How cybersafe is your business? Your life?

[Audrey McNeil <audrey () riskbasedsecurity com>]

http://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/contributor/2015/10/08/how-cybersafe-your-business-your-life/73536314/

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in promoting its National Cyber
Security Awareness Month, is getting loud about the continuing threat and
wave of ID theft and cyberattacks.

Just in recent days, breaches of Experian, the giant credit bureau (15
million T-Mobile customers) and Scottrade, the online brokerage (4.5
million customers) underscore that the threat level is high.

I encourage your business, employees and customers to participate in DHS’
National Cyber Security outreach.

The Department of Homeland Security understands that the rapid expansion of
the Internet of Things and today’s increasingly complex cyberlandscape are
raising your risk of ID theft and fraud.

Think about Experian about its recent data breach of 15 million T-Mobile
customers.

Experian, the largest credit bureau in the United States, maintains credit
information on approximately 220 million U.S. consumers and 25 million
active U.S. businesses. As a credit bureau, they have more financial and
information technology resources than most any other business sector, and
they still can’t prevent it from happening.

If you think your business is completely safe from an outside hacker, an
insider threat or an accidental release, think again. No one company can
ever prevent itself from experiencing a data-breach event.

So what can you do about it? The No. 1 answer is education and awareness.

First, understand the definition of a data breach. While there are many,
here is a good one: “an incident in which sensitive, protected, or
confidential data has potentially been viewed, stolen, or used by an
individual unauthorized to do so. Data breaches may involve payment card
information, personal health information, personally identifiable
information, trade secrets or intellectual property.”

Second, understand that it’s not just about big business.  The new targets
are small businesses. According to the National Small Business Association,
“68 percent report being a cybervictim more than once."

NSBA also reported on the cost of a small business breach. In 2013,
cyberattacks cost small businesses on average $8,699 per attack, the
association said. This year, the number has skyrocketed to $20,752 per
attack.

Finally, learn more and participate in this month’s National Cyber Security
Awareness Month. Here are the weekly educational themes:

- Week 1: General cybersecurity awareness. Focuses on cybersecurity as a
shared responsibility and provides simple online tips to empower all
Americans to be safer online.
- Week 2: Creating a culture of cybersecurity at work.  Highlights the
common threats to which businesses and employees are exposed and provides
resources for business and employees to stay safer online and enhance their
existing security plans.
- Week 3: Connected communities: Staying protected while always connected.
Emphasizes the importance of protecting ourselves when connecting to the
Internet while on the go.
- Week 4: Your evolving digital life. Highlights the “smart world” we live
in and the importance of educating all citizens on cybersecurity as more
and more of the devices we use – from phones and tablets to homes and
medical devices – become connected to the Internet.
- Week 5: Building the next generation of cyberprofessionals.  Looks to the
future of the cybersecurity workforce, focusing on cybersecurity education
and awareness in schools at all levels, and emphasizing the need for
properly trained cybersecurity professionals.

Mark's Most Important: Homeland security has done the hard work to help
your business be better prepared for a likely cyber attack. Get involved
and encourage your employees and customers to take advantage of National
Cyber Security Awareness Month.

_______________________________________________
Dataloss Mailing List (dataloss () datalossdb org)
Archived at http://seclists.org/dataloss/
Unsubscribe at http://lists.osvdb.org/mailman/listinfo/dataloss
For inquiries regarding use or licensing of data, e-mail
        sales () riskbasedsecurity com 

Supporters:

Risk Based Security (http://www.riskbasedsecurity.com/)
YourCISO is an affordable SaaS solution that provides a comprehensive information security program that ensures focus 
on the right security.  If you need security help or want to provide real risk reduction for your clients contact us!