We all know how crucial it is to address security breaches promptly.

When protecting our data and systems, time is of the essence.

So, if you suspect your organisation has fallen victim to a breach, you’ve come to the right place.

In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the steps to take when you think you’ve been breached and how to spot the early signs.

What are the early signs of a data breach?

Before we dive into the actionable steps you can take, let’s talk about identifying the signs of a breach. Keep an eye out for these red flags:

Unusual network activity and performance issues:

If you notice unexpected spikes in network traffic or bandwidth consumption, or if your systems suddenly slow down or crash without any apparent cause, it’s time to investigate further.

Unauthorised access and account anomalies:

Multiple failed login attempts or an influx of forgotten password requests can be signs of an ongoing breach. Similarly, spotting suspicious account activity, like logins from unknown locations, is definitely a cause for concern.

Data integrity and confidentiality issues:

Unexplained modifications, deletions, or corruption of files should set off alarm bells. Additionally, you need to take immediate action if sensitive information seems to have been leaked or stolen.

Immediate response steps

Now that you know the signs, let’s move on to the crucial first steps you should take when you suspect a breach. Remember, speed is of the essence!

Isolate and contain the breach:

Disconnect the affected systems from the network to prevent further damage. Implement firewalls and access controls to limit the breach’s impact.

Notify key personnel:

Reach out to your trusty IT department or security team. They’re the experts who can help you navigate this situation. Additionally, inform senior management and other relevant stakeholders, as their involvement is also vital in such situations.

Preserve evidence:

It’s crucial to avoid tampering with compromised systems. Document all suspicious activities and collect relevant logs. These pieces of evidence will come in handy during the investigation phase.

Incident investigation and response

It’s time to call in the cavalry to get to the bottom of things.

Engage security experts, both internal and external, to assist you in conducting a comprehensive investigation.

Engage security experts:

Consider involving external cybersecurity professionals who specialise in breach investigations. Their expertise can make all the difference in uncovering the truth.

Conduct a comprehensive forensic analysis:

This step involves identifying the attack vector and the point of entry. By determining the extent of the breach and which systems are impacted, you’ll be able to gauge the scope of the damage.

Assess and contain the damage:

Repair or rebuild compromised systems and close any security vulnerabilities. It’s crucial to strengthen your defences to prevent future breaches.

Communication and notification

Communication is key, both internally and externally. Let’s discuss the essential points in this phase:

Internal communication:

Once the breach has been identified, inform your employees about the situation. It’s essential to be transparent and keep them in the loop. Reinforce security awareness and best practices to prevent similar incidents in the future.

External communication:

Depending on your legal and regulatory obligations, you may need to inform customers, partners, and other stakeholders about the breach. Transparency and timely communication will help maintain trust and manage expectations.

Review and strengthen security measures

After experiencing a breach, learning from the incident and enhancing your security measures is crucial.

Perform a post-incident analysis:

Evaluate how effectively you responded to the breach and identify any lessons learned. This analysis will help you understand where improvements are needed and guide your future security strategies.

Enhance security protocols:

Implement multi-factor authentication to add an extra layer of protection. Regularly update and patch your software and systems to stay ahead of potential vulnerabilities.

Employee training and awareness:

Conduct cybersecurity awareness programs to educate employees about common attack methods such as phishing and social engineering. By keeping them informed, you empower them to be the first line of defence against future breaches.

How we help your organisation secure its future

We’re Bob’s Business, a leading cybersecurity awareness training provider specialising in helping organisations tackle ever-evolving cybersecurity and compliance challenges.

We understand that human-error is responsible for 90% of all breaches, so we focus on equipping your employees with the tools and understanding necessary to identify and mitigate potential risks.

Our affordable and approachable training packages are built to create cybersecurity-aware cultures within organisations by making learning enjoyable and impactful.

So, if you’re ready to take your organisation’s cybersecurity to the next level, explore our range of products and services.

Phishing is, by some distance, the biggest security risk to businesses. For a little context, over 3.4 billion phishing emails are sent daily, accounting for around 1% of all emails sent worldwide.

But whilst you think you might have a handle on what a phishing email looks like, cybercriminals are constantly developing more sophisticated tactics to penetrate security systems and trick employees.

So, how do you prevent phishing emails from cracking your organisation’s data and systems open? Education.

Educating employees about what phishing attacks look like is one of the best deterrents and in this article, we explain the various types of phishing attacks to be wary of:

What are the most common types of phishing attack?

Email phishing

Email phishing attacks are the most common and well-known type of phishing.

Cybercriminals send deceptive emails impersonating legitimate individuals or organisations to trick recipients into divulging sensitive information or performing actions that compromise security.

These emails often appear genuine, containing logos, email signatures, and other elements to deceive unsuspecting victims.

