What is the role of prevention services in cyber security?

In today’s digital age, cyber risks are everywhere, and the damage inflicted by a cyber attack can be devastating. Protecting against these threats requires more than just a basic firewall: modern hackers are more sophisticated, and defense strategies must evolve accordingly. It is essential that businesses and individuals have the necessary tools and services to manage risk. A proactive approach to cyber security includes insurance coverage as well as solutions which enhance education, hygiene, and overall risk management. 

Consider how often you use your devices. The average Canadian spends six and a half hours per day online1. Now, imagine being unable to access your device, or worse, having a cyber criminal take control. It’s a frightening scenario, but there are steps you can take to stay ahead of potential threats. 

Implement training and awareness for employees 

Each time an employee interacts with a system, whether by logging in or using a keyboard, there’s a risk of unauthorized access. While employees often wear different hats to boost efficiency, the risk is this can also compromise cyber security. Employee negligence and complacency are often at the root of security incidents and data breaches2. Training is crucial to mitigate these risks. 

Internal training needs to be structured as part of your organization’s risk management plan.  These should be conducted on an ongoing basis to continually enable employee awareness on good cyber hygiene practices. 

Customizing training modules for employees is essential. Conducting assessments can provide a baseline of your organization’s cyber security readiness, enabling you to develop tailored programs or leverage shared services to enhance employee skills. By covering topics such as email phishing and local governance, you can better equip your team to better handle any cyber security challenges that may arise. 

Continuously monitor system access points 

Effective cyber security tools must include comprehensive scanning and monitoring. A website vulnerability scanner, for instance, is an automated software that identifies security weaknesses in websites or web applications. Given that new vulnerabilities are regularly discovered, and web applications frequently introduce new features, ongoing monitoring is vital. Organizations like the Open Worldwide Application Security Project (OWASP) offer valuable insights into maintaining the security and integrity of your digital assets. 

Whether it’s your firewalls or the deep web, any external access point can be a liability. Implementing a robust scanning system can provide significant advantages, reducing the need for manual checks by your IT team.  

While these tools can be highly beneficial for technically-minded individuals, it’s equally important to ensure that you understand outcomes of scans and can take appropriate action or guide others effectively.  

Establish security policies 

Security policies are living documents that outline the rules and guidelines for accessing company data, assets, systems, and other IT resources. These policies define acceptable usage, establish boundaries, and clarify expectations for both internal teams and support staff. Cyber security is a shared responsibility, and these policies help ensure accountability across the organization. 

As with training and awareness, security policies are the backbone of an organization’s risk management plan.  It is essential to have the policies reviewed on a regular basis to ensure the guidelines are up-to-date and any changes, whether people, process or technological, have been addressed. 

Additionally, compliance requirements can vary by jurisdiction. It’s important to examine government guidelines to ensure that your policies align with federal and provincial regulations. 

Take advantage of tools & services 

In the ever-evolving cyber security landscape, partnering with the right vendors is crucial, Cyber security is inherently complex, and your protection strategy should address that complexity. A good resource is the Government of Canada’s Centre for Cyber Security3, which curates various tools and services, provides guidelines and helps educate everyday citizens.  

HSB recognizes the importance of a multi-faceted approach to cyber risk prevention and has introduced Cyber Safety by Zeguro, a suite of tools and services to complement our cyber insurance coverages, helping our partners and their clients to stay ahead of the curve. 

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1 https://www.statista.com/statistics/237478/daily-time-spent-with-media-among-adults-in-canada/    

2 https://www.munichre.com/hsbcanada/en/hsb-insights/the-biggest-cyber-threat-largely-ignored-by-small-businesses.html  

3 https://www.cyber.gc.ca/en