5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Organization’s Cybersecurity 

Backup, cyber attacks, cybersecurity, Ophtek, secure WIFI, Training, two-factor authentication, VPN, , , , , , ,
10
Oct 2023

With cyber-attacks showing no signs of slowing up, it’s more important than ever before to make sure your organization’s IT systems are protected. 

Luckily, this doesn’t necessarily involve huge amounts of investment. In fact, some of the most effective ways to protect your IT infrastructure are the simplest. But not ever business realizes this, and this is why so many find themselves falling victim to cybercriminals. Therefore, it’s crucial that you start implementing the best solutions for protecting your organization. 

How Do You Keep the Cybercriminals at Bay? 

To help you get started with securing your defenses, we’ve put together 5 easy ways to improve your organization’s cybersecurity: 

  1. Two-factor authentication: passwords are an amazing method of protection, and this is why they have been used as a security measure for decades. However, a breached password is of little use when it comes to securing your IT systems. Therefore, implementing two-factor authentication should be a major priority. This extra layer of security involves a user receiving a unique code – via registered text or email – to confirm their identity after entering their login credentials. This means that, even if a password is stolen, there is a further security hurdle to overcome. 
  1. Training as a team: training sessions are essential when it comes to educating your staff on the dangers of malware and threat actors. However, one-to-one IT induction processes aren’t enough. You also need to develop programs which train your team as a whole. Studies have shown that group learning is more effective and this is exactly what you need when building your IT defenses. 
  1. Secure your networks with a VPN: one of the best ways to protect your organization’s data and internet connections is by using a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN establishes secure connections between remote employees and the organization’s network, maximizing data privacy and preventing data breaches. It does this by encrypting data transmissions, shielding sensitive information from hackers, and preventing unauthorized access. Combined with tunneling protocols and authentication mechanisms, a VPN will help you create a secure digital barrier. 
  1. Create backups: many cyberattacks, particularly ransomware campaigns, focus on stealing and restricting access to data. This is why backups should form a major part of your IT defenses. By creating multiple backups – see our guide to the 3-2-1 backup method – you are essentially creating a safety net for your business in the event of a data breach. While it may not mitigate every negative impact of a data breach – such as customer data being leaked – it will minimize the risks of data loss.  
  1. Secure your Wi-Fi network: there’s absolutely no need for your Wi-Fi network to be publicly visible. By advertising the presence of your Wi-Fi network, you are inviting threat actors to test your defenses. Therefore, you need to not only secure and encrypt your Wi-Fi network, but also hide it from public view. This can be achieved by instructing your router to never broadcast its network name, also known as the Service Set Identifier (SSID). 

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals. 

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Social Engineering Used to Hack into Camera Firm

Cyber Security, Employee Training, malware, Ophtek, Password Security, social engineering, , , , ,
22
Mar 2022

Social engineering is one of the modern menaces of online life, and this has been demonstrated by a recent malware attack on a Swedish camera firm.

Axis Communications, who manufacture network and security cameras, are the company at the centre of this recent attack. The organization announced that they had been the victims of what they described as an “IT-related intrusion” and advised that, as a result, they had temporarily closed their public-facing services online. Naturally, the attack caused great disruption to Axis; it also brought to light a number of shortfalls in cyber-security, namely the impact of social engineering.

What is Social Engineering?

Social engineering is a form of hacking which involves using various methods of deception to glean information from the victims. So, for example, an employee who receives an email, from what appears to the organization’s IT department but is from a fake email address, asking for confirmation of their login credentials is a form of social engineering. And these incidents of social engineering don’t have to take place online, simply telling someone your mother’s maiden name – a popular choice for password recovery questions – is another example.

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How The Axis Attack Happened

The exact details of the Axis attack are yet to be released as the company are conducting a forensic investigation intoexactly what happened. Nonetheless, they have revealed the following details:

  • Several methods of social engineering were used in order to gain access to the Axis network, these were successful despite the presence of security procedures such as multi-factor authentication.
  • Advanced hacking techniques were used by the hackers – once they had breached the network – to enhance their credentials and gain high-level access to restricted areas.
  • Internal directory services were compromised by this unauthorized access.
  • While no ransomware was detected, there was evidence that malware had been downloaded to the Axis network.

