Cybersecurity Plan

A strong cybersecurity plan will help your company avoid cyber risks.

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Create a Strong Cybersecurity Plan

There are several things to consider when creating an effective cybersecurity plan. Here are a some of the things your cybersecurity plan needs to cover.

Email Security

Your cybersecurity plan needs to include email security tools like spam detection as well as ways to train your employees to spot these hacking attempts so they don’t accidentally open infected attachments or visit malicious websites. Most of all breaches Start with email phishing attempts.

Email Security Tips

Cybersecurity awareness training is your first line of defense. A tailored class can teach your employees email best practices, the red flags of phishing emails, the dangers of clicking on attachments or following unverified links, and to question strange requests for sensitive data via emails.
Post reminders in shared spaces. Remind employees of their responsibility by posting cybersecurity best practices and email security tips where they will be seen by everyone.
Phishing simulations will let you see just how prepared your employees are.

Network Security

Your cybersecurity solution needs rigorous network security software. These network security tools should routinely scan all installed applications to check for compromise as well as look for recently installed software or applications and devices that were not authorized.

Network Security Tips

Update security patches on all devices. All software security patches must be updated as soon as they are made available, on every machine or device, every time.
Never use outdated or unsupported versions of software. Always upgrade to the latest version of the software you are using. Don’t continue to use unsupported versions of any software.
Require strict log-in procedures. Discourage using (and reusing) passwords that are easy to guess. Add another layer of security by requiring a multi-factor login procedure.

Endpoint Security

Endpoints include all the devices and machines connected to your network. These must be individually secured via password protection to make sure a hacker is stopped before he or she can move from the device and into the network and access information. Encryption is a network security tool that renders a file unreadable to an outside source who doesn’t have a key, and is another way to protect your endpoints from being hacked.

Endpoint Security Tips

Passwords and multi-factor logins: Every device should be protected by several layers of authentication and strong passwords that are changed frequently.
Encryption: Encryption is an important part of your cybersecurity plan.
Physical security: A device becomes a vulnerability the moment it is lost or stolen. Make sure all your hardware and devices are physically protected under lock and key and kept away from public areas of your offices as much as possible.

Cloud Security

Storing all your files in the cloud is a great way to add another level of protection to your cybersecurity strategy. The damage done by a breach is limited to how much data the hacker can access; moving your file storage to a secured cloud platform means that bad actors can’t access them even if they breach a device.

Cloud Security Tips

Choose a cloud services provider that provides complete cloud services: Not all cloud services providers are the same. Choose one that has complete cloud services including file storage, backup and recovery solutions, and connectivity.
Understand what files need to be moved: You may save some money by only moving critical data to the cloud.
With the cloud comes cyber risks: Make sure that if your employees are accessing files in the cloud that they are doing it safely: from a secured device using encryption, a VPN and MFA, and on a protected WiFi connection.

Backup & Disaster Recovery

Your backup and business continuity plans are the most important aspects of your overall cybersecurity strategy. It’s more than just restoring files after a breach, it’s restoring files after accidental deletion, fire, flooding, or any other natural disaster.

Backup & Disaster Recovery Tips

Move your backups to the cloud: Again, cloud solutions are the best way to store files for backups for ease of access and speed of restoring the lost data.
Never store backups in the same location as your original files: If a fire broke out in your office, your backup files will be destroyed as well if they are kept on-site.
Test your solutions: Your back-up plans need to be routinely tested to make sure that they are ready for a disaster of any kind.

Vendor Management

You may not consider your maintenance man to be a vulnerability, but the truth is that everyone you work with outside the office, every product supplied to your organization, and every service that touches your business is a potential cyber breach. If a cyber breach happens because a third-party vendor was hacked, you can still be held liable.

Vendor Management Tips

Make a list of all your vendors: You will need to audit every vendor that supplies goods or services to your business. Gather all agreements together to make sure they are fulfilling their contract to your organization. Audit these vendors for signed Business Agreements.
Check regulatory status: If you’re in the healthcare company, even your third-party suppliers may need to be HIPAA compliant. Are your third-party vendors’ compliances in line with your own?
Vet, vet, and vet: Your liability will increase if you knowingly continue to do business with a partner who isn’t taking their own cybersecurity seriously. If the company has had a recent breach, investigate it and consider switching vendors to protect your own reputation.

Cybersecurity Plan Challenges

There can be challenges you need to address before creating an effective cybersecurity plan. Here are a some of the challenges you may face.

Budget

The cost of cybersecurity is one of the biggest challenges facing businesses today

Budget Tips

IT budgets that need to increase to meet current cybersecurity demands. Create a roadmap to include an increase in your cybersecurity budget.
Best practices say that 7 to 10% of your total IT budget should be used for cybersecurity.
Privacy concerns and industry regulatory requirements are a top priority in cybersecurity spending.

Insecure Networks

Any unsecured network will have weaknesses: unprotected devices, outdated antivirus software, poor password or email practices, missing security patches, or open WiFi connections.

Insecure Networks Tips

Make securing your network a priority with strict password requirements.
Implement Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) for all logins.
Provide regular cybersecurity awareness training to your employees.

Insider Threats

Insider threats account for a majority of breaches. Your employees will always be your biggest security risk.

Insider Threats Tips

Your employees are your first line of defense. Holding a cybersecurity awareness training class is the best way to educate your workforce and teach them to help you protect your network.
Create policies for employees, such as an Acceptable Use Policy and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies.
Phishing simulations to test your employees’ readiness and ability to spot phishing.

Reach out to us for a free consultation with a Cybersecurity expert.