Month: August 2022

Cybersecurity remains a massive issue for every business. The numbers are horrifying: There were over 2,084 ransomware attacks on businesses in the first half of 2022 – a 64% increase. These attacks, and others like them, will cost companies billions of dollars. 

Far too many businesses make the mistake of assuming that having a cybersecurity insurance policy is enough. To be clear, it is essential. However, it’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to ensuring that your business is adequately protected from hackers and bad actors who want to steal your data. A variety of other protections are critical to protecting your business. More to the point, if you have cybersecurity insurance but don’t have other protections in place, your cybersecurity policy may not pay out if a breach occurs.

What specific protections do you need? There are many examples, including endpoint protection, MFAs, staff cybersecurity training, and vulnerability assessments and testing.

Endpoint Protection

Endpoint protection means applying appropriate security measures around any devices that allow individuals access to your computer network and thus your sensitive data. This can mean many different things, and it is worth noting that the massive rise in Work from Home arrangements has complicated things even further. The use of personal mobile devices and computers means that your network security must be more robust than ever.

Endpoint protection can involve many different specific items, including:

• Cybersecurity training for staff ensures they can understand and recognize a cyber threat.
• An appropriate password policy that tracks devices requires two-step authentication for access and needs passwords to be strong and changed regularly.
• Appropriate threat-detection software can tell when an unauthorized user has gained access to the network.
• Appropriate anti-virus and anti-malware software that can reduce the threat posed by viruses. This software may also involve properly using firewalls that can prevent information from leaving or entering your network.

MFAs

MFA is short for multi-factor authentication. When deployed appropriately, MFAs can better secure a system and ensure that only authorized users can gain access to it.

If a password falls into the wrong hands, it can be devastating for your network, as this may mean that an unauthorized user gains access to your critical data and client information.

MFAs deploy the use of two-factor authentication. With an MFA, a user will log into a system, then have a code texted to them. That code must be entered to gain access to the system. While not foolproof, they can dramatically enhance your network’s protection from bad actors. 

Everyday use of MFAs requires them before logging into sensitive information, like a database or email account. However, they can be deployed in multiple ways, potentially using a third or fourth layer of MFA to gain access to extra-sensitive information. MFAs can reduce the risk of stolen passwords, customized per the different levels of access that an individual requires, and can be used so that any access is traced. Traceable access may be necessary if your network is ever broken into.

Staff Cybersecurity Training

Cybersecurity training is critical for any staff, regardless of their position within your organization. For example, if even one person in your company accidentally responds to a phishing email and gives out their username and password, it can compromise your entire network. As such, your entire staff must have the appropriate cybersecurity training. 

Such training can review multiple topics, including:

• How to recognize a phishing or social engineering attempt and how to respond to it.
• An update on data threats within a specific industry and how to be made aware of them.
• Appropriate protocols for securing customer data within a database.
• Use of real-world examples that examine specific scenarios that may happen within a company’s industry. 
• Appropriate ways to identify scams that are perpetrated digitally, over the phone, or via postal service.
• A review of appropriate tools that can be used to detect and prevent cybersecurity attacks.

Vulnerability Assessments and Testing

The only way a business can determine if its network is safe is by having a vulnerability assessment done. Such an assessment can review the weaknesses within a company’s website or network and make specific recommendations for how these weaknesses can be resolved.

A specific type of vulnerability test is also known as a penetration test. In a penetration test, a hired ethical hacker will simulate a real-world attack and attempt to break into your network. They will do so using all up-to-date computer methods currently deployed by cybercriminals. The results can then be used to appropriately patch your network, make it more secure, and ensure that a real-world hacker can never again access your security. Such testing can take many forms and be combined with staff cybersecurity training. For example, a phishing email can be sent out that simulates a real-world one. Employees who fall for the scam can be sent for further cybersecurity training. 

There’s no question that properly protecting your business from cyber threats requires a comprehensive array of solutions that may be beyond your business’s expertise. However, you can find skilled professionals who can completely manage your cybersecurity needs. At

vTECHio, we offer all these services and much more. We can review your cybersecurity insurance policy requirements and ensure that you are covered. We can also provide comprehensive cybersecurity vulnerability assessments, MFAs, and other services.

