National Cyber Security Awareness Month has been busy here at Intronis. We hosted two webinars on cyber security and produced an e-book, a quiz, and multiple blog posts to help MSPs talk to their customers about cyber security. Now, as the month draws to a close, it’s given us a chance to look back at the five most interesting things we’ve learned along the way.
1. 12 new malware strains are discovered every minute
In 2015, the malware threat is more serious than ever—and tougher to keep up with. According to a new study by global security firm G DATA, the number of new malware strains discovered in the first half of 2015 was up a full 64.8 percent from the first half of 2014. Alarmingly, the current rate averages out to 12 new strains being discovered every minute. This only underscores the importance of helping customers keep security measures like anti-malware and antivirus software up to date so it can protect them from the most recent threats.
2. You never know where the next cyber threat will come from
Data breaches and cyber attacks are often attributed to mysterious hacker groups or other shadowy organizations. But, a 15-year-old boy from Northern Ireland was recently arrested in connection with the hack of British telecommunications operator TalkTalk. The attack reportedly affected a significant number of the company’s roughly four million customers, and the hackers demanded a ransom for the stolen data. This illustrates that cyber attacks can come from someone you’d least expect, whether that’s a teenager or a former employee.
3. The U.S. government is getting serious about cyber security
Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate passed the controversial Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA), which would give businesses immunity for sharing data about cybercrimes with the federal government. Supporters say that the legislation is necessary to help companies better secure their systems by being more informed about threats. Critics argue that the bill doesn’t include adequate privacy protections. Years in the making, the legislation is now likely to become law after going through the reconciliation process.
4. Most MSPs are now offering security solutions
Security has been a hot topic, and managed service providers are ready to take advantage of the opportunities this creates. According to a poll taken during our recent cyber security panel discussion, 85 percent of the MSPs who responded said they currently offer at least some security solutions. This is a step in the right direction, but these solutions are only effective if SMBs understand the importance of cyber security and start making smart decisions.
5. Nearly a quarter of SMBS that receive phishing emails open them
Having the right security measures in place doesn’t protect small businesses from human error. According to the Verizon 2015 Data Breach Investigations Report, 23 percent of SMBs that receive phishing emails open them, and 11 percent click on the attachment. That’s why educating your customers about cyber security and malware is one of the most important ways you can help protect their businesses and their data.
We created our new e-book, The MSP’s Complete Guide to Cyber Security, to help you kick start these conversations. In the e-book, you’ll learn:
- Common cybersecurity mistakes your customers are probably making
- Tips for approaching customers about cloud security
- What you need to teach SMBs about ransomware
- How to develop a security policy for a customer
Download your copy today!
