10 Ways to Secure Your BYOD Program

When it comes to Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs in the workplace, security is always the top concern. 

After all, with employees using their own devices to access company data, there’s a greater risk of that data being compromised. 

According to a Zippia Research Summary for 2022, 75% of employees use their personal cell phones for work.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to secure your BYOD program and keep your data safe. 

1. Require Strong Passwords 

The first step to securing your BYOD program is to require strong passwords from employees. 

This will help to prevent hackers from gaining access to devices and company data. 

To make sure passwords are strong, you can require employees to use a certain number of characters, use a mix of letters and numbers, and use special characters.

You can also require employees to change their passwords on a regular basis. 

2. Use a Mobile Device Management Solution 

Another way to secure your BYOD program is to use a mobile device management (MDM) solution. 

This type of software allows you to manage and monitor mobile devices that are connected to your network.

With an MDM solution, you can remotely lock or wipe devices if they are lost or stolen. 

You can also push updates and security patches to devices, as well as enforce policies such as password strength and screen lock timeout. 

3. Limit Access to Sensitive Data 

Another security measure you can take is to limit access to sensitive data. 

This can be done by using data loss prevention (DLP) software. 

DLP software can help you to control how data is shared, preventing it from being emailed, printed, or copied to unauthorized locations. 

4. Encrypt Data 

Another way to protect data is to encrypt it. 

This means that data is converted into a code that can only be decrypted by authorized individuals. 

When data is encrypted, even if it falls into the wrong hands, it will be much more difficult for unauthorized individuals to access it. 

Some encryption methods include:

• Using software to encrypt a hard drive

• Using email encryption on sensitive messages

5. Educate Employees 

It’s important to educate employees about BYOD security. 

This includes teaching them about strong passwords, how to spot phishing attempts, and what to do if their device is lost or stolen. 

By educating employees, you can help to make sure they are taking the necessary steps to keep their devices and company data safe. 

6. Use Two-Factor Authentication 

Another way to secure your BYOD program is to use two-factor authentication (2FA). 

With 2FA, employees are required to enter not only a password, but also a code that is sent to their mobile device. 

This makes it much more difficult for hackers to gain access to devices and company data. 

7. Enable Remote Wipe 

If an employee’s device is lost or stolen, you can remotely wipe it to prevent unauthorized access to company data. 

This will delete all data from the device, including any apps or files that are stored on it. 

8. Use a VPN 

A virtual private network (VPN) can also help to secure your BYOD program. 

A VPN creates a secure, encrypted connection between an employee’s device and your network. 

This helps to prevent data from being intercepted or accessed by unauthorized individuals. 

9. Keep Devices Updated 

It’s also important to keep devices updated. This includes installing security patches and updating applications. 

By keeping devices updated, you can help to prevent vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. 

10. Use a Trusted Source for Apps 

Finally, make sure employees only download apps from trusted sources. 

This includes official app stores such as the App Store or Google Play. There are also enterprise app stores that offer vetted, business-ready apps. 

By using a trusted source for apps, you can help to prevent employees from downloading malicious apps that could compromise company data. 

Is your BYOD program secure? 

BYOD programs can be a great way to improve productivity and allow employees to work from anywhere. 

By taking these security measures, you can help to keep your company’s data safe.

Need help securing your own BYOD Program?

Schedule a free consultation today! Call 260-918-3548 or reach out online.

Should We Be Using Conditional Access for Cloud Accounts?

The cloud has become an integral part of business for many organizations. It provides organizations with the ability to be more agile and scale quickly. However, the cloud also introduces new security risks. One of the biggest security risks is the possibility of data breaches.

4% of users will click on anything and 28 percent of attacks involved an insider.

Organizations need to be proactive in protecting their data in the cloud. Luckily, one relatively straight-forward way to do this is by using conditional access for cloud accounts. 

What is conditional access? 

Conditional access is a security feature that allows organizations to set conditions that must be met before a user can access data. If all of the these conditions are met, the user is allowed to access the data. If any of the conditions are not met, the user is not allowed to access the data. 

For example, an organization might require that a user be authenticated with two-factor authentication before they can access data. 

Conditional access can be a powerful tool for protecting data in the cloud. 

What conditions can be configured?

Conditional access is typically configured by an administrator. The administrator will define the conditions that must be met and assign users to the conditional access policy. 

While there are many different conditions that can be configured, some common conditions include:

• Authentication method: The authentication method that must be used. For example, two-factor authentication. 

• Location: The user must be accessing the data from a specific location. 

• Device: The user must be using a specific type of device.

• Time of day: The user must be accessing the data during a specific time of day. 

These are just a few of the many conditions that can be configured. It is important to note that a user can be a member of multiple conditional access policies. This flexibility allows administrators to fine-tune their security settings to best meet their needs.

What are the benefits of using conditional access? 

There are many benefits of using conditional access. 

Some of the most common benefits include:

• Improved security: By requiring that certain conditions be met before a user can access data, you can help to ensure that only authorized users have access to the data. This can be particularly important for sensitive data. 

