The Stakes Are Rising As Breach Penalties Expand

The Stakes Are Rising As Breach Penalties Expand

The former CSO of Uber was charged with obstruction of justice and misprision of a felony this week for his role in an alleged coverup of the notorious 2016 data breach which impacted an estimated 57 million individuals. What does that mean for companies that suffer a breach now, and what can you do to reduce your breach risk?

Breach penalties have been steadily increasing worldwide as regulators and lawmakers respond to public pressure to hold executives and companies to account that play fast and loose with data protection or attempt to cover up incidents. and the penalties aren’t just monetary – legal implications for executives and companies are becoming more common, especially if companies are uncooperative in investigations. 

So what can you do right now to prevent a costly data breach? Add a secure identity and access management solution. A solution like Passly that combines multifactor authentication, secure shared password vaults, single sign-on, and simple remote management increases your company’s compliance with data safety best practices and protocols while also protecting your systems from cybercrime.

Adding better protection against hackers is essential for protecting not only your data, but it’s also essential for protecting your business. Between the exorbitant cost of recovery and the regulatory nightmares that can follow a sensitive data breach, investing in a secure identity and access management solution now to guard your gateways is a small price to pay for greater peace of mind.

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

Growing Dark Web Data Dumps Are Fueling New Cybercrime

Growing Dark Web Data Dumps Are Fueling New Cybercrime

Dark Web data dumps have always been a source of fodder for cybercriminals. However, a dramatic increase in the quantity and quality of data that is available inexpensively or for free on the Dark Web is a key contributor to an explosion of cybercrime in 2020 (like ransomware or credential stuffing attacks) that can devastate your business.  

It’s estimated that 65% of the data on the Dark Web now can damage businesses, and more is being added every day through the release of information obtained in previous cyberattacks and the addition of information that’s been gathered about companies and populations.

One of the most common ways that new information fuels cyberattacks is through a data dump. Dark Web data dumps are huge quantities of information added to the pool that cybercriminals can draw from to power cyberattacks like ransomware, credential stuffing, and phishing. Everything from reams of email addresses to sensitive employee and security information to driver’s license records from around the world is making its way into the slurry of Dark Web data dumps.

That’s why it pays to have constant, reliable Dark Web monitoring and analysis through a solution like Dark Web ID to watch for your company’s protected employee credentials to hit the Dark Web. You can also add additional protections for privileged administrator and executive credentials. 

Dark Web ID uses human and machine intelligence to keep an eye on every shady corner of the Dark Web 24/7/365. If your protected passwords or credentials are spotted entering a Dark Web marketplace, you’re alerted to the potential danger quickly, giving you time to take action against attacks.

With the constant stream of information flowing into Dark Web data markets growing every day, it makes sense to make sure that you’re watching for trouble so that you can stop cyberattacks before they start.

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

As Students Go Back To School Virtually, Cybercriminals Are Logging In Too

As Students Go Back To School Virtually, Cybercriminals Are Logging In Too

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Many school districts in the US and other countries are pursuing distance education this fall as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact in-person gatherings. As school systems rely on technology like email and video conferencing to teach classes, cybercriminals are making the most of this opportunity to score paydays and information from a sector that isn’t ready for them – considering the dismal state of cybersecurity education in the US, it stands to reason that schools’ cybersecurity isn’t much better. 

Traditionally, schools and universities aren’t major targets for cybercrime. Public school systems, individual private or religious schools, community colleges, and universities haven’t traditionally been worth the trouble, since few schools could offer a rich ransomware payoff or valuable research and development data to make it worth a cybercriminal’s time. 

That’s all changed in the new era of distance learning. Cybercriminals are regularly targeting school systems of every size and stripe to deploy ransomware and collect payments quickly as they disrupt distance learning. Incidents are popping up everywhere including: 

• For colleges, fundraising and alumni services have been impacted by the epic BlackBaud breach.
• Rialto Unified School District in California suffered a ransomware incident just two days into the new school year, stopping classes for  25,000 students.
• Lake Elsinore Unified School District in California also had significant disruptions through Zoom bombing and DDoS incidents. 
• Selma Unified School District experienced periodic disruptions in student email service.
• The University of Utah was recently the victim of a ransomware attack.
• Michigan State was impacted by Magecart skimming.

And the list goes on. An influx in cyberattacks on schools isn’t just bad news for school systems either. Businesses can be impacted by these incidents as well when parents and students share the same WiFi networks and devices. 

Add Protection to Prevent Intrusion

The fastest, easiest way for any business to immediately add a strong layer of protection between crucial systems and data and bad actors is to add a strong, fast-deploying secure identity and access management solution like Passly. 

The combined power of Multifactor Authentication and Single Sign-On with simple remote management means that IT staffers can more easily guard and control the gateways that give access to information – letting the right people have access to the right things, anytime, anywhere, and keeping cybercriminals out.

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

The Stakes Are Rising As Breach Penalties Expand

The former CSO of Uber was charged with obstruction of justice and misprision of a felony this week for his role in an alleged coverup of the notorious 2016 data breach which impacted an estimated 57 million individuals. What does that mean for companies that suffer a breach now, and what can you do to reduce your breach risk?

Breach penalties have been steadily increasing worldwide as regulators and lawmakers respond to public pressure to hold executives and companies to account that play fast and loose with data protection or attempt to cover up incidents. and the penalties aren’t just monetary – legal implications for executives and companies are becoming more common, especially if companies are uncooperative in investigations. 

So what can you do right now to prevent a costly data breach? Add a secure identity and access management solution. A solution like Passly that combines multifactor authentication, secure shared password vaults, single sign-on, and simple remote management increases your company’s compliance with data safety best practices and protocols while also protecting your systems from cybercrime.

