Emerging security trends in gaming industry 2023

As the gaming industry continues to grow and evolve, so do the potential security threats that come with it. In 2023, we can expect to see several emerging gaming security trends that aim to address these threats and ensure a safe and enjoyable gaming experience for all.

  • Enhanced Two-Factor Authentication: With cyber attacks on the rise, game developers will focus on improving their security measures by implementing enhanced two-factor authentication (2FA). This will help prevent unauthorized access to user accounts and reduce the risk of identity theft.
  • Cloud-based Security Solutions: As more games move to the cloud, security measures will need to adapt to this new environment. Cloud-based security solutions will be developed to help protect against DDoS attacks and other cyber threats that can impact game servers.
  • Increased Use of AI: Artificial intelligence (AI) will be used to improve gaming security by identifying and preventing potential threats. Machine learning algorithms will be implemented to analyze user behavior and detect any suspicious activity that could signal a cyber attack.
  • Biometric Authentication: Biometric authentication, such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, will become more commonplace as a means of securing user accounts. This will make it more difficult for hackers to gain access to personal information and reduce the risk of identity theft.
  • Blockchain Technology: Blockchain technology will be increasingly used in gaming to help secure transactions and prevent fraud. By using a decentralized ledger, players can be assured that their transactions are secure and cannot be altered.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, so must its security measures. By adopting these emerging trends, game developers can help ensure a safe and enjoyable gaming experience for all players.

How did we help Eureka Forbes move from a hybrid to a one-mailing system ?

Eureka Forbes Limited is an Indian multinational consumer goods company based out of Mumbai, India.

The organization had been using a traditional emailing solution with no collaboration tools across the organization. Telephonic phone calls were the go-to means for all communication. It was also a task to have emails on mobile phones and desktops synchronized at all times. For employees, setting up recurring team meetings was also a big hassle and mostly limited to managers and above-level only. This led to a lot of to and fro in day-to-day operations further bringing the productivity down.

As a partner, Team Computers helped Eureka Forbes embark on their Cloud Journey. Once decided the total time of migration was mere 3 months for 2900+ users. To enable collaboration and communication, Google Workspace was the chosen platform being highly secured for enterprises and trusted by 6 million users already.

See our customer’s journey with his testimonial!

Features like “Google Chat” and “Google Meet” were extremely well seeped in to connect and collaborate on projects. With editors like Docs, Sheets, and Slides, real-time editing, and commenting were possible, maintaining a single version of the truth all the time. Using Meet, the control was in the hands of the organizer, to set up meetings as needed without any limitations. Features like Recording the meetings, host controls and picture-in-picture mode help get more out of these meetings. The power of mobility, access to your data, and work from anywhere was a real game changer at Eureka.

“Mobility is one of the best features of Google Workspace. Whether it be from the office desk, driving seat, or our couch, we can now resume our work from where we left hours ago, anytime, anywhere on our mobile phone. Google Workspace has truly empowered our workforce to go hybrid and collaborate better.”

 

CIO and SVP Eureka Forbes Ltd

Khushru M. Mistry

 

The Best Way To Eliminate Downtime: Stop Problems Before They Start

The last thing that any business owner wants to face is the consequence of downtime because it causes a significant loss and creates a dent in their reputation when sustained for a long time.

When the systems, server, or network stops functioning the way they should, it’s called downtime. It trims down business productivity significantly because employees sit involuntarily idle, which indirectly leaves a negative impression on service clients who always expect high performance. In other words, downtime can leave any organization paralyzed.

The only solution to downtime is to work upon a comprehensive business continuity plan. At present, maximum businesses sign an annual maintenance contract (AMC) to ensure 24×7 uptime.

Let’s learn how your business can thrive if you join hands with an experienced AMC service provider.

Experts will look after your business

Being ready with infallible backup means keeping your business in a pole position because, in such cases, the issues can quickly be fixed when things go haywire. By signing an annual maintenance contract, you will be able to keep your mind at ease, as you will know that experts are just one call away to fix untimely and unexpected issues.

