Whether you're an MSP working with SMBs or large-scale enterprises, good cyber hygiene is an important part of any business. Cyber hygiene is a set of organizational practices that maintain the security and health of a company’s data. Like personal hygiene, it should be performed regularly to safeguard devices, networks, data and users of an organization. And a key component of cyber hygiene is a cyber assessment.
“The whole point of an assessment is to know what you don't know” - Tim Coach, Director of Channel Engagement
A cyber assessment is an audit of a company’s digital infrastructure, carried out for different reasons and multiple objectives. That said, a typical assessment seeks to uncover information that will help a company improve its IT in order to reduce risk, improve profitability, or support growth and expansion. Conducting an assessment is the first step towards building a holistic cyber hygiene routine.
Assessments can range widely in cost; some are free, while others can be quite expensive. Much like any other service, a free assessment can be useful for providing basic information, but will likely not provide in-depth insights into a company’s cyber security practices. Even so, it is critical for MSPs to know what they’re getting into before forming a partnership with a client or business.
According to DataProt, businesses fall victim to a ransomware attack every 13.275 seconds. Aside from ransomware, companies can also fall victim to data leaks, phishing, malware and insider threats. From customer credit cards to user information, all businesses in all industries hold valuable and sensitive data.
To identify these potential threats and vulnerabilities, running a cyber assessment can be a great place to start when you’re unsure about a company’s cyber hygiene. A cyber assessment allows the MSP to determine any gaps while analyzing risks associated with a company’s practices or policies. This information is relayed to the company’s decision makers, who can then authorize the MSP to resolve problems or shortcomings.
The solutions proposed by a cyber assessment can vary in size, scope, and impact. They can be large – such as recommending a change in cloud provider, a new operating system, or hardware upgrades – or as simple as updating employee training materials and replacing old passwords and credentials.
Want to know more about risk assessments? Watch our webinar, Enhance Customer Security Through the Art of Assessment to hear from Ryan Cloutier, President of SecurityStudio, and Tim Coach, Director of Channel Engagement at Gradient MSP, as they discuss cyber hygiene and the importance of assessments in any industry and business.
Check out the Nodeware blog for valuable insights from industry leaders about all things cyber security.