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Small businesses are often prime targets for hackers. Regardless of their size, these businesses suffer severe hazards from various risk factors. First, their lack of experience and financial constraints make it difficult for them to invest in a strong cybersecurity system, leaving them susceptible to cyber attacks. Second, small businesses usually tend to manage a vast amount of important data, such as their customer information, making them even more attractive to hackers. The negative impacts that small businesses have to handle in case a cyber attack happens are not limited to the company itself but also extend to its partners. In fact, small businesses often use very basic IT infrastructure for daily operations. As a result any data violation can lead to huge financial and brand damages. Additionally, because of their interdependence within supply chains, the devastating business impacts of a cyber breach at one company can have far-reaching effects on numerous parties in their network. Given all these hurdles, small businesses must prioritise cybersecurity to protect their operations and uphold trust among consumers and partners alike. Cybersecurity is a vital factor for small businesses today when it comes to the digital world. Instead of making themselves the target of hackers, small businesses can always prepare themselves by improving their cybersecurity posture and, thus, protecting their company from potential violations. The recommendation for this preparation is that small businesses should equip themselves with the most effective prevention practices, such as developing a security strategy that includes implementing access controls, backing up data on a regular basis, and monitoring network activity. Besides this, enrolling expertise of well-trusted cybersecurity experts or companies should also be considered to ensure the company's long-term viability and resilience professionally, protecting its assets, reputation, and future success. Schedule a discovery call to learn the numerous ways we keep organizations proactive from a cybersecurity standpoint so they can remain secure, connected and productive. Don't fall victim to a cyberattack when we have the solution. https://lnkd.in/gpEtkaAT #comservconnect #manageditservices #voipservices #cybersecurity #networksecurity

With ransomware at an all-time high, companies need to understand that being cyber resilient means going beyond compliance to considering all aspects of a business, from operational continuity to software supply chain security. With ransomware payments hitting a record $1.1 billion in 2023, such difficult choices have become frequent for corporate leaders. More CSOs and CEOs understand that it’s not a question of if an attack will occur, but when. That mindset — accepting the inevitability of breach — could help companies become more cyber resilient than they are today. The concept of cyber resilience has evolved to be a crucial element of overall business strategy today. Many companies are integrating cyber resilience into their enterprise risk management processes. They have started taking proactive measures to identify vulnerabilities, assess risks, and implement appropriate controls. While many organizations invest in technical solutions for cyber resilience, they often overlook the importance of having the right people on board and fostering a culture of security awareness among them. Schedule a discovery call to learn the numerous ways we keep organizations proactive from a cybersecurity standpoint so they can remain secure, connected and productive. Don't fall victim to a cyberattack when we have the solution. https://lnkd.in/gpEtkaAT #comservconnect #manageditservices #voipservices #cybersecurity #networksecurity

Our vulnerability to cyber dangers grows every year as our lives and businesses become more and more reliant on digital technologies. Personal data, businesses, and infrastructures are consistently at risk. Unfortunately, not everyone is properly equipped to counter these threats. When the terms "online threats" and "data breaches" come to mind, do images of shadowy hackers and Hollywood movie plots fill your mind? While such dramatization might be riveting, the reality is considerably different. The risk of online threats and data breaches looms everywhere and is certainly not confined to the world of fiction. Understanding why you need resistance against cyber threats is one thing, but knowing how to implement such resistance is key. On this path, cybersecurity measures become your critical allies. Creating a healthy cybersecurity culture requires a comprehensive and unified approach. It calls for integrating cybersecurity principles at every level and facet of an organization or household. The perception of cybersecurity as an isolated function needs to be revamped, acknowledging instead that it's a foundational principle permeating every digital interaction. For instance, organizations can start integrating cybersecurity principles into daily operations by standardizing cybersecurity protocols. This encompasses steps like enforcing stringent password protocols, promoting regularly updating software, and discouraging insecure practices, such as clicking on links from unverified sources. Schedule a discovery call to learn the numerous ways we keep organizations proactive from a cybersecurity standpoint so they can remain secure, connected and productive. Don't fall victim to a cyberattack when we have the solution. https://lnkd.in/gpEtkaAT #comservconnect #manageditservices #voipservices #cybersecurity #networksecurity

Low-tech attack vectors are being adapted by cyber criminals to overcome security defenses because they can often evade detection until it’s too late. USB-based attacks, QR codes in phishing emails, and social engineering, improved with the help of generative AI, are examples of relatively low-tech tactics being used to launch significant attacks. This has been confirmed in the latest Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), which found tried-and-true attack tactics continue to be successful, underscoring the fact that organizations must remain vigilant against well-worn methods, even as the threats posed by generative AI shake things up. Attacks via QR code phishing, also called quishing, are on the rise according to industry reports, with scammers sending well-constructed phishing emails or installing malicious QR codes in public leading people to click on them thinking it should be secure. Even commonplace tasks such as generating a QR code to configure the Microsoft Authenticator app that’s used for two-factor authentication with Office 365 is open to exploitation, because it normalizes QR codes as a secure mechanism in the minds of users, Heiland says. The danger with a QR code is that it can be configured to launch almost any application on a device, download a file, or open a browser and go to a website, all without the user being aware of what it’s going to do. Schedule a discovery call to learn the numerous ways we keep organizations proactive from a cybersecurity standpoint so they can remain secure, connected and productive. Don't fall victim to a cyberattack when we have the solution. https://lnkd.in/gpEtkaAT #comservconnect #manageditservices #voipservices #cybersecurity #networksecurity

