Man-Made Problems in the Digital World

If you’ve watched any sci-fi movie, you probably understand the perceived dangers of the digital world. Primarily the unrealistic dangers of artificial intelligence. Now, I’m not saying that AI won’t be a threat in the future but it’s important to note that right now the people using the Internet pose a much bigger threat than an incoming Robo-Apocalypse. And I’m not just talking about cybercriminals. Regular, everyday human error is what poses the most dangerous threat to your company’s cybersecurity. Don’t believe me? Well then, let’s take a quick look.

• If one of your employees is involved in a data breach and they happen to use the same password across all their accounts, that could give cybercriminals access to your whole network of data including employee W2’s and customer billing information.
• If just one person isn’t paying enough attention to their email and falls for a phishing scam, it could expose your company to a data breach or ransomware attack. Something like that could shut down your company for days or even weeks. Think about how much that could cost you in revenue and reputation.
• A less than thought-out photo posted to social media with PII (Personal Identifiable Information) or PHI (Personal Health Information) visible in the frame could lead to a data breach or a HIPAA violation. You don’t want a poorly timed selfie to be the reason you have to deal with an onslaught of lawsuits.
• Something as simple as a lost phone could be fatal if that employee used their personal phone for work. A hacker could use that hardware to break into your integral systems that hold employee and customer data. Not as easy to fix as a trip to Best Buy.

All these missteps are unintentional, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t plan ahead
for them. Make sure that you’re giving your staff proper cybersecurity training and making your digital policies well-known. Be an active participant in making sure no one falls for scams.

Luckily for you, this Cybersecurity Awareness Month we’ve got you covered. We’ll be sharing daily tips that will put you on a path to less human error and stronger cybersecurity! Make sure that you’re following us on social media (@digitaleragroup) so you don’t miss out on any of the cybersecurity goodness we have in October.