Cybersecurity risks

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March 5 2025

How an MSP Strengthens Your Business’s Cybersecurity Posture

loris Atgfw, Business Security, Cloud based service, Cybersecurity, Phishing, Servers, Uncategorized Backup Disaster Recovery (BDR), Business Security, Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity risks, IT Services, phishing

Cybersecurity is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. With threats like ransomware, phishing, and data breaches on the rise, businesses must take a proactive approach to security. But should you handle cybersecurity in-house or partner with a Managed Service Provider (MSP)?

1. Do You Have the Budget for an In-House Cybersecurity Team?

Hiring and maintaining an in-house cybersecurity team requires significant investment in salaries, training, and cutting-edge security tools. MSPs provide enterprise-grade security at a predictable cost, making cybersecurity more affordable without sacrificing quality.

2. Can Your Business Handle 24/7 Threat Monitoring?

Cyber threats don’t follow business hours. If your company lacks the resources for round-the-clock monitoring and rapid incident response, an MSP ensures constant protection, identifying and stopping threats before they escalate.

3. Are You Prepared for Compliance & Regulatory Requirements?

Industries such as finance, healthcare, and e-commerce must follow strict cybersecurity regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS). MSPs specialize in compliance management, ensuring your business meets legal requirements and avoids costly fines.

4. Do You Have the Right Security Tools & Expertise?

Cybercriminals continuously evolve their tactics, and keeping up requires advanced security solutions like intrusion detection, endpoint protection, and AI-driven threat analysis. MSPs provide access to top-tier security tools and skilled experts without the overhead of purchasing and managing them yourself.

5. How Fast Can You Recover from a Cyberattack?

A cyberattack can lead to data loss, system downtime, and reputational damage. MSPs offer disaster recovery and backup solutions, ensuring your business can quickly restore operations and minimize losses.

Key Features of an Ideal MSP

Offer a flexible service model
Take a shared approach to managed services
Have a solid strategic relationship with either your solutions or cloud provider
Have many consultants available
Offer advanced services
Utilize remote monitoring and management for proactive maintenance
Have a solid backup and disaster recovery strategy
Have an established escalation path and provide a secondary contact
Work with your legal team to address compliance issues

The Bottom Line

If your business lacks the budget, expertise, or resources for comprehensive cybersecurity, partnering with an MSP is the smart choice. By outsourcing cybersecurity to professionals, you get 24/7 protection, cost savings, compliance support, and peace of mind, allowing you to focus on growing your business. As cyber threats continue to rise, investing in an MSP is a strategic move that enhances your cybersecurity posture, compliance, and peace of mind.

🚀 Stay Secure. Stay Ahead. Consider an MSP Today! 🚀

Ready to enhance your cybersecurity posture?

🔹Contact Applied Technology today and take the first step towards a more secure future! 🔹

January 15 2025

“Passwords vs. AI Hackers: Your First Line of Defense in 2025”

Camden Wild Business Security, Cybersecurity, Phishing, Security System, Uncategorized ai, Backup Disaster Recovery (BDR), Business Security, Cyber Security, Cybersecurity risks

In a world where AI hackers never sleep, your best weapon is preparation.

In 2025, advanced AI hackers are pushing cybersecurity to the brink. A strong password is your first line of defense in this digital arms race. Protecting your data starts with mastering the basics: strong passwords. Here’s why they matter and how to stay ahead:

AI Hackers Are Smarter Than Ever: Machine learning enables them to guess weak passwords in seconds, exploiting simple combinations like “123456” or “password.”
What Makes a Password Strong:
- At least 12 characters long.
- A mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Unique for every account—no repeats!
Leverage Tools for Extra Security:
- Use password managers to generate and store complex passwords.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to create an additional security layer.
Avoid Common Mistakes:
- Don’t use personal info (birthdates, pet names, etc.).
- Steer clear of dictionary words or predictable patterns like “abc123.”

