Cyber Criminals not taking a break during Pandemic.

Three helpful tips that you can use to improve your cyber security at home and the office

Every day, we hear more and more horror stories about cyber attacks on government entities (from federal to local city and county agencies) and private companies (from large corporations to mom-and-pop shops).  One well-executed cyber attack can cripple an organization or even put it out of business entirely.

It is a common misconception that only national corporations or large government agencies get attacked and that small companies or local agencies are too small to be attacked.  However, everyone connected to the internet is at risk.

While a successful attack against a large company can yield a massive payday for a cyber criminal, the attack must be sophisticated to circumvent the cyber security teams working 24×7 to protect the company.  However, with much less effort, an attacker can strike five smaller businesses that don’t have the same resources and generate as much money as one complicated attack on a single organization.

Here are three helpful tips that you can use to improve your cyber security at home and the office.

• First, update your antivirus software.  Whether you use Norton or McAfee or something else, you cannot just “set it and forget it.” New threats are detected all the time, and antivirus companies push updates out, but it’s up to you to install those updates.

• Next, install any security patches released for operating systems and programs.  Like your antivirus, when vulnerabilities are discovered in software programs, developers create patches to secure programs.  But you must update them for it to work against these threats.

• Third, use strong passwords, and DO NOT use the same password for everything. It may seem impossible to keep up with all the passwords you need for every app or account you access.  But the easier you make it for yourself, the easier you make it for a hacker to crack.  The longer the password and the more numbers and special characters you use, the harder it is to crack.

Despite a pandemic that has created an unpredictable environment, Commonwealth Sentinel Cyber Security launched in Frankfort on October 1st to work with small businesses, local governments, and non-profits. 

We are a partnership between co-founders Sheri Donahue (Chief Executive Officer), Leo Haggerty (Chief Operations Officer), and Kim Vanderoort (Chief Business Development Officer) to provide cyber security to organizations without resources or dedicated cyber security professionals.

For example, an IT team sets up employees’ ability to work remotely using laptops and home networks. The Cyber Security team implements the tools and training for the employees, along with policies that must be followed, which ensure the safety of the organization’s data.

Another misconception is that as long as you have a firewall or antivirus software installed, you are safe.  This overlooks the need for updating software or patching vulnerabilities as they are released.  A basic tenet of Commonwealth Sentinel is that the more effective cyber security strategies are built upon three pillars – technical, physical, and personnel (policies/training).  Commonwealth Sentinel not only helps to implement the firewalls, updates, and patches, they also help educate employees and develop policies that fit the organization’s culture.

Remember, COVID isn’t our only threat.  Cyber criminals can attack anybody from anywhere. 

To help you protect your organization, we offer a variety of services based on your needs.

• Commonwealth Sentinel’s Vulnerability and Threat Evaluation is an assessment of your current level of cyber security protection. The Vulnerability and Threat Evaluation includes scanning your network, interviewing your employees, reviewing your physical security, and reviewing your policies. 

• The Transformation Management Service helps you implement the identified solutions that will bring your cyber security to a higher level of protection.  This includes adding or changing technical tools, helping to write policies that fit the culture of your organization, and training for your employees.

• In order to provide continuing security administration, Commonwealth Sentinel offers a Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) Management service.  We can provide the resources you need for real-time response to updates and patching needs as well as training for new employees or refresher training to ensure your staff is part of your security team.

In the event of a cyber incident, Commonwealth Sentinel has Incident Response Management. If you get hacked, we are here to help!

To learn more about Commonwealth Sentinel or make an appointment for a free consultation or call (502) 320-9885.

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