Coronavirus Cybersecuity Tips
As we have discussed time and time again, COVID-19 has changed a great deal about our world. It has altered the way we work, the way we socialize, and it has put a massive new stressor on our shoulders. Not only do we fear our health, but COVID-19 has proven to be a threat to our business’ cybersecurity. The scams that have come out of the fear and uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 are elaborate. From using frightening subject lines to adopting faux letterhead, these scam artists are scrambling to use the climate of fear and disruption that has been caused by COVID-19 to their benefit.
Disasters, emergencies, and global pandemics provide a target-rich environment for cybercriminals to launch phishing attacks and employ sneaky tactics to gain access to your data. What makes matters worse, it only takes one employee opening a phony email, clicking on a dangerous link, or unknowingly downloading a malware-laden attachment for the criminals to succeed. The risk is real, so to combat these threats, let’s take a look at three guidelines that can be implemented immediately to prevent a potentially disastrous Coronavirus-related data breach.
Plan, Preserve, and Protect:
Use expert guidance from agencies like CISA to prepare your organization for risks posed by COVID-19. Is your cybersecurity plan adequate for the unique challenges presented by increased virtualization if your staff is quarantined or working remotely for safety? Two-factor authentication and other tools like VPN help keep your organization’s data and systems safe even when workers aren’t in the office.
Trust but Verify:
Get updates about COVID-19, scams, and frauds related to the Coronavirus pandemic, and its impact on cybersecurity from trusted, official sources, and encourage your staff to only use vetted information for planning and communications. Be wary of any email with a COVID-19-related subject line, attachment, or hyperlink. Avoid sharing or clicking on social media posts, text messages, or IMs offering Coronavirus information, vaccination, treatment, or cures.
Make Prevention a Priority:
Refresh every staffer’s training on how to spot phishing scams and online fraud. Remind your staff that government agencies will never ask for sensitive personal, financial, or business information via email. Reinforce that clicking on links or opening attachments from unfamiliar sources is a quick way for scammers to infect your systems with malware. Employee Security Awareness Training and Phishing Simulations can help ensure that your staff is ready to spot and defend against attack.
We all must be constantly vigilant against cyberattacks. More than ever, your business needs a strong team assisting you with the fight against cyberattacks. Contact our Pendello Solutions team today and let us be your trusted source for the tools and strategies you need to keep cybercriminals out of your business.
At Pendello Solutions, we turn technology hurdles into powerful assets. Our technology solutions fuel growth, productivity, and efficiency, through continuous innovation and strategic solutions, empowering your business beyond the imaginable. Contact us today to discover the Pendello Method.