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Make it Harder for Hackers to Intrude

Make it Harder for Hackers to Intrude

by | Sep 8, 2024 | Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Awareness

Implementing strong password policies is crucial for protecting business systems. If you think this best practice does not apply to your business, what would you say and do if your employees’ and customers’ personal information were stolen?

Here’s a more detailed breakdown on the best practices to fight modern-day intrusions.

Require complex passwords:

  • Set minimum length requirements (e.g., at least 12 characters)
  • Mandate a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters
  • Prohibit common words, phrases, or easily guessable information (like birthdates)
  • Consider using passphrases instead of single words

Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA):

Require a second form of verification beyond passwords

Options include:

  • SMS codes (though less secure than other methods)
  • Authenticator apps (like Google Authenticator or Authy)
  • Hardware tokens (such as YubiKeys)
  • Biometric verification (fingerprints, facial recognition)

Apply MFA to all critical systems and accounts, especially those with administrative access

Use password managers:

  • Encourage or require employees to use reputable password management tools
  • These tools generate and store strong, unique passwords for each account
  • Reduces the risk of password reuse across multiple accounts
  • Some options include LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden

Implement password rotation policies:

  • Require password changes at regular intervals (e.g., every 90 days)
  • Prevent reuse of recent passwords
  • Monitor for compromised credentials:
  • Use services that check if employee email addresses or passwords have been exposed in known data breaches
  • Require immediate password changes if compromised credentials are detected

Implement account lockout policies:

  • Lock accounts after a certain number of failed login attempts
  • This helps prevent brute-force attacks

Use single sign-on (SSO) for multiple applications:

  • Reduces the number of passwords employees need to remember
  • Allows for centralized control and monitoring of access

By implementing these robust password policies, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access to their systems, making it much harder for hackers to intrude when you are at work and away!

Black Bottle IT would love to learn more about your work environment and provide an assessment for a modern-day cybersecurity solution. Contact us today!

Data Data Everywhere.  How Will You Protect Your Law Firm From Data Theft?

Data Data Everywhere.  How Will You Protect Your Law Firm From Data Theft?

by | Dec 7, 2023 | Complaince, Uncategorized

Data Data Everywhere.  How Will You Protect Your Law Firm From Data Theft?

Cybersecurity is paramount for law firms due to the sensitive and confidential nature of the information they handle.

Law firms are among industries scrambling to keep up with an increasingly unsafe cyber landscape. The rate of global weekly cyberattacks rose by 7% in the first financial quarter of 2023 compared with the same period in 2022, according to an April report by cybersecurity firm Checkpoint Research.

 

Organizations faced an average of 1,248 attacks a week, Checkpoint found. One out of every 40 of the attacks targeted a law firm or insurance provider, the report said.

 

More than a quarter of law firms in a 2022 American Bar Association survey said they had experienced a data breach, up 2% from the previous year.

Here are several reasons why cybersecurity is crucial for law firms

Client Confidentiality: Law firms deal with highly confidential information, including client communications, legal strategies, and sensitive documents. A breach of this information could harm the firm’s reputation and lead to legal consequences.

Data Protection Compliance: Many jurisdictions have strict data protection laws that mandate organizations to protect the personal information of their clients and employees. Law firms must comply with these regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States.

Intellectual Property Protection: Law firms often handle intellectual property cases, and their intellectual property, such as legal precedents and strategies, is valuable. Remember, cybercriminals just want to get their hands on any sensitive information, and law firms must work with a third party who can monitor and protect against unauthorized access. 

Financial Transactions: Law firms manage financial transactions for clients, which involves handling financial data. A breach could lead to financial loss, identity theft, or fraud.

Reputation Management: A cybersecurity breach can severely damage a law firm’s reputation. Clients trust law firms with their sensitive information, and a breach can erode that trust and lead to lost business. 

Competitive Advantage: Law firms prioritizing cybersecurity are committed to protecting client interests. This can be a competitive advantage, attracting clients who prioritize security and confidentiality in their legal representation.

