Information Technology is an ever-changing industry, and for business owners to maintain an in-house IT security team would be incredibly expensive. Not only would it be expensive to pay for IT engineer salaries and training, but the cybersecurity issues could become a daunting, time-consuming experience for the business owner. The solution that will greatly benefit all small to midsize business owners is to outsource the IT solutions to a contractor or consultancy firm. Research is imperative when selecting an IT security team because the unique technology needs for any business must be considered. For instance, not every business utilizes cloud computing or collects sensitive consumer data, so this isn’t something every business needs to pay for. Some may simply require assistance in setting up a secure website that keeps clients protected.
Security solutions have come a long way
IT security solutions have come a long way since the beginning of what is currently known as cybersecurity in the 1970s. From the honey pot method which was described in The Cuckoo’s Egg by Clifford Stoll to data encryption and digital signatures, cybersecurity advances quicker than subject matter experts can follow. This is a prime reason for hiring IT consultancy firms to take the reins of the business’s security needs.
Current IT security services range from hardware and software support, consultancy, cloud computing, relocation plans and services, as well as infrastructure set up and support. It is important to find a reliable IT security team that’s experienced, highly capable, and places expertly trained IT engineers on projects for their clients. This can be accomplished by any SME if they are willing to take the time to get to know IT security contractors.
Research and understand how cybersecurity works
The internet provides the opportunity for a business of any size to reach a target audience on an enormous scale. Despite the expansive reach, some businesses may simply need basic support, such as solely maintaining a website. Others may need more intricate support. No matter what the needs are of a business, IT support should be included in the long-term plans. Not only will this put the business in a competitive vantage point, but it will increase confidence and assurance on the behalf of the SME.
Identifying IT security teams should be a very thorough and rigorous process in order to have a pool of the top candidates. Before RFPs are sent out, understanding the needs of any small to midsize business is a crucial first step.
Asking the right questions gets the ball rolling on the right path
Business owners should always start with themselves when beginning the inquisition stages. What are the needs of my company? Are we complying with government regulations? Is our network at risk of outside attack? Is the staff trained and granted access to data only when necessary? These are just a few of the questions to inquire about so you can come to the proposal table with a solid understanding of the business needs.
Through the RFP process, the ball is in the business owners’ court when it comes to identifying the best IT security team. However, there is also a chance that they will make a poor decision. The best way to filter out the best in the security field is to ask the right questions. The best IT security contractors are experienced. They’ve been through a number of issues including hardware, software, malware, security breaches, cloud-based issues, network-based issues, and with varying degrees of successes and failures. What needs to be addressed is how the team worked through those failures and how they remedied those situations for future clients.
High up-front costs reap long-term benefits
Paying for an IT service before you rely on them may seem unnecessary. However, through a thorough investigation of the complete business and technology needs, the security firm may identify potential threats, making it worth every penny.
Estimates have predicted the global spend on cybersecurity will reach the $1 trillion mark by 2021. With this growing need for cybersecurity across the globe, it becomes clear that every business owner needs to keep the information technology needs of their company top of mind. Working with IT security teams can be considered as a way to insure the welfare and positive trajectory of revenue.
Hiring the cheapest IT security group may cost more down the road
Hiring the cheapest group to assist with information security may turn around to cost you more than hiring a more expensive company right from the start. Why? Cheaper rates may be equivalent to less experience, little to no training, or little skill in identifying areas of improvement in the IT scope of a business.
Additionally, lower rates could also hint at an IT security team that practices outdated methods. Outdated methods leave too much opportunity for would-be attackers. Or perhaps the team is not up-to-speed on the latest laws and regulations. If a regulation is not followed, hefty fines or fees may be assessed as a result. This leads to a spend limit that was not anticipated and could prove to be quite a costly mistake. Looking back, hiring an educated, highly trained team with vast experiences would be worth the additional costs.
Regulations evolve in reaction to cyber attack advances
IT security firms must understand and stay current on all federal regulations. Because regulations often adapt as a reaction to large-scale cyber attacks, it is important to know whether the IT security firm can move quickly enough and become educated in a timely manner. A top contractor will know how to react to a cyber attack with efficiency and precisely.
It is also important to consider an IT security firm is not just proactive in preventing cyber attacks but must also be quick and efficient to react. Both skills are important for a healthy and robust information technology plan for any small or midsize business.
Online Threat Alerts Security Tips
Pay the safest way
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.
Guard your personal information
In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
Be careful of the information you share
Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with
Know who you’re dealing with
Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Check your accounts
Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.
Don’t believe promises of easy money
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.
Do not open email from people you don’t know
If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.
Think before you click
If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.
Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond
If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.
Be careful with links and new website addresses
Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.
Secure your personal information
Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats
Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are critical to online security.
Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs
Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.
Update the operating systems on your electronic devices
Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.
What if You Got Scammed?
Stop Contact With The Scammer
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Secure Your Finances
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Check Your Computer
If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.
Change Your Account Passwords
Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.
Report The Scam
Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.
Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.
How To Recognize a Phishing Scam
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.
By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.
With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.
Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.
Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).