. In an age of remote work, many workers are connecting from home and from various other public locations.
While this is great for productivity and work-life balance, it could also cause security problems. Whenever you connect to a Wi-Fi network, the information you send over that network could be intercepted.
Thankfully there are some solutions that can make connecting to public Wi-Fi less of a risk. For example, people working in cyber security jobs could easily set up a VPN on company laptops.
6. Plugging in Found USB Sticks
If you find a USB stick lying around, your first instinct is probably to plug it in to see what’s on it. You shouldn’t let your curiosity get the better of you. This can actually be a significant security risk.
Cybercriminals may load malware onto USB sticks and leave them around for people to find. Once the victim plugs in the USB stick, the computer gets infected. If someone plugs such a USB stick into a computer on your company network, your whole workplace could be infected.
You should not permit anyone to plug USB sticks into work computers unless they are verified as safe.
7. Not Setting Permissions Systems
Another aspect of cyber security that’s often overlooked is permissions systems. This is where workers can only access the files they need to do their jobs. This is important for cybersecurity as it minimises the amount of damage that a hacker could cause.
Many companies don’t set up this kind of system because it can interfere with productivity. With that said, once the system is properly set up, everyone should be able to do their jobs while keeping the company safe from hackers.
8. Not Following Security Standards
Many companies don’t realise that there are rigorous cyber security standards that they should follow. For example, the ISO/IEC 27001 standards are international, comprehensive standards.
If you want to hire someone to do your cyber security jobs, make sure they work in accordance with these standards. Complying with these standards can be great for business because you can let potential clients know you follow them.
9. Social Engineering Attacks
Another aspect of cyber security that often gets overlooked is social engineering attacks. This is when cyber criminals use sophisticated psychological trickery to fool people into giving up access to their IT systems.
For example, someone might call up a worker pretending to be the CEO of your company. If the victim takes the bait, the attacker can do an incredible amount of damage.
Sadly, cyber security software isn’t going to help you against this kind of attack. You’ll need to ensure your employees are well trained in recognising social engineering attacks if you want to keep your company safe.
10. Not Developing Security Culture
Developing a security culture is essential if you want to keep your company safe. Unfortunately, many companies don’t take this seriously. You can’t just have a single security seminar and call it a day.
Creating a security culture is a long-term endeavour. For example, you need to have an explicit cyber security policy outlined in an employee handbook.
Take Cyber Security Seriously
As you can see, there are a lot of cyber security issues that you might overlook. Given how damaging a cyber attack could be to your organisation, you can’t afford to get complacent.
The best way to protect your company is to work with a professional cyber security company. Contact us today to find out how to keep your organisation safe.