Cyber Security

October is cyber security awareness month. It is critically important for Public Sector organisations to maintain excellent cyber security when using networked computers and services since they frequently handle sensitive and private information.

The organisation's reputation and ability to function can both be adversely affected by failing to do this. Furthermore, organisations may face legal repercussions if they fail to protect data.

You can minimise the risks of cyber-attacks by following the steps discussed in the sections below.

4 Cyber security risks

Phishing

Cyber criminals often use phishing attacks to obtain sensitive information which is when scammers send emails to thousands of people in the hopes of stealing personal information. To spot a scam email, look for poor-quality images or logos, spelling or grammatical errors, an email that's addressed to "Dear Friend" or another generic address, and demands that you act immediately. If something looks suspicious or you think you may have been scammed, tell the IT team so that they can take steps to minimise any damage.

Insecure Passwords

When you use a weak password or the same password for many accounts, you can easily compromise the security of each account. To keep your online accounts safe from hackers, you need to choose passwords that are hard for other people to guess. Don’t use the name of your spouse, child, or pet, your favourite sports team, or a string of numbers. For sensitive accounts, always use two-factor authentication, and lock your account while not in use.

Virus Spreading

Transferring data between various devices is made easier by using USBs and pen drives. However, this might result in the spread of viruses among computers and networks. Documents should be stored online or sent over email wherever possible to prevent this. If you must use USBs or pen drives, make sure you are only utilising those your organisation has given to you and that they are password-protected.

Working from home

The cyber security of your organisation is likewise threatened when data is accessed from home. When working from home, you are still in charge of data security, thus it's critical that your home devices are running the most recent version of antivirus software.  Additionally, make sure they are protected with two-factor authentication, strong passwords, and that you have downloaded all recent software upgrades.

Simple steps to stay cyber secure

1.         Install all software updates as soon as they are made available.

2.         When not in use, always lock your device or screen.

3.         Download applications from official app stores only.

4.         Never share an account with someone else.

5.         Always question things that seem suspicious  

The Multifunctional Devices and Digital Transformation Solutions Framework provides managed IT support services for cyber security. Click here to find out more.