The best part of choosing an experienced AMC company is that you get assistance from diligent experts that know how to wipe out issues from the root so that the same problem doesn’t arise frequently. Of course, you’ll notice a price difference when you try to join forces with the top AMC service provider, but you’ll enjoy zero incidents of extended downtime.

Emergency support

Indeed, emergencies are unpredictable, but you can stay prepared, at least for the sake of keeping control over things when the situation is worse. Generally, things feel out of control when no immediate IT hardware support is available. Software-related issues can be fixed remotely, but you need an IT professional to combat hardware issues. It shouldn’t be taken for granted because your business integrity will come under scrutiny if your servers have a hardware issue.

There was a time when businesses opted for a hardware break-fix model because it is based on the fee-for-service method, but the only issue with this is you can’t get solutions on an urgent basis. It means many precious hours are wasted searching for the right partner, making you feel helpless during that time.

In contrast, when you pay for an AMC service, you can call for the maintenance service any time to get issues resolved instantly. It means that you don’t have to struggle to find the right people during emergencies. And your business will be back in action in no time. In short, you will enjoy hot standby provisioning.

Focus on core business activities and leave maintenance worries behind

By opting for an annual maintenance contract, you can stop worrying about non-core business activities like maintenance and focus on core ones to keep your organization growing. What’s more, you can leave all your worries behind by simply discussing SLA (Service Level Agreement) thoroughly with your AMC service provider.

It’s a no-brainer that when all your equipment is in perfect condition, your employees will be able to raise their performance bar while working on delegated tasks. When everyone gives their best, your business is likely to reach new heights.

Save a significant amount of money

Maintenance has always been an expensive affair for those companies that take matters into their hands. It is because having a significant number of employees in three different shifts only to deal with downtime can burn a hole in your pocket. Plus, you have to shell out money to bring the tools required for maintenance at your disposal. There’s no guarantee that your inexperienced team can step up when the time comes.

Therefore, the best and most effective way to make financial management easier is to partner with the right AMC provider, as it only requires an annual payment. Then it will be their responsibility to tune up the tools.

Summing up

Keeping computer systems, servers, networks, etc., in the best shape is paramount for businesses of all sizes. It is worth going to extraordinary lengths to achieve this because downtime can otherwise bring down your business’s credibility. The ideal way to secure 100% uptime is to sign an annual maintenance contract (AMC) and let the experts take care of your maintenance issues when the time goes against you.

Here, we have elaborated on the benefits of joining hands with reliable AMC service providers like Team Computers. We hope you make the best decision for your business.

5 Reasons Why You Should Have an Annual Maintenance Contract

Introduction

The ‘busy’ in business means there are numerous everyday things you need to look into as part of running an operation, firm, concern, or company. From staffing to marketing, customer support to quality checks, you single-handedly manage all of these. 

But your IT assets – the different kinds of software installed, the hardware and equipment supporting them, and your servers – need servicing and maintenance too. 

Maintaining these resources is a time-consuming activity. Moreover, you require expertise and experience in IT solutions to keep this aspect of your overall infrastructure running smoothly without hiccups.

That is why you need to have an annual maintenance contract with an IT solutions partner (or AMC partner). A well-established and reputed IT solutions company (your AMC partner) will understand all your IT systems and infrastructure in greater detail than you. 

They will also be able to foresee and troubleshoot problems even before they arise. Thus, they ensure you have a minimum period of downtime and nonstop, glitch-free operations in all your branches.

Why You Should Have an Annual Maintenance Contract?

There are specific reasons why you should have an annual maintenance contract (AMC) partner.

1. Let the experts handle the hassle.

As mentioned above, you have your core competencies and bottom lines to think about. So maintenance, servicing, and taking care of the IT aspect of your infrastructure is best left to the experts. 

