Cyber attacks can originate from all kinds of sources and exploit a variety of vulnerable technologies.

One example came from the 2017 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), recently held in Detroit. A panel discussion focused on the inadequate cyber security in “connected cars.” Car technologies that engage in wireless communication are susceptible to hacking that allows cyber criminals to remotely control the vehicles. They can also steal or tamper with other kinds of data, violating vehicle owners’ privacy.

Similar vulnerabilities are found in other devices, whether they’re smartphones or digital security cameras, industrial sensors or cars. With the proliferation of Internet-enabled devices, and with new threats cropping up all the time, businesses may feel discouraged about their ability to prepare for cyber attacks.

Although there’s no way to completely eliminate the chances of an attack, it’s still possible to strengthen your ability to prepare for different kinds of threats – preventing them or blocking them before they develop into full-blown crises for your company. If your cyber security plan contains certain important qualities, you’ll be in a better position to defend yourself.

What are some of the qualities that should define your cyber security plan?

A proactive approach

If you’re still taking a reactive stance to cyber security, in which you act only once a problem is underway, you’re putting your business in unnecessary and heightened danger. Protecting your company requires a proactive approach, where you plan for the possibility of various threats and remain vigilant against them.

One example of this proactive approach is 24 x 7 x 365 monitoring of network infrastructure. Along with early detection of problems that aren’t related to cyber crime, round-the-clock monitoring is also likely to catch suspicious illegal activities, including patterns of network traffic that indicate an attack.

The sooner you pick up on the signs, the better you’re able to marshal your resources and either fend off the attack entirely or minimize its damage. In this way, you defend your vital systems and sensitive data.

Along with continuous, active monitoring, proactive approach involves planning for future security threats. For example, you can predict the kinds of vulnerabilities that will arise from new devices, software, and Internet platforms. You’ll be in a better position to lay the groundwork for a cyber security plan that will serve you well both now and in the future.

Flexibility and scalability

The data and other assets your business wants to defend can change on a fairly regular basis.

Employees may rely on a range of devices for their work, including smartphones and tablets; what they work with can change from one project to another. In what ways can you safely introduce new devices to your network?

You may switch software programs from one year to the next, or use them only on a short-term basis to complete a specific goal. How will you safely transfer your data from one kind of software to another? What happens to your data when you stop using a particular program?

Sometimes your business will expand; you may wind up hiring new people or opening up branches in new locations. Other times, you’ll be scaling back, and certain employees who discontinue a project or leave your company will need to lose log-in privileges and other credentials. Your cyber security plan needs to accommodate these changes.

Collaboration

Cyber security shouldn’t fall only on IT professionals; it should be a company-wide concern.

There are a variety of attacks that seek to trick people into disclosing sensitive data; these include tactics such as phishing, in which fraudulent emails induce employees to download malware-infected documents, click on links to fraudulent websites, or share unauthorized information with scammers.

Training employees to remain vigilant about these kinds of attacks is essential. Beyond that, you need to cultivate a culture of cyber security at your company, enforcing safe computing habits and encouraging employees to remain in communication with each other about potential threats.

If you want to improve your cyber security preparedness, please contact us. We will work with you on developing powerful, cost-effective defenses, including round-the-clock monitoring, employee training, high-quality user authentication measures, and top-of-the-line anti-malware programs.