Holiday Scams
End of year wrap-up has many of us in a hurry. We rush to get our businesses buttoned up, our shopping done, and our tasks completed so that we can enjoy the time off.
Along with our tendency to rush, is the feeling of merriment and goodwill, and we may assume everyone else is operating from the same place or intent. That may be nice, but don’t be fooled by cybercriminals waiting to take advantage of your own good intentions.
Let’s discuss a few of the more common scams that can be prevalent during the holiday season.
Healthcare Clients
When it comes to needing a strong cybersecurity program, don’t overlook the opportunity that the healthcare industry presents. There is a market here that MSPs should be focused on as a way to grow their business.
Why Focus Here?
Healthcare continually remains one of the largest targeted industries for cybercriminals. The payoff for a data breach in healthcare is high given the value of patient health data. The difference between responding to a hacker can mean life and death – not to mention the hefty HIPAA fines that can go along with a data breach.
Cyber Insurance Liability
Misrepresenting yourself is easy to do in a world where many of our interactions exist online. Why not put that profile photo of yourself up at the gym from a few years ago when you actually went there regularly? You’ll eventually get back to working out. There’s no harm in it. Deceptive? Sort of. But in a situation like that, while misleading, it likely won’t cause issues if uncovered.
But what about misrepresentation when it comes to your business? If you apply for cyber insurance and have cybersecurity measures and tools that you’ve purchased but don’t use, is it lying to say that they are “in place”?
Summer Phishing
Remember when summertime meant easy days and more time to relax? In the hurriedness of today, those moments can feel like they are too far gone to recapture. Additionally, as an MSP, there are so many clients relying on you, that it can be difficult to take time for yourself.
Enter Breach Secure Now
We are built by an MSP, for MSPs. And that means that when we create a product, it is built on that foundation. And moreover, with the goal of making your life easier and your cybersecurity stack as robust and complete as anything on the market.
Increase Engagement & Awareness In Your Ongoing Training Program
Staying engaged and interacting with your clients just got easier. And in the cybersecurity realm, no one can afford to stay complacent and ‘forget’ just how integral smart and secure habits are when it comes to lowering your risk of a breach. You can’t be there onsite for your clients and calling them daily to remind them of the risk that accompanies poor behaviors is not an easier – or wise – path to choose.
While human interaction and actual conversations are genuinely valued, we are so inundated with information on an ongoing basis, that sometimes it can be overwhelming to take on more, especially in our already busy lives. And, with so much information flooding the internet, it can be difficult to determine what pieces of information and advice are legitimate and worth listening to.
Initial Access Brokers: Who Are They?
Imagine if a locksmith created a key for your home or business, then sold a copy of that key to a burglar. They didn’t steal your belongings, but they provided access, making them integral to the process for it to occur. Initial Access Brokers (IABs) work in a similar fashion. The name says it all, they provide the initial access to your account and do this by brokering or selling your credentials to the cybercriminals who will then take it a step further and steal data or deploy ransomware for extortion of funds.
MVP: Most Valuable Player
Look Beyond Technology and Put People First
If you think of business as if it were a sports team, you can have a top-notch facility (or fancy office space), stylish uniforms, and the best fan base (or clientele list) around, but if your players don’t show up for each game, you’ll never have a winning season.
In a business, your team roster is your employees. And having talent that is well trained and ready for whatever comes at them during the business day is going to provide you with a consistent game-winning approach.
Game Plan: Building a Strong Security Posture Within a Team
Sports fans undoubtedly have their favorite teams. Sometimes we pick them based on the mascot, hometown, or because they were “my dad’s favorite growing up”. But just because you have a favorite team, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have respect for other franchises or organizations. These are the teams that are often “drama-free”. They have a formula that works, they stick with it and are in it for the long game.
Nothing But InterNET – How to Explain the Dark Web
As an MSP, your clients know you’re there to “take care of the computers”. The scenario is often (but not always) that they have their job to do, and you’ll hear from them when there’s an issue that prevents that from happening. Regardless of their level of insight or knowledge of technology, they likely know the words and phrases that are dropped in conversations today as cybersecurity becomes part of the mainstream. They may acknowledge that the Dark Web exists, but the concept of exactly what that means may remain a little fuzzy.
BSN Wrapping Up a Month of Love!
Well, today wraps up the month of February and the celebration of our love about being a part of an incredible community of MSPs and channel vendors dedicated to cybersecurity.
During the month of February, we shared some serious love for our partners, and really enjoyed seeing all of you that shared your #BSNLove on LinkedIn! We love our partners to pizzas, and are thrilled to reward those who participated in our Feelin’ the Love February challenge with pizza parties for their MSPs!