• Greater control: Conditional access allows organizations to have greater control over who has access to data. Ensuring that users only have access to the data they need to do their jobs, and nothing more. This can help to reduce the risk of data breaches and other security incidents. 

• Increased flexibility: Conditional access provides organizations with the ability to be more flexible in how they protect data. Flexibility brings the ability to rapidly respond to changing conditions, which is crucial in protecting against sophisticated attacks.

Benefits far outweigh any cost or time investment to initially set it up. Even if an organization falls victim to a data breach, having conditional access in place can help to minimize the damage.

Should you use conditional access in the cloud? 

The answer to this question depends on the specific needs of your organization. However, if you are looking for a way to improve the security of your data in the cloud, then you should consider using conditional access. 

When in doubt, it's always best to err on the side of caution and protect your valuable assets. After all, it takes just a few moments of due diligence to prevent what could be a very costly mishap to your business, in both time and money.

Relying on a single security measure is never recommended. Conditional access is quickly becoming the new standard for cloud security because it offers a more comprehensive approach than previous methods. 

How can organizations get started with conditional access? 

There are a few things that organizations need to do to get started with conditional access. 

First, they need to identify which data needs to be protected. This data should be classified according to its sensitivity. Once the data has been classified, the organization can then create a conditional access policy. 

The policy should be created with the help of a security expert. Once the policy has been created, it needs to be assigned to the appropriate users. 

Finally, the organization should monitor the policy to ensure that it is working as intended. 

Have you implemented conditional access in the cloud? 

Conditional access is a powerful tool for protecting data in the cloud. When used correctly, it can help to prevent data breaches. 

If you are interested in using conditional access in your cloud account, BrainStomp can help your business with the smart security solutions it needs!

Schedule a free consultation today! Call 260-918-3548 or reach out online.

Simple Guide to Endpoint Protection Best Practices

In 2019, 68% of organizations reported being victims of endpoint attacks. These are attacks that aren’t targeting the heart of your network and data, but rather the devices with access to them.

An endpoint is a collective term that describes the various devices that can connect to your technology systems. This includes wireless or wired networks, business cloud accounts, servers, and other systems that house software and data. 

The endpoints of your network include:

• Computers

• Mobile devices

• Printers

• IoT (internet-connected devices, like IP security cameras)

If it can connect to your network and systems, then you can classify the device as an endpoint.

Why are endpoints targeted?

There are two key reasons that endpoints make particularly attractive targets for cybercriminals:

1. They have access to a lot of information. This includes business cloud service accounts, data stored on hard drives and in the cloud, and business email accounts.

2. They are typically easier to breach than a network or cloud service. Endpoints (like an employee’s smartphone) can get left out of network security monitoring, and IoT devices often have notoriously weak firmware security.

One thing that makes securing endpoints challenging is the number of them in a company. As more of the business workload is handled by mobile devices, the more endpoints can multiply. This is especially true if a company uses a BYOD (bring your own device) approach to mobile use.

The average endpoints per company size are:

• Less than 50 employees: 22 endpoints

• 50-100 employees: 114 endpoints

• 101-500 employees: 489 endpoints

• 1,000-3,000 employees: 1,920 endpoints

While looking at the sheer number of endpoints can seem overwhelming, by automating the process and following best practices, you can significantly improve your device security.

Here is a guide of tactics to help you do that.

Address Access to Company Systems 

When a hacker either breaches a device or gets their hands on a lost or stolen device, they can often easily access business apps on that laptop, PC, or smartphone.  You can hamper that process by using an access management system for your devices.

For example, if you safelist approved devices that are allowed to access your network, as soon as a device goes missing or is infected with malware, you can remove that device from the safelist. This will block access to your data immediately.

Update All Mobile Operating Systems

Do you know whether all mobile devices with access to your business systems are running the most updated version? Users that don’t update, end up putting company networks at risk because their device doesn’t have the latest patches for found system vulnerabilities.

A shocking 99.2% of US government Android users were found to be running outdated operating systems. Businesses face a similar problem with ensuring employees keep smartphones and tablets updated properly.

Automating device updates through a managed IT services support plan is one of the easiest ways to keep all endpoints updated and protected from hacks.

Automate Device Lifecycle Stages

A device lifecycle starts at the point the device is connected to your network and issued to a user (if it is company owned). It ends when the device is disconnected from your network and systems, either due to it being decommissioned or the employee that owns the device leaving.

There are several security concerns during a device's lifecycle. These include:

• Setting up passcodes and apps

• Adding the device to a safelist or mobile device manager

• Keeping company data on the device backed up

• Granting access levels to various business software

• Ensuring the device is secured and updated

• Revoking privileges for a device and removing company data

If all these processes are done manually, there is much room for error. Human error is one of the main causes of data breaches of business networks. Automate as many of these lifecycle processes as possible to reduce risk.

Use an Endpoint Device Manager

While a small business might not think they need a mobile device manager, it can be a real security benefit. Trying to handle things like data backups, antivirus, and updates for all employee devices used for work can be time-consuming. 

A mobile device manager can more than pay for itself by handling all these processes easily and simplifying the process of digital offboarding when an employee leaves.

