Because of COVID-19, there has been a sudden push to move the majority of your business online. Remote work has offered you more opportunities to work with different people and keep your monthly fees low. Though digital technology has certainly helped the business landscape as a whole, such rapid change has opened up gaping holes in every business’s digital infrastructure.
Some of these problems can easily be avoided. Others might be more sinister and deceptive. At worst, you could stand to lose your whole company and employee information. Here are the most common tech threats to your business and how to avoid them.
Phishing Attacks
Most people have probably faced a phishing scheme at least once in their life. They usually come in the form of sketchy emails asking for your information. On your personal email, these can usually be ignored through spam filters. But messages that are sent to your company email can be a little more subtle in their phishing techniques.
Do not send any confidential, personal, or sensitive information to a company until you can verify its authenticity. Phishers will often pose as another company you might be working with. However, the email address will be incorrect in some way. Most companies won’t ask you for this type of information unless you have talked with them first. Be especially careful if you do a lot of work on your phone since mobile devices don’t always display email addresses very well.
Malware
This is one of the more diabolical threats you should avoid. Malware is meant to infect computer software to steal information. There are several different kinds—some steal information from you without your knowledge, others render your computer or cloud service completely worthless.
With such devastating viruses on the internet, you must know how to avoid them. First, buy a cybersecurity service that scans your computer regularly. This can point out issues long before they become unsolvable. Don’t click on unsafe links, and avoid downloading files from the internet without making sure it is safe. When it comes to digital safety, it is better to approach with caution.
Data Breaches
If your product is heavily reliant on a digital ecosystem, a data breach might be one of the worst security issues you can face. You can lose customer or employee information or your website could be hacked for an undetermined amount of time. At the worst, the cybercriminal could use your information to do other malicious activities.
Data breaches are incredibly common. Thankfully, IT services can help you prepare for inevitable breaches in your security. Make sure you are in constant communication with them and have a plan if and when a data breach occurs. Ensure your employees are trained for this as well.
Ransomware
Malware is designed to steal and destroy the digital infrastructure you worked hard to put together. Ransomware enables cybercriminals to hold your information and accounts hostage until you pay them. Unfortunately, they rarely give back full access to everything, forcing you to make insane payments that can destroy your company in a matter of weeks.
If you take the advice given on malware, it becomes just as easy to avoid ransomware. Don’t click on suspicious links or download unverified content. Keep a backup of your information in a safe location—either in print or in a secure cloud. Use antivirus software to warn you of these issues.
Inside Jobs
Perhaps the most disappointing technological threat you face will come in the form of inside jobs. This is when an employee sells customer data to opponents. However, you might not be aware of who is doing it. You shouldn’t have to suspect ulterior motives from your employees, but you may have to put your foot down.
Ensure each employee signs a non-disclosure agreement when they are first hired. This can hold them fully liable if they sell insider information for their personal benefit. While this can’t guarantee that it won’t happen, it can make the crime less desirable.
Hacking through Other Devices
In a highly connected world, it stands to reason you will have many devices that hook up to the internet. While this is extremely convenient, it might also place your company at higher risk—especially when people are using these devices on the go. Because people use their phones to use the internet, mobile attacks have become increasingly common.
Talk with IT services to see what other devices might put you at risk. For example, Apple Watches and tablets may not have as strong of security out in public. Rather than relying on public wi-fi, it might be worth it to invest in a secure VPN or intranet connection to keep potential hackers out.
Cloud Weaknesses
Another awful place to face a security problem is through your digital cloud service. The cloud can store your information without needing to rely on your specific device. It is incredibly convenient and worth the investment.
However, if your cloud gets hacked by a cybercriminal, you can have a serious problem on your hands. They can sell private information that can ruin your company. Just to be mean, they could delete the information you have built up over the years. Remember to never give out the password to anybody except your most trusted employees. Contact IT for other preventative measures to keep this tragedy from happening.
Lack of Security Measures
At the end of the day, what matters is that your information is safe. Create smart passwords and put them in a secret place on paper. Restrict access to specific pieces of information to certain jobs.
Update your software as needed to make sure you have the latest protections. Train your employees to avoid phishing scams and malware. Keep in contact with IT professionals who can give you the latest info on the ever-changing tactics scammers use. Doing so will keep your company much safer in the long run.
Cyber attacks have become increasingly common as people turn to their home internet to do business. The benefits of remote work are astronomical for promoting public health, but they can also put your business in some digital hot water if your team isn’t well-informed and comfortable communicating.
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