Greg discusses how to to fend off cyberattacks in this episode of Ask The Expert. 800 CHAB radio presents Ask the Expert with Greg Marcyniuk of Heritage Insurance located in Moose Jaw.
Here's a full transcript of the episode.
Rob Carnie: It's a new world we're living in. And while it's a lot of fun and very convenient to have a computer to do all your business on, there are also some dangers. Greg Marcyniuk, our insurance expert at Heritage Insurance, here to talk about cyber attacks. Greg, it's happening more and more and it's real.
Greg Marcyniuk: It's very real, Rob. We actually have had businesses here within the city of Moose Jaw that have actually been hit by cyber attacks. And it's not only businesses, there are individuals. So, I do have some tips. They are small business related or business related. But they're also related to anyone that has a computer at home because it is very easy for people to be hacked.
So, the biggest thing is to equip each of your computers with an antivirus software, an anti-spyware, and update these regularly. A lot of people will have bought them three or four years ago, and they're still running on the same thing. Well the criminals out there, they are very aware, and they're very on top of these things.
As well, use a firewall and encrypting information to safeguard your internet connection, and password protect your router and access to that router. Establish policies with your employees in how they should handle and protect personal identifiable information and sensitive data. Educate your employees about cyber threats and hold them accountable as well, to the businesses internet security policies and procedures. So again, that comes back into your emails and not opening up any emails you're not aware of. Make sure you have a very strong password and change it often.
Make sure your bank and card processors utilize trusted anti-fraud services and isolate payment systems from other, you know, from less secure programs. Regularly backup all of your company computers and store the copies either off site or on the Cloud. I recommend doing it on the Cloud, because typically those Cloud services have two different locations, they're far away, and they are very protected. I went to one, and it was like trying to get into Fort Knox. Control the physical access to computers and network computers components. And again, require individual users account for each employee. Create a mobile device action plan, in the event something is lost or stolen - whether you have a company iPhone or a tablet, or even a laptop. That's the biggest thing because they do store a lot. All of them store a lot.
And protect every page of your public-facing websites, not just the login page. And you can talk to your individual website developer about that.
So these are tips just to help you prevent a cyberattack. We do have a Cyber Report Card. Anybody can contact us here at Heritage Insurance. We'd be more than happy to hand it out and we will have that up in the website shortly, as well.
Rob: Interesting. You look to professionals to help you with your computer system here, right?
Greg: That's correct. I use a different Cloud service. I use four different IT people, support people, to make sure that we are adequately covered. I have my - All my servers are locked every night in a steel door, as well as it being alarmed. So I really try to take every precaution whatsoever, so that I can protect all of my client information, because I've seen it happen. We haven't been hit personally. And, as well, there's legislation that is going to be coming down that if you do get hit, you are going to have to let everybody know and make them aware. And there's some huge costs involved in that as well. There are coverages available for that, so I highly recommend that people reach out and talk to us.
Rob: All you got to do is drop in.
Greg: That's right. Just check us out online at Heritage Insurance or come down the corner of Fairford and First Northwest.
(Video transcription by Speechpad)