Don’t let AI hackers catch you off guard, because when it comes to cybersecurity, it’s better to be paranoid than sorry!

Partner with Applied Technology Group for robust cybersecurity solutions that safeguard your data, accounts, and peace of mind. From password management to comprehensive security strategies, we’ve got you covered.

📞 Contact us now to learn how we can help protect your organization against evolving threats 260.482.2844 | Sales@atgfw.com.

Let’s secure your future together!

August 25 2023

Small Business Cybersecurity Risks

Atgfw, Business Security, Cybersecurity Business Security, Cybersecurity risks, IT Services

Cybersecurity Insurance & IT Services

Digital technology continues to evolve which can result in cybersecurity risks. The good news is these changes bring a multitude of new ways that businesses can grow. But along with these developments, there are also the growing risks of online threats. No matter how you try to protect yourself, there will always be a prevailing danger every time you enter the online environment. Even large multinational corporations sometimes become victims of cyber-attacks. So, it’s no challenge to breach small businesses and cause cybersecurity risks.

Addressing Inadequate Security Measures

The good news is those small businesses are not helpless despite the alarming rise in the volume and severity of cyber-attacks in recent years. We can apply several easy but effective steps to mitigate cybersecurity risks. If you look at the most common reasons businesses fall victim to online attacks, it almost always boils down to poor security measures.

For instance, many employees still use weak passwords and have not received training on internet security measures. Many companies use old verification systems or simple authentication methods, leaving their data vulnerable to online attackers.

These are issues that even small businesses can address using an up-to-date cybersecurity strategy. If you don’t have the means to implement this kind of protection, you can always enlist the services of a managed service provider specializing in cybersecurity solutions. We’ll tell you more about this at the end of this blog.

How to Bolster Online Security

If your business gets infiltrated by hackers, it can cost a lot in different aspects. You can lose customers, lose revenue, and experience slow operations. It might even force you to shut down your business in case of customer or vendor data loss. To avoid this trouble, you can take some simple steps right now to bolster online security and prevent online attacks from ruining your business.

Train Your Employees

Most hackers do not directly attack a company’s database or network but go through the weakest path of entry: the employees. Seemingly harmless emails and links might be traps set up by online criminals to get into your system. Every employee must be wary of these suspicious links and know-how to identify possible online threats in various forms.

Update Your System

Technology changes rapidly. The system that once gave you ironclad protection may now be a flimsy wall of defense. Once you miss an update to your system, your entire business will become vulnerable to new malware that hackers have recently developed. It is therefore critical to ensure that your security is always up to date.

Have a Reliable Backup and Recovery Plan

Despite all your protective measures to mitigate cybersecurity risks, you can’t be 100% protected at all times. Therefore, it is vital to have a reliable backup system and quick recovery plan to bring your system back in order in case of an attack. A managed services provider can help you set up a recovery strategy to minimize your losses and get you back into regular operation as soon as possible.

Partnering with an MSP Can Significantly Reduce Your Cybersecurity Risks

Cybersecurity threats will always exist, but there are plenty of ways to defend your business against these threats, like partnering with a dependable Managed Service Provider.

June 1 2023

Cyber Insurance and Compliance: How it Can Help Your Business Meet Regulatory Requirements

Atgfw, Business Security, Cybersecurity Business Security, Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity risks, IT Services

Cybersecurity Insurance: Part 2

As the threat of cyberattacks continues to grow, businesses must take proactive steps to protect their data and systems. Compliance with regulatory requirements is a key aspect of this, but navigating the complex landscape of regulations can be challenging. That’s where cyber insurance comes in. By providing an additional layer of protection against cyber threats and helping businesses meet compliance requirements, cyber insurance can be an important component of an overall cybersecurity strategy. In this article, we’ll explore how cyber insurance can help your business meet regulatory requirements and protect against cyber threats.

