With almost a full two months remaining, 2020 has already changed more about how organizations operate than any event in recent memory. One of the most overlooked shifts in business and IT, however, has been the way that the pandemic has created cybersecurity challenges in several sectors.

FinTech News, for example, found that Covid-19 is responsible for a 238% rise in cyberattacks this year. Ransomware attacks, phishing and a variety of other tactics are all on the rise. Research has also shown that there are currently more cybercriminals operating right now, possibly because people are looking for alternate sources of income in a difficult economic climate. In this blog, we will look at what is happening, and how your organization can ensure you are prepared to combat the threats.

Increased remote working

Almost eight months into the pandemic, many organizations are still operating either fully or partially remote. VPN servers have become paramount for businesses and especially schools—but it is important to ensure that a VPN is configured correctly to protect against theft of sensitive information. Having the technology in place to monitor your VPN—either internally or with a managed security provider — is critical as well.

Social engineering is also on the rise, as work-from-home employees may be more vulnerable to these tactics than they would be in an office setting. Employees need the training and materials necessary to ensure they are prepared for these kinds of malicious attacks. If your IT team doesn’t have an experienced cybersecurity professional on staff and/or lacks the expertise to build a training program, it may make sense to engage with a security partner that can ensure employees are working safely from home.

2. Lack of documented plan

Most organizations plan to create a documented security strategy, but in the past, many would delay this project in favor of other priorities. With the rise in attacks and threats, however, organizations must make threat assessment and planning a priority now.

Security program and policy development are an important part of a defense strategy. Technology and training are great, but it only works in combination with a pre-emptive plan. If your organization does not have experience creating a plan internally, engaging with an expert may be a way to ensure you are ready when threats present themselves.  

3. Delayed attack response

Even if you do have some cybersecurity personnel on staff, it may be more difficult to detect and respond to attacks than it was before the pandemic hit, when teams were working together more closely. Organizations may also have had to lay staff off in recent months due to budget constraints, meaning teams are smaller and less equipped than they were previously.

In either case, a managed security service provider can help. An expert security partner can help your organization prepare for an attack before it happens. A robust response requires a plan and a certified team of professionals.

Looking for more information about how your organization can defend itself against an attack? Reach out today for more information.