An IT solutions company that is your AMC partner has personnel who are well-trained in this field. They have the right kind of exposure in handling IT issues. They can offer you solutions that genuinely enhance the efficiency of your IT infrastructure. You alone won’t manage all of this.

Besides, you are explicitly paying your AMC partner to troubleshoot issues and find cost-effective and time-saving IT solutions for your firm or company. In the long run, this will prove a wise decision for you.

2. Enjoy round-the-clock service.

When you have an AMC partner around, you are at guaranteed peace of mind 24×7. These professionals are available for you throughout the day, month, and year. No matter what odd hour you contact them at, they are always at your service to ensure smooth operations and functioning of your IT systems. 

Suppose your systems were to crash or break down at any emergent time or a crucial phase of any of your other operations. Worry not, for your AMC partner has got your back. This aspect is an essential feature of the IT solutions company’s services.

3. Trust the experts.

The staff at your AMC partner company is professionally trained and possess extensive knowledge about IT systems. They also have considerable experience and exposure in troubleshooting and maintaining the same. 

So your AMC partner is the right choice and relevant person to go to whenever you face downtimes or other similar glitches. 

In addition, the annual maintenance contract is binding on both you and your AMC partner. Hence, they have an obligation towards serving you in the best possible manner. You know your IT infrastructure is in safe hands when you have a trusted name as your AMC partner.

4. Make the most of the partnership.

An AMC partner does not merely care for your software inefficiencies, glitches, and downtimes. They also advise you on maximizing the capacity of your IT systems and getting more from less. 

It is a bonus, as you are investing in more productivity by having an annual maintenance contract partner on board. Your AMC partner’s in-depth knowledge and awareness about how to optimise your existing systems translate into higher profit margins for you, ultimately.

Your AMC partner truly lets you do more, expect more, and earn more from your existing IT framework.

5. AMC partners are critical business assets.

By far, the most crucial role and function of an AMC partner is to keep all IT systems in good running condition. It ensures minimum-to-no downtimes, server or client issues, and finally, business continuity. 

Your business concern is like a significant automobile or a train with numerous wheels. All the wheels have to be continuously moving forward in one direction for any motion and for the automobile to move ahead.  

Your AMC partner is like the ship’s captain, steering all the IT processes and systems forward in the desired direction and ensuring no obstacles to running the business.

Conclusion

A good AMC partner is trustworthy, and you can safely share with them inside knowledge about your IT systems without fear of misuse. They also prioritize you above everything else when delivering solutions. 

It is equally important to have a trusted name as your AMC partner. Good reviews and word-of-mouth are great ways to identify reliable IT solutions companies.

Proper IT Asset Care is Critical to Ensure Business Continuity

Introduction

Your IT assets come in all shapes and sizes. From the obvious (computers, routers, and other physical equipment) to intangible software assets, most modern businesses couldn’t function if they didn’t have access to these systems.

The computer network and various softwares supported with durable hardware and devices are the lifelines of any modern business concern. These assets ensure that business continuity is achieved glitch-free and in a seamless manner. 

But IT assets, like any other type of asset, need constant monitoring, maintenance, and care to function effectively and perform optimally.

If you want to ensure the smooth functioning of your IT assets, you will need to constantly assess their performance and foresee any problems in their functioning. You will also need to troubleshoot their functions and have solutions in place beforehand. These problems could be as fundamental as downtimes occurring or not enough memory for the various programs to run, to other, more complex issues.

This point is where an IT asset care partner comes in. An IT solutions company has professionals with sound knowledge of all IT-related aspects of running a business. They know the nature of problems arising in IT assets and how to go about resolving the same. 

Hence, an annual maintenance contract (AMC) with an IT Solutions company is an excellent step in ensuring that all IT systems are running smoothly. They also make sure that there is no hindrance to business continuity.

How to take adequate care of your IT assets?

Let us understand how you can take care of your IT assets.