Examples of email phishing

• Deceptive URLs: Phishing emails may include links that appear legitimate but redirect users to malicious websites designed to steal personal information. For instance, an email claiming to be from a reputable bank could lead recipients to a fake login page where their credentials are harvested.
• Malicious attachments: Another tactic used in email phishing is the inclusion of malicious attachments. These files, often disguised as harmless documents or invoices, contain malware that can infect the recipient’s device once opened.
• Spear Phishing: Spear phishing is a targeted form of email phishing that tailors attacks to specific individuals or organisations. Cybercriminals conduct extensive research to personalise their messages, making them more convincing and likely to succeed.

Whaling (CEO Fraud)

Whaling, also known as CEO fraud or business email compromise (BEC), is a sophisticated phishing attack targeting high-level executives or individuals with significant authority within an organisation.

Cybercriminals impersonate CEOs, CFOs, or other top-level executives to deceive employees into transferring funds, disclosing sensitive information, or performing other actions that result in financial loss or data breaches.

How whaling attacks work

Whaling attacks often involve careful research and social engineering to create convincing scenarios.

Cybercriminals exploit the hierarchical structure of organisations, leveraging their authority and credibility to manipulate unsuspecting employees.

They may request urgent wire transfers, confidential data, or even the installation of malware.

Protecting against whaling attacks

To safeguard against whaling attacks, organisations should consider implementing the following measures:

• Employee education: Provide comprehensive training and awareness programs to help employees recognise the signs of whaling attacks and respond appropriately.
• Multi-factor authentication: Implement multi-factor authentication for sensitive actions, such as financial transactions or access to critical information systems.
• Strict authorisation procedures: Establish stringent approval processes for financial transactions, especially those involving large sums of money, to prevent unauthorised transfers.

Smishing (SMS Phishing)

Smishing, or SMS phishing, involves sending fraudulent text messages to trick users into revealing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links.

How smishing works

Smishing attacks typically involve messages that appear to be from a reputable source, such as a bank, service provider, or government agency.

These messages often contain urgent requests or warnings, creating a sense of urgency and prompting users to act quickly without careful consideration.

Protecting against smishing attacks

To protect against smishing attacks, it is essential to:

• Be sceptical: Question the legitimacy of unsolicited messages or requests for personal information, especially if they seem urgent or too good to be true.
• Verify the sender: Contact the alleged sender through a trusted channel, such as their official website or customer support, to confirm the message’s authenticity.
• Avoid clicking suspicious links: Hover over links in text messages to preview the URL before clicking. If it appears suspicious or redirects to unfamiliar websites, refrain from clicking.

Vishing (Voice Phishing)

Vishing, or voice phishing, leverages voice communication channels, such as phone calls or voice messages, to deceive individuals into revealing sensitive information.

These attacks often involve impersonating trusted entities, such as banks or government agencies, to instil a false sense of trust in the victim.

How vishing works

During a vishing attack, cybercriminals employ social engineering techniques to manipulate victims into disclosing personal information or performing actions compromising security.

They may create a sense of urgency, threaten dire consequences, or offer enticing rewards to coerce victims into compliance.

Protecting against vishing attacks

To protect against vishing attacks, it is crucial to:

• Be cautious: Exercise caution when receiving unexpected calls or messages requesting personal information. Remember that legitimate organisations rarely ask for sensitive details over the phone.
• Verify the caller: If you receive a suspicious call, ask for identification or contact the organisation directly through their official phone number to verify the legitimacy of the request.
• Avoid sharing personal information: Refrain from providing personal or financial details to unsolicited callers, even if they claim to represent a trusted entity. Remember, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Search engine phishing

Search engine phishing is a relatively new phishing technique that involves the fraudster creating a legitimate-looking website that features in search engine rankings – often in the ‘shopping’ section of a search query.

The website will typically offer amazing deals, but when the website user pays for their order, the products never arrive and the payment details might also be used for further fraudulent purposes.

What can you do to protect your organisation?

With a huge variety of phishing attacks out there, it’s easy to see why it is the number one cause of data breaches.

Installing automatic anti-phishing filters can help to prevent around a quarter of phishing emails from reaching employees, but adequate cybersecurity training is essential to protect your business.

Bob’s Business’ award-winning phishing simulations help educate employees on the psychological principles utilised by phishing emails and communications in a safe environment.

Phishing awareness training empowers your team to take the best course of action to stop your company from falling victim to phishing fraudsters.

Learn more about how Bob’s phishing simulation training can protect your business.

Did you know that phishing attacks are the most common form of attack that a business faces? In fact, according to research, 3.4 billion phishing emails are sent each day!

In total, they make up 98% of cyber incidents and 93% of breaches, highlighting just how dangerous phishing attacks can be.

That’s why phishing awareness is at the heart of all of our risk-reducing cyber awareness training products and why our course catalogue includes not one or two but five phishing training courses for you and your team to learn to spot and stop attacks before they harm your business.