Adding better protection against hackers is essential for protecting not only your data, but it’s also essential for protecting your business. Between the exorbitant cost of recovery and the regulatory nightmares that can follow a senstive data breach, investing in a secure identity and access management solution now to guard your gateways is a small price to pay for greater peace of mind.

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

Why Your Business Needs IT Security Assessments

Focusing on cybersecurity is essential in keeping your data safe against cybercriminals. Cyber attacks continue to evolve and become more complex on an almost daily basis. Understanding how to avoid these threats in the workplace is essential in staying proactive and giving your business the best protection. Scheduling IT security assessments on a routine basis with a managed IT service provider is an excellent way to keep your company secure by identifying potential areas of weakness within your IT infrastructure.

Here are a few of the ways an IT security assessment can keep your business well-protected against cybercriminals.

Create Risk Profiles

Understanding the risk of a cybersecurity incident in the workplace is critical for a small business owner. An IT security assessment gives your business a great opportunity to learn about specific areas of weakness with your company and the best way to solve these concerns. A managed IT service provider will create risk profiles for each asset in your organization, such as your network, applications, tools, data centers, and servers.

Maintain Compliance

Keeping up with the most recent regulations is essential to data security. An IT security assessment is an excellent way to keep you in compliance by helping your business stay proactive against all types of cybersecurity threats. Every industry is different, as it is critical for your business to understand the various laws and regulations related to your business.

Access to the Best IT Security Software

Cybercriminals are always developing new strategies to target small businesses, whether it is social engineering attacks, malware schemes, or ransomware. However, an IT security assessment can quickly identify areas of weakness within your IT infrastructure. One of the best ways to improve your IT security is to download the newest updates and train your employees on the latest cybersecurity threats.

Stay One Step Ahead of Cybercriminals

Cybersecurity is always evolving, as your business cannot afford to remain complacent. Scheduling IT security assessments is a great way to stay proactive and limit the chance of a successful cyber attack against your business. Understanding areas of weakness within your company and developing an action plan to improve is a critical aspect of an IT security assessment.

Keep Up With Changes in the Workplace

The workplace is always changing, as businesses grow by gaining new customers or scale back during slower times. Developing an IT security policy that best meets the needs of your company is critical in maximizing cybersecurity. On the other hand, failure to adapt to these changes creates significant risks that expose your business to downtime or data breaches.

IT security assessments play a vital role in keeping your business safe against cybercriminals. These proactive services can quickly identify weaknesses within your organization and help you create an action plan to maximize IT security for your business. Cybersecurity will always remain a top concern in the workplace, but a managed IT service provider can help your company stay much safer by regularly conducting IT security assessments.

Call us and we can schedule a time to scan and provide you with a detailed assessment of your network.. 

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

The Stakes Are Rising As Breach Penalties Expand

The Stakes Are Rising As Breach Penalties Expand

The former CSO of Uber was charged with obstruction of justice and misprision of a felony this week for his role in an alleged coverup of the notorious 2016 data breach which impacted an estimated 57 million individuals. What does that mean for companies that suffer a breach now, and what can you do to reduce your breach risk?

Breach penalties have been steadily increasing worldwide as regulators and lawmakers respond to public pressure to hold executives and companies to account that play fast and loose with data protection or attempt to cover up incidents. and the penalties aren’t just monetary – legal implications for executives and companies are becoming more common, especially if companies are uncooperative in investigations. 

So what can you do right now to prevent a costly data breach? Add a secure identity and access management solution. A solution like Passly that combines multifactor authentication, secure shared password vaults, single sign-on, and simple remote management increases your company’s compliance with data safety best practices and protocols while also protecting your systems from cybercrime.

Adding better protection against hackers is essential for protecting not only your data, but it’s also essential for protecting your business. Between the exorbitant cost of recovery and the regulatory nightmares that can follow a senstive data breach, investing in a secure identity and access management solution now to guard your gateways is a small price to pay for greater peace of mind.

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

IoT and Home Router Vulnerabilities Can Spell Trouble For Businesses

IoT and Home Router Vulnerabilities Can Spell Trouble For Businesses

As kids start heading back to class, colleges begin another year, and parents work to find a new home/life balance, things have changed a bit from the usual back-to-school routine. Unlike in past years, most everyone is doing their thing by logging in from home – and that can create an unexpected danger for your business.

While we’ve been at home during the pandemic, many people realized that their homes could use a little sprucing up. Maybe they had time that they didn’t usually have to research new devices, or they decided to treat themselves at a dark time. For many folks, that translated into fun conveniences like smart plugs, a digital assistant, or a robot vacuum that can be controlled by an app. 

Internet of Things (IoT) devices have never been more popular – 5.8 billion home and auto IoT devices are expected to connect to the internet this year. While these small creature comforts may not seem like a source of harm for your business, they can be – 57% of IoT devices are vulnerable to medium or high severity attacks. 

That means that if a cybercriminal hacks into your employee’s smart plug, then uses that opening to get into their smartphone, then slips through another opening to get into their business email account – you’ve been hacked, and the resulting danger to your systems and data is no different than it would be if the same thing happened from a hacker penetrating your enterprise security directly. 

So how can companies combat this danger? The fastest way is to add a secure identity and access management solution like Passly. Multifactor Authentication (MFA) provides a crucial extra layer of security between hazards like this and your data. Adding MFA means that you can rest a little easier knowing that no matter how a cybercriminal manages to sneak past your security, they won’t be able to affect your business severely – helping alleviate one source of stress in uncertain times.

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