Employees for most businesses work a 9-to-5 schedule with time off, but that’s not how cybercriminals work. When your staff is either on vacation or out of the office during holidays, your cybersecurity is at risk. Hackers like to attack when “nobody is working” because they know your guard is down, so let’s take a look at why this is the case and how working with a managed services provided (MSP) can help.
An MSP provides uninterrupted protection
Cybercriminals do not work on a “9-5” schedule. Therefore, if you don’t have someone watching over your network 24/7/365, you are an easy target. One of the key benefits of working with an MSP is that they offer around-the-clock cybersecurity protection. For example, taking advantage of a managed endpoints service helps minimize the risk of downtime and data loss from cyberattacks by offering you cybersecurity critical support features such as 24/7 monitor and alerting support.
Unsecured WiFi Networks Open Door for Hackers
When on vacation, it is easy to let one’s guard down when using devices that have company-related information. While it may be convenient to use public WiFi in places like hotels and airports, it also increases your cybersecurity risk. If the WiFi network is not fully secure, it opens the door for hackers to gain access to your company’s information.
For example, your device may be set up to automatically try to connect to your company’s network. If your network is not secure, it could give cybercriminals unwanted access. This is why it’s important for your company to have a solid firewall security strategy in place. Another best practice is to make sure you do not use public WiFi without a VPN, which gives you an added layer of protection for keeping company information safe.
Hardware With Company Data Can Fall Into The Wrong Hands
When traveling, you are often preoccupied with a number of things, and it can be easy to get distracted. You could leave your laptop in an airport or even fall victim to it being stolen when you are in a crowded, unfamiliar setting. If you misplace your laptop and it contains company data, you could be putting your company at risk if you don’t have adequate endpoint security. In addition, any device with company information should be encrypted to protect sensitive data.
Post-Travel Mistakes Can Penetrate Your Company’s Network
When you travel, you may have used your device to explore some new websites or do other tasks online. If you did not properly protect your device with security updates or other cybersecurity protections, you may have compromised its security. You could have unknowingly fallen victim to malware, for example. If you return to work with this type of infection on your device, it could gain access to your company’s data after you connect to its network. This is an example of how having a managed detection and response plan can help you discover, prevent, and recover from these types of cybersecurity risks.
For these reasons and more, staff being on vacation can pose cybersecurity risks to your company. You can mitigate these risks with the services we mentioned. In addition, you can consider providing security awareness training to staff so that they know how to protect your company’s data both inside and outside of the office.