60% of UK Consumers Impacted By a Data Breach in 2019

As expected, 2019 was a devastating year for data breach victims. As more year-end studies are completed and released, we’re learning more about who was effected the most. According to a recent report, nearly 60% of UK consumers were impacted by a data breach last year, a staggering total that underscores the personal implications of the more than 7,000 data breaches that affected UK companies in 2019.

The report noted the potential consequences of such an extensive breach environment, including cybercriminals using the sensitive personal and financial information that they collected from users as a gateway to deploy other cyberattack tactics like spear phishing that can compromise sensitive information, data, and systems even more severely. 

Although the number of breaches hasn’t increased significantly, the amount of compromised records has escalated. The number of records that have been compromised has tripled since 2018, surpassing 15 billion this year. This 300% year-over-year increase should encourage companies to seek solutions that can monitor the Dark Web for their data to preempt further hacking attempts. At the same time, training employees to identify and neutralize increasingly sophisticated spear phishing campaigns is an absolute prerequisite for a capable defensive posture in 2020. https://securityboulevard.com/2020/02/almost-60-of-uk-consumers-affected-by-data-breaches-in-2019/

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com/texas 877.860.5831

20 Ways to Block Mobile attacks

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com/texas 877.860.5863

Social Engineering Red flags

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com/texas 877.860.5863

Webinars on Cyber Security

Upcoming Webinars

Join us for these excellent webinars in the next few weeks:

MARCH 26 – Global Channel Influencers Webinar 
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MARCH 31 – World Backup Day: Threats, Opportunities, and Strategies for MSP Success
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Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com/texas 877.860.5863

Dark Web Trends

• Top Source Hits: ID Theft Forums
• Top Compromise Type: Domain
• Top Industry: Media & Entertainment
• Top Employee Count: 251 – 500

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com/texas 877.860.5831

Human Error is a Top Cause of Data Breaches

Companies face cybersecurity threats on many fronts every day, but human error may be the most pervasive – and the most preventable. A 2019 study analyzing data from the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office found that human error played a role in 90% of data breaches last year. This represents a significant increase from just two years ago, when only 61% of breaches were attributed to human error.

The study concluded that phishing scams were the primary cause of breaches with unauthorized access to systems ranking a close second. However, the study’s authors were also quick to point out that while employees represent a noteworthy data privacy risk, they can also serve as a critical defense against cybercriminals. When equipped with the right tools, like phishing scam awareness training, employees can be transformed from a potential weak point into a crucial asset in the fight against cybercriminals and fraud.

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/90-data-breaches-human-error/

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com/texas 877.860.5831

Covid 19 Announcement

I’d like to take a moment to touch base with you during these uncertain times and hope that you are safe and well. The rapidly progressing COVID-19 pandemic has upended our lives and unleashed an unprecedented paradigm shift in business, affecting us all. We want to reassure you that while we embark into new territory, we remain a reliable, steady, and committed resource. In keeping with the recommendations of the CDC, most of our staff is working from home during this crisis. But, we’re still here for you. Our account reps, technicians, and help desk are on high alert, ready to provide you with the exemplary levels of service that you have come to expect from Bit by Bit.   Your safety and our safety drive our actions right now. And, we have developed temporary protocols for services whether it’s fax, managed services or other.    For Our Fax Clients: We offer you a silver lining in all this chaos. The disruption will be minimal. As most of our fax support is remote, we will continue to service your fax needs with our customary high standards. For Our Managed Services, Application Development & Other Clients: We have implemented specific guidelines for servicing your IT. We will only deploy our technicians to a site if you are facing a mission-critical crisis. However, we will be ever vigilant and continue to remotely work closely with you to manage your day-to-day IT operations and concerns. For Our Clients Utilizing Remote Access: As our clients have begun to advise staff to work from home, we have begun transitioning many of you over to remote access. We will continue to do so. Please keep the following in mind and contact us before making any changes to employee guidance:   1. Employees may require remote access to workstations.  We partner with LogMeIn to securely provide this capability to our customers. This is the recommended solution wherever possible. 2. Some organizations continue to rely on VPN access (FortiClient or other SSL VPN.) This should be tested and evaluated for security risk prior to expanded use.  Adding VPN users also causes a performance impact which must be considered if an unprecedented number of users are connecting.  We don’t know how long this will last. But we do know that we are on this journey with you. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated. If you have any questions, or if you have emergencies that require immediate attention, please call our direct support line 212.616.3080. Thank you for your business.

Bit by Bit, 115 West 29th Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10001

Bit by bit helps client networks run smooth and secure.. visit our website at www.bitxbit.com/texas 877.860.5831