Understanding Compliance Requirements

To meet regulatory requirements, businesses must typically implement a range of security controls and measures, such as firewalls, access controls, and encryption. They must also have policies and procedures in place to help ensure that these measures are properly implemented and maintained.

Some of the key compliance frameworks and regulations that businesses may need to comply with include the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), and the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP).

How Cyber Insurance Can Help

Cyber insurance provides an additional layer of protection against virtual threats. By having cyber insurance in place, businesses can demonstrate to regulators that they are taking cybersecurity seriously and take preventative steps to protect their data and systems.

Some policies may even provide coverage for regulatory fines and penalties, which can help businesses manage the financial impact of noncompliance. Others can provide access to risk management resources and services, such as security assessments and employee training, which can help businesses improve their cybersecurity posture and meet compliance requirements.

In conclusion, by having cyber insurance in place, businesses can both look good to regulators and feel good about their organization’s protection. Cyber insurance can be an important component of an overall cybersecurity strategy, helping businesses to meet regulatory requirements and manage risk.

May 25 2023

Cyber Insurance vs. General Liability Insurance: What’s the difference, and why does it matter?

Atgfw, Business Security, Cybersecurity Business Security, Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity risks, IT Services

Cybersecurity Insurance: Part 1

As cyber threats become increasingly prevalent, businesses are looking for ways to protect themselves against potential data breaches and cyberattacks. Two common types of insurance that businesses may consider are cyber insurance and general liability insurance. While both types of insurance provide protection, they cover different types of risks. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the difference between cyber insurance and general liability insurance, and why it’s important for businesses to understand the distinction between the two.

General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance covers businesses against claims of bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injury. This type of insurance is typically required by law and intended to protect businesses against legal liability for accidents that may occur on their property or as a result of their operations.

General liability insurance may cover a wide range of incidents, such as slip-and-fall accidents, property damage caused by your employees, and advertising injuries, such as libel or slander. However, it typically does not cover losses related to cyberattacks.

Cyber Insurance

Cyber insurance, on the other hand, is specifically designed to protect businesses against losses related to cyberattacks. Coverage can include a wide range of incidents, from data breaches to cyber extortion to business interruption caused by a cyber incident.

Cyber insurance policies may also cover a variety of expenses, such as forensic investigations, legal fees, notification costs, credit monitoring, and public relations expenses. Some policies also provide coverage for loss of income or extra expenses incurred as a result of a cyberattack.

The Difference Between Cyber Insurance and General Liability Insurance

As emphasized in the descriptions above, the main difference between cyber insurance and general liability insurance is the type of incidents that they cover.

Why Does it Matter?

As cyber threats continue to grow in frequency and sophistication, it is becoming increasingly important for businesses to protect themselves against cyberattacks. While general liability insurance is an important form of protection for businesses, it is not sufficient to cover losses related to cyberattacks. Cyber insurance can provide an added layer specifically-designed protection.

By understanding these distinctions, businesses can better protect themselves against a wide range of threats. With the right insurance coverage in place, businesses can focus on what they do best, knowing that they are protected against the unexpected.

April 7 2023

8 Biggest Threats to Small Businesses

Atgfw, Business Security, Cybersecurity, Phishing Breaches, Business Security, Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity risks

Breaches: Part 2

We still see the same scene in horror movies: the main character runs into the house, slams the door, locks the deadbolt and sighs in relief — but somehow the killer still sneaks up and attacks them from behind!

If you own a small business you just might find yourself in a similar situation. Sometimes small business owners spend large amounts of time and resources physically protecting their operations just to let the most dangerous threats sneak in through the figurative back door.

Today we’re going to talk about the 8 biggest security threats to small business in 2019, in no particular order. While a few of them are new, some past risks are still very much in play.

Phishing

Not only is this the number one threat to cybersecurity, it’s also still on it’s way up. Phishing attempts were reported by 48% of small businesses in 2017 — up from 42% just one year prior. All indications point to this trend rising as it requires the least amount of resources and knowhow to attempt.