Now, we’re giving you free access to our brand-new gamified training experience so every business can protect its data and staff from attacks. In it, you’ll learn:

• Examples of smishing, vishing and phishing attacks.
• How to spot and prevent attacks.
• How to effectively deal with each kind of attack

Ready to get started? Interact with the bot below to gain instant access now! 👇

Today, we’re diving into the curious world of top-level domains (TLDs).

You know, those web address suffixes that end in .zip, .google, or .literallyanythingyouwant?

While these new domains may seem like a breath of fresh air in the digital landscape, they also bring along a set of risks that organisations must be aware of.

So, grab a cup of coffee as we explain top-level domains, explore the potential dangers within these seemingly harmless domain extensions and share how you can protect yourself. Let’s get started.

What is a top-level domain?

Whilst a top-level domain (TLD) might seem alien, you can’t use the internet without them. In fact, we’d wager that you’ve seen them in use millions of times. So, what are they?

Quite simply, they’re suffixes at the end of every URL, like ‘.co.uk’ and ‘.com’. Initially indicating the country of origin for the website, today there are literally thousands of TLDs, ranging from .academy to .zone.

New TLDs are periodically introduced to open the web to more websites and more descriptive domains.

The latest round of TLDs are:

• .Foo
• .Zip
• .Mov
• .Nexus
• .Dad
• .Phd
• .Prof
• .Esq

How do TLDs open the gates to cyber criminals?

Confusion and mimicry

Picture this: You receive an email from a trusted-looking source, and the sender’s domain ends in .zip. It seems legitimate, right? Wrong!

The introduction of new TLDs has given cybercriminals an extra tool to deceive unsuspecting victims.

Scammers can now easily create domains that mimic popular brands or institutions, making distinguishing between the real deal and a malicious imposter harder. It’s like a virtual camouflage!

The subtle art of phishing

We’ve all heard of phishing attacks, but the new domains have taken this age-old threat to a new level.

With domain names like .google or .bank, scammers can easily craft deceptive URLs that appear trustworthy.

Imagine receiving an email from your bank, urging you to click on a link to resolve an urgent issue, only to find out later that it was an elaborate ploy to steal your sensitive information.

Sneaky, right?

Poor reputation management

Remember when we used to judge a website’s trustworthiness based on its domain?

Well, the rise of new TLDs has shaken that foundation.

Organisations now face a greater challenge in managing their online reputation.

A reputable company could own a .com domain, but someone with malicious intentions could also registers the same name with a different TLD.

This can create confusion among customers and tarnish the organisation’s brand image. It’s a digital identity crisis!

Confused security systems

As new domains continue to evolve, security measures struggle to keep up.

Traditional security systems may not be equipped to handle the unique risks these unfamiliar TLDs pose.

The algorithms and filters that once reliably detected suspicious URLs now face an uphill battle against the ever-expanding domain landscape. It’s a constant game of cat and mouse between cyber defenders and attackers.

What does this mean for your organisation?

In this brave new world of ever-expanding top-level domains, it is paramount for organisations to recognise the hidden risks that accompany such territory.

Cybercriminals are seizing the opportunity to deceive, phish, and impersonate using these new domains.

To protect against these malicious schemes, businesses must prioritise education and awareness among their employees and customers.

It is vital to inform them about the dangers lurking within unfamiliar TLDs and implement robust security measures.

The next time you receive an email from your favourite online store or trusted bank, exercise caution and double-check the domain before taking any action.

As technology continues to advance, so do the risks. However, we can navigate the digital realm safely and confidently, armed with knowledge and vigilance.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to evolve rapidly, offering exciting advancements and potential benefits across various industries.

However, as with any transformative technology, it is crucial to understand its risks and challenges.

In this blog, we will explore the latest updates in AI from the past month and shed light on the potential risks organisations need to be aware of.

Let’s dig in.

AI in the news

Addressing the risk of an AI arms race

The race for AI dominance has garnered attention globally. Now, the United States has announced measures to tackle the risk of a nation-based AI arms race, highlighting the need for international collaboration and regulation to ensure responsible and ethical AI development.

This initiative emphasises the importance of balancing innovation and safety in AI, keeping potential risks in check.

The UK government has also released a white paper outlining its pro-innovation approach to AI regulation.

The document recognises the transformative power of AI while emphasising the need for appropriate safeguards to protect individuals and society.

It’s a delicate dance between encouraging AI advancements and establishing regulatory frameworks that promote responsible development and deployment.

Apple joins Samsung in banning Chat GPT usage

Even AI models themselves face inherent challenges.

For instance, ChatGPT, a powerful language model, has encountered issues related to misinformation and biases, alongside safety issues with users sharing confidential company information with the chatbot. This month saw Apple ban both ChatGPT and Google Bard, for example.

They aren’t wrong to take a sceptical look at large language models right now, either. Look at our blog, which covers the risks your organisation needs to be aware of when using Chat GPT.

While AI systems like ChatGPT have enormous potential, these incidents underscore the need for ongoing research and development to address such limitations.

It reminds us that we must remain vigilant and continue refining AI models to ensure they align with human values and societal standards.

