Tag: Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity Precautions Anyone Can Implement

Post: Oct. 23, 2018

 

October is cybersecurity month so it’s the perfect time to discuss some simple precautions all companies should take to reduce the likelihood of a data breach. Manufacturing companies that deal with the United States DOD have certain cybersecurity requirements to protect their data but all companies, no matter the size or industry, should follow several cybersecurity best practices.

Multi-factor authentication is an easy to use tool that companies can implement to keep passwords safe from hackers. Multi-factor authentication requires multiple forms of identification before granting users access. This can include codes sent to your cell phone, fingerprints, or even facial scans. Hackers that steal your password are unable to access your accounts without this second form of identification, making it much more difficult.

Making each new password unique can difficult and challenging to remember. Password managers are another tool that can be used to generate passwords and save them in encrypted lists that cannot be accessed. Finding a trusted password manager can eliminate the need for memorizing or reusing passwords.

Software updates can be annoying but its important that we stay up to date on them to reduce our vulnerability to hackers. Hackers have the ability to detect these vulnerabilities and release malware on our devices and applications. The time spent updating is much less inconvenient than a data breach.

Adobe Flash Player is one of the most popular methods of streaming media online, but its poor security has experts suspicious. The software has been hacked thousands of times and many electronic companies recommend turning it off. Requiring that company devices disable Adobe Flash Player is a simple way to protect company data.

The use of Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) ensures that you use an encrypted connection on all possible websites, and notifies you when one isn’t available. “Just a few years ago, most websites used unencrypted connections, which meant anything you typed into a form on that site would be sent in plain text and could be intercepted with little effort.” HTTPS is easy to install and facilitates safer connections.

These are five simple steps to improving your cybersecurity. For more information read the full article here.

Time to Beef up Cybersecurity

Post: Aug. 29, 2018

 

Last month the Council of Industry partnered with Fuzehub to discuss the importance of cybersecurity with our local Hudson Valley manufacturing companies, and offer suggestions and resources for improvement. In this digital era quality cybersecurity is no longer an option, it’s now a necessity. The Cybersecurity Workshop, which was held on July 26th at SUNY New Paltz, featured several guest speakers who stressed the need for small and large companies to protect all electronic data against an attack or unauthorized use.

Many small companies believe they are safe from cyber attacks, but that is not the case. Small and large companies are affected by breaches in cybersecurity every year. Experts believe that as summer winds down, and employees are retuning to work after their vacations, now is a great time to beef up cybersecurity. Luckily there are small changes that any size company can implement to improve security.

First and foremost, ensuring that all employees are creating strong passwords that are updated regularly should be a major priority. This is a relatively simple change that can make a big impact. Creating password requirements, implementing two-factor authentication and requiring users to regularly update their passwords are all easy ways to improve cybersecurity.

Reminding employees to be wary of phishing scams can also prevent malware from being planted on company devices. Employees who are educated and informed on cybersecurity are more likely to be cautious and identify cyber attacks before they do damage. Staff play a big role in ensuring that company data stays protected, make sure they understand the importance of cybersecurity.

For more easy ways to improve your company’s cybersecurity read the full article here.