These applications also provide important monitoring and reporting to help identify any anomalous data access behavior. They can also revoke access to non-approved devices by default.

Train Employees on Device Security (passcodes, malicious apps, etc.)

Employees need to understand how to keep their devices secure, the dangers of downloading any “cool” app they see online, and the need for things like device passcodes.

People often don’t understand the safeguards that need to happen to keep company data secure when it comes to their personal devices used for business. For example, they might think it’s no big deal if they allow a friend or family member to use their tablet, unaware that because of the data that tablet has access to, they may have just caused a compliance breach.

Training on device security improves cyber habits for most team members and strengthens your endpoint security.

Need Help With Endpoint Protection?

Don’t leave your endpoints unprotected! BrainStomp can assist you with effective and affordable options to reduce the risk of a device breach.
Schedule a free consultation today! Call 260-918-3548 or reach out online.

The Basic Types of Insider Threats & How to Mitigate Them

One of the most difficult types of attacks to ward off are those perpetrated by insiders. “Insiders” are considered anyone that has a legitimate credential to access a technology system. This would include your employees and any vendors that need access to your network. It can also include those that have stolen the credentials of an authorized user.

Why are insider threats so hard to detect and stop? Because when someone is logged in to a website, software, or network with a legitimate user credential, they bypass certain security safeguards. For example, a firewall set to look for unauthorized access, would not have protections triggered for legitimate users.

According to a 2022 report by Ponemon, the frequency of insider attacks rose by 44% over the last two years, showing an alarming upward trend. Additionally, the cost of remediating these attacks also increased, by 34%.

Organizations that haven’t put cybersecurity solutions in place specifically to address insider threats, run a high risk of suffering a data breach or malware infection.

Let’s discuss the various types of insider threats because identifying them is the first step toward defending against them.

Types of Insider Threats

Contrary to popular beliefs, most insider threats aren’t malicious at all. A majority are not the result of disgruntled or opportunistic employees stealing data or planting a virus. Fifty-six percent of insider attacks are the result of careless employees. 

Here are the four main categories of insider threats.

Careless Employees

Unless staff is trained regularly in cybersecurity awareness and data handling practices, they can easily make mistakes that put a company at risk. From falling for phishing scams to storing passwords in a non-secure way, there are plenty of ways that poor cyber hygiene can cause your company grief.

Malicious Employees

Another category of insider threat is the employee that purposely steals sensitive data or introduces malware into company systems. This category accounts for a little more than 1 in 4 insider attack incidents.

Vendors/Contractors

Another area of concern is insider threats that come from those you need to provide access to your company data and systems. This may be a marketing company you hired or a temporary contractor that needs to log into one of your technology systems.

If these vendors have lax security or are fishing for sensitive data, it could mean a breach.

Hackers with Stolen Credentials

The fourth category of insider threat is the hacker with stolen login credentials. Password theft has skyrocketed with the increased use of cloud computing systems. Company data is now easier to access than ever before because it’s cloud-based and can be gotten at from anywhere in the world if you have the right login.

According to the latest IBM Cost of a Data Breach report, credential theft is now the #1 driver of data breaches globally.

Indicators Your Company is at Risk for Insider Attacks & What to Do About It

Is your company at unnecessary risk of an insider attack right now? Here are some of the red flags that indicate you are.

Employees Don’t Receive Security Awareness Training Regularly

Training employees on how to detect phishing once per year is not enough to mitigate the risk of a mistake causing a breach. If you don’t have regular discussions on security and employees only get trained once per year or less, then you’re at a high risk of a careless insider causing an incident.

Employees retain information better if it’s presented at least every 4-5 months. That means training approximately once per quarter. Training can be done by video, through in-person training with an IT pro, phishing simulations, and other ways.

Your Company Doesn’t Manage Devices Well

Are you keeping track of device access to your network? Do you know all the PCs and mobile devices employees use to connect to your business apps and data? If not, then an insider breach could easily happen. This can be through a non-secured device, a device that is infected with malware, or by a hacker because the system doesn’t have a way to recognize unauthorized devices.

Using an endpoint device management application (such as Microsoft’s Intune) can significantly improve your security for all those endpoints and reduce breach risk.

Security Policies Aren’t Enforced

Do managers and staff take shortcuts that bypass security policies? For example, you may have a policy that users being assigned as administrators in your cloud accounts need to be approved by a supervisor first. However, to quickly get something done when someone is out sick, this rule is broken, and someone is given admin credentials without approval.

That’s just one example of how security policies that seem inconvenient can be neglected if they are not enforced. It’s important to let staff know that these policies might seem to be "in the way” at times, but they’re there to protect everyone from a much larger issue, a data breach of your systems.

Get Help Improving Your Defenses for Insider Attacks

BrainStomp can help you put layered security in place that addresses all types of insider threats, from those that are due to carelessness to the malicious types.

Schedule a free consultation today! Call 260-918-3548 or reach out online.

The Security Importance of Two-Factor Authentication (Part 2)

There has never been a more serious time to protect your information than now, with security breaches, cybercrime, and internet fraud on the rise. In recent years, the majority of recent breaches have involved password hacks.

