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April 26, 2016 - Cybersecurity. It is a big buzz word in the working world. If you are not a tech savvy person, it can be intimidating. You might renew the anti-virus software on your computer religiously (because there are lovely pop-ups that remind you when to do it, or because your free version is about to expire), but do you ever stop to wonder why it is worth it? Why do a few minutes of updates, regular password change-ups, or annual Cybersecurity training matter?


It comes down to this: a cyber threat to your computer is a cyber threat to other aspects of your life. You work hard to build up your personal credit and digital reputation. Without the right knowledge of how to protect your credit card information and Social Security Number, all that effort can go down the drain faster that a Philadelphia sports team’s winning streak.

Cybersecurity
On a macro level, cyber threats are more than a personal inconvenience. Much like rumors of casual dress Fridays, cyber threats spread quickly and are contagious. A carefree click of the mouse on an unsafe hyperlink or email can put your whole company at risk, and can potentially have permanent effects on its financial and reputational well-being.


According to IBM’s 2014 Cyber Security Intelligence Index, which observed cyber threat trends for over 1,000 clients in 133 monitored countries, 95% of successful cyber-attacks are due to human error. Even more concerning, the most targeted industry is the Finance and Insurance sector.


How can you avoid being part of the 95% and stay safely in the 5% club? At Edcomm Banker’s Academy, we believe the best counter approach is education.  


Step One: Recognize the Threat
Know the signs that you have been hacked:
• Slow internet- might indicate a denial of service attack is in progress
• Deletion of important files- could mean a criminal has infiltrated your computer
• Grammar mistakes and misspelled words – may be a sign of a spoofing or phishing attempt
• Sudden internet browser changes- might signal malware has been installed


Step Two: Protect Yourself
Be proactive in your solutions and prevention measures:
• Find and download an anti-virus software you trust (McAfee, Norton Security, Bitdefender, eScan, Kaspersky, Zone Alarm)
• Scan your computer for spyware, viruses, and other cyber threats on a regular basis
• Secure your Wi-Fi Network by making it password protected
• Always track and keep an eye on your credit information to minimize damage
• Change your passwords every 3 months
• Strengthen your passwords with a mixture of numbers, characters, upper case lower case letters
• Limit employee access to the internet, and their authority to install software
• Communicate and conduct business with companies you know and trust
• Only visit websites you trust. Check with your IT team if you are unsure.


Step Three: Learn More
• Educate all your employees, not just IT Specialists of this importance
• Read articles on new cyber-crime trends
• Maintain constant vigilance


As technology advances, so does the complexity of potential cyber threats. Do not let potential cyber security threats frighten you or your employees. Instead, be proactive to minimize the costly and disruptive impact of potential threats. Let Edcomm Banker’s Academy be your guide.


We are proud to announce that in collaboration with Logical Operations, the official courseware provider to Microsoft, Cisco, and Compita, we are launching a CyberSAFE curriculum! The new CyberSAFE curriculum is engaging and easy for employees to understand, even if they have limited technical knowledge. It is designed to empower and to protect your team members by teaching them how to recognize and to address common risks. Please feel free to contact us directly to learn more!

by Madelyn Fagan

Sources
“2014 Cyber security intelligence index.” IBM. (2014). Web. 18 April 2016.
Magid, Larry. “Why cyber security matters to everyone.” Forbes. (2014). Web. 18 April 2016.
“Why is cybersecurity important to me?.” Air Force Association. Northrop Grumman Foundation. (2013). Web. 18 April 2016.

  • We switched to Banker’s Academy over a year ago from a different online training program. The cost savings was tremendous - which has been very helpful in this time of budget cuts. We found that the training content is precise, to the point, and always current. It doesn't have a lot Read More
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