Cyber security has been a hot topic recently in the insurance industry. In fact, 2020 was a year of change for many. The businesses that lacked digital abilities established networks in a matter of weeks or months, versus what would have taken years. Regardless of how advanced a business was the work from home dynamic has created a whole new dilemma. Vulnerability management and risk assessments are more critical than ever. Ensuring your key assets are well protected is not only desired but expected. Learn about the last 5 habits of good cyber security.
6. Be wary of public or open wireless networks
While I know we all love our wi-fi, it does pose some significant cyber security concerns. No public wi-fi is 100% secure, so always use good judgement when deciding to jump on an open wi-fi network. If you really need to get that email off to that big client, use your mobile hotspot from your phone. If that’s not an option, you will have to weigh your risk vs. reward.
7. Update your antivirus software regularly
Some people are super avid password changers, but you can’t just rely on changing your password every month as a defense against cyber attacks. Why is that not enough you ask? Well, there are new forms of cyber attacks that appear all the time. The best thing you can do is make sure you and your organization are up to date with current online threats. This means updated antivirus software as well as installing updates for all browsers. But don’t forget the human side. In fact, 95% of cybersecurity breaches are caused by human error. Make sure your staff is aware of what they need to do as well.
8. Never send payments without confirming with the source
We make a lot of transactions online to pay for our goods. Our youth today won’t even know what a checkbook is because paying online is so automated. But, (there’s always a but) be sure that link to PayPal or Venmo is going exactly where you want it to go. If you need to make an online payment, confirm directly with the recipient that you have the right payment address and confirm they’ve received your payment when the transaction is complete. Third parties offer protection for online transactions, as do most credit cards (versus using a debit card). Be sure to check with your provider for specific protections.
9. Actively train employees how to be safe online
No one is ever really out there seeking to get a virus. But even with all these great tips, if you keep the knowledge all to yourself, this was all for nothing. All it takes is one employee to slip up and expose your business data to hackers. We don’t want that. Make sure your staff follows your set cyber security guidelines and has basic network security awareness and systems in place. The guidelines discussed here are a good starting point for a company-wide plan.
10. Don’t install apps without verifying
Malicious software makes the internet a risky landscape and creates hazards to your company. Utilizing software that isn’t authorized by your employer results in financial loss, reputational damage, and severe malware infections. The key to making sure the software is secure is to consult your IT team before installing it to verify that the application is accepted to download.
I hope you know by now we don’t want anything to happen to you or your business. If you want to sit down and discuss how we can keep your business safe, call us at 712-277-2424 and schedule a meeting to discuss your security needs or fill out this form online. We’re here to serve.