Many big companies and celebrities have been victims of password hacks leading to data breaches. If this can happen to them, what is the guarantee that it won't happen to you?

There are so many ways a hacker could access your account. As a result, some measures can help prevent this tragedy from happening. One such measure is two-factor authentication.

But how does this help, and what is the importance of 2FA? 

Ways Hackers Can Get Your Password

According to a study, 90% of passwords can be cracked in a few hours.

Even if you have a secure password, there are ways for hackers to access your accounts without even knowing it. These include keylogger installation on your computer and phishing scams.

Here are ways hackers can get your password

Brute Force Attacks to Break Weak Passwords

Hackers can brute force your password if it is just a word followed by some numbers, especially if it is not very long. They execute a script that tries each and every possible pairing of characters and numbers until they succeed.

Dictionary Attacks

Most users, two out of three, use the same password. Every time you read advice on how to make a strong password, it always mentions staying away from dictionary words. This is because hackers can run scripts that attempt various word combinations and enter every word in the dictionary. In light of this, if your password is "thegreatchinawall," it might be broken in a matter of minutes.

Keyloggers

You can contract this terrible virus by browsing the internet. Upon startup, it starts running in the background, logs each keypress you do, and sends that information to the attacker. Your entire private discussion, as well as your passwords, are in jeopardy.

Password reset

Almost all known password reset links are provided via email. Thus, if a hacker has access to the email in its entirety, they can use it to reset passwords. You will therefore lose access to your email and all of your accounts.

Phishing Website Scams

These assaults differ somewhat from the others. They don't launch malicious programs or install malware. These are websites that are virtually exact replicas of popular, legitimate websites like Facebook and Twitter. As soon as you attempt to log in, they do nothing but submit your login details to the attackers' database.

Why You Need to Use Two-factor Authentication

Even with two-factor authentication enabled, there are still more ways to protect your online accounts. However, 2FA is still one of the best forms of cybersecurity.

Due to the ease with which fraudsters can change passwords on other accounts using email, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) advises implementing two-factor authentication for "high value" and email accounts. It would be best if you used strong passwords and a distinct password for each of your accounts in addition to two-factor authentication. Instead of writing down or saving your passwords online, you can manage them all with a password manager.

Microsoft found that 99.9% of cyberattacks can be stopped and avoided by simply employing two-factor authentication. Here are five important benefits of incorporating two-factor authentication into your security strategy.

1. Improved security

By requesting a second form of identity from the user, such as SMS, email, biometrics, or another type of two-factor authentication, the possibility of an attacker impersonating the user and accessing sensitive resources is decreased. Even if a hacker succeeds in gaining access to the password, they will be unable to access any accounts without the specific code provided by the authenticator.

2. Fraud reduction and establishing safe online connections

The cases of identity theft are on the rise, and this directly impacts revenue. In the worst cases, it might lead to trust, brand equity, and credibility loss. According to research, even if a retailer did not commit the fraud, customers who have been the victim often steer clear of them. Two-factor authentication adds extra security to online connections and helps keep the site secure.

3. Your information will be safer.

Customer passwords and user IDs are well known for being weak and simple targets for hackers, particularly when customers select obvious passwords like "112233" and "password." Writing down passwords in physical or online files where thieves and cybercriminals might find them creates an additional vulnerability. 

With physical characteristics and one-time passwords (OTPs), which are more challenging or impossible to guess, two-factor authentication (2FA) increases data security.

4. Increase productivity

Making your data more secure will enable you to let your staff work remotely without worrying about a data breach, which will increase productivity.

5. Lower help desk and security management costs

Help desks are loaded with time-consuming password resets, which two-factor authentication helps to reduce. Users can safely reset their own passwords with the help of two-factor authentication. Employee productivity has grown as a result, which benefits firms.

Protect Yourself 

Make it harder for thieves and email phishers to get to you. Ensure those criminals need more information than your username and password to commit fraud against you. 

Your password should be at least twelve(12) characters long and contain both uppercase and lowercase letters, digits, and special characters; it should not contain any dictionary words or sensitive information like your date of birth or name.

If you are worried about your identity, you should practice using two-factor authentication since it prevents you from being hacked or having your information stolen.

For more information on why you need to use two-factor authentication and how to set it up, we at BrainStomp are here to help. Send us a message or call 260-918-3548.

What Two-Factor Authentication Is, and How It Works (Part 1)

It makes sense that fraudsters are drawn to our digital accounts since so much of our daily activities take place on laptops and mobile devices. Every day, we hear news of malicious attacks against companies, governments, and individuals. With this prevalent news, it does not appear that the hacks, data breaches, and other cybercrime will slow down.

In the past, a form of security was to have usernames and passwords for all our devices, social media handles, and data storage. But in recent years, passwords are just not enough. Given how simple it is for hackers to get usernames and passwords, it is no wonder breaches, and attacks occur regularly.

The frequency of websites losing consumers' personal data has dramatically increased. Hacks also result in the loss of social media users' handles. 

According to a study, 80% of hacking incidents are caused by stolen and reused login information. Another study showed that poor passwords caused data breaches in 81% of companies.

