For both individuals and organizations, considering all cybersecurity risks is important for guaranteeing protection against cybersecurity attacks.

There are a few tips individuals can follow to prevent cyber-attacks. Individuals should stay up-to-date on the latest security updates for their internet-connected devices. This includes smartphones, laptops, tablets, outdoor video cameras, etc. Updating devices is relatively easy and can also be set-up for automatic updates. If a device can’t be updated because of an old operating system, then it is not worth keeping and should be properly recycled.

Passwords are another important element for reducing your cybersecurity risks. Having a rather complex password and something that is not easy to guess, is essential for protecting your data. Tips for password protection include:

• Don’t use the same password for more than one application or website
• Don’t use a default password that came with the device or software
• Download a password manager
• Use two-factor authentication where it is offered
• Don’t ever think that no one would ever try to hack you!

For organizations, cybersecurity is all about risk management. However, you can’t manage risk if your organization doesn’t have a cybersecurity framework plan. This plan should outline any potential security weaknesses, along with a contingency plan for fixing them. Determining how to secure applications, data, and websites through defense software such as firewalls, anti-malware software, etc. is also important.

The overall goal of the framework plan is to create a detailed strategy for your IT department to follow. In addition to this plan, a risk assessment can also be implemented. This can be defined as, How likely is the data to be exposed by an attack? What impact will that have? Then set goals accordingly.

Data Destruction As Part Of Your Cybersecurity Plans
As many individuals and organizations have shifted their landscape of work to home-bound settings, many have chosen to equip their home offices with new technology. Cybersecurity is important to consider in your home office as you can still fall under a cybersecurity attack under your own roof. It is also important to make sure you consider the data risks when disposing of old, unneeded IT as part of your cybersecurity plans.

Cyber-criminals will try to compromise redundant information you or your organization stores in old technology. The information you don’t effectively destroy when recycling your technology, even if it is held on obsolete devices, could still be extracted.

At Lifespan, our team provides on-site and off-site degaussing, erasure, and physical destruction to guarantee 100% secure Data Security, Destruction, and Sanitization for all types of data storage devices.

To learn more about Data Destruction and Your Cybersecurity, read this article by IT World Canada.