1. Be proactive in the supervision of the functioning of your IT assets:

From the very start, have systems and mechanisms to foresee and prevent any problem or pitfall. 

In any concern, company, or office, the entire IT infrastructure is an intricate process comprising many secondary or accessory operations. A glitch occurring in any one of these will affect the functioning of the whole system. 

Hence, it is essential to foresee where, when, and how an IT asset is bound to falter or malfunction. Also, your annual maintenance contract with an IT solutions partner should cover for and make arrangements towards providing solutions for such slip-ups or malfunctions.

The above is an essential step towards ensuring smooth operations and business continuity. These solutions act as backups or support systems and provide your IT systems never fail; or, if they do, they get back on track ASAP.

2. A Centralized Ticket Management System is Great for Coordination and Increased IT Efficiency:

What exactly is a centralized ticket management system? 

Suppose an issue or problem crops up, or even if any individual or personnel has a doubt or query. In that case, the system raises a ticket so that you can resolve these concerns publicly and openly. 

The information and insights shared then can be utilized by others to operate the IT assets and systems more efficiently. You must insist that your IT solutions partner have a centralized ticket system in place as part of the annual maintenance contract (AMC).

A ticket management system that is not centralized, or more obscure will pose difficulties for the resolutions of the problems. It will also make the entire resolution process remain relatively unknown to others in the organization. 

Hence, everyone cannot share the experience. So, you might have the same problems repeatedly occurring, just because people did not get the solution right away when the problem occurred the first time.

A centralized ticket management system is also great for smooth coordination between personnel needed to resolve issues. This way, all equipment and know-how necessary for troubleshooting must be available in just one place.

Indeed, a centralized ticket management system is an absolute must for the smooth functioning of your IT assets and the continuity of your business without any obstacles.

3. Automation of Incident Flow Management: A Must for Minimizing Downtimes:

Let us first break down this rather complex-sounding statement. An incident, or to clarify, an adverse event, is a glitch, shortcoming, or fault that occurred in some part of the software system, leading to performance compromise of the IT assets of any organization. 

So, an incident flow management system records all the steps taken to rectify situations like above and details like how the troubleshooting took place, the mechanisms and professional expertise needed to do so, etc.

An automated incident flow management system means that your IT infrastructure automatically notes information like above and makes it a part of its systems. 

It is like your IT infrastructure is self-updating its compilation of solutions and inputting details of how it reached the solution or how it resolved the problem. This step is crucial to foresee and avoid similar issues in the future.

Ultimately, such automation of incident flow management helps reduce downtimes and thus enhances business continuity. You should ensure that your IT solutions partner provides such automation.

How to choose the right AMC partner? 

Now, let us talk a little about what separates a great IT solutions (AMC) partner from others? 

What exactly do you look for when choosing an IT firm as your AMC partner? 

In our opinion, the following characteristics make for an ideal AMC partner to have an annual maintenance contract with.

  • Pan India presence: 

Such an IT Solutions Partner should have offices all over India so that you can choose the office closest to the location of your business. 

The problems arising in business continuity differ from place to place. If your IT partner is based in the same location as you, they will better understand your business and its challenges.

  • An IT solutions (or AMC) partner emphasizing processes: 

The IT firm you have an annual maintenance contract with should be process-oriented. They should have a firm grip on the various processes as part of your IT infrastructure and know-how to resolve issues. 

Good knowledge and awareness about the different IT processes will make a strong base for your IT partner to provide satisfactory service.

It is important for them to achieve the goal of zero adverse events or incidents.

  • Expertise of personnel who constantly innovate: 

Ensuring that the IT assets of any organization operate smoothly and optimally requires a lot of problem-solving and foreseeing the occurrence of problems before they occur. 

The professionals of your IT solutions company should have sound knowledge and experience, and they should work on constant improvement of systems and innovation.