Following concerns of suspicious network activity, and the employment of IT security experts, all external connectivity to the Axis network was closed down.

How to Protect Yourself from Social Engineering

It can be difficult to tackle the highly polished social engineering methods employed by hackers, but following the practices below can make a real difference:

  • Always Think: slowing down and assessing the situation is crucial when it comes to social engineering. If someone has asked you for sensitive information, such as password details, ask yourself why the need this and what could they do with it? Internal sources – such as managers and IT departments – will never ask for this, so guard your password carefully and, to clarify the situation, speak face-to face with the person who has apparently asked for it.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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British Snacks in Short Supply Due to Ransomware Attack

anti malware, Backup Strategies, Employee Training, Ophtek, PC Security, PC Training, Ransomware, , , , ,
22
Feb 2022

British shoppers have been warned to expect some of their favorite snacks to be in short supply following a ransomware attack on a major manufacturer.

KP Snacks has been producing snacks in Britain since the 1850s, but this production has recently run into a major obstacle: ransomware. Cyber criminals have successfully launched a ransomware attack on KP Snacks, and its effects are running deep. Due to the impact of the ransomware on their IT infrastructures, KP Snacks has had to advise stores that delays in production are expected. As a result, British shoppers are likely to be facing empty shelves when they head out to pick up their favorite snacks.

Snack food may not be crucial to society, but the impacts of this hack demonstrate why organizations need to remain vigilant.

The Story Behind the Snack Attack

Following an unexplained outage of their IT systems, KP Snacks investigated and discovered that they had fallen victim to a strain of ransomware. The exact details of the ransomware in question has not, as of yet, been disclosed. However, rumors are circulating that the attack was launched by the WizardSpider group, a gang of hackers who attacked the Irish health service in 2021. It’s alleged, according to leaked sources, that KP Snacks was given five days to pay a ransom fee, but clarification on this is lacking.

The response of KP Snacks has been to launch a defensive strike against the attack. Being a major organization, the snack makers had a cybersecurity response plan which was quickly put into action. Third-party security experts have also been drafted in to complete a forensic analysis of the firm’s IT infrastructure. Nonetheless, the disruption to productivity has hit KP Snacks hard. As well as their IT systems being compromised, their communications systems have been hit equally hard. In modern business, these two elements are essential for operating and, as a result, supply shortages are expected.

Protecting Yourself Against Ransomware

While a shortage of snacks may sound like a mild inconvenience, this is only the tip of the iceberg. Not only is there a financial risk for KP Snacks, but the company’s employees can also expect financial ramifications e.g. delayed payments due to compromised IT systems and even the threat of redundancy. Naturally, this is a situation that no organization wants to find itself in, so make sure you always follow this advice:

  • Always Backup: the main impact of ransomware is that it encrypts files before demanding a ransom fee to decrypt them. However, you can minimize the impact of this effect by ensuring you have a strong backup strategy in place. This will provide you with access to your data and provide you with business continuity.
  • User Training: ransomware can be activated in a number of different ways such as infected emails, malicious links and running outdated software. Thankfully, shutting these attack routes down is relatively easy with the correct training. Therefore, regular staff training is vital when it comes to securing your IT defenses.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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The Importance of an IT Induction in Business

Best Practices, Employee Training, IT Induction, IT Plan, Ophtek, Training, , ,
30
Jul 2019

Every business is unique. This is especially true when it comes to IT infrastructures. That’s why any new starters in your business need an IT induction.

It would be foolish to assume that a working knowledge of Microsoft Office is enough for a new employee to log on to your network. Each and every computer network differs in untold ways. And this means that new starters need to understand what they’re logging on to. Unfortunately, many organizations fail to grasp this fact. The end result is usually chaos and disruption.

