What We’re Listening to:

Know Tech Talks
Security NowDefensive Security Podcast Small Business, Big Marketing – Australia’s #1 Marketing Show!IT Provider Network – The Podcast for Growing IT Service
TubbTalk – The Podcast for IT Consultants
Risky Business
CHANNELe2e

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com

In Other News:

Company Cut Off from Government Contracts After Data Breach 

Last month, Perceptics, a maker of license plate readers used by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CPB), endured a significant data breach that resulted in 65,000 files published to the Dark Web. 

As a result, the company has been placed on a veritable government black-list, suspending Perceptics from procuring government contracts. Although the suspension is technically limited to the CPB, the notice, which cites “evidence of conduct indicating a lack of business honesty or integrity,” could shun the company from doing business with other government agencies. 

Before the suspension, Perceptics had a 30-year working relationship with CPB, and their dissolution indicates the weight of unimpeachable cybersecurity standards for companies handling sensitive personal information on behalf of the government.

What’s more, Perceptics will still face administrative proceedings that will determine the company’s fate as it pertains to future work with the U.S. Government. 

The incident is a warning to all companies: cybersecurity is an obligation, not just a suggestion. Data breaches place people’s data at risk but are increasingly becoming capable of compromising an organization’s financial stability. Rather than leaving it up to chance, coordinate with a trusted third-party to ensure that your cybersecurity posture is ready to meet the moment. 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/07/02/border-surveillance-subcontractor-suspended-after-cyberattack-misuse-traveler-images/

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com

Awareness Tops Readiness in UK Cybersecurity Preparedness

Awareness Tops Readiness in UK Cybersecurity Preparedness 

UK organizations are well-aware of their cybersecurity threat landscape. Unfortunately, that has not enhanced their ability to improve their defensive posture. According to a recent survey, only 42% of organizations are confident in their data security, 10% fewer than companies in other countries. 

While 90% of survey respondents indicated that adopting cybersecurity best practices is more important than increasing profits, less than 60% of these companies have a formal security policy, a number that has not changed since last year. 

Indifference may not be the only factor in their lack of preparation. Many companies cite budgetary and personnel constraints as a significant barrier to improving cybersecurity posture. 

Even so, the cost of a data breach is more expensive than ever before. The survey found that organizations will dedicate 12% of their revenue to recovering from a data breach, an all-time high. With companies like ours equipped to fortify your cybersecurity defenses, now is the perfect time to prepare your company for today’s evolving threat landscape. 

https://www.scmagazineuk.com/uk-cyber-security-preparedness-lags-behind-awareness/article/1589030

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com

Top Ransomware Delivery Methods

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com

5 Benefits of IT Security Awareness Training

IT security awareness training is essential in keeping your business protected in today's work environment, as new cyber attacks continue to evolve and pose significant threats to businesses of any size. A managed IT service provider can help you educate employees on a wide range of cybersecurity topics in the workplace. These educational classes can play a key role in preventing future cyber attacks and helping your business avoid many hours of downtime.

Here are five reasons why you should consider investing in IT security training in the workplace.

#1 Reduce Employee Mistakes

One of the main benefits of IT security training is that it is highly effective in preventing employee mistakes that lead to cybersecurity incidents. The vast majority of data breaches are the result of employee errors, such as accidentally downloading malicious email attachments or falling victim to phishing scams. However, IT security training will focus on identifying these potential scams, which ultimately leads to fewer mistakes in the workplace.

#2 Enhance Cybersecurity

An additional benefit of these employee training sessions is that it is an excellent way to increase cybersecurity for your entire business. Well-educated employees are much more likely to use strong passwords while also avoiding common cybersecurity mistakes. Employees are nearly always the first line of defense against any potential cyber threats, as they can immediately contact IT support if they notice any technical issues or unusual activity.

#3 Remain in Compliance

Many companies must follow strict regulations, such as in the healthcare and banking industry. These IT security awareness classes can play a crucial role in helping your business remain in compliance at all times. Employees will stay up to date on the latest cyber threats and the best way to keep data safe and secure. On the other hand, failure to remain in compliance can lead to expensive lawsuits and fines.

