Important IT Cybersecurity Considerations and Upgrades For The “Next Normal”

As we move towards the next normal we must prepare for the changing professional landscape. On account of COVID-19, the massive onsite-to-offsite workforce shift has increased the demand for cybersecurity in several ways. Here are some things your company must consider to keep your employee and client data safe.

Build a more robust cybersecurity environment

There are no two ways about it—enabling your employees to work remotely either permanently, periodically or at a moment’s notice, is critical. Did you know that spear-phishing attacks are up 700% since COVID-19 began? These well-crafted, targeted security attacks can devastate any company. Putting measures in place to bolster your cybersecurity environment is the first step towards protecting your data.

Here are some important steps you can take:

Establish secure connections for remote workers
Update outdated software and hardware
Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA)

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Address security for video platforms

To keep teams connected and facilitate virtual client meetings, organizations across nearly every industry implemented or increased their use of video platforms. While these tools have kept business moving forward, they also come with a new set of security risks. Add monitoring technology to your video channels to protect private data.

Provide cybersecurity training for your entire workforce

Oftentimes companies put the bulk of their effort and resources into protecting their data from outside threats but don’t take the time to train their employees. A comprehensive cybersecurity environment also includes regular team security training.

According to a Tessian report , “43% of US and UK employees have made mistakes resulting in cybersecurity repercussions for themselves or their company.” How many of these mistakes could have been avoided? Yep, 100%.

Remote workforces increase opportunities for costly data breaches and prioritizing cybersecurity training is critical. If you don’t feel comfortable or qualified leading these sessions, hire a trusted outside provider and set up a regular training cadence. This will help employees stay current on the latest phishing schemes and other threats while keeping data protection top of mind.

Select a reliable and trustworthy ITAD partner

Did you know that idle devices also pose a cybersecurity threat? Many companies whose employees are back in the office have extra devices they purchased new or refurbished last year but are no longer using. These devices are now sitting in a storage closet in the office but still contain sensitive user and client data. If you don’t already have a relationship with a trusted IT asset disposition company, now is the time to establish one.

Tech Dump will collect your surplus electronic assets and either refurbish them for our partner store, Tech Discounts, or recycle them in an R2-Certified, environmentally responsible manner. Throughout both of these processes we maintain industry compliance, and we prioritize your data security. We also maintain a tight chain of custody from the first interaction with your equipment, and we wipe or physically destroy hard drives to keep your sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands. ITAD is a cornerstone of any organization and an effective way to protect your brand.