COVID-19 Cybercrime Surge: Simple Cybersecurity Tips To Strengthen Your Business

In a world increasingly dependent on digital technologies, cybersecurity has become a critical concern for businesses of all sizes.

The surge in cybercrime, particularly since the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic, has made it imperative for businesses to understand the various types of cyber threats and take proactive measures to protect their networks and data.

This blog post provides a comprehensive guide on the types of cybercrime, cybersecurity basics, and the importance of promoting security internally within an organization. We also introduce the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework to help businesses better manage their cybersecurity risks.

Types of Cybercrime

The first step towards enhancing your business’s cybersecurity is understanding the types of threats you might face. Some of the most common types of cybercrime include:

• Denial of Service (DoS) & Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)
• Social Engineering
• Phishing
• Ransomware
• Data Breach
• Malware

Understanding the Cybercrime Landscape During COVID-19

The COVID-19 Pandemic has exacerbated the issue of cybercrime.

Since the onset of the pandemic, there has been a staggering 400% increase in reported cybercrimes. Ransomware attacks have nearly doubled, accounting for 92.7% of cybercrimes, and 59% of Managed Service Providers (MSPs) have reported an increase in ransomware attacks due to remote work.

Cybersecurity Basics

Given the growing threat of cybercrime, it is essential to take measures to protect your business, especially during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Here are some basic steps you can take to enhance your business’s cybersecurity:

• Backup All Important Files – apps, web browsers, operating systems
• Secure Your Files – backup all important files offline to an external hard drive
• Require Passwords – use passwords for absolutely all devices
• Encrypt Devices – encrypt any and all devices that contain personal information
• Use Multi-Factor Authentication – require for all logins for internal applications and SAAS applications
• Secure Your Router and Use WPA2 Encryption – protect information sent over your network by implementing WPA2, IDS, IPS, ACL’s, and much more

Promoting Security Internally

Internal security measures are as important as external ones.

Businesses should require strong passwords and implement a robust password policy. This policy should include a password of at least 12 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, symbols, capitals, and lowercase letters.

Regular training for all staff is also essential to create a culture of security within the organization. Update employees on all new risks and vulnerabilities. If employees don’t attend, consider blocking access to network.

Having a plan for saving data, running the business, and notifying all customers in case of a breach is also critical.

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework For Managing COVID-19 Cybercrime

(National Institute of Standards and Technology at the U.S. Department of Commerce)

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework provides a structured approach towards managing cybersecurity risks. It helps businesses identify and protect their digital assets, detect and respond to security breaches, and recover from cyber-attacks.

• IDENTIFY – Make a list of all equipment, software, and data you use, including laptops, smartphones, tablets, and p.o.s devices.
• PROTECT – Implement safeguards, and security measures to protect against cybersecurity threats. This includes access controls, encryption, training, and security policies.
• DETECT – Focus on monitoring your systems for cybersecurity incidents. This includes continuous monitoring, anomaly detection, and incident response planning to quickly identify and respond to security breaches.
• RESPOND – Take action to mitigate the impact of incidents, notify relevant stakeholders, and recover from the attack.
• RECOVER – Restore systems and data, conduct a post-incident analysis, and make improvements to prevent future incidents.

For over 20 years, Dependable Solutions has been safeguarding businesses like yours from digital threats.

Contact us for more information on how we can help you protect your business from cyber threats.