As security breaches continue to rise, two-factor authentication has emerged as a crucial web security technique due to its ability to reduce the danger associated with compromised login credentials. Two-factor authentication keeps an attacker from getting access even if a password is stolen, guessed, or phished.

Continue reading to know what two-factor authentication is and how it works

What is Two-factor Verification (2FA)?

In reality, passwords are not foolproof because, regardless of how strong or weak your password is, it is simple for a security professional or cybercriminal to crack it. To protect an account in this situation, 2FA comes into play.

Two-factor authentication is a kind of multi-factor authentication that boosts security access by requiring two ways (authentication factors) to confirm your identity.

These factors include you entering your username and password. Then, instead of gaining immediate access, you will have to provide another piece of information. The 2FA could be a one-time SMS/email code, biometric, or fingerprint that you use to verify your identity.

This authentication safeguards your logins against attackers using stolen or weak credentials and guards against phishing and password hacks. Therefore, even if your password is compromised, it is extremely improbable that someone else will have access to your second-factor information.

Types of Two-factor Verification

There are three types of 2FA. They are known as the 3-somethings. Users must enter at least 2 of these 3-somethings to access the account.

• Something you know: This could be an answer to a secret question such as a favorite book, best food, worst or best experience, or a unique pattern or pin.

• Something you have: This could include your phone, wallet, credit card, or a small hardware

• Something you are: This authentication type is a little more advanced and could include your fingerprint biometric, fingerprint pattern, an eye scan, or a voice scan

Before you can log in, any of this information must be provided.

Forms of Two-factor Verification?

A user's identity can be confirmed using various two-factor forms. These include:

SMS Two-factor Authentication

SMS-based 2FA interacts directly with the user's phone. After receiving their login and password, the site verifies the user's identity by sending a unique one-time passcode (OTP) to the user's phone number via text message. 

If the authentication is voice-based, the user will get a call, and the passcode will be spoken to them.

The user is then given access after entering the code into the website or application.

Email Authentication

Email two-factor authentication is another popular way that people access their online accounts. Users receive an OTP or secret code via email to verify their identification. Sometimes, accounts can also be accessed without passcodes by clicking a unique link in the email.

TOTP/Authenticator App 

The website or app a user is seeking to access creates a key locally using the Time-Based One-Time Password (TOTP) authentication technique. The security key is generally a QR code the user scans with their phone to generate a string of numbers. 

The user then types those numbers into the website or application to gain access. A new passcode will be produced the next time a user enters the account because authenticators generate them with an expiration date.

Push-based Authentication

Push-based 2FA verifies a user's identity with as many authentication factors as other methods cannot. 

A push notification is a passwordless authentication that alerts the user that an authentication attempt is being made by sending a message to a secure app on the user's smartphone. The user can then allow or refuse access after viewing the details of the authentication attempt.

How Does Two-factor Verification Work?

Your online accounts are given an additional layer of security thanks to two-factor authentication. Beyond only the username and password, access to the account requires a second login credential and obtaining that second credential necessitates access to something that is yours.

Accessing the account without this additional access method makes it impossible for hackers to access your account using only stolen login credentials and passwords.

Process of How 2FA Works

Different two-factor authentication options may be available depending on the application or vendor. Nevertheless, two-factor authentication follows the same process:

• The user enters their username and password to access the website or app.

• If the password is legitimate, an authentication server verifies it, and the user is then qualified to use the second factor. For processes where passwords are unnecessary, the website generates a unique security key for the user. The authentication tool processes the key, which is verified by the website's server.

• The user's second-factor method receives a unique code from the authentication server. Any of the 3-somethings in this stage.

• The user may then have to input a generated one-time code and provide further authentication.

• Once accepted and verified, they are logged in.

Why Do We Need Two-factor Authentication (2FA)?

Imagine if someone could discover or guess your password and could access any of your social media accounts. Your sole line of defense against a hacker who wants to sell your information is a password.

These days, passwords are ineffective against the most popular password cracking methods employed by hackers. Even the most complicated passwords are not enough to stop these hackers.

We require two-factor authentication because it is a more effective method of restricting access and safeguarding your personal information than using a password alone. You will most likely be notified if someone else is trying to access your account.

Upgrade Your Security

Increase security by using two-factor authentication to safeguard your data. It is the quickest, easiest approach to defend oneself against online threats.

Increase your security with BrainStomp. Let us assist you in setting up safety measures when you want to log in. Give us a call at 260-918-3548 for a consultation session or send us a message.

5 Tips to Make Your Hybrid Office Setup More Effective

The global pandemic has forced many businesses to adopt a work model that is different from what they are used to. Due to health restrictions, offices were left vacant and employees have been working remotely in their homes. But now that everything is opening up and slowly returning to normal, offices are beginning to welcome back their workers as well. 

Switching work models abruptly can be quite challenging for employers and employees alike. Because of this, most offices have begun implementing a hybrid office setup to accommodate their staff who wants to return to the office as well as those who choose to stay remote. Adjusting to a new work setup will take some time, but there are things that you can do to make the transition easier. 

