In 2018 there was a big rise in smaller companies being targeted and that trend is continuing to rise in 2019.
- Cyber-attacks cause:
- Financial damage – costs that you cannot get back or sometimes cannot insure against
- Damaged reputation – bad news about your organisation makes potential clients more cautious about using your services/products
- Computer downtime – reducing efficiency and productivity
- Temporary closure of services or product runs – resulting in you losing business or failing to meet deadlines
- Where are your key vulnerabilities?
- What back-up systems do you have in place in case of a loss of data?
- Do you rely on cloud-based systems or your own server?
- What assets do you have, how are they used? (include computers, laptops, mobile phones)
- Have your policies in place for accessing the internet, setting up and changing passwords, email use?
- Do you limit access to compartments of your data only – or can everyone see everything?
- Do you ever let external agencies or individuals have access to your systems?
There are no quick fixes to addressing any issues you have – and don’t believe anyone who says there are. One improvement option is to use the international standard for information security – ISO 27001. Like other standards it requires, as a first step, a review of current arrangements and the identification of vulnerabilities. The standard then sets out key controls that you need to demonstrate are in place.
If ISO 27001 is something you want to find out more about then just get in touch with QCS International and we can explain what training and consultancy services we can offer.
Please don’t become a victim of cyber security crime. Take the time to explore the avenues of vulnerability and take the first steps to combat the possibility of security breaches. The cost of doing nothing can be considerable.