Schools are a major target for malicious cybersecurity events and ransomware attacks. One reason is they sometimes need more resources or preparation to handle cybercriminal activity. Ransomware events negatively impact a school’s finances, parents, faculty and students. Why Are Schools a Target for Cyberattacks? The United States Government Accountability Office recently reported school districts impacted by a cyberattack experienced learning losses ranging from three days to three weeks. Complete recovery took as long as nine months and the financial harm ranged from $50,000 per school district to $1 million. Costs included ramped-up security software, new equipment and a more considerable…
Author: Zac Amos
Security is one of the most important aspects of any business. You must protect it and ensure that your data and systems are safe from hackers and malware. However, not all companies have in-house security experts or CISOs (Chief Information Security Officers). This leaves many companies open to attack regarding cybersecurity. Therefore, it could be worthwhile to consider hiring a virtual CISO. The Role of the CISO Businesses have various security challenges — from ransomware attacks and phishing to internal threats. A cyberattack can occur at any time and cost a company millions of dollars. For example, Marriott International experienced…
The massive shift to remote work cybersecurity that started during the pandemic is here to stay. With more people working from home, companies must address potential security risks before a threat arises. But this necessitates a change in mindset from both businesses and their employees. Employers need to adopt a zero-trust approach to cybersecurity, while people working from home should educate themselves on the risks of data breaches. The Rise of Cybercrime 2020 was a great year for hackers. In that year alone, the FBI reported $4.2 billion in total personal and business losses due to hacking. That’s $700 million more…
Competitive advantage for government contractors equates to certifications and compliance. With cybersecurity becoming a top priority for everyone — including the government — it’s vital to avoid as many bidding wars as possible for business sustainability. Consider what CMMC compliance can provide an organization. What Is CMMC Compliance? The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requires contractors working with the United States Department of Defense (DoD) to meet specific standards. Government contractors must prioritize obtaining this certification before the deadline. The new guidelines — in version 2.0 in 2022 — have higher standards than previous versions to keep up with rising…
Diversity is a hot topic in the modern lexicon of human resources. While it is essential to take a person’s experience and education into account, a diverse team could prove very beneficial. Many companies might miss out on the hidden benefits of diversity in cybersecurity by not at least considering it when looking at their pool of applicants. There are many reasons why hiring a diverse set of personnel can aid a business and the people working for it. Here are four potential benefits of diversifying your cybersecurity team. 1. Expanding the Field On the humanistic side, it is important…
Hackers are becoming savvier by the day, inventing new ways to circumvent the latest cybersecurity initiatives. Analysts can keep up, but regular internet users can alleviate their load by understanding the most common human errors hurting cybersecurity. The World Economic Forum highlighted that human error causes 95% of cybersecurity issues. Implementing gradual security measures could dramatically increase safety, saving personal stress and professional catastrophe. 1. Poor Password Management Password management encompasses healthy password creation practices and smart storage solutions. Whether for professional or personal use, every internet user must educate themselves on solid password management to secure their personal and…