28 jan Be digitally safe!

Happy data privacy day! 🤓😛

It is more important than ever to be digitally safe! 🔐
But what is required to stay digitally safe? Below are a few tips!

Breaches

A security breach can occur if you are not protecting your computer and phone or let yourself get tricked by malicious messages.

Security breaches can for example:

• expose your data
• change your data
• block access to your data
• share your data against your will
• cost you money

Examples of actions that may lead to a security breach:

• documents or files sent or shared to the wrong recipient
• system weaknesses or malfunctions
• device theft
• password sharing
• malicious software and viruses
• use of public hot-spots

To avoid these scenarios be sure to:

• Share sensitive documents in a safe system (eg. document management system)
• Encrypt your computer
• Make sure to update your phone and computer regularly
• Make sure to update your antivirus on your computer and phone regularly
• Never share your passwords
• If you must use a public hotspots – use a VPN!

Zero trust

What is Zero Trust?

Zero Trust means that no user, device or application can be trusted by default.
There are many technical Zero Trust solutions, one commonly known being multi-factor authentication.

But Zero Trust can also be applied to humans.
It is always good practice to be suspicious if you receive a messages that asks for:

• personal information
• login credentials
• digital verification via BankID or other identification method
• payments

Always ask yourself if the sender seems legitimate, and if the information seems plausible.
Is the message expected and from the correct sender?
More often than not, a malicious sender uses the wrong logo or brand colours, bad spelling, incorrect links and/or strange requests in their attempts to create a breach.

For example:

• Have you ordered something that needs customs clearance?
• Is the sender your provider of the alleged service?

Stop and think

The most effective method to avoid breaches is to take time to reflect!

Make a habit to stop and think, before you spring into action:

• Apply Zero Trust principles – be suspicious
• What is the probability of a breach?
• How severe can the consequence be?
• If this reflection suggests that a risk is present – deal with it.
• In Doubt? Ask!

You may feel uncomfortable or embarrassed for asking.
But the embarrassment will surely be bigger if something serious happens and you didn’t ask! 💣️🤯

Whenever you are uncertain about what to do: Ask!

Until next time – stay safe! /Kazzi