Cybersecurity Awareness Training is an essential part of an effective cybersecurity defense. Are your staff members supporting your cybersecurity? Or putting it at risk?
What Is Cyber Security Awareness Training And Why Is It So Important?
Cybersecurity Awareness Training is an essential part of an effective cybersecurity defense. Are your staff members supporting your cybersecurity? Or putting it at risk?
The fact is that what you (and your staff) don’t know could hurt you. If your staff isn’t up to date on the latest cybercrime scams, then they’re putting your data at risk, simple as that.
The key to truly comprehensive cybersecurity is simple, yet often overlooked: the user. The best cybersecurity technology and practices in the world can be undone by one staff member who doesn’t understand how to use them, or how to protect the data they work with.
3 Cybercrime Scams That Target Unaware Users
Phishing: Phishing is a method in which cybercriminals send fraudulent emails that appear to be from reputable sources in order to get recipients to reveal sensitive information and execute significant financial transfers. Phishing attacks are mass emails that request confidential information or credentials under pretenses, link to malicious websites, or include malware as an attachment. With only a surprisingly small amount of information, cybercriminals can convincingly pose as business members and superiors in order to persuade employees to give them money, data, or crucial information. The average phishing attack costs businesses $1.6 million. The problem with the rising tide of cybercrime incidents is that you get desensitized to the whole thing. The fact is that businesses aren’t learning to protect themselves, which is why the number of reported phishing attacks has gone up by 65% in the past few years.
Ransomware: In a ransomware attack, an unsuspecting user clicks on a seemingly safe link, or emailed attachment that appears to be a bill or other official document. Instead, the attachment installs a malicious software program (malware) onto the computer system that encrypts the data and holds it at ransom. The user is then stuck without access to their data, and faced with paying the attacker a huge sum. According to Coveware’s Q4 Ransomware Marketplace report:
The average ransomware payout is $84,116
The highest ransom paid by a target organization was $780,000
The average ransomware attack results in 16.2 days of downtime
Malicious Websites: Hackers can create fake websites that are set up to look like a real site, but the spelling of the URL or site name contains an error that is easily made by users. For example, an attacker may set up a site with the name “www.gooogle.com” instead of www.google.com. Users who are not careful may type in an extra ‘o’ in the name and will land on the fake site. From here, the site will record all of the information that you enter into any text or password boxes, which the cybercriminal will then use against you.
What’s The Most Effective Way To Protect Against Cybercrime Scams?
Cybersecurity Awareness Training is by far the most effective way to defend your organization from phishing, ransomware, and other scams. This method recognizes how important the user is in your cybersecurity efforts.
A comprehensive cybersecurity training curriculum will train users to ask important questions about each and every email they receive:
Do I know the sender of this email?
Does it make sense that it was sent to me?
Can I verify that the attached link or PDF is safe?
Does the email threaten to close my accounts or cancel my cards if I don’t provide information?
Is this email really from someone I trust or does it just look like someone I trust? What can I do to verify?
Does anything seem “off” about this email, its contents, or the sender?
The right training services will offer exercises, interactive programs, and even simulated phishing attacks to test your staff on a number of key areas:
How to identify and address suspicious emails, phishing attempts, social engineering tactics, and more.
How to use business technology without exposing data and other assets to external threats by accident.
How to respond when you suspect that an attack is occurring or has occurred.
Don’t forget — cybersecurity training is a part of compliance as well. Organizations that are subject to HIPAA compliance standards will only further benefit by having their staff trained in cybersecurity best practices.
What’s The Only Way To Ensure Your Cybersecurity?
Partner with an expert team of cybersecurity professionals – like NOVA Computer Solutions. We’re proud to provide our clients with a range of vital cybersecurity solutions, as well as a proven program to keep their employees confidently trained in cybercrime tactics.
Does that sound too good to be true? Allow us to introduce you to Breach Secure Now – features include:
Continuous Security Training
Weekly Micro Security Training
Delivered via Partner Branded Email to Employees
1-2 Minute Bite-Sized Training Modules
Ongoing Training Keeps Security Top of Mind
Rich Multi-media Makes Topics Interesting
Monthly Employee Security Newsletter
Unique, Non-Technical, Magazine-style Newsletters
Reinforces Security Training
Delivered via Partner Branded Email to Employees
Simulated Phishing Attack Platform
Fake Phishing Emails Test Employee Awareness
Ability to Track and Report Employee Actions
Partner Selects Campaign Configuration Options
Successful Attacks Show Partner Branded Landing Page
Annual Security Risk Assessment
Risk Assessment Report
Additional Security Recommendations
Threats Analysis / Risk Determination
Security Policies and Procedures
Electronic Acknowledgment of Policies
Administrator Report of Policy Acknowledgment
By having our expert team of IT security professionals equip you with robust cybersecurity solutions from Breach Secure Now, train your staff to spot and eliminate threats, as well as keep everything up to date, you can ensure all your cybersecurity bases are covered.