New NIST Framework launched for AI

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a new framework to guide the management of AI and promote trustworthy and responsible use and development.

This framework emphasises transparency, accountability, and the establishment of risk management processes. Such guidelines can help organisations navigate the complex AI landscape and ensure responsible and reliable AI deployment.

New AI tool launches

TikTok’s AI chatbot “Tako”

TikTok’s AI Chatbot, “Tako”, aims to enhance user experiences on the platform by providing personalised recommendations and assistance through conversational interactions. This AI chatbot represents TikTok’s foray into leveraging AI to deliver tailored content suggestions and improve user engagement.

CommandBar’s AI-powered HelpHub

CommandBar recently released HelpHub, an AI-powered tool to streamline customer support processes. HelpHub leverages natural language processing and machine learning to provide automated responses to customer queries.

By harnessing the power of AI, organisations can enhance customer service efficiency, improve response times, and empower customers to find solutions more quickly.

Adobe Photoshop’s Generative Fill: AI image generator

Adobe Photoshop, a popular image editing software, has introduced Generative Fill, an AI-powered tool that simplifies image editing processes.

Using advanced algorithms, Generative Fill can automatically generate content to fill in selected areas of an image. From removing unwanted objects to seamlessly extending backgrounds, this AI tool saves time and enhances productivity for graphic designers and photographers.

What can organisations learn?

The field of AI continues to evolve and captivate the world with its transformative potential. However, as organisations embrace AI, it is vital to be cognisant of the risks involved.

International collaborations, regulatory frameworks, and responsible development practices are essential to harness AI’s benefits while mitigating potential pitfalls. By staying informed and adopting an ethical approach, organisations can unlock the true potential of AI while safeguarding their interests and those of society as a whole.

Remember, the AI journey is an ongoing adventure, and we must ensure that every step we take is well-informed.

Welcome to the new age, where artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionised communication and interaction.

One such innovation, ChatGPT, has gained rapid popularity for its ability to generate human-like text and engage in meaningful conversations.

ChatGPT is an AI Language Model, commonly known as a chatbot. To us, they seem a bit like a search engine, a text box where you put in a prompt or question. But what happens next is different.

Using the billions of pieces of information provided for the chatbot to learn from, it simply works out which words are most likely to follow from what it’s been asked. Unlike the autocomplete on your phone, however, chatbots can write poems, draw pictures, compose music and much more.

While ChatGPT offers tremendous potential for organisations, it’s essential to understand and mitigate the risks of its adoption.

In this blog, we’ll explore the potential pitfalls and provide valuable insights on leveraging ChatGPT safely and effectively within your organisation.

But first of all, what can ChatGPT help your organisation with?

ChatGPT can assist organisations in various ways, offering a range of benefits:

• Enhance customer support by providing quick and accurate responses to inquiries, reducing response times, and improving overall customer satisfaction.
• Automate routine tasks, freeing up employees’ time to focus on more complex and strategic activities. This increases operational efficiency and productivity within the organisation. Microsoft Co-pilot has recently launched with this functionality in place.
• Serve as a knowledge repository, providing information and guidance to both employees and customers. It can offer personalised recommendations, suggest relevant resources, and facilitate self-service options, enhancing user experiences.
• Support decision-making processes by analysing data, providing insights, and helping organisations make informed choices. For example, it can spot patterns in data like what times of the day particular products spike in popularity.
• Acting as a sounding board for ideas and validating decision-making processes.

What are the risks associated with ChatGPT to your organisation?

Bias amplification

One of the risks associated with ChatGPT is the potential amplification of biases.

AI models are trained on vast amounts of data, which may inadvertently include biased content. ChatGPT may unintentionally reinforce existing biases or generate new ones without careful monitoring and curating the training data.

Organisations should regularly evaluate and update their training data to mitigate this risk to ensure fairness and avoid perpetuating discriminatory outcomes.

Copyright infringement

ChatGPT, like any large-language model, isn’t truly creative in the sense that a human can be. In actuality, it’s a product of the data that it is trained on. As such, any output from it might constitute plagiarism and land you in deep water in regards to copyright.

It’s another reason why nothing that ChatGPT creates should be used wholesale.

Trustworthiness and liability

While ChatGPT can provide valuable assistance, it’s essential to acknowledge its limitations.

ChatGPT is an AI system that may only sometimes provide accurate or reliable information. Indeed, the version available to the public at publication is trained on data that runs only to 2021 and due to the nature of language models, it values academic papers and fairytales equally,

Organisations must take precautions to prevent potential harm arising from incorrect or misleading responses generated by ChatGPT.

Clear disclaimers, user education, and implementing human oversight mechanisms can help manage these risks, ensuring users are aware of the limitations and not overly reliant on ChatGPT for critical decision-making.

Ethical considerations

Ethics are vital when integrating AI systems like ChatGPT into organisational workflows.

It’s essential to consider the ethical implications of automating specific tasks and ensure that human values and principles are upheld.

