Passwords and People are the Biggest Risks to Businesses’ Cyber Security, says Consolidated Communications’ Head of Network Security
During Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Consolidated Communications emphasizes that 81% of cybersecurity breaches stem from weak or stolen passwords.
Aaron Reason, Senior Director of Network Security, highlighted the need for businesses to educate employees on online safety practices. Key recommendations include recognizing phishing attempts, using password managers, enabling multi-factor authentication, and keeping software updated. Consolidated offers resources to help businesses and individuals safeguard their networks and data.
- Positioning as a leader in cybersecurity education and best practices.
- Offering resources to enhance employee cybersecurity knowledge.
- Dependence on employee education leaves vulnerabilities if not implemented effectively.
- Continual threats from phishing and password-related breaches highlight ongoing cybersecurity challenges.
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During Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Consolidated reminds businesses 81 percent of breaches are caused by weak or stolen passwords
“Between phishing, vishing and bad password practices, bad actors are gunning for your business,” Reason shared recently on LinkedIn. “Of course, you need to have strong partners in network security, and ensure your firewalls are ready for the next attack, but you also need to actively educate and train your employees.”
Passwords continue to be the top cause of cyber breaches, and for good reason. Faulty memories lead the majority of people to reuse passwords across platforms, and three in four people say they aren’t sure how to create a secure password at all. This creates an ideal scenario for hackers, and once they are in, new forms of attack are making them harder to detect than ever before.
In the business world, proactive network management and a strong firewall are crucial, as are zero-trust network security policies. While artificial intelligence can be a useful tool in a company’s defense, Reason explains “there’s no substitute for knowing your network security environment and working with a trusted partner.” As for employee education, Reason recommends ongoing education to ensure every employee:
- Knows how to recognize and report phishing – still one of the primary threat actions used by cybercriminals today;
- Understands the benefits of using a password manager;
- Enables multi-factor authentication on personal devices and business networks, wherever available; and
- Installs updates on a regular basis and turns on automated updates.
For organizations looking for additional help educating their employees, the
Businesses of any size can visit Consolidated.com to learn more about keeping their company, employees and customers safer online. Individuals looking for tips to stay safe online can visit Consolidated.com/staysafeonline.
About
About Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is designed to engage and educate public- and private-sector partners with the goal of raising awareness about cybersecurity to increase the resiliency of the nation in the event of a cyber-incident. This united effort is necessary to maintain a cyberspace that is safer and more resilient and remains a source of tremendous opportunity and growth for years to come. For more information, visit staysafeonline.org/cybersecurity-awareness-month/
About
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221026005366/en/
510-316-1430, nicole.elton@consolidated.com
507-386-3765, jennifer.spaude@consolidated.com
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FAQ
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