Evaluating The Various Security Tactics In Place To Defend Company Executives
With the rate of cybercrime continuing to rise, nearly a 600% increase since pre-COVID, more and more businesses feel the need to buffer their cyber-defense efforts. Without the proper resources in place, any business, specifically their executives, can be the target of these attacks. If your business feels it’s not properly protected against possible phishing, ransomware, identity theft or fraud-based attacks, the information within this post and accompanying infographic should help in preparing you for these types of threats.
The reason why it’s so important to defend against these attacks is that they almost always end up costing businesses a great deal of capital to resolve. Different cyberattacks, mostly malware focused, are among the most expensive types of cybercrime. Even companies spending in the millions sometimes fail to defend themselves from attacks that can leave their data inaccessible at least a week.
Even these aforementioned businesses feel the unpreparedness. According to their information technology professionals, companies are vulnerable to ransomware and other types of attacks, and three-quarters of companies that have fallen victim to ransomware already had up-to-date endpoint protection. In the last year alone, 90% say that their businesses have been attacked by ransomware.
What businesses will first want to do to properly defend against these attacks is find methods to keep executives safe. When these attacks surface, executives are the true targets as they’ll have the most clearance and access to an organization’s most sensitive data. One attack could lead to an entire company falling in jeopardy. Which is why it’s imperative that executives are the most protected when it comes to any organizations’ cybersecurity efforts.
How can businesses go about defending these executives? Among the most important things, assessing their digital footprint is most important. Where does information about the executive exist? Review social media and networking sites, but don’t stop there. What sites does he or she use to shop? Has he or she posted information on blogging sites? Scour all digital avenues and determine what data seems most vulnerable and wipe it.
Though limiting the ways in which information can be gained on an executive is helpful, ultimately they’ll need to be knowledgeable enough to defend themselves against potential schemes they might see on a daily basis. Sometimes, even sophisticated executives may click on or respond to messages that can expose their data to attack. Educate them about the importance of slowing down and paying attention to their emails — particularly if they are from persons unknown to them or contain generic phrasing or oddly written phrases, and to delete any suspicious-looking emails.
For more ways in which your business can provide adequate protection to its executives, be sure to take a moment to consult the infographic accompanying this post.. Courtesy of Cancom Global Security.
