How do You See Yourself in Cyber?

​It’s always better to be prepared. Four action steps from the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, plus, tips from our own staff on staying safe.

Do you feel like you’re protected from cyberattacks? Do you have multi-factor authentication in place on all your digital devices and accounts? Are you comfortable with the use of passwords and software updates? Would you know a phishing attempt if you saw one?
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If you answered no to any of these questions, we encourage you to learn how to better protect and defend your online security. It’s better to prepare and not panic – so here are four main action steps that you should implement at work, home and on the go. They are:

• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication
• Use Strong Passwords
• Recognize and Report Phishing
• Update Your Software

Further, did you know…

• It can take more than 190 days on average to identify a data breach
• The number of cyber-attacks is rising, with 15.1% more attacks in 2021 than in 2020
• The most common sources of cyber-attacks are phishing (20%) and malware (22%)

These stats from Forbes show just how important it is to educate yourself about cybersecurity. But they also prove that small steps can help keep you protected. You’d be surprised how some simple practices (like those mentioned above) can keep you and your members protected.

Last week, DakCU was bringing attention to Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October by sharing available resources and tips that you can use to keep your credit union – and your members – safe while working online.
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George McDonald, Chief Officer of Strategic Services, discussed the importance of awareness, training, accountability, and verifying third-party vendors in his article which you can find here. If you need assistance with IT or cyber security solutions, be sure to reach out to George to find a solution that will work best for your credit union.

Amy Kleinschmit, Chief Compliance Officer, also addressed cybersecurity in her Compliance Update. As Amy noted, cybersecurity and data privacy remain a top concern for the National Credit Union Administration, and to that end, NCUA has a number of resources for credit unions to use as they tackle this crucial ongoing project in protecting their members’ information and data.

By taking some simple, preventative steps to upgrade your security, you can make it just a little bit harder to target your organization or your personal devices in a cyber-attack. This can be all it takes to keep you safe!