As data hacking becomes more prevalent, companies must take proactive steps to protect the data they hold.  Here are some measures that company directors should consider:

Regular security audits are critical to a company’s cybersecurity strategy.  A security audit systematically evaluates an organisation’s information systems, infrastructure, policies, and procedures to identify potential security vulnerabilities and risks.

Security audits can be conducted internally and externally by hiring a third-party cybersecurity firm to perform an assessment.  It is recommended to have a third-party cybersecurity firm conduct the audit since they can provide an unbiased evaluation and identify vulnerabilities that might be overlooked by in-house personnel.

The security audit process involves the following:

1. Identifying and evaluating potential security risks and vulnerabilities.  Includes reviewing network infrastructure, data storage systems, and security protocols to identify areas susceptible to attack.
2. Assess whether security policies and procedures are being followed correctly and effectively in protecting the company’s sensitive data.

Once the audit is complete, the cybersecurity firm will provide a comprehensive report detailing any identified security risks and vulnerabilities.  A report will include a prioritised list of recommendations and suggested actions to mitigate identified risks, allowing company directors to take a targeted approach to address the most critical issues first and allocate resources to address identified vulnerabilities promptly and effectively.

Implementing strong password policies is critical to a company’s cybersecurity strategy.  Passwords are the first line of defence against unauthorised access to sensitive information.  Hackers can easily compromise weak passwords, and the resulting data breach can cause significant financial and reputational damage to a company.

To implement strong password policies, company directors should consider the following:

1. Complex Passwords: Employees should be required to create complex passwords that include upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters, making it more difficult for hackers to guess or crack passwords.
2. Password Rotation: Employees should be required to change their passwords regularly; even if a password is compromised, it will not remain valid for an extended period.
3. Multi-Factor Authentication: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is an additional layer of security that requires users to provide more than one form of authentication before accessing sensitive information.  Mitigation may include using a mobile phone or token, a fingerprint or facial recognition, or a one-time code sent to an email or phone.
4. Password Management Tools: Company directors should consider implementing password management tools to help employees create and store complex passwords.  These tools can generate and store strong passwords securely, making it easy for employees to use unique and complex passwords for each system.

By implementing strong password policies, company directors can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorised access to sensitive information.  It’s important to note that employees should be educated on the importance of strong passwords and the risks associated with weak passwords.  Additionally, password policies should be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure they remain effective against emerging threats.

Training employees on cybersecurity best practices is crucial for ensuring the security of a company’s systems and sensitive information.  Employees are often the first line of defence against cyber threats and need to be educated on identifying and responding to potential security risks.

To effectively train employees on cybersecurity best practices, company directors should consider the following:

1. Develop a Comprehensive Training Program: A comprehensive training program should cover a range of topics, including how to identify phishing emails, how to create strong passwords, how to handle sensitive information securely, and how to report potential security incidents.
2. Regularly Review and Update Training Materials: Cybersecurity threats constantly evolve, and training materials should be periodically reviewed and updated to reflect the latest threats and best practices.
3. Provide Simulated Phishing Exercises: Simulated phishing exercises can help employees learn to recognise and respond to phishing emails.  These exercises can also help identify employees who may need additional training.
4. Provide a Clear Reporting Process: Employees must know how to report potential security incidents.  They need to know who to contact, what information to provide, and how to mitigate potential damage.
5. Encourage a Culture of Security: Company directors should encourage a security culture within their organisations by promoting cybersecurity best practices, recognising employees who report potential security incidents, and ensuring that all employees understand the importance of cybersecurity.

Employees educated on identifying and responding to potential security risks can help protect a company’s systems and sensitive information from cyber threats.

Implementing access controls is an essential component of a company’s cybersecurity strategy.  Access controls limit access to sensitive data to only those employees who need it, reducing the risk of a data breach caused by unauthorised access.