Microsoft Document Scams

There’s nothing safer than opening up a Word document, right? Think again! For the past few years, scammers have been getting creative with coding that allows them to gain access to your computer, which is why Microsoft has been having to work overtime to create new patches. However, since many companies delay updating their software, this remains a prime option for criminals.

Ransomware

Currently, over 1,100 different variations of ransomware are being tracked around the world. The FBI has stated that there has been a sharp uptick in these attacks recently and they advise that the practice will continue to grow rapidly the coming years. So far this year, not just businesses, but entire cities have paid ransoms to get their data back.

Cryptojacking

As cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin have exploded on the scene, their demand and value have gone up as well. Although you can’t physically mint a Bitcoin as you could a dollar bill, they are “created” in a process known as mining. This is a resource-intensive practice that requires computing power that thieves often lack. The solution? Hijack other computer systems to do the computing for them, taking a toll on bandwidth and slowing down networks.

Internet of Things (IoT) Attacks

Technology is rapidly increasing, not just in computing devices, but in everything that’s become a computing device. With IoT technology, you can connect your servers to your security system, HVAC system — even the microwave in your break room! While this allows everything to be connected and consolidated in one place, it also creates vulnerabilities. Most of these devices have very weak security protocols in place: who would want access to the toaster in the office next door? But as they are often connected to the main network, it creates a backdoor that can — and has repeatedly been — exploited.

Mobile Devices

Many small businesses feel safe doing business on their mobile devices only to have them be one of their weakest points. While most of us have been lectured about using unsecured Wifi ad nauseam, the most recent threat to mobile computing is our reliance on the Cloud. In the past few years, companies such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft have made cloud backups a standard part of their services. Since so much information is stored in one location, it creates a prime target for criminals to attack and gain access to your information. While that may not be a problem if you’re just backing up family photos or text messages from your sister, any important documentation or other data for your business may have also found its way onto these mega servers without you even realizing it.

Undertrained Employees

What has been mentioned to this point is just a sample of the ever-evolving external cyber threats to your business. While an easy fix might be to hire someone who just graduated from a reputable university, the truth is, that may not be enough. A recent study showed that 40% of companies surveyed said that having employees with an applicable degree has shown not to be good enough to keep their systems safe. That same survey showed that less than 25% of applicants for cybersecurity positions were deemed qualified. If that’s how things look in your company, you may feel safe today, but might be in danger for what’s coming over the horizon. It is estimated that training someone to do the job well takes over six months!

Understaffed Security

In line with the last point, an estimated 69% of companies will have an understaffed cyber threat team, with a large portion of this being companies with absolutely no one in this role at all. What does this mean for a small business? Either people with no experience will have to fill this position, or there is nothing in place to protect valuable data from hackers.

The killer hiding in the back seat, sneaking in through the back door, or — even worse — he’s already in the house, are all clichés. Do you know what else is cliché? Letting your small business fall victim to cyber-attacks. While not all attacks might be avoidable, you’re much safer from attacks if you’re prepared. Updated security software and regular data back-ups are invaluable in this process. Awareness of the latest threats is also key. Just like in the movies; when a killer is loose, no one should feel safe.

March 31 2023

Are you on a Hacker’s watchlist?

Cybersecurity Breaches, Business Security, Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity risks 0

Breaches: Part 1

Why a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy is important to your business?

Here’s an alarming statistic for Small Business owners: 65% of cyber-attacks are aimed at small to medium businesses.

If you’re a small business owner, you’re aware that your company might be vulnerable to attacks by hackers. Even if they haven’t found a way to break into your system yet, you can be sure someone is trying to find a way to steal your precious data. Hackers enjoy a challenge, to a point. If they can’t crack your system the first time, it’s more than likely that they’ll keep trying.

If they can’t get in they’ll eventually go away, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be back.