Lastly, it is better that you have just one AMC (annual maintenance contract) partner for all your branches and offices. Such a partner should be trustworthy and flexible in their approach towards maintaining your IT assets.

Team Computers won 2 significant awards last week, in the Ignite Enterprise Meet 2022

What a night it has been for Team Computers!! We won 2 significant awards last week, in the Ignite Enterprise Meet 2022 under the categories of “Best Partner Mac Business” and “Best Partner Developer Program”. Our journey with Apple started three decades ago, and it has only been growing stronger ever since.

In 2018, Team Computers became India’s first Apple Authorised Enterprise Reseller, and last week, Team Computers hit another milestone in the annual partner event ‘Ignite Enterprise Meet 2022’ by Redington & Ingram!

Team Computers has emerged as a leading IT Infrastructure and Information Solutions Provider and we’re humbled and honoured to be recognised for 2 big wins! What started as a 20-member company, is now hitting a huge milestone with over 3,500 members. Onwards and Upwards!

An Extraordinary Year, An Extraordinary Journey: We are now 35 years young & a certified Great Place To Work!

On 19th June ‘22, we at Team Computers achieved two milestones – we turned 35 years young & been certified as a Great Place to Work!

Well, here we stand, winning big. Together! It just feels like yesterday- what started as a 20-member-company, is now growing stronger with more than 3,500 members, and with a turnover of 2000+ crores!

And we’re not stopping here. For the past 35 years, Team Computers has been on a transformational journey led by our team, and this influential change has helped Team Computers get certified by Great Place to Work, in 2022.

Because of you – our partners and our members who have been with us every step of the way! You acted as advisors and collaborators; critics and cheerleaders. Your feedback is a gift. Because of you, Team Computers has emerged as a leading IT Infrastructure and Information Solution Provider in the last three decades.

More Than a Feeling: What Being a Certified Great Place to Work Means to Us

We, at Team Computers, take pride in our great company culture, and this certification is a mark of true sportsmanship, culture, and team spirit within an organization.

As we are turning 35 years young, the great place to work certification is so much more than just a feather in our cap – it’s a true reflection of how Team Computers operates behind the scenes and how our employees feel working here.

As a company, we strive to create an environment that reflects our excellence, teamwork, and passion. More than a saying, it’s this certification that holds the utmost value in terms of employee reliability. The Great Place to Work Certification is the mark of great employee experience and is basically an undeniable proof that we’ve successfully created a nourishing environment for employees to work in and feel motivated throughout their journey, thus elevating our status by measuring the workplace culture through anonymous employee surveys.

Our Robust Workplace Culture and Organizational Prowess

At Team Computers, we always strive to create a cohesive environment that ensures our creative and innovative minds feel motivated, appreciated, and engaged at work. As Team Computers continue to grow, new team members get the opportunity to bring their skills and ideas to the table! That means, there’s an opportunity to take on leadership roles, pioneer new practices, and grow with the business over time.

Our People | Culture | Passion

In short, that’s why Team Computers is officially certified as a “Great Place to Work”!

Here’s to many more achievements this year, and in the years to come.

Should You Pay Ransomware?

Paying ransomware may not be the best solution for an organization. On the other hand, investing in proper security could go a long way in mitigating any potential attacks.

Introduction

The latest statistics reveal that ransomware attacks have been rising for several years. These attacks can cost enormous amounts of money, ranging from hundreds of thousands to even millions of dollars for large corporations. This is why cybersecurity has become a very crucial function in recent times. Many companies are forced to pay the ransomware, but this is not the ideal solution. 

What is ransomware?

Ransomware is a malignant software that encrypts one’s data and demands a ransom from the user in exchange for unlocking files. Victims of ransomware are often left without many choices. They can either pay the ransom to regain access to their encrypted data, restore their data from backups, or hope that a decryption key is freely available. Or they have to start from scratch.

How much can a ransomware attack cost?