To effectively implement access controls, company directors should consider the following:

1. Implement Role-Based Access Controls: Role-based access controls (RBAC) assign permissions based on an employee’s job responsibilities.  Doing so ensures that only employees who need access to sensitive information can access it.  RBAC also simplifies access control management by grouping employees with similar job roles.
2. Limit Employee Access to Sensitive Data: Limiting the number of employees who have access to sensitive data can reduce the risk of a data breach.  Only employees needing sensitive information access should be granted access; companies can achieve this through RBAC or by limiting access to specific databases or files.
3. Monitor and Audit Access: Monitoring and auditing access can help detect unauthorised access to sensitive information, including reviewing logs and access control reports to identify suspicious activity.
4. Implement Physical Access Controls: Physical access controls, such as security cameras and access badges, can help prevent unauthorised access to sensitive areas of the company’s facilities.

It’s important to note that access controls should be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that they remain effective against emerging threats.  Additionally, employees should be educated on the importance of access controls and the risks associated with unauthorised access.

Encrypting sensitive data is an essential component of a company’s cybersecurity strategy.  Encryption is the process of converting data into a code that can only be accessed with the proper encryption key, and it can help to protect sensitive data from unauthorised access.

To effectively encrypt sensitive data, company directors should consider the following:

1. Encrypt Data in Transit: Encrypting data in transit means encrypting data as transmitted over a network.  Using technologies such as SSL/TLS, VPNs, or SSH ensures that sensitive data is protected as it travels across the network.
2. Encrypt Data at Rest: Encrypting data at rest means encrypting data stored on hard drives or servers.  Technologies such as BitLocker or FileVault provide encryption at rest, ensuring sensitive data is protected, even if the device is lost or stolen.
3. Use Strong Encryption Algorithms: Company directors should use robust encryption algorithms when encrypting sensitive data.
4. Securely Manage Encryption Keys: Encryption keys unlock encrypted data and must be managed securely.  Therefore, these must be stored securely and ensure they are only accessible to authorised personnel.

It’s important to note that encryption should be used in conjunction with other cybersecurity best practices, such as access controls and regular security audits.

Developing a cybersecurity incident response plan is essential to a company’s cybersecurity strategy.  An incident response plan helps to ensure that the company can respond quickly and effectively to a cybersecurity incident, minimising the impact on the company’s operations and reputation.

To effectively develop a cybersecurity incident response plan, company directors should consider the following:

1. Define Incident Types: The incident response plan should define the types of cybersecurity incidents the company may face, including the severity of each incident type and the potential impact on the company.
2. Define Roles and Responsibilities: The incident response plan should clearly define the roles and responsibilities of employees involved in responding to cybersecurity incidents. 
3. Develop a Communication Plan: The incident response plan should include a communication plan that outlines how the company will communicate with employees, customers, partners, and other stakeholders during a cybersecurity incident. 
4. Establish Escalation Procedures: The incident response plan should include a transparent escalation process that outlines when and how to escalate an incident to higher levels of management or outside experts, such as cybersecurity consultants or law enforcement agencies.
5. Test and Update the Plan: The incident response plan should be regularly evaluated and updated to ensure it remains adequate and relevant.  Conducting tabletop exercises and simulations to assess the plan and identify areas for improvement is necessary.

A company’s cybersecurity incident response plan will link to its overall business continuity plan, as it is essential not to have tunnel vision but to understand consequences across the organisation.  Understanding the linkages helps minimise the incident’s impact on the company’s operations and reputation and demonstrates the company’s commitment to cybersecurity to stakeholders.

As data hacking becomes more prevalent, companies must take proactive steps to protect the data they hold.  Implementing robust cybersecurity measures is crucial for safeguarding sensitive information and mitigating the risks associated with data breaches.  By considering the six-measure detailed, companies can enhance their cybersecurity posture, reduce the risk of data breaches, and protect their operations and reputation.  It is crucial for directors to continuously evaluate and update their cybersecurity strategies to adapt to emerging threats and maintain adequate protection for their valuable data assets.

The following is a TED Talk presented by security expert Caleb Barlow.  Caleb calls out the insufficiency of our current strategies to protect our data. His solution? We need to respond to cybercrime with the same collective effort as we apply to a health care crisis, sharing timely information on who is infected and how the disease is spreading. If we’re not sharing, he says, then we’re part of the problem.