Security Best Practices is the Responsibility of Everyone

With the alarming escalation in global cybercrime, Twinstate Technologies stresses that it is the importance of everyone to follow security best practices to guard against cyberthreats.The cybercrime game has changed. Cybercriminals are no longer lone, shady characters in the shadows. They are often a part of a sophisticated organized crime network. Global cybercrime is so well organized that, according to the McAfee Report 2013, its revenue has surpassed drug trafficking. Interestingly, hacking remains the vast majority of cyberattacks today and overall malicious cyberactivity is escalating. Its targets are everywhere, from small and medium businesses, to Fortune 500s, to private individuals. Twinstate Technologies® fights cyberthreats through its Information Security Services (ISS) and emphasizes how important it is for everyone to implement good cybersecurity practices.

“The fight against cybercrime begins with awareness, education and action,” said Twinstate Technologies’ CEO Devi Momot, GSLC. “We can’t afford to continue living and working as we did one day, one year or one decade ago. If we, as a global society, are going to contribute to stopping cyberactivity that threatens our private information, livelihood and wellbeing, we need to be proactive by taking steps now to combat cybercrime. Practicing good cybersecurity, every day, in every feasible way, is the responsibility of everyone, from CEOs to end-users. Unfortunately, not everyone is convinced they need to take action.”

Many experts believe it’s not a matter of if you’ll be breached; it’s a matter of when. Whether in the professional or personal sphere, it’s important to determine what matters the most in regards to protecting data and system continuity. Ask yourself: What can I absolutely not allow to happen?

Staying abreast of current exploits and new security measures, sharing knowledge, implementing protections that detect and defend against threats, following expert password advice or evolving cybersecurity policies are a few of the many ways to improve security posture. On the business front, cybersecurity should never be an after-thought. It should be a part of the business focus and process, supported by the CEO, and not something that is dealt with later. Education and awareness are the most important elements of cybersecurity to provide to your employees; the steps are easy, inexpensive and as important as your technology protection.

As a starting point, every organization should have vulnerability assessments on a periodic basis.

“With progressing technology, cybercrime advances,” said Twinstate Technologies’ Cybersecurity Specialist Chris Maulding, Certified Ethical Hacker (C│EH). “Conducting a vulnerability assessment is an excellent way to expose areas of weakness in your technology environment to assist in securing and reinforcing systems before they are exploited by cybercriminals.”

“We are inundated with information pertaining to exploits, such as the Target, Neiman Marcus and University of Maryland breaches, and the recent Internet Explorer zero-day attack,” adds Momot. “However, many individuals and organizations continue to do what they’ve always done – rely on basic measures and standard practices, like implementing an anti-virus or looking to IT to handle it all, to keep their cyberenvironment safe. The “basics” are no longer sufficient security practices. What is needed now isn’t theory; it should be put into practice.”

Today’s business leader should be keenly aware of where their business assets are and how they should be protected. Years ago, it was acceptable to relinquish total responsibility and awareness to your IT team. It is no longer acceptable for a CEO to not have any idea of the security of their organization. A CEO has different questions and concerns, and the viewpoint is complementary and healthy when involved in conversations concerning an organization’s security posture.