It’s a typical weeknight and you find yourself ‘browsing’ the net. You aren’t thinking of the risks as you click away - you have antivirus software after all. All of a sudden you get a message from Microsoft, making your heart sink. You’ve been hit with ransomware.
But all is not lost - a number from tech support pops up, your saviour. You call and after a short chat, follow the easy instructions to give them remote access to your computer. For just a small fee, you now have the issue resolved and new anti-ransomware software installed.
Days pass. You haven’t given it another thought until you see a news segment about online scams. Interestingly, there are similarities to your call with the ‘tech support’. You almost choke on your coffee, realising that you have been duped.
An increasing number of media reports highlight businesses - both large and small - experiencing some form of cyber security incident. Talking to our network about cyber security, it's evident that there is also some confusion about what is needed to protect your business and how you can do cost effectively.
Cyber security is a large field and there are many players. We hear about the bad players - the evil doers that try to gain access to our systems. However, we don't often hear of the good players - those IT providers and individuals in our community that help improve and protect the systems and practices of our businesses. There are many of these currently servicing our franchise community and they should be applauded for their good work.
Just as selling a residential property is not the same as selling a boat, we still need to be vigilant that the advice our businesses are receiving is relevant and effective. Just because your wireless internet is setup and working, doesn't necessarily mean it has been effectively secured. We have unfortunately seen instances where poor advice and lack of appropriate systems maintenance resulted in lost data or funds.
There are many strategies to help secure your business however it's important to understand that cyber security doesn't have to be expensive or complex. Just like insurance, one size does not fit all and there are many options depending on the size and makeup of your business. Understand the systems and data that you own or maintain, what the impact to your business would be if they were lost or stolen, and size your response appropriately. Remember, simple strategies can be very effective. Your current provider should be able to walk you through this process.
And remember, cyber security is a team sport. It's not enough just to install some software and then forget about it. We all need to be on constant lookout, whether it be an email that doesn't look quite right or someone you don't recognise walking through your office. If in doubt, ask!
When's the last time your IT provider reported on the cyber health of your business?
If you’re concerned or unsure of your current provider, we’re happy to help and are able to provide some alternatives if you’re not happy with your current provider's level of service.