There is no limit to what an attacker can demand as ransom. It depends on the type of ransomware and the size of the target organization. Attackers can demand massive amounts to release access to one’s network and the data it houses. Most companies pay the ransom, as being locked out for even a few hours could potentially mean millions of dollars in lost revenue. But this may not be the best solution, as you could get hit by more attacks in the future.

Why are small businesses popular targets for ransomware?

Small businesses are the easiest targets for cybercriminals. They tend to be less protected than larger organizations. Also, many of them think that they won’t be the ones who attract the attention of such hackers. This isn’t true – smaller ransoms are easier to collect and more profitable for hackers!

Tips to prevent a ransomware attack

  • Ensure ports are not unnecessarily exposed to the Internet
    When running a business, it’s crucial to run security software and keep your OS updated. If you don’t, you might fall victim to hacking. One of the most common ways cybercriminals can access their victims’ computers is by exploiting insecure ports on the system or remote desktop protocols. Therefore, ensure that your ports and services are not exposed to the internet – unless necessary. Also, ensure that team members are using complex passwords on all accounts and servers.
  • Get regular security updatesOrganizations and customers should make sure that the network is updated with the latest security patches. Many forms of ransomware and other programs are spread via commonly used vulnerabilities in software.
  • Educate employees on identifying attacks
    To help protect your company’s computer network from malware infections, you must train employees to watch out for the signs of potential malware attacks. When it comes to stopping attacks by email, you should provide your employees with training on spotting a phishing attack.
  • Take authentication seriously
    Employers must keep antivirus software up-to-date to help their employees stay on top of essential security updates and features. Employers should also make sure they offer the option of having two-step authentication installed during login and backing up files frequently so that they are never compromised during a cyber attack.
  • Maintain backups
    Having a secure, offline backup of all files and other important data can be a big help in mitigating any potential ransomware attacks. The files should be thoroughly secured so that potential hackers cannot have any access to it.

 

3 Reasons for Establishing Cyber Security Measures

Manufacturing industries these days are adopting digital technologies to power their systems. But, digital technologies come with the added risk of cyberattacks like phishing and ransomware. 

According to Morphisec’s 2021 Manufacturing Cybersecurity Threat Index, nearly 1 out of 5 manufacturing businesses are victims of a cyberattack. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the cybersecurity risks have substantially increased. Also, research shows that a lack of cybersecurity will cost manufacturers around $6 trillion/annum by 2021. Since manufacturing sector employees started using personal networks at home, hackers found a way to intrude into the web to create havoc.

World over, various federal and state laws govern cybersecurity. For example, in the US, major cybersecurity legislations involve Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), 1996, Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), and more. Similarly, in India, cybersecurity comes under the purview of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

In this blog, let us understand why the manufacturing industry is vulnerable to cybersecurity risks and how to strengthen cybersecurity at the manufacturing workplace.

Let’s begin!

3 Reasons to Establish Cybersecurity Measures

The manufacturing industry requires cybersecurity measures due to numerous entry points of attack, lack of experience, and the increase in remote work culture.

Let’s understand these reasons in detail.

  • Lack of experience: The 4th industrial revolution resulted in the automation of the manufacturing industry, starting in 2011. Because of the nascent state of automation in manufacturing, the industry leaders lack the experience to devise a full-proof strategy to combat cybersecurity risks.
  • Numerous entry points for cybercriminals: The manufacturing industry is more vulnerable to phishing attacks due to its interconnected setup. Interconnected digital supply networks (DSNs) and IoT (Internet of Things) devices transfer a lot of information. If one device is hacked, the entire supply chain can break down.
  • Increase in remote work culture: With the pandemic fueling the remote work culture, the majority of the manufacturing sector employees work from home using their personal network. It may not have the required firewall protection of an office network. Hence, cybercriminals can easily break through to take advantage of the loopholes. On the other hand, employees themselves may misuse company data, thereby leaking sensitive information.

