Staying safe online isn’t as complicated as it may seem. By simply following these guidelines, you can help mitigate the risk of losing personal and sensitive information. Certain industries are more vulnerable to cyber attacks such as banks, healthcare institutions, corporations, and even higher education institutions. Even if your role doesn’t fit into those categories, staying up to date with current cybersecurity trends is critical in today’s digital world. With Cybersecurity month in full swing, Barchart would like to remind you of a few tips to help keep you and your organization safe online. 

Phishing for data

Some cyber attacks start off as harmless-looking emails. If you click on a suspicious attachment or a link, a hacker may be able to gain access to your data instantly. Even if an email looks safe, it is extremely important to always take caution when opening attachments or clicking on links. Cyber attacks originating through email cause millions of dollars in damages a year. If you are suspicious of an email, do not open it! 

Along with email attacks, hackers can attempt to access critical information by learning private information about workers. Security questions such as your favorite movie, first car, childhood best friend, etc. are common questions hackers may try to ask you to gain access to your login credentials. When in doubt, do not disclose any of this information! 

Ransom and cyber attacks are becoming more common in the agricultural space. Cybersecurity is a top concern for most grain merchandising and processing facilities. A cyber attack of any size can destroy an operation without proper safeguards in place. Hackers target large and small facilities and demand money to replace/unlock critical proprietary information such as scale tickets, ERP, and even CRM systems. 

A disruption in any of these systems would be catastrophic. Having a dedicated IT / Cyber security department could help protect your organization from vulnerabilities. With Cybersecurity being one of our top priorities on a daily basis, Barchart is proud to partner with The Vizius Group, a dedicated team of cybersecurity experts, to make our products and services as safe as possible.

Protecting yourself in a digital world

Following proper password hygiene is essential for a secure digital environment. Updating passwords on a regular basis, not repeating passwords, using a properly encrypted password manager, and using 2-factor authentication are a few ways that you can add security to your personal information. Physically securing your devices is also an important step in protecting you and your organization's data. Thieves tend to target computers, cell phones, tablets, and other devices that could contain sensitive information that should not be in the wrong hands. Keep your devices in your possession at all times and do not connect them to any non-secure networks. Even though it is sometimes a headache, making sure your devices are current on all software updates is an important step in cyber security. Software developers are always updating their programs to make them more stable and secure. Make it a priority to check your operating system, work programs, and anti-virus software for any updates. 

Staying safe at work

Most companies have a dedicated team of professionals dedicated to providing technical support to their employees. Knowing who to contact at your company can help prevent any time loss in the event of a cyberattack. Information Technology (IT) employees can assist you in updating your computer, encrypting your hard drives, connecting to secure networks, backing up your documents, and enabling 2-factor authentication. With a huge spike in cyber attacks since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic, it is very important to stay alert at all times and to report any suspicious activity that you come across. By following these guidelines, you can help protect your personal and organization's critical data. 

Always remember, If it’s suspicious, report it!