National Cyber Security Awareness Month: Protect Your Business

Posted by Pamela S. on Monday, October 15th, 2012

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. This week’s theme is Online Safety for Business/Industry. You may have security guards to protect your real property, but who is protecting your digital property?

This is the ninth year that organizations, communities and individuals work to spread awareness of the threat to our digital lives, and work together to strengthen our national cyber security.

President Obama issued a presidential proclamation, declaring October National Cyber Security Awareness Month.The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), the FBI, and Homeland Security are all working to promote online safety.

FBI Director Robert Mueller stated, “Cyber security may well become our highest priority in the years to come.”

The FBI stresses that because we are all linked together, every American who uses digital technology to connect with others, either at home or in the

workplace, plays a part in cyber security. Connectivity includes computers, iPads, and smartphones. Keep up to date with the latest cyber threats on the FBI website.

 

As an employer, you need to educate your employees to take the proper precautions. One wrong action by a careless employee could have serious consequences to your business.

According to the National Cyber Security Alliance, small businesses are at greater risk of becoming a target for cyber criminals because they don’t have the resources to protect their digital information.
The NCSA provides extensive information on

their website to help small businesses manage their security risk.

Here are some pointers:
• Make sure you have the latest operating system, security software, and web browsers.
• Ensure that you receive all automated software updates. Turn on automatic updates for your programs, if they are available.
• Don’t open unsolicited email or attachments. Use email filters and clear the junk out of your spam box.
• Passwords. We can’t say it often enough. You need to change your passwords regularly, and take the time to come up with strong passwords that are difficult to break. Don’t share or write down your passwords where they can be found.
• Scan all files downloaded to your computer by a USB or other external device.
• Practice the same vigilance on your home computers, and other devices.
• Be cautious about the information you share online; on social media, or other sites.

 

Learn about cyber security. A survey conducted by AVG Technologies showed that online scammers are increasingly targeting baby boomers. Younger generations are computer savvy, in fact many computer hackers are teenagers and young adults. You are never too old to learn.

If you own or manage a company, hold a class or seminar to discuss cyber security with your employees. Many security and private investigation companies can recommend an IT security expert to help you. We know how to protect our information, and we want to help you protect yours, because a threat to one is a threat to all.

Former FBI Assistant Director Tom Sheer has recruited the best from the FBI, DEA, IRS and Secret Service to build a formidable team at Sheer Investigations. Our private investigators have the sensitivity and experience to handle the most delicate investigations.