According to the 2022 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), businesses with 10 or fewer employees are becoming more enticing to cybercriminals. The two most common cybersecurity attacks on very small businesses are ransomware and credential (username and password) theft. A cybersecurity attack or incident can cause severe damage to a company, often irreparably.

The 2022 DBIR includes recommendations for actions business owners can take to avoid becoming a target of a cybersecurity attack. They are worthy of the attention of all business owners, including owners of very small businesses:

1. Use multifactor authentication.
2. Do not reuse or share passwords.
3. Use a password keeper/generator.
4. Change the default credentials on all hardware and software.
5. Install software updates promptly so that vulnerabilities can be patched.
6. Work with vendors to ensure you are as secure as possible and that they are also following the same basic guidelines.
7. Keep a consistent schedule with regard to backups and maintain offline backups (data not on a device connected to a computer).
8. Ensure that the built-in firewall is switched on for devices such as laptops and desktops.
9. Use antivirus software for all your devices.
10. Do not click on anything in an unsolicited email or text message.
11. Set up an out-of-band method for verifying unusual requests for data or payments.
12. Ensure that a computer used for financial transactions is not used for other purposes such as social media or email.
13. Use email services that incorporate phishing and pretexting defenses and use a web browser that warns you when a website may be spoofed.

The Verizon DBIR provides valuable and actionable information. It is relied upon by cybersecurity experts and business owners across the globe. Click here to watch our recent webinar on this topic.

Date: May 25, 2022

Time: 10:00 – 11:00 am ET

Host: William J. Heaven, CPA/CITP, CISA, CSCP, Senior Director

On May 25, our webinar will feature a review of Verizon’s 2022 Data Breach Investigations Report (DIBR). This is Verizon’s 15th annual DIBR and our third consecutive year dedicating a webinar to discussing this annually updated tool businesses use to evaluate cybersecurity threats they face and determine ways to mitigate them.

We will cover:

• DBIR terminology
• Key takeaways from this year’s report
• Industry highlights
• Inputs to your IT risk assessment
• Risk mitigation recommendations

The Verizon DBIR provides valuable and actionable information. It is relied upon by cybersecurity experts across the globe. Our webinar will provide information you can use during the “Identify Risks” and Analyze Risks” steps of your IT Risk Assessment process.

Register today!