#4 Protect Reputation

Keeping your reputation protected is critical for any company in today's age of social media. IT security training sessions will focus on ways to avoid data breaches and the best way to keep client information secure at all times. Of course, a cybersecurity incident can destroy the reputation of any company and make it difficult for any business to recover from such a dire situation. However, IT security training sessions can be scheduled on a routine basis to give your business the maximum protection.

#5 Peace of Mind

A cyber attack can devastate any company and disrupt daily business operations for a significant period. However, a managed IT service provider can combine the latest cybersecurity protection with employee awareness training to give your business much-need peace of mind. Understanding that your business is protected will help you rest much easier, as you know that each employee is well-prepared to handle any potential cyber threats in the workplace.

IT security awareness training provides a wide variety of benefits for businesses small and large in today's work environment. A managed IT service provider can offer these employee security training sessions on a routine basis to ensure that your company remains one step ahead of cybercriminals. Cyber threats will only continue to grow in complexity, but these proactive IT services are essential in keeping your business secure.

If you would like to learn more about how Bit by Bit can help with your network security, please contact me at 877.860.5831 or contact us on our website at www.bitxbit.com.

You can also see our cyber security webinar recording at https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/8488466561698979847

Robert Blake

817.505.1257

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com

Three Billion Phishing Emails are Sent Every Day

Phishing attacks are wreaking havoc as they encourage unsuspecting recipients to hand over critical credentials that give hackers access to network infrastructure, personal financial accounts, and other important portals. 

This type of cybersecurity threat is ultimately the most defensible, since phishing attacks not only need to make it through email filters, but recipients have to directly act upon the message. Yet, they continue to inflict serious damage on small and medium businesses alike, becoming more common and complicated in today’s digital landscape. 

According to a recent report, more than 3.4 billion phishing emails are sent each day, making it increasingly probable that an employee will accidentally engage with the message. This underscores the need for awareness and prevention training to disrupt these efforts. Given the high cost of recovering from a phishing attack, acquiring comprehensive training from trusted professionals (like us!) is a cost-effective way to equip your employees to defend against phishing attacks. 

https://www.techrepublic.com/article/more-than-3b-fake-emails-sent-daily-as-phishing-attacks-persist/?ftag=CMG-01-10aaa1b

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com

Canadian Companies Unprepared for Cost and Consequences of a Data Breach

Canadian Companies Unprepared for Cost and Consequences of a Data Breach 

Shred-it’s annual Data Protection Report, which evaluates the most prescient threats to data security, took aim at Canadian businesses and concluded that they have an overly optimistic outlook of today’s cybersecurity landscape. 

Consequently, many companies are not prepared to defend against a data breach, which could negatively impact revenue, employee, and customer retention. 

The survey identified shifting consumer sentiments about data privacy and encouraged Canadian businesses to cater to the changing market dynamics by considering the reputational damage that accompanies a data breach along with other serious consequences.

Today, the stakes couldn’t be higher. 

A single data breach can have devastating outcomes for companies of all sizes, and this year’s survey concluded that too many companies need to prioritize cybersecurity as a critical component of overall business success. In many cases, partnering with a qualified security consultant can patch holes in your cybersecurity protocols while bolstering your defenses going forward. 

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/canadian-businesses-fail-prioritize-data-120000496.html

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com

What We’re Listening to:

Know Tech Talks
Security NowDefensive Security Podcast Small Business, Big Marketing – Australia’s #1 Marketing Show!IT Provider Network – The Podcast for Growing IT Service
TubbTalk – The Podcast for IT Consultants
Risky Business
CHANNELe2e

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com

Cyber Criminals Are Getting More Clever

Security-minded internet users often look for certain signs – like the padlock that accompanies a web address or the “https” designation – to identify websites that are safe and secure. Those hallmarks of internet integrity are not as sure as they once were. 

According to a public service announcement released by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), cyber criminals are using these designations to proliferate phishing campaigns by establishing a more trustworthy messaging apparatus. 

Many are using cloud hosting websites to achieve SSL certificates that help convince users to hand over sensitive personal information. Regardless of the methodology, it’s evident that internet users will have a more difficult time identifying phishing scams. However, comprehensive training from providers like us can stop phishing scams in their tracks by preparing customers and employees to address the shifting security trends and the emerging threats. 