There is a good chance a hacker is watching your business right now. And a chance someone has already breached your security. According to one study, it takes an average of six months for businesses to realize that they have been, or are being, hacked. It then takes up to 55 days to confront and suppress the attack. By then it’s too late: the damage has been done.

But why do hackers target small businesses? Some of the reasons are obvious, and some may surprise you. Here is a list of 6 reasons why Small Businesses get hacked:

Under the Radar

Not every hacker wants to be famous. Most don’t care about getting their conquests splashed all over the news. Many hackers attack small to medium businesses because those groups are less likely to report security breaches. The first reason for not reporting the breach is that the damage to their reputation can be much more expensive than the temporary loss of revenue, or the price of the ransom they’ll pay to retrieve their data. The second reason attacks go unreported is because law enforcement agencies are not cybersecurity experts.

2. Complacency

Businesses go through cycles; some good, some bad, but hopefully at the end of the day those cycles will all lead to company growth. While planning budgets, new hires, and equipment purchases for growth, frequently the security updates and back-up (BDR) hardware needed to protect that growth will fall through the cracks. Your old security software probably won’t be good enough to take you safely into the future. Sure, it got you where you are, but don’t rely on it just because it’s been “good enough” up to now.

Smaller budget for Security

It’s no secret that occasionally, especially during growth phases, budgets get shifted around, and what was allocated for security last year may not be in the budget this year. An alarming 90% of small businesses admit to operating occasionally with no security system in place at all. No virus protection, no firewalls, no spam filters, and no back-up systems. The scary part is that the remaining 10% probably just didn’t want to admit it.

Lack of proper employee training

Here’s an alarming statistic for you: up to 95% of ALL cybersecurity breaches that hit small businesses are due to human error. You try to stay on top of cybersecurity training for your staff, but people come and go all the time and training is bound to get put on the back burner. Sometimes breaches happen because simple procedures aren’t followed correctly. Password hygiene is a basic skill everyone should know; things like how to create a password, and why you should never write down your password and leave it posted to your computer. Not opening attachments to emails is also important, since over 92% of all malware is delivered via email.

Usually quicker to pay the ransom

One study has shown that 53% of small businesses will pay the ransom to hackers upon contact with them. This is related to our first topic, “Under the Radar,” since the reasoning behind paying quickly should mean you’ll experience a shorter downtime. Paying the ransom is still no guarantee that you’ll get your data back. After all, these are criminals you’re dealing with. Plus, when you pay a hacker, you only encourage them to continue attacking businesses like yours.

You’ve been hacked before

Hackers are like sharks: they can smell blood in the water from miles away. Once the word gets out that you’ve been hacked, and that you’ve paid the ransom, you’ll have hackers lined up around the block. Like a lot of criminals, hackers are looking for the path of least resistance. Once they hear you’re an easy target you’d better prepare yourself for all kinds of cyberattacks.

It takes work to develop a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, train your employees on what to look out for, and maintain regular data backups, but all these things and more are necessary in today’s cyber landscape. Almost every day there are news stories about companies getting hacked, corporations paying millions in ransom, and small businesses closing because of hacks. Companies like Apple, Amazon, Target, and Facebook can afford the best security available, yet they still get hacked. Make cybersecurity a priority for your business and you’ll increase your chances of staying off a hacker’s watchlist.

March 22 2023

Training your Team to be the Best!

Cybersecurity Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity risks, IT Services 0

March Madness of Cybersecurity: Part 2

Cyber threats are always on the rise, and businesses are constantly looking for ways to protect themselves. One of the most effective ways to train your team is through gamification.

What’s That?

Gamification is the process of using game design elements and principles in non-game contexts to engage users and solve problems. It is a powerful tool that can help organizations improve employee training and development. Gamification can be used to create immersive and interactive learning experiences that are more engaging and effective than traditional training methods. It makes learning more fun and interactive by incorporating game elements such as points, badges, levels, and leaderboards. This helps employees stay engaged and motivated to learn!

