As cyber-criminals continue to find new ways to bypass security measures, traditional login methods like passwords and basic multi-factor authentication (MFA) are becoming less effective at keeping business data safe. Whether it’s employees falling for phishing emails or struggling to manage complex passwords, these vulnerabilities expose your organization to significant security risks. The latest evolution in identity management—phishing-resistant and passwordless MFA—offers a more secure approach by requiring something only the account holder physically possesses, such as a security key or biometric verification. By removing passwords from the equation and using physical authentication, these methods close technical gaps and protect against […]
Read MoreThe Essential Role of Employee Training in Your Cybersecurity Strategy
Your organization’s greatest vulnerability might not lie in its technology, but in the everyday actions of your team. Cyber-criminals have long understood that one of the easiest ways to breach security isn’t by hacking systems but by manipulating people. One wrong click or a moment of misplaced trust can open the door to devastating consequences. That’s why cybersecurity awareness training is critical. By equipping your employees to spot and stop these threats, you strengthen your organization’s overall cyber defense. Why Social Engineering Works Social engineering continues to be effective because it targets human psychology. Cyber-criminals craft attacks that play on […]
Read MoreCybersecurity Awareness Month: Why Every Day Should Be Cybersecurity Awareness Day
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an annual promotion dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of protecting data and IT systems from cyber threats. While this is an important reminder, at Bellwether, we believe cybersecurity must be a year-round priority. Every day should be Cybersecurity Awareness Day, with continuous attention to protecting businesses against evolving risks. Cybersecurity is an Ongoing Responsibility For business leaders, overseeing cybersecurity isn’t about managing technical details. It’s about making wise decisions and nurturing a culture of security throughout the organization. This responsibility is ongoing because cyber-criminals are constantly evolving their tactics. Attacks like ransomware, phishing, […]
Read MoreThe Business Case for Upgrading to Microsoft 365 Business Premium
Have you been hesitant to upgrade your organization’s Microsoft 365 subscriptions from Standard to Premium because you’re not sure it’s worth the extra cost? It’s understandable to be cautious about spending more. However, it might be time to reevaluate the long-term value and return on investment (ROI) that the Premium subscription offers, especially in terms of security. Understanding the Difference Between Standard and Premium Microsoft 365 Business Premium includes advanced security features designed to counter modern cyber threats. In contrast, the Standard subscription offers only basic protection, which may not be enough against today’s sophisticated cyberattacks. Upgrading to Premium better […]
Read MoreStop Lateral Movement with Managed Detection and Response
Cyber threats continue to evolve with alarming sophistication. The unsettling reality is that cyber intruders may already be navigating through your network undetected if you don’t have Managed Detection and Response (MDR) as part of your cybersecurity strategy. Consider this scenario: an employee clicks on a seemingly innocent email link, leading them to a cleverly disguised login page. Believing it to be legitimate, they input their username and password, and think nothing of it. What actually just happened is that they gave their credentials to a cyber-criminal. Once an intruder gains access to an individual’s corporate account they enter the […]
Read MoreSingle Sign-On: The Short Cut for Streamlined Account Access
Do you ever find yourself wasting precious time trying to log into different company systems? Imagine it’s a typical Monday morning, and you’re faced with the all-too-familiar “Incorrect Password” error. Minutes tick by as you struggle to access critical information for an important meeting, leading to a call for IT support and adding to a growing queue of similar requests. This scenario is a daily reality in many offices, transforming what should be simple logins into time-consuming productivity killers. Fortunately, there’s a solution: Single Sign-On (SSO). With SSO, the days of recalling numerous passwords, dealing with account lockouts, and contacting […]
Read MoreLock Up Access to Corporate Accounts with a Password Keeper
How do you remember every password you have for all your personal and professional online accounts? Do you use easy to remember information like birthdays or names of family members and pets? Do you have passwords written down on paper? Do you let your web browser store them? Do you a single password that you use for every account you have? If you use any of these password storage tactics, you should change right now because these are all insecure methods of retaining passwords. There’s a better way to store and utilize your passwords and that’s with a password keeper. […]
Read MoreDefend Your Business from Ransomware with Cybersecurity Awareness Training
Cybersecurity awareness training is included with the security services that we provide to our clients here at Bellwether. We do this because we understand that cybersecurity isn’t just about technology. It’s about behavior and training people in best practices so they don’t inadvertently let a cyber intruder onto their device and into their employer’s network. July has become known as Ransomware Month to remind people of the threat that this kind of malicious software poses to companies everywhere. Ransomware is just one kind of malware that pervades the internet. Why focus on this one kind and not the others? Ransomware […]
Read MoreCompliance and the Expanding Need for Security Accountability
Companies that sell software, manufactured parts or legal services are very different types of businesses, yet all of them have something in common. They’re all faced with an increasing need to prove that they are safeguarding the data that they gather, use and store. Sometimes the need for security compliance comes from legal regulations but for an increasing number of organizations, the need for security compliance is coming from their customers or vendors. In this article, we’re going to explore how cybersecurity compliance requirements are extending into industries that haven’t traditionally been regulated and present an overview of the compliance […]
Read MorePartnering with Your Cybersecurity Services Provider: Your Key Role
Cybersecurity is not just about technology tools and checking the right boxes to make sure all your software is working in tandem. If it was, then security strategy would be a set-it and forget-it process. Unfortunately, there is no easy button for standing up a solid cyber defense and when you work with an outsourced cybersecurity services provider, you have a key role to play in your own security success. In fact, instead of thinking about the cybersecurity services company you work with as a provider, you should think of them as a partner. For a partnership to function, each […]
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