Common Cybersecurity Mistakes To Avoid

Businesses cannot afford to make cybersecurity mistakes in 2024. Experts state that cybercrime is the biggest threat to businesses, with attacks becoming much more sophisticated and prevalent in recent years. It is not just the large corporations that are targeted either, so small businesses must make cybersecurity a top priority. This post will explore a few of the most common mistakes that businesses make in regard to cybersecurity. By being aware of the most common mistakes, you can find ways to strengthen your protection and prevent a cyber attack from succeeding. Having strong protection in place will also provide peace of mind. Read on to find out more. 

Lack Of Employee Training 

Perhaps the biggest mistake that businesses make in 2024 is a lack of employee cybersecurity awareness training. Statistics show that 95% of attacks succeed as a result of human error, which means that attacks are usually preventable. Cybersecurity awareness training will teach your employees how they can avoid scams like phishing and ransomware and how to protect sensitive data. This will help to prevent successful attacks and give your team confidence in their abilities to work safely. Attacks are becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect, so knowledge is essential. This training should also be ongoing so staff can detect the latest scams. 

Using Predictable Passwords 

Data breaches often occur as a result of hackers working out passwords. Therefore, you need to implement a strong password policy. This policy should require the use of random, complex passwords using a mixture of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Passwords should also be required to be changed regularly. In addition to this, you should require the use of MFA for extra protection. 

Delaying Software Updates 

Another common mistake that many are guilty of is delaying software updates. This is easily done, especially when in the middle of an important task, but delaying software and operating system updates can put you at risk. This is because the latest updates are likely to contain security patches and bug fixes that will address cybersecurity weaknesses and protect against the latest threats. Therefore, you should require that staff complete software updates as soon as possible. This will give you the best protection against the latest threats. 

Granting Too Much Access 

Giving all employees the same level of access is another common mistake that can be costly. Instead, you should only give staff access to the resources and data required for their role. Be sure to update these controls as staff changes occur, particularly when someone leaves the business. 

Not Using A Business VPN 

Remote work has become normalized since the COVID-19 pandemic and can provide a wide range of benefits for employers and employees. It allows employees to work anywhere with an internet connection, but this can be a risk when working somewhere with public Wi-Fi, such as a cafe or library. Failure to use a business VPN can make it easy for hackers to conduct data breaches and cyberattacks, which is why businesses should provide a high-quality business VPN for remote workers. This will create a virtual private network, enabling employees to securely access company resources and data over the internet. A business VPN will encrypt data, making it harder for unauthorized access to confidential information. 

Lack Of Endpoint Security Measures 

Another risk that remote work can present is endpoint security. Remote work means that staff are often using various different devices (endpoints) for work, which can include smartphones, tablets, and laptops. All devices must be properly secured to protect against cybercrime. This can be achieved with high-quality antivirus software, firewalls, and mobile device management (MDM) systems. It is also important to monitor and update your endpoint security to stay protected against the latest threats. 

Failure To Monitor Networks 

A failure to monitor networks can lead to a successful cyber attack as it might be too late to take action by the time a breach takes place. Therefore, all businesses must use network monitoring tools that will enable them to detect and respond to security issues in real-time. These tools can provide alerts and reports on suspicious activity so that timely action can be taken. 

Failure To Test Protection Regularly 

Implementing strong security measures is vital, but you must also regularly test your protection to ensure that there are no weaknesses. This can be achieved with regular security audits and PEN testing, which involves simulating an attack on your business. These methods can highlight any vulnerabilities you have so that you can fix gaps and strengthen your security posture. These tests should be conducted frequently to protect yourself against the latest and most sophisticated threats. 

No Cyber Insurance 

Even with strong security measures in place, you will still be at risk. A successful cyber attack can cause significant damage to your business in terms of financial costs, downtime, reputation damage, and legal and regulatory issues. Cyber insurance is vital as a way to protect against the costs of a successful cyber attack and can provide peace of mind, knowing that you will not suffer financially. 

No Incident Response Plan 

No incident response plan can make it challenging to react to a successful cyber attack in a swift and effective manner. Therefore, you need to have a plan in place so that staff known what action needs to be taken to minimize the impact of a successful attack. You should also practice this response plan regularly to assess the readiness of your team. 

These are all common mistakes that you need to avoid in 2024. Cybercrime is a growing threat and can cause irreversible damage to a business, so cybersecurity must be a top priority for businesses of all sizes and in all industries in 2024. When you are aware of these mistakes, you will know how to strengthen your protection and reduce the chance of a successful attack.