The cybersecurity landscape is evolving and becoming increasingly complex. In an era where technology is crucial to the success of businesses across all industries and sizes, cyberattacks are a growing concern and can have serious consequences. Many cybersecurity breaches have grown more dangerous, targeted and detrimental. In fact, in 2022 alone, Comcast Business detected 24 billion cyberattacks, spanning 500 threat types and 900 vulnerabilities, according to the Comcast Business Cybersecurity Threat Report.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and a perfect time to brush up on tips to keep your business’s network secure and safe. While all industries are a potential target, those with unique or private data like customer information, business records or financial data are at an even greater risk. It’s important to understand the basics of cyberattacks and partner with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to take proactive measures and a multi-layer approach to monitoring and blocking threats.
Here are six security tips to help keep your business secure from cybersecurity attacks.
- Educate yourself and your employees
Being aware and vigilant of the possibility of cyberattacks is the first step. Cyberattacks, otherwise known as Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks, are continuously evolving as the world becomes more interconnected. Employee training and awareness is the key first line of defense.
- Work with your Internet Service Provider (ISP)
The U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency recommends collaborating with your ISP to defend against cyberattacks as an essential part of your defense strategy. Ensure you have a backup server set up in the event of an attack. Firewalls are important as well, although even if you set up your own firewall protections to control incoming network traffic during DDoS attacks, only your ISP can effectively solve data overflow issues coming from the wider internet into your network.
- Spot threats by monitoring network traffic
As a layer of security, learn to identify suspicious IP addresses that may indicate suspicious or malicious traffic by working with a DDoS mitigation service provider. ISPs like Comcast Business offer a variety of cybersecurity services, such as DDoS Mitigation, Vulnerability Scanning and Exposure Management, and Managed Detection and Response, to name a few.
- Create an incident response plan
Since no security measure is completely foolproof, it’s important to know how to respond to a threat if it happens. It’s a best practice to create a plan outlining steps to take and identifying responsible parties for the response following a cybersecurity attack. Most attacks occur at high speeds once a network has been breached, so knowing a plan of action and reaction time is crucial.
- Block malicious traffic at the entry point
Ensuring malicious traffic is blocked at the entry point used by hackers is essential. Businesses can also consider using services and products that provide real-time reporting and alert systems. Learning about and being aware of the characteristics of each DDoS attack will allow businesses to adapt their defenses, configure alerts and mitigate future threats.
- Limit or drop network traffic in a cybersecurity attack
If a cybersecurity attack does get past your business’s defenses, work with your ISP to limit or drop network traffic. This will allow your ISP time to divert traffic to scrubbing centers capable of driving malicious traffic away from the targeted infrastructure and ultimately deliver clean, legitimate traffic back to your business’s network.
Businesses across industries are at risk for cybersecurity attacks, especially as they continue to evolve and become more sophisticated. Knowing how their tactics are changing and partnering with your ISP to take action to defend against them will help businesses keep their operations secure and running smoothly.
Click here for more information and to request a consultation on cybersecurity products and services available through Comcast Business.
