Cyber Security For Business Leaders
Uploaded on 2020-10-13 in NEWS-Cybersecurity News, FREE TO VIEW
The nature of corporate assets has changed significantly, moving from physical into virtual and right now as much as 90 percent of the total value of the Fortune 500 now consists of intellectual property (IP) and other intangible assets. According to the business data platform Statista there are around 4.57 billion active Internet users globally which is good news for businesses that are working in the digital economy. However, ss new technologies increase the time most of us spend online, cyber criminals are finding more opportunities to take are advantage of the digital economy.The risk of cyber crime is potentially fatal for many businesses and managers who want to remain in business must pay more attention to cyber security.
Cyber security has become a permanent fixture on the agendas of companies around the world and business leaders need to be prepared to provide effective oversight of cyber-risks. Placing cyber security in a business context, as an enterprise-wide strategy issue, is essential.
Here Are Three Ways To Get Started:
Get everyone involved: The days when cyber security was seen as just the job for the IT team are over. Business leaders all over the world are realising this and you need to do the same. In a recent Harvard Business Review, cyber security experts Thomas J. Parenty and Jack J. Domet insist that no amount of technology, resources, or policies will reverse the trend that has seen cyber-crimes rise. “Only sound governance, originating with the board, can turn the tide. Protection against cyber-attacks can't be treated as a problem solely belonging to an IT or cybersecurity department. It needs to cast a wide and impenetrable net that covers everything an organisation does, from its business operations, models, and strategies to its products and intellectual property.”
A cyber-attack can occur when an innocent employee clicks a malicious link from a device belonging to the business. The drill has to affect the least person associated with the business. There is a real threat out there, your business and her assets are at stake. Everyone in your business needs to understand this as much as you do.
Develop a Policy on Cyber Security: Preaching about the importance of cyber security alone may not get the job done, a policy that spells out your business’ protocols with regards to cyber security is necessary. A cyber security policy sets the standards of behavior for activities such as the encryption of email attachments and restrictions on the use of social media.
Non-IT employees are usually the weakest links in cyber security efforts. These employees typically share passwords, click on links, download attachments, with little knowledge about encrypting data. All of these open the door to cyber-attacks and can comprise the security of your business.
Setting up a policy on cyber security would help your employees and third parties with access to your digital assets understand how to keep your data secured and safe from the prying eyes of cyber criminals. You must take responsibility for creating a culture that prioritises security; this would enhance the credibility status of your business.
Actions to help to ensure the security of your business and her digital assets include:
- Protecting information, computers, and networks from cyber attacks
- Creating a mobile device action plan
- Making backup copies of essential business data and information.
- Controlling physical access to your computers and create user accounts for each employee
- Securing corpotaret Wi-Fi networks
- Employing best practices on payment cards
- Limiting employee access to data and information and authority to install software
- Mandataing use of passwords and identity authentication
Setting up a policy on cyber security for your business might seem like another tedious task or process to execute, but the benefits outweigh the cost: do it now!
Get a trusted Virtual Private Network (VPN): The risks of going online are enormous. The reality is this: if you are not online then cybercriminals stand no chance with you. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a tool that allows you to interact with the Internet anonymously, thereby drastically reducing your exposure to cybercrimes. With unlimited speed, unlimited Bandwith, and free servers in the US help individuals and businesses tackle the prevalent cyber threats and keep their digital assets free from prying eyes by providing a secure connection from all types of tracking.
Cyber risks have increased with many more people working from home due to the Coronavirus lockdown and there is increased pressure on executive teams to step-up and get a better handle on cybersecurity. While there is no definitive solution to the threat presented by cybercrime, business leaders can take advantage of the available cyber security solutions and knowledge to protect your business and its digital assets.
For a cost effective Cyber Audit Report on your organisation’s cyber security and advice on employees training, please contact Cyber Security Intelligence.
