The Ultimate Cyber Guide: Cyber Security Awareness Month 2023
The nights are drawing in, the weather has turned, and the first decorations are starting to go up. Yes, it’s that time of year again: it’s Cyber Security Awareness Month!
There’s no better time, then, to equip yourself with the most recent and actionable insights from our team of cyber security experts. In this blog you’ll unwrap a combination of trends, practical guidance, tips, treats and tricks from DataSolutions. You can think of this as your one-stop shop for the most critical cybersecurity insights you need to know right now.
Ready to level up your cyber game? Let’s get started:
Modern cybersecurity defences – beyond strong passwords
“Forget one-product wonders; right now it’s all about Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA)”
“Passwords alone – no matter how elaborate your “P@ssw0rd123!” might be – are no longer enough. Every entry point to your organisation’s critical information, whether on-premise or cloud, needs protecting with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). This means that even if a cyber-criminal does guess your password (or, more likely, steals it from somewhere else that you’ve used it), access to your organisation’s data will remain protected.
Switching gears to the latest advancements in cybersecurity, let’s talk trends. Forget one-product wonders; right now it’s all about Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA). ZTA is an encompassing framework – not a one-size-fits-all solution – which means adopting ZTA is not as simple as implementing a single vendor's capabilities as a comprehensive solution.
At DataSolutions, we encourage our partners to think about the long game with ZTA. Every customer will have unique requirements, security needs, and legacy systems – requiring a truly bespoke approach to ZTA adoption. It’s essential to partner with trusted experts who understand these nuances – and who can work with you to implement the framework effectively, in a way that truly works for your organisation.
There’s so much to talk about in the realm of ZTA, which is why I encourage you to read my latest blog where I dive deeper into Zero Trust and micro segmentation. You can find it here.”
Embrace the power of password managers
“Listen to Francis’s advice on protection beyond passwords – MFA is essential in today’s cyber threat landscape. But that doesn’t mean that how you use and store your passwords isn’t important. It is, and here’s why:
Use a password manager that will generate strong, unique passwords for all your accounts. I personally use Dashlane. You’ll be notified if you’re using the same password on multiple accounts, and if any website you have an account with falls victim to a breach you’ll be prompted to change your password.
This encourages internet users to break the common habit of using the same password on multiple sites. From simply a practical standpoint, you’ll no longer need to remember multiple different passwords. The service works across all devices – desktop, mobile, and tablet – for both business and personal use. It takes some time to set up, but it’s a game-changer that’ll have you asking “how did I ever live without this?””
“MFA is essential in today’s cyber threat landscape.”
Tools for effective patching and identity management
“Implement an identity management solution”
“If you’re in IT ops, you’ll dread patch Tuesdays. But zero-day isn't just a buzzword; it's a reality that must be taken seriously.
With a potentially overwhelming number of patches to deploy, there’s a suite of various tools that your team can use to ensure compliance as well as to help you more effectively manage your patch cycle – I’d recommend looking into them. You’ll also be taking pressure off your team.
Another tip for IT teams: implement an identity management solution. It's like giving users a universal key – one identity for all SaaS applications. This streamlines processes for users, as they only have to remember one set of credentials, and also aids in seamless user onboarding and offboarding.”
Tried-and-tested cyber guidance
“There’s so much great cybersecurity advice out there, which often means the most fundamental but highly effective tips can get lost in the noise. These basics shouldn’t be overlooked! So, I've curated a concise list of top cyber practices that are essential for safeguarding both your professional and personal devices:
It’s simple: remove WhatsApp from all work devices.
Lock your mobile devices with strong PINs or passwords, and consider enabling encryption on your devices to protect data if they get lost or stolen. It’s the digital equivalent of double-bolting your front door.
Regularly review your bank and credit card statements for any suspicious or unauthorised transactions. If something looks wrong, report it immediately.
Routinely backup your data to external drives or secure cloud services. You wouldn’t want to lose those cherished dinner pics important files.
Fine tune your social media privacy settings to limit the amount of personal data visible to the public. Always think twice before accepting connection requests online from unknown individuals.”
“There’s so much great cybersecurity advice out there, which often means the most fundamental but highly effective tips can get lost in the noise”
Whether you’re interested in exploring innovative frameworks like Zero Trust or strengthening password, credential, and data sharing policies – focusing on effective measures to strengthen your security defences and staying ahead of cyber threats has never been more critical.
At DataSolutions, we're committed to supporting our partners in navigating modern cybersecurity challenges. We encourage you to reach out to explore how we can further your cyber objectives, ensuring that your customers operate within a safe and secure digital environment. Your security success is our priority.
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