Think twice before clicking on a link

In a digital society, cybersecurity is more important than ever. This was made painfully clear this summer by a ransomware attack at Asco that completely shut down production. So you would do well to sensitize your company and your employees to this issue. October has been declared European Cyber Security Month, during which various national campaigns are launched to create greater awareness of cyber security.

On Oct. 1, two campaigns were launched around cybersecurity. One from the Center for Cybersecurity Belgium and the other from the Cyber Security Coalition. Agoria also supports these campaigns. Not coincidentally, they start on the same day, as October is known as the European Cyber Security month. The goal of this European action month (and the various national campaigns that follow it) is to raise awareness among citizens and organizations about practices that compromise cyber security, to promote cyber security and to arm people sufficiently to protect themselves online through education and the sharing of good practices. The overarching theme of this year's European Action Month is "Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility.

October campaign month

The Belgian national campaign is already in its fifth edition and this year, under the slogan "relax and think twice before clicking on a link," is specifically fighting phishing. Although more and more Internet users know what phishing is, too many people still click on links in fake messages and get infected with a virus, for example. Often people are just too quick, a click is easy. During the October campaign month, radio spots, videos and tips on social media will draw attention to the problem. We also summarize some tips for you below.

The building blocks of cybersecurity must become a natural reflex. That starts with a strong password. (Image: PN Photo)

Shielding information

Cyber security obviously starts with shielding information. Not only for the outside world, but also for internal employees. Not everyone needs the same access to certain data. Set up efficient authorization around that.

Keep your information technology systems up-to-date

Crucial to this is keeping information systems up-to-date. Technology is changing rapidly and hackers are not sitting still either. Therefore, make sure you are always up to speed and, when investing in technology, always inform yourself about the possibilities and cost of further updates. Don't forget to secure mobile devices and make sure e-mails are encrypted if sensitive information is communicated that way.

Caution with smartphones and laptops

Smartphones and laptops are a popular target for circumventing a company's security from the inside. They are often handled more carelessly in terms of security. So make your staff aware of the cyber dangers as well and put in place sufficient training around this matter. A strong password that changes on a frequent basis, for example, is the basis of good security. In addition, it is best to inform them about what actions should be taken immediately if a security breach does occur. After all, an adequate response can significantly limit the damage.

Backup of critical data

Finally, backups are an integral part of modern business operations. Analyze which data is critical and make sure the backup frequency is high enough so nothing can be lost. In other words, cyber security is more than just investing in the most expensive antivirus software. It is a matter of combining several techniques to cover the risk so well. In doing so, it's important to make sure your employees are pulling the same cyber-security strings.