Cyber threats are a persistent issue for businesses and individuals alike. At Kelser, we are always working with our clients to make their businesses more secure. October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, so we've asked our in-house experts for some tips and insights you can use to better secure your business and home (especially now that the two have become more closely linked for so many of us). Here some simple actions you can take to improve your cybersecurity at work and home.

It seems like every day, we hear stories about cyber attacks, ransomware demands, and data breaches. The Ponemon Institute reported that the average cost of a U.S. data breach in 2020 was $8.64 million.

When a firewall is working, it’s the last thing on your mind. But, did you know that most firewalls have a lifespan of three to five years?

When you think about cybersecurity, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Passwords?

With more internet-connected devices in the hands of more people, and a larger chunk of the workforce doing their 9-to-5 from home, cybercriminals have targets and opportunities like never before. The state of Connecticut is responding to this tidal wave of cyberthreats with proposed legislation aimed at encouraging companies to increase their cybersecurity. In a nutshell, the proposed bill provides incentives for businesses to reach compliance with nationally recognized standards of cybersecurity. In case of a breach, a compliant company would be shielded from legal liability stemming from a cyber attack. The bill was unanimously approved in the state House on May 20 and now moves to the state Senate.

Cybersecurity is largely about identifying vulnerabilities and risky practices, ideally before hackers have the chance to find and exploit them. I was quoted extensively, along with experts from Deloitte, Schellman & Co., Sikich and Markel, in a story for SC Magazine on how data and the supply chain drive hidden network threats.

Phishing is an old game, but the rules are always changing. I was quoted extensively, along with experts from companies like PwC, EY and McKinsey & Company, in a story for SC Magazine on developments in phishing of which CISOs, leaders and companies of all sizes need to be aware.

Following the interim rule passed down in the document DFARS Case 2019-D041 on September 29, 2020, there’s a growing number of subcontractors in the Department of Defense (DoD) supply base selling into the “Primes” who are receiving urgent requests from their customers to comply with this new requirement. Regardless how long the DFARS 252.204-7012 has been a stated requirement for DoD contract awards, this new urgency is driving a lot of activity in the Defense Industrial Base (DiB). As such, you have likely heard from a range of vendors that have offered to help you reach that goal.