Are you interested in hearing more? Schedule a call today, and learn more about how we can help your business stay secure.

In order to maintain productivity, many organizations are allowing employees to work remotely. However, this creates a new challenge for IT administrators in terms of security. How can you ensure that remote workers are secure while maintaining access to company resources? In this blog post, we will explore some tips for securing remote workers in the enterprise.

Challenges of Making Remote Work Possible

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced organizations around the globe to re-evaluate their workplace policies and practices. For many, this has meant a shift to remote work. While working remotely can have many benefits, it also comes with a unique set of challenges.

Virtual machines are essentially computer systems that run within another computer system, and they’re often used by businesses to allow employees to access company resources remotely. However, they can also be a major cause of lag and application issues when employees are working from home.

One of the biggest problems with virtual machines is that they can be quite resource-intensive, which can lead to lag and performance issues on employee laptops or home computers. Additionally, virtual machines can be less stable than physical machines, which can also lead to issues with applications crashing or not working properly.

There are a few things that businesses can do to try and mitigate these issues, such as optimizing their virtual machine settings or investing in more powerful laptops for employees. However, at the end of the day, it’s important to remember that virtual machines come with their own set of challenges and are not always the best option for every business.

Managing and Securing Access

As companies increasingly embrace remote work, they must also take steps to manage and secure employees’ accounts and devices. Otherwise, they risk leaving themselves open to attack.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways companies can go about managing and securing remote worker accounts. One common approach is to use a centralized management platform like Microsoft Active Directory. This allows businesses to control employee access to corporate resources and data. Additionally, businesses can use security tools like two-factor authentication (2FA) to further protect remote worker accounts.

Another approach is to leverage mobile device management (MDM) solutions. These allow businesses to remotely monitor and manage employee mobile devices. This can help businesses ensure that only authorized devices have access to corporate data and networks.

Ultimately, the best way to manage and secure remote worker accounts will vary from business to business. However, by using a combination of centralized management platforms and security tools, businesses can keep their remote workers safe and secure.

Protecting Remote Workers and Their Data 

It is important to consider the cybersecurity implications of this new way of doing business. Remote workers are more vulnerable to cyber attacks than their office-based counterparts for a variety of reasons.

• Firstly, they often do not have access to the same level of security infrastructure as those in an office environment.
• Secondly, they may be using personal devices for work purposes, which can introduce new risks.
• Finally, they may be working in locations with weaker internet security, such as public Wi-Fi hotspots.

Here are some ways to protect remote workers and their data from such attacks:

1. Educate employees about cybersecurity risks and best practices.
2. Implement strong authentication measures, such as two-factor authentication.
3. Encrypt all sensitive data, both in transit and at rest.
4. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to secure all communication between employees and the company network.
5. Regularly back up all data to an offsite location.
6. Implement security awareness training for all employees on a regular basis.
7. Keep all software up to date with the latest security patches.
8. Use a firewall to block access to known malicious websites and online services.
9. Monitor the network for unusual activity and investigate any suspicious behavior immediately.
10. Plan for disaster recovery in case of a successful cyber attack.

Future of Remote Working

The future of remote working is looking very promising, especially with advances in technology. However, there are still some concerns about the security of enterprise data and systems when employees are working remotely.

The biggest security risk is the potential for data breaches, which can occur when devices or networks are compromised. Enterprises can mitigate this risk by implementing strong security protocols and ensuring that all employees have the appropriate training on how to keep data safe.

Other risks include phishing attacks and malware infections, which can be mitigated with good security awareness training and effective anti-malware solutions.

Overall, the future of remote working is very promising, but enterprises need to be aware of the potential security risks and take steps to mitigate them.

vCyberGuard by vTECHio can work with your organization to develop a remote security plan that includes secured internet and network access, antivirus software, secure storage solutions, MFA applications, anti-phishing tools, employee training, and more! Reach out today and find out how vCyberGuard by vTECHio can ensure your remote workers are secure and productive.