Protecting Data is Key to Staying in Business 

In today’s work-from-home, shop-online, remote-schooling, internet-centric world, cybersecurity should be paramount for every business. Employees may be working from home, sharing an internet-connected computer or workstation with multiple family members, or conducting business from multiple devices. On January 28, Data Privacy Day, Woz U cybersecurity experts are sharing tips on how businesses, particularly startups and small businesses, can protect themselves from cyberattacks.

The first thing a company must do is educate employees on best practices. Almost 90 percent of data breaches are caused by human error. Training employees on how to recognize potential phishing scams and other common threats, and on what to do if an attack happens, can eliminate this entry point into your data and mitigate the damage it can cause. Common reckless habits include using weak passwords, emailing or sharing passwords, using the same password across multiple accounts or devices, opening suspicious links and attachments, and failing to establish privacy settings. Equally important is creating a culture that encourages employees to be aware of the risks and report any incidents.

When systems are breached, the result is not just data loss, but financial loss as well. According to a 2019 report by insurance carrier Hiscox, the average loss from a cyberattack is $200,000. And the National Cyber Security Alliance found that 60 percent of companies that are victims of a cyberattack go out of business within six months. A Verizon Data Breach Investigation Report shows that 71 percent of cyberattacks occur at businesses with fewer than 100 employees.

Regardless of the size of the business, there is a cost-benefit to investing in cyber protection. With changes in technology, experts also recommend keeping systems updated. Even if `it means updating every day. Additionally, installing and updating antivirus, anti-spyware, and anti-malware on every computer should be a priority. Additionally, companies must develop a cybersecurity plan that includes these education components, and establishes safe practices – such as keeping software and hardware up to date, monitoring systems to detect anomalies, and using firewalls – that mitigate damages.

Businesses of any size can be vulnerable to data breaches and cyberattacks. Outsourcing cybersecurity to a trusted, respected company can help protect your business. Woz U helps businesses develop a cybersecurity program that trains employees to uncover your organization’s technological vulnerabilities, helping to implement the right security measures to protect your company against threats. The sooner you can put the right mitigation tactics in place, the better you can protect your data, and your business, from harmful cyberattacks.

Woz U is an Arizona-based digital learning eco-system designed to train, cultivate, and upskill talent in technology fields to meet the workforce needs of today and into the future. Through our Education-as-a-Service model and our proprietary learning experience platform, we offer customizable, career-focused training curricula to help individuals, businesses, and educational institutions meet their goals, achieve their business objectives, and enhance their education offerings. We’re working to close the technology skills gap by elevating human capital and empowering individuals in high-demand technology careers, while adhering to the highest education and business standards.