The way we work is changing. With the rise of hybrid and remote working, It is said that 60% of knowledge workers are now remote with 18% not returning to work and businesses operate flexibly now more than ever before. This new way of working comes with its own set of challenges, one of which is the increased risk of cyber threats with a larger attack surface. In this blog post, we will discuss the most common types of cyber threats that your business might face in the new era of work, and how you can protect yourself against them.

What are the 3 most common cyber threats?

1. Phishing attacks. Phishing attacks are when criminals send out fake emails or texts that appear to be from a legitimate source, in an attempt to trick the recipient into giving them sensitive information. These attacks can be difficult to spot, as they often use very convincing techniques.
2. Data breaches through scams and compromised emails. Data breaches can occur when criminals gain access to your company’s confidential information, such as customer data or financial information. These breaches can be extremely damaging to your business, as they can lead to the loss of customers or the exposure of sensitive information.
3. Ransomware attacks. Ransomware attacks are when criminals encrypt your company’s data and demand a ransom to decrypt it. These attacks can be very costly, as they can prevent you from accessing your own data.

Click here to learn more about other threats and how to report these.

What are some of the measures I can take to protect myself?

In this new digital and remote/hybrid era, it’s become much easier for cyber criminals to steal your data, which requires us to be more vigilant than ever before. To protect yourself, it requires either you or your business to apply some best practices to reduce the risk of breaches.

• Your people. This is your first line of defense. it is important to educate your employees on how to spot them and have a system in place for reporting any suspicious emails or texts.
• Firewalls and encryption. Having this will help stop any attackers from getting in but if they do happen to, the data is then encrypted for extra protection.
• Regular backup of data. Having a backup system in place can save you a considerable amount of legal and financial risk. This way, if your data is backed up and encrypted, you will still be able to access it coupled with a plan for how to respond if you are attacked.
• Two-factor authentication and strong passwords. This will ensure we’re confirming identity and that only authorised personnel can access the data with strong passwords to back that up.

 

Conclusion

Cyber security is an important issue for businesses of all sizes. With the increase in cyber threats, it is essential that businesses take steps to protect themselves. Starting with educating your employees, having a strong security system, and having a plan for how to respond to attacks, you can help protect your business against the many challenges of the new era of work.

Not sure where to start? Have a chat with one of our experts!