With shorter days and falling leaves, apples and pumpkins ready for harvest, and Halloween just around the corner, October is one of our favorite times of year here at Netrix Global. Much as we love the thrills and chills that skeletons, witches, and spiderwebs bring, we also appreciate the fact that October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This year, we’re focusing on the latest trends and best practices to keep your digital life secure in 2024.
When it comes to protecting your organization from the frightful ghouls lurking in the darkest corners of the Internet, the most important steps you can take include adhering to fundamental cybersecurity best practices. These remain the same whether you’re working in the office or remotely, whether you’re accessing cloud applications or software that’s hosted on premises, and whether you’re a computer engineering expert or someone with less of a technical bent. They’re well-established strategies, but all too often, busy employees forget their significance or underestimate the risks. That’s why awareness is so critical – and why National Cybersecurity Awareness Month provides an all-important reminder each year.
With that, we’d like to call your attention to these tried-and-true methods for reducing your cybersecurity risks, both at home and at work:
Cyber threats evolve rapidly. In 2024, we’re seeing an increase in sophisticated phishing attacks and ransomware. Make sure your software and systems are up-to-date with the latest security patches. Regularly review cybersecurity news to stay informed about new threats.
MFA continues to be one of the most effective ways to protect your accounts. Implementing two- or multi-factor authentication adds a layer of protection beyond the passwords that safeguard your accounts. Once it’s set up, users need to present an additional form of identity verification before they’re granted access to accounts or online resources. This additional factor could be evidence that they have a smartphone (proof of receipt of a text message), access to an email account, a unique code or token, a fingerprint or even a retina scan. With MFA in place, even if you do fall victim to a phishing attack, there’s an extra barrier standing in the way of cybercriminals seeking to make use of compromised credentials. In 2024, consider using biometric authentication methods, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, which are becoming more accessible and secure.
Human error remains a significant risk. When it comes to cybersecurity, knowledge is power. Because attackers are always on the lookout for new ways to trick potential victims. The better you understand the tactics criminals are currently employing to gain access to user accounts or personal and financial information, the less likely you are to fall victim. Regular training sessions on recognizing phishing attempts and safe internet practices are crucial. In 2024, leverage interactive and engaging training platforms to keep your team informed and vigilant.
Software vendors frequently update their products and as soon as vulnerabilities are discovered, they issue patches that fix problems that have been discovered. Some of these vulnerabilities are severe, in some cases even enabling malicious third parties to completely control someone’s computer without their knowledge. Cybercriminals are constantly scanning the Internet for machines that are running older versions of software that contain vulnerabilities that can be exploited. Enabling automatic software updates is an easy way to protect yourself from these sorts of attacks. It ensures that all new patches will automatically be applied to your computer as soon as they’re released.
Cybersecurity policies should be living documents that evolve with new threats and technologies. In 2024, review your policies to ensure they cover remote work security, the use of personal devices, AI, and the latest compliance requirements.
Looking for more advice from industry professionals on how to stay one step ahead of cybercrime? Connect with the experts on our team and check out our blogs resource section and where you’ll find more information, practical tips and wisdom from the field.
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