In a world where cyber threats are increasing every day, your business sustainability is in large part resting on your cybersecurity strategy. Yet, executives and even some IT managers don’t have a good handle on what it takes to build and maintain a strong cyber defense. These mistakes and omissions can stem from lack of knowledge or a faulty mindset that leads them to believe that they won’t be the target of a cyber criminal.

If you’re wondering if what you’re doing with cybersecurity is enough, then the only way to get the action items needed to turn it around is with a security assessment. However, you can reflect on the following five attitudes and situations to get some quick answers that will either surprise you or confirm your suspicions that you’re making cybersecurity mistakes right now.

1. Thinking that yesterday’s tactics work for today’s threats
2. Thinking that cybersecurity is all about the technology
3. Neglecting cybersecurity basics
4. Not including response in your cybersecurity plan
5. Waiting too long to get outsourced cybersecurity services.

 1. Thinking That Yesterday’s Tactics Work for Today’s Threats

Have you noticed how the technology that you’re using in your business has changed over the years? Well, the tech that cyber criminals use has changed too and they’re using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to make their movements more stealthy, widespread, and targeted. If you don’t have advanced cybersecurity tools in your tactics to fight AI with AI then you’re automatically giving the bad guys an advantage

Another reason to evolve your cybersecurity toolbox is because your network has changed. It used to be that your network was contained within a set perimeter. As you added remote workers, cloud services and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, the edges of that perimeter aren’t so static anymore and it takes a different set of tactics to defend.

 2. Thinking That Cybersecurity Is All About the Technology

While having up-to-date security technology is vital, that alone won’t keep your organization safe from predators who want to bypass your tech and get employees to open the doors to your data and network. That’s why you need security policies to document what employees should access pertaining to data and IT systems. Documentation is the first step, then training employees how to follow policies and enforcing them is how you’ll get follow-through

In addition to instructing employees on security policies, everyone in your organization (including you) should have ongoing cybersecurity awareness training, so that people can learn how to recognize and respond to potential cyber attacks.

Related: How to Get People to Care About Cybersecurity

3. Neglecting Cybersecurity Basics

Sometimes the simplest things get neglected because they’re… simple. But that’s a big mistake when it comes to cybersecurity. For example, all software should be updated with the latest patches and you should never use software (including operating systems like Windows 7) that are unsupported. Likewise, your hardware should be on a refresh schedule too. Modern software works best on modern hardware and often has built-in security measures that older models didn’t include. 

Some other cybersecurity best practices that don’t get the attention they need are making sure that network equipment is configured properly, so that there are no open ports. Another is utilizing strong password management and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for email, online accounts, and network access

Related: Close Security Holds by Updating Software and Hardware

 4. Not Including Incident Response in Your Cybersecurity Plan

Even with the most robust cybersecurity strategy, no one can 100% guarantee that your organization will never become the victim of a cyber attack. If and when one happens, you want your people to know what to do to handle the situation

Your response plan should include layers to detect possible intruders and contain them, guidelines for cleaning up the incursion and getting your systems back up and running. No cyber response plan is complete without training. You might not be able to simulate every possible attack scenario, but you can role play with a few of them, and let your IT team and employees practice their responses.

 5. Waiting Too Long to Get Outsourced Cybersecurity Services

It’s great to have confidence in your IT team but when it comes to cybersecurity, you don’t want the future of your business to be resting on false confidence. Cybersecurity is complex and evolving, and it takes a team of different specialties and technical tools to cover all the bases.

Outsourcing cybersecurity brings you everything you need to create a cybersecurity strategy that meets your risk profile and tolerance. The result is that you can have real confidence in your security posture, and you’ll probably even get better rates on cyber insurance too.

XPERTECHS Cybersecurity and Managed IT Services

Here at XPERTECHS, we provide clients with cybersecurity services through our XperCARE and DEFEND frameworks. Services are delivered via our proven processes and highly skilled team of IT professionals. What business leaders like best, is that not only do we work proactively and reactively to build predictable IT systems and defend against cyber threats, we provide IT guidance to help them find ways to leverage technology for business growth and improvement.

Get in touch to schedule an IT and Cybersecurity consultation.