October 11, 2024 | Blog

If protection leads to security, and security leads to safety, then reassurance is built. But in a digital world, no one is safe unless we proactively protect ourselves. With billions of users in the digital world, overall protection is stretched thin, so taking our safety into our own hands requires mindfulness, accountability, and IT solution partners to rely on. Companies know that it is paramount to have robust cybersecurity to gain the trust of their customers, build strong relationships, and attract more customers in the future. But the story now holds a more profound conversation about why cybersecurity belongs to all of us.

This October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. IT Group, Inc. (ITG) and its technological partner, ManageEngine (ME), celebrate this moment to raise awareness for every person, business, and organization to come together and spread the importance of cybersecurity in our lives. “The theme of Cybersecurity Awareness Month is Secure Our World, here to remind us that there are simple ways to protect yourself, your family and your business from online threats,” said the National Cybersecurity Alliance. 

As the National Cybersecurity Alliance shares this year’s campaign focusing on the top four ways to stay safe online,  ITG and ME rally over the same purpose and value with the celebration of Cybersecurity Awareness Month and add a few more solutions to fortify cybersecurity, whether you’re B2B or B2C business.

Here 4 Easy Steps that Everyone Can Follow

1. Raising Awareness and Knowing the Importance of Cybersecurity

2. Simple yet Secure: Strong Passwords

3. Multi-Factor Authentication

4. Updating Software

Raising Awareness and Knowing the Importance of Cybersecurity

Change starts from knowing what’s not working and harming. It creates awareness to make your next decision in life and business. In our fast-paced world, most people have their phones for easy browsing and checking emails, messages, and content. This is where cyber hackers seize the opportunity to spam and create email phishing and scamming to get your personal information. In the worst-case scenario, they can access your digital life. So, what’s the impact on companies and organizations when things like these happen? First, they’ll pretend to be your company, like banks, your trusted online store, or in any way they can pretend to be your company in exchange for the trust of your customers. Little did they know, it was only bait for them to get hooked and engage with phishing emails. Although, technically, your business is out of the picture, your name is still dragged and used. The better way to resolve this issue is to be proactive and help the customers with how to report, where to report, and what kind of help you can offer them to some extent.   

Also read: ManageEngine’s Best Practices for Cybersecurity   

Meanwhile, customers should always be vigilant. Read emails never and adequately click a link you have a second doubt about.  “Phishing is when criminals use fake emails, social media posts, or direct messages with the goal of luring you to click on a bad link or download a malicious attachment. If you click on a phishing link or file, you can hand over your personal information to the cybercriminals. A phishing scheme can also install malware onto your device,” said the National Cybersecurity Alliance. “Some email platforms let you report phishing attempts. If you suspect an email is phishing for your information, it’s best to report it quickly. If the phishing message came to your work email, let your IT department know about the situation ASAP.”

Simple yet Secure: Strong Passwords 

A strong password is essential for B2B transactions or B2C experience. During the celebration of World Password Day this year, “passwords are critical gatekeepers” to our digital identities as they allow online access to shop, date, socialize, work, connect, and communicate. IT Group, Inc., here are some simple ways to protect yourself and create simple yet secure passwords. Easy. Be creative, smart, and unique. In Cybersecurity 101: Why Choosing a Secure Password Is So Important, an article written by Walden University shared that the more complex the password is, the more protected your information will be from cyber threats and hackers. “Hackers use programs that cycle the most common, simplest passwords used. Because of this, your password should include a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols to increase its complexity. The more complex the password, the safer it is, ” they said.

Also read: World Data Privacy Day I

Multi-Factor Authentication

“Businesses should invest in the two-factor authentication (2FA) process, whether for customers or employees. 2FA doubles the security as it gives a personal identification number (PIN) sent to a person’s account, mainly a personal phone number or email address that only they can verify,” IT Group, Inc. said. “The good thing about this process is that it creates a sense of security, as only the user can access those pins. If any person, aside from the user or customer, tries to log in, the actual holder of the account will be notified immediately. It is a win-win scenario for the customer as they continue their transactions worry-free while the company builds a reputation that protects the data and information of their customers.”

Also read: GUIDE: 5 Easy Steps to Create a Strong Password

The most secure way for businesses to protect their customers’ data and information is to invest in Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) for their employees. ITG’s partner ManageEngine offers ADSelfService Plus that has MFA for endpoints such as Fortify Windows, macOS, Linux, VPN, and OWA logins with MFA by choosing from over 18 methods, including biometric and time-based one-time passcode (TOTP) apps. It will help protect your company, people, and customers from the inside out and fortify your cybersecurity.

Updating Software

In line with the core celebration of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, updating your software is a must. “Every day, software and app developers focus on keeping their users and products secure. They’re constantly looking for clues that hackers are trying to break into their systems, or they are searching for holes where cybercriminals could sneak in, even if they’ve never been breached before. To fix these issues and improve security for everyone who uses their services, upstanding software companies release regular updates,” said the National Cybersecurity Alliance. “If you install the latest updates for devices, software, and apps, not only are you getting the best security available, but you also ensure that you get access to the latest features and upgrades. However, you can only benefit if you update. Don’t fret. Updating software is easy, and you can even make it automatic.”

ManageEngine, ITG’s solid technological partner for cost-effective and efficient IT Management Solutions, has a diverse portfolio of cybersecurity services, especially when it comes to password management, like ADSelfService Plus and Password Manager Pro.

1.  ADSelfService Plus

ADSelfService Plus is a web-based self-service password reset and account unlock solution. It also includes features like multi-factor authentication for self-service password resets/account unlocks, ADSelfService Plus portal logins, password expiry notifier, password policy enforcer, and real-time password synchronizer. At its core, ADSelfService Plus has the following:

• • Password management and security 

• • • • Password self-service
      • Password expiration notification
      • Password policy enforcer  

• • Multi-factor authentication 

• • • • MFA for endpoints 
      • MFA for cloud applications 

• • AD self-service

• • • • Directory self-update 
      • Corporate or employee directory search 
      • Email group subscription 

• • One Identity

• • • • Enterprise single sign-on
      • Real-time Password Synchronizer

2.  Password Manager Pro 

Password Manager Pro is an enterprise-grade password manager that provides centralized management of enterprise credentials. It goes beyond just vaulting sensitive credentials to streamlining privileged account governance by enabling administrators to take control of the actions performed with those passwords. Password Manager Pro has the following features: 

• • Secure password vault
  • Robust access controls 
  • Periodic password rotation 
  • Non-human identity management 
  • Application-to-application password management 
  • Secure remote sessions

Connect with the Tech Experts

In celebration of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, our technological partner, ManageEngine, promotes secure passwords and cybersecurity awareness for all. “Let’s work together to build a safer digital world. We can increase our online safety through four simple actions, and whether at home, work, or school, these tips make us more secure when connected. Take time to discuss them with family, friends, employees, and your community so we can all become safer online,” said the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. 

ITG has four regional offices in the ASEAN region, promoting digital transformation and cybersecurity in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. To date, we have 200+ clients across the region and a solid portfolio of 250+ successful projects.ITG has been the leading technology partner for system-wide innovative solutions to accelerate your business plans and goals, delivering seamless integrations and processes, from Business Management Solutions, IT Management, Integration & Automation, and Enterprise Data Management to IT Infrastructure. 

We help clients across the region experience digital transformation in their business, co-creating and co-owning solutions tailored to their business needs, especially when it comes to cybersecurity. Along with our Tech Experts and partners, like ManageEngine, we can help you combat cyber threats by being proactive and listening to your business and security needs. 

Let’s Venture Together and learn more about how we can help you.