Amazing night last Friday supporting the Staten Island Museum for their annual gala! Congratulations to all the honorees! #statenisland #community #support #business #comservconnect

In 2023, hackers used remote desktop protocol to orchestrate 9 out of 10 cyberattacks. How does this affect you as a business owner? If your digital infrastructure has any vulnerabilities, it could offer an untapped portal for remote desktop protocol attacks, especially if you have remote-working employees on your team. Remote desktop protocol occurs when one person gains access to another person’s device remotely. For example, you might have problems getting your laptop to boot up. You’ll call IT support for assistance. The representative might request access to your computer to investigate its internal workings and solve the issue, using their device to enter yours. Although this protocol helps authorized professionals assist clients, bad actors may also use it to steal sensitive information or download viral software onto an unsuspecting victim’s device. Increased cyber security efforts and regular protective maintenance measures have become the norm for all businesses. Small businesses can have special vulnerabilities due to their lack of resources. You can sidestep these attacks with multifactor authentication and regular password updates. Traditional MFA consists of a password alongside another verification method, like authentication from a second device. Also, go ahead and enable automatic updates. You can quickly regain your focus. You can’t easily recoup your business reputation following a data breach. Eliminate vulnerabilities to keep your network airtight. Schedule a discovery call to learn the numerous ways we keep organizations proactive from a cybersecurity standpoint so they can remain secure, connected and productive. Don't fall victim to a cyberattack when we have the solution. https://lnkd.in/gpEtkaAT #comservconnect #manageditservices #voipservices #cybersecurity #networksecurity

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! I hope you have a peaceful day! #happymothersday #mothersday #holiday #comservconnect

One of the largest Catholic health systems in the U.S. is dealing with a disruption to its clinical operations following a cyberattack detected on Wednesday. Ascension, a nonprofit organization that runs 140 hospitals across 19 states, published a notice saying it discovered unusual activity on network systems and immediately began an investigation, hiring Mandiant and notifying law enforcement soon after. Ascension urged its business partners to temporarily suspend connections to their technological environment. The company did not respond to requests for more information. The attack is yet another incident affecting a prominent healthcare system. A ransomware attack on Prospect Medical Holdings last August affected dozens of hospitals and prompted intervention by the FBI and other federal agencies. The issue has also impacted hundreds of hospitals and medical facilities worldwide. There has been increased scrutiny around cybersecurity in the healthcare industry since a ransomware attack on UnitedHealth Group’s Change Healthcare severely damaged a system used by most hospitals and pharmacies across the U.S. Schedule a discovery call to learn the numerous ways we keep organizations proactive from a cybersecurity standpoint so they can remain secure, connected and productive. Don't fall victim to a cyberattack when we have the solution. https://lnkd.in/gpEtkaAT #comservconnect #manageditservices #voipservices #cybersecurity #networksecurity

Biometric authentication factors like facial recognition scans are no longer iron-clad cybersecurity measures. Emerging technology allows hackers to steal face scans and infiltrate a user’s unauthorized accounts. Cybersecurity experts praise multi-factor authentication as a key way to protect sensitive data. Rather than just entering a username or password, you’ll use one or more other credentials to verify you as the account holder. Savvy hackers can infiltrate accounts when you use MFA measures like personal identification numbers or security questions. Recent vulnerabilities emphasize the need for biometric data protection since threat actors are stealing sensitive data. How is it possible for a hacker to steal face scans? Vulnerable users fall victim to this attack by letting a fake app led by bad actors perform a biometric scan. Hackers can access this sensitive data as soon as the scan is completed. Groundbreaking artificial intelligence becomes a problem when hackers use this technology to create a deepfake image of people after stealing their biometric data. This replicated image allows cybercriminals to bypass sensitive biometric multi-factor authentication methods. Once a hacker completes the steps above, they can easily infiltrate apps. This cyberattack causes the most harm when threat actors receive unauthorized bank access to various financial apps. By impersonating the user, they can access bank account numbers and cause significant economic loss. Schedule a discovery call to learn the numerous ways we keep organizations proactive from a cybersecurity standpoint so they can remain secure, connected and productive. Don't fall victim to a cyberattack when we have the solution. https://lnkd.in/gpEtkaAT #comservconnect #manageditservices #voipservices #cybersecurity #networksecurity

A major Washington, D.C.-area health network says the personal information of about 184,000 people was likely hacked when an outsider accessed emails and files belonging to three employees. MedStar Health reported that it alerted 183,709 patients that their data was exposed. The company also filed a notice with the Department of Health and Human Services. The unauthorized access to the employee email accounts and files “occurred intermittently” between January and October of last year, MedStar Health said. It did not explain the exact nature of the email access. The company said it undertook a forensic analysis of the incident in early March and confirmed patient information appeared in the breached files and emails. Officials said that while there is “no reason to believe that patient information was actually acquired or viewed, we cannot rule out such access.” It said the emails and files included patients’ names, mailing address, dates of birth, dates of service, provider names and health insurance information. The hack is just one in a string of recent healthcare breaches or ransomware incidents and comes as the industry is reeling from the February ransomware attack on Change Healthcare, which compromised the personal information of a “substantial proportion of people in America,” according to the company. Schedule a discovery call to learn the numerous ways we keep organizations proactive from a cybersecurity standpoint so they can remain secure, connected and productive. Don't fall victim to a cyberattack when we have the solution. https://lnkd.in/gpEtkaAT #comservconnect #manageditservices #voipservices #cybersecurity #networksecurity