This year, Black Friday falls on November 24th, followed by Cyber Monday on November 27th. These shopping dates are crucial for online retailers, with global online spending exceeding £8.71 billion last year. However, It is the perfect time for cybercriminals to commit scams and other malicious activities during these two days. So, how important is cybersecurity awareness during these two days?
The importance of cybersecurity awareness cannot be overstated, particularly during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The period from November to Christmas represents a prime target for cybercriminals due to the increased online activity during the festive season. With more people accessing websites and sharing personal information, the need for heightened cybersecurity awareness becomes imperative.
Read on to find out how to protect your business online, what a recovery plan is, and why there are more cyber attacks during the festive season.
Cybersecurity Awareness on Black Friday and Cyber Monday: Why Is It Important?
Cybersecurity awareness on Black Friday and Cyber Monday is paramount due to the heightened risk of cyberattacks during these incredibly popular shopping events. The surge in online transactions and website traffic creates an ideal environment for cybercriminals seeking to exploit vulnerabilities. Businesses must put security first in order to reduce cyber threats and safeguard their systems, clients, and most importantly, their reputation.
NEBRC provides a free core membership to help businesses learn about cybersecurity, because we recognise that it can be a complex and overwhelming topic. Find out more by visiting our website.
How To Protect Your Business From Online Scams This Black Friday
Not sure where to start when it comes to protecting your business from online scams? Check out NEBRC’s 3 tips below on how to protect your business online from scams.
Regularly Back Up Data
Implement automated backup systems for all critical business data. Regularly test the restoration process to ensure that backups are reliable. Wherever possible keep those backups separate from your main IT systems, as hackers love to compromise backups and keeping them separate makes it much harder for them to be compromised.
Conduct Regular Security Audits
Conduct regular external security audits performed by third-party experts. These audits can help identify vulnerabilities that may not be apparent during internal assessments. Additionally, periodically review your internal security measures, including access controls, employee training, and data protection policies
Update and Secure Customer Information
Only collect and store customer information that is necessary for business operations. Regularly review and delete any unnecessary data. Also, encrypt sensitive customer information to protect it from unauthorised access. This adds an extra layer of security, especially if there is a data breach.
If your business has fallen victim to a cyber attack, check out our blog on how to manage and come back from it.
Why Are There More Cyber Attacks During The Festive Period?
Cyber attacks tend to rise during the festive season due to the increased susceptibility of networks and higher traffic levels experienced by businesses at this time. According to a 2021 report, ransomware attacks saw a 30% uptick, while attempted ransomware attacks surged by 70% during the holiday period. So, make security a top priority on your Christmas list this festive season!
What Is A Recovery Plan And Do I Need One?
A recovery plan is a set of steps you take to get your business operations and processes back to normal after a cyber attack. Cyber attacks can take various forms, including data breaches, theft or loss of data, data hijacking, loss of sensitive information, virus attacks, cybercrime, and other types of cyber threats.
Every business with an online presence needs a recovery plan. According to the Government website, in the last year, 11% of businesses and 8% of charities faced cybercrime. This increased to 26% for medium businesses, 37% for large businesses, and 25% for high-income charities.
What Does A Recovery Plan Consist Of?
If you’re unsure what to include in your Recovery Plan, the team at NEBRC has created a list of the 5 essential things to include below:
- Set recovery time objective
- Identify roles and responsibilities throughout the business
- Take inventory of hardware and software
- Outline response procedures
- Create and implement a crisis communication plan.
Why Choose NEBRC?
Keep your business safe online this festive period with NEBRC. The NEBRC is a non-profit organisation led by the police, striving to educate and assist businesses in the North East, Yorkshire, and The Humber regions in safeguarding against online crime and fraud using effective cybersecurity practices. Join our FREE core membership to receive the latest cybersecurity updates and access a range of helpful resources.