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/fbi-issues-warning-on-secure-websites-used-for-phishing/

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com

What We’re Listening To:

What We’re Listening To:

Know Tech Talks
Security NowDefensive Security Podcast Small Business, Big Marketing – Australia’s #1 Marketing Show!IT Provider Network – The Podcast for Growing IT Service
TubbTalk – The Podcast for IT Consultants
Risky Business
CHANNELe2e

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com

Australian Universities at Significant Risk of a Cyber Attack

Australian Universities at Significant Risk of a Cyber Attack 

A recent audit of the IT environment for Australia’s universities found repeated failures to address identified weaknesses in their IT systems, making them especially susceptible to cyber attacks. Focused on just 10 universities, the audit identified one university, Charles Sturt University, as a high risk, and the other universities were classified as a moderate security risk. Perhaps most troubling, many of the vulnerabilities were repeat findings, indicating that universities are either unable or unwilling to improve their cybersecurity posture to address existing and emerging threats. 

The report comes on the heels of a recent cyber attack in which hackers accessed 19 years of university data that included sensitive information about current and former staff and students. Since universities are trusted with troves of personal information, including data from minors, addressing these concerns should be a top priority. These weaknesses, according to the audit, could cause significant financial or reputational loss for universities that can’t improve in this capacity. 

Of course, cyber threats are not unique to universities. Today’s threat landscape is continually progressing, making it wise to partner with trusted cybersecurity authorities to ensure that your organization is prepared to meet these challenges. 

https://amp.smh.com.au/national/nsw/universities-across-nsw-at-significant-risk-of-further-cyber-attacks-audit-finds-20190606-p51vba.html

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com

Internet Scams Have Cost Australians Millions

In Other News:

Internet Scams Have Cost Australians Millions 

Just halfway through 2019, Australians have already lost more than $6 million to internet scams, marking a 33% year-over-year increase. 

The report by Scamwatch, an agency run by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, reveals that scams intending to attain people’s personal information are becoming more effective and more lucrative. 

Australians have lost $2.3 million more in 2019 compared to last year, and the number of reported scams remained relatively steady. What’s more, 4.1% of reported scams resulted in financial loss.

Although phishing scams received the most complaints – nearly 10,000 – they resulted in the lowest amount of loss among the various scam iterations, which reflects both the rapid rate of phishing scams and peoples’ ability to defend themselves against these attacks. 

At the same time, it’s evident that more training is required in order to effectively ward off these adaptive and continual threats. 

https://www.arnnet.com.au/article/663263/australians-lost-6-million-to-scams-in-2019/ 

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com

What are your credentials worth?

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com

What We’re Listening to:

What We’re Listening to:

Know Tech Talks
Security NowDefensive Security Podcast Small Business, Big Marketing – Australia’s #1 Marketing Show!IT Provider Network – The Podcast for Growing IT Service
TubbTalk – The Podcast for IT Consultants
Risky Business
CHANNELe2e

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com

July 16th Speaker Series - Re-Visiting the D-day Beaches

Download invitation

Webinar | What Cyber Criminals Do With Your Identity & How You Can Fight Back

https://preview.hs-sites.com/_hcms/preview/content/10770478188?portalId=4331745&_preview=true&cacheBust=1562172207260&preview_key=EpJoUlqh&from_buffer=false

What Cyber Criminals Do  with Your Credentials And How You Can Protect Yourself Wednesday, July 24 | 1:00 - 1:30 PM EST Save My Seat! So, by now you are totally terrified about the Dark Web, right? And, you're wondering how cyber thieves get your credentials in the first place, what they do with them, and what you can do to prevent a hack from happening in the first place. Don't panic. Join us for this webinar to quickly get up to speed on what makes you vulnerable to hackers. Hear about how to monitor your information and detect if it's stolen and ends up in the Dark Web, before it's too late.  In this webinar, you will learn: How your credentials are compromised What an attacker can do with these credentials Detecting stolen data before it's too late Tips to ensure your data doesn't end up in the wrong hands Attend this webinar to request a free  Dark Web report on your credentials! Save My Seat! Bit by Bit, 115 West 29th Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10001