In this article, we will share 5 tips to maximize your hybrid office setup to make it more effective. 

What is a hybrid office setup?

Before we move on to the ways to improve your hybrid work model, let us first discuss what a hybrid office setup is. 

Hybrid work is a model where some workers work in the office while others work remotely. This can involve some employees sticking to either on-site or remote work 100% of the time, or employees splitting their time between both work environments. This hybrid model is often perfect for companies who are slowly transitioning from a work-from-home setup back to an office environment. 

The flexibility of the hybrid office model allows employees to adjust to the new working conditions at their own pace. Additionally, it’s what they are expecting. A Gallup poll found that 53% of employees expect to be offered a flexible hybrid working arrangement. 

5 Things You Can Do to Maximize a Hybrid Workplace

As an employer, your job is to make sure that your hybrid office setup is running as smoothly as possible. From the well-being of your people to the tools and systems that they are using, there are a lot of ways for you to ensure that this environment is working for everybody. 

Here are the things that you can do to further improve the effectiveness of your hybrid work model.

1. Encourage Communication

One of the management challenges that you will have to deal with when it comes to a hybrid work setup is how to effectively communicate with the rest of your team. In an office environment, it is easy to reach out to the people that you need to talk to since you are all in one location, but in a hybrid setup, part of your team will be stationed somewhere else. 

To encourage communication, you need to provide your employees with a means to communicate and collaborate with one another. Applications such as Zoom, Skype, and Microsoft Teams are just some of the software that you and your team can use to communicate with one another.

2. Set boundaries

Monitoring what your staff members do during work hours can be challenging in a hybrid setup. In order to prevent your workers from engaging in non-work-related activities during office hours, you need to set boundaries on what they can and cannot do while they are on the clock. 

One way of setting boundaries is holding regular meetings. This will allow you to monitor the work progress of your employees and it also encourages communication and collaboration between the members of your team. 

3. Provide technology that will boost productivity

Technology is the key to running a hybrid work setup smoothly. From communicating with your staff to boosting productivity, there is a technological tool available to meet your company’s needs. 

Information accessibility and collaboration are some of the areas that you will be able to maximize with the help of digital tools. A cloud-based system allows your employees to access the information that they need 24/7 anywhere in the world. Collaboration tools, on the other hand, enable your staff to work with one another whether they are in the office or at home. 

With the help of technology, you will be able to create a seamless work system that will improve your office’s working conditions while accommodating all of your employees. 

4. Strengthen your cybersecurity

To accommodate employees who are working remotely, offices have decentralized their networks to allow remote access to various work resources. While this provides flexibility to your work setup, it can also lead to vulnerabilities. 

In order to protect the data of both your company and your employees, you need to enforce strong cybersecurity measures that won’t affect the flexibility of your hybrid office. The following are some of the practices that you can do to safeguard your data and prevent security breaches: 

• Educate your employees on cybersecurity measures that they can implement to avoid potential hazards and security threats. 

• Secure your network with a VPN to allow your employees to safely access your network whether they are in the office or at home. 

• Require identity verification before providing access to work resources and devices. 

5. Provide a suitable work environment for your employees

One of the issues that is not addressed properly in a hybrid office setup is the lack of suitable workspaces for employees who are working remotely. Aside from digital tools and systems, you also need to provide your staff with a conducive work environment to further boost their productivity.

Companies like Twitter, Facebook, and Google provide their employees a flat fee of $1000 to cover their remote work expenses. While you are not required to provide the same amount of compensation to your workers, do consider providing the necessary equipment that they need to create a suitable work environment at home. 

Maximize Your Hybrid Work Environment with Help from BrainStomp

A hybrid work environment that is secure and geared towards productivity can take some time to set up and calibrate. BrainStomp can provide you the support that you need to maximize the systems that you already have in place to boost the effectiveness of your hybrid office setup. 

Schedule a free consultation today! Call 260-918-3548 or reach out online.

How to Limit Security Exposure When a Work Device Goes Missing

Keeping data safe and protected is, and should be, one of the top priorities of any company. From the sensitive information that keeps your business running to the confidential data of your employees, it is vital to eliminate the chances of a security breach or at least keep it at a minimum. 

Aside from being hacked or infected with malware, one of the instances that threaten the security of your data is when a work device gets lost or stolen. You need to be prepared in case this scenario happens by including protections for device data in your cybersecurity plan. 

What Happens When a Work Device Gets Lost?

There are two main issues that you need to concern yourself with when a work device goes missing: lost equipment and a possible breach of security. 

The chances of retrieving the lost device are quite slim, especially if the device was deliberately stolen. This means that the device will need to be replaced which will be an additional cost to the company.

The possible breach of security is a more serious consequence of this scenario. If you do not have any security measures installed in the lost device, the information and data that it contains can be easily accessed by anyone. 

Among the various causes of data breaches globally, breach of user credentials is number one on the list. You need to have contingency measures in place to protect your data in case a work device is lost or stolen. 

Helpful Tips to Mitigate Your Risk Due to a Lost Device

There are several security measures that you can put in place to avoid a data breach in case a work device gets lost or stolen. These include procedures that need to be done before a device goes missing as well as what you can do after the device disappears. 