Ethical and Professional Responsibilities: Legal professionals are responsible for protecting client information. Failing to implement adequate cybersecurity measures could be seen as a violation of these responsibilities.

Operational Continuity: Cybersecurity is not just about preventing unauthorized access but also ensuring the availability and integrity of systems and data. A cyberattack can disrupt operations, and having robust cybersecurity measures in place helps ensure business continuity.

Client Trust and Confidence: Clients expect their law firms to handle their cases professionally and securely. Demonstrating a commitment to cybersecurity helps build and maintain client trust and confidence.

Legal Liability: In a cybersecurity breach, law firms may face legal consequences and liabilities. This could include lawsuits from clients whose information was compromised or regulatory fines for non-compliance with data protection laws.

The stakes are too high! Cybersecurity is essential for law firms to protect the confidentiality of client information, comply with data protection regulations, safeguard intellectual property, maintain their reputation, and fulfill ethical and professional responsibilities. 

By budgeting, investing time and resources, and partnering with a Cybersecurity Consultant, you will sleep better at night as a business owner or partner. 

Get started by understanding your gaps in cybersecurity.  

Take our 5-minute Gap Cyber Risk Assessment Today! 

Take the Gap Cyber Risk Assessment
The Difference Between Passwords, Fingerprint, MFA

The Difference Between Passwords, Fingerprint, MFA

by | Sep 26, 2023 | Cybersecurity

How Likely will Your Business be Compromised without MFA?

 

MFA: strengthens your security posture and protects you from phishing attempts and compromised passwords.

According to Microsoft, your business is 99% less likely to get hacked with MFA implemented.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and the ideal time to implement MFA.

When we hear that MFA is annoying, expensive or not secure, our answer is, “Is a breach not more annoying as it will most likely shut down your business for a period of time, costing your business thousands of dollars  And, how’s about your reputation with customers?”

Black Bottle IT offers MFA as part of our comprehensive solution to make implementing it fast, easy, and cost-effective for organizations of all sizes. We aim to make MFA easy and affordable so that it becomes pervasive and every organization can benefit from the added protection.

Talk with an Expert!

 

Where do Cyberattacks Start

by | Jul 20, 2023 | Cyber Insurance, Cybersecurity

Where do Cyber Attacks Start? 

Cyberattacks can happen on any device at any given time, so how do you know which devices to protect your clients on? Well, to understand this, it will help to understand where these attacks come from.

In the past, all attacks came from outside sources, or, in other words, the internet. Cybersecurity companies combatted these attacks by setting up firewalls, IDS, and IPS systems to block any incoming attacks. Anti-virus software also became a reliable program to trust; however, these methods are outdated. Now, attacks can take place just about anywhere.

The malware that hackers now use is encrypted to the point that they are essentially invisible to firewalls and IDS systems. Historically, these edge devices acted as the first line of defense, protecting the network from outside threats, but this is no longer the case. The line of devices that attackers needed to penetrate before they could make a serious breach is no longer a concern to hackers.

 

4 Most Common Cyberthreats!

Black Bottle IT - 4 Most Common Cyberthreats

Just as military tactics and weapons continue to advance, so do the methods of cyber threats. With these advancements, cyber attackers have devised multiple ways to bypass edge protection and gain direct access from inside the network. This is made possible through email phishing, accidentally entering an incorrect site, allowing your kids to play games on unsecured websites, and more. 

Your Network is Vulnerable 

While networks are still organized from edge devices to wireless access points, and then to servers and personal devices, these advanced malware attacks ignore the line of defense that once proved competent. Companies do not realize that attacks can take place from within their network. In fact, many companies still rely on firewalls and anti-virus software. This is not enough. Rather than simple edge protection, companies need cybersecurity solutions that give them full coverage. 
 
With solutions from a reliable cybersecurity company, when an attack is made — no matter where it is coming from — the company is notified immediately, and the attack can be isolated before it spreads. This combination gives companies a centralized security system with all the necessary assistance. 
 

Let’s Get Started

If your clients have any problems with their cybersecurity products, contact us to learn more about how we can help you.