Cybersecurity in the workplace: How to Stop Data Breaches
By Varun Bodhi
As businesses continue to transition away from the traditional office space, the need for high security measures becomes increasingly important. Cybersecurity is a critical aspect of data security, and must be taken seriously in order to protect sensitive information.
With remote work becoming common place and other businesses using coworking spaces, understanding the necessity of VPNs and how to protect your data from log4j security vulnerability may save you from data breaches.
Having a robust cybersecurity strategy in place is now the new norm and having the infrastructure to support these solutions is paramount and often times is the limiting factor, especially for smaller businesses.
Companies are embracing the idea of a virtual office and providing access to data, along with other applications which are important to their function. Many businesses are able to provide this to their employees, but the technology to guarantee a secure connection and cybersecurity threat proof systems are not in place.
As firms realise hybrid work is here to stay, adapting policies and expectations to monitor productivity, along with workflow expectations is important. Having a hybrid and remote work policy in-place which addresses these factors will prove to be advantageous.
VPNs for Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity should be a priority for any business, big or small. Data breaches can happen to anyone and often times it's the smaller businesses which are affected the most. Cybercrime is on the rise and is only getting more sophisticated, making it important to stay one step ahead.
VPNs have become increasingly popular as a way to ensure data security and protect against potential threats. A VPN, or virtual private network, is a way to encrypt data and create a secure connection between two devices. This is especially important when using public Wi-Fi, as it can be easy for someone to intercept data if it's not properly secured.
Now that many businesses are using coworking spaces to work from home, a common issue is that most coworking spaces use a shared network. Shared network's provide everyone with the same password and login information, which can be easily compromised.
Another data breach that can occur from a shared network is spying. People working from a shared network can oversee online activity of other users, which can lead to sensitive information being leaked. This is especially problematic for businesses who may be handling confidential data.
A VPN can help protect against these threats by encrypting data and creating a secure connection. This way, even if someone were to intercept data, they would not be able to read it. VPNs are also a great way to ensure that only authorized users have access to data.
While most coworking spaces used shared networks, Servcorp is its own internet service provider and cowokers are provided custom Wi-Fi security.
What is Log4j and Why is it Vulnerable?
Log4j is an open-source logging tool that helps businesses track events happening in their system. It's used by developers to debug code and can be used to monitor several forms of activity. While Log4j's intention is to be a helpful tool, it also poses a security risk as it can be used to gain access to sensitive information.
Log4Shell, has been claimed to be one of the biggest cybersecurity vulnerabilities that have arisen in a long time. The U.S. Cybersecurity & infrastructure Security Agency has already witnessed hundreds of thousands attempts to steal data and compromise data security.
How does this work? Cybercriminals use a process called "passive logging" where they remotely access log files that contain sensitive information. This can include user login credentials, financial information, and other types of data that can be used to commit fraud or identity theft.
For a business this could mean your own and client financial details are at risk which can lead to large scale data breach's, making Log4j one of the largest cybersecurity threats.
How to Stop Log4j Vulnerability
There are a few ways to protect against this type of attack, the most important being to encrypt data. This can be done by using a VPN, which will create a secure connection and make it difficult for cybercriminals to access data.
Utilise Safe Coworking Spaces
Servcorp is one of the few coworking spaces that takes cybersecurity seriously. Their private network eliminates the risk of data breaches and spying. They also offer custom Wi-Fi security for their clients.
If you're looking for a safe and secure space to work from, Servcorp is a great option. They have locations all over the world and offer a variety of membership plans to suit your needs.
Constantly Update All Systems
Log4j is part of the Apache logging services and is the most widely used logging tool.
Updating your software to the latest version is extremely important and to ensure you don't miss any updates, you can subscribe to Apache's email list which informs you of any new changes.
Work from a Safe Ecosystem
Protecting your business from future attacks starts with creating a cybersecurity ecosystem that has custom firewalls. This is typically expensive and time-consuming, but it's a necessary investment to make.
Large or enterprise level companies such as Servcorp have in-house I.T. developers which actively create a safe ecosystem to work from. By coworking from these safe areas, the likelihood of data theft from Log4Shell is significantly reduced.
The Overview
Cybersecurity is more important than ever before. As businesses move away from traditional office spaces and into coworking environments, the need for high security measures is greater than ever.
Cybercriminals are constantly looking for new ways to steal data, so it's essential that businesses have a strategy in place to protect themselves. VPNs are a great way to encrypt data and create a secure connection, which can help prevent sensitive information from being leaked.
By working from a safe environment such as Servcorp, you can reduce your risk of becoming the victim of a cyberattack.
Learn about the difference between a virtual office and home office.
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