Published: July 06, 2024 on our newsletter Security Fraud News & Alerts Newsletter.
Companies using social media know it’s a great way to promote their culture to employees and clients. But there’s a danger using social media many businesses don’t think about until it’s too late. That is, it’s a risk to the company’s cybersecurity. It’s also a $3.25 billion business for cybercriminals globally, and they’re not about to give it up. You have to wonder; how does a company website stay safe? Fortunately, there are some answers to that question.
The Problem
Hackers know corporate websites are the gateway to a treasure-trove of information. Gleaning data about customer accounts and who’s in charge of them is easy, and so is hijacking their sensitive information. Attackers create lookalike sites, insert malicious links that steal data and spread malware. Email phishing, identity theft, and ransomware strikes are easier when you have names, titles, and personally identifiable information (PII). And of course, attackers use generative AI to give their cybercrimes a big boost.
Those managing corporate social media sites need to be aware of giving hackers what they need to initiate crimes. The damage it does is real, including financial loss, company downtime, and worse. However, it’s a company-wide approach to security helping prevent those preying on corporate websites get a foothold on crime. The following are proactive measures every business can implement for their social media accounts, including a corporate culture of safety.
The Answer
Control access to the website controls. Limit it to only those who need it to manage and post on the site. Putting these limits in place controls the information these sites provide and reduces the possibility those with bad intent will compromise the site and its contents.
Require strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for staff on all levels.
Passwords should use a minimum of eight characters and a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Require employees to regularly change their passwords.
Require staff to use a minimum of two types of identity verification, including for personal accounts. That’s especially true for those managing the site, providing content, and those using their personal devices for work.
Provide continuing cyber-education for all levels of staff. Security experts teach employees how to navigate safely online and protect sensitive business information. No one is too important to be compromised, and a staff who can identify potential attacks can stop one before it starts.
Have a comprehensive data breach prevention strategy in place. That includes doing what it takes to secure a business in today’s cybercrime environment. Use antivirus tools, limit access via encryption tools, and regularly backup systems to a device separate from the network to limit damage from attacks like ransomware.
Keeping corporate social media accounts secure is a team effort. From those who control the websites and their content to a corporate culture of online security, working together helps create a secure future for all.
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