We Will Train Your Team To Be Cybersecurity Experts
The good news is that you don’t have to handle cybersecurity training for your team by yourself — NOVA Computer Solutions is here to help. With our help, your staff will contribute to your cybersecurity, not compromise it.
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NOVA-MAINTAIN Program Terms and Conditions
This Agreement was entered between NOVA Computer Solutions L.L.C. referred to as “NOVA” and the above referenced client also referred to as “Client”. The parties agree to abide by the terms and conditions as set forth in this agreement.
Period of the Agreement: This Agreement is effective as of the contract effective date and remains in effect for 36 months. The contract is renewed automatically after the initial 36 months on a 12 month basis. Upon termination there shall be no refund or credits allowed.
System Maintenance Services: Professional services include, but are not limited to time spent – either at Client or NOVA’s site. (a) Exclusions: Unless so specified, the Covered System does not include any cabling, or any wiring external to the Covered System, telecommunications devices (including modems), peripheral equipment, software. In no event shall the Covered System include removable magnetic or optical media, ink ribbons, toner cartridges, paper or other supplies, expendables or services.
System Maintenance Services: NOVA shall perform Virtual Maintenance Services at least once per month. If client experiences a Major Alarms the client will notify NOVA by telephone. Client shall cooperate with NOVA’s reasonable requests for assistance to determine the cause of the reported problem and whether an on-site Maintenance Service visit is required. NOVA may assist Client with additional services outside the scope of the Maintenance Services. This assistance will be billed at NOVA’s prevailing hourly rate.
Fees: The monthly Fee shall be invoiced in full at the beginning of every month. Any other amounts due hereunder, including the applicable Surcharge Rate or any reimbursable out-of-pocket costs, shall be invoiced monthly as well. The rate for additional time needed per month for System Maintenance Services will depend on the package you select. No Travel Cost Within in 25 Miles of Primary Support Office, Discounted Rate for over 25 miles.
Certain Client Responsibilities: Client shall ensure that: (I) all software and hardware is installed and operated according to applicable manufacturer specifications; (ii) all upgrades and releases have been properly installed; (iii) a uninterrupted and suitable power supply and other environmental conditions have been implemented and maintained; (iv) suitable surge protection devices have been implemented; (v) no other equipment or software having an adverse impact on the system have been introduced; (vi) no repair attempts or other changes have been made other than by or with the express approval of NOVA or the applicable manufacturer, (vii) the systems haven’t been mishandled, neglected, abused, damaged by fire, lightning or water, or otherwise subjected to unusual electrical or physical stress (viii) Client periodically makes and stores in a safe place archival copies of all software and all valuable data. (a) Failure to Comply. NOVA may refuse to provide Service or may treat any such work as Other Billable Maintenance Service at NOVA’s prevailing hourly rate.
Cancellation Policy: NOVA or Customer may cancel this contract for any reason with 90 days written notification.
Limited Warranty: Client must notify NOVA of any dissatisfaction, problems, or concerns within 3 days of the date the services were provided. Client will grant NOVA a reasonable amount of time to resolve problem to Client’s satisfaction. NOVA represents and warrants that it will use its best efforts to perform Maintenance Services in a competent and workmanlike manner.
Limitation of Liability: NOVA shall have no liability or responsibility to Client or any other person or entity with respect to any liability, loss, or damage caused directly or indirectly by a manufacturer or third party equipment or programs sold or provided by a manufacturer or third party. This includes, but not limited to, any interruption of service, loss of business or anticipatory profits, or consequential damages resulting from the use or operation of the equipment. NOVA shall not be liable for any loss of data at any time, under any circumstances. Client is responsible for backing up all its data before NOVA performs any service.
Late Charges, Collections and Attorneys’ Fees: Client will be charged $40.00 for each returned check. Client will be responsible for all attorney fees and costs incurred and collection fees. Any late payment shall be subject to any costs of collection, reasonable legal fees and shall bear interest at the rate of eighteen (18) percent per month or fraction thereof until paid. Client shall pay amounts invoiced under the terms of this Agreement within seven (7) days after receipt of invoice. In any dispute, action, arbitration, bankruptcy, probate, or administrative or judicial proceedings, or any settlement thereof, NOVA shall be entitled to recover attorney’s fees and costs.
Fee Increases: This contract has an automatic 5% increase yearly and NOVA reserves the right to revise fees at any time. NOVA will provide the Client of the updated fee’s, other than the automatic yearly increase, fifteen (15) days prior to the next month’s invoice.
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