10 Assessment Tips for Cybersecurity Awareness Month
When is Cybersecurity Awareness Month?
October 2023 is the 20th anniversary of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This event is a collaboration between the U.S. government and private industry to raise awareness about digital security and to encourage everyone to protect their personal data from digital forms of crime. As a managed services provider (MSP), we want to encourage our clients, and all business owners, to observe Cybersecurity Awareness Month by assessing your cybersecurity plan, providing training to your employees, and reviewing your own personal cybersecurity practices.
10 Tips for Cybersecurity
We recommend that SMBs work with an MSP or IT professional to review and assess their cybersecurity posture. Many firms offer security assessments to measure risk and suggest improvements. When evaluating an assessment, or considering launching your own, consider the points below. A thorough cybersecurity assessment should address the following areas of your security plan:
- Assess Current Threats: Identify current cyber threats that could affect your business. Research the latest trends in cyberattacks, including phishing scams, ransomware, and malware.
- Evaluate and update cybersecurity defenses: Take stock of your existing cybersecurity measures, including antivirus software, firewalls, and employee training programs. Are you, or your MSP, regularly updating your security software?
- Confirm Data Backup and Recovery Systems: Ensure that your data backup and recovery processes are robust. Regularly back up critical data and test the restoration process to ensure it works as intended.
- Build Employee Awareness: Foster a cybersecurity-aware culture within your organization. Encourage employees to report any suspicious activity promptly. Does your security plan include Security Awareness Training? Teach team members to recognize phishing attempts, suspicious emails, and social engineering tactics.
- Review Password Policies: Review your company’s password policies. Require team members to review and update their passwords regularly, encouraging them to use strong, unique passwords.
- Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA): This security protocol is no longer “optional.” Most cyber insurance companies require businesses to use this security feature.
- Update Your Incident Response Plan: Review and update your incident response plan. Ensure that your team knows how to respond effectively to a cyber incident and minimize damage.
- Discuss Security with Your Third-Party Vendors: Assess the cybersecurity practices of any third-party vendors or partners with whom you share data. Ensure they meet your security standards.
- Verify Your Compliance: Is your business in compliance with any industry-specific regulations, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS?
- Perform Regular Testing and Monitoring: Implement regular security testing, such as penetration testing and vulnerability assessments. Continuously monitor your network for signs of suspicious activity.
Choose Focus Data Solutions for Your Cybersecurity Assessment
Professional MSPs provide these types of services on a regular basis. This removes much of the worry and work from your shoulders. Talk to an expert at Focus Data Solutions to ensure that your cybersecurity plans are thorough and effective for your business.
To help your team learn more about cybersecurity, consider adding Security Awareness Training to your managed services plan.