How It Works

We include this approach in our own cybersecurity training program for your team. This includes phishing simulations and scenarios that replicate real-world cybersecurity threats. This allows employees to experience and learn how to deal with cyber-attacks in a safe and controlled environment.

This can provide immediate feedback to employees, allowing them to learn from their mistakes and improve their skills. This can help identify areas where employees need further training or support.

It can also reinforce learning by incorporating repetition and feedback. This can help employees retain information and apply it in real-life situations.

And finally, it’s fun. Gamification can create a sense of competition and motivation to learn among employees. This can lead to improved learning outcomes and a stronger cybersecurity culture within the organization.

This effective tool for training employees and improving cybersecurity is just one component of our solution. By making learning more engaging, interactive, and effective, it can lead to a better-trained workforce and a more secure organization.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, organizations must invest in employee training and development to stay ahead of the curve, and we can help your business to achieve this.

January 20 2023

Compliance is a Team Project

Uncategorized compliance, Cyber Security, Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity risks, IT Services 0

Compliance Series: Part 3

With all the rules and regulations surrounding the compliance alphabet soup in play today, it will take more than one person to bring your company in line. We’ve laid out the multiple roles needed to up your compliance game, especially when it comes to HIPAA, PCI, and GDPR.

IT Team

Your first line of defense against compliance failures is the technology in use and the team you have to maintain it. Consult with your IT team to discuss:

Email Encryption: How are emails and files that go in and out of your office protected to avoid nefarious hands and revealing identifying information?
Data Encryption: How do you collect and retain credit card information? Are there any gaps where that information could be stored or released in an identifiable way?
Firewall: Are you protecting your company data and communications using a screen door that is easily opened by hackers, or are you using a multi-level security system preventing intrusions?
Backups: How often, when and where is your precious company information backed up? Can you test your backups to prove that they’re effective? Is your current backup plan compliant with regards to customer data?
Data Availability and Storage: Who has access to your data? Only certain individuals in your company should be able to access all data, like financial records or payment information. How are you restricting access on your network or within line of business applications to ensure safety?
Physical Access: Who can actually access computer systems and servers? Do you train your staff to lock their systems every time they leave their desks? Are you using privacy filters on appropriate screens to avoid wandering eyes?

Internal Compliance Officer

While this may not need to be a full-time role within your organization, you should have a compliance champion on staff. Your IT company can absolutely set you up for success, but they are not around to police your staff every hour of the workday.

The Compliance Officer is responsible for ensuring that your staff follows important compliance policies, maintains vigilance surrounding compliance, keeps documentation up to date, and works with authorities if necessary. Specifically, they:

Watch for employees falling into bad habits, like leaving computers unlocked or sending credit card data willy-nilly throughout the organization.
Conduct/coordinate online or in-person training to keep compliance top of mind. We recommend quarterly training, at least, in addition to proper education as soon as a new employee comes on board.
Maintain all the documentation required for compliance, like backup plans and communication standards.
Liaison with federal and state regulators, as necessary to prevent or mitigate an issue (with the support of your IT Team and legal team).

All Employees

You can have the best technology, the most intense compliance officer, and still completely fail at successful compliance if your employees are not onboard. At the end of the day, it comes down to successful employee implementation and clear communication. In order to get employee buy-in, here is what we recommend:

Gather everyone together: When you first make tweaks to your company’s security protocols to ensure compliance, explain why to your team. If they suddenly all need to remember 16-character passwords, replace those passwords every 90 days and have 5-minute time outs on their systems; they’d appreciate learning it’s not because you’re paranoid. You can utilize your IT Team to conduct this meeting.
Send regular reminders: It’s simple to fall into what’s “easier” rather than compliant. Consider sending a weekly or monthly compliance tip to all of your staff to keep it top of mind.
Conduct ongoing trainings: These trainings should be mandatory, involve your IT team, and vary enough to stay interesting. Quarterly should be sufficient unless some regulation change calls for additional meetings.
Multi-departmental planning: Different teams have different uses for data. For example, what makes the salesperson tick may make it impossible for accounting to operate within compliance. When it comes to collecting information that must be compliant, every department must be involved in process development to create smooth operation within rules and regulations.

