How to Safeguard Your Data Security from Hackers in 2021

The cybersecurity threats we faced last year are directly correlated with the transformation of our workplaces. Subsequently, this compromised the IT solutions designed to protect in-office staff. With so many people working remotely, hackers saw new vulnerabilities that they were quick to exploit. Many phishing scams used COVID-19 as bait, leading to a 667% rise in these types of attacks. 

Any company with personal data is a target, no matter their size. So, now is the time to go on the offensive and safeguard your company’s data security to protect staff, clients and company assets. 

You Don’t Want to Be the Next SolarWinds

There are many ways that hackers can target and disrupt your business. We saw this firsthand in 2020, as phishing attacks and scams related to COVID-19 targeted weary, stressed-out individuals. The biggest hack of 2020 happened just months ago, and we’re still discovering the extent of the damage caused by hackers breaching SolarWinds software. As a result, businesses across America spend more than $100 billion to repair damage related to this breach. 

Closer to home, dozens of hacks have targeted government agencies and medical organizations and facilities in Oregon. Hackers targeting public service agencies are not a coincidence. These criminals are purposely using their skills to destabilize infrastructure and disrupt daily life. 

Breaches decimate your business goals, and productivity drops after an attack. In addition, the cost of getting back to work is in the million and your reputation is damaged. Above all, it’s time to do more to protect your networks, data and employees.

Why Is It So Hard to Get Ahead of Hackers? 

Many experts believe that hackers changing motivations, plus our switch to remote work and reliance on e-commerce, make us more vulnerable to data security breaches in 2021. Hackers are intelligent and have a singular goal, which they’ll use any means to achieve. The anti-viral software and firewalls that used to protect companies just aren’t enough in 2021. Consequently, you need more advanced security. 

Many IT teams find it difficult to stay ahead of cybercriminals because they simply don’t have the time or budget to handle necessary security updates. In addition, maintaining work on other priorities like infrastructure, hardware maintenance and strategic leadership causes more strain on your team. 

When internal IT solutions aren’t enough for data security 

A company with unlimited time, money and personnel can easily spend hundreds of hours on IT solutions that protect against hackers and cybercriminals. Unfortunately, most companies simply don’t have these resources.

That’s why 83% of the top IT leaders surveyed by Syntax in 2020 say they’re moving towards outsourcing their cybersecurity in 2021. These leaders see it as their best proactive defense against cyberattacks. Through outsourcing, they get the help of career experts from a managed IT provider or MSSP and can return their in-house team’s focus to critical tasks that push business goals forward. 

This may become the norm in 2021 as businesses seek out companies that can offer standard services like threat intelligence, bot detection and vulnerability scanning, bundled with information technology expertise. 

Adjust Your Strategies with Actionable Data Security Tips 

Our managed IT experts deliver a new strategy to protect your assets. By going on the offensive, you can take steps to safeguard your network from ever-increasing breaches.  

These tips work for any organization, drawn from our experience in working with public service agencies, enterprises and tech companies in Portland and the surrounding area. 

Don’t wait until there’s a breach on your doorstep 

Proactively seek out expert assistance and go on the offensive against hackers, now. As a result, you’ll get long-term protection for your network and infrastructure. 

Monitor and protect every asset

You can’t stop a breach if you don’t know a device was compromised. Therefore, working with a partner like Compass Computing Group, we monitor all your assets (including desktops and devices) 24/7. We act immediately after identifying a threat.

Teach your staff to fight back

96% of phishing attacks arrive by email. Training your staff to recognize these abnormalities and respond appropriately can save your data and company. Recovering from a data breach costs upwards of $3.92 million. 

Let Compass Computing Group Go on the Offense for Your Company 

Hunting down threats, monitoring systems and training staff is a lot of work. That’s why many organizations have chosen a managed IT partner with MSSP capabilities like Compass Computing Group. 

We offer all the detailed IT expertise of an MSP, along with the cybersecurity knowledge and connections of an MSSP. It’s this expertise, plus our partner relationships with vendors like SentinelOne, Office 365, Axcient and Proofpoint, that allow us to go on the offense for your company.

Let us take the work of being proactive off your plate. Contact us for a complimentary security audit today.