Maintaining Cybersecurity Resilience in the New Year: Essential Measures for Startups
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New Year’s cybersecurity resolutions that every startup should keep
As we welcome the new year, it’s a great opportunity for startups to take stock of their cybersecurity posture and make some crucial changes. In 2024, cyberattacks reached unprecedented levels, with even well-established companies like MGM Resorts falling victim to massive breaches.
In light of these alarming trends, I’ve put together a list of New Year’s cybersecurity resolutions that every startup should keep:
Don’t leave software outdated
Vulnerability exploitation is a significant threat for startups. Outdated software can provide hackers with an easy entry point, allowing them to steal sensitive data or disrupt critical business operations. It’s essential for companies to ensure their internal software is always kept up-to-date and security patches are applied as soon as possible.
Backup your company data
Ransomware attacks had another record-breaking year in 2024, with companies paying hackers huge sums of money to recover stolen data. Regular backups can provide a safety net against such attacks, allowing startups to restore their business operations without significant data loss. Encryption and offsite backup are particularly crucial in the event of security or data disasters.
Be cautious on phone calls
Hackers have long relied on malware-laced email lures as their primary weapon against unsuspecting victims. However, some groups are now turning to fraudulent phone calls. A single call to MGM’s IT help desk reportedly led to a massive breach that cost the company at least $100 million. Startups should be extremely cautious about unexpected phone calls and never share confidential information without verifying them through another means of communication.
Be transparent in case of a cyberattack
It may seem counterintuitive, but being open about a cyberattack can actually make a significant difference in terms of outcomes. Transparency helps customers take necessary action, and sharing knowledge with others can aid in the defense against future attacks. Keeping breaches under wraps could result in reputational damage, fines, or even landing on our annual ‘badly handled breaches’ list.
By making these simple changes to their cybersecurity posture, startups can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to a cyberattack and ensure the integrity of their operations throughout the year.
Source: techcrunch.com