Compliance is not a one-man game. It involves the whole company and IT team engagement to really be successful. Next blog, we’ll cover the processes necessary to build a compliance-friendly environment.

November 21 2022

Quiz Time: Can You Handle Social Media Phishing Attacks at work?

Business Security, Cybersecurity, Phishing Business Security, Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity risks, Cybersecurity threats, phishing, social media threats 0

Our last three blogs have discussed cybersecurity threats and how they affect a business. We have talked about the dangers that stem from various types of malware. We have warned you about the newest cybersecurity risks expected to wreak havoc on businesses soon. And in the face of the ongoing growing acceptance of remote work setups, we have delved into the threats related to working from home. Now, we will now talk about social media phishing.

The common thing in all these topics is that they are all linked to phishing. A strong phishing attack can make a network open to the online threats that we have talked about. Thus, you and your employees must know how to handle social media phishing attacks at work. To find out just how prepared your staff is to circumvent phishing attacks on social media, you can have them take the following quiz.

A Brief Quiz on Social Media Phishing

Here are ten statements that have to do with phishing in social media. Read each one carefully and decide whether it is TRUE or FALSE.

It’s safe to click on social media links and messages at work.
A lot of phishing attacks use publicly available information.
Social media phishing attacks target only individuals, not organizations.
A cybersecurity risk assessment reveals the weak areas in your company’s security strategy.
A ransomware attack occurs once every 40 seconds.
Hackers have a lower chance of attacking smaller businesses.
Malware and virus protection is more important than employee cybersecurity training.
Cybersecurity insurance can save your business.
Two-factor authentication is better for account logins.
Working from home and working from the office are equally safe.

Quiz Answers

False – Even if your company has a reliable cybersecurity system in place, it’s never 100% certain and could be a social media phishing scam. Always be conscious and vigilant if you want your data and network to stay secure.
True – Most of the time, hackers use information already available to the public. We should be careful in revealing information, even if it seems harmless. Hackers might use anything that is made public as a tool for attacking your important files.
False – Social media phishing attacks used to target individuals, but the hackers that use this method have now levelled up and are also targeting organizations, even big companies.
True – You don’t have to wait for an actual phishing attack to gauge the strength or weakness of your defenses. An MSP can give you a thorough risk assessment to identify the weak spots you need to work on.
True – Ransomware attacks are much more frequent than people realize. Most businesses are on a hacker’s hit list, but they have not launched an attack yet.
False – Smaller businesses are at a greater risk because they often have weaker defenses against online threats,
False – Both are very important and go hand-in-hand with an effective cybersecurity strategy.
True – Some business owners forego getting cybersecurity insurance, thinking it is unnecessary and expensive. But if you fall victim to a security breach, it can cost you upwards of $50,000, and cyber insurance can help cover such amounts.
True – Two-factor authentication is much harder for hackers to penetrate than single-step login, making it more secure.
False – While there are plenty of things we can do to make working from home safer, it is still not nearly as secure as working from the office, where software updates and router upgrades are easily done.

Evaluating the Results

Did you get a 10? If so, you have the knowledge and skills to deal with any online attack! Warding off phishing attacks on social media will be a cinch!

A lower score means you need more training, which is something the company can do. As a comprehensive managed services provider, we have a highly competent cybersecurity team that can train your entire staff and prepare your company to face cybersecurity risks. Contact us today to learn more!

If you want to be more thorough with testing your Phishing knowledge, we have another quiz for you to take! After taking your quizzes, if you need to learn more about cybersecurity please watch our cybersecurity webinar, so you can better protect yourself and your business!