From medical offices to law firms, manufacturing companies to school districts - few methods of communication are used as much as email. As many business operations switch to being completely digital, it's critical to protect those networks and email security is near the top of the list when figuring our your priorities - here's why:
Attacks Are Becoming More Sophisticated
With so much communication happening digitally, hackers have plenty of opportunities to find and exploit vulnerabilities. And attacks often lead to data breaches, which can cost businesses a lot of money. The average cost of a data breach in the US has grown to $9.44 million. To gain access to your data through email, attackers often use:
- Malware - malicious software used to steal data and interfere with operations
- Phishing - a type of social engineering where attackers attempt to appear legitimate in order to trick users into revealing confidential information
- Spam - unsolicited messages sent in bulk that often contain malicious links or attachments
An Increase in Attack Surface
The remote work boom over the past few years has increased attack surface area for bad actors significantly. Distributed workforces equal more entry points for potential threats, possibly compounded by a lack of oversight or controls for users, who may begin taking a more relaxed approach to security when not surrounded by it day-to-day, especially when handling email. Without taking the proper steps to adapt, these networks can be exploited by hackers to gain access.
Educating Your Teams is Easy
Employee training can greatly reduce the risk of human error, one of the primary causes of data breaches. Just think of all the email messages you may interact with in a day multiplied by all of the people in your org. Giving everyone on your team the tools and know-how to handle emails safely can have a big ROI, and there are all manner of services available offering training videos, quizzes, or even simulated attacks - little nudges here and there to keep security top of mind.
A Data Breach Costs More Than Email Security
The cost of a data breach is much higher than any initial investment in email security . Depending on the size and scope of the attack, businesses can face fines, lawsuits, lost business opportunities, damaged reputation, huge drops in productivity, and more. Protect against these poor outcomes by providing a layer of defense against potential threats.
Tips to Implement This Year
To ensure that email security is a top priority in your organization this year, here are some tips to consider:
- Regularly review and update security policies and procedures
- Provide training for employees on how to identify phishing attacks
- Implement multi-factor authentication for added access control
- Invest in secure email solutions such as encryption software
Bottom Line
By following these tips, your organization can stay one step ahead of cyber criminals and ensure data remains secure. The threat landscape is constantly evolving, so it's important to stay up-to-date on the latest security measures and best practices. With the right tools and processes in place, businesses can keep their networks safe while staying productive.
