Page 85 - Cyber Defense eMagazine September 2022

Encrypt data and update software regularly

Data encryption is when data is translated to a unique code or language that requires a key to understand
it. A password can also be used with data encryption. Even when a data breach occurs, the hackers will
not be able to understand the data without the key. Your company can decide who has access to the
key, which reduces the risk of hackers gaining the key and increases accountability when/if something
goes wrong.

Updating your software regularly will also ensure that you have the best and most reliable systems. Using
older software makes your equipment vulnerable to these attacks. There are also programs that check
your software to make sure everything stays up to date.

Create an emergency plan

Having an actionable plan in place for a potential cyber attack ensures all employees know what to do to
solve the situation properly and efficiently. Being transparent and informing customers what could happen
with their information also helps the customer place trust in your company.

No matter how small or large your business, you should take every step to prevent a data breach, and
this includes preparing for the worst. From financial loss to reputation management, the long-term fallout
of a data breach can be devastating—especially if you don’t have safeguards and a recovery plan in
place. To bounce back from the possible long-term impacts of a data breach, it is important to identify
what went wrong and implement policies that prevent this from happening again.

About the Author

Grant Gibson, Executive Vice President, CIBR Ready. He has more
than a decade of experience in the cybersecurity industry and is the
Chief Information Security Officer at CIBR Ready, a cybersecurity
think tank headquartered in the Triangle. Gibson also serves as chair
of National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education where he provides a
voice of leadership to emerging Cyber technology education
standards in the United States. He is a proud veteran of The United
States Marine Corps, serving as a critical Communications Chief and
pioneering IT instructor. Grant can be reach at
https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantgibson1/ and at our company
website https://cibrready.com/

Cyber Defense eMagazine – September 2022 Edition 85
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