Organisations must establish clear guidelines on how ChatGPT should be used, defining boundaries and addressing potential issues such as manipulation, misinformation, or unethical content generation.

Regular ethical audits involving diverse perspectives help identify and rectify any ethical concerns. Indeed, AI companies are also working to self-regulate here – you can’t ask ChatGPT for the best way to harm somebody, for example.

Data breaches

For many use cases, implementing ChatGPT involves handling sensitive information, such as customer or proprietary business data.

If not properly secured, this data could be vulnerable to breaches, potentially resulting in unauthorised access, theft, or exposure of confidential information. Indeed, inputting client or employee data into a language model is a misuse of data and can make you liable for GDPR fines.

Tech giants like Samsung and Apple have already banned its use within their organisations because staff members share confidential business information with the platform.

Ensuring robust security measures, including encryption, access controls, and regular security audits, and giving cybersecurity awareness training to all staff can mitigate the risk of data breaches.

Phishing and Social Engineering

ChatGPT systems are a potential goldmine for phishers and social engineers. At present, large language models like ChatGPT are easily convinced to act in dubious ways.

A few smart prompts to the AI and it can generate realistic phishing email templates or share ideas on how to manipulate workers.

Organisations must educate users about the risks of interacting with ChatGPT, give appropriate phishing training, promote vigilance, and implement measures to verify user identities and prevent fraudulent activities.

In conclusion…

Incorporating ChatGPT into your organisation can bring significant benefits, but being aware of the associated risks is crucial.

By addressing potential pitfalls such as bias amplification, security and privacy concerns, trustworthiness, liability, and ethical considerations, organisations can harness the power of ChatGPT while safeguarding their interests and those of their users.

By maintaining a proactive and responsible approach, organisations can balance utilising cutting-edge AI technology and ensuring a safe and ethical environment for all.

Remember, understanding and managing the risks is the key to unlocking the true potential of ChatGPT within your organisation.

How Bob’s Business can help protect your organisation against the risks of ChatGPT

We’re Bob’s Business, the Most Trusted Cybersecurity Awareness Training Provider 2023.

We’re dedicated to assisting organisations like yours in tackling the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity and compliance issues.

How do we achieve this? By offering engaging and interactive training programs that cultivate a culture of cybersecurity awareness within your organisation.

Our training modules are carefully crafted to equip your employees with the knowledge of the latest cybersecurity threats and industry best practices, empowering them to protect themselves and your organisation.

Want to learn more? Take the next step and click here to explore our comprehensive range of products, designed to strengthen your organisation’s security posture and protect it from potential cyber threats.

Online security is more important than ever – we rely on the internet for everything from banking to socialising, and with so much of our personal information online, we must protect ourselves from cyber threats.

There are dozens of positive behaviours we can adopt to protect ourselves and our organisation. One powerful tool for improving online security is multi-factor authentication (MFA). In this blog post, we’ll explain MFA, why it’s essential, and how to use it. Let’s get started.

What is multi-factor authentication?

Put simply, multi-factor authentication verifies your identity when you log in to an account or service.

With MFA, rather than a single password, you need to provide one or more additional authentication factors to prove that you are who you say you are. There are three main types of authentication factors:

Something you know

This is typically a password or PIN. It’s something that only you should know. For example, your online banking password or your email account PIN.

Something you have

This is something physical, like a smart card or a mobile phone. It’s something that you physically possess. Many services employ MFA by having your phone receive a verification code to confirm that it’s you.

Something you are

This is a biometric factor, like a fingerprint or facial recognition. It’s something that is unique to you and cannot be duplicated. You might already be using biometric information to unlock your phone!

Why is multi-factor authentication important?

Single-factor authentication, such as a password, is vulnerable to hacking and cyber-attacks.

Hackers can use sophisticated (and unsophisticated!) tools and methods to uncover passwords or trick users into revealing their passwords through phishing attacks.

Once a hacker has your password, they can access your account and steal your personal information. Worse still, if you use the same passwords across multiple locations, a single breached password will give a criminal access to potentially dozens of accounts.

Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security. Even if a hacker manages to steal your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the second factor of authentication.

That’s enough to stop a hacker in their tracks, and can protect you against unauthorised access and data breaches.

How to use multi-factor authentication

Many online services and accounts now offer multi-factor authentication as an option. To set up MFA, you typically need to go into your account settings and enable it.

Once it’s enabled, you’ll be asked to provide an additional authentication factor when you log in. Some popular MFA methods include:

• SMS codes: When you log in, you’ll receive a text message with a code that you’ll need to enter to complete the login process.
• Authenticator apps: You’ll install an app on your mobile phone that generates a code you must enter when you log in.
• Smart cards: A physical card that you insert into a card reader or tap against a sensor to verify your identity.

Common misconceptions about multi-factor authentication

Despite the many benefits of multi-factor authentication, there are still some common misconceptions about it.

