Cybersecurity Help Desk | Benefits
According to recent studies, most IT security breaches are caused by human errors. These errors include downloading unpatched software or using the same credentials across multiple devices and platforms. A cybersecurity help desk mitigates the risk of human error.
With the average cost of data breaches hitting an all-time high of $4.35 million in 2022, according to IBM’s Cost of Data Breach Report, a cybersecurity help desk is an investment that will pay for itself.
What is a cybersecurity help desk?
An IT security help desk is a specialized team within an organization that provides professional assistance to employees on matters related to cybersecurity, such as guidance on identifying and responding to potential threats while helping employees understand how to better use security tools and apply best practices.
A cybersecurity help desk can alleviate the risk by creating a culture of awareness and responsibility in your organization.
The cybersecurity help desk may have a crucial role in many preventable IT security incidents.
Also, the team may play a significant role in assessing, developing, implementing, and monitoring security policies, which are critical tasks within your organization’s cybersecurity strategy.
Common human errors that can be mitigated
Firstly, clicking on a link or providing personal information in response to an email or text message that appears to be from a legitimate source are just two examples of preventable human errors.
SlashNext’s State of Phishing Report revealed a 61% increase in phishing attempts year over year.
According to the FBI, phishing is the most common type of social engineering tactic, and with today’s transition to hybrid working, phishing attacks are becoming even more prevalent.
One-third of organizations don’t offer cybersecurity training. Ongoing cybersecurity training with reinforcement from a help desk is essential to keep preventable data breaches top of mind.
Using weak passwords or reusing passwords across multiple accounts and devices makes it easier for hackers to gain access to sensitive information.
NOTE! According to Zippia, 83% of Americans reuse the same passwords, this includes the 59% of Americans who use their birth date or name as a password. 24% of all Americans simply use variations of “abc123”.
Failing to keep software and operating systems updated with the latest security patches can leave your business systems vulnerable. Updating software is a complex issue when so many employees are now working remotely. Just in 2022, 60% of the data breaches were correlated to unpatched cyber vulnerabilities.
Falling for social engineering scams is easier than you think. Social engineering seeks to engage an end-user in divulging sensitive information. According to SlashNext, cyberattacks from social engineering techniques increased by 270% in 2021.
Failing to implement proper access controls, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) or role-based access controls to limit access to sensitive data can have serious repercussions.
The physical security of company equipment is a particular point of concern for business executives dealing with remote workers. Eventually, lost, or stolen equipment should be a worry for any employee that takes work home.
Most companies lack a cybersecurity incident response plan. An incident response plan trains employees on what to do in the case of a cybersecurity event. A help desk will impact the incident response outcome by providing prompt support in case an employee makes an error that threatens business data.
When it comes to cybersecurity, what we don’t know can hurt us, therefore an approach where cybersecurity is top of mind is essential. It is up to organizations to keep employees aware of the risks involved.
Consequently, one important resource for safeguarding your business against evolving IT security threats is a cybersecurity help desk. It can play an essential role in preventing and mitigating cybersecurity threats to ensure the overall security of your organization’s network and systems.
Contact StratusPointIT and find out how to better protect your organization and mitigate the risk of a cybersecurity breach.
