Your First Line of Defence in Cybersecurity - and you Barely Need to Lift a Finger
I feel like I am constantly referring to updates and their importance in cybersecurity, without really explaining why, despite it being one of the few cybersecurity tools that ticks all the boxes: it’s simple, it’s free and can offer serious protection.
With this in mind, I thought I’d do a very quick run through this week, and of course, steps on how to make it as easy as possible.
Understanding Software Updates
Software updates, often called patches, are regular improvements released by developers to fix bugs, enhance performance, and most importantly, address security vulnerabilities. Think of vulnerabilities like open doors that cybercriminals exploit to access your systems/data and cause you a lot of unwanted drama.
Sure…but it’s ok to ‘schedule for later’ a few times, right?
Postponing updates might be super tempting, but can have serious consequences. Beyond opening the gates to breaches and data theft, you are also way more vulnerable to ransomware (the worst…), legal ramifications and severe hits to your reputation should a breach occur in the meantime.
Developers often release urgent updates once a vulnerability is found so it’s worth taking them seriously.
How to make it easy on yourself:
We all have bigger (and honestly more interesting) things to think about, so here are a few ways to make it as intuitive as possible:
Enable automatic updates whenever possible
Create regular backup schedules before major updates
Set aside specific times for updates to minimise disruption
Keep an list of all software and devices requiring updates so you know you’re covered
Don’t forget these sneaky ‘backdoors’ to your wider network
With everything from our fridges to our photo frames being connected to our WiFI, modern cybersecurity requires attention to all connected devices. These include:
Mobile devices and tablets
Smart home devices
Security cameras and IoT devices
Network routers and firewalls
The Paradox: Can Updates Themselves Be a Security Risk?
While updates are crucial for security, it's important to acknowledge that the update process itself can occasionally present risks. Cybercriminals have been known to distribute malware through fake updates or compromise legitimate update channels. Additionally, some updates may introduce new bugs or compatibility issues that could temporarily weaken system security.
However, these risks are far outweighed by the dangers of running outdated software. To mitigate these concerns, always download updates directly from official sources, verify digital signatures when possible, and maintain current backups before applying major updates.
In conclusion, think of software updates as your digital vaccine - they protect you from known threats and strengthen your overall security posture. With this in mind, make them a priority in your personal and professional cybersecurity strategy.
The few minutes you spend updating your software today could save you from hours or days of recovering from a security breach tomorrow.
Let’s go deeper. Sign up to The Key, a free 5 day course in cybersecurity for small businesses
The new program is designed for those who own and run small businesses, wanting to strengthen their defences but are unsure where to start.
In under 3 hours over the space of one week, the program will guide you to build in solutions to build resilience, professionalise your brand and protect your business and it’s clients.
No matter your tech level, these are the essential, bare minimum kind of defences you need to pay attention to for a successful year ahead.
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The simple strategy we want every business owner to consider essential