It’s too complicated or time-consuming to use

While it’s true that MFA adds an extra step to the login process, the added security is well worth it. In fact, many MFA methods are designed to be fast and easy to use.

It’s only necessary for high-security accounts like online banking

Any account that contains personal information, such as social media or email, can benefit from multi-factor authentication. It’s important to prioritise strong authentication methods for all of your accounts to protect yourself and your sensitive data.

MFA eliminates the need for strong passwords

MFA is an additional layer of protection, but it’s still important to use strong and unique passwords for each account. MFA and strong passwords work together to provide the best possible security.

In conclusion…

Multi-factor authentication is a powerful tool for improving online security. MFA adds an extra layer of protection against cyber threats by requiring two or more authentication factors to log in.

We recommend adding more than one form of authentication to your accounts, just in case you have a problem with your primary means of MFA. For example, if you use your phone to receive a code but then lose your phone, it will be handy to have a backup option.

While some people may be hesitant to use MFA due to misconceptions about its complexity, it’s important to prioritise strong authentication methods for all of your accounts.

By using MFA, you can significantly reduce your risk of data breaches and protect your personal information.

While MFA is a valuable tool, it’s not a bulletproof solution

In addition to protecting your accounts, using MFA can help protect your organisation from cyber threats.

However, it’s important to note that MFA is not a complete solution on its own. Training your employees to recognise and respond to cyber threats is just as crucial.

At Bob’s Business, we understand the importance of cybersecurity for all industries.

That’s why we offer unique and engaging online cybersecurity training designed to empower everyone in your team to identify and respond to cyber threats, protecting your business from the 90% of breaches that occur due to human error.

Take action now to protect your business and your customers from cyber threats. Click here to discover our range of cybersecurity awareness training products and start reducing your risk today.

It’s not exactly breaking news, but the year is 2023, and cyber-attacks remain a legitimate threat to organisations large and small, causing chaos and potentially resulting in substantial financial and reputational harm.

That’s why having a thorough cybersecurity plan is crucial to safeguarding your organisation and its customers’ data.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the significance of having a cybersecurity plan and how it can protect your organisation from cyber threats. Let’s begin!

What are the benefits of having a robust cybersecurity plan?

Having a cybersecurity plan in place can provide several benefits for your organisation:

Reducing the risk

A cybersecurity plan can help organisations reduce the risk of a cyber attack by identifying and mitigating potential vulnerabilities. This can help prevent financial losses and reputational damage.

Improving compliance

A comprehensive cybersecurity plan can also help organisations comply with data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This can help organisations avoid fines and other penalties for non-compliance.

Enhancing customer trust

Customers are increasingly concerned about data privacy and security. Organisations can enhance customer trust and loyalty by implementing a cybersecurity plan and communicating its effectiveness to customers.

The risks of cyber attacks for organisations

Cyber attacks can take many forms, including phishing scams, malware, and ransomware, which can result in the theft of sensitive data, such as financial information, customer records, and intellectual property.

This can cause significant financial losses for organisations and reputational damage if customers lose trust in the organisation’s ability to protect their data!

In addition to financial and reputational damage, organisations face legal liability for data breaches. In many countries, data protection laws require organisations to take appropriate measures to protect sensitive data and report any breaches.

Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines and other penalties. So ensuring that your organisation has a solid strategy is critical.

How do I create a cybersecurity plan?

The four key elements of a cybersecurity plan

Risk Assessment

A risk assessment can help your organisation identify system and process vulnerabilities.

This involves identifying and classifying sensitive data, assessing potential threats, and evaluating current security measures.

It’s also important to consider the potential impact of a data breach on your operations and reputation.

Best practices for risk assessments include:

• Identifying and classifying sensitive data, such as customer records or intellectual property
• Assessing potential threats, such as phishing scams or malware attacks
• Evaluating current security measures, such as firewalls and encryption
• Conducting regular audits to identify new vulnerabilities

Incident Response Plan

An incident response plan outlines the steps to take during a cyber attack. This includes a clear chain of command, defined roles and responsibilities, and procedures for containing and mitigating the damage caused by an attack.

The plan should also include a communication strategy to inform customers and other stakeholders about the breach.

Best practices for an incident response plan include:

• Establishing a clear chain of command and defined roles and responsibilities
• Creating procedures for containing and mitigating the damage caused by an attack
• Developing a communication strategy to inform customers and stakeholders about the breach
• Conducting regular drills to test the effectiveness of the plan

Employee Training

Employee training is critical to any cybersecurity plan, as employees are your business’s most commonly attacked part. So, it is crucial to educate them about cybersecurity best practices.

This includes training on identifying phishing scams, creating strong passwords, and reporting suspicious activity.

Best practices for employee training include:

• Providing regular training on identifying phishing scams and other social engineering tactics
• Encouraging employees to create strong passwords and use multi-factor authentication
• Establishing clear policies for reporting suspicious activity
• Conducting regular phishing simulations to test employees’ awareness and effectiveness

How to overcome the challenges of implementing a cybersecurity plan

Implementing a cybersecurity plan can be daunting, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that struggle for internal resources or expertise.

