How Will You Respond to Cyber Hack Threats?
In today’s online world, it’s more important than ever to ensure that your sensitive information is safe and secure. There are things you can do and precautions you can take to guard against hacking. At Beacon Insurance Agency, we have years of experiencing in offering our clients guidance in protecting themselves, their assets, and their employees against threats of all kinds. We feel that taking measures for cybersecurity is a critical part of protecting them in every way possible. In our partnership with GuideOne Insurance, we offer plans to meet the insurance needs of churches, private Christian schools and nonprofit organizations throughout the area and provide invaluable resources for helping them navigate the risks that they constantly face as they operate in this unpredictable world.
The High Risk of High Tech
If you work online, then you are at risk for hacking. Though online databases, computer networks, email, and websites are all designed to make life easier and streamline your work process, they are all extremely vulnerable to the threat of cyber hacks. Any information stored can be used improperly or fall into the wrong hands. This can put your organization at great risk. It’s important to develop an Incidence Response Plan in case a cyber breach occurs so that damage can be mitigated. This plan should be reviewed and updated annually since the online world is constantly changing!
It is important to meet with your IT team to have a plan in place. Here are some things to ask your IT team to include in your plan:
- Regular testing of the network by an IT team to determine any areas in which it might be vulnerable and confirm that it is working properly
- Third-party testing of the network to investigate further
- Maintenance of system backups
- Verification of file integrity
- Conducting of periodic disaster recovery drills to train staff on proper procedures and inform them of the location of critical documents and equipment
- Regular auditing to ensure network and systems safety
It’s also important that all key employees participate in cyber risk management training and that all potential areas of exposure to cyber risk have been identified.
Pre-Plan, Just In Case
Just as having an Incidence Response Plan is crucial, developing a Pre-Incident Response Plan is important in creating precautionary measures that can be taken before an incident has actually occurred. Pre-planning includes:
- Establishing a chain of communication so that the proper parties can be contacted in the event of a cyber incident and the next necessary steps can be taken.
- Identifying and having up-to-date contact information for any offsite vendors managing the storage of your data. They should be notified when any data stored with them has been compromised.
Ensure That You’re Insured
Much like you want to have your facility and your staff insured, you should also insure against liabilities that could arise in the event that cyber security is breached. To do so, it’s often necessary to meet certain protocols that will increase network security and minimize those risks. A few of these protocols include:
- Requiring logging in with passwords or ID verification to access the network
- Installing security patches on all computers that have access to the network
- Installation of antivirus software on all computers and servers
- Use of passwords that are changed every 90 days and are more complex, which will make them more difficult for any unauthorized users to guess
- Data encryption
- Data destruction procedures that establish timeframes for how long electronic data should be stored
No matter the threats they face, we want our clients to feel that they have a strong team on their side and that their ministry is being protected. We are all serving in faithfulness; and at Beacon Insurance, our greatest service is in meeting the needs of those called to make a change in the world.