A good IT induction can help your business avoid these setbacks by educating your employees on the best practices for your network. In particular, an IT induction can be used in the following ways:

  • Setting up Accounts: A new employee will need to create user accounts and passwords to access your network. During an induction you can take the employee through the account setup process and demonstrate how to log on correctly. There’s nothing worse for productivity than a locked user account, so it’s crucial that this process is thoroughly explained. And don’t forget to advise employees on the best password practices. 
  • Underline Your Policies: It’s important to set out your IT policies from the very start. For example, access to the internet for personal use may only be acceptable during breaks. And social media access may be completely restricted. Another key point to raise during the induction is your company’s policy on external devices. It’s increasingly popular for employees to bring their own devices to work in order to maximize productivity, but there’s also a major security risk with USB devices. An IT induction allows you to tackle this early on.
  • Educate on Cyber-Security: The threat of malware, ransomware and viruses isn’t unique to your business. However, the importance of good cyber-security needs to be established before a new employee logs on to your network. It may be that they’ve heard it all before, but a quick refresher is never going to harm anyone. Therefore, take the opportunity of an IT induction to go through the most common security threat. And, for extra assurance, invest in a training application which tests new employees’ aptitude with cyber-security. 
  • Highlight the Employee’s Duties: Every employee within your business should be expected to demonstrate a certain level of duty when it comes to your IT infrastructure. It’s vital that they understand what is and isn’t expected. For example, they should be expected to memorize their passwords rather than writing them on post-it notes and attaching them to their screen. However, they should not be expected to fix hardware issues – processes need to be set out on how employees escalate these issues to IT professionals. 

If you can establish a firm induction policy that covers all bases then you’re placing your business in a fantastic position. Not only can it help protect the security of your network, but it also allows you and your employees to get the best out of the network. And this can deliver a very welcome boost to productivity levels throughout your organization.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

 

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How to Avoid the Most Common IT Mistakes in Business

Backup Strategies, IT Mistakes, Printers, Tech Support, Technology Disposal, Training, , , , ,
17
Jul 2018

IT can be a complex area to tackle at the best of times, but there are certain mistakes which can be easily avoided through vigilance and understanding.

Maintaining, securing and purchasing technology for your organization requires a lot of knowledge due to the range of procedures and procedures involved. Thankfully, this knowledge is usually in place, but you would be surprised just how many silly mistakes still manage to slip through the net. And these mistakes, although seemingly minor, can sometimes have severe consequences.

To help you avoid these pitfalls, we’ve put together a guide on how to avoid the most common IT mistakes in business.

Printers are Important

Despite on-going calls for ‘paperless’ offices, the reality is that organizations still need to print. And where there’s a need to print, there’s a need for printers. However, far too many organizations fail to understand that researching a good printer is crucial. A cheap printer, for example, may seem the best way forward for a small business, but the amount of toner it wastes and the maintenance involved could soon end up costing more than you had bargained for. Therefore, thoroughly researching what the available printers can do and how well they can do it is vital.

Poor Training for Employees

Your employees need to know how to use the technology they’re working with, so regular training is key to avoiding technical mishaps and maximizing productivity. An employee who knows how to get the best out of the technology they’re working with is relatively rare in most organizations, so stay ahead of the competition by proving in-depth training and refresher manuals.

Not Sticking to Backup Strategies

A good organization is one that has a fantastic backup strategy, but a fantastic organization is one which sticks to its backup strategy. Sure, it may feel time consuming to back up your data to multiple sources and the costs involved can soon be felt by your bank balance. Nonetheless, the relief at being able to restore your data and keep your organization running is surely more preferable to your business grinding to a halt, right? And that’s why sticking to your backup strategy and ensuring that all the processes are regularly followed to the letter is important.

Not Disposing of Technology Correctly

Obsolete technology can soon become a burden on the available real estate within your organization. Disposing of said technology, then, is paramount to a functioning workspace. It’s not just as simple as chucking those old servers out with the trash though. Not only are there potentially dangerous components and chemicals contained within, there are also significant chunks of potentially sensitive data. Thorough cleaning and wiping of all data is highly recommended before you hand the technology over to a specialist firm to destroy securely and safely.

Lack of Tech Support

In a digital age where technology is advancing at a rapid pace, it makes sense to have tech support available at all times. Many organizations feel as though they can handle most IT problems without dedicated staff, but this is a dangerous step to take. It may feel cost effective to rely on a limited amount of knowledge and resources, but there are daily issues for even the smallest businesses which require an IT professional. With a reputable tech support team in place, you can ensure that all issues are dealt with quickly and correctly.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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