Additionally, employees may resist cybersecurity training or feel it is irrelevant to their job responsibilities.

To overcome these challenges, organisations should prioritise their cybersecurity needs based on their size, industry, and potential risks.

SMEs can also partner with cybersecurity firms to outsource their cybersecurity needs, such as risk assessments, vulnerability testing, and threat monitoring.

It is essential to ensure that employees are trained in cybersecurity best practices to reduce the risk of human error and data breaches.

Engaging your team in training that they enjoy can help them understand the importance of cybersecurity and make the training more relevant to their daily work responsibilities.

How can Bob’s Business help protect your organisation?

We’re Bob’s Business, a leading cybersecurity awareness training provider that helps organisations address increasingly complex cybersecurity and compliance challenges.

How? Through engaging and interactive training that focuses on building a cybersecurity-aware culture within an organisation.

Our training is designed to educate employees on the latest cybersecurity threats and best practices to help them protect themselves and the organisation. Worried that training isn’t for your company? We work with organisations of all sizes to deploy training that’s affordable and tailored to their requirements.

Ready to learn more? Click here to explore our range of products and how we can help protect your organisation.

We live in a data-driven world, and the amount of information available to us is constantly increasing. As a result, the need to protect this data is more pressing than ever.

This is where the wide world of cybersecurity tools comes into play.

These tools are specifically designed to protect businesses from malware and data breaches through various security measures.

From firewall protection to parental supervision on digital sites, spam filters and more, there are countless cybersecurity tools available to help us protect our organisations’ valuable data.

In this blog, we’ll be sharing the 5 cybersecurity tools that every business should use, so you can get back to what matters most – growing your company.

Let’s get started!

The five cybersecurity tools every business needs

Antivirus Software

Antivirus software is one of the most basic and essential tools for protecting against malware and other cyber threats.

Malware can come in many forms, including viruses, spyware, and ransomware. Antivirus software scans your computer or network for malicious code and quarantines or removes it.

It can also provide real-time protection to prevent new threats from infecting your system. Many antivirus software options exist, including Norton, McAfee, and Kaspersky.

However, it’s important to keep your antivirus software up to date and to use additional security measures alongside it for maximum protection.

Password Managers

One of the most significant security vulnerabilities for any business is weak passwords.

Many people reuse passwords across multiple accounts or choose easy-to-guess passwords. Password managers help users generate and store strong, unique passwords for all their accounts.

This reduces the risk of a hacker gaining access to sensitive information by guessing or cracking passwords.

Password managers can also automatically fill in login information for users, saving time and making it easier to use strong passwords.

Popular password managers include LastPass, Dashlane, and 1Password. Using a reputable password manager that uses strong encryption to protect your information is important.

Cybersecurity Awareness Training

While the previous tools focus on technological solutions, the fact remains that 90% of breaches occur as a result of human error. As such, training is essential for reducing the risk of cyber-attacks and data breaches.

Employees are the key to a company’s security, as they can inadvertently fall prey to phishing scams or other social engineering attacks.

As such, cybersecurity awareness training is an essential part of any company’s risk reduction strategy. Through effective training, your team become the strongest part of your defence.

Bob’s Compliance offers full access to the engaging and short-form training catalogue from Bob’s Business, to help educate employees on best practices for cybersecurity.

This includes topics like phishing, password security, and social engineering. With affordable pricing and month-to-month plans, Bob’s Compliance is an excellent option for businesses of all sizes.

By educating employees on how to stay safe online, companies can reduce the risk of cyber-attacks and protect their sensitive information.

VPNs

A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts traffic and provides a secure connection between a user’s device and the internet.

This protects against snooping on public Wi-Fi or other insecure networks. VPNs can also be used to bypass geo-restrictions and access content that is blocked in certain regions. VPNs create a secure tunnel between your device and a remote server, which encrypts all data that passes through it.

This ensures that even if someone intercepts your internet traffic, they won’t be able to read it. VPNs can also help protect against man-in-the-middle attacks, where an attacker intercepts communication between two parties and alters it. Popular VPN options include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost.

However, choosing a VPN provider with a good reputation and doesn’t log your activity is essential.

Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to online accounts by requiring users to provide a second form of identification besides their password.

This could be a code sent to their phone, a fingerprint scan, or a security key. By requiring a second factor, 2FA reduces the risk of an attacker gaining access to an account even if they have the correct password.

Many popular services, including Google, Facebook, and Apple, offer 2FA options. It’s important to enable 2FA on all accounts that offer it and to use a secure second factor, such as an authenticator app or a hardware key.

Don’t be fooled by the name: CEO fraud has nothing to do with your CEOs trying to deceive anyone.

In actuality, it’s an increasingly common type of cyber attack where scammers impersonate CEOs, executives or high-level employees to trick others into sending money or sensitive information.

