As Cybersecurity Awareness Month continues, so does the conversation on online and internet safety.
This week, the spotlight shines on not just individual awareness but the importance of keeping a business's safe from would—be ne’re-do-wells, as well as advice from local law enforcement on how to stay alert and aware.
Understanding the Landscape
Curt Dueck, president of SolutionsIT, emphasized the fact that every organization is a target. He notes, “Most people when I talk to them… say, you know, how do you feel you are secure? And they say, well, I haven’t been attacked… they have no objective measurement”.
Dueck continued to explain that organizations often rely on outdated measures such as basic antivirus software or a false sense of security derived from not having experienced a breach.
“That thought process… that I’m a small business… I’m not a target, just isn’t the case anymore”. T
According to Dueck, the stark reality is that over 68% of businesses have login information available on the dark web, making the risk both real and pervasive.
“Total security really is… a program, not an event, right? We need to consistently be looking at what… where am I at?”
The Role of Local Law Enforcement
On the front lines of combating cybercrime, Chief Ryan Hunt of the Winkler Police Service notes the rising number of calls related to scams and internet fraud, stating that, “Unfortunately, we do get quite a few calls regarding scams of all different types.”
Chief Hunt is a strong advocate of keeping a defensive mindset: “Treat everything like it’s a scam until you can prove otherwise”
When scams do occur, the path to recovery is often fraught with challenges. “It’s pretty tough… generally our officers will take a file… gather as many leads as possible... but usually it ends up in a dead end.”
Related stories:
- Scammers Incoming: How to protect yourself while online
- Cybersecurity Essentials: Strengthening your digital defenses
Best Practices
Both Curt and Chief Hunt agree on several key strategies for enhancing cybersecurity:
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Regular Security Assessments: Businesses should engage with cybersecurity professionals for periodic security reviews and penetration testing. Dueck notes, “The most important thing that any business can do going forward is just know… where their security risks are”.
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Awareness and Education: Organizations should foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness among employees, emphasizing the importance of cautious behavior online, such as verifying the legitimacy of communications before sharing sensitive information.
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Communication Protocols: In the event of a suspected scam, end all communication with the suspicious party and alert their financial institutions immediately.
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Community Resources: Chief Hunt encourages residents to utilize local resources such as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, stating, “They have a lot of lists on there of current scams”.
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Involvement of Trusted Individuals: If ever uncertain on arises about the legitimacy of a transaction or communication, people are urged to seek advice from trusted family members or friends.
Conclusion
Staying vigilant and aware of a person’s internet safety isn’t something that needs to end with Cybersecurity awareness month.
Utilizing all the tools talked about by both Curt Dueck and Chief Ryan Hunt in these past three articles, a person should find themselves well equipped to look after themselves and take on the wild west that is the digital space.