Ways to Put Cybersecurity Measures in the Manufacturing Industry

Cybersecurity measures in the manufacturing industry can range from employee training, software updates to regular backup of company data.

Let us understand these cybersecurity measures in detail.

  • Training employees to spot and prevent cyber threats: When your employees are well-trained to spot cyber threats, they become proactive in preventing them. For example, they may not open suspicious emails or click on malicious links. In this way, the sensitive business data remains safe in the company servers.
  • Regular software updates (including security patches): Some versions of your software can have bugs that make it more hack prone. Hence, with regular software updates, you can fix the bugs to prevent data hacking. Also, cybercriminals find it challenging to spot security loopholes with standard new software versions. 
  • Backing up office data: Experts suggest that you need to back up your server data at least once a week. If not, a cyber attack can leave you empty-handed and cause business losses. With backup, you may still have access to sensitive personal data for your business.
  • Use multifactor authentication: Multifactor authentication on websites, devices, or applications prevents unauthorized access to your network. For example, you can ask the user to enter a one-time password sent on their mobile phones in addition to login details. Usually, OTP expires after a definite time; hence hackers can find it challenging to guess the OTP.

Final Thoughts: Manufacturing Cybersecurity is the Need of the Hour

Cybersecurity has become a dire need in a world of interconnected digital devices. With numerous entry points and a lack of experience, cybercriminals find an easy route to hack the manufacturing industry systems. As a business, ensure that you keep your software updated, use multifactor authentication, and train your employees to handle cybersecurity risks better.

 

Securing Your Work from Home – The New Normal!

With work from home becoming popular amid the pandemic, cyberattacks by ransomware operators have been on the rise and they may go on after any organization- an enterprise or a small business, as long as they can gain access to them with ease.

No one today is a stranger to the word- Ransomware! But yes, there are certain tips and tricks to safeguard yourself from such attacks on an organizational level. A good computer security practice can help defend organizations against ransomware attacks.

If you are a supply chain company, then with new remote working normal, working with numerous third-party vendors is becoming inevitable which can create blind spots. A realistic and sustainable security strategy is needed.

Amid Covid-19, BFSI is observed to be one of the most critical and targeted sectors by hackers. Ransomware attacks, data breaches, malicious botnets, DDoS, etc. have created havoc in the sector. Apart from data breaches, a cyberattack can lead to system downtime, which is unacceptable.

With transformative digital technologies privileged accounts and credentials are one of the biggest areas of attack, hence multiple layers of security is required along with eliminating unnecessary privileges and permissions. How many of us in our daily lives keep updating our passwords. Be it bank, or normal mail until provoked! Infact we keep almost similar passwords for all our accounts!

There are some easy ways to keep your organization safe.

  • Establish security awareness within the organization. You can do this through monthly security campaigns that remind employees to avoid clicking on unknown senders’ links and attachments, among other best practices.
  • Establish Group Policy Objects (GPOs) rules. That will allow your organization to control the execution of files on endpoints. You can add rules that block file execution from specific directories, disable attachment-based file executions, restrict access to the control panel, etc.
  • Ensure you have antivirus and firewall installed on all endpoints within the organization. Antivirus software is based on signatures, so there’s still the risk of new ransomware variants slipping through the cracks. The firewall serves as an extra layer of security or first line of defense.  A multi-faceted security system is best – one that employs heuristics, behavior-based detection or EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response), EPP (endpoint protection platform), etc.
  • Backup your data. Ideally, a backup that’s entirely separate from the computer system is best. That’s because if a ransomware attack happens, the backup shouldn’t be affected. But carefully consider all available options since each will come with a degree of risk.
  • Restrict admin rights on endpoints. You can reduce user privileges to decrease the attack surface significantly.

Keep commonly exploited third-party applications updated, such as Flash, Java, Internet Explorer, and others.

Be sure to acquire the right security solutions. As the ransomware continues to evolve, the best cure is a strong defense, maintained and regularly tweaked for improvements.