Cybersecurity Awareness is Increasing (And That’s a Good Thing!)

We’ve sounded like a broken record again and again. Ransomware is on the rise. Beware of malware and phishing and the prevalence of email threats. Update your software and devices. Make a robust cybersecurity plan. 

The news is wrought with stories of businesses falling victim to preventable cybersecurity attacks and breaches. But, we now have some good news: businesses are responding, and cybersecurity awareness is increasing.

A recent report found that 97% of organizations have implemented some form of cybersecurity measures in the last year. 

So, where do we go from here? 

Three words: keep it up! In all seriousness, there are a few things to consider as organizations take cybersecurity more seriously.

1. Make sure your organization is taking action.
   This may seem obvious, but as more organizations address the issue, don’t let yours be left in the dust. As more organizations initiate cybersecurity measures, those without them will be like sitting ducks. Roll out multi-factor authentication to all applications that contain sensitive information at a minimum.
   
   The report found that while awareness has drastically increased, only 58% of organizations are taking action with cybersecurity practices, and only 42% are actively engaging employees in prevention tactics.
   
2. Continue to invest in employee training. We know that 91% of attacks start because of a lack of employee understanding and that 87% of surveyed participants said that IT security is impossible without employee training. One of the best ways to increase cybersecurity awareness is to start at the top and work down within your organization.
   
   Don’t stop with c-suite employees investing in an IT security team (although that’s a great place to start). Continue, or start training employees to recognize the signs of cyber activity.
   
3. Invest in a qualified IT security team. Whether in-house or third-party, ensure your organization has IT experts advising on your cybersecurity plan. 

PK Tech focuses on prevention with every client we work with. Whether a business has 20 employees or 200, prevention, training, and a clear plan can make all the difference in avoiding preventable attacks on your organization. If you are interested in the IT services and IT consulting we provide, get in touch with a member of our team here.