Preparing for the future is never easy, especially not when it comes to cybersecurity. As the IT landscape has always been volatile and threats show no signs of slowing down, improving and increasing your cybersecurity strategies should be top priority in 2019.
In a recent survey, nearly 68% of the IT leaders admitted that their business had suffered at least one cyber attack in 2018. And the study also revealed that 19% of the businesses surveyed had absolutely no plan in place to deal with a cyber-attack. This is disturbing news for most UK businesses.
As a business, information is arguably one of your most valuable assets. But how can you ensure that your data is kept safe from hackers and malware? Our experts recommend that you must start by religiously stepping up your cybersecurity game each and every year. And since a new year is just around the corner, you can achieve this by becoming knowledgeable about the possible security threats lurking ahead. By actively staying informed, you can formulate better strategies and techniques for keeping your online environment healthy and safe from malicious players.
Cybersecurity Threats in 2019
A recent investigation by the FBI, revealed that daily ransomware attacks now number to over 4,000. That’s a lot. This number is expected to increase in 2019, so it might be about time you get a cybersecurity strategy in place.
A rather new security threat is the exploit of bitcoin payments to solicit money from both individuals and companies alike. What they usually do is ask a user who clicked on an infected or malicious link to send payments, which can go as high as $3000, so the problem can be fixed. Another popular option this year was the Bitcoin-Porn scam, where users were informed that their webcams had been hacked and that “sensitive” photos had been taken of them. If they pay in Bitcoin, the blackmailers informed, the photos would disappear. This was all a scam, but many scared individuals paid up.
Another cybersecurity threat is cryptomining. This involves cybercriminals mining for virtual coins with the help of computing resources, such as cryptocurrency mining software. Over the next year, these cryptojackers are expected to increase their mining efficiency by preying on IoT and mobile platforms.
Aside from the abovementioned, 2019 is also expected to bring more cybercriminals determined to exploit the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy of several companies. This policy allows employees to use their own electronic devices for and at work. While this may be convenient for many workers, it also poses a big threat if they don’t properly secure their mobile devices.
Top 3 Strategies for Stronger Cybersecurity in 2019
In order to address these threats, it’s imperative that you step up your cybersecurity game. And the best way to do so it to employ better, more reliable, and efficient security strategies.
Implement A Security Protocol
To ward off ransomware attacks, companies should come up with a solid actionable protocol that employees can easily follow and initiate. Additionally, it’s imperative that employees must be briefed about and strictly required to stay away from unsecured websites, as well as clicking on spam messages and emails from unknown senders. There should be restrictions applicable to every workstation, regardless of the position of the employee.
This security measure may sound overly simple, but it’s something that few companies actually do. It’s been repeatedly highlighted by experts, but many continue to brush it off – assuming it’s something “everybody knows”. As a matter of fact, educating your employees is the first big step to effective and efficient cybersecurity.
Likewise, all BYOD policies should be regularly reviewed and scrutinised. If you find that you can’t provide the necessary security, you might consider terminating the practice to ensure a safe online environment.
READ MORE: The Best Secure VPNs of 2019.
Benefit from Ad-Blockers
For cryptojacking, the ideal protection and prevention strategy is the use of cryptocurrency mining detectors. These can help identify whether an enterprise is infiltrated by unauthorised software.
However, these programs can be costly. As such, it can be an option to come up with a comprehensive cybersecurity awareness campaign and training, specifically focused on phishing attacks. If your employees are well-informed about phishing threats, they become more aware of what to look out for in terms of security protection – meaning they are less likely to let the cryptojacking software into the system in the first place.
Additionally, you can implement ad-blockers into your employees’ browsers. The scripts used in cryptojacking normally come from ads, so an ad-blocker can provide significant protection.
Follow Data Privacy Regulations
2019 will be the year when additional data privacy regulations will be drawn up.
This means that more and more companies will take the challenge to ensure the security of their data. While the GDPR came into effect this year, there’s a strong expectation for an increase in similar requirements all around the world.
We believe that data privacy will continue to be a major issue in 2019, so make it your mission to follow guidelines and keep your sensitive data as safe as possible.
Increase Your Cybersecurity
Despite the fact that trends, predictions, and strategies are laid out year after year, many businesses still find it difficult to completely facilitate and implement solid cybersecurity strategies.
As technology, and the threats that come with it, is ever changing, it’s clearly a challenge for modern organisations to find the resources needed for good and efficient strategies. This is why many companies work with dedicated cybersecurity providers.
By working with a cybersecurity provider, your business will be well-informed and equipped with the latest and most efficient technologies on the market. If you’re looking to take your cybersecurity to the next level, YourShortlist should be your first stop.
Want to know how you can best stay cyber safe? Get in touch via the contact page.