Keep your device physically secure

The best way to avoid data breaches because of missing devices is to not lose the device in the first place. Be mindful of your equipment and keep it with you at all times, especially if you are working outside the office. 

If you are in a public area, be aware of your surroundings. There are people who will take a peek at what you are doing to try to see your passwords or any sensitive information that your device might display.  

Implement authentication processes

By having authentication measures in place, you can protect your data even if a work device goes missing or gets stolen. Using multi-factor authentication (MFA) and biometrics will make it difficult for outside parties to access your device and data. 

You can also implement a zero-trust security system to make your network more secure and make it even more difficult to steal and access your company’s data. 

Encrypt your data

Encryption is one of the most commonly used forms of data security because of its effectiveness in keeping data secure.  By encrypting your data, you will be adding another layer of protection against those who want to steal your information. 

Encryption is not only beneficial for this situation. It should be a part of your whole cybersecurity system as it prevents data theft and the introduction of malware to your system. 

Back up your files

Keep a backup of your important files to ensure that you will still have a copy even if you lose your work device.  Backing up all your files is an important part of business continuity as well.   

One of the most efficient ways of backing up your files is through the use of network drives. Compared to cloud storage, network drives can back up your data faster, they can be accessed locally, and they also provide better security. 

Report missing devices immediately

All lost or stolen work devices must be reported immediately. This is because the longer your missing device goes unreported, the longer your data is at risk of being exposed. If the company is immediately informed of a lost or stolen device, it can activate security measures that can prevent a data breach. 

In order for this policy to be effective, employees must not be reprimanded for reporting missing or stolen devices. Time is of the essence when it comes to preventing data breaches, which is why your employees should not be afraid to report missing work equipment, especially when equipment contains sensitive information.  

Erase data

If worse comes to worst, be prepared to wipe the data on the lost or stolen device. This will prevent a data breach from happening because there will be no data left on the equipment. 

As long as you back up your data regularly, wiping the memory of a missing device will not have a big impact on your system. 

Improve Your Security with BrainStomp

Work devices can go missing anytime, anywhere. Be prepared for this situation with help from BrainStomp. Let us assist you in setting up safety measures against data breaches from lost or stolen devices. 

Schedule a free consultation today! Call 260-918-3548 or reach out online.

How to Use Your Clipboard Copy/Paste between PCs

One of the most used computing functions is copy/paste. It allows you to just right-click or use Ctrl+C (Windows) or Cmd+C (Mac) to copy text and images. You can then paste this copied data somewhere else using your right-click “paste” function or keyboard commands Ctrl+V (Window) or Cmd+V (Mac).

The copy and paste function was developed way back in the 1970s by Larry Tesler and it has been a mainstay in the base code for every operating system and program for decades. Most business technology workflows would be seriously hampered without it.

The function works by the use of a clipboard that holds onto the information you’ve copied so you can paste it into a different document or application.

It has been a great tool and has increased productivity in a number of ways. It has also evolved along the way. For example, people now often use more than one device when they work. The reality of the hybrid office has taken hold and many employees find themselves using one device at home and another at work.

Their cloud applications can be used across their devices, but what about the copy/paste function? 

It turns out that Microsoft has made this possible by using The (Windows) key + V.

How Does (Windows)+V Work to Share Copy/Paste Function?

There is a two-step process to enabling your copy/paste to work across various Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices. 

First, you’ll need to turn on your clipboard’s history. Then you’ll need to turn on clipboard syncing.

Let’s discuss clipboard history first.

Turn on Clipboard History

Have you ever seen someone who could access things they’ve copied several “copies” ago and still be able to paste those into a document? You may have wondered how if you haven’t seen this same feature on your PC.

You can do this by turning on your Windows clipboard history.

To turn on clipboard history:

1. Hold down the (Windows) key + V to bring up the clipboard.

2. Click the button that says “Turn on” in the clipboard window

Turning on your clipboard history allows you to access items that may have been copied a while back. You’ll also have the ability to pin items to make them easier to find, delete items to clean up your clipboard, and clear all unpinned items from your clipboard.

This is very helpful if you have certain data that you end up copying and pasting often. It can also be useful if you’re on one of your PCs and see something you want to save and use on another PC or device. You can save it in your clipboard history and access it later.

You can access your clipboard and its history by pressing the (Windows) key + V. 

Turn on Clipboard Syncing

To have the ability to access the same clipboard from other Windows 10 or Windows 11 devices, you need to turn on clipboard syncing.

Here’s how you do that:

1. Click the magnifying glass icon on your taskbar.

2. Type in “clipboard.”

3. This will bring up the link to your clipboard settings. Click that link.

4. This will bring you to your clipboard settings, where you’ll see several functions:

• Turn on clipboard history (you can do it here too)

• Sync across your devices

• Clear clipboard data

5. Move the slider to the “On” position for “Sync across your devices”

6. The default setting will automatically sync all text that you copy, but you can also choose to manually sync items if you prefer

What’s the difference between automatic and manual syncing of the clipboard?

