June 24, 2022 | By stephen

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66% Of Organizations Were Hit by Ransomware in the Last Year. Are You Next?

• Tech News

No matter what type of business you operate, you live with the constant threat of cyber attacks. Without adequate IT services, your organization may be even more exposed than you realize. Phishing attacks and ransomware can cost companies countless time and money. Despite the danger, many companies have yet to take the threat seriously. When organizations remain unprotected and lack a recovery plan, the right attack could spell disaster. Below are some of the cyber security issues that companies face that leave them exposed.

Cybersecurity Issues

Failure to Recognize the Threat

For many organizations, cyber threats seem like a worry for companies of different sizes or in different industries. Unfortunately, this leads some to ignore the need for professional IT services that can help protect digital assets. However, businesses of all sizes and in all industries are susceptible. Hackers are looking for easy targets, and they often find them in companies that least suspect an attack.

Failure to Educate Employees

Your employees are the first line of defense against cyber attacks. This is because they are often the initial target for phishing and ransomware attacks. While the right IT services can ensure that your hardware and software are secure, employee education is essential to keep your systems and data safe. Let your people know what to look for and what to do when they suspect a threat. Also, don’t forget that this needs to be an ongoing effort, and cybercriminals are constantly developing new approaches. The right IT service provider can connect you to resources to help keep your employees up to date and on the lookout.

Treating Cybersecurity as an IT Issue Only

Too many businesses fall victim to cyber-attacks because they see them only as an IT issue. However, whether your IT services are handled in-house or by a managed IT services provider, it is not enough to think of cyber risks as just a technical issue. Cyber attacks are, in fact, a financial issue. The cost of recovering from a ransomware attack or other cyber intrusion can be enough to send even a healthy company into bankruptcy or entirely out of business. Therefore, everyone from top leadership to line employees needs to be aware of the threat and part of mitigating the risk.

Ignoring the Threat of Remote Work

Whether it was related to the pandemic or just a part of a company’s business model, remote work is here to stay. Unfortunately, by its nature, it opens up organizations to a greater risk of attack. When all employees are on-site, it is simpler to develop IT solutions to keep data in and intruders out. However, employees connecting remotely create many more potential points of failure. This requires more robust IT services and a clearer focus on security to maintain control of your data and systems.

Failure to Create a Backup Plan

With the right IT service provider, you may be able to avoid a ransomware attack or other data breach. But don’t count it. Smart companies do everything possible to avoid an attack but have a clear plan in place to recover in the event of the worst happening. Companies need robust ongoing backups that make it easy to restore in the event of an attack or any other disaster that requires restoration of data.

Don’t Be Next

Cybercrime isn’t going away any time soon. It is a reality all businesses must deal with. Fortunately, with the right IT services, staff education, and planning, you can avoid an attack and be ready if someone does manage to defeat your defenses. Be sure you are ready.

LeadingIT offers 24/7, all-inclusive, fast and friendly technology and cybersecurity support for nonprofits, manufacturers, schools, accounting firms, religious organizations, government, and law offices with 20-200 employees across the Chicagoland area.