Cybercriminals are Taking Advantage of the Extreme Weather

Texas’ recent winter storms did an unprecedented amount of damage. Unfortunately, cybercriminals see this disruption as an opportunity to target those under stress and are more likely to make a mistake. Please take a moment to learn some steps to increase your cybersecurity protections.

Cyberattacks Continue to be on the Rise

In 2020, Governor Abbot warned Texans to be vigilant in regards to cybersecurity. Since then, cyberattacks on Texas businesses have only increased and will likely continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Worse, as companies struggle to return to normalcy, cybercriminals are increasing their attacks, aware that people under stress are more likely to make a mistake. 

While the worst of the storm is over, its effect lingers on, and, understandably, your team members will seek out information about regaining their footing. Cybercriminals are aware of this and are setting their traps and lying in waiting for them. Fake charities, fraudulent credit card offers, and other deceptive scams are targeting individuals and employees across the state. All of this, on top of the normal day-to-day cyberthreats that pose a huge risk for businesses, can be overwhelming.

It’s important to understand that most cybercriminals target people and not businesses directly. Human error is a lot more predictable than mechanical failure, and by using techniques such as social engineering, bad actors can target your team. Social engineering is most notably represented as phishing, but there are many techniques hackers can use to steal your data.

While it is true that many technical issues can affect your cybersecurity, such as unpatched and out-of-date software, the unspoken truth is your team is the biggest cybersecurity threat. Cybercriminals know and count on this and it’s why it pays to ensure your team has the tools and training to protect themselves and ultimately your business.

Three Managed IT Services That Protect Your Data

Spam Protection: While it is considered common knowledge that a large amount of the email your team receives is spam, what isn’t as well-known is how much time is wasted by your team due to spam. When you reduce the amount of spam your team receives, you increase your team’s productivity. However, investing in spam protection for your team provides additional benefits, including an increase in cybersecurity. By reducing the number of suspicious emails your team encounters, you also reduce their exposure to possible phishing attacks. 

Content Filtering: As your team members use the Internet at work, there is a risk they will visit any number of unscrupulous websites. Malware and ransomware can spread quickly when employees find themselves on shadier parts of the Internet, and time-wasting sites like YouTube, social media, and streaming services can be a big distraction as well. Content filtering will block dangerous sites, reducing the possibility of your business being exposed. All it takes is one team member making the mistake of clicking on a link or downloading a “helpful” file, and your entire business can be at risk.

Backup Disaster and Recovery: Ultimately, it is not a matter of if your business will face a data breach, but when. The power of the cybercriminal lies in their ability to gain control of your data; this is precisely how ransomware operates. Ransomware gains control of your data, usually by encrypting it and demanding a ransom for you to regain access to it. Cybercriminals count on your business not having adequate backup protocols in place, as these would eliminate their threats.

Your backup allows you the ability to keep your data under your control, removing the leverage a cybercriminal could have over your business. If you have any doubt about the value of your backup, keep in mind, the first thing a cybercriminal does when they attack your system is to try and destroy your backup. If you haven’t, now is the time to invest in a backup and disaster recovery plan because if your business is targeted, it will be too late.

Cybersecurity is Critical for Central Texas Businesses

The recent extreme weather hasn’t stopped cybercriminals from looking for new targets; if anything, they have accelerated their attacks. They are not resting, and neither can you. Despite the stress of recent events, your business can’t afford to relax when it comes to cybersecurity, particularly if you’re a small to medium-sized business. If you’re unsure what the best step is to protect your data, you don’t have to leave it up to chance. Capstone Works can assist you.

With Capstone Works as your cybersecurity partner, protecting your data doesn’t have to be difficult and we are committed to guarding your business against cyberthreats. Capstone Works provides your organization with a wide range of business technology solutions designed to keep your business up and running regardless of the weather outside. Call (512) 343-8891 today to schedule an appointment.