Following recent data exposures that have affected businesses and organizations nationwide and locally, region experts offer suggestions on how to protect data for businesses and individuals.
From individuals whose bank account information can be compromised online to data exposures at Betenbough Homes, JBS Meatpacking, and other large companies like Colonial Pipeline, no one seems immune from the threats posed by hackers and other criminals.
Cyber security threats are at the highest level it has ever been, and it is vital in this day and age that all security precautions are in place, says TJ Boren, chief technology officer at Integrated Axis Group, a Lubbock-based managed service -Providers and technology solution companies.
The most important thing a company can have is a disaster recovery plan. Leveraging cybersecurity offerings is a fairly new concept for many organizations, but it is one of the best ways to protect private information, Boren said.
Many violations happen because of a lack of knowledge. Therefore, it is important that company employees – and even individuals – undergo cybersecurity training.
Sam Segran, chief information officer and vice president of IT at Texas Tech, said cyber criminals have been around for a long time, but the COVID-19 pandemic was a wake-up call.
Many people have lost their jobs here in the US and other countries and have become newer cyber criminals, Segran said.
There is an increase in ransomware attacks in which cyber criminals encrypt sensitive company data for money and may not divulge the decryption key. These disclosures are often accompanied by threats like the disclosure of sensitive information about companies or individuals, Segran said.
Businesses need to protect data both in the interests of customers and to survive as a business, he said.
Segran shared various tips such as: For example, enabling passwords for screen locks with six – not just four – for phones and multi-factor authentication for passwords on devices and programs for both personal and business use.
Avoiding exposure can also be as simple as going to a company website when purchasing a product instead of clicking on unexpected URLs or ads sent on social media.
“Don’t react to things you don’t know or don’t expect,” said Segran. “Don’t click anything, not even if a friend recommends it.”
Data backup is another important step for both companies and private use. Aside from having a good backup cloud provider, having a network backup like a terabyte drive can be helpful, he said.
It is important for people who use credit cards to have multifactor authentication and credit card alerts that can send an alert to the account holder if the card is unexpectedly used overseas or if more than a certain amount is spent, Segran said.
“In my case, I get a warning every time I spend a dime on my credit card – so I get a lot of warnings, but that’s fine because I know I’m spending,” he said.
However, Segran acknowledged that most people don’t like to be harassed frequently, so they tend to set a larger amount, like $ 100 or $ 500, to receive notifications. But when your credit card information is compromised, the cyber criminals try very small amounts first to test the card and people often overlook that.
“It’s always about comfort versus safety,” he said. “How comfortable and safe should it be? You have to make these calls. “
Texas Tech University has had a cyber security awareness program for the community since 2005 at https://www.ttu.edu/cybersecurity/lubbock/.
“It’s a program that we actually put out for the Lubbock area, for people who live in the community. And we have tips for them there, ”said Segran.
source https://collegeeducationnewsllc.com/cybersecurity-experts-offer-tips-after-recent-high-level-exposures/
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