Cybersecurity Expert Josh Rickard, Security Solutions Architect at Swimlane explains to Digital Journal why it is important that businesses pause and re-evaluate their cybersecurity arrangements.
Rickard recommends: “Cybersecurity Awareness Month serves as a timely reminder for companies to re-evaluate their cybersecurity posture after a tumultuous year of cyberattacks across industries.”
With Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the theme for 2021 is ‘Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart’, helping to empower individuals and organizations to own their role in protecting their part of cyberspace.
The imperative for this is driven by the high rate of cyberattacks, especially attacks in the form of ransomware (with many attacks occurring during the worst levels of disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic).
In 2021, the global attack volume has increased by 151 percent for the first six months of the year as compared with the year-ago half. In the U.S., the FBI has warned that there are now 100 different strains circulating around the world.
Rickard adds: “The dramatic spike in ransomware and supply chain attacks illustrates that every company, regardless of vertical, is a software company and security will only continue to rise in importance when it comes to ensuring the continued operations of the business.”
Furthermore: “To protect valuable information and prevent breaches, enterprises must invest in multi-faceted platforms that centralize and automate detection, response and investigation protocols. Security teams need full visibility into IT environments and the ability to respond in real-time to limit the consequences should a cyberattack occur.”
Improving process flows and reducing the level of manual tasks, Rickard recommends: “By automating and centralizing security processes, organizations can reduce the chance of human error while achieving infinitely smoother execution of security-related tasks and ultimately ensuring that highly-sensitive personal information is kept safe and secure.”
