How the Russian invasion of Ukraine impacts the cybersecurity of St. Louis businesses
by Ted Stahl | NOC Technology
Welcome to the cyberwar
This month the world began to see and feel the impact of war in Ukraine. We see the violence and are impacted emotionally. We see gas prices and feel the economic impact. We are exposed to disinformation and feel suspicion where trust is needed. But when it comes to the cyberwar, we don’t feel the impact because we can’t see it – until it’s too late.
Before the invasion, we were already in a cybersecurity crisis. But a Russian war may present the most serious cyber risk businesses have faced. Early in the conflict, CISA, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency warned of Russian cyberattacks affecting American networks. That came after a year of CISA warnings about risks to our critical infrastructure, like the ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline last summer.
Attacks on critical infrastructure are how most people envision a cyberwar. But the truth is that most cyberattacks are executed discreetly without the awareness of the target. Cybercrime remains out of sight and out of mind for many business and community leaders. This is precisely what cybercriminals want. Unaware and unconcerned is how they like you.
How you can improve your cybersecurity
- Develop a business continuity plan . What if you had to work in pen and paper for a few days, weeks, or months? How will you manage your accounts, communicate, or track inventory? You need a plan for when this happens.
- Promote a security mindset . Provide staff with cybersecurity training so they are familiar with the signs of an attack and comfortable reporting them. Implement two-factor authentication requirements and use strong passwords.
- Keep your software up to date . Always update to the latest version of your software. The updates are meant to fix known bugs and patch security vulnerabilities.
