Cybersecurity Protection For Your Organization

Over the past 18 months, our already virtual world became even more dependent on the internet. Chambers and their members quickly shifted operations online, sharing resources, connecting with peers, conducting business and simply having fun.

While there are benefits to an increasingly connected world, Cybersecurity Awareness Month, observed in October, encourages everyone to take increased ownership of enhanced online activity and the important security practices that come along with it. The virtual safety of our communities, businesses and chambers depends on our personal online safety practices.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have observed in the United States an increase in highly impactful ransomware attacks occurring on holidays and weekends when offices are normally closed. Here are some quick tips from the FBI to protect yourself and your members from ransomware attacks.

With remote work more common than ever, the FBI and its international counterparts shared where hackers attack most in a recent report.  “Four of the most targeted vulnerabilities in 2020 affected remote work, VPNs, or cloud-based technologies,” the report stated or observed. “Many VPN gateway devices remained unpatched during 2020, with the growth of remote work options challenging the ability of organizations to conduct rigorous patch management.” 

Here are some additional resources from the CISA to promote cybersecurity awareness to your members during October and throughout the year.

• The THINK. CONNECT.™ Campaign is a national public awareness campaign offering free resources to help increase the understanding of cyber threats and empowering the American public to be safer and more secure online.
• The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) builds strong public and private partnerships to create and implement broad-reaching education and awareness efforts to empower users at home, work, and school with the information they need to keep themselves, their organizations, their systems and their sensitive information safe and secure online.
• CISA’s Reduce the Risk of Ransomware Campaign aims to raise awareness and combat the ongoing and evolving threat of ransomware.
• The Be Cyber Smart Campaign, a national effort by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is designed to inspire the younger generation of Americans to take responsibility for their own cyber safety.
• CISA’s Cyber Essentials is a guide for leaders of small businesses to develop an actionable understanding of where to start implementing organizational cybersecurity practices. For a deeper look and greater insight, check out the Cyber Essentials Toolkits.
• CISA’s Telework Guidance and Resource site is a one-stop shop for CISA resources to assist organizations and teleworkers be secure when working remotely.