CEO fraud can cause severe financial and reputational damage to organisations of all sizes.

So, buckle up and let’s dive into what makes CEO fraud more complex than traditional phishing attacks, how to spot it, and how to avoid it. Let’s get started.

What is CEO fraud?

As mentioned in our introduction, CEO fraud is a form of phishing scam in which cybercriminals impersonate a high-level executive or company leader to trick employees, vendors, or customers into transferring money or sensitive information.

Also known as business email compromise (BEC) scams, these attacks can cause significant financial and reputational damage to organisations of all sizes.

What makes CEO fraud more complex than other types of phishing attacks?

Scammers cast a wide net in traditional phishing attempts, hoping to catch a few fish. They send out generic emails that look like they’re from reputable sources, such as banks or online retailers, and try to trick people into clicking on a link or opening an attachment.

In contrast, CEO fraud is a highly targeted attack, utilising powerful psychology.

Scammers research their victims, learn about their organisations, and craft convincing emails that appear to come from a trusted source within the company.

They might even use a closely related email to the CEOs or spoof it to make it look real. The goal is to make the recipient believe the request is urgent and legitimate and to act quickly without questioning it.

The stakes are high in CEO fraud because scammers are after big payouts.

They often request large wire transfers or access to sensitive company data. Because the emails appear to come from within the company, victims are more likely to comply without verifying the request.

This is what makes CEO fraud more complex than traditional phishing. It’s not just about fooling people into clicking on a link; it’s about gaining their trust and manipulating them into doing something that could have serious consequences.

So, how can you spot CEO fraud? There are a few red flags to look out for:

Urgency

Scammers will often create a sense of urgency to pressure their victim into acting quickly. They might say that the wire transfer needs to be completed immediately or that a time-sensitive issue needs to be addressed. Because you respect their authority, this can bypass your scepticism and make you act without due thought.

If you receive an email that demands immediate action without proper explanation, it could be a sign of CEO fraud.

Unusual requests

Scammers will ask for unusual or out-of-the-ordinary requests, such as a wire transfer to a foreign bank account or access to sensitive company information. If you receive a request that seems odd or doesn’t make sense, it’s important to double-check with the supposed sender before taking any action.

Spoofed email address

Scammers can spoof email addresses to make it look like the email is coming from a trusted source. If you receive an email that appears to be from your CEO but the tone or wording seems off, the email may be fake.

Unusual language

Scammers may use unusual or incorrect language, especially if English is not their first language, which could indicate that the email is not from a legitimate source. Take time to consider whether an email sounds like it has come from your boss before acting.

Changes in payment procedures

If you receive an email requesting a change in payment procedures or routing information, it could be a sign of CEO fraud. Scammers may try to divert funds to their own accounts by changing payment information.

Threats or intimidation

Scammers often use fear tactics to pressure their victims into taking action. For instance, they may threaten to terminate the victim’s job or initiate legal proceedings against them if they fail to comply with their demands. This kind of psychological manipulation is designed to make the victim feel vulnerable and powerless, forcing them to take actions they otherwise wouldn’t have

Requests for secrecy

Scammers may also ask the victim to keep the request confidential, saying it’s sensitive or confidential. This tactic prevents the victim from verifying the request with others.

How to avoid falling victim to CEO fraud

Verify requests

Always verify wire transfer requests or unusual requests with the supposed sender, preferably through a different communication channel than email. Pick up the phone and call the person who sent the email to confirm that the request is legitimate.

Use two-factor authentication

Use two-factor authentication for any systems or accounts that contain sensitive information or allow for wire transfers. This adds an extra layer of protection and makes it harder for scammers to access your accounts.

Limit public information

Limit the amount of public information available about your organisation and its employees. Scammers often research their victims before launching an attack, so the less information they can find, the harder it will be for them to craft convincing emails.

Educate employees

Educate your employees about CEO fraud and other types of cyber attacks. Teach them how to spot phishing emails and what to do if they receive a suspicious email. It only takes one employee to fall victim to CEO fraud to cause severe damage to your organisation.

How Bob’s Business can help prevent CEO fraud in your organisation

Phishing simulations are a powerful tool in the fight against cybercrime, specifically CEO fraud.

These simulations involve creating fake phishing emails that closely mimic the tactics used by scammers to trick employees into giving away sensitive information or making unauthorised payments.

These emails are then sent to employees within an organisation, and those that click are redirected to training, where they’re shown how they could have spotted this phishing attempt.

Bob’s Phishing from Bob’s Business is an award-winning phishing simulation service trusted by the likes of HM Government and tailored to your organisation’s specific needs.

Our simulations are designed to be non-punitive and to replicate the most sophisticated tactics used by scammers, making them a highly effective way to identify weaknesses in an organisation’s security infrastructure.

With the help of these simulations, your organisation can develop a comprehensive security awareness training program that educates employees on how to recognise and report suspicious emails.