If you’re a Nonprofit, Tech Startup or Creative Agency, your devices need cybersecurity protection too

In the same way that cyber awareness training and best cloud cybersecurity practices protect your data, so does securing your devices.  

Devices, particularly mobile devices, are yet one more way that bad actors can hack your company’s systems and steal your data.   

Mobile devices are especially attractive to cyber criminals because most workers access company documents via their smartphones.  

This makes smartphones equally vulnerable to viruses, spyware and malware, just like your desktop computers.  

In addition, once the pandemic hit, remote workers were spending even more time on their phones for company matters without the proper precautions. 

Since most remote workers are in the habit of checking company email on their vulnerable smartphones, bad actors have really picked up their phishing email schemes game. This makes it even harder to detect the malicious emails from the safe ones.  

In fact, according to security firm FireEye, “91% of cybercrime starts with email.” And that one email could threaten your company’s very survival.  

Whereas malware was previously attached to emails to gain access to the user’s computer, nowadays, bad actors rely more on impersonating trusted senders. These impersonations enable them to gain access to confidential information or assets or convinces victims to click on malicious links.  

Though this list of common scams put out by the Federal Trade Commission is helpful, you’ll still need more help protecting your devices.  

What can you do to protect your devices? 

• Implement encryption on all mobile devices by using a lock screen that always requires a passcode.  
• Always keep your operating systems and your anti-virus software up to date with the current releases.   
• Aim to standardize your company’s equipment for greater security protection. Especially, if you have a large fleet of devices. This makes it easier and more efficient to keep all your devices running on the latest updates.   

What do you need an expert managed IT services partner (MSP) for? 

• To monitor, patch and keep all your devices up to date. They’ll also send you monthly reporting on what was done.  
• To carefully dispose of assets once your company no longer needs them. Typically, this includes removing a hard drive or wiping it clean before letting it out the door. You’ll need an expert to make sure it’s done correctly.  

Looking for more information on cybersecurity? 

Lastly, if you’re looking for more ways to stay cyber secure, we invite you to sign up for the replay of our Protect Your People, Data and Devices: Cybersecurity Roadmap for 2021 webinar or reach out to schedule a free consult with us via the form here.