The Growing Need for Cybersecurity

As the universe becomes more digital, cybersecurity continues to be a hot topic across all industries. Spoiler alert - you need a cybersecurity plan in place for your business- but don’t worry, we're here to explain why and how! (We got you.) 

So what is cybersecurity? Think of the internet as a universe of its own. There’s valuable data and information that lives in this universe. We depend on the internet and digital solutions so heavily that our world is blending with the digital world. That is what opens each of us up to vulnerabilities and threats. Our Chief Information Security Officer, Roy Ross (A.K.A Cyber Suge) says, “We are so connected and dependent on the internet that the folks who can control your network and your ability to log into these systems, in a sense, control the world.” 

Cybersecurity is what protects us from those threats and identifies our vulnerabilities. It’s like having high-tech, digital bodyguards protecting you and your business at all times. Pretty hardcore in the best way, if you ask us.

Are you vulnerable to these threats? What are the threats? As a credit union, your members’ financial and personal information is extremely valuable. Cyber Suge says the days of Bonnie and Clyde robbing banks are long gone - the real danger lies in hacking. “The digital gold that folks are trying to get to is the data,” says Ross. “When they’re looking for data, they’re looking for everything.” From health and financial information to credentials, cybercriminals will poach whatever they can get their hands on.

One of the biggest dangers of all is something you might not expect- insider threats. This could be on purpose or by accident, but it’s a weak point for every business when it comes to cyber-hygiene. An insider threat could be someone who is purposely trying to steal money and information from a credit union, or even damage their reputation. Ross recalls an incident where a mother and daughter team were in cahoots at a credit union. “They were in different departments within the credit union, but they were able to use one person’s credentials combined with the other’s to secure fake loans, pull out money, and steal from actual member accounts.”

Accidental insider threats stem from a lack of cyber awareness. Not having measures like two-factor authentication (2FA) set up or making the mistake of plugging your phone into your work computer to charge are all simple errors that can be corrected with education. A big weak point for businesses right now is phishing. Ross says, “Almost 95% of breaches are due to some kind of phishing attack that happened prior.” Knowing how to identify phishing and avoid it is priceless when it comes to protecting your business.

Okay - you might be feeling a little freaked out right now. The thing is you don’t have to be because where there is a problem, there is always an OMNICOMMANDER solution. Not only do we have cyber tips for you, but we also have CYBERCOMMANDER - your one-stop shop for cybersecurity solutions. (Led by none other than the incomparable Cyber Suge!)

At CYBERCOMMANDER, the goal is to #StayReady and #SecureEverything. The CIA triad approach is used with each of our clients. “The CIA triad stands for confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your systems,” says Ross. We make sure that what you want to be protected is protected and that what you want to be seen is seen. Additionally, we ensure your system is clear of threats such as ransomware that cybercriminals could use to gain unwarranted access to your files. 

As the world increasingly becomes more digitized, having a cybersecurity plan in place and educating your employees is paramount to ensuring the safety of your business. “You can’t have security on something if you don’t know it’s there, or if you don’t know that it’s at risk,” says Ross. “With cybersecurity, it’s important for everybody to know how to protect themselves when they're online.”

Readiness is key. Stay ready and secure everything with CYBERCOMMANDER.