Every organisation is susceptible to security breaches. More companies are using mobile technology to connect and access various online resources and assets, which substantially increases their risk.

Cyber criminals are becoming more advanced with their security attacks. Experts in cybersecurity predict that security threats are likely to increase, which is why you should consider these factors and actions.

 

  1. Security Breaches Happen 24/7/365

Cyber criminals work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Therefore, a security breach can happen anytime and anywhere. As businesses conduct more business online, their websites are at risk. Financial and personal data are vulnerable to cybercrime especially when unsecured channels have access to information from mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.

  1. Security Breaches Cost Money and Time

Blue Coat reports that the average security attack can cost a business an average of $10,000. That’s the amount of money required to pay ransom to get the data released and restored to the database. Once a cyberattack occurs, the organisation must also rebuild its reputation.

Cyber criminals have gotten substantially more creative in getting past security patches. Companies that are responsible for sensitive information are required by law to ensure the tightest security measures available to them.

  1. All Business are Vulnerable

While it seems like large companies would be more at risk for cyberattacks, that’s a myth. Small and medium-sized business should also be just as concerned and wary of security breaches. Phishing campaigns are often the culprit targeting small businesses.

  1. Cyberattacks Come from Various Sources

Employers and employees should be aware of the possibility of cyberattacks wherever and whenever they are accessing data and resources online. Employers should educate their employees on appropriate security protocols to minimise the risk, but even that won’t eliminate the problem. They should be aware of what suspicious emails, malicious links, fraudulent SMS text messages and websites look like. These are the gateways that allow hackers to gain access to servers and how they infect a network.

  1. Mobile Technology Increases Cyberattack Vulnerability

The vulnerability of when, where, and how to attack has exponentially increased since mobile technology was developed, mostly because it offers a way to communicate on a global level. That means information is being shared at various points, secured and unsecured, across the world.

Mobile devices used for business and work purposes should be secured properly and well-maintained. Improving productivity and communications is a good thing in business, but everyone should be aware of the security risks.

 

Mobile Tech Security Protocols & Actions

Mobile technology isn’t going anywhere. If anything, it will continue to advance. Therefore, you must be prepared and armed with security protocols and actions.

  • Regularly update anti-malware on mobile devices
  • Limit or block the use of any third-party software
  • Use encrypted communications via VPN (virtual private network)
  • Customise and isolate gateways used for mobile data and communications
  • Use stronger password authentication or biometric identification
  • Perform regular mobile audits of all devices and the network
  • Make mobile devices more secure by locking them down when they aren’t being used.

Help your employees understand that cyber threats are part of doing business and how it affects the business and their jobs. Teach them to be proactive about securing their mobile devices they use for business purposes.

 

With all that said and done, if you are serious about your data security, you should consider managed IT support by a company you trust.