Laughing at Hackers: 5 Proactive Steps You Can Take to Secure Your Laptops from External Threats

Here’s a joke that’s not funny: your company’s data was just hacked.

Shock waves, unmitigated panic, and alibis are all fair play when you as the CIO, CISO or Head of IT, wakes up to the news that a hacker has infiltrated their systems. Fingers are pointing in every direction, questions are flying, and your reputation is on the line. What went wrong? It could stem from the fact that you only protected your perimeter with a firewall – your organization thought that it was enough to safeguard its network infrastructure and didn’t think much about user devices. However, laptops are a popular attack vector for an assailant to get into your inner sanctum.

According to a recent report by Verizon, 94% of malware was delivered via email, and user devices like laptops were the primary targets. Moreover, a study by Ponemon Institute found that the average cost of a data breach in 2020 was $3.86 million. It’s vitally important to adopt comprehensive security measures to protect not only your network infrastructure but also individual user devices.

So, what steps can you take to make your laptop more secure? Here are five strategies that you can use to combat external threats:

1. Utilize Strong Passwords

According to a report by Verizon, over 80% of data breaches are a result of weak or compromised passwords. To appreciate the importance of password strength, you must reconsider that hackers have computing power, time, and nerves on their side. But with the built-in technology of a password manager, you can utilize complex sign-in credentials for every account on your laptop, making them too difficult to crack in a reasonable amount of time.

A study by the University of Virginia illustrated that using a password manager can significantly increase the strength and variability of passwords, thereby amping up security. Once in place the password manager will automatically log you in without having to recall them all. It will also send you reminders to change passwords regularly, which is only advisable if you are using a password manager.

Furthermore, research by Pew Research Center indicates that only 12% of U.S. internet users utilize a password manager for remembering their password.

2. Enable Multi Factor Authentication

Fact. You need two factors to verify an identity. The FBI has reported that multifactor authentication (MFA) can block 99.9% of automated cyber-attacks. Moreover, according to Symantec, 80% of data breaches could be prevented with MFA. Therefore, multifactor authorization is the two-in-one (or more-in-one) approach that makes certain it’s you logging into the system.

The standard approach is to think of it as something you know, something you have, and something you are – a password, a smart card, and a fingerprint. Research by Google found that even the weakest forms of MFA, such as SMS-based verification codes, can block 100% of automated bots, 96% of bulk phishing attacks, and 76% of targeted attacks.

Despite the clear benefits, MFA is underutilized, with only 57% of people using it for their personal accounts and 30% at work, according to a report by Microsoft. If utilized MFA provides arguably the most effective line of defense in securing your laptop from external threats.

3. Install Updates and Patches

New software vulnerabilities are constantly found. A study by Flexera found that in 2019, 60% of breaches involved vulnerabilities for which a patch was available but not applied. The only way to avoid being exploited by this kind of attack is to install software patches and updates. They will help to fix any known security vulnerabilities in the software you use.

Further underscoring the importance of regular system updates, the Ponemon Institute’s 2019 State of Cybersecurity in Small and Medium-Sized Businesses report revealed that 63% of respondents experienced a data breach due to a known, unpatched vulnerability. Therefore, it’s a no-brainer – keep your software updated!

4. Use Antivirus and Anti-malware software

According to a report by AV-TEST, an independent cybersecurity institute, over 350,000 new malware and potentially unwanted applications (PUA) are registered every day. This alarming number illustrates the importance of antivirus and anti-malware software in protecting your laptop.

The state of the art in defending  against attack vectors and malicious threats keeps changing. Antivirus (AV) has given way to Next-gen Antivirus (NGAV), which has been upped by endpoint detect & response (EDR). You should look into whether NGAV or EDR is right for you, it really depends on the potential damage that a breach to the individual laptop can cause. Regardless of what type you use, installing a current antivirus and anti-malware software will assist in intercepting many external threats.

5. Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A study by the Ponemon Institute revealed that 68% of organizations admit antivirus solutions are not sufficient. Increasing cyber threats and a rising remote workforce, necessitates the use of secure, encrypted connections. There is a growing need for VPNs as a tool for securing internet connections, particularly when accessing public Wi-Fi networks. VPNs create a private network between a company’s network and a remote user to secure the internet connection.

In a nutshell, a VPN is vital for remote workers as it provides a secure, encrypted connection when utilizing a home connection or public Wi-Fi. In the age of remote work and digital nomads, using a VPN has gone from an optional extra to a necessary security measure.

To Summarize

Is gaining peace of mind that your end-user laptops are secure a burden for you? If the answer is yes, then these tips should aid your computing device protection game. You can’t go wrong with utilizing strong passwords, enabling multi factor authentication, installing updates and patches, using antivirus and anti-malware software, and using a VPN.

Take your laptop’s security one step further than your office firewall; take preemptive measures to make hackers regret even trying! Remember, security should always be your top priority as data breaches can have severe consequences for your organization.

