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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.