In a time where hackers are committing more cyber crimes than ever, it’s important for your organization to develop and build on a healthy cyber ecosystem. No matter where you’re at in developing your ecosystem, there are always steps you can take to strengthen the program. 

Below, we’ll list out a few simple, cost-effective ways to strengthen your cyber ecosystem, and how it will impact your entire organization.

Implement software patches.

While this one goes without saying, sometimes the simplest of security strategies can be overlooked. Software application updates and patches should be applied as soon as they become available. Hackers know that many organizations don’t stay  on top of this, making it easier to exploit those vulnerabilities. And the best bonus when it comes to applying patches and updates? It’s free. 

Educate your staff.

It’s all too easy for attacks to occur if your employees aren’t trained on what signs to look for. Every person in your organization who has access to confidential data should be trained in cybersecurity prevention best practices. Training can be administered in a variety of forms, including animated videos, quizzes, real life mock up scenarios, etc. Overall, the training should teach employees how to spot attacks in real time. This should be done on a consistent basis (at least annually), and training should be updated on a regular basis. The cost of educating your staff will depend on what tools and resources you use. While cybersecurity training might seem like a hefty investment, we can guarantee you it’ll be far less than what a breach could cost. 

Talk to your board.

Data breaches can lead to numerous detriments for your organization, including fines, legal battles, reputational damage, and more. Board members need to understand the potential ramifications of a breach, so they can make smart decisions and figure out where to budget resources. Great news — this step is also free!

Use a framework.

Establishing a framework for your risk management program will lay  the foundation for the rest of the program. Using a framework allows the organization to build a program that is cohesive. It will help organizations gather some insight into what can be assessed, defined, and improved. Frameworks and other resources are available by going to the NIST website.

Perform a risk analysis.

A risk analysis provides insight into where the gaps lie in your tech stack, and where you can improve. It covers all the possible ways your data could be breached, so you can develop programs and processes that prevent those attacks from happening. This analysis can be done in house, or by using a third party vendor. 

Whether your organization chooses to build on your ecosystem on your own or work with a third party, the steps above provide a good start to improving your cyber ecosystem.

Speaking of third party vendors, Thinline Technologies can help! We offer a variety of IT consulting services, including risk analysis, business continuity, and more. Visit our services page for more info, and contact us today.