The Security Landscape is Constantly Changing

As fellow Iowans serving our community, our goal is to empower you with the tools and knowledge to stay safe in an ever-changing digital world. We believe that by working together and understanding the basics of online security, every Iowan can become cyber savvy. Here are some key strategies to consider for a stronger defense.

  1. Plan Your Security: Start by asking the right questions. While it’s easy to focus on basics like strong passwords and not clicking unknown links, a true security plan starts with foundational cybersecurity questions. Some questions to ask in your cybersecurity plan are: What's our most valuable data and where is it? What laws apply to our business? Who owns the data? A clear understanding of these strategic questions is the core of a resilient cybersecurity defense.
  2. Test for Phishing: Phishing attacks are a major threat, but your team can be your strongest defense. Human error is the biggest security risk, you can test your team with practice phishing emails. On average, about 10% of people will click on a suspicious link. By going a step beyond, you can train your team with simulated phishing drills, by  teaching them to spot a link and turn them into an active part of your security, making your entire organization a stronger, more resilient unit.
  3. Secure Your Partners and Vendors: Make sure the vendors you work with follow the same security rules you do. Add security requirements to your contracts to ensure everyone incorporates security into their practices.
  4. Assess Your Network: You can’t protect what you can’t see. A network cyber threat assessment can give you a clear picture of what's happening on your network. It helps you see things like malware, attacks, and which applications are being used.