Neither will anti-virus software. Even major security enterprises like LastPass and SolarWinds, using sophisticated technology, are not immune to attacks by persistent cybercriminals. Both companies were hacked due to employee error. One employee was an intern, the other an experienced security software engineer. We’re all vulnerable.
That’s why protecting your business requires layers of protection, and your employees are your first layer of defense. Human intelligence is often better than artificial intelligence at defeating hackers, but building good cybersecurity habits requires effective training. That means repetition and short, interesting lessons that are relevant to your IT systems. All Net Connect can help.
Here’s what a layered cybersecurity system might include:
- Well-trained employees at the keyboard.
- A commercial firewall to block unwanted traffic.
- The latest anti-virus software on every device.
- Only updated and essential software on computers, servers, and phones.
- Two factor authentication and complex passwords for each site or app.
- Backups of data and systems that hackers can’t see.
One size doesn’t fit all. Large enterprises have more money and greater needs than mom and pop businesses, and it is important to stay within your budget. But it’s also important to take the threat seriously. The World Economic Forum ranks “widespread cybercrime and cyber insecurity” eighth among the 10 most serious threats in the coming decade. Cybercrime is expected to cost businesses worldwide $10.5 trillion a year by 2025, according to Cybersecurity Ventures (as reported in Forbes).
Criminals want to get their share. Prevention is the best way to stop them.