America’s Cyber Defense Agency – CISA, the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency – marks its annual Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October. This is the ideal time to review and share an effective cybersecurity action plan with your team.

Your business is digitally connected – to employees, vendors, and customers – and now is the time to make your organization safer from online dangers.

Your systems store sensitive business and customer information. This information and personal data could be at risk. No business is too small to be a target for online crime.

Thousands of small and medium businesses (SMBs) have been harmed by ransomware attacks, with small businesses three times more likely to be targeted by cybercriminals than larger companies. The total cost of cybercrimes to small businesses is in the billions every year!

Four Smart Ways to Protect Your Business

Online criminals are always looking for easy targets. Businesses that don’t take basic precautions are at risk. Take the following four steps to make it harder for malicious actors to access your data or trick employees into allowing access to your systems.

• Video – Recognize and Report Phishing – Phishing happens when criminals trick employees into opening malicious attachments in their email or sharing personal info. Implement training to teach employees how to identify and report suspicious activities. More Guidance here
• Video – Stop Online Crime with Strong Passwords – This is one of the easiest ways to protect your business from criminals who might otherwise access your accounts by guessing or using automated hacking programs. More Guidance here
• Video – Make Your Accounts Safer with Multifactor Authentication (MFA) – Use more than a password when signing into accounts, such as a texted code, authenticator app or biometrics – to make them much safer than a password alone. MFA protects accounts by requiring additional authentication to prevent access by others. More Guidance here
• Video – Update Software for Safety – Defects in software, routers, VPNs, and apps can give criminals an opening to your accounts. Software manufacturers publish patches, but you must install them to be protected. Don’t use outdated software. More Guidance here

DC-area businesses must also safeguard their Phone systems and UC services from cyber threats.

A compromised system enables attackers to steal sensitive information, disrupt operations, and damage reputation. Strong UC security ensures customer trust, regulatory compliance, and uninterrupted communication – protecting both employees and clients from malicious bad actors.

Need help with your UC or Voice communications security? Contact TCI today at (703) 321-3030 or GetHelp@tcicomm.com.