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In leading your company’s marketing efforts, you oversee data collection and assessment that includes information about customers and prospects. You may share intellectual property through email and cloud storage platforms. Although you need to openly transmit and use this data, transmitting and storing it may be a risk.
Cyberattacks Rising
That risk is taking the form of numerous types of cyberattacks. Media coverage reports a heightened threat from hackers and cybercriminals. From denial-of-service attacks to data theft to ransomware, the threat is only increasing. Those committing the attacks may be working stealthily within an organization’s network for months without detection. This critical security flaw makes your organization vulnerable to significant damages.
These cyberattacks are also becoming global in nature. This includes numerous ransomware cases that hit companies in Europe and throughout North America. The criminals were able to exploit vulnerabilities in software and use email systems and cloud platforms to “kidnap” critical data and hold it hostage until they got paid.
Significant Losses Result
One attack hit more than 74 countries, sending companies and organizations into a panic. Not only did this cyberattack prevent many people from doing their work and halt operations for many businesses, but those who had shared sensitive data with those companies were concerned about what the attack would mean for their privacy.
Phishing schemes are also on the rise. Unfortunately, many small businesses are unfamiliar with the tactics being used. This lack of knowledge can basically kill a business. One article noted a study that found 60% of small businesses end up going out of business within six months of a cyberattack.
Going To War Against Cybercriminals
These ongoing threats mean you are now at war. While you may already feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities, you want to make sure you start training your marketing team and the entire organization to protect your information — and that of your customers — at all costs. That means having a strategy for defeating the enemy that includes your weapons of choice and the roles and responsibilities of your army.
Invest in a security assessment of your organization, including evaluating your network, tools and platforms, and security measures and processes. These assessments uncover areas you may not have even realized were vulnerable, such as password security, the use of remote workers, and the types of devices allowed to access your network. They will check your email system and test your cloud platform.
The results of this security assessment will tell you what type of security you need to add. As you implement additional security layers and new security policies, it’s important to train everyone on the team. After all, you wouldn’t send soldiers into battle without some weapons and training on strategy. This keeps them, your data, and your company more secure than simply setting them loose and hoping they can figure it out on their own.
Forming Alliances For Greater Security
Every successful battle that’s been fought has leveraged alliances. The more help you have in the fight, including resources, skills, and tools — which can come from allies — the greater your chance of defeating the other side.
When it comes to forming alliances to protect your organization’s data, companies like Zix, an email security firm, are partnering with other security leaders to extend their value and reduce security threats. Recently, the company formed its own strategic alliance with Digital Guardian, a next-generation data protection platform for reducing data loss in company email, both across the network and in the cloud.
This strategic partnership has enabled the company to deliver expanded data protection and address today’s increasing security concerns. With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated, it helps to have a more advanced set of security weaponry that offers real-time protection from a trusted provider.
Staying Vigilant
If you think your enemies will start waving a white flag after you implement all these measures, think again. They will relentlessly pursue vulnerable organizations to get their hands on data they can potentially make money with. Be sure to continually assess your current security measures and adjust as necessary.
Whatever you do with your organization’s security for email, cloud storage, and software, don’t stop. An ever-moving battle line drawn in the sand means regular preparation for the continued fight.
In leading your company’s marketing efforts, you oversee data collection and assessment that includes information about customers and prospects. You may share intellectual property through email and cloud storage platforms. Although you need to openly transmit and use this data, transmitting and storing it may be a risk.
This article originally appeared on Forbes.