Automatic will make any text you copy available to other Windows devices that you are signed into. If you choose to manually sync your clipboard text, you will instead choose the items you want syncing in your clipboard window. (Windows key +V).

If you are copying sensitive or confidential information that you need to keep on one device only, then manual may be a better option to choose.

How Do I Access the Synced Clipboard on Other Devices?

You need to be signed into another Windows device with your Microsoft ID to access your synced clipboard.

When on the device, ensure that it also has clipboard syncing enabled, then press (Windows) key + V to get to the clipboard. The synced items will be there, and you can choose from them to paste into a document.

What About Mobile Devices?

Some mobile devices can also use a cross-device copy and paste feature. This includes Surface Duo and select Samsung devices. You can learn which devices and more about this feature here on Microsoft’s site.

On compatible devices, you’ll be looking in the Settings for Features > Cross-device copy and paste, and then toggle that on. 

Need Help Optimizing Business Workflows?

There are many workflow tricks that companies miss out on, simply because they don’t know they’re there. BrainStomp can help your business optimize to increase productivity with simple and inexpensive workflow tips.

Schedule a free consultation today! Call 260-918-3548 or reach out online.

What Is Reply-Chain Phishing?

Phishing has been the main cause of cyberattacks for a while. It’s used to launch attacks for everything from ransomware to credential theft. Scammers cleverly disguise an email to make it seem legitimate to lure recipients into opening dangerous file attachments or clicking links to malicious websites.

Even though phishing isn’t new, and companies regularly train employees on phishing and cybersecurity awareness, they continue to suffer from breaches that originate in this way. And things have been getting worse.

In 2020, 57% of surveyed organizations were victims of at least one successful email-based phishing attack. In 2021, that number jumped significantly to 83% of organizations being breached due to email phishing.

One of the reasons for the increase in successful attacks is that phishing scammers keep upgrading their tactics. As people become savvy to one type of ploy, they begin using another.

One of the dangerous phishing trends being seen that fools many people is reply-chain phishing.

Criminals Are Tricking People with Reply-Chain Attacks

In standard phishing, the recipient receives an email from a scammer. It could be disguised as being from a bank, potential customer, or even a work colleague. These emails can also be personalized. But they come as a single email and often from an unknown sender.

In a reply-chain phishing attack, hackers get a little more deceptive and insert their phishing email into an existing email conversation, also known as an email thread.

Most email programs give you the option to see the replies in an email conversation below the new reply. So, if you and your colleagues are weighing in on a new marketing brochure, you might see everyone’s input in the email body, from newest to oldest.

These types of email reply chains are something we see and contribute to every day. They’re familiar, and that familiarity is what hackers take advantage of.

In a reply-chain attack, a hacker takes over this email reply chain and inserts a phishing email that contains a malicious link or attachment. Because the email looks to be coming from a colleague and is part of an ongoing conversation, no one generally suspects that it is a scam.

Because of that trust factor, this type of attack can be very effective and trick a lot of people. Even those that consider themselves smart about phishing detection and cybersecurity.

How Do Reply-Chain Phishing Attacks Happen?

You may be wondering, “How does a hacker gain access to an email reply chain?” The answer is through an account takeover.

The criminal somehow gains access to the email account of one of the people in the email thread. This can occur in a number of ways:

• Hacker breaches a weak password that’s easily cracked

• Hacker purchases passwords on the Dark Web that were stolen in a data breach

• Hacker uses phishing to get a person to type in a password into a fake web form

• Hacker gains access to a person’s computer and can obtain passwords from that device

Once the criminal has gained access to a person’s email account, they begin looking for opportunities and monitoring for these reply to chains.

As soon as they see correspondence that includes an email thread, they can easily look down the conversation, and tailor their phishing email accordingly. This makes it even more convincing.

For example, if they see that a draft document has been going around with edits for a new sales contact. They can infuse a word document with malware, attach it, and then simply say in the email, “Hey everyone, here are my latest edits to the sales contract we’ve been working on.”

The combination of the email coming from an email address the other recipients know and trust and that the email jives with the conversation that’s been going on makes it a very potent attack.

Check Your Auto-Forward Rules!

What if you realize your email has been breached and you change your password? You’re safe then, right? You might not be.

Clever criminals will set up an auto-forward once they breach an email account, knowing their time may be limited until they’re found out. Some will have the main purpose of setting up the auto-forward and never leaving another trace, hoping the person doesn’t find out their emails are being breached.

Once the hacker has auto-forwarded someone’s email to their own address, they can look for these email threads and then spoof one of the participants’ email addresses when sending a reply to the chain.

They don’t always have to be emailing from a breached account’s address to make everyone else think they are.

It’s important to regularly check your forwarding rules to see if your emails are being forwarded without your knowledge. Most people won’t ever look at this setting if they don’t use this feature themselves for anything.

Get Better Email & Password Security Solutions Through BrainStomp

BrainStomp can help your business with effective email and password security features designed to fight the rise in phishing and keep you from suffering a costly attack.

Schedule a free consultation today! Call 260-918-3548 or reach out online.