It’s easy to blame technology for all the world’s ills. After all, the increasing ubiquity of smartphones, tablets, and other internet-connected devices has greatly broadened the number of cyberattack opportunities. There is also the constant threat facing older systems that are no longer kept up to date, as the UK’s National Health Service found out last year when its ancient Windows XP-powered machines fell victim to the global WannaCry ransomware attack.
Social Engineering Is Behind Most Data Breaches
The fact is that humans are still the weakest link in cybersecurity and data protection. No amount of cutting-edge technology can change that, and even the best cybersecurity solutions are only as effective at preventing disaster as people are at using them. In fact, modern technology is itself extremely effective in most cases, which is why many cybercriminals are focused more on the human element, rather than exploiting vulnerabilities in technology itself.
The social engineering scam is the delivery vehicle of choice for most data breaches and other security meltdowns, including ransomware. Although ransomware is itself a type of malware, it has to get onto your computer in the first place, but that’s not easy if your software is up to date and you’re running the latest security solutions. To get around these controls, attackers will resort to social engineering scams to build trust and break down your layers of security one at a time.
Since social engineering scams target people rather than technology vulnerabilities, the only way to fight them is to implement an ongoing staff training regimen. For many businesses, such as those operating in healthcare, a training regimen is also a matter of complying with government regulations.
Although enterprise-grade spam filters will help keep most scams at bay, there’s a growing risk of sophisticated attacks targeting specific members of an organization. You can only combat this by eliminating employee ignorance and creating a culture of accountability in which all members of your team know which signs to look out for.
Learning How to Use Technology the Right Way
Most ransomware attacks, or any other cyberattack for that matter, can be avoided easily with a little common sense and a few good habits. Employees who are ready for the next ransomware attack aren’t just kept informed about the latest threats and potential vulnerabilities – they have the tools and knowledge required to proactively guard against them. That said, it’s not their job to worry constantly about the security of your systems or waste their time trying to fix trivial IT problems.
To safeguard your business from ransomware and other threats, you need to make things as easy as possible. Make sure your security policies are thorough, up to date, and easy to follow. Remember that a security policy is only worth the paper it’s printed on if your employees are fully aware of it and understand it. It’s crucial that employees know what to do if they spot anything suspicious, as well as the consequences for failing to meet your security standards.
Employees can either be the weakest link in cybersecurity, or they can be your first and last line of defense in the form of an impenetrable human firewall. By making sure they’re fully aware of ransomware and other security risks, they’ll know what to look out for and who to notify when something goes wrong. Above all, your employees need to remember that security isn’t just something for the IT department to worry about – it’s something everyone needs to be well-informed about.
Founders Technology Group helps businesses stay safe in the rising tide of cybercrime. By partnering with us, you’ll have regular vulnerability assessments, enterprise-grade spam protection, full network security, and business continuity. Call us today to get protected!