Knogin Blog

In cybersecurity, one of the good habits to acquire is the ability of creating unique and strong passwords. Indeed, your enemy isn’t a lonely hacker in the darkness of his bedroom trying a password one by one. Your enemy is a program able to assimilate enormous databases of common passwords or random combinations of characters.

So why do you need a strong password ? Mainly to avoid breaks-in that could lead to the loss of your personal data and sensitive information. Once someones breaks your password, the quantity of information available can be significant with major consequences in your private life.

In order to avoid such an inconvenience, I offer you these guidelines on how to build a safe and strong password to prevent attacks.

 The traditional way

Several years ago, at an RSA Cybersecurity Conference, then FBI Director, Robert Mueller  gave a presentation  about the  FBI combating threats and cyber crime,  where he became noted for his quote, "that there two types of companies: those that have been hacked and those that will be. And even they are converging into one category: companies that have been hacked and will be hacked again".

Think your small business is too small to be a target for a cyber attack?

Think again.

Small businesses are one of the biggest and most vulnerable targets because personnel, budget and technologies continue to be insufficient to have a strong security policy.

According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) 36% of business that reported being a target of a cyberattack in 2017 ended up losing money. The average loss for smaller businesses from these cyberattacks is estimated to be  $79,841 USD.

Cybersecurity threats are real and businesses must implement the fundamental tools and tactics to protect themselves, their customers, and their data.  But, what are the fundamentals?

Here is some very good news. 

Some of the most fundamental actions you can take to improve your organization's level of cybersecurity can be accomplished for free or a nominal cost. Some of these may already be in place. 

But, are you covering all the  bases?   
Are you securing all fundamental areas that a cybercriminal might exploit?

Let's say that on Friday, you installed a brand new alarm systems in your business.  But, since the alarm company was in a rush and you wanted to save a few dollars,  you decided not to install a sensor on that really high window that you are 100% sure that no one can ever reach.  Seems like a reasonable trade off, right?

Wrong.  

On Monday, you discover that over the weekend, your business was broken into and robbed, but yet, your alarm was never triggered.  How is that possible?  Ah, it was that 'high window'.  And  just think, for the cost or an additional alarm sensor, that window could have been protected also.

Moral of the story? 

Don't assume criminals won't find a way in, when there is something they want.  Instead, take the time to understand and cover all the fundamental bases  in your cybersecurity. 

What are the cybersecurity fundamentals that your company should implement?

We have 10 of them for you.    Click here and download our report:   'Cybersecurity 101: Ten Cybersecurity Fundamentals for Small Businesses'.