If you have questions about getting your laptops secured or need a partner to secure and manage your laptops for you, reach out to us at info@montra.io or +1-404-665-9675.

How Hybrid Work is Affecting Remote IT Management: A Crash Course

As the world continues to adapt to the changing landscape of work, the concept of hybrid work has emerged as a popular model for many organizations. Hybrid work combines elements of remote work and in-person collaboration, allowing employees to have flexibility while also maintaining some level of face-to-face interaction. While this shift has brought numerous benefits, it has also presented unique challenges for IT management. In this post, we will explore the various ways hybrid work has impacted remote IT management and discuss strategies to navigate this new working model.

In a remote-only work environment, IT management was more focused on ensuring remote team members had the infrastructure, technology, and tools needed to do their jobs effectively. However, as we continue to transition into a hybrid work environment where some team members are working on-site while others are working remotely, IT management must ensure that the hybridity doesn’t cause communication or collaboration issues.

There are a few areas of IT Management concern that need to be addressed in good hybrid IT Management:

1.   Loss of Control of Digital Assets

One of the significant impacts of hybrid work on IT management is the loss of control over digital assets. With teams working remotely and often using their own devices, IT managers are faced with the challenge of ensuring the security and integrity of company data. According to a recent study by Gartner, 70% of IT leaders reported a decrease in control over digital assets since the implementation of hybrid work. This loss of control requires IT managers to implement robust security measures, such as multi-factor authentication and encryption, to safeguard sensitive information.

The solution to this is to implement strict and comprehensive access protocols that ensure only authorized users can get to the sensitive data. Multi-factor authentication, least privilege access, and data loss prevention tactics are some of the ways to achieve this.

2.   Increase in Security Concerns

Alongside the loss of control over digital assets, hybrid work has led to an increase in security concerns. Remote employees may not be as cautious about cybersecurity best practices when working from home compared to when they are in the office. This opens up opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities and launch attacks. A survey conducted by Cisco revealed that 68% of IT professionals observed an increase in security breaches since the transition to hybrid work. To address this challenge, IT managers must prioritize security awareness training, regularly update software and systems, and implement strong application access security protocols.

3.   Need for Efficient Communication

Effective communication has always been crucial in IT management, but the need for seamless communication has become even more critical in the era of hybrid work. Leaders must make sure they’re up-to-date with how team members are experiencing remote and on-site work and if they’re comfortable using technology tools. According to a survey conducted by Slack, 82% of IT professionals identified communication gaps as one of the top challenges in managing remote IT operations. To bridge these gaps, IT managers are leveraging collaboration tools, such as project management platforms, instant messaging apps, and video conferencing software, to facilitate efficient communication and ensure smooth workflow.

4.   Enhanced Infrastructure and Scalability Demands

Hybrid work has resulted in increased demands for infrastructure and scalability in remote IT management. As more employees work remotely, IT managers must ensure that the company’s infrastructure can handle the additional load and provide seamless access to necessary resources. A report by Forrester predicts that by 2025, organizations will spend $19 billion on technologies that enable remote work. This includes investments in cloud-based solutions, virtual private networks (VPNs), and scalable IT systems. IT managers need to proactively assess and upgrade their infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of hybrid work.

5.   Effective Remote Support

In a hybrid work environment, remote IT management also needs to ensure that there is a standardized support system in place to guarantee that remote and on-site employees receive quick IT assistance and support. This calls for a mechanism in place that can field and handle IT-related requests regardless of whether the employee who is facing the issue is working remotely or on-site. A helpdesk system can be an excellent solution. Robust helpdesk software that’s equipped with chat and email functionality should suffice.

There’s no denying that hybrid work is transforming the way businesses operate. In addition to its many benefits, it brings significant challenges that businesses must solve to thrive in a hybrid work environment. IT managers must navigate the loss of control over digital assets, address heightened security concerns, prioritize efficient communication, and meet enhanced infrastructure demands. By implementing proactive strategies and leveraging appropriate technologies, organizations can effectively manage their IT operations in the new era of hybrid work. Embracing these changes will not only ensure productivity and security but also foster a collaborative and flexible work environment for employees.

Here are the references for the information mentioned in the post:

Gartner Study

Gartner. (2022). Hybrid Work and the Future of Work. [Online]. Available: https://www.gartner.com/en/human-resources/insights/hybrid-work-and-the-future-of-work

Cisco Survey

Cisco. (2021). Future of Secure Remote Work. [Online]. Available: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/security/future-secure-remote-work-survey.html

Slack Survey

Slack. (2021). Remote Work in the New Normal. [Online]. Available: https://slack.com/resources/remote-work-trends-download

Forrester Report

Forrester. (2021). The Future of Work Infrastructure. [Online]. Available: https://www.forrester.com/report/The+Future+Of+Work+Infrastructure/-/E-RES166973